JTBC to remake American sitcom ‘Younger’

JTBC said Monday it will produce a remake of the American TV series “Younger.”The story revolves around a 40-year-old, newly divorced single mom trying to get a job by passing herself off as 26 years old.  (JTBC)A source from JTBC said they were attracted to the series’ story and strong female protagonist. “We will produce a good remake that reflects today’s society for our Korean audience,” the source stated.“Younger,” which aired its first episode in 2015, ran for five seasons on TV Land and i

Dec. 11, 2018

‘Because it’s Bach’

There comes a point when you love someone because you just love them, without any particular reason. Violin virtuoso Hilary Hahn’s love of Bach is that kind of love.“Because it’s Bach!” Hahn said, explaining her love of the composer in an email interview with The Korea Herald ahead of her upcoming South Korea tour. Hahn will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 on Dec. 18 in Daegu and again on Dec. 19 at the Lotte Concert Hall with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under conductor Paavo J

Dec. 11, 2018

[Photo News] Rising stars Stray Kids arrive at 2018 MAMA

Stray Kids have arrived at the red carpet of the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards.  Stray Kids hit the red carpet at 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards (Mnet) (Mnet)The nine-piece act ranked top in the poll for best new male artist, determined through preshow online voting by fans, which ran for about a month, from Nov. 1 to Sunday midnight. Stray Kids trumped the poll, earning close to half of total votes with 49.10 percent. The runner-up in the same category was Kim Dong-han, a contestant in the second

Dec. 10, 2018

After feuding with feminists, San E takes aim at journalists

It seems San E has beef with journalists, as the outspoken rapper has announced he will release a new single called “Giregi” Tuesday -- a portmanteau meaning “garbage reporter” in Korean.In an Instagram post released Monday afternoon, the rapper teased the new single as he bounced up and down while wearing a zipped ski mask that left just his eyes visible.The term “giregi” is heard repeatedly as the short clip teased the latest in a series of politically charged songs the rapper has released in

Dec. 10, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘I learned how to love my fate’: Sohee of Elris

One gets the impression that Sohee has got the competitive showbiz world all figured out. In middle school, the current Elris member learned that “acceptance” was key to coping with the whirlwind life of a K-pop trainee. There were times when she almost succumbed to countless cut-throat competition in the course of making her debut, which she recalled as the “hardest thing” during her trainee years. But what always empowered her was the Latin phrase “amor fati,” meaning to accept and love everyt

Dec. 10, 2018

3 South Korean shows to watch on Netflix in December

Here are some of the best South Korean series to watch on Netflix in December -- a drama, a sci-fi thriller and a rom-com. “SKY Castle” A dark but humorous look at South Korea’s obsession with education  "Sky Castle." (JTBC)Number of episodes available: six Living in a luxurious residential area in the suburbs of Seoul, a group of housewives who are determined to see their children enter South Korea’s top medical school lay bare the country’s notorious education craze and its negative consequenc

Dec. 10, 2018

Korea-born character Pucca reimagined as 3D animation

Pucca, one of the most beloved animated characters to have come out of Korea, is getting her own TV show here for the first time in 10 years.CJ ENM announced it will air the 3D animation show “Pucca” on a local cable channel and its affiliate Tooniverse, starting Dec. 19. The entertainment giant inked a deal in May with VOOZ, the company that created the character in 2000. Pucca refers to both the Asian animated character and the media franchise surrounding it.  The poster for “Pucca” (CJ ENM)CJ

Dec. 9, 2018

10 years on, music audition shows still thriving on TV

Music audition programs continue to thrive on the small screen, seemingly giving fair opportunities to everyone and playing to viewers’ desire to see the heroic story of a talented individual becoming a star after overcoming insurmountable odds. The programs’ winners are basically the 21st century version of Greek heroes in the eyes of viewers.Many of the beloved shows in the genre have given birth to numerous stars in music, drama and on the big screen, and continue to entertain viewers with fr

Dec. 9, 2018

BTS becomes 1st K-pop act to be on Bloomberg 50

BTS has become the first K-pop group to be included on Bloomberg’s list of 50 most influential people of the year, called “The Bloomberg 50,” which was revealed Friday on the US media outlet’s website.  (BTS' official Twitter)“BTS ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart with its ‘Love Yourself Tear’ and topped the chart again with another album ‘Love Yourself Answer,’ showing unprecedented success in US,” Bloomberg said on why BTS made it to the list.  (Bloomberg)According to the US media outlet

Dec. 7, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ dazzles in its own way

When you’ve been told the same story for the umpteenth time, is it possible for it to still feel original? Apparently yes, as yet another take by Sony Pictures’ on the wildly popular Spider-Man character hit it out of the ballpark for a well-animated, witty, dazzling and, most importantly, fun superhero movie in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” caption: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures Korea)I’d first like to point out the filmmaking duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller,

