[Box office] Latest movie releases

One Way Trip　(Korea)　Opened March 24　Drama. Directed by Choi Jeong-yeol　Four friends who have just reached their 20s take off on a journey together. Carefree, they roam about the beach at Pohang in southeastern Korea when they come across a woman in danger. The four are then swept up in a crime case, testing their friendship and masking a cloud over their youthful days. 　Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice　(U.S.)　Opened March 24　Fantasy/Superhero. Directed by Zack Snyder　Two years after Superman’

FilmMarch 25, 2016

[Album review] ‘Post Pop Depression’ rocks and shocks

Iggy Pop　“Post Pop Depression” 　(Loma Vista/Concord)　Iggy Pop rocks and shocks on “Post Pop Depression,” evoking his 1977 peak achieved with David Bowie but enhanced by all he’s gone through since.　In Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, Pop has found a congenial songwriting partner and producer, the mature pupil who grasps both the power and subtlety of the master.　QOTSA’s Dean Fertita and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders skillfully complete the band.　There are re

PerformanceMarch 25, 2016

[Album review] Gwen Stefani’s solo album is catchy, but basic

Gwen Stefani　“This Is What the Truth Feels Like” 　(Interscope Records)　Gwen Stefani’s new solo album is fun and catchy: the hooks are cute and likable, the beats will make your head bop and her voice is calm and cool.　But after listening to it, you’re on to the next.　“This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” Stefani’s first solo album in 10 years, isn’t memorable or distinctive. It’s not that the songs are bad -- because they aren’t. But they aren’t good either. The 12 tracks are an OK batch of pop t

PerformanceMarch 25, 2016

[Album review] Patchwork of the dark and the catchy

Bob Mould　“Patch the Sky” 　(Merge Records)Bob Mould says “Patch the Sky” is the darkest and catchiest album he‘s made recently (“Silver Age” and “Beauty & Ruin” are the others in this cycle) and he’s right on both counts.　“The words make you remember, the music makes you forget,” Mould says about the adversity he’s gone through, including “more death, relationships ending, life getting shorter.”　Without sounding forced, the happy/sad contrast between melodies and lyrics puts a roll cage around t

PerformanceMarch 25, 2016

Nothing new in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’

Back in 2002, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” became a bona fide cultural phenomenon, a romantic comedy that mined the cultural specificities of the Greek heritage of unknown writer and star Nia Vardalos. The film picked up an Oscar nomination for Vardalos’ original screenplay, everyone began adding “My Big Fat” in front of various nouns, and we all learned a thing or two about the versatility of Windex. Fourteen years later, Vardalos and gang are back again for another wedding, but this time, it’s t

FilmMarch 25, 2016

A peek into fall fashion

Seoulites struggled to stay comfy in the widely fluctuating temperatures this week, but boxy sweaters, oversized wool coats and chunky winter scarves did not seem at all out of place on the runways of Seoul Fashion Week. 　With the weather unexpectedly turning chilly this week, cozy, warm winter fashion seemed the right choice for SFW visitors who showed up lightly dressed. 　Here are some highlights from the first two days of the SFW which ends Saturday. Nohant’s fall-winter 2016 collection (Seou

Arts & DesignMarch 24, 2016

NTCK to stage ‘Rediscovering Modern Korean Dramas’ play series

In its latest “Rediscovering Modern Korean Dramas” series, the National Theater Company of Korea is celebrating the works of powerful plays that are considered theater classics.　Hitting the stage starting next month will be the return of three productions: “A New Common Sense,” “Blood Vessel” and “Sanhuhguri.”  A promotional image for the National Theater Company of Korea‘s upcoming production, “Blood Vessel” (National Theater Company of Korea)　“These modern Korean dramas encompass all the surpr

PerformanceMarch 24, 2016

Composer Chin Un-suk talks SPO feud, annual ‘Ars Nova’ series

During a press conference Thursday that was originally organized to introduce the organization’s 10th annual “Ars Nova” contemporary music concert series, longtime Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra composer-in-residence Chin Un-suk appeared determined to call out allegations by former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Park Hyun-jung.　In the midst of a continuing legal debacle, coupled with the recent announcement by police that the allegations by 10 SPO employees of verbal and sexual abuse by the form

PerformanceMarch 24, 2016

Eric Nam comes back after three years

Korean-American singer-songwriter Eric Nam released his second mini album “Interview” at midnight on Wednesday, three years after the release of his last mini album.　At the showcase for “Interview” on Wednesday, Nam explained that the word “interview” was used as a metaphor for dating, from the first meeting to getting close to each other. “The last track ‘No Comment’ depicts the end of a relationship using the format of an interview as well,” added Nam. Singer-songwriter Eric Nam performs at th

PerformanceMarch 24, 2016

[Herald interview] Luxury shopping evolves in digital era

Businesswomen are usually so strapped for time that it is hard to fit shopping into their busy schedules. Furthermore, visiting several stores to track down the perfect trench coat for spring is often a luxury. 　Online luxury shopping malls, especially multi-brand stores, cater to the needs of such time-pressed professional women, making shopping convenient for them, said Michal Kliger, president of mytheresa.com, a Munich-based online multi-brand shopping website for luxury women’s fashion. 　“O

Arts & DesignMarch 24, 2016

Has France finally reclaimed Joan of Arc's ring?

ROUEN, France (AFP) - A ring thought to belong to France's most famous historical martyr, Joan of Arc, was unveiled on Sunday at a theme park, even as historians remained sceptical about its authenticity.　The Puy du Fou historical theme park in the western Vendee region spent 376,833 euros ($425,000) to buy the ring, which is thought to have been in Britain for almost six centuries, at a controversial auction last month in London. 　The gold-plated silver ring was dated to the 15th century by an

CultureMarch 24, 2016

Rolling Stones promise ‘historic’ Cuba concert

HAVANA (AFP) - The Rolling Stones took to Cuban media to promise a “historic” occasion when they give their first Havana concert this Friday in a communist country where rock 'n roll was long considered subversive.　“Hola Cuba!” the elderly but still hugely popular British superstars call out in a short clip posted on the state-run cubainformacion.tv website late Tuesday.　Speaking in Spanish, Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger says: “We've performed in many incredible places, but this concert in Havana

PerformanceMarch 24, 2016