French photographer claims BTS' 2016 music video takes from his work

A French photographer and writer has claimed that a banquet scene from BTS' 2016 music video "Blood Sweat & Tears" drew inspiration from one of his photos, his local agency said Monday.Bernard Faucon sent a document containing the claim to BTS' management agency Big Hit Entertainment in August and October.According to Faucon's agency here, the document also claims that his photograph "le banquet," taken in the 1970s, must have been a reference for the filming of the banquet scene in "Blood Sweat

Feb. 25, 2019

Commemorating Korea’s independence movement with Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ symphony

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at the Sejong Arts Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, paying homage to Korea’s independence movement with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica.” A poster for Friday’s performance (SPO)The program is in honor of those who dedicated themselves to the March 1 Independence Movement of 1919, which saw nationwide protest in Korea against Japan’s colonial rule. The symphony is a dramatic piece celebrating the memory of a

Feb. 24, 2019

Near barbed wire fences of NK, music festival to sing for peace

The DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2019 will be held from June 5 to 9, taking place across Seoul and near the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon Province.On the first two days, events such as a showcase, seminar and conference will be held at culture complex Platform Changdong 61 in Dobong-gu, northern Seoul.  DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2019 (DMZ Peace Train Music Festival)The rest of the festival, including the main concerts, will be held for three days near Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, not far f

Feb. 24, 2019

‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ from NT Live to screen at National Theater of Korea

The National Theater of Korea will hold screenings of Benedict Andrews’ production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and James Macdonald’s reinterpretation of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward Albee, from March 14 -24 at Daloreum Theater. The National Theater of Korea’s upcoming screenings of the two theater masterpieces are imports from National Theatre Live, the Royal National Theater’s program launched in 2009 to broadcast live performances of British theater works and

Feb. 22, 2019

BTS launches online archive 'Armypedia' to reach out to fans

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has launched an online archive, inspired by its dedicated fans around the world, where their fans, known as Army, can get together to record memories from the band's six-year career, the band's management agency said Friday."Armypedia" at www.armypedia.net has gone online and will officially go into operation starting on Monday to gather together BTS fans to collectively record memorable moments of the six years since BTS' debut on June 13, 2013, according to Big Hit

Feb. 22, 2019

Tickets sell out for BLACKPINK's N. America tour

All 60,000 tickets for South Korean girl group BLACKPINK's first-ever North American tour have sold out, the group's management agency said Friday.The band is set to perform in six cities -- in Los Angeles on April 17, in Chicago on April 24, in Hamilton, Canada, on April 27, in Newark on May 1, in Atlanta on May 5 and in Fort Worth on May 8. (YG Entertainment)Sources say YG Entertainment, the group's management, is considering scheduling additional shows due to the high demand for tickets.BLACK

Feb. 22, 2019

For six decades, diva Lee Mi-ja sings with heart

Legendary diva and singer Lee Mi-ja released a new album to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her debut. “I want to thank everyone’s parents. Without them, I would not have made it until here,” Lee said at a press conference held Thursday at the Westin Chosun Seoul.  Singer Lee Me-ja speaks during a press event held Thursday at the Westin Chosun Seoul. (Yonhap)Lee, 79, was full of emotions at the event. Though there was a chair prepared for her, she refused to sit down, saying, “It is not a day

Feb. 21, 2019

‘Sun-Kissed Family’ promises story of adults through child’s eyes

The cast of “Sun-Kissed Family” emphasized that the upcoming comedy film defies expectations by straying away from the formula for Korean family flicks. “Most family films play by the book, but this one destroys the existing format and was very open sexually. It depicts things that would happen in a European country in a fun way,” said Park Hee-soon, who plays the lead role of Jun-ho, during a press conference for the film in Seoul on Monday. “Sun-Kissed Family” / Megabox Plus M The poster for “

Feb. 21, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Innocent Witness (Korea) Opened Feb.13DramaDirected by Lee HanSun-ho (Jung Woo-sung) is a former human-rights lawyer who has given up on his dream of helping the little guys, in exchange for fatter paychecks. He takes on the case of an alleged murder of an old man, in which the only piece of evidence is testimony by autistic 15-year-old Ji-woo (Kim Hyang-gi), who witnessed the entire incident across the street from her window.Extreme Job (Korea)Opened Jan. 23ComedyDirected by Lee Byeong-heonA te

Feb. 21, 2019

Haydn’s ‘Creation’ to feature wire, water tank and video mapping

Haydn’s legendary 1798 oratorio “The Creation” will be put on stage by La Fura dels Baus, an experimental theater troupe from Spain, at Art Center Incheon on March 1 and 2, offering both a musical and visual treat.The production depicts the Biblical seven days of creation with visual art installations. The soloists are lifted up in the air, then submerged in a water tank, and the choristers hold up tablet computers. Soprano Im Sun-hae speaks during a press conference held Wednesday at a restaura

