Korean novelist evokes horrors of Gwangju massacre

“Human Acts: A Novel” by Han Kang; Hogarth (224 pages, $22)In May of 1980, the South Korean government turned its guns on its own people, murdering hundreds in the city of Gwangju who had been protesting a military coup and the continuation of martial law.In “Human Acts,” Korean writer Han Kang -- winner of the Man Booker International Prize -- gives us their story, presented in this short novel through seven interwoven vignettes featuring characters who either died in Gwangju in 1980 or are now

BooksJan. 20, 2017

[Eye Interview] Getting close-up view of Korean films

Darcy Paquet, an American film critic specializing in Korean films, says that directors here seem to have a more intimate relationship with their viewers.“Korean films are so widely watched by the local audience that there is a real dialogue that takes place,” he told The Korea Herald in an interview Tuesday at a cafe in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun district.  Film critic Darcy Pacquet poses for a photo in Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)“In most countries, Hollywood films

FilmJan. 20, 2017

Rain and Kim Tae-hee wed

Rain and Kim Tae-hee held a private wedding ceremony Thursday at Gahoe-dong Cathedral in central Seoul.  Rain (left) and Kim Tae-hee (Yonhap)The superstar couple’s wedding Mass lasted about 90 minutes. Rain wore a black suit while the bride wore a white dress that hit above knee. Only family members and a few close friends, including Park Jin-young, the head of JYP Entertainment and Rain‘s former boss, attended the Mass. In celebration of the new couple, Park sang “Only You,” the song he had wri

PerformanceJan. 19, 2017

[Herald Interview] Jung Woo-sung, from idol to gentleman to man of convictions

To most Korean moviegoers and fellow actors, Jung Woo-sung is best known for his role in Kim Sung-su’s 1997 gangster film “Beat.” He plays a teenager who drops out of high school -- something Jung also did in real life, due to his family’s poverty and his desire to pursue an acting career -- and is forced into the world of gangsters. Jung is often referred to as “the celebrity’s celebrity” here. Many actors who debuted in later years, including Hyun Bin and Park Hae-jin, confessed to having idol

FilmJan. 19, 2017

Long-lost Stravinsky ‘Funeral Song’ gets Asian premiere in Seoul

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is working to get back on firm ground a year after the departure of Chung Myung-whun at the end of 2015, following a maelstrom of controversies, and the task of stabilizing the orchestra has fallen on the newly appointed conductor-in-residence Markus Stenz and principal guest conductor Thierry Fischer.“The team that approached me was very wise in wanting a stabilizing time,” said Stenz during a press conference held at the Sejong Center in Seoul on Tuesday.“The i

PerformanceJan. 19, 2017

Audiobooks boom in digital, multitasking age

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Curling up with a paperback may be a forgotten luxury for many thanks to today’s busy lifestyles, but listening to a book on the go, while shopping or jogging, is fast becoming the new norm.Gone are the cumbersome cassette sets that could cost three times as much as an old-fashioned book and often featured only excerpts to cut down on costs.Now, audiobooks are just a click away and can be uploaded onto a smartphone for the same, if not lower, price as the print edition.Mary Bet

BooksJan. 19, 2017

Classical fuses with punk to kick off Paris menswear shows

PARIS (AP) -- Subzero temperatures were an apt backdrop for fashionistas who arrived in Paris for the first day of warmly-wrapped fall-winter 2017 menswear fashion shows.The travelling press bid “ciao” to Milan and said “bonjour” to Paris -- kicking off 50 fashion shows, endless parties, million-dollar business deals and the last leg of the menswear mania that will sweep the French capital for five days. Powerhouse Valentino unveiled its couture-infused creations from the now-solo designer Pierp

Arts & DesignJan. 19, 2017

Metallica, John Legend to perform at Grammys

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Chart-topping singer John Legend and metal legend Metallica will be among the performers at this year’s Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday.The music industry’s signature gala takes place in Los Angeles on Feb. 12, with Beyonce leading nominations.Legend, who is best known for his ballad “All of Me,” is a favorite of the Grammys. The 38-year-old has won 10 awards and has performed each year since 2014.Metallica, one of the most influential groups in heavy m

