[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Steel Rain(Korea)Opened Dec. 14Action, drama. Directed by Yang Woo-seokAn attack on the North Korean leader takes place at an event at the Kaesong industrial park, leaving him injured. North Korean special agent Uhm Chul-woo (Jung Woo-sung) is ordered to take him and flee to the South via an underground tunnel to take refuge until the revolt concludes. There, Uhm encounters Kwak Chul-woo (Kwak Do-won), Korea’s senior secretary of foreign affairs and national security. Amid increasingly convolute

FilmDec. 16, 2017

Seamless, delicate, fragrant sushi at Kiyose

Sushi Kiyose, one of the newest sushiya to open in Seoul, is much like its name -- a serene space where one can slowly savor the soft, delicate wash of flavor from each piece of sushi with small dishes that also merit the same degree of near-meditative consideration. “I wanted a pristine space where one could come and quietly enjoy sushi, hence the name ‘kiyose,’ which means ‘clear ford,’” explained head chef Lee Sung-jun, 34. Hinoki wood, the same fragrant wood used in temples, palaces and onse

FoodDec. 15, 2017

[Travel] Find serenity with the ancients at temples in Yogyakarta

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia -- The quiet city of Yogyakarta on Java, Indonesia, is flanked on both sides by two ancient temples paying homage to two different faiths.To the west is Borobudur Temple, a massive stone structure that soars up into the sky surrounded on all sides by lush jungle greenery. Built in the ninth century, Borodubur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world -- but it was a well-kept secret after being mysteriously abandoned. It lay quietly preserved by a tomb of volcanic ash unt

TravelDec. 15, 2017

BTS leader RM collaborates with US band Fall Out Boy

RM, leader and rapper of the K-pop group BTS, has collaborated with the American pop punk band Fall Out Boy for a remix of the latter's song "Champion.""SURPRISE! New RM Champion remix out everywhere Friday at midnight," Fall Out Boy wrote on its Twitter account on Thursday (local time), with the hashtag "#RMxFallOutBoy." Formed in 2001, the Grammy-nominated band has released seven studio albums and won the Favorite Alternative Band Award at the American Music Awards in 2015. Big Hit Entertainme

EntertainmentDec. 15, 2017

[Herald Review] Night is darkest just before dawn

Jan. 14, 1987. As Chun Doo-hwan commends his loyal police lapdogs with medals, an ambulance hurries to a shabby building in Namyeong-dong, Seoul. Out comes a doctor who is ordered by a shady man to revive a young man -- clearly dead. After vain attempts, the doctor declares him dead.Jang Joon-hwan’s “1987: When the Day Comes” is based on the real-life story of the democratic movement of 1987 that led to a direct presidential election later that year. It tells of a harrowing series of events that

FilmDec. 14, 2017

Gyeongju, shimmering gem of ancient Korea

Before the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), from which the name “Korea” comes, the Korean Peninsula was a battleground for three ancient kingdoms -- Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla -- from the first century BC through the seventh century AD. The Silla Kingdom in the southeast, originating from what is today’s North Gyeongsang Province, was the unifier of the rivalrous kingdoms. Silla conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, leading to Unified Silla (668-935), where culture, religion and arts flourished

TravelDec. 14, 2017

[Herald Interview] Jung Ryeo-won on the joy of finding strong female character

In the recently concluded drama series “Witch at Court,” Jung Ryeo-won took on a role that is the exact opposite of her nature. 　Jung, 36, is known as many things in the industry -- former K-pop idol star, fashionista, painter, an actress with a knack for naturalistic portrayals and a rare bohemian free-spirit in mainstream media. 　In the KBS legal procedural drama, which ran from October to November, she played Ma I-deum, a highly ambitious prosecutor who speaks her mind and is known for her ag

TelevisionDec. 14, 2017

Song Hye-kyo, EXO-CBX meet President Moon Jae-in in Beijing

Actress Song Hye-kyo and EXO-CBX, subunit of K-pop act EXO, joined Korean president Moon Jae-in at the opening ceremony of a Korea-China Economic and Trade Partnership event that took place in Beijing Thursday. The star-studded event was part of Moon’s first state visit to China since taking office in May. It has been reported that the presence of such celebs reflects Moon’s intention to revive bilateral economic exchanges, which suffered a blow in a row over Seoul’s deployment of the Terminal H

TelevisionDec. 14, 2017

BTS’ ‘DNA’ enters Billboard’s 100 Best Songs of 2017

Continuing its domination of the Billboard charts, BTS’ recent single “DNA” has landed on the US magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. According to Billboard Wednesday, the smash hit from its latest album “Love Yourself Seung Her” was ranked No. 49 on the chart, making the seven-piece boy band the only K-pop act on this year’s list.   BTS‘ “DNA” lands No. 49 on Billboard’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. (Billboard)“BTS’ crossover into the US market isn’t a coincidence: The K-pop superstars hav

PerformanceDec. 14, 2017

Lee Seung-gi to return in ‘All the Butlers’

Singer-turned-actor Lee Seung-gi, who recently completed his compulsory military service, will star in upcoming SBS variety show “All the Butlers.” According to the network, Lee will be a regular guest on the new show, which will be his first variety show since he was discharged in late October. “All the Butlers” will feature male celebrities spending a night at the homes of famous figures to learn about their lifestyles and achievements. Other regular guests of the show include Lee Sang-yoon, Y

