Hong Sang-soo’s ‘Day After’ gets mixed reviews at Cannes

Hong Sang-soo’s “The Day After” received both enthusiastic and mild responses from critics following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Monday, prompting whispers of the film’s chance at the top Palme d’Or prize.　Hubert Niogret, prominent French film critic and an editor for the film magazine Positif called it a “fantastic” piece, and “the best of the competing films” at Cannes this year, according to reports. 　Korean critic Jeon Chan-il said he could detect “the film style that led the 19

FilmMay 23, 2017

Culture foundation runs visual contest on Korea

A Seoul-based cultural foundation has opened a photo and video contest about Korea, aimed at piquing interests among foreigners in the country and offering a chance for a dialogue on how to better promote the country abroad.The Corea Image Communications Institute (CICI), which is holding the contest until July 17, said on Tuesday foreigners living in Korea and Koreans who want to publicize what they think is the country's image can submit photos or videos with the themes of "true Korean identit

CultureMay 23, 2017

Sistar confirms disbandment after 7 years

Starship Entertainment, which represents Sistar, confirmed the K-pop group’s disbandment Tuesday. (Starship Entertainment)“Sistar will officially end its seven-year promotion as a group with its last album, which will be released on May 31,” the agency said in a statement. “We have been discussing the issue and agreed to bring the group to an end.” The four-member Sistar debuted in June 2010 with “Push Push.” It has enjoyed popularity with hit songs such as “So Cool,” “Loving U” and “Give It to

PerformanceMay 23, 2017

iKON dominates iTunes charts with ‘New Kids: Begin’

K-pop boy band iKON’s long-awaited EP “New Kids: Begin” has been going strong abroad, topping iTunes charts in 10 regions as of Tuesday. Since its release Monday, the second EP has shot to the top spot on iTunes K-Pop Music Albums charts in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, among other countries. K-pop group iKON (YG Entertainment)The two-track album also made it to the top 50 on the charts of 32 countries, including Sweden, Turkey and Mexico. “Bling Bling,” one of the tracks

PerformanceMay 23, 2017

[Herald Interview] iKON’s street boys return with ‘New Kids: Begin’

Without the gloss and glitter, seven street boys are back in the K-pop music scene amid growing anticipation toward their reunion with fans in Korea. Likening themselves to the “boys from backstreet,” rising K-pop group iKON dropped its long-awaited second single “New Kids: Begin” on Monday.The release came after the group held its first Japanese dome concert in Osaka on Saturday, which was a huge success. iKon (YG Entertainment)“Since we had such a long hiatus, it feels like we became newbies a

PerformanceMay 22, 2017

[Next Wave] Dumbfoundead on Koreatown, ‘Foreigner’

While growing up in Koreatown, that bustling enclave in central Los Angeles home to a distinctly hybrid culture of Korea and America, rapper Dumbfoundead noticed something odd. 　 The neighborhood’s young residents, born to Korean immigrant parents but raised entirely on American soil, seemed to adhere to Korean social codes with enthusiasm. They would pour the staple Korean liquor soju for each other using both hands, and refer to older males as “hyung” or “oppa.” Whether reflecting a desire to

PerformanceMay 22, 2017

BTS becomes first K-pop group to win at Billboard Music Awards

BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, has become the first K-pop group to win at the Billboard Music Awards. The South Korean boy band grabbed the top social artist category award at the high profile event Sunday, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It was the first time that a Korean artist won at the global awards since Psy was honored in the top streaming song (video) category with his worldwide smash-hit “Gangnam Style” in 2013. BTS poses in the press room with the trophy for top social arti

PerformanceMay 22, 2017

BTS scoops up Billboard Music Award for top social artist

BTS grabbed the award in the top social artist category at the Billboard Music Awards on Monday.The boy band has not only made history as the first K-pop group to attend the show but also nabbed a prize there.  BTS (Billboard)BTS faced competition for the award from other big-name celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande, who were all nominated.  (Big Hit Entertainment)Earlier, the seven-member group also performed strongly on Billboard’s music charts. BTS’s latest hit s

PerformanceMay 22, 2017

K-pop group EXP-Edition from NY seeks own musical color

In August 2016, four New Yorkers hailing from different backgrounds boarded a Korea-bound plane with one question that brought them together: Who says only Koreans can become part of a K-pop idol group? With the tagline “Born in New York, made in Seoul,” K-pop idol group EXP-Edition sings in Korean and dances K-pop style, but none of its members are Koreans. This unique international K-pop band, with ethnic backgrounds ranging from Portuguese to Croatian, entered the K-pop scene with its electro

