Seoul Shakespeare Company to hold drama workshop

The Seoul Shakespeare Company will hold their “Shakesperiments” workshop on July 23. Actors perform scenes or monologues of their choosing and then receive constructive feedback from other attendees following their performance.   (Seoul Shakespeare Company)Although the workshops mostly focus on Shakespeare, performers may also select excerpts from other classic or modern texts. The event is free to attend but small donations of 1,000 to 5,000 won to cover venue hire are welcome. On July 16, ther

Expat LivingJuly 11, 2017

'Fight For My Way' continues to lead TV popularity chart

KBS 2TV's "Fight For My Way" continued its reign on a TV popularity index for the second week, data showed Tuesday.Starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won, the Money-Tuesday drama scored 279.1 points on the Content Power Index (CPI), becoming the most popular TV program from June 26-July 2.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. (KBS)Th

TelevisionJuly 11, 2017

15 popular Korean culture YouTubers visit S. Korea

Fifteen YouTube stars creating videos themed on Korean culture from around the world are visiting South Korea at the invitation of the government, the trip's organizer said Tuesday.The Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange said the creators from 12 countries arrived in the country Tuesday for a nine-day program in Seoul and the southern tourist city of Jeonju to have a hands-on experience on traditional and contemporary Korean culture.They include Joel, a British YouTuber specializ

TelevisionJuly 11, 2017

Super Junior returns in smaller size

K-pop boy group Super Junior will return to the K-pop music scene in October with less members, its management agency said Monday. Super Junior (S.M. Entertainment)Originally consisted of 11, the restructured team will be made up of seven members -- Leeteuk, Heechul, Shindong, Yesung, Eunhyuk, Donghae and Siwon -- said Label SJ, the special label created by S.M. Entertainment exclusively for the globally well-known K-pop group. Eunhyuk, Donghae and Siwon, currently serving in the military, are e

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

[Seoul Saunter] Dongdaemun, where old books and new ideas coexist

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. The Dongdaemun district in northern central Seoul is a bustling area where two very different types of commerce exist. 　 The used bookstore street lines Cheon

CultureJuly 10, 2017

The not so casual ‘airport fashion’ of Korean celebrities

Airport fashion photos like these are popular entertainment news items, but a recent media report has claimed the outfit selections may not be as casual as they appear. This photo is not related to the article. (Herald DB)A steady stream of photos featuring Korean celebrities at Incheon International Airport, is featured by media. Their “off-duty” clothes, especially when going viral, often become instant hits. But according to the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper, the “airport fashion” worn by Korean star

Arts & DesignJuly 10, 2017

Akdong Musician to return later this month

Brother and sister duo Akdong Musician will make a return later this month, the group‘s agency said Monday.Confirming earlier reports, YG Entertainment said that the beloved duo has just finished shooting the music video for its new song, set for release this month.  Akdong Musician (YG Entertainment)“The specific schedule has not been set yet,” it said, adding that it is yet unclear whether Akdong Musician will release an album, EP or a single.　The agency did not comment on when Lee Chan-hyuk -

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

Yoo Yeon-seok cast in next drama penned by ‘Guardian’ writer

Yoo Yeon-seok has scored the lead male role in the next show by hitmaker scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook, who penned “Descendants of the Sun” and “Guardian: The Great and Lonely God.” 　Yoo has been cast as the lead of “Mr. Sunshine,” set to air early next year, according to reports. 　 Yoo Yeon-seok (King Kong Entertainment)Yoo is to play the “intriguing anti-hero” Dong-mae, reports say, a character who is born to a low class family in Korea in the 1900s, and escapees to Japan in pursuit of a new life.

TelevisionJuly 10, 2017

‘Produce 101’ contender Samuel to debut in August

Samuel, previously a contender for the Mnet audition program “Produce 101 Season 2,” will officially debut on Aug. 2. His agency Brave Entertainment on Monday put out the release date, the cover image and the complete track list for his debut EP “Sixteen.” The cover image has the number 16 scribbled in red across a white background, and the EP will consist of six songs including “Jewel Box,” “Sixteen” and “I Got It.” (Brave Entertainment)The 15-year-old was born Samuel Arrendondo and is also kno

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa reveals cover image for ’Do Disturb‘

CNBLUE frontman and vocalist Jung Yong-hwa on Monday released online the cover image for his upcoming album “Do Disturb.”His agency FNC Entertainment launched an official teaser website for the album at midnight, on which the image was posted. (FNC Entertainment)The photo had two identical images of Jung -- arranged in symmetry to the background of what appears to be tropical plants. According to FNC, the album’s lead track “That Girl” will be a cheery, upbeat song featuring rapper Loco.Jung’s l

