NCT signals major return with ‘Boss’

NCT hinted its return to the K-pop scene, pre-releasing the music video of its unit’s new track “Boss” on Sunday. NCT U, consisted of seven members from the original group, recorded the song and shot the accompanied music clip in Ukraine. Taeyong and Mark participated in the lyric writing.  Teaser image of NCT U’s new track “Boss” (S.M. Entertainment)The song is a hint to the upcoming album “NCT 2018” which will be released in March. All 18 bandmates of the group are to participate in the album

PerformanceFeb. 18, 2018

Foreign tourists take a bite of Korea

For foodies who are traveling overseas, Michelin-starred restaurants are not the only choice available when it comes to experiencing the local food culture. Many, thirsty to know more about everyday local cuisine, take advantage of culinary tourism, joining cooking classes or food tours. Taking some time off from wandering the streets, tourists are immersing themselves in authentic local experiences, under the guidance of professionals. Listening to stories behind foods, cooking classes“Do you k

FoodFeb. 18, 2018

[PyeongChang 2018] Gangneung Olympic Park’s Live Site a hot spot for visitors

Gangneung Olympic Park’s Live Site, an outdoor space dedicated to live broadcasts and performances, has emerged as a hot place for visitors to the Olympics. Gangneung Olympic Park’s Live Site (PyeongChang 2018)The outdoor venue attracted some 5,000 people for a music performance by North Korea art troupe on Thursday Live Site is set to attract more visitors for the weekend as it will host a K-pop concert that will feature well-known singers including boy group B.A.P, rock band No Brain, Rose Mot

EntertainmentFeb. 16, 2018

EXO, Girl's Generation, other S.M. artists to hold large K-pop concert in Dubai

EXO, Girl's Generation and other top K-pop stars will stage a joint concert in Dubai in April, organizers said Thursday. EXO (Yonhap)The SM Town Live World Tour VI in Dubai will be held at Autism Rocks Arena on April 6 and will also feature such S.M. Entertainment artists as BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee and Red Velvet, according to Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.The SM Town Live series was launched in 2008 and concerts have been held in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Beijing an

PerformanceFeb. 15, 2018

Big Bang’s Taeyang to enlist on March 12

K-pop star Taeyang of Big Bang is set to begin his mandatory military service on March 12, according to YG Entertainment on Thursday.  Taeyang (YG Entertainment)The 29-year-old who recently married actress Min Hyo-rin will begin his service two weeks after his bandmate G-Dragon enlists on Feb. 27. Taeyang will  be the third member to enlist for active duty service. T.O.P is currently serving as a public service worker to fulfill the military duty.By Bak Se-hwan (sh@heraldcorp.com)

TelevisionFeb. 15, 2018

[Video] Social venture chief calls on Korea to nurture positive view of sex

On Valentine’s Day in Korea, contrary to traditions elsewhere, it is the women who busily prepare for the upcoming date night. Homemade chocolates and candlelit dinners are just a few items on the extensive checklist. While women here shower men with gifts on Feb. 14, men get the chance to reciprocate on March 14, known as White Day.On Valentine’s Day, many local hotels and accommodations offer promotions and special packages for lovers. “Rooms get fully booked around Christmas and Valentine’s D

CultureFeb. 14, 2018

Future Shorts film night returns to Seoul for winter program

Future Shorts is returning to Seoul for its winter program on Saturday with a new selection of short films.The festival is a one-night event showing short films of varying length.The films on Saturday’s 98-minute program vary in length up to 30 minutes, and include dramas, documentaries and a music video.UK documentary “The Watchmaker,” by Cecile Embleton offers a portrait of an Iranian watchmaker and his musings on craft and time, while Dutch experimental documentary “Green Screen Gringo” shows

Expat LivingFeb. 14, 2018

Music lovers to collaborate for good cause in Gwangju choir

In a collaboration between passionate international and local residents, the Gwangju International Center is forming a citizen choir to transcend cultural and language barriers. 　This is the first time the GIC will call upon people without a background in music to participate in its annual May concert, which raises funds to support minority groups in Gwangju and for international causes. 　“This edition is open to both local and international residents who love music and are willing to (create an

Expat LivingFeb. 14, 2018

[Herald Interview] From Brazil to Europe, VAV hopes to expand global footprint

Having recently returned from a tour in Brazil, K-pop boy band VAV isore motivated than ever, with a goal in mind to expand its reach all around the globe. "It’s really interesting that more than half of our social media followers were from Brazil, even before we visited the country. We didn’t realize our popularity in Brazil until we got there,” said Ayno from the seven-piece group in an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Tuesday. VAV, from “Very Awesome Voice,” may sound unfamiliar to

PerformanceFeb. 14, 2018

When Nigerian-Korean model Han Hyun-min went abroad for first time

When Han Hyun-min met with The Korea Herald last spring, the then-15-year-old budding model had never traveled outside of Korea. He had never even been on a plane. 　Since then, the Nigerian-Korean model has quickly ascended to global fame. He began garnering modest media attention after debuting on Korean brand Heich Es Heich’s runway during the 2016 Fall-Winter Seoul Fashion Week. His striking visuals and smooth walk had caught fashion insiders’ eyes. In November, Time magazine named him one of

