‘Friendly Driver’ promotes Korea with loose English

Driving home the point that English is not important when communicating with foreigners here, tvN’s newly launched TV show “Friendly Driver” hopes to promote Korea as a tourist destination. The show, which aired its first episode Wednesday, offers to drive foreign visitors from the Incheon International Airport to their destinations. The friendly drivers are comedians Lee Soo-geun and Kim Young-chul, actress Yoon So-hee and singer Microdot. Even though the show deals with foreigners, only Yoon a

TelevisionJan. 24, 2018

[Album review] ‘Poet | Artist,’ testament to Jonghyun’s genius

Jonghyun“Poet | Artist”Genie Music Honestly, it wasn’t easy to go through Jonghyun’s posthumous album “Poet | Artist,” maybe because it was a bittersweet testament to the late music prodigy’s genius and his passion for music. Peppered throughout the album, recorded before the SHINee vocalist’s passing last year, is Jonghyun’s outstanding musical artistry, particularly evident in his creative lyrics and sonic style which incorporate everything from electronic pop, edgy R&B and future bass to acou

PerformanceJan. 24, 2018

Red Velvet releases new songs in repackaged album

Red Velvet on Wednesday announced the repackaged edition of its second full-length album, complete with three new songs and nine pre-existing songs. “The Perfect Red Velvet,” a repackaged version of “Perfect Velvet,” will be released at 6 p.m. Monday via local music streaming websites, according to S.M. Entertainment. The agency said the lead track “Bad Boy” is a hip-hop based R&B dance track.  A teaser image for “The Perfect Red Velvet” (S.M. Entertainment)“Perfect Velvet” topped iTunes K-pop a

PerformanceJan. 24, 2018

Rappers search for ‘Everyday Swag’

What does “swag” mean? Rappers toss the word out all the time, but it’s not always easy to tell what qualifies.A shortened form of “swagger,” the word is used to imply a certain insolent cockiness. To help sort the swag from the square, five rappers and a funnyman will search daily life for examples in the new hip-hop reality TV show “Everyday Swag” (working title).  A press conference for entertainment TV show “Everyday Swag” is held at Times Square mall, Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul on Monday. (Xt

TelevisionJan. 23, 2018

'Get It Beauty 2018’ aims to promote healthy beauty

The new season of “Get It Beauty” hopes to differentiate itself from its past seasons, valuing the importance of healthy beauty that comes from within.OnStyle’s beauty talk show “Get It Beauty” which launched in 2006 and gained popularity with its blind tests of makeup products, has become a standard reference for many beauty consumers. The new season of the show is to start Friday, featuring models Jang Yoon-ju and Moon Ga-bi, Weki Meki’s Kim Do-yeon, Akdong Musician’s Lee Soo-hyun and beauty i

TelevisionJan. 23, 2018

Rappers search for ‘Everyday Swag’

What does “swag” mean? Rappers toss the word out all the time, but it’s not always easy to tell what qualifies.A shortened form of “swagger,” the word is used to imply a certain insolent cockiness. To help sort the swag from the square, five rappers and a funnyman will search daily life for examples in a new hip-hop reality TV show “Everyday Swag.”  A press conference for entertainment TV show “Everyday Swag” is held at Times Square mall, Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul, Monday. (XtvN)Nucksal, Don Mill

TelevisionJan. 23, 2018

[K-talk]Jonghyun’s last album released posthumously

The last album by late SHINee member Jonghyun was released online Tuesday, along with a music video for its lead track. Jonghyun’s album “Poet | Artist,” which was completed last year, comprises 11 songs showcasing the K-pop singer-songwriter’s distinctive musical tonalities. (SM Entertainment)The lead track “Shinin” is an electro-pop song with trap beats and tropical-tinged sounds. The music video for the track was released on streaming platforms including YouTube and Naver TV.The album also in

PerformanceJan. 23, 2018

Kim Yoo-jung confirms lead role in upcoming JTBC drama

Actress Kim Yoo-jung will be back on the small screen with JTBC’s upcoming drama “Clean with Passion for Now” (tentative title).The channel on Tuesday confirmed that Kim will play job-seeker Kil Oh-sol in the webtoon-based drama revolving around a budding romance between Kil and heart-throb Jang Sun-kyul. The story unfolds as Jang, a cleaning business’ CEO obsessed with hygiene, falls in love with Kil, a carefree girl who puts aside “cleanlness” for making everyday living. It has been reported t

EntertainmentJan. 23, 2018

[Video] Quirky interiors give Seoul’s guesthouses an edge

For years, foreign tourists have flocked to guesthouses in search of affordable accommodations during their stay in Korea.Nowadays, guesthouses have begun offering more than simple lodging facilities, incorporating quirky themes and eye-catching interiors into their spaces. The very act of staying at a guesthouse is evolving into an experience for travelers, according to Kang Seok-hwan, owner of Uhbu’s Guesthouse located in Dongdaemun, Seoul. Uhbu’s is a traditional Korean hanok structure decora

TravelJan. 23, 2018

Jung Hae-in falls for Son Ye-jin in new drama

Rising actor Jung Hae-in is to star in a new JTBC drama series “Pretty Sister who Treats Me to Meals” (working title) with veteran actress Son Ye-jin. Jung Hae-in (FNC Entertainment)Jung’s management agency FNC Entertainment announced the news Monday. Jung will play Seo Joon-hee, a character designer at a computer game company. He and Son will be the lead couple of the drama. The rookie actor has featured in various dramas and films, including “While You Are Asleep” and “Blood.” His most recent