PerformanceJan. 19, 2017

Families duel in decadent era in Met’s ‘Romeo et Juliette’

NEW YORK (AFP) -- In an era of intense political division, the new production of “Romeo et Juliette” at New York’s Metropolitan Opera brings the classic tale of warring families to a universe of palpable power and ostentation.Director Bartlett Sher’s vision for the opera, written in 1867 by Charles Gounod, keeps the action in Verona but shifts from the Renaissance to the 18th century -- a decadent world of puffed-up wigs that recall Marie Antoinette and ball gowns in royal reds and purples.“When

PerformanceJan. 19, 2017

UK’s Tate art galleries get first female chief

LONDON (AFP) - Britain’s prestigious Tate institution, which runs four of the country’s best known art galleries, announced Tuesday it would have its first female director with the appointment of Maria Balshaw.The 46-year-old will succeed Nicholas Serota in one of the most influential jobs in the country’s arts industry after transforming Manchester’s cultural landscape.“I am honored to be asked by the trustees of Tate to become the new director,” said Balshaw, who takes over on June 1.“Under Ni

PerformanceJan. 18, 2017

London needs new concert hall: Simon Rattle

LONDON (AFP) - British conductor Simon Rattle on Tuesday called for a new concert hall in London to make the city more competitive on the international music scene, as he takes up his baton at the London Symphony Orchestra.He threw his weight behind a 280 million pound ($347 million) project aimed at creating a “Centre for Music” equipped for the digital era.The plans involve building a new hall on the site of the Museum of London, which is relocating nearby, which would become the new home of t

PerformanceJan. 18, 2017

Girl group TWICE to release special album

South Korean girl group TWICE will roll out a special album next month, seeking to carry on its winning streak of online music streaming and album sales in the competitive, rapidly changing market, the band's management agency said Wednesday. (JYP Entertainment)According to music industry sources, the special album is currently in production for release in late February. It will be a repackaged version of the group's hit third EP "TWICEcoaster:LANE1," which will include a newly produced track."I

PerformanceJan. 18, 2017

Long-awaited ‘Saimdang’ to air first in Korea

The much-anticipated period drama series “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” is set to begin airing on Korean broadcasting network SBS next Thursday. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the show’s writer and director said that the goal of airing the series simultaneously in China has been thwarted.Since August, Beijing has reportedly been banning Korean actors from starring in Chinese productions and restricting the import of Korean content, moves allegedly arising from diplomatic tension between the two co

TelevisionJan. 18, 2017

BoA in romantic relationship with actor Joo Won

The agencies of K-pop star BoA and actor Joo Won on Wednesday confirmed reports the two are in a romantic relationship. Earlier in the day, a local media outlet reported the two had been dating since late 2016. They reportedly met via a shared acquaintance. Confirming the reports, BoA’s agency S.M. Entertainment said in an official statement the two had “grown fond of each other through shared interests such as music and acting.”Joo Won’s agency Huayi Brothers also confirmed the reports, althoug

PerformanceJan. 18, 2017

I.O.I tops charts with last single

Project girl group I.O.I reached for the sky for the final time with the latest single “Downpour” topping local music charts after its release Wednesday.“Downpour,” the last single for the rookie sensation, stood firmly at No. 1 on Mnet and Genie chart. It slipped to No. 3 on Melon after debuting at the top spot upon its midnight release.The song’s lyrics depict the sadness of leaving someone, likening it to an abrupt downpour. The 11-member band reportedly decided on their last song through a p

PerformanceJan. 18, 2017

‘The Accusation’ wins British translation award

A collection of anti-North Korean stories written inside the reclusive state has recently won a translation award from by a UK-based literary group.“The Accusation,” by North Korea-based author Bandi, was among 10 PEN Translates’ Autumn 2016 winners. It was translated by Deborah Smith, who won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016 for her translation of “The Vegetarian” by Han Kang.The PEN Translates award is given by the English PEN, the founding center of worldwide writers’ association PE

CultureJan. 18, 2017