[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Believer (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-youngInvestigator Won-ho (Cho Jin-woong) seeks to take down a massive Seoul-based drug cartel, run by the mysterious Mr. Lee, whose real name, gender and age remain hidden. In the process, he gets help from a low-level cartel member Young-rak (Ryu Jun-yeol), whose loyalty seems to waver.Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David Leitch After suffering the loss of his girlfriend, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary

May 25, 2018

BTS' new album sold more than 1m copies in first week

The latest record by highly popular boy band BTS sold more than 1 million copies within the first week of its release, data showed Friday.A total of 1,003,524 copies of the third BTS LP, "Love Yourself: Tear," were sold in the week following its release last Friday, according to Hanteo Chart, a South Korean sales tracker. (BTS` Instagram)It is the highest opening week in sales for BTS albums. The septet's previous album, "Love Yourself: Her," sold 759,263 copies in the first seven days last year

May 25, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Cakemaker’ an indie cinema hit

Perhaps the biggest hit of indie cinema so far this year, German-Israeli production “The Cakemaker” opened in local theaters Thursday. The film was shown in the noncompetitive World Cinemascape section of the Jeonju International Film Festival early this month, where the movie’s main actress Sarah Adler also served on the jury. The Korea Herald sat down with writer and director Ofir Raul Grazier ahead of a screening on May 6. “I had a friend who had a double life. He had a wife, children, like a

May 24, 2018

Monsta X to embark on world tour Saturday

Monsta X is set to meet fans around the world this week with the group embarking on its second world tour.The act’s agency Starship Entertainment on Thursday said that the group would kick-start its upcoming world tour “2018 Monsta X World Tour The Connect” starting from Seoul from Saturday to Sunday at Jangchung Arena in Seoul.  Monsta X (Starship Entertainment) 　According to the Monsta X’s world tour schedule, shared recently on the group’s official web site, the act will then head to Europe a

May 24, 2018

Momoland to return in June after Japanese debut

Girl group Momoland is set to debut in Japan as well as make a comeback to Seoul next month.The group’s agency, Dublekick Company, said Thursday that Momoland will return with an upbeat dance track on June 26 in Korea. According to the company, Momoland again partnered with the producer of “Bboom Bboom,” which was released on the group’s third EP in January. The song gained much popularity, with its music video topping 100 million views on YouTube in April. (Dublekick Company)Prior to its comeba

May 24, 2018

BTS says ‘competition within group’ is its driving force

One of the most frequently posed questions to BTS in the last few years has been about the secret to its global success: The act started out as a lesser-known hip-hop group for whom a crossover felt like a far-fetched dream. There have been countless efforts to analyze the act’s grand saga, but BTS gave a rather clear and down-to-earth answer to that ubiquitous question: “Competition.” BTS poses during a press conference for its new album “Love Yourself: Tear” in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)“We c

May 24, 2018

Hwang Jung-eum, Nam Goong-min to create feel-good romantic comedy

Backing the classical theory that spring is the best season for love, SBS’ new romantic comedy “Handsome Guy and Jung-eum” hopes to hit the small screen as the ultimate feel-good series that is free of any complications or sadness. "Our drama focuses on dating. Rather than depicting romance’s complex and heavy sides, the series is more about being comical and incorporating cartoonish elements,” said director Kim Yu-jin during a press conference for the drama in Seoul on Wednesday.  (SBS)“It’s ju

May 24, 2018

Lee Chang-dong's 'Burning' sold to over 100 countries at Cannes

"Burning," the latest movie from award-winning South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, has been sold  to more than 100 countries around the world, the film's local distributor said Wednesday.Producers of the mystery-thriller signed deals with  distributors from about 100 countries within two days of it  receiving its world premiere at the 71st Cannes Film Festival on  May 16 (local time), according to CGV Arthouse. Director Lee Chang-dong and the cast of "Burning" (Yonhap)The deals were made in a

May 23, 2018

Former Wonder Girl Yubin to launch solo career

Eleven years after her debut K-pop artist Yubin is finally standing on her own, gearing up for the release of her first album as a solo artist.JYP Entertainment on Wednesday released the teaser image for her upcoming record, which will be released at 6 p.m. on June 6. The image features Chinese characters that translate to “city woman,” and “Yubin.”The agency noted that Yubin has been “carefully considering” what image to take for her new album, as this is her first step towards a solo career. T

May 23, 2018

[Album review] BTS’ new album shows what truly matters

BTS “Love Yourself: Tear”IRIVERFor artists who have become a household name, facing a tremendous burden over musical creativity and the relentless question “What should I do next to satisfy fans?” is nothing new. But BTS, one of the most popular boy bands in the world, seems to have a clear answer to the question. Since the start, BTS’ focus has always been on connecting with listeners and using its members’ own stories as leverage. And the group has not deviated from that in its new album “Love

