Life in 1930s China made relatable through simple details

“Half a Lifelong Romance” 　By Eileen Chang　Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (400 pages, $12.33)　“Half a Lifelong Romance” is broad in its scope and exceptionally moving in its characterizations, painting a picture of life in China in the 1930s.　The novel, by Eileen Chang, was originally published in serialized form in Shanghai in 1950, under the name “Eighteen Springs (Shiba chun).” A translated U.S. edition recently was released.　“Half a Lifelong Romance” introduces a broad cast of characters a

BooksMarch 30, 2016

Popular Korean poet’s works translated into English for the first time

“No Flower Blooms Without Wavering”　By Do Jong-hwan, translated by Brother Anthony and Jinna Park　Seoul Selection (182 pages, 11,000 won, $18)Do Jong-hwan’s poems have been translated into English for the first time in “No Flower Blooms Without Wavering,” a bilingual compilation of the popular poet’s most recognized work. Overall, the translation stays faithful to the text, never veering too far from the literal definition. The book is divided into four chapters, each containing poems that cente

BooksMarch 30, 2016

[Hallyu power] Getting to know Dean: Musician, storyteller, rebel at heart

When asked what kind of music he wants to make, instead of naming a genre, Dean described how he hopes people feel when they hear his songs.　“When you listen to Amy Winehouse, you feel like you’re getting to know her,” he said, referring to the late British soul singer who lived an infamously turbulent life before her early death in 2011. Dean talks to reporters before the showcase for his album “130 mood: TRBL” on March 23 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. (Yoon Byung-chan/The Korea Herald)　“Her life, that

PerformanceMarch 29, 2016

Plateau Museum to close in August

Plateau Museum, one of the three art museums run by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, will shut down permanently when its upcoming exhibition by Chinese artist Liu Wei closes in August. 　The museum has to vacate the space, located on the first floor of the Samsung Life Insurance Co. headquarters, as the building was sold to local construction company Booyoung in January. 　Samsung sold the 25-story, 87,000-square-meter building to the construction firm for some 500 billion won ($430 million) in

PerformanceMarch 29, 2016

Boy band BTOB returns with ballad, is eager to sing

Seven-member boy band BTOB has returned once more with a collection of mellow ballads in the group’s eighth mini-album, released Monday, treading a path slightly different from that of your average, dance-focused K-pop boy band.The title track “Remember That” seeks to bring calmness and solace to listeners in light of the upcoming spring season, the BTOB members told reporters in a group interview Monday. A promotional photo for boy band BTOB’s “Remember That” (Cube Entertainment)“(The title tra

PerformanceMarch 29, 2016

Seolhyun’s new commercial provokes controversy

The National Election Commission’s new advertisement starring singer-actress Seolhyun is under fire for allegedly “discriminating against female voters.”The advertisement was recently broadcast on TV to encourage voters, particularly those in younger age groups, to cast their ballot in the upcoming general election.The Korean Women’s Association United, however, called for its immediate withdrawal, insisting that it could “distort social and political recognition against women” and send out a fa

TelevisionMarch 29, 2016

KTO ‘Hansik’ food guide wins Mercury Gold Award

The Korea Tourism Organization’s international food guide “Hansik,” about the history and culture of Korean cuisine, has received the Gold Award at the 2015-2016 Mercury Excellence Awards. 　The Mercury Awards are part of the American-based MerComm Inc. International Awards Programs, which has been honoring outstanding achievement in professional communications for 29 years.  A page from the Korea Tourism Organization‘s Mercury Excellence Awards gold-winning book, “Hansik” (Korea Tourism Organiza

FoodMarch 29, 2016

Harper Lee hated Trump's Taj Mahal resort, letter reveals

LOS ANGELES(AFP) - Harper Lee, one of America's most celebrated novelists who died in February, thought Donald Trump’s infamous Taj Mahal casino was hell on Earth, a stash of her private correspondence revealed Monday.　The “To Kill a Mockingbird” author, whose masterpiece about racial injustice was read by millions, slammed the billionaire presidential hopeful's boardwalk resort in New Jersey in a letter to a friend in 1990.　“The worst punishment God can devise for this sinner is to make her spi

BooksMarch 29, 2016

US museum returns 10th century Khmer statue to Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodia on Monday welcomed home a 10th-century Khmer statue that was looted during the country's civil war before spending the past three decades at an American museum.　The sandstone Torso of Rama statue, which stands 157 centimeters high and is missing its head, arms and feet, was formally handed over at a ceremony in Phnom Penh attended by government officials, the US ambassador and the director of the Denver Museum of Art. Christoph Heinrich, director of the Denv

