[Herald Interview] Kim Jun-han finds acting success in synergy of life and script

Kim Jun-han, who began his acting career in 2012 in indie films, really began to draw attention in “Anarchist From Colony” in 2017. Since then, he has appeared in various hit series, such as “Hospital Playlist” and “Anna,” as well films “The King’s Letters” (2019) and “Beasts Clawing at Straws” (2020). It was the 2020 film that convinced Jung Woo-sung that Kim should star in his directorial debut, “A Man of Reason.” &l

Aug. 16, 2023

Cinema operators, film distributors sent to prosecutor for allegedly inflating box office numbers

South Korean police said Wednesday that they have booked 69 people from local cinemas and film distributors they claim were involved in fabricating box office figures over the past several years, on charges of obstruction of business. According to police, the ticket sales for at least 323 movies that opened in local theaters from March 2018 to June this year were manipulated to bump up movies’ box office rankings. Multiplex cinema operators like CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox are alleged to

Aug. 16, 2023

2023 JIMFF reclaims its roots by "going back to the beginning"

How music shapes a city and accords identity: Scenes of 19th Jecheon International Music and Film Festival JECHEON, North Chungcheong Province -- The 19th edition of the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival -- the only internationally recognized festival that encompasses both music and film -- came to a close Tuesday with dampened festivities and controversy. The festival got off to a rocky start this year, suffering from budget cuts and leadership changes. This year's budget was

Aug. 15, 2023

EMK to remake musical 'Sister Act' for Asian tour

The musical adaptation of “Sister Act,” based on the hit 1992 film of the same title, will be produced for an Asian tour under the guidance of South Korea's EMK Musical Company. Known for its success in turning international productions into popular musicals here, EMK now aspires to expand its scope by creating productions for a broad audience, its producer said on Monday. The musical “Sister Act” was produced by American actor Whoopi Goldberg and premiered at Pasade

Aug. 15, 2023

‘Smugglers,’ ‘Concrete Utopia’ score at box office while ‘The Moon’ flops

Homegrown blockbuster films are vying for viewers this summer, with their distributors hoping to see consecutive releases bring back moviegoers. But moviegoers’ taste for “something new” over impressive visuals and star-studded casting have determined the fate of major film releases. Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s female-led crime action “Smugglers” passed its breakeven point in its third week of release on Sunday, having pulled in 4.35 million moviegoers nationwid

Aug. 15, 2023

NTCK to stage 5-hour modern take on Greek trilogy

In staging “This Restless House,” English playwright Zinnie Harris' contemporary reworking of the "Oresteia" Greek trilogy, the National Theater Company of Korea takes on a daunting challenge: keeping the audience engaged throughout the five-hour performance. Friday's rehearsal for the first part, which was open to the press, exceeded two hours. With a total performance time of five hours, including intermission, it is the longest work ever staged by the NTCK. &ld

Aug. 15, 2023

Secret Number to drop new album on Aug. 24

Multinational K-pop group Secret Number is making a comeback with a new album, the band's agency Vine Entertainment said Tuesday. According to the agency, the album will be released at 12 p.m. on Aug. 24. The forthcoming album marks the band's swift return in three months since releasing its sixth EP "Doxa" in May. Secret Number is six-member act that debuted in May 2020 with the single "Who Dis?" The multinational group is comprised of Lea from Japan; Dita from Ind

Aug. 15, 2023

Two storied European orchestras to perform Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in October

For the fans of Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68, October will be a chance to compare two different renditions by two top European orchestras at the same venue, just six days apart. On Oct. 7, the London Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the composer’s first symphony in the second part of their concert at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall under the baton of Edward Gardner. Gardner has been the LPO’s principal conductor since September 2021. On Oct. 13, the Tonha

Aug. 14, 2023

[Herald Review] Le Sserafim overcomes fear with first concert 'Flame Rises'

Le Sserafim's standalone concert was one of many firsts for the five members. A valiant first attempt, and the first time the charismatic and bold group got vulnerable on stage. The two-day event, held over the weekend at the Jamsil Arena located in the Olympic Sports Complex in Seoul, marked the start of the group's first global concert tour "Flame Rises." Some 10,500 tickets for the long-awaited concert were sold out in just eight minutes, according to the band's label

Aug. 14, 2023

Day6’s Young K to hold 1st solo concert next month

Young K of the K-pop boy band Day6 is holding his first standalone concert next month before releasing his first solo studio album, according to JYP Entertainment on Monday. The concert “Letter with notes” will be held on Sept. 1-3 at Kwangwoon University’s Donhae Culture and Arts Center in Seoul. The last day of Young K’s first standalone concert will be live-streamed via Beyond Live for fans overseas. Young K also awaits the release of his first solo studio album &ldquo

