OCA director-general receives honorary degree from Kookmin University

Husain Ali Al Musallam, director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia and the first vice president of the Federation Internationale de Natation, which administers international competitions in water sports, was presented with an honorary Ph.D. in sports science by Kookmin University on Monday.At the 11 a.m. ceremony, the former swimmer received the degree from university President Yu Ji-soo and Park Chan-ryang, the dean of its graduate school. Husain Ali al-Musallam (center), director-general

PeopleFeb. 20, 2019

[Herald Interview] Nobody can imitate our powerfulness: Monsta X

After seeing its biggest stateside success last year, which included its iHeart Radio Jingle Ball tour, Monsta X has returned with the new hard-hitting single “Alligator,” a culmination of its yearlong efforts. And the act confidently said that with the new single it was set to prove that 2019 would be its year for both musical growth and global recognition. “Performing at multiple Jingle Ball events taught us so many things and offered opportunities to connect with global audiences. It was such

PerformanceFeb. 19, 2019

Tongyeong music fest aims to be classical yet innovate

Tongyeong International Music Festival 2019 hopes to pay homage to the late composer Yun I-sang by hosting classical music as well as innovative musical attempts. The annual festival commemorates Yun, the city’s native son known for his attempts to bridge the music of the West and East. At this year’s festival, world-class musicians will introduce musical works by the composer and others. This year’s TIMF will be held from March 29 to April 7 under the theme of “Destiny” at the Tongyeong Music H

PerformanceFeb. 19, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Harry Potter 4DX’ invites audience into ‘Chamber of Secrets’

While the “Fantastic Beasts” series has been achieving its own success, the spinoff has us missing the original “Harry Potter” series even more. And now there is good news for fans: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” has returned after nearly 20 years -- in 4DX. House elf Dobby (Warner Bros.)The motion picture technology 4DX has been developed by CJ CGV and stimulates the senses with special effects such as motion seats, wind, water, lights and scents.When this roller coaster of a cinema

FilmFeb. 19, 2019

Red Velvet completes tour of 5 US cities, set to hit Canada next

K-pop girl band Red Velvet wrapped up its tour of five American cities and will set out on a tour of Canadian cities, the band's management agency said Tuesday.The five-piece girl group's latest United States tour started in Los Angeles in the first week of February. The band next performed in Dallas, Miami, Chicago and Newark on Sunday (US time), as part of the ongoing world tour, "Red Velvet 2nd Concert [REDMARE]." (Yonhap)At the last US concert at Newark, the band staged a medley of its hit s

PerformanceFeb. 19, 2019

[K-talk] After 7 years, B.A.P disbands

K-pop boy band B.A.P has disbanded, with all six of the original bandmates leaving its agency. TS Entertainment released an official announcement Monday saying that the agency’s exclusive contracts with Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae and Jongup have expired. (TS Entertainment)“The B.A.P members’ exclusive contracts with TS Entertainment have ended, and we came to an agreement to go separate ways,” the announcement read. The boy band debuted in 2012 with the single “Warrior.” With hit tracks “1004” a

PerformanceFeb. 18, 2019

‘Kill Ahn Young-ho’ raises awareness about runaway youth

Knowing and witnessing are two different things. The former deals with thoughts, whereas the latter involves confronting reality up close. “Kill Ahn Young-ho” is a drama that forces the audience to confront the realities facing teenage runaways. By showing us this story of three marginalized young people who have run away from home and the violence and difficulties that pushed them onto the streets, the work invites the audience to empathize. Once you meet these alienated teenagers -- though the

PerformanceFeb. 18, 2019

BTS attracts 380,000 spectators on Japanese leg of world tour

BTS drew some 380,000 spectators on the Japanese leg of the world concert tour "Love Yourself," which hit four major Japanese cities, the band's management agency said Monday.BTS wrapped up the "Love Yourself ~Japan Edition~" with the final stop at Fukuoka's Yahuoku! Dome held from Feb. 16-17, according to Big Hit Entertainment. (BTS Official Twitter)It was the final stop of BTS' tour of four Japanese cities, which kicked off at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 13 for a two-day run.Following Tokyo, the septet

PerformanceFeb. 18, 2019

2PM's Nichkhun set to release first solo album

Nichkhun, a Thai-American member of boy band 2PM, will release Monday his first solo album since his debut in the band 11 years ago, his management agency said.The album "ME" has nine tracks, all composed and written in English by Nichkhun himself, according to JYP Entertainment. (JYP Entertainment)It is fronted by "Lucky Charm," a song that combines mellow melodies with Nichkhun's sweet voice. The song "carries a story about fantasy and reality. It may come more soothing if you listen on a lazy

EntertainmentFeb. 18, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Resistance’ an uninspiring story of inspiring heroes

It’s one thing for Jo Min-ho to direct a steaming pile of you-know-what like “A Million” and call it a “thriller.” But when you take a tale of Yu Gwan-sun -- one of the most-recognized independence fighters in Korea, yet whose story has not appeared in many films -- and butcher it like this, it is just unforgiveable.“A Resistance,” the movie about the heroic 16-year-old who died while fighting against Japan’s colonization of Korea, was one that had so much potential and one that I prayed would b

