[Herald Interview] How Song Joong-ki balances pan-Asian fame, upcoming wedding, private life

It’s a challenge trying to find a crack in the pristine public image of actor Song Joong-ki, who has arguably been enjoying the most explosive pan-Asian popularity ever witnessed by an actor since last year’s hit drama series “Descendants of the Sun.”　In his numerous interviews, Song has been modest yet firm-footed in his opinions. His self-descriptions are humble and his assertions rooted in a belief in justice. It doesn’t help that Song has taken on another dashing, heroic role in Ryoo Seung-w

FilmJuly 26, 2017

[Photo News] VIXX heads for Southeast Asia after Japan gig

VIXX has wrapped up concerts in three Japanese cities and is set to kick off its fan meeting tour in Southeast Asia, its agency said Wednesday.According to Jellyfish Entertainment, the boy band will kick off its tour Thursday with a show at KL Live Center in Kuala Lumpur. It will perform at the Kasablanka Hall in Jakarta on Saturday. The group will wrap up the tour at Muang Thai GMM Live House in Bangkok on Sunday.The band performed in Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka, where it showcased hits including “

PerformanceJuly 26, 2017

EXO ranks 87 in Billboard 200, its highest rank ever

EXO has taken the No. 87 spot on the Billboard 200 with “The War: The 4th Album,” the highest spot the K-pop group has ever reached.The latest album by EXO entered the chart between the Chainsmokers’ “Collage” and Journey’s “Journey‘s Greatest Hits.” Jay-Z’s “4:44” retained its place at the top spot. EXO (S.M. Entertainment)EXO had previously cracked the list with “Exodus” in 2015, which went to No. 95 spot. It also took 129th place in 2014 with its subgroup Exo-K’s “Overdose.”The highest place

PerformanceJuly 26, 2017

[Photo News] 2PM’s Wooyoung looking for ‘realistic love’

Singer and actor Wooyoung showed off various sides of his personality in a recent magazine photo shoot.In an interview with the Star magazine, the 2PM band member said he has been “taken aback” by the love he received from Japanese fans during his run there.“I’ve released a solo album and held a concert in Japan. I was thankful for all the love I got, which I honestly didn’t expect,” Wooyoung said, adding that he has been busy recently preparing for 2PM’s last concert in Korea before enlisting i

Arts & DesignJuly 26, 2017

'The Battleship Island' headed towards big opening at box office

"The Battleship Island," a new South Korean World War II blockbuster film, is set to make an opening day splash on Wednesday, with nearly 600,000 tickets having been reserved on the release date.According to the computerized tally from the Korean Film Council, the number of ticket reservations for the film stood at 594,370 as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, accounting for 70.1 percent of all movie reservations for the day.The film, directed by Ryoo Seung-wan and starring Hwang Jung-min, Song Joong-ki and S

FilmJuly 26, 2017

Korean culture forum announces winners of visual contest

The Corea Image Communication Institute -- a nongovernmental organization dedicated to promoting Korean culture worldwide -- announced Tuesday the winners of a visual contest, titled “Korea Through the Lens,” organized on the theme of Korea’s identity and beauty. Korean calligrapher Kang Byung-in, who combines his innovative calligraphy and Korea’s traditional sceneries in the clip titled “Beautiful Korea and Hangeul” won the video category’s top prize. Nestle Korea CEO Erwan Vilfeu, who produce

CultureJuly 26, 2017

Daejeon brewery keeps local flavor on tap

DAEJEON -- It doesn’t get much better than a cool beer in the heat of the Korean summer. Maybe unless it’s brewed right in your city, just up the hill. Overlooking the Geum River, the Ranch Brewing Co. is Daejeon’s only microbrewery. It started producing craft beers in June. Manned by three people who are all proud to call Daejeon home, the company wants its beer to become a local fixture.“We want to increase the quality of (life of) the people of Daejeon by having better local beer. I believe l

Expat LivingJuly 25, 2017

Itaewon internet radio puts Korean underground on air

It is 9 p.m. on a weekday and most Seoul dwellers are looking to wind down after a long day of work or study. But in an obscure basement, the night is just beginning -- one of the city’s most in-demand DJs is dropping some “warm Tuesday night house” tracks, and thousands of listeners are tuning in via social media. Seoul Community Radio is an Itaewon-based audiovisual streaming platform dedicated to Korean underground music and culture. Artists play one- to two-hour sets at the studio for live F

Expat LivingJuly 25, 2017

Museum hosts film festival celebrating diversity, multiculturalism

The Seoul Museum of History is hosting the 2017 International Various Film Festival, screening a wide range of movies celebrating diversity and multiculturalism through the end of the year. 　An array of shorts, features and documentaries from around the globe will be screened at the museum’s first floor theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.From July 25-Aug. 31, the festival celebrates the analog sentiment, screening movies that have been shot on 35-millimeter film. This section will featur

FilmJuly 25, 2017

‘Train to Busan’ to open in Japan

“Train to Busan” will be opening in Japanese theaters on Sept. 1, the last stop in its worldwide run.The zombie flick, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings category last year, has been sold to some 160 countries since its release.　The film opened in North American theaters in July 2016 and was later released in Europe and South America. It will be shown on 149 screens in 44 cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.  A still from “Train to Busan” (NEW)“I

