[Today’s K-pop] Shinee to mark 13th anniversary with livestream

Shinee is hosting an online event to celebrate the 13th anniversary of debut. 　 To spend the anniversary with its fans, the quartet will take to Naver’s V Live for a live fan meeting on May 25. It has been holding the “SHINee Day” event annually, and this year decided to go virtual. The band will perform a series of hit songs, share episodes from their recent promotional activities and play games. 　 The veteran idols put out their seventh studio album, “Don’t Cal

May 4, 2021

Angelina Jolie returns as smoke jumper in ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’

Angelina Jolie is returning to the big screen as a smoke jumper traumatized by her past work in the upcoming action thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” directed by Taylor Sheridan. The movie hits theaters in South Korea on May 5, ahead of its release elsewhere in the world. For the 45-year-old American actor, taking part in the film was therapeutic. “I wasn’t feeling particularly strong coming into this. But to be able to get him (Connor, the child in the film) through

May 4, 2021

[Herald Interview] ‘Father’ director talks about the ‘invisible’ poor in Serbia

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Director Srdan Golubovic, whose film “Father” opened the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, said he created the movie about poverty because many people in Serbia do not know it exists. “Many people in Serbia say they have never seen such poverty,” he told reporters during a Zoom interview on Friday. He explained that this is because they are ignorant, and poor people also tend to feel ashamed of themselves and live quietly. &ld

May 4, 2021

BTS' J-hope donates W100m for children in Africa

J-hope, a member of popular K-pop band BTS, has donated 100 million won (US$89,000) for children in Tanzania, a Seoul-based charity said Tuesday. According to ChildFund Korea, J-Hope expressed hope that his donation will be a helping hand to children in overseas countries on South Korea's Children's Day, which falls on Wednesday. J-hope has contributed 700 million won through the charity since 2018 as a member of Green Noble Club, a group of high-value donors of ChildFund Korea. (Yonhap) 

May 4, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Shinee’s Taemin to release EP before enlisting

Taemin of Shinee will put out his third solo EP, “Advice,” May 18, said label S.M. Entertainment on Monday. 　 It has been six months since his second solo LP, “Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2.” This new album will be the last before he leaves to begin his military service later this month. 　 The EP consists of five tracks, including the title track, which was unveiled in advance at his solo digital concert Sunday. 　 The show, “Taemin: Never Gonna Dance Again,&rdq

May 3, 2021

[Herald Interview] Jeon Yeo-been thanks ‘Night in Paradise’ director for taking a chance on her

When director Park Hoon-jung, who helmed the award-winning 2012 crime thriller “New World,” was casting for his new movie “Night in Paradise” in 2019, actor Jeon Yeo-been was not as widely known as she is now. 　 “I appreciate director Park Hoon-jung for casting me and actor Eom Tae-goo in the lead roles,” Jeon said during a joint media interview held via Zoom on April 23. “I am really grateful that he trusted us and that he was willing to go on an adve

May 3, 2021

'Minari' becomes 3rd movie to top 1m admissions in S. Korea this year

The immigrant film "Minari" has become the third movie to attract over 1 million viewers in South Korea this year, enjoying a post-award season bump on supporting actress Youn Yuh-jung's historic Oscar victory, data showed Monday. The US drama film about a first-generation Korean American family struggling to build a new life in rural Arkansas sold more than 23,900 tickets Saturday, bringing its combined total to over 1 million, according to the data from the Korean Film Council (KOFI

May 3, 2021

Hybe’s growing influence acknowledged in global media

Hybe, the company behind BTS, and its leaders have made it onto the lists of two international media outlets in recognition of their growing influence in the world. Time magazine announced its annual “Time100 Most Influential Companies” on Wednesday. Hybe and Samsung were the only two South Korean companies on the list, which also included Google, Apple and Netflix. This was the first time Hybe made the list, with Time crediting the entertainment company with “creating a BTS-f

May 1, 2021

[Eye Interview] From BTS to G-Dragon, Kim Ri-eul breaks barriers of hanbok

When global sensation BTS danced to its 2018 hit “Idol” at an ethereally moonlit Gyeongbokgung in Seoul on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” last September, fans all over the world had their eyes on the seven beloved superstars -- first for their mesmerizing performance and then for their black outfits inspired by Korea’s traditional attire, or hanbok. Those stylish suits, sleekly embellished with Korean elements, immediately created buzz on soc

April 30, 2021

Actor Ryu Hyun-kyung selects 8 movies for special section at Jeonju film fest

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Actor Ryu Hyun-kyung on Friday introduced eight movies -- four features and four short films -- that she selected for “J Special: Programmer of the Year,” a new section at the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival. “Organizing everything on our own is effective when establishing the festival’s identity. But there could also be different approaches (to movies),” the director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, Lee Joon

