Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang displays wide-ranging virtuosity in Pyeongchang

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- The 2018 Pyeongchang Music Festival is a great chance to hear versatile violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. She will appear as a chamber music member on one occasion, as a concertmaster of an orchestra on another day and then -- of course -- as a soloist.She might have been tired from the previous night’s performance, but she appeared to be in high spirits while talking about music. “I think I have this mode that gets switched on when I am participating in a festival like

July 26, 2018

‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’ to be more than just lovey-dovey campus romance

JTBC’s upcoming drama “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” promises to be more than just a sweet campus romance tale.The Friday-Saturday drama, an adaptation of a well-known web comic of the same name, centers on a character named Kang Mi-rae, who grew up listening to hateful comments about her appearance.  Actress Lim Soo-hyang poses for photos before a press event at Times Square mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (JTBC) Stressed out by her appearance, the character undergoes extensive plastic surgery. But

July 26, 2018

‘Bad Guys’ spinoff to start shooting in September

A spinoff movie of the popular TV series “Bad Guys” will start shooting in September, with its cast to include most of the actors from the original OCN drama.According to CJ Entertainment, “Bad Guys: The Movie” -- a working title -- will feature actors Ma Dong-seok, Kim Sang-joong and Kang Ye-won who left a lasting impression in the series that aired from October to December in 2014. Ma, Kim and Kang will reprise their roles as gangster Park Un-cheol, detectives Oh Gu-tak and Yoo Mi-young, respe

July 26, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Adventure, Drama, MysteryDirected by Christopher McQuarrie“Mission: Impossible - Fallout” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast.Illang: The Wolf Brigade(Korea)Opened July 25Action, Sci-fiDirected by K

July 26, 2018

Song Joong-ki to star in ‘Asadal Chronicles’

Song Joong-ki will finally return to the small screen with tvN’s upcoming blockbuster drama “Asadal Chronicles” (tentative title). The network on Thursday announced the main cast for the period-fantasy drama including Song Joong-Ki, Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ji-won in the lead roles. It will be Song and Kim’s second time working together, after “Descendants of the Sun” in 2016.  From left: Song Joong-Ki (Blossom Entertainment), Jang Dong-gun (D Entertainment Company) and Kim Ji-won (King Kong by Sta

July 26, 2018

More K-pop singers creating own video content

More Korean singers are creating their own video content online amid the rising popularity of YouTubers and internet broadcast jockeys. Comedians Kim Sook, Kang Yu-mi, Kim Ki-soo are among celebrities who create personalized content but singers are now jumping on the bandwagon. Singer and artist Kwon Ji-an, better known as Solbi, launched her own YouTube channel Roman Princess Solbi on Friday to better communicate with her fans. She plans to upload four videos per week related to eating and drin

July 26, 2018

‘Angelic’ Han Ji-min takes role of angry, ‘Familiar Wife’

Actress Han Ji-min, known for her lovely, angelic image, is to take on a completely different role this time -- an ordinary wife with anger management issues. In the upcoming tvN drama “Familiar Wife,” the actress plays a mother of two young children, who works at a shop. She also has to take care of her mother who suffers from amnesia. Ji Sung (left) and Han Ji-min pose for photos before a press event Wednesday at Times Square mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (CJ ENM)Coping with work and family,

July 25, 2018

Pyeongchang Music Festival kicks off, pianist Son Yeol-eum makes her debut as director

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- Pianist Son Yeol-eum, the new artistic director of the Pyeongchang Music Festival, appeared nervous but excited to see the very first concert she has devoted herself to. The Korea Herald met the artistic director Wednesday at the convention center near the Alpensia Concert Hall and Music Tent. “It’s unbelievable. I had doubted this day would ever come, but here I am, feeling nervous yet excited. The only thing I am very certain of is that the performances will be

July 25, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days’ tries too hard

Megahit sequel has elements of the original, humor and spectacle, but falls short on blending altogetherThere can be such a thing as too much “sinpa” in a movie. “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,” the second most successful Korean movie in history, was one case that got away with good acting and novelty of the set-up. Its sequel, “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” could be the one that finally went over the line. For those of you not familiar with the term, sinpa in Korean cinema or dr

July 25, 2018

Kim Da-mi of ‘The Witch’ wins best actress at Fantasia 2018

Korean starlet Kim Da-mi shined bright on the international stage as the star of “The Witch Pt 1: the Subversion” won the best actress award at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival.“Newcomer Kim Da-mi delivers an immaculate, layered performance, displaying intricacy and range in realms both physical and emotional. This portrayal marks the introduction of a kick-ass new heroine,” the jury statement for the Cheval Noir best actress award read.  Kim Da-mi in “The Witch Pt 1: the Subvers