Aug. 14, 2023

Superheroes highlight Korean TV dramas in summer

Korean superheroes have captured viewers’ hearts with their unique supernatural powers and telepathic abilities in their most recent TV drama outings. Cable channel tvN fired the first salvo in the clash of superheroes this summer with a second season of fantasy action series “The Uncanny Counter,” following up on the first in 2020. The series centers on high school student So-mun, who is recruited by a group of “counters” to hunt down and eliminate evil spirits tha

Aug. 14, 2023

Musicians come together for Liberation Day concert

A Liberation Day concert titled “815 Seoul, My Soul” will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Gwanghwamun Square. Commemorating the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day and the first anniversary of the reopening of Gwanghwamun Square, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is co-organizing the event with Seoul City. Pop, trot, modern rock, pansori, folk songs, and uniquely individual pieces that transcend the traditional genre of gugak will be performed under the theme of “Our Mus

Aug. 14, 2023

Singer-songwriter Younha drops LP record version of 4th studio album 'Supersonic'

Singer-songwriter Younha dropped the LP record version of her fourth studio album “Supersonic," according to C9 Entertainment on Monday. This is the first time in 17 years since her debut that Younha released an LP record version of her album. The LP record orders began online on Friday, and will be available until Sept. 15. Her fourth studio album “Supersonic” was released back in 2012. The album comprises of 12 tracks led by the title track “Run.” It also car

Aug. 14, 2023

[Herald Interview] Jung Woo-sung finds directorial identity with ‘A Man of Reason’

Veteran actor Jung Woo-sung’s first project as director was a journey in search of his identity as a director, the actor-turned-director told The Korea Herald in an interview on Thursday. “After the press screening, many told me that ‘A Man of Reason’ is very Jung Woo-sung-like. But I never reminded myself to make a movie that’s like me during the shooting. It was rather a process of finding out what being myself means both as a director and an actor, which I really

Aug. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Yoo Hae-jin calls ‘Honey Sweet’ an adult version of ‘The Cloudburst’

Actor Yoo Hae-jin, who took his first-ever romantic comedy lead in “Honey Sweet,” a delightful rom-com that tells the love story of a couple in midlife, called his film an adult version of Korea’s timeless classic short story “The Cloudburst” (“Sonagi”). “Just like other actors, I prioritize the storyline of the film. I found the screenplay of ‘Honey Sweet’ very entertaining. I got the feeling that the story is like an adult version of

Aug. 13, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Concrete Utopia” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 9 Thriller/Disaster Directed by Um Tae-hwa Residents of Hwanggung Apartment building No. 103, the only building that has survived a destructive earthquake, initially see their building as a “utopia,” but it soon devolves into a nightmare. “Ransomed” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 2 Adventure/Action Directed by Kim Seong-hun A diplomat named Min-jun (Ha Jung-woo) and a local taxi driver named Pan-su (Ju Ji-hoon) are on a

Aug. 12, 2023

BTS' V tops iTunes charts in 70 countries with 'Rainy Days'

BTS member V topped the iTunes Top Song charts in 70 countries around the world with his new solo single, "Rainy Days," on Saturday, a day after its release, his agency said. "Rainy Days," one of the six tracks on his upcoming debut solo album, "Layover," was at No. 1 in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France and dozens of other countries as of 9 a.m., according to BigHit Music. "Love Me Again," another pre-released track for V's first solo

Aug. 12, 2023

Tumultuous World Scout Jamboree comes to end with K-pop flair, apology

The 25th World Scout Jamboree, after a tumultuous 12-day run, came to an end Friday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Despite the frequent changes and troubles that plagued the Jamboree, around 40,000 participants gathered in Seoul for the closing ceremony and for the “K-pop Super Live” concert that followed. Around 2,500 police officers were present at the stadium to manage the crowd. Some 400 traffic police officers and 30 police cars were placed near the venue for traffic control, a

Aug. 12, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] TXT becomes face of Dior

  Tomorrow X Together has been named the brand ambassador of Dior, according to the French fashion house on Friday. “Tomorrow X Together are the perfect ambassadors for Dior. They have a great attitude and style and they look great in their custom stage outfits,” said Kim Jones, artistic director of the maison. Jones custom-designed the stage outfits for the five bandmates who headlined the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago last weekend, a first for a K-pop act. Meanwhile, the b

Aug. 11, 2023

CGV to screen Metallica’s Texas concert

Multiplex chain CGV will screen Metallica’s live performances at AT&T Stadium in Texas at cinemas in South Korea on Aug. 19 and 21. “Metallica: M72 World Tour 2 Nights 2 Different Sets” tour kicked off in the Netherlands in April and will end in Mexico in 2024, performing in 23 cities in 12 countries. The band will have two shows in each city. In Texas, Metallica will play over 30 songs from its 42-year career, spanning from first album, 1983's “Kill ‘Em Al

Aug. 11, 2023