[Next Wave] Starting from scratch, Paul Kim says music his reason for living

There are those life-changing events that are beyond any words or logic. And for rising singer-songwriter Paul Kim, the most striking moment of his nondescript 20s came one ordinary night at an Army base while serving his mandatory military service. Flipping through the booklet of his favorite singer Lee So-ra’s fifth album, Kim encountered a phrase: “I am a little seed that sprouted out to sing.” From that moment, the magic was on. Kim’s heart started to throb and his mind was awash with inexpl

PerformanceOct. 16, 2017

BTS announces new single release in December

BTS will release a new Japanese single by the end of the year, the group announced during its show in Japan on Saturday. The group greeted some 80,000 fans at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on its “2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III The Wings Tour in Japan -- Special Edition” concerts over the weekend. During the show on Saturday, the K-pop sensation thrilled its fans by revealing that it will release its eighth Japanese single album on Dec. 6. The new album will include the Japanese version of its hit tr

PerformanceOct. 16, 2017

[Video] A look at BIFF’s stars

BUSAN -- The 22nd Busan Film Festival has seen numerous celebrities attending its events this year. Here’s a look at the stars that have been seen in the southeastern portside city so far. Moon Geun-young participates in an open talk with filmgoers about BIFF’s opening film “Glass Garden,” in which she plays an anxious and isolated scientist, at the Busan Cinema Center Sunday. Japanese actress Minami Hamabe, who stars in “Let Me Eat Your Pancreas,” greets audiences at the Haeundae BIFF Village S

FilmOct. 16, 2017

[Video] Korean novels, webtoons pitched at Asia Film Market

BUSAN -- This year’s Asia Film Market kicked off to a promising start Saturday, with keen interest from Asian buyers and producers seeking out new stories to turn into films. 　Some 1,250 participants are attending this year from 45 countries, up 30 percent from last year. 　Seventy Chinese film executives attended despite dampened Korea-China cultural exchange due to diplomatic disputes over the placement of the US’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in Korea, such as Victori

FilmOct. 16, 2017

[Herald Interview] Christoph Terhechte says Korean cinema ‘still has surprises’

BUSAN -- Christoph Terhechte, the recipient of this year’s Korean Cinema Award, says he’s become “addicted” to the films of auteur Hong Sang-soo. “It seems like he’s making the same film over and over again, but with beautiful variations, enlarging the picture with every film he makes. You want to see more of his universe,” he tells The Korea Herald in an interview Saturday at the Busan Cinema Center.Terhechte, who since 2001 has been head of programming for the Berlin International Film Festiva

FilmOct. 16, 2017

[Announcement] Tickets released for Herald Design Forum 2017

Breaking away from the conventional view that design is a decoration for products, it plays a key role in the emergence of new industries and collaboration of existing ones in the era of the “fourth industrial revolution.”The Herald Design Forum 2017 will take place on Nov. 7 under the slogan “Design for Humanity” in the country’s capital. Join us as leading designers, architects and CEOs from around the world unfold their experiences and thoughts on design for humanity at the annual Herald Desi

Arts & DesignOct. 16, 2017

'The Battleship Island' wins award in Spain's Sitges Film Festival

South Korean historical action film "The Battleship Island" has won the best feature-length film in a competition category of the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, the film's local distributor said Sunday.The movie by director Ryoo Seung-wan earned the top honor in the Orbita section for introducing most notable films of the year and honoring a title chosen by the jury composed of audiences. In the category, the Korean movie competed against such films as Takeshi Kitano's "Outrage Co

FilmOct. 15, 2017

‘Blind star’ BeWhy serenades loyal fans in 1st concert

There was a time when BeWhy was the hottest name in the Korean hip-hop scene, having just won the popular Mnet show “Show Me the Money 5.” “That’s what the title (of my studio album) means: ‘Blind Star.’ Blinded by money and fame,” the rapper said in his first solo concert held at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul.  BeWhy performs at his concert in Seoul on Saturday. (Live Nation Korea) BeWhy performs at his concert in Seoul on Saturday. (Live Nation Korea)After the “bubble” in popularity of the

PerformanceOct. 15, 2017

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to play with Simon Rattle and Berliner Philharmoniker

Rising young pianist Cho Seong-jin will be featured in the upcoming Seoul concert of Sir Simon Rattle and his Berliner Philharmoniker in the November concert in Seoul.Cho will be replacing Lang Lang, who was to join the renowned English conductor but pulled out due to injury. “Following Lang Lang’s cancellation for the tour, the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon discussed possible program changes and substitutes with the presenters,” the orchestra said.  Cho Seong-jin (Kumho Asiana Cultural

CultureOct. 15, 2017

Upbeat but tainted by scandal: Roundup of Busan Film Fest weekend

BUSAN -- The 22nd edition of the Busan International Film Festival, running through Oct. 21, was in full swing over the weekend. Cinemagoers say the overall mood had been significantly more festive than that of the previous year, when a political struggle and boycott clouded the festival. “The programming is richer, and you can tell how much effort went into planning,” said Park Yoon-seon, 28, who worked at BIFF four years ago and attends every year. “There are more films, more guests and more i

FilmOct. 15, 2017

[Newsmaker] President Moon promises support for Busan film fest in surprise visit

