‘Burning’ is story about youths that speaks with the heart

Watching a Lee Chang-dong movie is not exactly a “kick back and relax” type of experience, as the director challenges viewers by posing questions as a form of communication, inviting them to ponder relevant issues in modern society like one of ethics.“Burning,” starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun and rookie actress Jeon Jong-seo, is a mystery drama film that in itself is shrouded in mystery. In a press conference held before heading to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival -- where the film will compete for

May 4, 2018

Baeksang Arts Awards recognize ‘Stranger,’ ‘1987’

The 54th Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony was held Thursday, honoring outstanding local entertainment productions. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 1965 to recognize achievements in the TV and film industry. This year’s event took place at the Coex Convention & Exhibition Center in southern Seoul. It was hosted by comedian Shin Dong-yup, singer-actress Suzy and actor Park Bo-gum.  Winners of the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards (Yonhap)TvN’s mystery-thriller drama “Stanger” and the period

May 4, 2018

‘Quiz Q’ hopes to be more than poisoned chalice

Succeeding the hit entertainment show “Infinite Challenge,” MBC’s new quiz show “Quiz Q” begins with a great burden.Beloved TV series “Infinite Challenge” aired its last episode on April 21, after a 13-year run. The series earned the nickname “national entertainment show,” gaining popularity across all age groups. Producer Kim Tae-ho of the show announced a sudden halt last March, citing the need for a break. He explained, “It has been hard to keep the show’s original color while maintaining fre

May 4, 2018

V-Square to allow aspiring K-pop stars to audition from around the globe

From 2PM’s Nichkhun to Black Pink’s Lisa, more K-pop group members have come from foreign countries in recent years. With the growing popularity and influence of K-pop around the world, an increasing number of global fans harbor dreams of following in the international members’ footsteps. V-Square, a new online platform, aims to facilitate the remote auditioning process for such aspiring K-pop stars, the company announced Friday.  (V-Square)It has been difficult for most Korean entertainment age

May 4, 2018

Family drama ‘Yakiniku Dragon’ kicks off JIFF

The Jeonju International Film Festival officially kicked off Thursday, with a Japanese-Korean director’s heartwarming family drama “Yakiniku Dragon.” Chong Wishing’s film, set in the Kansai region of Japan between 1969-1971, is about Koreans Yong-gil and Young-soon -- played by Kim Sang-ho and Lee Jung-eun -- who run a tiny barbecue joint in an impoverished town near an airport. Their daughters Shizuka, Rika and Mika, and son Tokio-- played by Yoko Maki , Mao Inoue, Nanami Sakuraba and Ooe Shinp

May 3, 2018

Multinational girl group (G)I-DLE debuts with ‘I Am’

(G)I-DLE performs during a media showcase for its debut album “I Am” in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)(G)I-DLE, a new girl group launched under Cube Entertainment, threw its hat into the K-pop ring with its debut EP “I Am.”“We are a team that is capable of songwriting, composing and creating choreography. We can offer fans the best performance as we know each other’s strengths well,” said Miyeon during the group’s debut showcase for “I Am” in Seoul on Wednesday.The multinational six-piece act cons

May 3, 2018

Ex-Glam member Dahee debuts as BJ on Afreeca TV

(Afreeca TV)Dahee, formerly of now-defunct K-pop girl group Glam, started a new career as a BJ on popular video-streaming service.After breaking the news on her social media account last week, she took to her first broadcast on Tuesday with a new moniker Kim Si-won. It was Dahee’s first broadcast appearance in four years. “I have been working in part-time jobs and as a fitting modes. I wanted to sing so badly,” said Dahee during the broadcast. “I decided to become a BJ after much thought. I ask

May 3, 2018

Oasis’ Noel Gallagher to hold solo concert in Seoul in August

(Live Nation Korea)Noel Gallagher, formerly of legendary British rock band Oasis, will hold a solo concert in Korea in August. According to the concert’s organizer Live Nation Korea on Thursday, the British artist will hold the concert titled “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Stranded on the Earth World Tour” on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.  (Live Nation Korea)Gallagher last visited Korea for his performance at the Ansan Valley Rock Festival in July

May 3, 2018

Lee Moon-se to release new album in fall

Lee Moon-se, a legend in Korean music, will release his 16th studio album later this year, his agency said Thursday.According to KMOONfnd, the singer is currently preparing for a new album to be released at an unspecified date in the fall. Other musicians will participated in the album as featured artists, it added. Lee Moon-se (KMOONfnd)Lee most recently collaborated with Zion.T on the song “Snow,” released last December. He also wrapped up his North American tour this year.Earlier in the day,

May 3, 2018

[Album review] GFriend’s Japanese anime sound never gets old

GFriend“Time for the Moon Night” Loen Entertainment  GFriend’s music has always been like a lackluster toy cooped up in a closet. Grown-ups may be reluctant to fiddle with that old toy again, but once walking down memory lane with it, they may realize that it’s actually nice to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. The six-piece K-pop girl group’s recent EP “Time for the Moon Light” is another perfect treat for those wishing to secretly savor such sweetness. As always, the tunes are reminiscent of Japa

