‘Antigen-antibody reaction’ between Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The phrase describes actors Lee Dong-wook and Cho Seung-woo’s relationship in the upcoming JTBC medical drama series “Life.”Lee plays a passionate emergency room doctor, while Cho takes on the role of a coldhearted president of the hospital. Having different goals and interests, the two confront each other.  Lee Dong-wook (left) and Cho Seung-woo pose separately for photos during a media event Monday at Imperial Palace Hotel in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)Pr

TelevisionJuly 23, 2018

Kim Young-kwang plays loveable ‘loser’ opposite Park Bo-young

It is virtually impossible to picture Kim Young-kwang as a loser with his towering 187-centimeter frame and handsome face, a sentiment felt immediately by Park Bo-young when they were cast for the upcoming film “On Your Wedding Day.”“When I first heard about the casting, I was like ‘What?’... When I read the scenario, I thought it would be someone with a ‘loser’ appeal, but I was left to wonder if such a tall, handsome man would be obsessed with me,” said Park at a press conference for the film

FilmJuly 23, 2018

Twice, Apink wrap up promotional activities

Girl groups Twice and Apink officially wrapped up their respective promotional activities with appearances on SBS K-pop ranking show “Inkigayo,” Sunday.Twice edged out Apink to take the No. 1 spot with “Dance the Night Away,” securing the top spot on all five major TV music ranking programs, including KBS’ “Music Bank” and MBC’s “Show! Music Core.” Twice (JYP Entertainment)“I’d like to thank Once for always being there for us for the past two weeks (of the promotional period) despite the heat,”

PerformanceJuly 23, 2018

‘Grim Reaper’ Lee Dong-wook to save ‘Life’ in upcoming drama

Putting his charming Grim Reaper character behind, actor Lee Dong-wook is ready to take on the role of a doctor in upcoming JTBC drama series “Life.”In the Monday-Tuesday drama series, Lee takes on the role of an emergency room doctor. The doctor may not be as charming as the humorous, sweet Grim Reaper in “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” but he is more passionate than anyone about saving lives.  Lee Dong-wook (JTBC)“Grim Reaper takes dead people, but this time I am saving lives of people w

TelevisionJuly 23, 2018

Novelist Choi In-hun, who delved into ideological conflicts of modern Korea, dies of cancer

Prominent novelist Choi In-hun, whose fiction delved into the ideological conflicts, existential angst and decadent politics in modern Korea, died of cancer on Monday. He was 82. He passed away at a hospital in Goyang, just outside of Seoul, in the morning. He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer four months ago.  Born in 1936 in Hoeryong, in what is now North Korea, Choi crossed into the South after the Korean War broke out in 1950. (Yonhap)Choi is best known for his 1960 novel "The Square," on

PeopleJuly 23, 2018

[Herald Interview] Victon believes in value of taking it slow

When Victon’s recent single “Time of Sorrow,” which was released in May, topped Japan’s Tower Record chart earlier this month, the bandmates could hardly believe their eyes and ears. The song was the group’s first song since its debut in November 2016 to enter the top 100 of a Korean music chart and won third on popular music show “M!Countdown.” However, the song’s crossover success in Japan, a country where the group had not officially debuted, was completely unexpected. “I first heard the news

PerformanceJuly 23, 2018

'Incredibles 2' tops box office, 'The Witch' surpasses 3 mln in attendance

The Hollywood animation "Incredibles 2" topped the box office over the weekend drawing 1.12 million moviegoers, while the Korean supernatural thriller "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" surpassed 3 million in total attendance, data showed Monday.The Disney/Pixar sequel earned 9.65 billion won ($8.5 million) or 47 percent of the total ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, according to the computerized box-office tally from the Korean Film Council. In total, the movie has garnered 1.36 million view

FilmJuly 23, 2018

How avocados are gaining ground in Korea

A growing number of South Koreans are discovering the value of avocados. While its oddly soft texture, green hue and rough exterior may have been unsettling at first, the avocado is now being praised locally for its nutritional value. It is noted especially among the younger generation to be full of vitamins, great for the skin, low in cholesterol and beneficial to dieting.For its health benefits and delicious, buttery consistency, the green fruit is being incorporated into more meals. On Instag

FoodJuly 22, 2018

‘Karl Marx is on a train to Busan’

Slavoj Zizek, regarded among the leading intellectuals in the world, made his visit to a monthly gathering of the Gwangju Biennale to lecture on Marxism at the biennale’s conference hall in Gwangju. In the lecture titled “Is Marx Dead, Alive or Living Dead,” attended by some 200 people, Zizek talked about what people can do with Marxism in what he called a contemporary society ever-more disintegrated by increasingly permeating capitalism. Slavoj Zizek speaks at a lecture held on Saturday in Gwan

CultureJuly 22, 2018

Overnight sensation or cheater? K-pop charts disputed

Shaun claims innocence amid chart-rigging allegationsAs of Sunday, Twice, Black Pink, Apink, Mamamoo, BTS and other K-pop giants had claimed leading spots on charts of most music streaming websites in Korea. But snubbing them all for the top spot at Melon, Genie and other major charts was “Way Back Home,” by far lesser-known musician Shaun.Shaun is a singer who also plays synthesizer for rock band the Koxx. He has made a name for himself since his band’s 2009 debut, but has never been considered