 BUSAN -- President Moon Jae-in on Sunday addressed the political turmoil that has shaken the Busan International Film Festival in recent years, in a surprise visit to the festival.　“No other international culture and arts event has had the success of BIFF. It’s become one of the world’s top five film festivals and Asia’s signature film festival,” Moon said at the Busan Cinema Center.　“It’s developed this much and has made Busan a city of film. But it pained me to hear that BIFF has shrunk due t

FilmOct. 15, 2017

John Woo wants to keep doing action films

BUSAN -- Hong Kong director John Woo and actress Ha Ji-won, who stars in Woo’s latest action thriller “Manhunt,” met with Korean reporters at the Busan International Film Festival.　“I plan to keep doing action films,” said Woo, recognized as a master of the Hong Kong action genre, at a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center on Saturday.　“I think it’s a very appealing type of movie. It makes you feel energy, you can work with lots of different people and it’s a challenge. You can also expres

FilmOct. 14, 2017

Grammy for BTS? Experts, fans weigh in on nomination

Boy band BTS has taken the K-pop scene by storm again, with its latest EP album selling over 1.2 million copies in Korea in little less than a month. The lead song "DNA" made BTS the first Korean boy band to land on Billboard's main "Hot 100" chart. Now with BTS wrapping up its media promotion activities for the album, "Love Yourself: Her," fans and industry observers are guessing what will be the next surprise. No wonder many are betting on the possibility of a 2018 Grammy Awards nomination.The

PerformanceOct. 14, 2017

Italian tapas at Cucciolo Terrazza

After Cucciolo Terrazza, the newest eatery dreamed up by Cucciolo Group’s owner-chef Ji-woon Julian Kim, opened this September in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, it quickly became the hip place to be. Fans of Kim’s Italian establishments -- Cucciolo Osteria, Maremma Trattoria, Volpino Ristorante and Volpino Ristorante Busan -- seemed eager to check out his latest offering. The new wine bar-style hangout lives up to expectations with a lineup of plates -- both big and small -- that are classic Cucciolo --

FoodOct. 14, 2017

[Video] Viewer responses to virtual reality films at BIFF vary from ‘unbelievable’ to ‘blurry’

BUSAN -- A virtual reality theater is running 36 films at the Busan Cinema Center during this year’s Busan International Film Festival, running through Oct. 21.　Seven booths featuring the Galaxy Gear VR and Oculus Rift have been installed on the first floor of the center. Visitors watch films as they are seated on special chairs that allow them to freely view the films in every direction. Visitors lined up to experience the VR films, which are available for viewing every hour on the hour from 10

FilmOct. 13, 2017

Darren Aronofsky denounces Harvey Weinstein, addresses criticism on treatment of women in own films

BUSAN -- Director Darren Aronofsky joined the list of Hollywood figures denouncing Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexually harassing actresses at the Busan International Film Festival on Friday. “Sexual abuse of any type anywhere is unacceptable, unlawful, disgusting and needs to be battled by everyone. Men and women have to have absolutely no tolerance for it,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center. Bigwig producer Weinstein, who was exposed last week for sexually ha

FilmOct. 13, 2017

From Yoona to Moon Geun-young, female celebs go bold on BIFF’s red carpet

Korean actresses shone on the red carpet of the Busan International Film Festival on Thursday, showing off bold looks. Here are some of their outfits:Yoona of Girls’ Generation (Yonhap) (Yonhap)The Girls’ Generation member wore a figure-hugging, low-back long dress, completing the look with a pair of sparkling earrings. The white lacey dress accentuated her slender figure. She was the event’s host with actor Jang Dong-geun. Actress Moon Geun-young (Herald Pop)Actress Moon Geun-young opted for a

Arts & DesignOct. 13, 2017

Teen actress Seo Shin-ae’s revealing dress goes viral on social media

Fashion can drastically change one’s image. And such was the case for teen actress Seo Shin-ae, who attended the Busan International Film Festival clad in a white revealing dress. The 18-year-old actress drew attention at the event’s star-studded red carpet Thursday, as she wore a revealing white dress that was a stark contrast to her previous youthful image.  (Herald Pop)Her outfit generated buzz on social media, with some netizens disapproving. Several comments read, “It’s shocking to see Seo

Arts & DesignOct. 13, 2017

[Herald Interview] ‘Tip of iceberg’: Sundance co-founder speaks out against Weinstein

BUSAN -- Sundance Film Festival co-founder Sterling Van Wagenen joined the growing number of film industry insiders speaking out against film producer Harvey Weinstein, whose long history of sexual harassment has shaken up Hollywood.“I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Sterling told The Korea Herald in Busan on Friday, addressing revelations made by the New York Times and New Yorker as well as numerous actresses. Sterling Van Wagenen speaks with The Korea Herald at Novotel Ambassador Haeu

FilmOct. 13, 2017

[Weekender] Busan film fest beckons film buffs, star gazers

Since its founding in 1996, the Busan International Film Festival has marked the transition from summer to fall in Korea. Asia’s largest film festival is screening some 298 films from 75 countries from Thursday to Oct. 21 this year. The main categories are New Currents, which awards the two best feature films by up-and-coming Asian directors; Gala Presentation, the screening of works by master filmmakers; and A Window on Asian Cinema, which showcases films that push boundaries by Asian directors

FilmOct. 13, 2017