TelevisionJan. 23, 2018

Rappers search for ‘Everyday Swag’

What does “swag” mean? Though the word is frequently used, its definition remains elusive to many.To solve the mystery, six “hipsters” will strive to find swag in daily life through a new hip-pop reality TV show.  A promotional poster for "Everyday Swag" (XtvN)Swag, a slang word, is a shortened form of “swagger,” used to imply a certain insolent cockiness. It dates back to the days of William Shakespeare. Nowadays, the word commonly refers to a sense of confidence and style. The cast of new hip-

TelevisionJan. 22, 2018

Kumho Art Hall to kick off 2018 Rising Star Series this week

Kumho Art Hall this week begins its 2018 Rising Star Series, a classical music program dedicated to introducing Korea’s young talents. Starting with a recital Thursday featuring James Kim, the first prize winner of the 2006 International David Popper Cello Competition, Kumho Art Hall will highlight two other young artists -- pianist Shin Chang-yong and violinist Kim Gye-hee. Cellist James Kim (Kumho Art Hall)Cellist Kim has given solo recitals organized by New York classical music radio station

PerformanceJan. 22, 2018

‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ actor Jun Tae-soo dies

Jun Tae-soo, the younger brother of actress Ha Ji-won, died Sunday after reportedly battling depression.  The actors’ agency Haewadal Entertainment on Sunday released a statement addressing his untimely death. It read, “Jun passed away on Sunday at the age of 33. He was being treated for depression and had recently been in discussions for his next project as an actor, as his condition seemed to improve.” (Jun`s Instagram)The agency also stated that Jun’s family plans to hold a private funeral at

TelevisionJan. 22, 2018

BoA to return with new single ‘Nega Dola’ on Jan. 31

Legendary K-pop act BoA, often dubbed “Star of Asia,” will return with a new single “Nega Dola” on Jan. 31, the singer’s agency S.M. Entertainment said Monday. According to the agency, the hip-hop-influenced “Nega Dola” will feature a blend of Latin-flavored guitar sounds and synths, while it lyrically touches upon the complicated thoughts of a woman struggling with an obsessive lover.  A teaser image of BoA‘s upcoming single “Nega Dola“ (S.M. Entertainment)After releasing the new single at the

PerformanceJan. 22, 2018

Hanbok fair takes place at Seoul Station

The 2018 Hanbok Winter Market, featuring various styles of Korean traditional costume hanbok, is taking place at Culture Station Seoul 284. The event began Friday and runs through Monday.  Modern interpretations of hanbok are displayed at Culture Station Seoul 284. (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Held jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanbok Advancement Center, the event features some 50 hanbok brands’ pop-up stores, where various styles of hanbok are showcased and sold

Arts & DesignJan. 21, 2018

Reality show on justice system calls on viewers to ‘Do the Right Thing’

While prison has become a familiar subject to the public through TV dramas and films, “Do the Right Thing” goes a step further, taking viewers directly to prison cells. JTBC’s new reality TV show on the justice system “Do the Right Thing” aired its first episode Friday, with an aim to elevate the public’s awareness of the law by describing the jurisdiction system.  Poster for “Do the Right Thing” (JTBC)“There were big events last year that made the public wonder ‘What is it like in prison?’” pro

TelevisionJan. 21, 2018

[Photo News] Foreign press tour in Gangwon Province

PRESS TOUR IN GANGWON -- More than 30 foreign correspondents from the US, Asia and Europe joined a press tour hosted by Gangwon Province and The Korea Herald from Friday through Saturday, visiting a host of landmarks of the forthcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Reporters from international media including the New York Times, BBC, Channel News Asia and TV Tokyo made a tour of Gangwon landmarks such as the Goseong Unification Observatory, DMZ Museum and tech-intensive Euiyaji 5G Village near Py

PeopleJan. 21, 2018

‘Golden Slumber’ portrays an ordinary man caught up in extraordinary events

The novel “Golden Slumber” by Isaka Kotaro, follows a man caught up in a politics-based conspiracy, fighting for his life. While this may sound Jason Bournesque, it is really a tale about humanity.Noh Dong-seok, director of the Korean movie adaptation of the “Golden Slumber,” said that his movie’s focal point is that the hero -- framed as a terrorist -- is an everyman. “The person embroiled in such a massive incident is not an action hero, but just an ordinary guy. The point of my directing was

FilmJan. 21, 2018

Seoul celebrates opening of Korea Grand Sale 2018

The annual shopping and tourism festival for this year has kicked off, functioning as means to attract foreign visitors while boosting interest in the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The Visit Korea Committee on Thursday held the opening ceremony for Korea Grand Sale 2018 in front of Doota Mall in Dongdaemun, Seoul. It was attended by some 100 officials from the tourism industry along with government representatives.  An opening ceremony for Korea Grand Sale 2018 is being held in fron

CultureJan. 21, 2018

[Photo News] Instilling spirit of science in children

With the goal of fostering scientists of tomorrow, the National Children’s Science Center was reopened on Dec. 22, providing unique opportunities for young children to easily approach the magic of science through interaction and exploration.Since its opening in 1927 as the nation’s first science museum in Namsan, Seoul, the institute has evolved over time but has remained as a core institute offering a peak into the complex world of science. Today, the National Children’s Science Center is locat

CultureJan. 21, 2018