The Korea Herald

Superman-JFK comic book art sells for $112,015 in U.S.

YORK, Pennsylvania (AP) ― Cover art for a 50-year-old comic book featuring Superman’s alter-ego, Clark Kent, as President John F. Kennedy in disguise was sold at an auction for $112,015.Curt Swan’s original cover drawing for Action Comics #309 sold at auction last week in York County, the York Daily Record reports.The cover shows Superman shaking hands with Clark Kent and a word arrow asks the reader, “Who is the mystery masquerader?”Alex Winter, general manager of Hake’s Americana and Collectib

Nov. 25, 2013

Crayon Pop accused of new plagiarism

The popular cutesy and energetic girl group Crayon Pop, which took the concept of bobbing around in athletic gear and helmets to a whole new level, is once again finding themselves under netizen fire as a new photo has emerged online raising the question of whether or not Crayon Pop copied its concept from a J-pop girl group. Earlier this August a number of netizens brought to light the strikingly similar stage costuming concept of Crayon Pop and Japanese girl group Momoiro Clover Z. Side-by-sid

Nov. 25, 2013

Taylor Swift wins AMA artist of the year

Taylor Swift’s fans have done it again, voting her the American Music Awards artist of the year for a third time. Swift won Sunday night’s top honor, giving her a leading four trophies as fans celebrated the women of pop music. Swift didn’t perform, but she was a constant presence on stage and the camera alighted on her as she danced to stars like Kendrick Lamar and Luke Bryan. Her win came after Katy Perry dazzled with her show-opening performance, Lady Gaga found another inventive way to grab

Nov. 25, 2013

Dix family slams ‘scandalous’ handling of Nazi art trove

BERLIN (AFP) ― A granddaughter of German painter Otto Dix, a few of whose works were discovered in the vast trove of Nazi-looted art stashed in a Munich flat, has called Germany’s approach to the Third Reich’s spoils “scandalous.”“Germany, generally speaking, has never really addressed the issue of works of art seized by the Nazis. It should have done that much earlier, soon after the war,” Nana Dix told AFP in a telephone interview from her home in Munich.“A discovery like this has never happen

Nov. 24, 2013

G-Dragon dominates 2013 Mnet Asia Music Awards

The leader of K-pop idol group Big Bang won big at the fifth annual Mnet Asia Music Awards ceremony held in Hong Kong on Friday. The K-pop superstar was nominated in four categories this year and took home the crown in every one: Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Best Male Solo Performance for his single “Crooked,” and finally the Best Music Video award for “Coup d’etat.” G-Dragon swept all the major music charts with the release of his second studio album “Coup d’etat” on Sept. 2. Th

Nov. 24, 2013

G-Dragon dominates 2013 Mnet Asia Music Awards

Rapper hopes to be Korean legend

This is the 16th in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.For rapper Double K, there was a clear and poignant moment when he decided to do Korean hip-hop.He was in his first year at Ohio State University in 2001, and had entered a rap battle. He was up against 50 other contestants for a $500 prize with what seemed like the entire school watching. But Double K was confident.Until disaster struck, that is.“So, it was my time to battle and

Nov. 24, 2013

Calendar

Pop music“Sensation: Wicked Wonderland”: “Sensation” is a live music and performance event that was first developed in Amsterdam 13 years ago. Over the years the event, which has been referred to as “the biggest club on earth,” grew in popularity and has been brought all over the world to more than 30 countries and seen by millions. This year’s Sensation with the theme of “Wicked Wonderland” will be held on Nov. 30 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tickets can be purc

Nov. 22, 2013

Eyelike: Lim Kim impressive on ‘Goodbye 20’

Lim Kim impressive on ‘Goodbye 20’Lim Kim“Goodbye 20”(CJ E&M)“Goodbye 20” is not your average K-pop affair. The album showcases the unique tone of Lim Kim’s voice without unnecessary synthetic electronic sounds. Seven tracks of the 14-track album were previously released in her EP “Her Voice” in September. New or previously released, the tracks put together an album that is pleasant to listen to. Title track “Goodbye 20” is a fun, light number about a young woman who looks back on her 20th year

Nov. 22, 2013

Eyelike: Lim Kim impressive on ‘Goodbye 20’

‘More than Feel’ to send off 2013

Hip-hop fans can end the year with a dose of their favorite music at “More than Feel” at Sejong University on Dec. 28. The lineup for the concert includes hip-hop artists Verbal Jint, Bumkey, San E and Outsider. “Concert-goers will not only be able to see solo performances by their favorite artists, but also feel their synergy on stage,” a concert organizer stated. Veteran artist Verbal Jint made his debut in 1999 and became one of the most popular mainstream hip-hop artists in Korea. His hits i

Nov. 22, 2013

Latin Grammys go on after green carpet rainout

The stars of Latin music, undeterred by a torrential rainstorm that shut down the green carpet, gathered to award Carlos Vives three Latin Grammys including song of the year for “Volvi a Nacer” in Las Vegas.The telenovela star turned vallenato revivalist performed the song while dancers in traditional Colombian “pollera colora” dresses waved their skirts to the delight of the audience at the 14th annual awards show Thursday night.Vives dedicated the award “to all the children of Latin America be