PerformanceJuly 22, 2018

Seventeen showcases new album 'You Make My Day'

K-pop boy band Seventeen held a media showcase of their new album "You Make My Day" in Blue Square in central Seoul on July 16."Oh May!" fronts the new album, which has five other tracks of self-produced music.(Yonhap)The songs are an easy listen that can fuse comfortably into the summer background, according to the group. (Yonhap)

PerformanceJuly 20, 2018

[Herald Interview] When food connoisseur takes charge of hotel management

At first glance, Kim Bum-soo seems more like a hip fashion editor or a stylish tailor than a general manager of a classy hotel. Kim is the GM of a newly opened hotel in central Seoul, L’Escape. He recently sat down with The Korea Herald for an interview at the French-style boutique hotel near Hoehyeon Station.   General Manager of L’Escape Kim Bum-soo (Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)Though wearing a classic suit, the GM’s style is different from that of your typical businessmen; his outfit was

PeopleJuly 19, 2018

Hilton Busan’s 1st anniversary

Hilton Busan celebrated its first anniversary this month.The luxury oceanfront hotel located in eastern Busan has risen as an iconic landmark in the region for its beautiful scenery and architecture since its grand opening on July 1, 2017. Guests look around the hotel’s wedding chapel (Hilton Busan)It has been touted as a top “destination hotel,” inviting guests to visit the area particularly for the hotel.Celebrating the success, the hotel held its Gourmet Journey event on July 12, allowing par

TravelJuly 19, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Indian-themed night at Sheraton Seoul D Cube CitySheraton Seoul D Cube City hotel is offering a novel room package for families, called “My Little Agit.” The package provides a small Indian teepee for children to play in along with Milo & Gabby pillows and the signature Sheraton D-Bear in a deluxe room, along with macarons. Families can enjoy a lavish breakfast at the buffet restaurant Feast and swim at the indoor swimming pool. The deal is available until the end of the year at a starting price

FoodJuly 19, 2018

[Herald Interview] Singing and dancing in zombie apocalypse

As Korea’s biggest genre cinema display, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival has earned a reputation for the grotesque and zany alike. For zombie fans in particular, the July festival just west of Seoul is a holiday season on par with that other in October, and its 22nd iteration running through Sunday doesn’t disappoint. Catching attention among the pack is teen zombie Christmas musical comedy “Anna and the Apocalypse.” Ella Hunt stars in “Anna and the Apocalypse” (BIFAN)Despite its R

FilmJuly 19, 2018

‘In Praise of Death’ won’t come to life for modern readers

Han So-jin’s “In Praise of Death” seems equipped with the enticing elements of a best-seller: a femme-fatale artist misunderstood by her generation and a tragic affair with a married man. Unfortunately, whether the novel lives up to its potential is as elusive as the unfulfilled love story. “In Praise of Death” by Han So-jin (Hainiam)Yun Sim-deok (1897-1926) was Korea’s first soprano and an early Korean pop figure. Her biography is often scandalized by her relationship with playwright Kim Woo-ji

BooksJuly 19, 2018

[Weekender] Ethereal summer escapes overseas

As the summer heat rolls through Korea, many are hoping to travel abroad for an enjoyable, relaxing vacation. With so many convincing options and intriguing places, it is often overwhelming to research and decide on a fun, exciting and affordable location.Based on online rankings from South Koreans, popular social media posts and opinions from Korean youth, The Korea Herald has compiled some of the most interesting places to visit overseas this summer. Not too far from home, each of the destinat

TravelJuly 19, 2018

[Weekender] Summer getaways at hotels for ‘one-stop luxury’

Summer holidays are finally here.The idea of getting away from city life is always fun. But the reality is that it’s scorching outside, most of Korea is well over 30 Celsius degrees, and everywhere you go will be crowded with holidaymakers. Plus, the roads are already packed with millions of vacationers. When you do finally reach the beach after hours stuck in highway traffic, you find yourself swimming shoulder to shoulder with others. Koreans often say the beaches are “half water, half people”

TravelJuly 19, 2018

[Herald Interview] It all began with the house

Looking for Mark Tetto’s house in Gaehoe-dong, Seoul, Monday morning, I encounter groups of foreign tourists -- from the Philippines and Vietnam, mostly -- posing and taking pictures against the backdrop of narrow alleys lined with Korea’s traditional hanok. After walking up and down a hill, going round in circles under the blazing morning sun, I finally locate Tetto’s house, its slim gate hard to find between the walls of houses next to it on either side. I swear I had walked past this street 1

CultureJuly 19, 2018

[Weekender] Living, not just sightseeing, travel destinations

Back in college when you were backpacking across Europe, you jammed in as many activities to do as you could; every second counts when you’re traveling on the hard-earned money you made tutoring and waiting tables. But sometimes people -- rather than crossing off all the items on to-do lists -- wish they could just live like the locals, soaking in the mundane everyday stuff that only people living there know to look for: That bakery around the corner, that bistro down the block, that little book

TravelJuly 19, 2018