Dec. 6, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this weekDefault (Korea)Opened Nov. 28DramaDirected by Choi Kook-heeAs the 1997 financial crisis hits Korea, Bank of Korea analyst Han Shi-hyeon (Kim Hye-soo) warns senior government officials. But her call for immediate action and the need to alert the public falls on deaf ears, as the high-ranking officials are more focused on covering up everything. Meanwhile, investment consultant Yun Jeong-hak (Yoo Ah-in) looks to make money off the crumbling economy.Door Loc

Dec. 6, 2018

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to join Salzburg Festival centennial in 2020

Pianist Cho Seong-jin will perform at the Salzburg Festival in 2020, the year marking the prestigious music festival’s centennial. Salzburg Festival President Helga Rabl-Stadler made the announcement at a press conference Tuesday in Seoul to promote the festival’s lineup for 2019.  cap - Pianist Cho Seong-jin plays at the Salzburg Festival 2019 presentation held Tuesday at Oakwood Premier Coex Center in Seoul. (World Culture Networks)“It’s a great honor to join one of the world’s most prominent

Dec. 5, 2018

Twitter reveals BTS has ‘Golden Tweet’ of 2018

A tweet from K-pop sensation BTS has become the country’s most retweeted of the year. In a tweet Wednesday, the social media platform revealed the “Golden Tweet of 2018”: a post with a short clip of Jungkook singing in a studio to a background track. (Yonhap) The monumental tweet in K-pop history from the group’s main account @BTS_twt had been retweeted over 620,000 times with over 1.2 million likes as of

Dec. 5, 2018

Behind the scenes at GOT7’s Twitter #Blueroom live

Following the release of its new album “Present: You & Me” on the previous day, GOT7 hit Twitter’s #Blueroom Tuesday evening. The social media giant’s live Q&A program was held at its forest-themed studio inhabited by Twitter’s iconic bluebirds.(The Korea Herald / Kim Arin)GOT7 arrived at the studio one by one from about five to 10 minutes before the live broadcast’s official kickoff at 7 p.m., and the cozy microstudio soon became crowded with the seven bandmates’ presence and energy. As they wa

Dec. 5, 2018

Ask GOT7: GOT7 presents live Q&A party on Twitter #Blueroom

GOT7 dropped its third record of the year “Present: You & Me” Monday, following the EP “Eyes on You” in March and full-length “Present: You” in September. The reissue album is a 28-track winter treat fronted by the seasonally-themed ballad “Miracle.”Twitter is the septet’s chosen medium to herald its final release of the year, on the social networking service’s Q&A platform Blueroom. GOT7 (Twitter @GOT7Official)Held in a specially optimized studio, Blueroom lets Twitter followers toss questions

Dec. 4, 2018

CJ ENM seeks to crack the US market with thriller remake

The American remake of the Korean horror thriller “Hide and Seek” has commenced filming, according to officials at CJ ENM, along with another film by director Drake Doremus. “Hide and Seek,” originally released in 2013, is a flick by director Huh Jung featuring a family who believe strangers are hiding in their home. It was recently reported that actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was cast as the lead in the film directed by Joel David Moorem, joined by Jacinda Barrett, Joe Pantoliano and Mustafa Shakir

Dec. 4, 2018

BTS’ Jin writes to Army on his birthday

BTS member Jin penned a handwritten letter to the group’s official fan club, Army, on his birthday, which fell on Tuesday.In the long letter posted on the group’s official social media account, he said that he is happy. “I’m happy not only because it’s my birthday but mainly because Army members are happy celebrating my birthday together,” read the letter. “BTS could do everything it did because Army was supportive all the time.” (BTS` official Twitter)“Sorry for not being fluent in English but

Dec. 4, 2018

Gamut of contemporary classical music in store at TIMF

Music of Yun I-sang and works by Japanese contemporary classical music composer Toshio Hosokawa are among the highlights at next year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival, March 29-April 7, taking place at the southern port city of Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province.　The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra raises the curtain on the annual music festival on March 29 with the Asian premiere of Heinz Holliger’s “Ostinato Funebre,” as well as Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C Minor Op. 67. Pianist Behzod

Dec. 3, 2018

Reunion of Chung Myung-whun and SPO abruptly canceled

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will not be reuniting with its former music director Chung Myung-whun after all as the conductor withdrew from an upcoming engagement, citing health reasons.Chung has canceled all upcoming concerts until he recovers as advised by his doctor, according to a recent announcement made by management company Askonas Holt’s Martin Campbell-White. Maestro Chung Myung-whun speaks during a press conference in August to promote the concert commemorating the 120th anniversar

Dec. 3, 2018

Period piece ‘Mal-Mo-E’ shows fight to keep alive Korean identity

After colonizing Korea, Japanese Empire in 1938 tried to squash out the identity of Korea as a nation, forcing its colonial subjects to pledge allegiance to the Japanese emperor, take up Japanese names and accept Japan’s history as part of its own under the claim that the two countries share the same roots. Perhaps the worst among such attempts is the policy in 1938 to ban education of the Korean language and gradually phase out its use. “Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission” depicts 1940s Gyeongseong –

Dec. 3, 2018