‘I, the Executioner’ exudes ‘new kind of energy’: director, actors

Ryoo Seung-wan, who directed the 2015 action blockbuster “Veteran,” is returning with sequel “I, the Executioner” this fall. The movie picks up the story of veteran detective Seo Do-chul (Hwang Jung-min) nine years after the first installment, as he is joined by rookie detective Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in), who is full of passion and a sense of justice. Do-chul and Sun-woo investigate a high-profile murder case of a professor which seems to be in line with the previous mur

Aug. 21, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Taemin tops iTunes chart in 38 regions with 5th solo EP

Taemin of SHINee landed atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 38 regions with his fifth solo EP "Eternal." The EP rolled out on Monday to celebrate his 10th debut anniversary as a solo musician. Both promoted tracks, “Sexy In The Air” and “Horizon,” claimed the top spots on real-time music charts at home, and all seven tracks from the new album made the top 10. Taemin will perform each of the two songs on television music chart shows for the first time on Saturd

Aug. 20, 2024

International acts across genres to thrill Korean music fans

As the hot summer slowly comes to an end, several international artists announce their concerts in Korea. On Aug. 28, Emotional Oranges, a California-based duo, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul. Emotional Oranges was formed in 2017 in California, by audio engineer Azad Right and vocal coach Vali. The group has gained a large following in Korea, particularly for tracks from their second album, such as "West Coast Love" and "Sundays," which

Aug. 20, 2024

Growing influence of Thailand in K-pop industry

As K-pop continues to impact the global music scene, it's clear that success isn't driven solely by the bands and their music. Fans around the world play a crucial role in propelling K-pop artists forward, with their unwavering support and engagement. Traditionally, the US, Japan and the UK have been seen as the most important markets due to their size and impact on the global music industry. However, the rise of digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram is shifting this dynamic, all

Aug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Finding inspiration in school life

Eleven-year-old singer and content creator Seo Eve rapidly rose to stardom with her debut digital single “Malatanghulu” released in April which went viral on Instagram and TikTok. Seo proved she had the talent to be a singer by writing the lyrics to her songs and choreographing her dance, belying her age. “I wrote the lyrics based on my school life. ‘Malatanghulu’ is about asking someone I like to take me out on a hot pot date as hot pot is one of the most popular f

Aug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Seon-ho says he was scared to take on entirely different character in 'The Tyrant'

Actor Kim Seon-ho described taking on the role of a cold-hearted elite agent in "The Tyrant" as a "scary" experience, but said he is eager to face more challenges that will help him become a versatile actor across genres. "The Tyrant" follows the story of individuals vying to secure the last sample vial of the Tyrant Project, which endows living organisms with immense powers. Kim portrays Director Choi, the hard-hearted head of the National Intelligence Service, w

Aug. 20, 2024

Ahn Ae-soon to explore minimalism in traditional dance with National Dance Company

Choreographer Ahn Ae-soon, a leading figure in contemporary dance in South Korea, is set to premiere her latest work with the National Dance Company of Korea later this month. The company will present "Hang PlusMinus" at the Haeoreum Grand Theater from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, in their first joint production. "Hang PlusMinus" draws from the royal court dance "Chunaengmu,” the only solo dance among court dances, which captures the minimalistic essence, according to Ahn.

Aug. 19, 2024

[Herald Review] Lee Isaac Chung serves up 90s rom-com, meteorological mayhem in ‘Twisters’

This summer Korean American movie director Lee Isaac Chung brings us “Twisters,” an entertaining disaster flick inspired by the 1996 summer blockbuster "Twister." Chung, the director of “Minari,” chose not to make “Twisters” a direct sequel, but its plot mirrors the original, incorporating an old-fashioned rom-com revolving around tornado chasers, and even Dorothy, a technology designed to study tornadoes. While paying homage to the original 1990s bl

Aug. 19, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Taemin sings ‘eternity’ with new solo album

Taemin of SHINee put out his fifth solo EP “Eternal” Monday exuding calmness and confidence. The album validates how the artist will be himself whatever he does and wherever he is. He had his hands on the whole process of putting it together, from the album concept to the music video production. It is fronted by two focus tracks: “Sexy In The Air,” a statement to his unwavering identity, and “Horizon,” an upbeat dance tune describing his attempt to push bounda

Aug. 19, 2024

Brutal competition ahead for 1st-generation Fifty Fifty members

The original four members of the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty are set to compete with one another as Keena returns with new members as the second generation of Fifty Fifty in the second half of this year and the three former members -- Saena, Aran and Sio -- debut as a trio under a new agency. Saena, Aran and Sio recently signed an exclusive contract with Massive E&C, a label under IOK Company. IOK Company is an agency that represents actors such as Go Hyun-jung, Zo In-sung and Shin Hye-sun.