July 25, 2018

Preorders for BTS’ new album top 1.5m in Korea

BTS’ upcoming album “Love Yourself: Answer” has sold over 1.5 million albums nationwide, according to BTS’ management agency Big Hit Entertainment on Wednesday.Preorders for the album began July 18 and ended Tuesday with a total of 1,511,910 orders, recording the highest number of preorders for BTS. (Big Hit Entertainment)“Love Yourself: Answer” sold 62,000 more preordered albums than “Love Yourself: Tear,” which was released in April. “Love Yourself: Answer” has also claimed the No. 1 spot in A

July 25, 2018

E-mart to make film about its mascot Electro Man

South Korean hypermarket chain E-mart unveiled Tuesday its plans to make a film based on its mascot Electro Man.Electro Man, a mascot for E-mart’s electronics store chain Electro Mart, will be featured as the main character in the film slated for release in 2020. The announcement came after overall sales of Electro Man-inspired products including an air fryer rose over 300 percent on-year in the first half of 2018. The film is part of the retailer’s efforts to attract more customers by using sof

July 24, 2018

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo to file for divorce: report

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo is to file for divorce against his wife, a local media outlet reported Monday. According to the report, Hong has decided to sue for divorce after failing to come to a settlement with his wife, who has so far refused any agreement.  Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee (Yonhap)Citing personnel in the film industry close to Hong, the report said Hong is thinking about marrying actress Kim Min-hee. “A divorce is unavoidable. Hong regrets that he has to go through with a suit,” the

July 24, 2018

VIXX’s Leo confirms first solo concerts

Leo of VIXX will perform next month, this time without his bandmates.According to Jellyfish Entertainment, Leo’s first solo concerts will be held at the Blue Square in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. They share the same title with his first EP as a solo artist, “Canvas.”  The poster for Leo’s upcoming concert. (Jellyfish Entertainment)The EP will be released at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, with the lead track “Touch&Sketch.”Tickets for the concerts will be made available online at I

July 24, 2018

‘Antigen-antibody reaction’ between Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The phrase describes actors Lee Dong-wook and Cho Seung-woo’s relationship in the upcoming JTBC medical drama series “Life.”Lee plays a passionate emergency room doctor, while Cho takes on the role of a coldhearted president of the hospital. Having different goals and interests, the two confront each other.  Lee Dong-wook (left) and Cho Seung-woo pose separately for photos during a media event Monday at Imperial Palace Hotel in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)Pr

July 23, 2018

Kim Young-kwang plays loveable ‘loser’ opposite Park Bo-young

It is virtually impossible to picture Kim Young-kwang as a loser with his towering 187-centimeter frame and handsome face, a sentiment felt immediately by Park Bo-young when they were cast for the upcoming film “On Your Wedding Day.”“When I first heard about the casting, I was like ‘What?’... When I read the scenario, I thought it would be someone with a ‘loser’ appeal, but I was left to wonder if such a tall, handsome man would be obsessed with me,” said Park at a press conference for the film

July 23, 2018

Twice, Apink wrap up promotional activities

Girl groups Twice and Apink officially wrapped up their respective promotional activities with appearances on SBS K-pop ranking show “Inkigayo,” Sunday.Twice edged out Apink to take the No. 1 spot with “Dance the Night Away,” securing the top spot on all five major TV music ranking programs, including KBS’ “Music Bank” and MBC’s “Show! Music Core.” Twice (JYP Entertainment)“I’d like to thank Once for always being there for us for the past two weeks (of the promotional period) despite the heat,”

July 23, 2018

‘Grim Reaper’ Lee Dong-wook to save ‘Life’ in upcoming drama

Putting his charming Grim Reaper character behind, actor Lee Dong-wook is ready to take on the role of a doctor in upcoming JTBC drama series “Life.”In the Monday-Tuesday drama series, Lee takes on the role of an emergency room doctor. The doctor may not be as charming as the humorous, sweet Grim Reaper in “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” but he is more passionate than anyone about saving lives.  Lee Dong-wook (JTBC)“Grim Reaper takes dead people, but this time I am saving lives of people w

July 23, 2018

[Herald Interview] Victon believes in value of taking it slow

When Victon’s recent single “Time of Sorrow,” which was released in May, topped Japan’s Tower Record chart earlier this month, the bandmates could hardly believe their eyes and ears. The song was the group’s first song since its debut in November 2016 to enter the top 100 of a Korean music chart and won third on popular music show “M!Countdown.” However, the song’s crossover success in Japan, a country where the group had not officially debuted, was completely unexpected. “I first heard the news

July 23, 2018

'Incredibles 2' tops box office, 'The Witch' surpasses 3 mln in attendance

The Hollywood animation "Incredibles 2" topped the box office over the weekend drawing 1.12 million moviegoers, while the Korean supernatural thriller "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" surpassed 3 million in total attendance, data showed Monday.The Disney/Pixar sequel earned 9.65 billion won ($8.5 million) or 47 percent of the total ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, according to the computerized box-office tally from the Korean Film Council. In total, the movie has garnered 1.36 million view

July 23, 2018