May 3, 2018

Through her eyes

Seoul International Women’s Film Festival shines light on gender issues through women-led filmsThis year’s annual film festival of movies made by women, about women and for women will seek to touch on gender-related social issues prominent across Korean society today.Organizers of the 20th Seoul International Women’s Film Festival held a press conference Wednesday to introduce films to be shown at the event, while announcing that this year’s topic will be digital sexual violence, the #MeToo move

May 2, 2018

Violinist Lee Ji-yoon made youngest lifetime-tenure concertmaster at Staatskapelle Berlin

Korean violinist Lee Ji-yoon has been granted lifetime tenure as concertmaster of Staatskapelle Berlin, officials of a local cultural foundation said Wednesday.  Violinist Lee Ji-yoon (Lee's official website)Founded in 1570, Staatskapelle Berlin has been led by numerous internationally acclaimed conductors including Wilhelm Furtwangler and Herbert von Karajan, who was succeeded by Daniel Barenboim in 1992.Officials from the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation confirmed Wednesday that the Berlin-bas

May 2, 2018

iKON to hold fan meeting, celebrate 1,000 days

K-pop boy band iKON will hold a fan meeting to celebrate 1,000 days since the group’s debut, YG Entertainment said Wednesday.IKON debuted on Sept. 15, 2015 with digital single “My Type.” June 10 will mark the 1,000th day, just a day after the scheduled fan meeting event titled “iKON 2018 Private Stage Kolorful.”  (YG Entertainment)After releasing the group’s first full-length studio album in November 2015, iKON made a long-awaited return with its second studio album “Return” in January. The albu

May 2, 2018

Pucca aims to be ‘Mickey Mouse of Asia’ with CJ E&M

Popular animation character Pucca is to off to a new start, partnering with media mogul CJ E&M. Pucca, created by Korean company VOOZ, is an internationally known animation character. Designed with an image of an Asian girl, the red-and-black character is active, energetic and bold, not hesitating to express her affection for ninja Garu. Pucca (VOOZ)Pucca, as a brand, marked $90 million in royalty profit over the past 10 years. More than 90 percent of the profit was generated overseas. According

May 2, 2018

[Video] Ryan Reynolds visits Korea for ‘Deadpool 2’

The wisecracking mercenary superhero Deadpool is not too different from Ryan Reynolds, said the actor who plays the character at a press conference in Seoul Wednesday.The actor visited Korea to promote “Deadpool 2,” the sequel to the Marvel superhero film “Deadpool” released in 2016. The second installment is set for a world premiere in Korean theaters on May 16. “I would say we‘re a pretty close match,” Reynolds told reporters of his character at a hotel in central Seoul. “The only difference,

May 2, 2018

BTS to reappear on ‘Ellen’ later in May

BTS will return to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” later in the month to entertain the American audience once again, around the time the band is set to fire up fans with a performance at the Billboard Music Awards.Big Hit Entertainment on Wednesday confirmed earlier reports that the boy band will appear on the popular US talk show, although it added the exact date has yet to be determined.  (Yonhap)It was reported via a US news outlet that BTS will appear on the show on May 25 to perform its upcoming

May 2, 2018

Crush to embark on first Asian tour in June

K-pop solo artist Crush will embark on his first Asian tour in June, according to his agency, Amoeba Culture.The singer will kick off the tour in Bangkok on June 3, and later visit Hong Kong and Taiwan on June 29 and July 1, respectively. His huge international following, which he built with hits like “Oasis” and “Beautiful,” has enabled the tour, which also marks his first Asian concerts, the agency said.   (Amoeba Culture)The R&B artist debuted in 2014 with “Sometimes,” and gained popularity w

May 1, 2018

[Herald Interview] Park Ki-young’s motherhood, power of empathy

It was one of those beautiful spring mornings where everything on the street sparkled under the warm sunlight. Stepping into a small and cozy coffee shop located in Hapjeong-dong in Seoul, this reporter was greeted by an unusually warm smile and handshake from singer-songwriter Park Ki-young, who celebrates her 20th anniversary in the business this year.  “I think my biggest strength is that I have the ability to empathize. I can closely relate to others’ problems, thinking, ‘How can I make that

May 1, 2018

Scottish Ballet returns with ‘Hansel and Gretel’

The last time the Scottish Ballet performed in Seoul was in 1992 as part of the cultural entourage accompanying Prince Charles and Princess Diana.After more than a quarter of century, Scottish Ballet, led by artistic director Christopher Hampson, will perform its adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale “Hansel and Gretel” at the LG Arts Center from May 23 to May 27. Scottish Ballet's "Hansel and Gretel" (LG Arts Center)The Glasgow-based ballet company’s “Hansel and Gretel,” which premiered in 2013

May 1, 2018

K-Will confirms May 10 release

Vocalist K-Will confirmed that he will release a new single on May 10.The singer’s agency Starship Entertainment released a teaser image of “The 4th Album Part 2. #1 Will be a start,” on its homepage, with the message that it will be released at 6 p.m. on May 10.As the name suggests, the single is the first segment of the three-part project for part-two of his fourth studio album. K-Will will release two more singles after “Will be a start,” which will complete the second part. The singer releas

May 1, 2018