BTS set to host online concert this weekend

K-pop superband BTS will hold an online concert, "BTS Permission To Dance On Stage," this weekend, featuring fresh up-to-date viewing technologies, its management agency said Friday. The seven-piece act's performance on a scale equivalent to an offline concert will be livestreamed from a local stadium Sunday, according to Big Hit Music. It is BTS' first global online concert in about a year. "This event is designed to help our fans feel like they are at the concert in person,&qu

Oct. 22, 2021

Ma Dong-seok utilizes his action, boxing skills to re-create Gilgamesh in "Eternals"

South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, said Friday that his character Gilgamesh in the upcoming superhero movie "Eternals" reflects his unique personality and signature action style. "Since the zombie thriller 'Train to Busan' (2016) was released about five years ago, I've received some offers from Hollywood," he said during an online press conference with Korean media. "A few years ago, I got a call from a casting director of 'Eternals' after I lost so

Oct. 22, 2021

'Squid Game' gets two nominations at Gotham Awards

South Korea's sensational survival drama "Squid Game" has been nominated in two categories at an annual US awards ceremony for lower-budget indie movies and TV series. According to the nominations of the 2021 Gotham Awards released Thursday (US time), "Squid Game," a Netflix original, was listed in the section of Breakthrough Series – Long Format (over 40 minutes), along with five other TV series, including Amazon Studios' "Small Axe" and HBO Max's "It's

Oct. 22, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (US) Opened Oct. 13 Action Directed by Andy Serkis Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) struggles to adjust to life as the host of the alien Venom. One day, serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) escapes from prison after becoming the host of Carnage, a chaotic spawn of Venom. With Kasady and Carnage on the loose, the city turns to chaos. Stillwater (US) Opened Oct. 6 Thriller Directed by Tom McCarthy  Bill (Matt Damon) visits France to meet his daughter Allison (A

Oct. 22, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Kingdom brings snowy story to stage

Boy band Kingdom held an online showcase for its third EP, “History of Kingdom: Part 3 Ivan,” Thursday.   　 The EP was themed after a snow king and the performance dramatizes a battle set against a snow-covered kingdom. The band has been putting out a seven-part series, each installment on kings from different backgrounds. As the title of the album states, the band’s Ivan is the main character in the new EP. Arthur and Chiwoo took central roles in the first and second EPs

Oct. 21, 2021

[Herald Interview] ‘My Name’ gave me a chance to improve as an actor: Han So-hee

For Han So-hee, 26, taking a role in the Netflix series “My Name” made her improve as an actor with a wide range. “I thought the audience, including my fans, wanted to see the sides of Han So-hee that are already very familiar to them with the previous dramas like ‘The World of the Married’ and ‘Nevertheless’. But I wanted to find and show different sides of Han So-hee,” the actor said during an online interview with a group of reporters Wednesday

Oct. 21, 2021

Lee Hyuk fails to win at Chopin Competition

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk failed to win a trophy at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition. Lee, 21, who was one of 12 finalists, did not make the list of awardees announced by the Polish Chopin Institute on Thursday. The competition, held every five years, was postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than 500 pianists signed up for the competition and some 87 contenders made it to the main competition. Lee was the only Korean contender among the 12 finalists

Oct. 21, 2021

Lawyer for Kim Seon-ho's ex vows legal action against malicious comments

Kim Seon-ho’s ex-girlfriend has engaged a lawyer, who vowed legal action against malicious media coverage and online comments. “All possible legal actions will be taken against articles, posts and comments with ill-intended content,” said Best Way, the law firm representing Kim‘s ex-girlfriend, in a statement released Wednesday. The statement said their client was suffering from the hateful comments made by local media and online posts as her personal information had b

Oct. 21, 2021

Actor Kim Seon-ho's alleged ex-girlfriend says he apologized after abortion allegations

Actor Kim Seon-ho's alleged former girlfriend has said she received an apology from him and there was an unspecified "misunderstanding" between them, after her claim that he had coerced her into having an abortion suddenly derailed the actor's career. "I received an apology from him, and it seems like there were some misunderstanding between us," an anonymous person who claimed to be Kim's ex-girlfriend said Wednesday in an addition to her previous posting to an online commu

Oct. 21, 2021

Kim Seon-ho to step down from TV show, film

Actor Kim Seon-ho is to step down from the KBS variety show “2 Days & 1 Night” and a film titled “2 O’Clock Date” (unofficial translation). Though Kim and his agency, Salt Entertainment, issued official apologies Wednesday morning regarding a controversy surrounding his personal life -- allegations emerged that he pressured an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion -- producers are announcing Kim’s withdrawal from ongoing and scheduled productions. Public br

