Spica returns to spotlight

Five-member K-pop girl group Spica is gearing up for its comeback.　Returning to the spotlight since the release of its digital track “Ghost” in 2014, Spica will unveil its new single “Secret Time” on Aug. 25, according to the group’s management agency B2M Entertainment on Tuesday. “Prepared tirelessly throughout the group’s hiatus, the song will present a concept unparalleled to what Spica has shown in the past,” said B2M Entertainment in a press release.  During the group’s temporary break, the

Aug. 16, 2016

CCF to invite global leading culture figures to Korea

　An international cultural forum will bring together the world’s creative opinion leaders to experience Korean culture and discuss cultural strengths in September. 　The Culture Communication Forum, organized by the Corea Image Communications Institute, will be held from Sept. 4-6 in Seoul. It will invite 18 cultural figures from around the world, including Russian publisher Irina Prokhorova of “New Literary Observer,” New Zealand musician Tama Waipara, Spanish writer and anthropologist Javier Mo

CultureAug. 15, 2016

[Herald Review] Weezer, Panic! at the Disco electrify Pentaport Rock Fest

Despite the scorching heat wave that has swept across the nation, thousands of music fanatics flocked to the Penta Park in Incheon to partake in one of the country’s time-honored summer traditions -- the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. 　This year’s three-day festivities kicked things up a notch with some big-time heavy hitters including the alternative punk icons Weezer, Panic! at the Disco, Two Door Cinema Club, Suede and Group Love. 　The 11th annual festival kicked off Friday with the sounds

PerformanceAug. 15, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Theater “Nori”: In celebration of the Seoul Performing Arts Company’s 30th anniversary, the company has unveiled its newest, multi-cultural live song and dance theater production, “Nori.” The production follows the four SPAC performers on a journey around the world to learn about new musical cultures and present them to the Korean stage. “Nori” will be staged daily (except on Mondays) at the Arko Arts Theater’s Grand Theater in Daehangno, Seoul until Aug. 21. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won

PerformanceAug. 12, 2016

[Album Review] Fradiani’s debut suffers multiple personalities

Nick Fradiani“Hurricane”(Big Machine)Nick Fradiani won season 14 of “American Idol” in 2015 more with his likable personality and impressive work ethic than with his voice.There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s happened many times before and will likely keep happening, as long as there are televised singing competitions where voters decide the winners.The problem is what happens after the show is over. Like several winners from “Idol” and “The Voice,” Fradiani needs the infrastructure of a networ

PerformanceAug. 12, 2016

[Album Review] The Dead Daisies will impress rock fans with 3rd CD

The Dead Daisies“Make Some Noise” (Spitfire Music/SPV)For those who want their rock ’n rollers in long, teased hair, leather pants and strip clubs, The Dead Daisies are back with an album of squealing guitars, pounding drums and as many big hooks as a Home Depot.The ever-evolving Australia-based collective that has included former minor members of such bands as Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne and Thin Lizzy has been looking for the sweet spot between hair metal of the 1980s and ’70s classic rock. O

PerformanceAug. 12, 2016

[Album Review] Haley Bonar’s observant songs own 'Impossible Dream'

Haley Bonar“Impossible Dream” (GNDWIRE/Thirty Tigers)Haley Bonar’s songs on “Impossible Dream” are both personal and universal, stories with an indie film ambience detailed enough to fill a larger screen.Born in Canada, raised in South Dakota and now living in St. Paul, Minnesota, the 33-year-old turned it up a notch on her previous album, 2014’s “Last War,” and this one continues in a similar vein -- gliding power-pop that‘s much more in-your-ear than in-your-face.The cinematic textures are enh

PerformanceAug. 12, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Tunnel(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Sung-hoonA tunnel collapses on top of car salesman Jung-soo (Ha Jung-woo) on his way home. Trapped inside, surrounded by concrete, and with only two bottles of water, a birthday cake and cell phone in his possession, Jung-soo begins his fight for survival.Take Off 2(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Jong-hyeonA crew of women from diverse backgrounds gather to form the national ice hockey team. Ji-won (Soo Ae), the only former hockey play

FilmAug. 12, 2016

‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ hits all the wrong notes

Perhaps not every quirky true story needs a biopic starring Meryl Streep, as evidenced by Stephen Frears' bizarre “Florence Foster Jenkins,” the story of a wealthy older woman who launched an amateur singing career in the 1940s, despite her distinct lack of talent. It’s a film that dares you to give it a bad review, simply so it can turn around and call you a bully who picks on the people who try. It invites you to giggle at Florence’s horrible singing and then promptly scolds you for laughing,

FilmAug. 12, 2016

Nestled in greenery, Suncheon offers look into the past

History still breathes in Sucheon.Located in South Jeolla Province, the mid-size city of nearly 280,000 residents boasts well-preserved traces of the Joseon era, a period when it served as one of the crucial administrative towns of the kingdom. The city also houses the centuries-old Songgwangsa Temple, considered one of the three jewels of Korean Buddhism.Today, the city’s environmental conservation efforts have cultivated biodiversity unparalleled to that found in urban areas: Suncheon boasts n

TravelAug. 12, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

 Water splash parade at EverlandEverland is paying tribute to the days of summer this year as the amusement park and resort play host to the Summer Splash and Fantastic Summer Night festival. The festival is jam-packed with various programs like splash parades, fireworks and a 3-D mapping show held every night. During the day, guests can enjoy Jack’s Splash Parade, which sprays 84 tons of water from 40 water cannons and six floats, three times a day. Then later at night when the heat dies down,

TravelAug. 12, 2016

Shilla Jeju presents ‘adults only’ swimming pool

After a large number of requests from hotel guests to establish an adults-only pool area, the Shilla Jeju luxury resort has done just that.Earlier this June, the hotel established its new outdoor “adults pool” in the tranquil, tropical ambiance of the Soombi Garden just in time for one of the country’s hottest summers on record.The pool area also comes fully equipped with cabanas and a poolside bar, serving up a wide variety of cocktails and fine-dining meals.  “Our focus for the adult pool is n

TravelAug. 12, 2016

[Home Cooking] Omurice

Omurice is fried rice wrapped in egg omelette. It’s a fusion dish that combines Asian fried rice with a Western omelette and ketchup. Flavored with sweet and tangy ketchup, omurice is especially popular with children. If you don’t favor ketchup in fried rice, it can be omitted. The fried rice will still be delicious inside the soft egg omelette. Likewise, you can increase or decrease the amount of ketchup to your liking. Use day old rice if available. If you need to make fresh rice, make it slig

FoodAug. 12, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Juice It Up Gangnam Set at Park Hyatt SeoulTo help guests reenergize in the midst of peak summer heat, Park Hyatt Seoul is presenting the Juice It Up Gangnam Set promotion at the hotel restaurant The Lounge from now until Aug. 31. The package starts at 70,000 per person for both lunch and dinner, and includes a three-course meal, offering a modern twist to iconic Korean dishes like hoe (raw fish), grilled premium beef, tteokgalbi (grilled short-rib patties), injeolmi (rice cake) ice cream, and m

TravelAug. 12, 2016

Korean food made simple? Yes, it’s possible, says Judy Joo

NEW YORK (AP) -- The American palate has gotten sophisticated enough that kimchi is considered a health food and bibimbap can be ordered alongside mac and cheese.But cooking Korean food still seems like a Herculean task. When you start thinking about the ingredients involved, like gochujang (fermented chili paste) and soju (a spirit used like cooking wine), and you may be tempted to order takeout.Don’t. Judy Joo is here to tell you that it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Her new book, “Korean

FoodAug. 12, 2016