Film industry slump continues amid virus fears

Snowballing coronavirus infections have continued to cast a pall over the film industry, with new releases delayed and events canceled. Thriller flick “Time to Hunt” will tentatively postpone its release and cancel all promotional events, including premieres, the film’s distributor Little Big Pictures said Sunday in a statement. The company made the decision in response to the government’s call to refrain from mass gatherings. “Time to Hunt” was slated to

Feb. 23, 2020

Entertainment scene struggles with virus outbreak

Cultural events and venues were dealt a blow over the weekend by the surge in coronavirus cases here, with performances being canceled. On Saturday, the 2020 Music in PyeongChang (MPyC) event, also known as the Great Mountains Music Festival, canceled its remaining concerts from Sunday, as five coronavirus infections were reported across Gangwon Province. Despite worries about the coronavirus, the festival, which began Feb. 9, had initially continued with its plans, saying it would ensure th

Feb. 23, 2020

[Herald Interview] Mika returns as Michael Holbrook, name he once hated

After a decade of life as a glam-pop star, Lebanese-born British singer Mika faced a point in his life where he had to hit the ground again to push himself in the right direction. For 2 1/2 years, he stepped away from the spotlight and consciously focused on his music and creativity. Mika’s fifth album, “My Name Is Michael Holbrook,” is the result of the singer’s contemplation. “I used to hate my legal name! I was convinced that only through assuming and defen

Feb. 23, 2020

BTS' new album tops record-high 91 iTunes charts

K-pop super band BTS wrote iTunes chart history Saturday with its new album, "Map of the Soul: 7," topping the iTunes album charts in 91 countries and regions, the band's management agency said. As of Saturday morning (Korean time), "Map of the Soul: 7" landed atop the iTunes "top album" charts in 91 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Russia, India, Japan and Saudi Arabia, according to Big Hit Entertainment. This

Feb. 23, 2020

BTS thanks their fans for positivity on Today Show

BTS once again thanked their fans for their positivity during their first appearance on the Today Show on Friday. “It’s all because of ARMYs that gave us positive energies,” RM said as he translated Jin's answer when the band was asked about why the group is known for spreading positivity. The septet appeared on stage just outside Rockefeller Plaza in central New York City just hours after releasing a new album for a brief live interview. Explaining the title

Feb. 21, 2020

BTS reflects on seven years together on ‘Map of the Soul: 7’

BTS released Friday its fourth studio album, “Map of the Soul: 7” spanning 20 tracks. The lead track “On” is an electrifying pop/hip-hop anthem that heavily features marching band drums as the group sings the soaring chorus in harmony, “Bring the pain/oh yea, rain be pourin’/sky keep fallin’/oh na na na.” The bandmates reflected on their celebrity status, singing, “Where is this place I open my eyes to? Maybe Seoul or New York or Paris.&rdq

Feb. 21, 2020

[Video] Chungmuro, the heart of Korean cinema, goes beyond ‘Hallyuwood’

The movie district often epitomizes the fame, power and money that comes from the show-biz industry. Known as the mecca of Korea’s big screen, Chungmuro has been home to many theaters and movie studios. It used to be the stomping grounds for hordes of local stars and filmmakers in Korea as well. Surprisingly, the area has a humble background, despite its eventual prominence. Long ago, it was an ideal place to start a career because the cost of living was relatively low compared to other

Feb. 21, 2020

Foreign artists delay concerts in Korea due to spread of COVID-19

Foreign artists have postponed their concerts in Korea due to the spread of the COVID-19. As of 10 a.m. Friday, South Korea reported 52 new cases of the coronavirus. The total number of infections in the nation is now at 156. Australian artist Ruel, 18, who was to perform Thursday at MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, will now perform Sept. 18 at Yes24 Live Hall. According to Ruel’s concert organizer, all tickets for the February concert can be returned without any extra charges and

Feb. 21, 2020

BTS' 'Boy With Luv' video featuring Halsey tops 700m YouTube views

The video of "Boy With Luv," K-pop boy band BTS' Billboard-topping song featuring Halsey, has topped 700 million YouTube views, the band's management agency said Friday. The lead track of BTS' previous album, "Map of the Soul: Persona" released in April last year, achieved the feat Friday morning, becoming the second BTS music video to garner more than 700 million views on YouTube, Big Hit Entertainment said. "DNA" was the first of the band's songs to hit the mil

Feb. 21, 2020

Trump scoffs at 'Parasite's' Oscar win

COLORADO SPRINGS (AFP) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday scorned the best picture Oscar for South Korean film "Parasite," asking how a foreign movie could get the honor. "How bad was the Academy Awards this year?" Trump asked the crowd at a packed reelection campaign rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado. "We got enough problems with South Korea, with trade. On top of it, they give them the best movie of the year?" Trump asked in disbelief. "Parasite,&quo

