Actress Kim Tae-hee buys building pricier than boyfriend’s

Actress Kim Tae-hee purchased a pricey building near Gangnam Station in southeastern Seoul that brought her boyfriend Rain down a notch in the list of Korean celebrities with most expensive buildings.  Actress Kim Tae-hee. (OSEN)The actress reportedly spent 13.2 billion won ($13.1 million) to buy the Prestige Two Building in the office-packed area near Teheran-ro in Gangnam district. She paid 4.6 billion won through loans and the rest in cash, according to local reports. Built on a 403-square-me

July 2, 2014

Han Jae-joon’s tragic childhood revealed in ‘Doctor Stranger’

The vengeful past of Han Jae-joon, played by actor Park Hae-jin, was revealed in SBS medical series “Doctor Stranger” on Tuesday, as the elite doctor took revenge on the founding family of Myungwoo Hospital.  Actor Park Hae-jin plays vengeful surgeon Han Jae-joon in SBS medical television series "Doctor Stranger. (SBS)As a child, Han lost his parents in a medical accident that occurred in Myungwoo Hospital. The hospital head Oh Joon-kyu, Han’s boss and the father of his lover Oh Soo-hyun, refuse

July 2, 2014

Choi Daniel on cover of Big Issue

    Actor Choi Daniel appeared on the cover of the Big Issue, a magazine sold on the streets by homeless people. Choi “donated his talent” to the magazine’s fourth anniversary and can be seen in fashionable outfits. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Big Issue)

July 2, 2014

Nerd turns into handsome K-pop idol

A blogger and online fashion shop owner showed how to turn into a hot K-pop idol in a video clip that‘s less than 1 minute long. The video shows him turning into a handsome man by shaving, putting on a facial mask pack and transforming his hairstyle. To see the video, go into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLdtAG3xlIBy Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Youtube capture)

July 2, 2014

After School’s Yui in summer editorial for SPA fashion brand

After School’s Yui has appeared in a summer editorial for SPA fashion brand H:Connect. The editorial shows Yui wearing a black bra top matched with a see-through top and flare skirt. The K-pop actress and singer can also been seen wearing a cute black-and-white dress matched with a stylish snapback. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: H:Connect)

July 2, 2014

JYJ protests over exclusion in Asian Game opening session performance

The three-member K-pop group JYJ expressed its displeasure with organizers of the Incheon Asian Games with regards to its performance during the upcoming sports festival.“The organizing committee must reach a consensus with JYJ in advance regarding Incheon Asian Games’ events,” JYJ said Tuesday through its management agency C-jes Entertainment. Idol group JYJ (C-jes Ent.)“When casting K-pop stars for the opening and closing event or conferences of Incheon Asian Games, JYJ should become the top p

July 2, 2014

Seoul City Improv hosts U.S. performers for joint show

The cast of Seoul City Improv (SCI)Seoul City Improv and Improv America will team up in Itaewon and Haebangchon from July 4-6 to deliver a weekend of performances and workshops.The Seoul troupe will be joined by performers connected with ImprovBoston and the Hideout Theater in Austin, Texas. Having performed with the group in Seoul twice before, Texas-based improv artist Kaci Beeler praises the city, citing its supportive community and the joys of raising awareness of improv comedy.“(We hope to)

Expat LivingJuly 1, 2014

North Asian Gaelic Games returns after three-year break

Seoul Gaels will be welcoming teams from across the country and overseas for the North Asian Gaelic Games this weekend. The event, to be held at Namyangju Sports Center in Gyeonggi Province, marks the return of the North Asian games after a three-year hiatus.Seoul Gaels chair Declan Griffin said that Irish sports in the region had suffered a lot after many of the Japanese players left in the wake of the problems of 2011.While Seoul Gaels was doing well at the moment, some of the other teams woul

Expat LivingJuly 1, 2014

Exhibitions delve into anxiety, social problems that weigh on us

Anxiety sometimes drives us to raise our standards and meet them, but when anxiety arises from complex societal problems, it tends to be more of a burden.Artist Yoon Dong-chun conducted a simple experiment to figure out what troubled young people of today the most. He displayed dozens of bottles of “Hope Pills” in his solo exhibition and let young viewers buy them for 3,000 won ($3) each. Pills that the artist said would help realize the dream of getting a job were the first to sell out. Other k

PerformanceJuly 1, 2014

Madonna donating to hometown of Detroit

Madonna performs at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Nov. 8, 2012. (AP)DETROIT (AP) ― Madonna, who was “inspired” during a recent visit to Detroit, is donating money toward the construction of a new youth boxing gym and buying iPods, iPads and other supplies for students at a charter school in her hometown, according to a news release issued by the music icon’s publicist Monday. The statement said Madonna’s donations to three Detroit organizations represent “the first phase of a long-term commi

PerformanceJuly 1, 2014

2NE1 Park Bom’s past drug use swept under rug

Local newspaper Segye Ilbo on Monday night belatedly revealed that popular K-pop star and 2NE1 member Park Bom was caught trying to receive illegal amphetamines via international mail nearly four years ago in an incident that went unpunished and unreported. On Oct. 12, 2010, customs agents at Incheon International Airport reportedly seized a package, which was sent by Park’s relatives living in the U.S., filled with 82 amphetamine pills that are banned in Korea. Although it has not been specifie

July 1, 2014

g.o.d. releases ‘Sky Blue Promise’

Reunited K-pop group g.o.d. released “Sky Blue Promise” off their eighth album online, Tuesday.The song topped nine local online music charts after its release at noon.The track is written by renowned Korean producer duo Double Kick, who also wrote g.o.d’s last single, “The Lone Duckling,” released earlier in May to much acclaim. “Sky Blue Promise” talks about both the present and the past of the group and its promise to fans. The song includes lyrics from g.o.d’s past hit songs.g.o.d. (Olive TV

July 1, 2014

B2ST vocalist says localization is key to K-pop boom

K-pop boy band B2ST’s vocalist Son Dong-woon said that Korean singers should step up efforts to localize their music and style to make the K-pop boom long-lasting at the Hallyu Conference, held Tuesday in Seoul.  (OSEN)“Singers should understand foreign cultures before they perform abroad. There are, of course, cultural differences among fans from different parts of the world,” the youngest member of the group told the audience. The Hallyu Conference, jointly organized by Korea’s national broadc

July 1, 2014