May 23, 2018

SPO may get new music director by year-end

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s new CEO Kang Eun-kyung said that the orchestra is considering six candidates for the position of artistic director, raising the possibility that the once embattled orchestra may be able to appoint a new artistic leader by the end of the year.  Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Kang Eun-kyung speaks at a press conference at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)“The orchestra has recently initiated discussions over a six-candidate l

May 23, 2018

BTS producer Bang Si-hyuk joins Billboard’s list of international power players

Producer-CEO Bang Si-hyuk of Big Hit Entertainment, the label of K-pop heavyweight BTS, has made it to Billboard’s annual list of international power players. According to Billboard’s list on Monday, Bang, one of 73 music industry executives on the list, is included in the recording category.  (Big Hit Entertainment)The US magazine mentioned the massive global success of BTS’ albums, highlighting that the act’s “Love Yourself: Her” album, produced by Bang, has sold over 1.6 million copies worldw

May 23, 2018

Chief of BTS talent agency joins Billboard list of Int'l Power Players

Bang Si-hyuk, the chief of the talent agency managing K-pop boy band BTS, has been chosen as one of Billboard's "International Power Players." The CEO and executive producer of Big Hit Entertainment was one of 73 music industry executives who "are in the vanguard," according to the list posted on Billboard's website on Monday (US time).Bang was chosen for the "recording" category of the list, which Billboard has announced since 2014.  Big Hit Entertainment CEO Bang Si-hyuk (Twitter)"Produced by

May 23, 2018

Ahn Eun-me creates anew traditional dance from North Korea

Korean contemporary dancer and choreographer Ahn Eun-me will premiere her interpretation of North Korean dance in Seoul next month.Under the title of “North Korea Dance by Eun-me Ahn,” Ahn reimagines traditional Korean dance, in particular that of North Korea. Korean contemporary dancer Ahn Eun-me rehearses “North Korea Dance by Eun-me Ahn” at the Korea National University of Arts on May 14. (Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation)“I hope this work offers us opportunities to rethink what

May 22, 2018

Twice marks a hit in Japan for 3rd straight time

Twice’s new single “Wake Me Up” sold over 200,000 copies within the first week of its release in Japan, marking the third straight hit for the K-pop act.The girl group has so far released three singles in the country, with “One More Time,” “Candy Pop” also selling more than 200,000 records in their first week. According to Oricon News, this makes the K-pop the first foreign artist in Japan to accomplish such feat in its first three records. Cover art for “Wake Me Up” (JYP Entertainment)The 262,5

May 22, 2018

‘Miss Hammurabi’ to search for warmhearted justice

While foreign superheroes and people with supernatural powers are taking up the local cinema screens, stories of desperate ordinary people will propel JTBC’s new series “Miss Hammurabi.” The series is an adaptation of a best-selling novel of the same title, written by real-life judge Moon Yoo-suk, who also participated in the scriptwriting of the series. The story will center on three judges with completely different perspectives. Go A-ra plays a rookie judge while Kim Myung-soo, better known as

May 21, 2018

Top 5 artists best known for cover songs in Korea

South Koreans are known for their love for singing. Singing competition programs are always favored by the local audience, while some of them take part in the shows and rise to stardom themselves. To those who missed the chance to appear on TV, YouTube has become another outlet to show off their heavenly voices. Here is a list of the talented YouTube singers in Korea, who are best known for cover songs. 5. Lim Han-byul (118,129 subscribers) (Lim Han-byul's YouTube)Once a member of the K-pop grou

May 21, 2018

Psy to appear in JTBC singing show

The top Psy impersonators from around the country will attempt to overshadow the “Gangnam Style” star himself, as the K-pop star on Monday confirmed his appearance on JTBC’s “Hidden Singer.”In an announcement made earlier in the day, the broadcaster said it was looking for those who can sing just like Psy. It has not been confirmed when the episode will air. Psy(Yonhap)“Hidden Singer” is a show in which singers and people impersonating them sing without showing their faces. A celebrity panel com

May 21, 2018

BTS stages grand performance at Billboard Music Awards

In 2014, when BTS was a rookie group worried about finding 200 fans to fill a concert venue in Los Angeles, who would have imagined that it would one day become the first K-pop act to fire up the Billboard Music Awards?In a watershed moment in K-pop history, BTS on Sunday won the Billboard Music Awards’ top social artist award for the second consecutive year. It also performed the world premiere of its new track “Fake Love” during the awards show at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. B

May 21, 2018

[Photo News] BTS delivers another energetic Billboard performance

BTS performed its new track “Fake Love” at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, US time. The six-member boy band delivered an energetic performance, showing off powerful dance moves alongside emotion-filled vocals. International fans in the audience were spotted cheering and singing along to the song, with some appearing teary-eyed.The song is from BTS’ latest album “Love Yourself: Tear.” BTS won the top social artist award at the awards for the second consecutive year. By Rumy Doo (doo@he

May 21, 2018