Nov. 22, 2013

tbs eFM to mark fifth anniversary with ‘gugak’

Korea’s leading English radio station tbs eFM (101.3 FM) is scheduled to host a concert on Nov. 25 to celebrate its fifth anniversary, the station said this week.Titled the “tbs eFM fifth Anniversary concert: Fabulous Five ― A Gugak Experience,” the concert will be held at 7:30 pm at the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater located in Namsangol Hanok Village.The concert was envisioned to introduce the traditional music of “gugak” to listeners, most of whom are foreigners residing in Korea.Renowned g

Nov. 21, 2013

N.K. defector steps up to Seoul stage

Slim, poised and soft-spoken, Koh Young-hee has the posture of a dancer. The North Korean defector, who fled her country in June 2012, effortlessly shows her distinctive arm movements -- the movements she learned from her mother and her mother’s teacher, the legendary Choi Seung-hee (1911-1969).Koh, 55, is the daughter of North Korean choreographer Bae Geum-ee, who was one of the original members of North Korea’s first dance troupe, founded by Choi in the 1940s in Pyongyang. One of Bae’s many st

Nov. 21, 2013

Rain to release new album in January

Popular hallyu star Rain will be making his long-awaited comeback with a special performance at the upcoming 2013 Mnet Asia Music Awards, as well as releasing a new album in January, according to officials at Cube DC. The Korean entertainer was officially released from mandatory military service in July, after serving nearly two years. Although he has been slowly making his return to the limelight, hosting various fan meetings and small concert performances overseas, Rain’s performance at MAMA i

Nov. 21, 2013

2NE1 single sweeps charts

Girl group 2NE1’s newest single “Missing You” nabbed the top spot on major music charts including Melon, Bugs, Soribada, Olleh, Mnet, Genie, and more just hours after it was released at midnight on Nov. 21. “Missing You” is different from many of 2NE1’s previously released singles, being a slow-paced ballad without too many showy electronic sounds. The group also unveiled the music video to the single on YG’s official blog, which includes a scene showing CL in the nude. “CL’s nude scene in the m

Nov. 21, 2013

Lady Gaga album hits No. 1, but sales weaker than past

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Lady Gaga entered the Billboard 200 album chart at number one Wednesday with her new release “Artpop,” though it sold less than its predecessor.The recording industry trade journal said fans bought 258,000 copies of “Artpop” in its first week, compared to “Born This Way” in 2011 which moved 1.1 million copies in the same time frame.Fifty-seven percent of those sales were digital downloads, said Billboard, which bases on its charts on Nielsen SoundScan data.Billboard noted tha

Nov. 21, 2013

Opera Gallery presents tree-inspired works by Korean, French artists

Opera Gallery Seoul presents an exhibition by Korean and French artists currently in the spotlight for their portrayal of beautiful tree images. The gallery’s fourth exhibition of the year showcases pine tree sculptures by Lee Gil-rae and imaginative, colorful paintings by Jean Francois Larrieu under the title “Dream Blossom” from Thursday to Dec. 31. “It will invite viewers to the world of fantasy and imagination the two artists create with trees as the symbol of the origin of life,” said a gal

Nov. 20, 2013

Opera Gallery presents tree-inspired works by Korean, French artists

Germany to return some works to hoarder of Nazi-era art trove

BERLIN (AFP) ― German authorities said Tuesday that they would order the return of several paintings to a recluse accused of hoarding hundreds of priceless artworks stolen by the Nazis.The chief prosecutor in the southern city of Augsburg, who is investigating 80-year-old Cornelius Gurlitt on charges including tax evasion, acknowledged that some of the more than 1,400 works confiscated from his home in February 2012 clearly belonged to him.“It is of key importance that works taken in connection

Nov. 20, 2013

Annual MAMA promises another star-studded night

Legendary music icon Stevie Wonder, internationally recognized music acts Ylvis of Norway and Icona Pop from Sweden, and Hollywood celebrity starlet Paris Hilton are all on the guest list for the upcoming fifth annual Mnet Asia Music Awards in Hong Kong on Friday.One of the most anticipated awards ceremonies in Asia, MAMA attracts some of the top names in the K-pop and Korean entertainment industry; however, officials at CJ E&M have stated that it is continuing its attempts to turn the awards ce

Nov. 20, 2013

Annual MAMA promises another star-studded night

Elvis Presley’s intellectual property rights sold

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) ― The money-making enterprise called Elvis Presley has been sold.Authentic Brands Group said Tuesday it has bought Elvis Presley’s intellectual property from CORE Media Group and is partnering with the founder of another company to operate the Graceland tourist attraction.The purchase gives Authentic Brands control of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the licensing and merchandising rights to Presley’s image, name and likeness, in addition to a massive collection o

Nov. 20, 2013

Park Geun-hye: Plain or elegant?

Fashion would seem an unlikely topic for discussion in the male-dominated world of politics, but with more women entering politics and ascending to positions of power, it has become a frequently raised topic. For better or worse, the style of women leaders have been under constant scrutiny, making women leaders and their fashion inseparable.“Women leaders are getting more attention for their fashion because there isn’t a set of specific sartorial rules and guidelines as in menswear. For men, sui

Nov. 20, 2013