Theaters come to life in Feb. with opening of ‘Exhuma,’ ‘Dune: Part Two’

South Korean theaters are experiencing a much-needed boom in February with the release of two much-anticipated films -- “Exhuma” by the so-called K-occult genre master Jang Jae-hyun, and the global sci-fi blockbuster sequel “Dune: Part Two.” According to box office data from the Korean Film Council, “Exhuma” attracted 2 million theatergoers within four days of the movie opening on Feb. 22. “Dune: Part Two,” which is set for release Wednesday, is cu

Feb. 26, 2024

Lucas prepares for solo comeback 2 years after quitting NCT amid controversies

Lucas, a former member of the K-pop boy group NCT, on Saturday uploaded to his official YouTube channel a documentary entitled “Lucas Documentary Part 1 Freeze,” hinting at a possible comeback as a solo artist. “I’m always home. I watch TV, eat and sometimes visit my agency (SM Entertainment). There is nothing special,” he said in the documentary, giving an update on his life after leaving the group in August 2021. “I used to have a strong character back then.

Feb. 26, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Salome' director Kim Si-hwa adds bold twist to changgeuk with all-male act

It might have been her directional debut in changgeuk, but former choreographer Kim Si-hwa was prepared to push the boundaries with "Salome." In an interview with The Korea Herald, last week, Kim said she was aiming for a groundbreaking traditional performance. She had thought of an all-male changgeuk for a while, believing it could be appealing to the audience. Changgeuk derives from pansori, a traditional narrative singing form involving a solo singer and a percussionist that is regi

Feb. 25, 2024

Hong Sang-soo wins Berlin Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with 'A Traveler's Needs'

South Korean director Hong Sang-soo clinched the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with his new film "A Traveler's Needs" at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday. The jury announced the award at the ceremony held at the Berlinale Palast. The Silver Bear is the festival's second-highest prize after the Golden Bear. It is Hong's second Grand Jury Prize, following his win for "The Novelist's Film" in 2022. "I’d like to thank the jury.

Feb. 25, 2024

[Herald Review] Eric Nam mesmerizes Korean fans with dance, voice

Singer Eric Nam visited Korean fans for the first time in a year and three months. On Saturday, the Seoul performance of "Eric Nam House on a Hill World Tour" was held at Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Despite the cold weather with rain and snow, about 2,000 fans visited the venue to enjoy Nam's performance. The singer has been on a world tour starting from Orlando, Florida, the US, since September last year after releasing his English language album, "House on

Feb. 25, 2024

Occult thriller 'Exhuma' reaches 1m ticket sales in record time

"Exhuma," a supernatural mystery thriller, surpassed 1 million in attendance Saturday, becoming the fastest film released this year to reach the milestone, the film's local distributor said. The thriller, also known as "Pamyo" in Korean, has set the record on the third day of its release, Showbox said. Starring Choi Min-sik, the film revolves around mysterious events affecting a geomancer, an undertaker and a young shaman duo after they exhume the grave of an ancestor fr

Feb. 24, 2024

K-pop hitmaker Shinsadong Tiger dies at 41

Lee Ho-yang, better known as K-pop hitmaker Shinsadong Tiger, died Friday at the age of 41. His agency, AB Entertainment, confirmed Shinsadong Tiger’s demise Friday night and said they are currently gathering information before a formal announcement. The renowned music producer was found dead at his recording studio earlier the same day. According to industry sources, he was found dead by an acquaintance at the studio after he could not be reached by phone. Shinsadong Tiger is known for se

Feb. 23, 2024

‘Picnic’ surpasses breakeven point, in first such feat by indie film in 5 years

“Picnic,” a low-budget independent film from director Kim Yong-gyun, had recorded 281,000 tickets sold as of Friday, becoming the first Korean indie film to surpass its breakeven point in five years. “Picnic” also became the first film this year to surpass to get over the hump. With a production cost of just some 1.2 billion won ($900,000), the movie’s breakeven point came at 270,000 admissions. Since the movie’s opening on Feb. 7, “Picnic” has dom

Feb. 23, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS hits 1.8b views with ‘Dynamite’ music video

BTS has notched 1.8 billion views on YouTube for the first time with the music video for “Dynamite,” according to Big Hit Music on Friday. The disco pop tune was released in August 2020 as a digital single. It is the septet’s first English-language song and debuted atop Billboard’s Hot 100, a first for a K-pop act. The single topped the main songs chart three weeks and stayed on the chart for 32 weeks in total. It also earned the band a Grammy nomination, another first

Feb. 23, 2024

Pansori, shadow puppetry combined in 'Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden'

A Jeju myth comes to life through a combination of pansori, or Korean traditional narrative singing, and shadow puppetry in a children's production running at the National Jeongdong Theater in Korea, Cecil through Wednesday. "Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden" is a reinterpretation of the myth of Hallakgungi, found in the shamanistic songs of Jeju Island known as "Igongbonpuri." The protagonist, Hallakgungi, embarks on a journey to the Seocheon Flower Garden at the afterlif

