Most Popular
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Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
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Over 82,000 Korean young people unemployed, not searching for job long-term
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[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
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40% of Korea's workers who reported bullying faced retaliation: survey
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1 in 5 households to have breadwinner over 80 in 30 years
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New Fifty Fifty off to strong start
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[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products
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Assembly to review disputed appointment of national soccer team coach
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Evicted guest burns down inn; 3 killed
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Arrival of fall calls for more outdoor festivals
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Obamas get into holiday spirit at benefit concert
WASHINGTON (AP) ― The Obamas celebrated the holiday season Sunday with “The Rock” and singers Rita Ora and Darius Rucker. President Barack Obama and his family attended the 33rd annual “Christmas in Washington” concert Sunday at the National Building Museum. The event is a benefit for the Children’s National Health System. Before the concert, Obama, his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha and Malia, presented gifts ― including a basket of children’s books ― to former patients of the center. The
Dec. 15, 2014
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Smith, Swift own the night at Jingle Ball
NEW YORK (AP) ― If you wanted to make a time capsule of what happened in pop music this year, Friday night’s Jingle Ball ― the annual extravaganza held in Madison Square Garden put on by pop station Z100 ― would most likely provide the most accurate account. There was Pharrell ― with the hat ― crooning his hit “Happy”; Iggy Azalea rapping and posturing as she breezed through “Fancy”; Jessie J and Ariana Grande playfully one-upping each other in the power-vocal showcase smash “Bang Bang”; and Meg
Dec. 14, 2014
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Graceland arrives in London with rocking Elvis show
LONDON (AFP) ― Iconic jumpsuits and a pink Cadillac belonging to Elvis Presley are among 300 artefacts on show at Europe’s largest ever exhibition honoring the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which opened in London on Friday.Many of the items on show at the O2 Arena have never previously left Presley’s Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee and include elaborate costumes, instruments and jewelry displayed in recreated interiors from his fabled home. Star attractions include the pink Cadillac that Elvis
Dec. 14, 2014
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Eyelike: Lorde’s ‘Mockingjay’ soundtrack gets dark
Lorde’s ‘Mockingjay’ soundtrack gets darkVarious artists“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”(Republic Records)It was only a matter of time before Lorde graduated from contributing a song for “Catching Fire” to taking over the soundtrack for the latest “Hunger Games” soundtrack in which the 18-year-old chanteuse curates a concoction of dark magic, enchanting tunes and revolutionary feelings. As the world of Katniss Everdeen gets darker with sacrifice, violence
Dec. 12, 2014
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Singer Shin Hae-chul memoirs to be published posthumously
A memoir by the late rock singer Shin Hae-chul will be published on Christmas Eve, the publisher Munhakdongne said.“Mawang Shin Hae-chul” is a collection of short essays and stories that Shin wrote before he died in October. “Mawang,” or demon lord, is the late singer’s nickname. Having found Shin’s writings on his personal computer, the bereaved family decided to publish the book to tell the legendary rocker’s personal story. Late singer Shin Hae-chul’s posthumous book “Mawang Shin Hae-chul.”
Dec. 12, 2014
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[Herald Review] ‘Kinky Boots,’ if your spirit needs lifting
Seoul’s performing arts scene in December is chock-full of timeless classics and feel-good shows to lure theater goers as well as novices who want to celebrate the end of the year with some cultural experiences. “Kinky Boots,” the six-time Tony Award-winning musical currently on its first non-English-speaking run in Korea, seems to be at the top of the pack. Opened Dec. 3 at Chungmu Art Hall, the show is a delightful mix of Broadway glitz and glam, uplifting songs and a heartfelt message about d
Dec. 10, 2014
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New Dylan album to interpret Sinatra classics
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Bob Dylan’s new album which will come out in February will feature interpretations of classics sung by Frank Sinatra, all stripped down and recorded with minimal studio production.Dylan had previously confirmed he was working on his 36th studio album, entitled “Shadows in the Night,” but little was known about it.The album features the 73-year-old rock legend’s versions of 10 popular songs, which are mostly from the 1940s. All have been performed by Sinatra among other artists.“
Dec. 10, 2014
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Artist in a turbulent time
Artist Po Kim was a victim of political upheavals in Korea. He was accused of being a communist and tortured by the South Korean authorities in 1950, right after he returned from a drawing trip with his students to an island in the West Sea.When the Korean War broke out shortly after, he was cleared of charges, but then arrested again, this time by the North Korean People’s Army for being a pro-American activist. “As soon as I was cleared of charges and freed from prison I walked to Gwangju. But
Dec. 9, 2014
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Is Mona Lisa Chinese? Italian’s theory raises eyebrows
BEIJING (AFP) ― An Italian historian’s theory that Mona Lisa might be a Chinese slave and Leonardo da Vinci’s mother ― making the 15th-century polymath half-Chinese ― sent online commentators into a frenzy Wednesday.Angelo Paratico, a Hong Kong-based historian and novelist from Italy, told the South China Morning Post: “On the back of Mona Lisa, there is a Chinese landscape and even her face looks Chinese.”Chinese Web users expressed astonishment and disbelief Wednesday, posting dozens of parodi
Dec. 9, 2014
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[Herald Interview] French native looks to pave the way for blues music