CultureMarch 29, 2016

'Very doubtful' Palmyra can be restored after IS: UN expert

PARIS (AFP) - A Syrian expert for the UN‘s cultural body said Monday she was “very doubtful” the destruction caused to Palmyra’s ancient monuments during its occupation by the Islamic State group can be repaired.　“Everyone is excited because Palmyra has been ‘liberated,’ but we should not forget everything that has been destroyed,” said Annie Sartre-Fauriat, who belongs to a group of experts on Syrian heritage set up by UNESCO in 2013. 　“I am very doubtful about the capacity, even with internati

CultureMarch 29, 2016

De Niro yanks anti-vaccine documentary from film fest

NEW YORK (AFP) - A documentary by a former British medical researcher who claimed a link between vaccines and autism has been withdrawn from the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, event founder and actor Robert De Niro said.　“Vaxxed: From Cover-UP to Catastrophe” had drawn protests from critics who said including the film in the festival line-up amounted to siding with the anti-vaccine movement spawned by the discredited research.　“My intent in screening this film was to provide an opportunity f

FilmMarch 29, 2016

[Foreigners Who Loved Korea 14] Hu Zongnan, the “little giant” who helped Korea’s fight

In Korea’s turbulent path toward independence and nation building, there were foreign nationals who stood steadfastly by the Korean people, although their contributions have been largely overshadowed by those of Korean patriots. The Korea Herald, in partnership with the Independence Hall of Korea, is publishing a series of articles shedding light on these foreigners, their life and legacies here. This is the 14th installment. -- Ed.Hu Zongnan was born on May 12, 1896 to a poor household in Zhenh

CultureMarch 28, 2016

[Herald review] Mozart disappoints in ‘Amadeus’

The one and only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, portrayed as a bleached blonde, sequin-wearing ladies’ man who just happens to be a musical genius -- what more could one ask for?  　Combining the classical hits of Mozart and forging them with modern day rock beats, the smash-hit French musical “Amadeus: Mozart, L’ Opera Rock,” has finally made its way to Seoul and begs the question, what kind of music would the composer have churned out if he were on an acid trip? Musical actor Mikelangelo Loconte take

PerformanceMarch 28, 2016

Jean Paul Gaultier’s avant-garde fashion at a glance

A touring exhibition dedicated to the creations of veteran French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier has made the final stop of its five-year world tour in Seoul. 　The exhibition, which opened Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, showcases more than 150 haute couture and ready-to-wear outfits that Gaultier designed between 1976 and 2016. Also on display are his sketches, stage costumes, footage from films, fashion shows and concerts related to his works.   Visitors view works on display at the

Arts & DesignMarch 28, 2016

Stars return after ‘repentance’

Hip-hop musician and entertainer Gill appeared on a March 19 episode of MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge,” breaking a two-year hiatus prompted by a drunk driving incident.　Gill, who became a member of “Infinite Challenge” in 2009, left the program in April 2014 after he was caught driving under the influence. His brief appearance on “Infinite Challenge” on March 19 showed him as one of the judges on Mnet’s hip-hop competition “Show Me the Money” season five, which is set to air in May. Gill

TelevisionMarch 28, 2016

K-pop music producer denies prostitution broker rumors

K-pop music producer Shinsadong Tiger has spoken out against rumors alleging he has been brokering prostitution deals between female celebrities and male clients.　“I have never been investigated regarding the recently circulating rumors and have never even been contacted by prosecutors or police,” said Shinsadong Tiger, whose real name is Lee Ho-yang, in a post on Instagram on Sunday.　Shinsandong Tiger is known for writing hits like T-ara’s “Bo Peep Bo Peep” and APink’s “NoNoNo.” He is also the

PerformanceMarch 28, 2016

Se7en teams up with major Japanese label

Singer Se7en has signed on with a major Japanese record label and is set to release a new album in July, three years after his last Japanese single “Arigato.”　The rhythm and blues singer announced that he has partnered with Victor Entertainment at a press conference held in Japan on Sunday, according to Eleven9 Entertainment, the singer’s Korean management agency, on Monday. Singer Se7en (Eleven9 Entertainment)　The deal makes Se7en the first Korean artist to sign up with the Japanese label, whic

PerformanceMarch 28, 2016