Feb. 21, 2019

Taeyeon from Girls' Generation to tour 4 Japanese cities in April

Taeyeon, a member of K-pop girl band Girls' Generation, will go on a Japanese solo concert tour in April that will take her to four major cities there, her management agency said Thursday. (S.M. Entertainment)The tour will kick off in Fukuoka on April 13 and be followed by concerts in Osaka from April 22-23. She will then move to Nagoya to perform on April 27 before wrapping up the tour with performances in Tokyo from May 9-10, according to SM Entertainment.The "Taeyeon Japan Tour 2019 ~Signal~"

Feb. 21, 2019

Tiffany Young to release first American EP 'Lips on Lips'

Tiffany Young, a Korean-American member of K-pop band Girls' Generation, will release her first American EP, "Lips on Lips," on Thursday, her management agency said.The five-track record will hit the American music scene at midnight on Friday, according to Transparent Arts. In South Korea, the album will be available for streaming starting at 2 p.m. Thursday.(Tiffany Young Twitter)The record, a package of five songs including "Born Again," which was previously released last month, delves into a

Feb. 21, 2019

Government rolls back ‘K-pop beauty guidelines’ following backlash

The government said Wednesday it is scrapping some of the more controversial guidelines it intended to bring diversity to the screen, following criticism from politicians and K-pop fans on suggestions of an appearance-based quota. The decision comes just days after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family published its new guidebook on gender equality on Feb. 12, in which it urged broadcasters not to present a “monolithic beauty standard” to help tackle lookism altogether.“Most idol groups hav

Feb. 20, 2019

BTS announces another tour of major cities in US, Europe, Japan this year

K-pop boy band BTS will carry out another concert tour of major cities in the United States, Europe and Japan starting in May, the band's management agency announced Wednesday.The "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" tour, which came after BTS' successful, wider world tour last year, will bring the septet again to eight cities -- Los Angeles, Chicago, East Rutherford, Sao Paulo, London, Paris, Osaka and Shizuoka -- starting in May. A total of 10 concerts will be held in the eight cities, according to

Feb. 20, 2019

[Herald Interview] Nobody can imitate our powerfulness: Monsta X

After seeing its biggest stateside success last year, which included its iHeart Radio Jingle Ball tour, Monsta X has returned with the new hard-hitting single “Alligator,” a culmination of its yearlong efforts. And the act confidently said that with the new single it was set to prove that 2019 would be its year for both musical growth and global recognition. “Performing at multiple Jingle Ball events taught us so many things and offered opportunities to connect with global audiences. It was such

Feb. 19, 2019

Tongyeong music fest aims to be classical yet innovate

Tongyeong International Music Festival 2019 hopes to pay homage to the late composer Yun I-sang by hosting classical music as well as innovative musical attempts. The annual festival commemorates Yun, the city’s native son known for his attempts to bridge the music of the West and East. At this year’s festival, world-class musicians will introduce musical works by the composer and others. This year’s TIMF will be held from March 29 to April 7 under the theme of “Destiny” at the Tongyeong Music H

Feb. 19, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Harry Potter 4DX’ invites audience into ‘Chamber of Secrets’

While the “Fantastic Beasts” series has been achieving its own success, the spinoff has us missing the original “Harry Potter” series even more. And now there is good news for fans: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” has returned after nearly 20 years -- in 4DX. House elf Dobby (Warner Bros.)The motion picture technology 4DX has been developed by CJ CGV and stimulates the senses with special effects such as motion seats, wind, water, lights and scents.When this roller coaster of a cinema

Feb. 19, 2019

Red Velvet completes tour of 5 US cities, set to hit Canada next

K-pop girl band Red Velvet wrapped up its tour of five American cities and will set out on a tour of Canadian cities, the band's management agency said Tuesday.The five-piece girl group's latest United States tour started in Los Angeles in the first week of February. The band next performed in Dallas, Miami, Chicago and Newark on Sunday (US time), as part of the ongoing world tour, "Red Velvet 2nd Concert [REDMARE]." (Yonhap)At the last US concert at Newark, the band staged a medley of its hit s

Feb. 19, 2019

[K-talk] After 7 years, B.A.P disbands

K-pop boy band B.A.P has disbanded, with all six of the original bandmates leaving its agency. TS Entertainment released an official announcement Monday saying that the agency’s exclusive contracts with Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae and Jongup have expired. (TS Entertainment)“The B.A.P members’ exclusive contracts with TS Entertainment have ended, and we came to an agreement to go separate ways,” the announcement read. The boy band debuted in 2012 with the single “Warrior.” With hit tracks “1004” a

Feb. 18, 2019

‘Kill Ahn Young-ho’ raises awareness about runaway youth

Knowing and witnessing are two different things. The former deals with thoughts, whereas the latter involves confronting reality up close. “Kill Ahn Young-ho” is a drama that forces the audience to confront the realities facing teenage runaways. By showing us this story of three marginalized young people who have run away from home and the violence and difficulties that pushed them onto the streets, the work invites the audience to empathize. Once you meet these alienated teenagers -- though the

Feb. 18, 2019