Oct. 20, 2021

LG Arts Center set for new chapter in Magok

The LG Arts Center is gearing up to begin a new chapter in the district of Magok, western Seoul. The art center, managed by LG’s nonprofit organization the LG Yonam Cultural Foundation, is to move to the Magok area in October 2022, joining the LG Group’s R&D complex LG Science Park. In July, the center wrapped up its era in Yeoksam, Gangnam -- where it had been situated for some 20 years since its opening -- with its last production at the theater. “We focused on the p

Oct. 20, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] CNBlue returns after 11 months with 9th EP

CNBlue came out with its ninth EP, “Wanted,” on Wednesday and hosted a talk show to mark the release.   　 For the first time since the band debuted in 2010, the bandmates opted for a theme and fashioned themselves into hunters.   　 “We’ve looked back at the albums so far and realized that we didn’t have a visual theme yet. ... We thought it would be nice to be fuller in terms of appearance,” said Jung Yonghwa.   　 They went for looks tinged wit

Oct. 20, 2021

History foundation releases new Dokdo song 'Island'

A history foundation released a new song about South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo on Wednesday in an effort to enhance the world's understanding of the islets as part of Korean territory. The Northeast Asian History Foundation unveiled the song titled "Island" via its social media accounts and major domestic music services at noon along with the song's music video. The R&B pop number was written and composed by three artists -- DINT, T-lack and Hertz -- and sung by Lee So-

Oct. 20, 2021

Actor Kim Seon-ho apologizes after rumor he pressured ex into abortion

Four days after an online post put actor Kim Seon-ho’s reputation in jeopardy, the actor and his agency issued an official apology Wednesday morning. On Sunday afternoon, an online post by someone claiming to be the ex-girlfriend of “actor K” alleged that she had been pregnant with his child and had had an abortion at his urging. Reporter-turned-YouTuber Lee Jin-ho identified “actor K” as Kim the next day, but did not provide proof. “The company sincerely ap

Oct. 20, 2021

Nam Woo-hyun looking forward to starting heyday

As an early cold snap gripped South Korea, with record-low temperatures for mid-October, Nam Woo-hyun of boy band Infinite welcomed the cool weather. The singer dropped his fourth EP, “With,” Tuesday evening nearly two years after his previous work. The six-song package talks about thanking the fans who waited so long for the artist’s music. As the title suggests, it is about being together with someone or doing something together, the singer said Tuesday during an online pre

Oct. 19, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Infinite’s Nam Woohyun seeks to outshine former self

Nam Woohyun of Infinite held an online showcase to present his fourth solo EP, “With,” Tuesday.   　 It has been almost 2 1/2 years since he left to serve his military duty as a social service agent.   　 “I might be slightly nervous since it’s been a while, but I’ve put a lot of effort into this album,” said the singer. For the last three weeks, he had trouble sleeping, he confided, thinking and worrying too much. Even though he did not completely s

Oct. 19, 2021

‘Beethoven is a revolution himself’

Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder says he always finds new joy in Beethoven, who is a revolution unto himself. Beethoven specialist Buchbinder, 74, went onstage at the Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday, presenting five beloved Beethoven sonata pieces, including No. 8 “Pathetique,” No. 14 “Moonlight” and No. 21 “Waldstein.” He will have more recitals here throughout the week. “I never get tired of Beethoven. I always find new joy. He has been the center of my life

Oct. 19, 2021

[Herald Interview] ‘My Name’ director excited by show’s global popularity

The director of Netflix’s “My Name,” Kim Jin-min, was surprised to hear about the growing popularity of the mystery crime series. “While I expected some questions and comments, I was surprised that the viewers interpreted my work in very creative ways, speculating on the reasons for a character’s behavior. One way or the other, all of these are a way of showing interest in the series. For that, I would like to thank all the ‘My Name’ fans,” the di

Oct. 19, 2021

From music to fashion, BTS is the music style icon

K-pop sensation BTS debuted in 2013 with high-top sneakers, bandanas, shades and snapbacks. While the boy band style in the K-pop scene was all about putting on glad rags, little did the industry know the septet would be leading creative hijinks in the fashion industry. And apart from having among the highest net worths in the South Korean A-list, the seven bandmates are also known for their tastes for adventurous fashion. Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in appointed the globetro

Oct. 19, 2021

Actor Kim Seon-ho ads taken down amid controversy

Advertisements starring actor Kim Seon-ho have begun to be taken down following allegation that the star had demanded his girlfriend terminate her pregnancy. The controversy erupted Sunday afternoon when an online post surfaced in which the author, claiming to be an actor‘s girlfriend, alleged that “actor K” had urged her to have an abortion. The writer further claimed that the actor’s behavior toward her changed after the abortion. On Monday, reporter-turned-YouTuber L

Oct. 19, 2021