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

Park Yoo-chun mum on marriage rumors

Park Yoo-chun’s agency on Monday refused to confirm or deny rumors that the singer is set to marry his fiancee on Sept. 20.“We’ve yet to hear (from Park) on anything wedding-related. The priority (for him) is to finish his mandatory military service,” C-Jes Entertainment said.  (C-Jes Entertainment)Park is currently carrying on his military duties -- serving as a public service officer, which he will complete on Aug. 26.Earlier in the day, a local media outlet reported that Park has confirmed hi

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

EXO to return with ‘The War’ on July 18

K-pop hit maker EXO will make a long-awaited comeback on July 18 with new album “The War,” its label S.M. Entertainment said Monday.  A teaser photo of EXO‘s Kai for the group’s upcoming album ‘The War’ (S.M Entertainment)“The War,” EXO‘s fourth full-length album, includes nine tracks of various genres, featuring upbeat dance track “Ko Ko Bop” as a lead song. The upcoming album will be released on July 18 at 6 p.m. via local music streaming sites. The label has also hinted at the album’s concept

PerformanceJuly 10, 2017

IYF World Minister of Youth Forum held to enhance deep-thinking among youth

The seventh World Minister of Youth Forum, hosted by the International Youth Fellowship and sponsored by Busan Metropolitan City and Korea Tourism Organization, was held on Thursday at the Nurimaru APEC House in Busan.Many domestic and overseas figures, including former Prime Minister Lee Su-seong and over 20 education and youth ministers and vice-ministers from 21 countries such as Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and Fiji, participated to seek out various measures to enhance deep-thinking among

CultureJuly 9, 2017

Web video platform gains momentum targeting Korean youth

Within two minutes, viewers get a peek into the life of character Oh Gu-sil, an office worker who goes on a string of blind dates, repeating the same conversations. 　This is the setup of web drama “Oh Gu-sil,” created by emerging digital content company 72 Seconds.　Entertainment is increasingly foraying outside the boundaries of television and film. Such short online clips fulfill viewers’ need for instant and intermittent entertainment, according to Jang Joon-yeon, head of content business at M

TelevisionJuly 9, 2017

[Exclusive] Korea scraps mandatory HIV tests for English teachers

A controversial requirement for HIV testing of foreign language teachers has been scrapped, government officials confirmed to The Korea Herald on Thursday, almost 10 years after it was introduced.Testing for HIV and drugs began in 2007 in response to pressure from citizens groups angered partly by a website on which teachers bragged about debauchery and the news that pedophile Christopher Paul Neil had taught in Korea.The Justice Ministry confirmed that a revision to visa regulations on July 3 r

Expat LivingJuly 7, 2017

Basking in urban luxury close to home

Do you want to pamper yourself to an upscale summer vacation, but without the hassle of planning an overseas trip, arduous travel and jet lag? Do you dream of a respite not far from home, with all services catered meticulously to your needs? Hotels across Korea are offering just that, as more people opt to spend their holidays inside the country in the comfort of luxury accommodation, gastronomy and leisure. The newfangled trend, known as “staycation,” is a portmanteau of “stay” and “vacation.”

TravelJuly 7, 2017

Highlight, EXID and other K-pop stars to perform, make donations in London

Several of the hottest K-pop singers will visit London this weekend to perform in a Hallyu event hosted by state-run organizations.According to the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, “2017 Feel Korea in London” co-hosted by the foundation and the Korean Culture Center UK will be held Friday and Sunday at the Olympia National exhibition hall in downtown London. (Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange)The event was launched to introduce various forms of Korean art, i

PerformanceJuly 7, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Day After(Korea) Opened July 6Drama, comedy. Directed by Hong Sang-sooBong-wan (Kwon Hae-hyo) is accused at the dinner table by his wife Hae-joo (Cho Yun-hee) of having an affair. He feigns indignation and focuses on his meal, but the truth is that Bong-wan is heartbroken over a recently ended affair with an employee at his tiny publishing house, Chang-sook (Kim Sae-byeok). Chang-sook quits after friction with Bong-wan, and a new employee, Areum (Kim Min-hee), comes to work there. Spider-Man

FilmJuly 7, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Summer package at Westin Chosun Seoul The Westin Chosun Seoul offers the Urban Oasis accommodation package until Aug. 31. The package features accommodation in the deluxe, executive and junior suites, with prices ranging from 230,000 won to 520,000 won. The executive room package offers access to the executive lounge on the 20th floor for breakfast, snacks and cocktails, as well as the sauna. The junior suite package offers breakfast at the executive lounge or Aria Buffet Restaurant. Various cos

FoodJuly 7, 2017