Black Pink gears up for Japanese debut in August

Black Pink dropped a Japanese version of music videos for “Whistle” and “Playing with Fire,” two of the group‘s hits, ahead of its official Japanese debut in August.  (YG Entertainment)The Japanese version of the tracks’ videos were revealed via the group’s label YG Entertainment website Saturday evening, a signal that the K-pop act was all geared up to push ahead with its promotion in Japan. The group is scheduled to launch a media event for its Japanese debut on July 20 in Tokyo and drop its J

PerformanceJuly 16, 2017

North Korean spy films to hit theaters in coming months

A slew of spy films centering on the tension between the two Koreas will be hitting local theaters later this year.　Three films, tentatively titled “VIP” starring Jang Dong-gun, “Steel Rain” starring Jung Woo-sung, and “Maneuver” starring Hwang Jung-min are set for release in Korean cinemas in the second half of 2017.　 Still from “VIP” featuring Kim Myung-min (left) and Jang Dong-gun (Warner Bros. Korea)“VIP,” which has been confirmed to open in August, is about a special joint investigation uni

FilmJuly 16, 2017

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ becomes this year’s most viewed foreign film in Korea

The Hollywood film "Spider-Man: Homecoming" became this year's most viewed foreign film in South Korea in just 10 days after its opening, its local distributor said Sunday.The latest movie in the Marvel superhero franchise was watched by more than 5.37 million moviegoers as of Saturday, according to the film's distributor Sony Pictures. This surpassed American film "Beauty and the Beast" that drew some 5.31 million viewers in the first half of 2017. (Marvel Studios)The movie, starring Tom Hollan

FilmJuly 16, 2017

Winner gears up for new release around late July

Boyband Winner will be returning with a new record around late July or early August, its agency said Friday.YG Entertainment confirmed earlier reports that Winner is preparing a new release, and that it has left the country to shoot a music video for the new song. Winner (YG Entertainment)The agency, however, refused to verify whether the new release will be in the form of a single, an EP or a full-length album.The upcoming release would mark an unusually fast release for a K-pop group, consider

PerformanceJuly 14, 2017

Around the Hotels

Frozen cocktails at Grand Hyatt IncheonThe Grand Hyatt Incheon’s Swell Lounge is offering frozen cocktails through Aug. 31. The cocktails come in four varieties: Noah’s Kalamansi, Sweet Kelly, Overnight at Roppongi and Cherry Beam. The Noah’s Kalamansi is made of a premium vodka, kalamanshi, sprite and crushed ice on top. The Sweet Kelly is a mix of vodka, coconut milk and expresso blended with ice. The Overnight at Roppongi is a combination of pear and sake. The Cherry Beam is concocted from Ji

TravelJuly 14, 2017

Maison M’O launches new bakery near Seoul Forest

If one walks into A Cote du Parc at 10 in the morning, one is greeted with the intoxicating scent of freshly baked brioche, a warm, toasty, buttery scent that is hard to resist. The spread of pastries, bread and cakes on display makes it even more tempting to walk away with an armful of carbs from this new bakery, which opened in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong this April. The second offshoot of Maison M’O, a dessert shop that opened over two years ago, A Cote du Parc differentiates itself from its well-kn

FoodJuly 14, 2017

Kkaennip Jjim (Steamed Perilla Leaves)

This steamed perilla leaf side dish (kkaennip jjim) is enjoyed in the summer when fresh perilla leaves are plentiful. The fragrant perilla leaves are lightly seasoned with a simple mixture of seasonings. Briefly steaming mellows the taste of this strong flavored vegetable while keeping the freshness of the leaves. If you find fresh perilla leaves a bit too strong, try this steamed version. Once you clean the leaves, it only takes a few minutes to put the sauce together and steam the leaves eithe

FoodJuly 14, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Flipped(US)Romantic comedy, drama. Directed by Rob ReinerJuli Baker (Madeline Carroll) instantly recognizes that Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe) is meant to be the love of her life, after meeting him for the first time as second grade students. Bryce continues to resists Juli’s enthusiastic advances until the sixth grade, dating other girls to ward her off. Juli finally begins to wonder if she was wrong about Bryce and their destiny, just when Bryce begins to look at his longtime admirer in a new

FilmJuly 14, 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.Its 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-

TravelJuly 14, 2017

[Video] Ongals pave way for new type of comedy

The beauty of the Ongals’ performance is in not understanding a single word they say. “Four rather large grown men are dressed like a baby and babble like them. With kids, we have to watch closely to see if they are hungry or sick. Likewise, the audience tends to focus more to see what we’re up to when we’re performing,” said Cho Jun-woo, the leader of Korean comedy performance team Ongals.Ongals -- named after Korean word “Ongali” meaning babbling -- resemble rosy-cheeked infants in colorful cl

