Artday to hold July auction

Herald Artday, a subsidiary of Herald Corp., is holding an online auction from July 22 to 26, presenting major works of art by contemporary Korean and international artists. The auction will feature works by Lee U-fan and Ha Chong-hyun, internationally acclaimed Korean artists leading the dansaekhwa, or monochrome painting, movement. Additionally spotlighted will be artists such as Kim Tschang-yeul, known for his signature water drop paintings; Lee Wal-jong, who captures the picturesque life of

PerformanceJuly 24, 2017

Naver, state agency agree to promote Korean artists overseas

The Naver Cultural Foundation said Monday it has reached an agreement with a state-run cultural agency to produce English promotional materials for new and ambitious Korean visual artists.The agreement between the foundation and the Korea Arts Management Service calls for KAMS to translate content published on Naver's Hello! Artist website into English, the foundation said. The foundation is run by South Korea's largest Internet portal, Naver. This composite image from Naver`s Hello! Artist webs

CultureJuly 24, 2017

‘Man Who Dies to Live’ apologizes for its depiction of Islamic culture

The creators of MBC drama series “Man Who Dies to Live” apologized on Sunday for the show’s controversial depiction of Islamic culture. The show, which airs every Wednesday and Thursday, came under fire for depicting a caricature of what appears to be Islamic culture in a comical fashion. (MBC)“Our intent was not to maliciously distort of comically depict Islamic or Arabic culture. We apologize for causing concern with our inappropriate depiction,” officials said, issuing the apology in Korean,

TelevisionJuly 23, 2017

Special Park Chan-wook screenings to take place at theater dedicated to him

From the chilling revenge story in 2003 neo-noir “Oldboy” to last year’s erotic thriller “The Handmaiden,” cinephiles will be able to revisit the works of Korean director Park Chan-wook from July 27 to Aug. 23 at the newly opened Park Chan-wook theater at CGV Yongsan, Seoul. Opened July 18, it is the third screen that CGV has dedicated to a significant figure in Korean cinema, following the Im Kwon-taek theater in Busan and the Ahn Sung-ki theater at CGV Arthouse Apgujeong. 　A wide range of Park

FilmJuly 23, 2017

[KTALK] Apink to kick-start Japan tour

South Korean girl group Apink resumed its Japan tour after a four-month break, according to its agency Plan A Entertainment. The group, which started its third tour in Japan on Saturday, will unveil its eighth single “Motto Go Go” on Tuesday. The song -- based on the theme of friendship with an upbeat tempo -- follows its seventh single “Bye Bye,” released in March. Apink started its concerts in Kobe on Saturday, and will perform in Nagoya on July Wednesday and Yokohama on July Sunday. The six-p

PerformanceJuly 23, 2017

GFriend releases teaser images for ‘Love Whisper’

K-pop act GFriend on Sunday released teaser images for its new EP “Parallel” via official social media pages.The images, uploaded just after midnight, showed the concepts to be applied on “Love Whisper,” the band‘s lead track for its fifth EP. (Source MusicThe bandmates are seen clad in pink and white, which the agency pointed out was intended for a more feminine look. According to Source Music, the title of the EP refers to the sense of longing for a love that cannot be reached, along with a st

PerformanceJuly 23, 2017

Akdong Musician‘s ‘Dinosaur’ crusing through local charts

The brother-sister duo of Akdong Musician is at it again, as its new song “Dinosaur” continues to go strong on major online music charts in Korea.As of Sunday afternoon, the song was at the No. 1 spot on charts for Olleh Music, Bugs Music, Genie and Soribada. (YG Entertainment)With “Dinosaur,” Akdong Musician tried their hands at electronic dance music, a first for the beloved duo.On Saturday, the two held a concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to wrap up their nationwide tour consisting of 17

PerformanceJuly 23, 2017

YouTubers prove the key to Korean tourism

Due to an entertainment market flourishing in the pan-Asian region, South Korea's tourism industry has made tremendous gains over the years. But while Hallyu generates interest and curiosity in Korea, there are cultural bridges that prevent some potential overseas visitors from making the trip.English-speaking YouTubers have filled that gap. Living in Korea and documenting their time here, viewers become more accustomed to the idea of traveling in the country.Clark in one of her vlogs introducin

TravelJuly 23, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, a traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-nigh

TravelJuly 23, 2017

Taebaek hopes Songs will wed at ‘Descendants of the Sun’ theme park

Soon-to-be-married couple Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo were asked to hold their wedding ceremony at the “Descendants of the Sun” theme park in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. City officials recently visited Song Joong-ki’s agency and relayed hopes of the city’s residents for the couple to wed at the theme park. The city also outlined the details of the city‘s support for the wedding, including the officiant’s message, outdoor wedding facilities and honeymoon accommodations, to the agency. Song Joon

TelevisionJuly 21, 2017

[Movie Review] Luc Besson’s ‘Valerian and City of Thousand Planets’ is dazzling, dimwitted space opera

