[Herald Review] Melodic ballads in the rain with Sung Si-kyung

Last weekend, over 10,000 fans gathered at the Amphitheater at Yonsei University to enjoy veteran balladist Sung Si-kyung’s live outdoor concert titled “Congratulatory Wedding Song.” Though the downpour on Sunday marred the concert’s special theme ― of attending a wedding ceremony on a nice spring day ― the weather did not stop Sung from delivering his soft yet passionate vocals for all attendees, who were decked out in white raincoats throughout the night.Introduced as “tonight’s groom,” Sung a

May 26, 2014

Namgoong Min and Hong Jin-young kiss in ‘We Got Married 4’

 Korean actor Namgoong Min and trot singer Hong Jin-young kissed each other on the cheek in MBC’s “We Got Married 4” aired on Saturday.In the program, the two had their wedding ceremony on board a ferry in Saipan. When the minister told Namgoong to kiss the bride, the actor kissed Hong on the cheek. After that night, Nam asked Hong to kiss him on the cheek, she seemed shy at first but did it. “When we first kissed on board, it was too hastily done and I could not feel it properly. But later that

May 26, 2014

Secret’s Jun Hyo-seong and Han Sun-hwa sport rebellious look

Jun Hyo-seong and Han Sun-hwa of K-pop girl group Secret showed off a new look in fashion magazine Ceci. The two members have usually relied on a cute look, but this time they experimented with a unique and rebellious new style. Both wear beanies decorated with glamorous crystals. Although they wear similar outfits, they distinguished themselves with vivid eye makeup. The pictures can be seen in the upcoming magazine, where the girls interview each other. The two are also going to star in two ne

May 26, 2014

INFINITE tops local chart with new album

(Woolim Entertainment)K-pop idol group INFINITE‘s second full-length album “Season 2” topped the weekly album sales chart in Korea, with more than 50,000 copies sold in the five days since its release, according to Hanteo chart.　INFINITE returned to the K-pop scene on May 21 with the title song “Last Romeo” upon wrapping up a mini-showcase tour around Asia. 　The seven-member boy band was reunited with their longtime producer, Sweetune, to bring a signature synth-rock sound back to their new trac

May 26, 2014

Big Bang’s Taeyang to make comeback on June 10

(YG Entertainment)Taeyang, a member of the K-pop boy group Big Bang, is set to stage a comeback on June 10 with his new solo album “Rise.”  His agency YG Entertainment unveiled a black-and-white teaser image that offers a glimpse into his new album through its official blog. The photo features the hip-hop artist spreading out both arms and flaunting his back muscles in front of an exotic backdrop.Taeyang’s new album will be made available online at midnight on June 2 and offline on June 10, acco

May 26, 2014

JYJ Kim Jae-joong style in drama ‘Triangle’

Pictures showing JYJ Kim Jae-joong’s free fashion style in drama “Triangle” have been released. (MBC)Kim acts as one of the three separated brothers who later reunite with each other. The drama airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

May 26, 2014

Kara’s Goo Hara wearing trendy summer outfits in Bali

Kara’s Goo Hara posed in trendy summer outfits for Cosmopolitan magazine in Bali. The K-pop singer showed off her bright energy while wearing this year‘s trends including crop tops and colorful bikinis.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Cosmopolitan)

May 26, 2014

'Room Mate’ Hoong Su-hyeon’s sexy-cute Maxim pictorial

   Korean actress Hong Su-hyeon‘s photos unveiled in Maxim magazine four years ago are drawing attention again as she is currently gaining popularity through the TV variety program “Room Mate.”By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Maxim)

May 26, 2014

HK tycoon wife runs full-page ad for actor Kim Soo-hyun

Chinese fan's ad for Kim Soo-hyun in a Korean daily Chosun Ilbo (Chosun Ilbo website)In an apparent show of support for Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, a fan alleged to be a rich Chinese woman ran a full-page ad for the heartthrob in the May 26 edition of a Korean daily newspaper.  “Dear Soo-hyun, love and support you forever! I wish Soo-hyun get awards on the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards. Cecilia,” read the ad, written both in Korean and English. The advertiser did not disclose who Cecilia was, but Yon