FilmJuly 25, 2017

Hip-hop artist Primary to return with new EP on Aug. 4

Hip-hop artist and producer Primary is set to hit the K-pop scene with a new EP in August. Primary (Amoeba Culture)The artist’s label Amoeba Culture said Tuesday that the upcoming EP is slated to be released on Aug. 4. It will be his first release since his second full-length album “2” in 2015. “Primary has put utmost effort into the upcoming EP. Every song from the EP will be great enough to be chosen as a lead track,” an agency official said. The hit-maker gained recognition in the Korean hip-

PerformanceJuly 25, 2017

Up high: K-pop stars and drugs

When a Seoul court sentenced K-pop superstar T.O.P to 10 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, for marijuana use last week, the catchy hook by the rapper and his Big Bang bandmate G-Dragon likely popped up in the minds of many fans.The 29-year-old may not have actually been “high” when he wrote the lyrics for the popular tune, but the public has been casting a suspicious eye on the duo nonetheless, especially given G-Dragon’s previous run-in with authorities over alleged marijuana use.The Big

PerformanceJuly 25, 2017

Black Pink, Sechskies to perform at 2017 BOAF in October

K-pop acts Black Pink and Sechskies will perform at the 2017 Busan One Asia Festival in October, according to organizers Tuesday.The two groups, along with GFriend and Ailee, were part of the second roster of K-pop artists announced by Busan Metropolitan City, set to perform at the festival scheduled for Oct 22-31 in South Korea's second-largest city in the southeastern coast. (YG Entertainment)Leading idol bands Apink, B.A.P, Astro and indie duo Bolbbalgan4 were previously announced to take par

PerformanceJuly 25, 2017

Twice's Japanese debut album sells over 200,000 copies

K-pop sensation Twice's inaugural Japanese album has sold over 200,000 copies, according to its agency Tuesday."#TWICE" has sold 200,018 copies in Japan since the June 28 release there, JYP Entertainment said, citing a tally from Oricon, Japan's key music sales tracker. The album remains one of the top selling records in the country, ranking fifth on Oricon's daily album sales chart as of Sunday. (JYP Entertainment)The record holds Twice's past hit songs both in Japanese and Korean. It topped ni

PerformanceJuly 25, 2017

'Idol School' soars to top of TV popularity index

"Idol School," Mnet's new idol trainee competition show, debuted at the top of a benchmark TV popularity index, data showed Tuesday.The Thursday-evening program scored 278.7 points on the Content Power Index, becoming the most popular TV program from July 10-16.CPI, developed by entertainment company CJ E&M and Nielsen Korea, measures the popularity of TV shows based on the number of views of related news stories, online search tallies and buzz on social media.The show puts 41 young female conte

TelevisionJuly 25, 2017

Gangneung temple stays for foreigners offered for 10,000 won

An affordable temple stay program for foreigners will be available next month, a local Buddhist body said Tuesday. The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism said that five selected temples in Gangwon Province -- Naksansa, Baekdamsa, Samhwasa, Shinheungsa and Woljeongsa -- will offer the two-day program tailored for foreign visitors from Aug. 18-28, and the cost is set at 10,000 won ($8.90). The special program is being prepared as the nation is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics in February 2018.

TravelJuly 24, 2017

Winner to return with new album next month

Boy band Winner on Monday set Aug. 4 as the release date for its next album. Its agency YG Entertainment uploaded teaser images along with the album‘s title “Our Twenty For” and the release date via its blog at www.yg-life.com. Winner (YG Entertainment)The photo shows images of the bandmates with an outdoor pool on the background. YG hinted that the teaser, along with a prereleased photo of the boy band shooting a music video in Hawaii, indicates the new song will be a “cool summer song.”Winner

PerformanceJuly 24, 2017

FT Island to launch global tour to mark 10th anniversary

FT Island will kick off a global tour next month to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its debut, the band said Monday. The concert “2017 FT Island Live [X] in Seoul” will be held on Aug. 26 and 27 to mark the beginning of the group’s world tour.  (FNC Entertainment)FNC Entertainment said it will soon reveal other cities that the band will be touring.Tickets for the concert will be made available on Interpark and Auction at 8 p.m. Thursday. Members of the group’s fan club Primadonna will have a

PerformanceJuly 24, 2017

[Seoul Saunter] Peekaboo with art in Pil-dong

Seoul is a vibrant megalopolis with modern high-rises crowding the city’s major arteries. Nestled among the gleaming buildings are maze-like alleys that appear to have escaped the passage of time. The Korea Herald explores the many nooks and crannies of Seoul, proclaimed the capital of Joseon in 1392, that reveal a multifaceted city. - Ed. Everyone loves Myeong-dong. But the next time you visit one of Korea’s most famous shopping districts, why not sidetrack just a little bit? From Exit No. 4 of

CultureJuly 24, 2017

Asia’s largest virtual reality cinema event to take place in Busan

Asia’s largest virtual reality film event will take place at the Busan International Film Festival, running from Oct. 12-21 this year. The event, VR Cinema in BIFF, will screen some 30 virtual reality films in an exclusive screening space at the Busan Cinema Center, according to BIFF.　The film festival, Asia’s largest, has signed a memorandum of understanding with culture and VR contents company Barunson for the exhibit. 　BIFF will be spotlighting the virtual reality venue as one of the film fes

FilmJuly 24, 2017