Feb. 21, 2020

Creators of 'Crash Landing on You' explains making the film

SEOUL (AP) -- "At first, we were even told not to use the word 'Chairman'" an honorific title alluding to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to Joo Dong-man, a props manager, recalling the painstakingly meticulous process of re-creating the life in North Korea on screen for South Korean viewers. Joo was part of the crew for the drama "Crash landing on you," South Korea's biggest recent hit about the story of a billionaire heiress who accidentally paraglides to North

Feb. 21, 2020

New BTS album 'Map of the Soul: 7' set to rock global music scene

K-pop phenomenon BTS will drop a new album, "Map of the Soul: 7," Friday evening, rocking the world music scene once again. The upcoming 20-track album is the second part of its "Map of the Soul" album series, following "Map of the Soul: Persona," released in April last year. Like its predecessor, "7" is a soul-searching musical journey, inspired by concepts developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung like the persona. The new album is led by main tra

Feb. 21, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Corpus Christi (Poland) Opened Feb. 13 Drama Directed by Jan Komasa Daniel (Bartosz Bielenia) experiences a spiritual rebirth during his time in a youth detention center and the 20-year-old decides to become a priest. However, his criminal record prevents him from attending a seminary. Upon being released on parole, he is sent to a small town to work. Here, Daniel dresses up as a priest and inspires the local parish, which had been struggling to heal from a tragic accident. 1917 (US) Opened

Feb. 21, 2020

[Weekender] The ‘Parasite’ impact

  For Jeon Da-jung, a 35-year-old office worker who often commutes through the neighborhood of Buam-dong, central Seoul, the concrete staircase that leads to the nearby Jahamun Tunnel didn’t mean much to her. But “Parasite,” from the acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, completely changed her mind. By using the urban landscape as a metaphor for the deepening social divide between the haves and the have-nots, it opened her eyes to the reality of Korea today, she

Feb. 21, 2020

Why Naver is finally shutting down comments on celebrity news

The nation’s largest web portal, Naver, will not publish comments under its entertainment news until further notice, for the sake of celebrities’ mental health. “We acknowledge that the current technological efforts aren’t enough to relieve the pain felt by celebrities and have decided to close the comment section for entertainment news until a further structural overhaul,” the company said Wednesday. The move takes effect sometime next month. Kakao, which owns th

Feb. 20, 2020

‘Crash Landing on You’ star Lee Sin-young sues over school bullying rumors

Rising star Lee Sin-young, who played a supporting role in the hit drama “Crash Landing on You,” is taking legal action after being accused of school bullying, Lee’s agency, Forest Entertainment, said Thursday. A lawyer from law firm Gangnam, on behalf of the agency, released an official statement saying libel and blackmail complaints have been filed against a man claiming to have suffered school bullying by Lee. Earlier this month, a man claiming to have been Lee’s m

Feb. 20, 2020

[Herald Interview] Salaryman-turned-director Kim Yong-hoon debuts big

The desperate desire inside Kim Yong-hoon, when he left his stable job at an entertainment conglomerate to realize his dream of becoming a filmmaker, may have led him to his first feature-length film, “Beasts Clawing at Straws.” A crime noir thriller with a trace of black comedy, “Beasts Clawing at Straws” tells the story of how the desire to possess a bag of cash turns ordinary people into monsters. The director caused a buzz even before the film’s release, winn

Feb. 20, 2020

Moon meets Bong Joon-ho, vows govt. efforts against cinema screen monopolies

President Moon Jae-in said Thursday his government would do its best to introduce a legal measure to curb screen monopolies in South Korean cinemas, speaking at a Cheong Wa Dae meeting with Bong Joon-ho, director of the Oscars-winning movie "Parasite." The president pledged "tangible support" for the further development of the local film industry and cited the proposed ceiling on the total number of screens for a certain movie and the expansion of academies. The Ministry o

Feb. 20, 2020

Bong Joon-ho continues commenting on social issues

After a 10-month journey that kicked off at the Cannes Film Festival last year, the “Parasite” team is back in Seoul -- with four Oscars in tow. “It’s been almost a year since we held our preview press conference here. ‘Parasite’ has been around the globe with such strong vitality and we’re glad that we can be back here after all that. It feels very strange,” director Bong Joon-ho said during the film’s final official press conference held

Feb. 19, 2020

[Newsmaker] Actor Ha Jung-woo denies illegal drug use

Actor Ha Jung-woo on Tuesday denied all accusations that he had illegally taken the anesthetic propofol at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. Propofol is a short-acting anesthetic that is highly addictive. Plastic surgery clinics normally administer it to patients undergoing surgery. The news first broke last Thursday when a local news outlet reported that prosecutors were looking into about 10 people suspected of abusing drugs, including a famous actor. Although Ha’s name was

Feb. 19, 2020