After moving to New York from Paris with wide-eyed dreams of moving to Harlem to pursue a life with jazz, David Naze instead found himself unexpectedly enthralled with Korean culture. Living in Big Apple for two years and being exposed to the city’s large Korean community, Naze said that he was so eager to discover Korean culture that he decided to pack his things and do away with his American dreams to move here despite having no concrete plans. Now in his third year in Korea, Naze has founded
Dec. 9, 2014
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‘Happy,’ ‘Frozen’ top iTunes end of year list
A scene from FrozenNEW YORK (AP) ― The soundtrack for “Frozen” and Pharrell’s viral “Happy” are the year’s top-selling album and song on iTunes. Apple announced Monday that Taylor Swift’s “1989,” just released in October, is behind “Frozen.” Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories,” Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour” and the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack round out the Top 5 albums. John Legend’s “All of Me,” Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” “Talk Dirty” by Jason Derulo and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” follow “Happy”
Dec. 9, 2014
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Barenboim bids La Scala farewell with ‘Fidelio’
MILAN (AP) ― Daniel Barenboim emerged triumphant from his last gala season opener as music director of La Scala on Sunday, bringing the entire orchestra onstage to bask in a standing ovation. “I am deeply happy for this evening and for all of these years. An evening like this doesn’t come out of nowhere,” Barenboim said backstage. “I feel that all we have done since 2005 had a guiding line and arrived at the point where we are today. Everyone ― the singers, the soloists, the chorus, the orchestr
Dec. 8, 2014
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Beyonce, Pharrell, Sam Smith lead in Grammy nods
NEW YORK (AP) ― The year’s brightest newcomer, Sam Smith; the most nominated female in Grammy history, Beyonce; and mega-producer Pharrell led the Grammy Award nominations announced Friday, with six nominations apiece. Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour,” Beyonce’ surprise self-titled release and Pharrell’s “G I R L” will compete for the coveted album of the year, along with Beck’s “Morning Phase” and Ed Sheeran’s “X,” the most streamed album on Spotify this year. Beyonce Knowles (AP/Evan Agostini), Sa
Dec. 7, 2014
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[Herald Review] Black full of gut-busting humor in Tenacious D concert
Rejoice for the return of the kings of rock and roll comedy. Hollywood actor and notoriously foul-mouthed comedic icon Jack Black and his rock and roll partner in crime, Kyle Gass, delivered a non-stop barrel of laughs during Tenacious D’s first concert in Korea at the Seoul Olympic Park on Friday night. A band that’s all about racy humor and politically incorrect lyrics, Tenacious D ― with Black on lead vocals and guitar and long-time friend Gass on guitar ― performed two live shows at the Olym
Dec. 7, 2014
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Paving the way for artists
On display in the private office of Lee Hyun-sook on the top floor of her gallery in Seoul are items from some of the most significant contemporary exhibitions in Korea over the last couple of years. The small space overlooking Gyeongbokgung Palace is ultramodern, with a sculpture by Anish Kapoor, a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat and a glass sculpture by Roni Horn alongside her selection of contemporary designers’ furniture. Lee’s Kukje Gallery, opened in 1982, has been the first in Korea to s
Dec. 5, 2014
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Calendar
Pop music“Tenacious D”: Rock musician and Hollywood actor Jack Black, best known for his role as Dewey Finn in the blockbuster hit “School of Rock,” will be coming to Seoul along with bandmate Kyle Gass for the comedy rock duo Tenacious D’s first concert in Korea. The band is known for Black’s thespian-like vocals and the quick-witted crude humor that people have come to expect from the rocker-comedian. In 2012, Tenacious D released its most recent album, “Rize of the Fenix,” which received a Gr
Dec. 5, 2014
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Eyelike: Sam Hunt’s ‘Montevallo’ romantic, relaxed
Sam Hunt’s ‘Montevallo’ romantic, relaxedSam Hunt“Montevallo”MCA NashvilleA former college football quarterback, Sam Hunt might be expected to huddle up with all the macho, in-your-face male country singers currently filling the radio airwaves. But the Georgia native takes a more relaxed, romantic stance on “Montevallo,’’ his R&B-influenced country music debut. While most contemporary country stars lean on hyper hip-hop beats and fast-moving raps to accent their dirt-road sound, Hunt turns to R&
Dec. 5, 2014
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U2 to return to road four years after record tour
NEW YORK (AFP) ― U2, whose last tour in 2009-2011 was the highest-grossing ever, on Wednesday announced concerts in 2015 across North America and Europe and promised variety in its sets.The tour plans indicate that front man Bono expects a full recovery after a bicycle accident last month. He was replaced by Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay’s Chris Martin during a surprise show for AIDS relief Monday in New York.The Irish superstars announced shows in 19 cities starting with Vancouver’s Rogers Are
Dec. 4, 2014
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‘Gangnam Style’ gallops beyond YouTube counter
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Just how big a hit was “Gangnam Style”? So mammoth that the Internet literally wasn’t ready to handle it.YouTube said that the 2012 song by South Korea’s Psy ― accompanied by a horse-riding-like dance that became a global sensation ― this week reached the maximum number of views that its counter had imagined to be conceivable.The video-sharing site shows that the official version of the video has had more than 2.15 billion views ― the equivalent of one-third of the world’s popul
Dec. 4, 2014
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Yeongdeungpo Common Center: Unlikely place to exhibit art
The area around Yeongdeungpo Station is an odd mix of old and new. The main street is lined with major department stores and shops. But just behind the street stretches an overlooked side of Seoul. One of the city’s few remaining red-light districts and a cluster of shanty houses known as “jjokbangchon” in Korean appear just a few meters from the crowded Shinsegae Department Store. The street toward Moonrae-dong west of Yeongdeungpo is lined with drab little ironworks and unfrequented stores, tr
Dec. 3, 2014