Feb. 23, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Dune: Part Two’ an Imax-ready masterpiece of messiah and sandworms

Following the box office success of director Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” (2021) at a time when global cinema was humbled by the pandemic, the second half of the director's adaptation of the 1965 epic science fiction novel of the same title by Frank Herbert has finally been revealed. “Dune: Part Two,” which hits local theaters Wednesday, is an Imax-ready blockbuster with a dense, nigh impenetrable storyline that follows the recently outcast heir to the throne of H

Feb. 23, 2024

‘Youth,’ ‘Love’ and ‘Friendship,’ keywords of Twice’s new EP

Twice conveyed their beautiful memories as a K-pop group and the future they hope to make with fans on their new EP, “With YOU-th,” released Friday. The group’s full-unit comeback with a new album release in Korea comes for the first time in a year. “We worked hard on this album as we know many Once (fans) have waited for our new release for a very long time. We hope to have a great time with them to leave no regrets,” Chaeyoung said in a press release issued on the

Feb. 23, 2024

Vanner to hold 1st standalone concert in April

K-pop boy band Vanner is gearing up to hold its first standalone concert, “The Flag: A To V,” in Seoul in April. On Friday the group revealed a poster for the upcoming concert show a racing track with a helmet and checkered flag on it. Two concerts are being held at Yes24 Live Hall, on April 27 and 28. Vanner plans to perform a medley of hit singles, according to Klap Entertainment. The group also plans many interactive sessions with fans during the concerts. Vanner debuted in 2019 a

Feb. 23, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Birth of Korea” (South Korea) Opened Feb. 1 Documentary Directed by Kim Deok-young The film covers the first generation of South Korean politicians and Rhee Syng-man, the country's first president, delving into their efforts to protect the nation. The film looks back on the last 70 years of Korea's history, with a focus on some of Rhee's major achievements like farmland reform. “Wonka” (US) Opened Jan. 31 Fantasy Directed by Paul King "Wonka&quo

Feb. 23, 2024

ARKO Selection inspired by the familiar

ARKO Selection's fifth and final set of productions -- one traditional concert, two dance performances and one opera -- are drawing inspiration from elements that will be familiar to Korean audiences. Kicking off the weekend on Friday and Saturday, the traditional performance "Multiverse of Infinite Convergence" brings gugak to the center. Gayageum player Heo Yoon-jeong, also a member of the jazz and gugak crossover ensemble Black String since 2011, will collaborate with 13 musici

Feb. 22, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook adds streaming record with ‘Standing Next to You’

Jungkook of BTS has amassed 400 million streams on Spotify with his solo single “Standing Next to You,” Big Hit Music said Thursday. The single reached the milestone in the shortest time for a K-pop solo song. “Standing Next to You” is the focus track from his solo album “Golden” that was rolled out in November last year and is his fifth solo song to achieve the feat -- following “Seven (feat. Latto),” “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” Charlie

Feb. 22, 2024

Stray Kids to meet fans in Korea, Japan

K-pop group Stray Kids will meet Korean and Japanese fans in spring. The group’s agency, JYP Entertainment, released the poster of Stray Kids' fourth official fan meeting dubbed "SKZ's Magic School" on its official social media. The upcoming performance is the first fan meeting in about nine months after a performance held in July last year. "SKZ's Magic School" will be held from March 29 to 31 at KSPO Dome in Seoul. The last performance on March 31 will

Feb. 22, 2024

[Herald Review] 'Exhuma' brings horror with shamanism, but fails to connect stories

Director Jang Jae-hyun, also known here as a "K-occult master" thanks to his hit films "The Priest" and "Svaha: The Sixth Finger," returned with a horror flick that portrays terrifying practices of Korean shamanism, imbued with fine acting of veteran actors such as Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun. "Exhuma" follows the events that unfold for a group of exorcists, an undertaker and a feng shui specialist, who take on the job of relocating a tomb of a wealthy fam

Feb. 22, 2024

Veteran balladeer, drinker Sung Si-kyung launches Korean rice wine

South Korean balladeer Sung Si-kyung has launched a Korean rice wine under his new liquor brand Kyung on Thursday. According to his agency SKJaewon the makgeolli rice wine is the first product the singer developed in collaboration with the startup brewery J1. Renowned for his appreciation of refined spirits, Sung engaged in every stage of crafting and perfecting the rice wine, an official from the agency said. Named "Kyungtakju," this traditional fermented drink is crafted from ingre

Feb. 22, 2024

Seventeen, Stray Kids, TXT and NewJeans claim top 10 of IFPI's Global Artist Chart

K-pop acts conquered the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s 2023 Global Artist Chart released Wednesday. According to IFPI, Seventeen placed second on the chart, the highest among K-pop acts this year. This marks the group’s third consecutive year among the top ten artists on the chart. IFPI’s Global Artist Chart captures the popularity of artists by combining global streaming, downloads, and physical album and singles sales. IFPI is a nonprofit organizatio

Feb. 22, 2024