FilmFeb. 17, 2019

Versatile artist Bek Hyun-jin’s latest paintings shown at PKM Gallery

Painter Bek Hyun-jin is holding a solo exhibition at PKM Gallery, titled “Work Song: Soil, Mattress and Waves.” The exhibition, which kicked off Friday at the gallery in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, comprises 65 recent paintings by Bek.Born in 1972, Bek is a multitalented artist who held his first solo exhibition in 1996. As the Uhuboo Project’s vocalist, he is also one of the first generation of local indie musicians, having worked on film soundtracks for internationally acclaimed directors Park Chan

Arts & DesignFeb. 17, 2019

BIGBANG's Seungri apologizes over club scandal

K-pop boy band BIGBANG's Seungri went ahead with a planned concert in Seoul on Saturday despite a snowballing scandal centering on a nightclub he was formerly involved in, although he apologized for his controversial stance on the club. Ahead of his solo concert at Olympic Park in southern Seoul, Seungri said he was sorry for causing "disappointment and concerns" to his fans over controversies surrounding Burning Sun, a famous club located in the bustling Gangnam Station area.  (YG Entertainment

PerformanceFeb. 17, 2019

Park Bom returns to K-pop stage in March

Park Bom, formerly of the now-disbanded 2NE1, is reportedly set to return to the K-pop scene in March. According to a report from the Star News on Friday, Park will release her new song in March, and is working on a new album. (Park Bom`s Instagram)Park’s upcoming release would be her first in eight years, following her digital single “Don’t Cry” released in April 2011. She debuted as a solo artist with the hit solo album “You and I” in 2009.Park Bom left YG Entertainment after 2NE1 disbanded in

PerformanceFeb. 15, 2019

Foreign student develops kimchi timer, receives KAIST degree

An industrial design student from Costa Rica who developed a kimchi timer during her time at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is set to receive her master’s degree on Friday. Maria Jose Reyes Castro from Costa Rica (KAIST)Maria Jose Reyes Castro, 25, conducted a study to develop the device, which uses a mobile app and a smart sensor to check the pH level of kimchi as it’s fermenting. With the app, users input the desired levels of fermentation and salinity. The app then for

FoodFeb. 15, 2019

Handwriting style released in homage to late Cardinal Stephen Kim

In memory of the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, publisher Catholic Book has released a handwriting style modeled after his penmanship.Based on the handwritten scripts of the cardinal who passed away a decade ago on Feb. 16, 2009, the publisher re-created his handwritten font, also minding the texture of his pen.  A new handwritten font is modeled after the style of the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan. (Catholic BookThe late cardinal still stands as an emblematic figure in the Catholic sc

PeopleFeb. 15, 2019

[Eye Plus] Walking through early 1900s at Seoul Station

Crowds of daily commuters and tourists hopping on and off KTX bullet trains make it easy to overlook the old Seoul Station, which was restored to its former glory almost half a decade ago. The red-brick Western-style building, which opened in 1925 during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, no longer serves as a train station. In 2012, it was revamped into Culture Station Seoul 284, an exhibition space. Its turquoise Byzantine-style central dome is a stark contrast to its modern surroundings, in

TravelFeb. 14, 2019

Momoland's Daisy admits to romantic relationship with iKon's Yun-hyeong

Daisy, a member of K-pop girl band Momoland, admitted Thursday that she is dating Song Yun-hyeong, a member of boy group iKon.An official from Momoland's management agency, MLD Entertainment, told Yonhap News Agency "the two have been in a dating relationship with mutual affection for three months," confirming a media report that the two started dating three or four months earlier. (YG Entertainment / MLD Entertainment)YG Entertainment, the music label for iKon, however, played down the report,

PerformanceFeb. 14, 2019

D Museum adds colorful designs to art exhibition

The latest exhibition at D Museum’s Hannam-dong branch, “I Draw” comes with 13 sections that have incorporated various design elements in line with the works of art displayed in each space.The 13 sections are designed by architect Kwon Kyung-min. Two local companies, COM and Craft Bros, have designed the interior details to match the mood that each section has. An installation view of “Mysterious Window” shows works by Pierre Le-Tan. (D Museum)An installation view of “The Drawing Room” shows wor

Arts & DesignFeb. 14, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Extreme Job (Korea)Opened Jan. 23ComedyDirected by Lee Byeong-heonA team of narcotics detectives goes undercover at a fried chicken joint to stake out an organized crime gang. When they learn the restaurant is going out of business, they decide to acquire the place and run it themselves. Things take an unexpected turn when their chicken recipe suddenly transforms the rundown joint into the hottest eatery in town. Innocent Witness(Korea) Opened Feb.13DramaDirected by Lee HanSun-ho (Jung Woo-sung)

FilmFeb. 14, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France The Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France is being held at the Petite France Park in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Buildings and streets as well as Christmas trees have been decorated with sparkling lights. There are also events such as performances featuring marionettes and magic as well as the opportunity to experience plaster art. The festival is being held until Feb. 28 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.Admission fees are 10,000 for child

TravelFeb. 14, 2019