CultureJuly 14, 2017

Actress Uee, singer Kangnam confirms romantic relationship

Actress Uee and Korea-based Japanese singer Kangnam admitted Thursday that they are dating. It was reported earlier in the day that the two have been dating for three months. Citing TV officials, a local news outlet said that the two got close while appearing in SBS show “Law of the Jungle.”  Uee (left) and Kangnam (Yonhap)While the two stars initially denied the reports, they confirmed their relationship after another news outlet released photos of the two on a date. Uee, debuted as a member of

PerformanceJuly 14, 2017

Akdong Musician to release new album next week

Brother-sister duo of Akdon Musician is gearing up for a return on July 20, YG Entertainment confirmed Friday.The agency released teaser images and a video along with the release date for the new record on its official blog (www.yg-life.com) at midnight.  Teaser image for Akdong Musician (YG Entertainment)The images give off a mysterious, almost eerie vibe with a pair of arms reaching out of a bush and a faceless woman standing with a mirror. YG commented that the concept will be different from

PerformanceJuly 14, 2017

[Weekender] Anglers go mobile for fishing

Mobile apps are expanding into fishing. More Korean hobbyists are using smartphone apps to minimize trouble and maximize fun while out angling. Not only do the apps make access to information easier, they also allow anglers to carry less in their bags and do more. App users can make reservations at fishing pedestals, find where to fish, remotely check the fishing conditions in real time and even digitally measure their catches and put them online to compete with other anglers.For a hobby convent

CultureJuly 14, 2017

[Weekender] Fishing cafes hook young Koreans

With a growing number of Koreans in their 20s and 30s seeking alternative places to spend time together indoor fishing holes, known as “fishing cafes,” are gowing in popularity. A 22-year-old student surnamed Kim is one of those looking for a new way of passing time. Tired of the same old movies, restaurants and cafes, she chose a fishing cafe as a new place to entertain herself. Around 50 fishing cafes are located at university areas in Seoul, allowing the young to delve into a new source of en

CultureJuly 14, 2017

[Weekender] Fishing widening its net in Korea

South Koreans have diversified their leisure activities in the years since the five-day workweek system was introduced in 2004. The increased leisure time is fueling the growth of various industries, and fishing is one of the key beneficiaries. Fishing was usually associated with Korean men, who dreamed of owning a framed photo of themselves holding a big catch. Indeed, fishing had been regarded as a conventional pastime among retirees and a narrow group of devotees, most of whom were men.The si

CultureJuly 14, 2017

[Weekender] Online comunities help Koreans go fishing

South Koreans have long enjoyed fishing as a hobby. But the public notion about the pastime is that it’s for the elderly or those who have a lot of free time. Things are changing, though, as a growing number of online fishing communities are catering to Koreans in their 20s and 30s -- a group willing to go for a new hobby to relieve their stress. FMC members enjoy fishing at Gimpo fishery (Kang Pan-soo/FMC)Lee Ji-ah is a case in point. “I used to be easily swayed by unwanted thoughts before I st

CultureJuly 14, 2017

Bucheon film fest kicks off with big lineup of Korean works

The 21st Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival kicked off Thursday with a lineup that reflects its location and status as South Korea's largest genre film festival.Of the 289 feature and short films being screened from July 13 to 23, 109 come from South Korea, underscoring the festival's vital role as a platform for the local film industry. The number of South Korea titles was up greatly from 65 last year, while the size of the entire lineup remained almost unchanged from previous years.

CultureJuly 13, 2017

North Chungcheong Province offers sponsored tour packages for foreign visitors

Foreign tourists in Danyang (North Chungcheong Province)North Chungcheong Province offers sponsored tour packages for foreign visitorsForeign visitors can have part of their vacation expenses sponsored for a trip to North Chungcheong Province. The North Chungcheong Provincial Office said it has earmarked 136 million won ($120,000) for its international tourism initiative.The province will work with local travel agencies to develop tour packages targeting foreign visitors. Those traveling in the

Expat LivingJuly 13, 2017

[Herald Interview] Kim Chi hopes to spread Korean culture to world

When Kim Chi struts down a runway, the audience can’t help but drop their collective jaws at his flawless face, feminine gestures and highly aesthetic avant-garde fashion that glitters under the stage lighting. His name, or even drag culture, may still be unfamiliar to some. But for drag fans, Kim Chi is one of the most influential drag queens around. He was one of the top three finalists on season 8 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which aired in the US last year. Drag queen Kim Chi poses during a rece

TelevisionJuly 13, 2017

‘Shadow Singer’ looks to unearth hidden talent

Comedian Kang Ho-dong walks up to the stage and instead of his usual booming, energetic snarl that fans have grown accustomed to, a dreamy voice sings a beautiful melody. Just like its awkwardly hilarious teaser video, “Shadow Singer” will have established stars lip-synching to the voices of singers hidden in obscurity. “I thought about what unknown singers lacked. That was when I came up with the idea that we can ‘lend’ them the popularity and recognition that they need,” said producer Min Chul

TelevisionJuly 13, 2017