Upcoming musicals for 2019

Wednesday sees the kickoff in Seoul of the musical “The Lion King,” marking the beginning of another year with an array of musicals to entertain local audiences.The musical will performed in English, as it comes as part of an international tour. The show continues through March 28 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul. It will be held at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays or on Feb. 6.   Ntsepa Pitjeng, who plays the role of Rafiki in

PerformanceJan. 6, 2019

[K-talk] Lee Hyori comes onstage at IU’s concert in Jeju

Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon appeared at IU’s concert in Jeju on Saturday. The couple surprised fans by making an appearance during IU’s 10th anniversary concert “dlwlrma-Jeju ‘Curtain Call’” held at the International Convention Center Jeju on Jeju Island. “Thank you so much for coming to my concert. I’m so nervous right now,” said the 26-year-old as she greeted the two. (IU’s Twitter)Lee Hyori and IU sang a duet song, “She’s Different From Me,” with Lee Sang-soon’s guitar accompaniment. The song

PerformanceJan. 6, 2019

[K-talk] Apink drops video teaser for ‘%%’

Apink has dropped a music video teaser for its song “%%” slated for release at 6 p.m. Monday.Representing the girl group, Plan A Entertainment unveiled the first music video teaser for “%%,” the title track of the upcoming EP “Percent,” at midnight Friday via Apink’s official fan page and social media channels. (Plan A Entertainment)The 52-second clip features member Son Na-eun whispering some words while other members appear to be in the middle of a ritual: They are gathered around looking at a

PerformanceJan. 6, 2019

Black Pink tops girl group brand ranking for January

Black Pink was named the most popular K-pop girl group in January, followed by Twice and Red Velvet, according to the Korea Brand Reputation Center. The center analyzed over 135 million pieces of big data on K-pop girl groups from Dec. 4, 2018 to Jan. 5 and examined their brand reputation in the categories of participation, media, communication and community.  (YG Entertainment)The brand reputation measures positive and negative perception rates, interest from the media and attention and communi

PerformanceJan. 6, 2019

BTS shares the honor of awards with Army

BTS won the Digital Bonsang and the Global V Live Top 10 Best Artist awards at the 2019 33rd Golden Disc Awards held Saturday at Gocheock Sky Dome in Seoul.“Thank you to our fanclub Army for streaming our songs, allowing us to win the Bonsang,” said Suga at the event. “We are working hard on new tracks to present our fans with good music. Thank you for waiting,” added the leader RM. (BTS official Twitter)This was not the end of BTS showing love toward its fans. On Sunday morning, member Jimin an

TelevisionJan. 6, 2019

Renowned fashion designer, actor Ha dies of cancer

Ha Yong-su, a renowned fashion designer and actor, died of liver cancer early Saturday morning, sources have said. He was 69.His memorial altar is expected to be set up at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Sunday, when his family members are expected to arrive in Korea from the United States. (File photo)Ha made his debut as an actor in 1969. Since then, he has appeared in more than a dozen movies, including "Heavenly Homecoming to Stars" in 1974 and "First Love a

Arts & DesignJan. 5, 2019

Viewers left baffled at ‘worst restaurant owner’ on ‘Alley Restaurant’

A pizza restaurant owner on chef Baek Jong Won’s reality show “Alley Restaurant” has caused anger among viewers with his abrasive attitude and questionable food hygiene standards.The restaurant makeover show featured a pizza restaurant owner in Cheongpa-dong in Seoul on this week’s episode, during which chef Hwang Ho-jun served his “Mexican style” chicken noodle soup to a group of tasters who were university students. (SBS)It is safe to say Hwang did not leave a good impression as he took nearly

TelevisionJan. 4, 2019

Seoulites to take stage at ‘Yu Gwan-sun Opera Cantata’

The people of Seoul will be invited to take part in a musical performance in honor of freedom fighter Yu Gwan-sun to be held on March 2, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus will jointly hold “Yu Gwan-sun Opera Cantata.” The performance tells the life story of the emblematic female activist of the March 1st

PerformanceJan. 4, 2019

Gracias Choir of Korea performs in Uganda

The Gracias Choir of Korea performed at the “Passover Festival,” a massive religious year-end event in Uganda, at the Mandela National Stadium in the African country on the last day of 2018, organizers said.The festival was organized by Born Again Faith, the largest pastoral organization in Uganda. BAF invited the Korean choir under the International Youth Fellowship based in Seoul. The Gracias Choir of Korea performs at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Dec. 31. (IYF)IYF officials said

CultureJan. 4, 2019

[Herald interview] Changing lives, one building at a time

Taking the steep, narrow staircase to meet architect Seung Hyo-sang, or Seung H-Sang as his business card says, one almost fears for one’s life, tottering down the steps in heels with one hand against the wall for support in the semidarkness.Upon reaching the floor, there is a sigh of relief and a sense of salvation as one follows the sound of choral music to Seung’s office. It is a few days before Christmas, and there is something of a sacred quality to the space, crammed with bookcases and a l

Arts & DesignJan. 3, 2019

[Weekender] Which celebs were born in the Year of the Pig?