PerformanceMay 21, 2017

‘Okja’ challenges ‘capitalism’ of meat production

Bong Joon-ho is no stranger to controversy, having poked fun at the government, military, social classes and discrimination through his previous works.Now the acclaimed director is in the hot seat again as his film “Okja” raises questions about the morality of the meat production system in modern society. “Humanity has consumed meat for ages, but we’ve ate what we needed and animals lived natural lives prior to (the) rise of capitalism,” he said during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festi

FilmMay 21, 2017

Kim Jang-hoon apologizes for ‘cursing’ incident

Singer Kim Jang-hoon apologized Sunday for using vulgar language during a memorial for former President Roh Moo-gyun on Saturday.Kim, who performed during a memorial at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul, used foul language on stage while talking about his quarrel with a police officer over his illegal parking. “I apologize to all those who love President Roh and came (to Gwanghwamun) with good intents” he wrote on his Facebook page. Kim Jang-hoon speaks during a memorial former President Roh Moo-gyun o

PerformanceMay 21, 2017

Bong Joon-ho's 'Okja' receives standing ovation at Cannes

South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" has premiered at the Cannes Film Festival with the filmmaker getting a four-minute standing ovation.The new film from the "Snowpiercer" director tells the story of a young girl from a rural town who risks everything to prevent a multinational company from kidnapping her best friend, a super-pig named Okja. Audiences applause for Bong Joon-ho`s new film "Okja" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.(Joint Press Corp. via Yonhap)Thousands of movie fans g

FilmMay 20, 2017

‘Okja,’ ‘Merciless’ rattled in both Cannes, Korea

Two of the five Korean films screening at this year’s Cannes Film Festival have found themselves embroiled in a scandal, both in and out of the country. “Okja” is caught in a clash between its producer Netflix and French cinemas. “The Merciless” has sparked outrage among Korean spectators due to its director’s misled online tweets.During its Friday premiere, “Okja” was met with “whistles and jeers” by critics during a technical hitch in its premiere Friday, according to AFP. The screening was st

FilmMay 19, 2017

[Weekender] Places fading into memory

Bookstores expand their commercial horizons Bookstores were the intellectual sanctuaries for Korea’s youngsters and libertines, who burned with passion for democracy, prosperity and humanity there from the postwar years through the late 1990s. However, with the explosive rise of the internet and online media, they have fallen prey to become either ancient relics or forgotten memories of yesteryear. By and large, some of the remaining book shops are now cluttered and dusted with outdated wisdom.

CultureMay 19, 2017

Hitch halts controversial Netflix film’s Cannes premiere

CANNES, France, (AFP) -- The premiere of the first of two controversial Netflix movies at the Cannes film festival had to be stopped Friday amid whistles and jeers when the curtain malfunctioned hiding part of the screen. Some critics had earlier whistled at the start of $50 million creature feature “Okja” when the Netflix’s logo appeared on screen.The screening giant has refused to show both its films in the running for Cannes’ top prize in French cinemas, sparking a bitter row which has oversh

FilmMay 19, 2017

Kim Nam-gil, Kim A-joong to star in ‘Myeongbulheojeon’

Korean actors Kim Nam-gil and Kim A-joong will return to the small screen with the upcoming tvN’s drama tentatively titled “Myueongbulheojeon.” “Two actors have confirmed their roles. Nam-gil will play Heo Im, a doctor from the Joseon Dynasty, and A-joong will play Choi Yeon-kyeong, a doctor from the 21st Century,” said Bon Factory, which produces the upcoming drama. Kim Nam-gil (left) and Kim A-joong (O& Entertainment/King Entertainment)Nam-gil, 37, is expected to show his acting prowess by pla

TelevisionMay 19, 2017

[Weekender] Old things worth holding on to

“Every memory of looking out the back door/ I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor/ It’s hard to say it/ time to say it/ Goodbye, goodbye,” sings the band Nickelback in its 2005 single “Photograph.”The song was popular in the US and UK, but more than a decade after its release, a disinterested millennial might say to the group’s lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, “What on Earth is a photo album?”Living in 2017, most people would have to think hard to recollect when he or she last held a p

CultureMay 19, 2017