Arts & DesignFeb. 14, 2018

[Herald Interview] What life is really like in Korea: YouTubers Whitney, Kyu-ho

From Korean dramas, “Gangnam Style” and BTS to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Korea has been on the receiving end of tremendous exposure to global audiences in recent years. 　But there are two influencers on YouTube who want to share with foreigners what “real life” -- often less glamorous but more human -- is like in Korea. The Korea Herald sat down with Lee Kyu-ho and Whitney on Feb. 7 at Google’s Campus Seoul to discuss their content.   Whitney (left) and Kyu-ho talk with The Korea Herald o

PeopleFeb. 14, 2018

[Weekender] Koreans spend century standing by Lunar New Year

A scene that may seem weird or unique to foreign bystanders is the common ritual in South Korea to celebrate the Lunar New Year: younger family members make a full bow, or saebae, to their elders, as they receive envelopes -- of cold, hard cash -- as gifts carrying messages of the best wishes for the future.As relatives gather for the Seollal holiday, usually at the home of the “highest-ranking” member of the extended family, they dress in neat garments, sometimes traditional hanbok, and take pa

CultureFeb. 14, 2018

[PyeongChang 2018] South Korea promotes ‘Hangul’ calligraphy at Winter Olympics

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province — South Korea took the opportunity to promote Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, with a Hangeul calligraphy performance held on the sidelines of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics on Wednesday. 　Korean Hangeul culture and arts promotion team for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics brought together five local artists for the event.Korean calligraphy, also known as “seoye” in Korean, is the tradition of artistic writing created via careful brushstrokes. Early Korean calligraphy was

CultureFeb. 14, 2018

Jun. K of boy band 2PM caught for drunk driving

Jun. K, a member of South Korean boy band 2PM, was caught driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend, police said Tuesday. Jun. K (Yonhap)Jun. K was caught for drunk driving in southern Seoul at 7 a.m. on Saturday, officials at Gangnam Police Station said. His blood alcohol content was 0.074 percent, a level that would lead to the suspension of his driver's license.Police plan to question him soon over how he got behind the wheel while intoxicated.His agency JYP Entertainment issued

PerformanceFeb. 13, 2018

Finding composer Yun I-sang‘s musical origin in Korea’s traditional music

Works by acclaimed contemporary classical composer Yun I-sang will be performed by the National Gugak Center, the state-led institution dedicated to traditional Korean gugak, and the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra in a joint concert on Feb. 23.  “Yun Isang: Embracing the Roots of Korean Aesthetic” (The Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation)“The Traditional Performing Arts Foundation first decided to initiate the project to offer a better understanding of composer Yun I-sang’s musical ro

PerformanceFeb. 13, 2018

Actress ‘hurt’ by Berlin film fest, says it ignored allegations against director Kim Ki-duk

A Korean actress has expressed her disappointment with the Berlin International Film Festival organizers for their inviting filmmaker Kim Ki-duk to the event while championing the values of the global #MeToo movement.The same actress, who wishes to remain anonymous, accused the prize-winning filmmaker of physically and sexually abusing her during the filming of “Moebius” in 2013. Kim was fined 5 million won ($4,600) in December on the physical assault charge. Other charges were dismissed due to

FilmFeb. 13, 2018

[PyeongChang 2018] 5 temple stay programs offer exclusive experience for visitors to PyeongChang

The Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation’s head monk Won-kyung selected five temples in the greater Gangwon Province area where foreign visitors can join special temple stay programs during the Winter Games: Naksansa, Baekdamsa, Samhwasa, Sinheungsa and Woljeongsa Temple. Individuals, who carry tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics, will be able to take advantage of the special temple stay program, receiving an 80 percent discount for a one-night stay including one additional person. Visitors c

CultureFeb. 13, 2018

Music variety show ‘Begin Again 2’ to air first episode on March 23

The second season of “Begin Again,” a music variety show that features Korean musicians promoting their music overseas, will air its first episode on March 23, according to broadcaster JTBC on Tuesday.The music show follows Korean musicians traveling overseas, where their names are unknown, and busking and promoting their music to foreigners. 　A poster for second season of “Begin Again” (JTBC)The upcoming season will star musicians Kim Yoon-ah and Lee Sun-kyu of band Jaurim, Lena Park, Hareem, Y

TelevisionFeb. 13, 2018

Roy Kim’s new single ‘Only Then’ sweeps charts

Soloist Roy Kim’s new single “Only Then” dominated major local music charts shortly after its release on Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, the singer’s poignant pop ballad remained atop six major real time charts including Melon, Bugs, Naver and Mnet. Roy Kim (CJ E&M)Penned and composed by Kim, “Only Then” centers on a couple‘s long-distance relationship and describes a man’s heartbreak he decides to break up. His agency CJ E&M explained that the song also includes the singer‘s own experiences of

PerformanceFeb. 13, 2018