In his ludicrously entertaining 2014 science-fiction thriller, “Lucy,” French director Luc Besson gave us a chemically enhanced action heroine with the rare ability to harness 100 percent of her brainpower. Besson’s latest futuristic whatsit, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” seems determined to induce the opposite effect in the viewer. When you enter the theater, you can pick up your 3-D glasses with one hand and drop off your brain with the other.All in all, you might not consider

FilmJuly 21, 2017

[Movie Review] Riveting ‘Dunkirk’ is Nolan’s, and year’s, best

“Dunkirk” is not a typical war movie. There are no brothers in arms, no flashbacks to simpler times and pretty wives and girlfriends left behind, no old men in situation rooms pontificating about politics or helping with exposition. There’s no talk of Hitler, or Germans or battlefields or trauma or mothers. In fact, there’s hardly any talk at all, or, for that matter, even any characters in the traditional sense. 　 But don’t be mistaken: Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” is a stone cold masterpiece.

FilmJuly 21, 2017

Watch nine college professors sing EXO song

Ewha Womans University posted an old but hilarious clip on its Facebook page Friday. The clip, which dates back to March 2014, shows a group of nine professors performing on stage for their new class.  The professors, clad sharply in suits, give an energetic performance of a song by the hit K-pop group. (doo@heraldcorp.com)

PerformanceJuly 21, 2017

Kim Yun-jin to star in US play penned by Korean playwright

Kim Yun-jin will foray onto the stage in the US with the play “Wild Goose Dreams.” 　“There is not only the one-dimensional everyday of Korean society but a deep reflection on everyday people and their love stories,” said Kim about the upcoming play.　“There’s a theme that the American audience can relate to as well. That’s what I like about it. I chose it right away,” she said.　The play is set in Seoul and centers on Yoo Nan-hee, a woman who has defected from North Korea. Through an online dating

CultureJuly 21, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dunkirk(US)Drama, thriller. Directed by Christopher NolanIn May 1940 during World War II, Germany advances into France and traps the Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. A slow, methodical plan to evacuate the British and French troops began to be put into motion, using every naval and civilian ship that could be reached. Some 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were brought to safety after the completion of the mission. Flipped(US)Opened July 12Romantic comedy, drama. Direct

FilmJuly 21, 2017

Hong Sang-soo’s ‘On the Beach’ nabs prize at Jersualem film fest

Hong Sang-soo’s “On the Beach at Night Alone” won the top prize in the international film category at the Jerusalem Film Festival on Friday. 　“Using the simplest of cinematic tools, Hong Sang-soo creates a mysterious magic, rooted in the heart of daily life,” said a jury consisting of Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, actress Evgenia Dodina and journalist Deborah Young on awarding the film, according to ScreenDaily. 　“Love, hatred, affection, rage, sexuality, loneliness and deep pain are reflected

FilmJuly 21, 2017

[Weekender] Explore the east

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province -- Just a two-hour drive from the sleepless metropolis that is Seoul, South Korea’s eastern coast feels like a different world: white sandy beaches, laid-back shore towns and surfers paddling in the sea.No wonder beaches along the East Sea are popular holiday destinations for locals seeking to escape the city. Songjiho Beach, located in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, some 200 kilometers east of Seoul.“We often come to the beaches off the East Sea as the wate

TravelJuly 21, 2017

[Weekender] Four beaches to check out on east coast

Beaches along the East Sea draw vacationers for their soft sand and clear water. Below are The Korea Herald’s top four picks to check out this summer. 　Gyeongpo Beach, the biggest on East SeaThe Gyeongpo Beach located between the East Sea and Gyongpo Lake in South KoreaWith a sand beach stretching some 6 kilometers, Gyeongpo Beach is a sand bank located between the East Sea and Gyeongpo Lake. It is the biggest beach along the east coast, attracting an average 6.5 million people each summer.　Loca

TravelJuly 21, 2017

[Weekender] Olympics, vacation home boom revitalize coastal towns

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province – Gangwon Province and its coastal towns used to be the less developed and less populated in South Korea. But that seems to be changing fast. With accessibility from the metropolitan area greatly enhanced and expected to improve yet more in the coming months, the once laid-back coastal towns and cities are seeing a property development boom, with a number of luxury hotels, resorts and apartment complexes being erected. The Seamarq Hotel in GangneungThe upcoming

TravelJuly 21, 2017

Kim Bum to return to big screen for ‘Detective K’

Kim Bum is set to return to the big screen with the third sequel of comedy-mystery film “Detective K.”　Kim’s agency Kingkong Entertainment said Thursday that the actor is confirmed to star in the upcoming movie, which starts filming next month. It will be the actor’s first Korean film in four years, having last starred in “The Gifted Hands” in 2013. 　 Kim Bum (Yonhap)He appeared on TV screens in tvN’s 2015 drama “Hidden Identity” and SBS’ 2016 drama “Mrs. Cop 2,” but he has starred only in Chine

FilmJuly 20, 2017