PerformanceDec. 14, 2017

S. Korean town set to open annual ice-fishing festival on Jan. 6

More than a million visitors are expected to brave probable subzero weather Jan. 6 to take part in the opening of an ice-fishing festival in the South Korean town of Hwacheon near the border with North Korea, organizers said Thursday.Once touted by CNN as one of the "Seven Wonders of Winter,” the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is scheduled to run through Jan. 28 on Hwacheon Stream in the mountainous town of the same name 120 kilometers northeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)As many as one million people

CultureDec. 14, 2017

EXO to drop special winter album 'Universe' next week

K-pop boy group EXO will release its seasonal winter album "Universe" next week, its agency said Thursday."Universe" will be released Dec. 21 in digital and physical formats, and will feature seven songs, including the lead rock ballad track "Universe," according to S.M. Entertainment. The group has put out seasonal winter albums each year since 2013. (S.M. Entertainment)EXO released its fourth studio album "The War" and its repackaged deluxe edition "The War: The Power of Music" this year, sell

PerformanceDec. 14, 2017

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo to attend summit dinner of Moon, Xi

BEIJING (Yonhap) -- South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo will attend a state dinner to be hosted by Chinese Presidet Xi Jinping for President Moon Jae-in, an official from the South's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.The dinner, set for Thursday, will mark Song's first public appearance since her wedding late October. The 35-year-old star of the 2016 hit drama "Descendants of the Sun" tied the knot with another Descendants of the Sun star, Song Joong-ki. Song Hye-kyo (UAA)Thursday's

PerformanceDec. 13, 2017

[Herald Review] ‘Along With Gods’ all about spectacular visuals

Hit webtoon series “Along With the Gods,” by Joo Ho-min, offered a whimsical twist on the Korean folklore of the seven gates in the afterlife. 　The series begins as its central character Kim Ja-hong, who has died, finds himself being escorted to the next world via subway train by two officials who are employees of the afterlife. A lawyer is appointed to each of the deceased -- everyone must face the seven judges, who rule on a person’s lifelong deeds based on sins such as violence, betrayal, laz

FilmDec. 13, 2017

‘Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast’ in search of new guest helper

Director Jeong Hyo-min of JTBC reality show “Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast” announced Tuesday the show is on the lookout for the next guest and helper at Lee’s home on Jeju Island for the second season. The production staff said they have “a few people in mind to fill IU’s shoes.”Singer IU, who had been the guest and helper at Lee’s Jeju home throughout the first season of the show, received a lot of love from fans for her dedication as Lee‘s helper. The singer will not be joining the second season of

TelevisionDec. 13, 2017

[Herald Review] ‘Billy Elliot’ brings his fierce pirouette to Seoul stage

Billy Elliot danced back onto the Seoul stage this December with a bold opening performance on Dec. 7 that looks set to inspire Seoul audiences again. The Tony-winning West End hit about an aspiring ballerino from a British mining town had its first non-English speaking production in Korea in 2010, after sweeping North America and Australia.Billy Elliot’s return to Seoul, with an updated translation and a brand-new cast, has been hotly anticipated by local theatergoers for months. Its previous r

CultureDec. 13, 2017

[Album review] Taeyeon’s Christmas ballads heaven to ears

Taeyeon“This Christmas - Winter Is Coming”Genie MusicWho would have imagined that songs by a member of Girls’ Generation would be the perfect fit for the festive Christmas spirit? Also a soloist, Taeyeon’s breezy and sugary voice has always been appreciated by K-pop fans. And combining such a dulcet voice with the holiday season has resulted in the most sophisticated Christmas tunes of this year. “This Christmas - Winter Is Coming,” Taeyeon’s first seasonal effort, is not like Mariah Carey’s cla

PerformanceDec. 13, 2017

‘As If It’s Your Last’ most viewed K-pop video of 2017

Black Pink’s “As If It’s Your Last” music video is so popular, even the Flash cannot get enough of it. The video, which made a cameo appearance in the film “Justice League,” was ranked the most viewed K-pop related video of this year on YouTube. The video-sharing platform tallied the views from Nov. 24, 2016, to Nov. 23, 2017, during which the Black Pink’s 2017 single outperformed other K-pop stars like BTS and Twice. As of Wednesday, the video has over 198 million views. Black Pink (YG Entertai

PerformanceDec. 13, 2017

BTS to bid US fans ‘happy new year’ on ‘Dick Clark’

BTS will celebrate New Year’s Eve by making a guest appearance at the annual US television special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”Big Hit Entertainment on Wednesday confirmed the boy band’s appearance on the show via its official SNS pages. The show, created by the legendary television personality Dick Clark, is broadcast live from New York City’s Times Square, and prominently covers the annual dropping of the Times Square Ball.The show also features live and pre-recorded performances by

PerformanceDec. 13, 2017

GOT7 opens food truck in Jeju in upcoming reality show

K-pop boy band GOT7 took up the challenge of running a food truck business on Jeju Island in upcoming episode of variety show “Working Eat Holiday in Jeju,” the group’s agency JYP Entertainment said Tuesday.The group went on a trip to the island from Thursday to Saturday and opened a food truck named “Sebong Elebong” in Sarabong, where they sold “Seven-star Cup Rice” and tangerine juice they had developed and prepared.The reality program will show the group’s Jeju Island travelogue and the chall

TelevisionDec. 13, 2017