[The Palate] It’s just lunch in Yeouido

In the center of Yeouido, beneath one of the neighborhood’s countless office buildings, lies hidden in a labyrinth of lunchtime restaurants a notable noodle joint that stands out with its grossly generous portions, stomach-pleasing dishes and service, and a price too reasonable to believe. Either you work in the area and have heard about Gayang Mushroom Kalguksu or through word of mouth you may be attuned to this little restaurant known for its spicy rendition of the Korean classic, hand cut noo

FoodOct. 14, 2016

Making the rounds in Muhammad Ali’s hometown

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- Above the bar at Jack Fry’s, a favorite Louisville dining destination on busy Bardstown Road, the walls are adorned with pictures of racehorses and people who know racehorses. In a corner are photos of The Greatest.Almost everyone in the city and in the world beyond Bardstown Road knows the man in those photos. Louisville is inviting everyone to get to know him a little better.Muhammad Ali died on June 3. He was 74. He was brought back to Louisville, where he was born in

TravelOct. 14, 2016

Chicken with cider and caramelized apples

Serves: Six Preparation time: 35 minutes Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes1/4 cup dark raisins1/4 cup golden raisins1/2 cup Madeira or port wine1/2 cup boiling water6 boneless chicken breasts with skin1 tablespoon five-spice powder, divided2 teaspoons coarse sea salt, plus more to tasteFreshly ground black pepper, to taste7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided3 large tart apples, peeled (with peels reserved), cored and cut lengthwise into eighths2 tablespoons all-purpose flour3/4 cup apple cider or

FoodOct. 14, 2016

Kids brought J.K. Simmons to film, and maybe back to theater

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fans of J.K. Simmons’ work in television and film may have the actor’s two children to thank.A veteran of New York theater, Simmons moved into TV and movie work after his two children were born.During a recent interview to promote his new film, “The Accountant,” Simmons recalled turning down an interesting play with a compelling co-star soon after he became a father.“There was no reason not to do (the play) except for the fact that I had a little baby and a 3-year-old who wan

FilmOct. 14, 2016

Singer Se7en drops new album after scandal, five-year hiatus

After a scandal involving an adult massage parlor, a public breakup and another very public relationship, singer Se7en has returned after nearly five years with a new, self-produced album.Titled “I Am Se7en,” the retro-funk album reflects who he is now, the 31-year-old singer told reporters at a press interview at his entertainment agency, Eleven 9, Thursday.“I’m particularly fond of this album because I participated in making the melodies, writing the lyrics and the production of every song,” h

PerformanceOct. 13, 2016

[Herald Interview] Greek crises brought to screen at BIFF in ‘Amerika Square’

Busan -- Director Yannis Sakaridis portrays a Greece in crisis through the prism of one small Athens neighborhood in “Amerika Square,” which held its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival on Tuesday.The director sat down alongside actor Yannis Stankoglou, who plays coffee bar and tattoo parlor owner Billy, with The Korea Herald before the premiere.“(Amerika Square) was the Via Veneto of Athens -- a lot of artists ... actors, all the sort of cultural establishment was there,” Sa

FilmOct. 13, 2016

Survival reality show asks, ‘democracy or dictatorship?’

Soon-to-air reality program “Society Game” observes contestants divided into two “societies” -- one a democracy, the other a dictatorship -- as they compete in a physically and psychologically draining fight for survival. 　The show is cable channel tvN’s ambitious new project, co-created with global format distribution company Endemol Shine Group, an Amsterdam-based firm that previously rolled out popular shows “Big Brother,” “The Biggest Loser” and “MasterChef.” 　The show’s focus is to observe

TelevisionOct. 13, 2016

Sechs Kies to launch official fan club

First-generation K-pop idol group Sechs Kies is giving back to the fans who have excitedly embraced the band’s recent comeback.To create a more personalized and intimate experience for the fans, the group will be launching its official fan club “Yellowkies,” YG Entertainment announced on social media channels Thursday. Membership sign-up will begin on Monday at 11 a.m., and close on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. 　Additionally, Sechs Kies will be hosting a pop-up store “Yellow Space,” where fans can find a s

PerformanceOct. 13, 2016

‘The Net’ to open Tokyo FILMeX

Art-house filmmaker Kim Ki-duk’s drama “The Net” is heading to Japan.　The 17th annual international film festival Tokyo FILMeX will be opening on Nov. 19 with Kim’s latest film, according to distribution company Next Entertainment World on Thursday. 　This is not Kim’s first time at the festival. Most recently, his 2014 thriller “One on One” was featured at the event, and his personal documentary “Arirang” received the Agnes B. Audience Award in 2011. 　Tokyo FILMeX, which has a heavy focus on Asi

FilmOct. 13, 2016

Violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo to be laid to rest Saturday

The funeral for the late violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo will be held on Saturday following a wake at the SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center in Seoul. 　The 31-year-old violinist was found dead inside a taxi in Busan in the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to police statements, following a rehearsal on Tuesday night for the following day’s concert, the violinist went to a friend’s house where he and his companions drank alcohol. Kwun reportedly got into a taxi shortly after midnight on Wednesday,

PerformanceOct. 13, 2016

Klimt's 'Kiss,' made with 3-D printer, to touch and feel

VIENNA (AFP)- Like most artworks in galleries worldwide, visitors haven't been allowed to reach out and touch Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” at its home at the Belvedere museum in Vienna -- until now.On Wednesday a special three-dimensional version of the masterpiece was unveiled, aimed at enabling the visually impaired to enjoy the work by running their fingers over it.The “interactive tactile relief,” made using a 3-D printer, makes it possible to touch details of the 1907-8 original, the Belvedere

CultureOct. 13, 2016

US, Cuba stepping up efforts to save Hemingway artifacts

BOSTON (AP) - Ernest Hemingway was a pack rat who saved everything. Fortunately for fans of the literary icon, US and Cuban officials and scholars have been working together to preserve artifacts at his former estate in Cuba -- items they say will help illuminate his colorful legacy.At a forum Wednesday at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston, Hemingway experts from both countries underscored their determination to save the books, letters, fishing rods, mounted animal trop

CultureOct. 13, 2016

[Contribution] Global K-pop festival demonstrates reach of the Korean Wave

Fifteen entrants from around the world showcased their talent and love for Korean pop music at the K-pop World Festival on Sept. 30, the culmination of contests held at over 80 locations around the world, with a total of 13,000 having participated. In the age of short attention spans and children playing video games, it was an amazing sight to see young people from around the world coming to Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, showing off the results of hours of practice to display their skills

Expat LivingOct. 13, 2016

English teachers set for 2-day conference

A major English-teaching conference will take place in Seoul this weekend for educators to sharpen their skills and hear from some of the profession’s leading figures.The Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages will gather at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul for a two-day conference starting Saturday.The conference will feature more than 200 workshops, seminars and classes for teachers looking to improve the way they teach.“The KOTESOL International Conference is a fantasti

Expat LivingOct. 12, 2016