Dolmuchi, the protagonist of the film “Kundo: Age of the Rampant,” is not the typical kind of hero that people see in movies. Played by Ha Jung-woo (“Love Fiction,” “The Chaser”), he is a butcher, an undesirable occupation that automatically placed a person at the lowest strata of commoners in the mid-19th century Joseon era (1392-1910). He slaughters animals, cuts the meat with his iron axe and sells it to noble families for less than a penny. He is an 18-year-old with patchy and thick long hai

July 20, 2014

Jeongdong Theater, established and run by the government, has a clear mission: to introduce Korea’s traditional arts to foreign visitors. Tucked away behind Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, the small theater with 250 seats has been mounting traditional arts performances every day for the past 17 years. On Sunday, it celebrated its millionth audience member, a milestone in its devoted history since its foundation on the historic site of the country’s first Western-style theater. In an interview last w

CultureJuly 20, 2014

“The Divine Move,” a South Korean film about a professional baduk player seeking revenge for the death of his brother, will debut in U.S. and Asian theaters this week, the film’s production company said Saturday.According to Showbox, the action-noir flick starring Jung Woo-sung will reach foreign audiences on Friday, and will also be shown in seven cities in Germany from July 27 to Sept. 21., after it was invited to the Fantasy Film Festival.Baduk is a popular strategy board game in Asia, and is

July 20, 2014

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 21st installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.Contrary to initial preconceptions that may spring to mind when hearing a band name like The Electriceels, most first impressions of Hwang In-gyeong, Kim Ye-seul and Kim Min-hyuk tend to be that they are just ordinary,

July 20, 2014

(FNC Entertainment)Lee Hong-gi, one of the five members of the K-pop group FT Island, successfully completed a fan-meeting event in Singapore following events held in Hong Kong and Taiwan.Lee’s fan-meeting tour, “Lee Hong Gi’s Proposal,” was held at Resorts World Theater, allowing local fans to meet the star of the popular K-drama “Bride of the Century.”The rom-com was aired on the cable channel TV Chosun from February through April. Lee played the main character Choi Kang-joo, gaining more inte

July 20, 2014

G-Dragon of Big Bang commented on his groupmate’s music video “Eyes, Nose, Lips” on “Entertainment Weekly,” aired on KBS, Saturday.“I watched (Taeyang’s) music video thoroughly. He was really good at kissing,” the singer recalled in an interview.He insisted, “It is strange how all of the other four members got to have a kiss scene. I was the only one without a kiss scene. So, I plan to have my own kiss scene in this upcoming Big Bang album. I’ll do it from the beginning to the end.”G-Dragon prov

July 20, 2014

Members of popular idol group B1A4 shared their thoughts about being “solo” during an interview with a local news outlet on Sunday. B1A4 (Mnet)What are the benefits of being a “solo”?Jinyoung: Being single is good because I can do all the things I want independently. For example, I can watch all genres of movie I like regardless of others’ preference.Shinwoo: I can have free time of my own. I can devote to myself because I will not be spending my energy on others.Sandeul: I think I can deeply fa

July 20, 2014

(Samsung Electronics)K-pop rookie boy band EXO will promote the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games as honorary ambassadors, the event’s official sponsor Samsung Electronics Co. said on Sunday.The Korean tech giant selected EXO as honorary ambassadors for the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in a press conference held in Shanghai, China, on Friday, expecting the boy band’s global popularity would raise the recognition for the event. On the same day, EXO kicked off the two-day concert “EXO World Tou

July 20, 2014

Krystal of girl group f(x) attracted great attention by wearing bright blue contacts while hosting a music program on Saturday.On MBC’s “Show Music Core,” Krystal and the other members of f(x), except for Sulli, performed “Red Light” from their recently released EP.Together with her heavily bleached blond hair, Krystal’s bright eyes shone under the strong lights of the stage.Krystal’s so-called “extreme makeover” has many admirers praising her unique sense of style and the body that actually fit

July 20, 2014

Chanyeol of K-pop boy group EXO shared his experience of bungee jumping on early Sunday.“Please watch today’s episode of ‘Roommate’ at 4:10 p.m. After bungee jumping, I became all meditative, like someone who has nothing to live for. I don’t think there will be a second (bungee jump). The tips of my toes are still tingling,” Chanyeol wrote on his Instagram account.Together with his confession about bungee jumping, he posted a picture of himself looking dumbfounded with his ankles still strapped

July 20, 2014

The Chinese fans of Korean actress Gong Hyo-jin provided a catering service for the actors and filming staff of SBS’ new drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” the broadcaster said on Sunday. The members of fan club “China Baidu Gong Hyo-jin Ba” sent a truck of meals to the drama’s filming site on July 17, wishing for a successful kickoff to the television series. Wearing her trademark smile, the actress thanked the fans for the generous gift and for traveling all the way to the regional area where the

July 20, 2014

The scorching heat and humidity signals that it’s time to get away from daily responsibilities and set off for white sand beaches or lush green mountains. But summer vacation in Korea is often another round of stressful days. More than half of the population takes summer vacation during late July and early August. Beaches are crowded with endless stretches of colorful parasols. Added to this are congested highways and overpriced restaurants and hotels. The summer fantasy of relaxing on a peacefu

TravelJuly 18, 2014

Located in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, Gangwon Province is home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, on top of scenic beaches and clear water.The region is the most-visited summer destination for Seoulites, beating Jejudo Island and Busan.It is blessed with Gyeongpo Beach, the largest beach on the country’s east coast; the Hantangang River, a popular site for white-water rafting; and the peaceful Kwangchi Recreation Forest, which offers fascinating scenery that i

TravelJuly 18, 2014

Long-awaited vacations always pass by all too soon, and it seems that to make the most out of that limited time, one simply has to fully savor the pretravel excitement and post-travel reminiscing.Luckily, it has become easier nowadays to find travel-inspired places all over Seoul, where aspiring travelers may obtain travel information and fatigued urbanites may feel a sense of freedom amid their pressing daily routine.The newest of these spots is the Hyundai Card Travel Library, which opened in

TravelJuly 18, 2014

Hoping to see vast rocky mountain ranges, but can’t face hiking? Want to see the crisp blue coast, but avoid the summer crowds? For summer travelers looking to enjoy Korea’s picturesque countryside, KORAIL’s sightseeing trains just might be the answer. The only question is: O, V or S? Early last year, the state-run rail operator launched the O-train and V-Train, with the goal of showcasing some of Korea’s hard-to-reach inland rural areas. Spring, summer, fall or winter, the exclusive sightseeing

TravelJuly 18, 2014

Monet, Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hirst ― these are just a few of the artists, the greats who are immediately recognized by their last name alone, whose original works will hang at the Hangaram Museum at Seoul Arts Center until Sept. 17. “The Great Artists of the 20th Century: From Renoir to Damien Hirst,” an exhibition organized by the Opera Gallery Group in celebration of its 20th anniversary, is a unique opportunity to view in a single venue 104 original pieces of the 53 leading artists of the

CultureJuly 18, 2014