The Year of the Golden Pig falls once every 60 years and is associated with wealth and good fortune. So it looks like 2019 could be a lucky year. People born this year have the pig as their Chinese zodiac animal. The Year of the Pig comes every 12 years, so this is a special year for anyone born in 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959 or 1947.Here are some of the most famous public figures in South Korea who were born in the Year of the Pig.V (BTS), singer, 1995V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, was bo

TelevisionJan. 3, 2019

[Eye Plus] Flights of fancy at Joseon archery range

　On a chilly day in December, a group of people gathered in a grass field in downtown Seoul to practice what was one of the most sought-after pastimes in the Joseon era: archery. 　After notching their arrows, the archers stood aimed at a target about 150 meters away. Only silence dominated the freezing wind blowing through the range. 　They let out their breath as in few seconds, one arrow was fired from a seasoned archer who has been practicing for 10 years. With a buzzing sound cutting across t

CultureJan. 3, 2019

Actress Clara to get married in US

Korean actress Clara announced her wedding through her agency Koreana Clara on Thursday.According to Koreana Clara, the actress will marry her Korean-American fiance in a small private wedding ceremony in the US on Sunday, with only families and friends attending.  (to Bride)Here is a translation of the statement released by Clara’s agency:Hello this is actress Clara’s agency Koreana Clara.It is rather abrupt but there is a happy announcement about Clara.The actress will get married in the US th

FilmJan. 3, 2019

Twitter reacts to premiere of ‘The Masked Singer’ US remake

The premiere of “The Masked Singer” aired Wednesday night in the US, and Twitter users already have a lot to say about the US remake of the popular South Korean variety show.The show features a dozen celebrities who wear over-the-top stage costumes and masks to hide their identity as they sing before a star-studded panel of judges, including Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke. (The Masked Singer's Twitter)The identity of each contestant is revealed when they are eliminated, and last night it wa

TelevisionJan. 3, 2019

Violinist Christian Tetzlaff says ‘I am a family man’

“Mostly, I am a family man,” said violinist Christian Tetzlaff in a phone interview ahead of his upcoming debut concert as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s artist-in-residence this year. 　“Family, of course, is the most important thing in life,” the father of six continued. “But the support in really difficult and desperate times -- yes, playing and listening to music can really give a lot to most people -- to know that we are sharing grief and that sharing joy in concerts. This is the reason

PerformanceJan. 3, 2019

Story of 12 animal guardians

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a rat, Michael Jackson was a dog. His little sister Janet is a horse and Beyonce is a rooster, as is her husband Jay-Z.No, the “King of Pop” was not literally man’s best friend, but he is represented by the cuddly animal in “sibiji,” the 12 Chinese zodiac animals thought to represent worldly elements.“Sibiji” -- or just jiji -- refers to the units allocated to various elements in the world, such as the year, lunar month, each day divided into 12 and 12 separate porti

CultureJan. 3, 2019

[K-talk] S.M. Entertainment to hold SMTown Live in Santiago

S.M. Entertainment will hold its “SMTown Special Stage in Santiago” concerts at Estadio Nacional sports complex in the Chilean city on Jan. 18-19, the first time the agency’s flagship event will take place in South America.Many of the marquee names in the agency including BoA, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation’s Yuri and Hyoyeon, SHINee’s Key and Taemin, EXO, f(x)’s Amber, Red Velvet and NCT are to participate in the event to perform colorful stages for two days.(S.M. Entertainment)Estadio Naciona

PerformanceJan. 3, 2019

Lotte Foundation for Arts appoints new chief

The Lotte Foundation for Arts has appointed Kim Sun-kwang as its new head, according to the foundation on Wednesday.Kim, 60, formerly managed the retail business of Mario Outlet before being appointed at the foundation. Kim Sun-kwang (Lotte Foundation for Arts)Kim has been working for Lotte Group since 1986, when he first joined Lotte Shopping. Since then, he has mainly worked for Lotte Department Store’s retail business. He reportedly does not have professional experience in the culture industr

PeopleJan. 3, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Yellowtail feast at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul’s vinyl music bar The Timber House hosts Winter Yellowtail promotion.During weekday happy hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. guests can enjoy a 4-course meal featuring yellowtail. The set-course menu starts with salad, followed by a sushi platter, tempura and udon. The meal will be completed with an unlimited flow of white wine, house sake and Japanese draft beer.The promotion deal costs 69,000 won per person. For more information or reservation, call

FoodJan. 3, 2019

CJ ENM’s Studio DIA generates 400 videos, 100 million views in 2018

CJ ENM’s DIA TV stayed strong on the YouTube platform in 2018.According to Thursday’s announcement from DIA TV, an affiliate of entertainment heavyweight CJ ENM, Studio DIA created around 400 videos last year, which combined for 100 million views.  Creators affiliated with DIA TV promote the channel. (CJ ENM)While DIA TV specializes in managing content creators -- particularly YouTubers -- Studio DIA, a subdivision launched in 2017, creates original videos suitable for the online streaming platf

TelevisionJan. 3, 2019