April 30, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] TXT to return with 2nd LP on May 31

Tomorrow X Together is coming out with second full-length album on May 31, according to an announcement on Friday.  　 The album is named “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze” and hails the beginning of a new narrative. 　 Since the boy band’s debut, their work has centered on the concept of dreams, starting with their debut EP “The Dream Chapter: Star,” the first studio album “The Dream Chapter: Magic” and then the second EP “The Dream Chapter: Eterni

April 30, 2021

Eight Korean film festival directors jointly condemn Myanmar military coup

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Eight directors of Korea’s international film festivals, including director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival Lee Joon-dong, have jointly expressed their support for the democratic movement in Myanmar during a press conference on Friday. The conference, held at CINE Q Jeonju Film Street, began with a screening of the short film “Burma Spring 21.” The film centers on the military-led February coup in Myanmar and is directed collabo

April 30, 2021

BTS wins 4 nominations at 2021 Billboard Music Awards

BTS has clinched nominations in four categories -- the most for the K-pop superstars -- in the upcoming 2021 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) set for next month. The seven-member act was nominated in the categories of Top Duo/Group, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Social Artist and Top Selling Song at this year's BBMAs, scheduled for May 23 (US time), according to Billboard. It marks the most nominations for BTS since the group was first named a candidate for Top Social Artist in 2017. This year, the

April 30, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Recalled (Korea) Opened April 21 Thriller Directed by Seo You-min Soo-jin (Seo Yea-ji) wakes up after an accident with part of her memory lost. Fortunately, her husband Ji-hoon (Kim Kang-woo) is there to take care of her. After returning home, Soo-Jin realizes that she now has a special power to see people’s futures, the moments when they are about to face dangerous situations. Nomadland (US) Opened April 15 Drama Directed by Chloe Zhao After Fern (Frances McDormand) loses her job o

April 30, 2021

ITZY returns more daring with ‘Guess Who’

Girl group ITZY is returning more powerful and confident with the new album “Guess Who.” Ahead of the album‘s release, the group conducted an online press conference Thursday. The band’s fourth mini album, “Guess Who” is a six-track set led by “M.A.F.I.A. in the Morning.” “‘Guess Who’ refers to an unknown person. In this album, we manifest various visuals and emotions according to different times and places, becoming more wild

April 30, 2021

Jeonju film fest kicks off on Thursday

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- The Jeonju International Film Festival held an opening ceremony hosted by actor Kwon Hye-hyo and Park Ha-sun on Thursday night at the Sori Arts Center of Jeollabukdo. The event will last for 10 days until May 8. “Over the last 20 years, our festival has been introducing (films with) new topics. Old and familiar topics are comfortable but they cannot change the world. Jeonju International Film Festival has been preserving the value of independent movies&

April 29, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] IZ*ONE's Japanese members bid farewell

The bandmates of IZ*ONE from Japan returned to their home boarding an airplane together Thursday.   　 Miyawaki Sakura, Honda Hitomi and Yabuki Nako eagerly greeted fans gathered at the airport, but upon hearing their warm parting words, turned solemn. Hitomi welled up with tears and the other two comforted her.   　 The group was disbanded Wednesday as its contract with CJ ENM expired, wrapping up the 2 1/2 year career. The Korean members will return to their original agencies except

April 29, 2021

Musicals brace for disruptions with new COVID-19 infections

Hit by a series of COVID-19 infections, the musical scene is bracing for perhaps another virus crisis, following earlier shutdowns in March and August last year. Four cast members of the musical “Dracula,” set to run from mid-May, have confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus, sounding an alarm for musical productions.  Musical actors Shin Sung-rok who plays Dracula, Kang Tae-eul and Jeon Dong-seok playing the role of Van Helsing in the musical have tested posit

April 29, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Hot Issue debuts triumphantly

  Seven-piece girl group Hot Issue debuted with a much-anticipated online showcase Wednesday.   　 The group came out with five-track EP “Issue Maker,” with its lead track “Gratata” that comes after machine gun sounds, as the group ambitiously aims to target the public like skilled snipers.   　 The debut of the new girl group has drawn extra attention, as it is the first band to come from S2 Entertainment, established by Hong Seungseong who has produced co

April 28, 2021

[Herald Interview] Soprano Im Sun-hae still thirsts for the stage

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the globe, last year was still a major milestone for soprano Im Sun-hae who celebrated her two decadelong career. Since making her debut with conductor Philippe Herreweghe in Antwerp, Belgium in 1999, Im, 45, has been leading a singing career around the globe for more than 20 years. “Who knew this would happen? I had not known that I would debut in Europe, sing for more than 20 years,” Im said during a recent interview with The Korea

April 28, 2021