Aug. 19, 2024

Memorial concert for rockstar Shin Hae-chul to take place in October

A memorial concert will be held to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of legendary rock star Shin Hae-chul. The concert, titled “Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage,” will take place on Oct. 26-27 at Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. The upcoming concert is a tribute concert prepared by musicians who remember Shin, where his music and philosophy will be reinterpreted through various genres, music and performances. The event organizers stated that the production team and participating m

Aug. 19, 2024

[New on the scene] ‘Mission: Cross’ director dreams of making unprecedented comedies

Director Lee Myung-hun, who made a directorial debut with the comedy action “Mission: Cross,” has a lot of love for comedy. “Comedy is definitely a difficult genre to make. When you don’t make it correctly or miscalculate the lines or scenes, the audience can easily turn away from the story. But that also makes comedy an attractive genre, because you get to see the feedback or reactions right away,” Lee told reporters during a group interview in Seoul, Aug. 12. &ldq

Aug. 18, 2024

‘Heartsping’ director confident that Teenieping movie appeals to all ages

“Heartsping: Teenieping of Love,” the first movie of the hit Korean animation series “Catch! Teenieping,” appeals not only to young viewers, but to those in their 50s and 60s as well, its director said. Kim Su-hoon, who doubles as the movie's director and the CEO of SAMG Entertainment and is responsible for the Teenieping worldview, said he differentiated the movie from the TV series by adding elements of a family movie. “From the beginning, I was sure that thi

Aug. 18, 2024

Bold works, reinterpretations among this year's eclectic SIDance lineup

The 27th Seoul International Dance Festival, presented by the Seoul section of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), is set to captivate audiences from Sept. 1 to 14 across Seoul. This year’s festival will showcase 35 performances from eight countries, including Canada, Australia and Luxembourg, at various locations including Sogang University’s Mary Hall, Samil-ro Changgo Theater, Daehakro Arts Theater, Eunpyeong Arts Center and Seoul Namsan Gukakdang. In a departure from pr

Aug. 18, 2024

Kim Min-hee wins best performance at Locarno Film Festival

South Korean actor Kim Min-hee received the best performance award at the 77th Locarno International Film Festival for Hong Sang-soo’s 32nd film “By the Stream.” “By the Stream,” titled “Suyucheon” in Korean, is the story of Jeon-yim (played by Kim), a lecturer at a woman’s university who asks her uncle, a blacklisted actor-director, to direct a skit at the university. While Jeon-yim goes out every night to paint by the stream and get inspiration,

Aug. 18, 2024

K-pop idols are under intense ethical scrutiny

K-pop idols are more than just entertainers; they are cultural icons, often seen as the embodiment of South Korean values and pride. This unique role subjects them to intense scrutiny, with every action and word closely watched by fans and the public. Incidents involving popular K-pop singers Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together and Felix of Stray Kids on Korea's National Liberation Day on Thursday illustrate these high expectations. Yeonjun faced criticism after he posted photos on Instagram tak

Aug. 16, 2024

Lun8 delivers hip, free-spirited ode to youth

K-pop boy band Lun8 has returned with another ode to youth, this time capturing the free spirit of young people. "Our previous song was a warm spring tune, but this one brings a cool summer vibe,” said leader Jinsu during a press conference for their third mini album, “Awakening,” on Wednesday. Since their debut, Lun8 has consistently explored themes of youth in their music. The new album continues that journey, but with a focus on a more rebellious and dynamic image. &ldq

Aug. 16, 2024

30th Changmu dance festival to connect earth, body and sky

The Changmu International Performing Arts Festival, dedicated to exploring international exchanges with traditional Korean dance, is set to hold its 30th edition this month. Organized by the Changmu Arts Center, the dance festival will be held Aug. 21-31 at various locations, including Sejong Arts Center in Sejong City, Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang. Founded in 1992 by the esteemed choreographer and dancer Kim Mae-ja, affectionately known as the "mother of Korean

Aug. 16, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Heartsping : Teenieping of Love” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 7 Animation Directed by Kim Soo-hun Princess Romi of the Emotion Kingdom comes to Earth to catch cute and mischievous creatures Teeniepings and has a fateful encounter with Heartsping who becomes a soulmate. “Revolver” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 7 Crime Directed by Oh Seung-wook Former detective Soo-young (Jeon Do-yeon) is released from prison after being convicted of crimes she did not commit. With one goal in

Aug. 16, 2024

BTS fans divided over Suga's drunk driving

BTS’s dedicated fanbase, known as Army, is sharply divided over the recent drunk driving by Suga. While some fans express disappointment and even call for his departure from the band, others argue that such criticism is excessive and that Suga should be given privacy to deal with the situation. Suga was booked by the police for driving an e-scooter under the influence Aug. 6, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227 percent, one of the highest recorded levels among K-pop singers. The ne

Aug. 15, 2024