May 26, 2014

Korean actresses take on conservative long dresses

Skimpy outfits instantly work for celebrities to catch the public eye. But some top stars are opting for long, simple dresses, a look that is not only endearing to fans but also gives them elegant appearance. (Yonhap)At a SK Telecom promotion event last week, hallyu star Jun Ji-hyun boasted an elegant look with a long, black dress. While her long dress seemed like a medium-long one due to her tall height, Jun captivated her fans without much exposure. (Yonhap)Actress Kim Min-hee also showed up w

May 26, 2014

Jung Il-woo to play ghostbuster prince in ‘Night Rangers’ Tale’

Television broadcaster MBC confirmed that actor Jung Il-woo will be starring in its new historical drama, temporarily dubbed “Night Rangers’ Tale,” Jung’s agency stated on Monday. Actor Jung Il-woo (StarK Entertainment)The first episode of the Monday-Tuesday show will be aired in July, taking the spot of “Triangle.”Jung will be playing a handsome, defiant prince who suffers from painful memories. Upon gaining a supernatural ability to see ghosts, Jung joins the night patrol rangers and carries o

May 26, 2014

Park Shin-hye’s sexy look revealed

Photos from Korean actress Park Shin-hye’s Bazaar magazine shoot were unveiled Monday. (BAZAAR)She shows off the “Park Shin-hye bag,” which she designed with Italian brand Bruno Magli. Park selected a bag design that could be carried by both men and women, she said in an interview with the magazine. The photos and full interview are available in Bazaar Korea’s June issue. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

May 26, 2014

Nichkhun meets Jay Chou

2PM member Nichkhun posted a picture on his Weibo with Chinese celebrity Jay Chou on Sunday, along with the comment: “Met Jay Chou! He’s so awesome!”In the picture, Nichkhun posed with fellow 2PM member Chansung and Chinese actors Wei Da Xun and Jay Chou.Wei Da Xun also shared Nichkhun’s picture, saying, “I am still thrilled that I saw him!”Nichkhun and Wei Da Xun are both starring in Chinese drama “One and a Half Summer (一又二分之一的夏天)” to air in June. Wei Da Xun also recently signed a managing con

May 26, 2014

Sistar’s Soyou shares her secrets to perfect body shape on ‘I Live Alone’

Soyou, a member of K-pop girl group Sistar, on Friday revealed the secrets behind her curves on MBC “I Live Alone,” a reality show that unveils the lifestyles of Korean celebrities.Soyou attributed her accentuated body shape to the so-called “inverted triangle diet” and a daily workout.“I try to cook my own breakfast since I have to keep my dinner to minimum,” Soyou explained as she made several Korean dishes such as “cheese gyeran mari,” or folded egg, “kimchi jjigae,” or kimchi stew, and “japg

May 26, 2014

[Band Uprising] ‘Just kidding’: Super Kidd puts the humor back into punk rock

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 13th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.The members of often light-hearted punk trio Super Kidd say they are doing all they can to keep the true spirit of punk alive.With their side-splitting satire, rockers HerCheck, Zingo and Heavy Potter are a constant rem

May 25, 2014

Model rejects blind date with ‘Infinite Challenge’ host Noh Hong-chul

Model Ji Ho-jin turned down a blind-date offer with “Infinite Challenge” show host Noh Hong-chul, which was a hidden-camera prank between the model and another show host Jeong Jun-ha.In the 380th episode aired Saturday, show emcee Jeong said he knew a girl who might fit Noh’s ideal type of woman -– 174 centimeters or taller, pretty and young -– which turned out to be model Ji Ho-jin. (Ji Ho-jin`s blog) (Ji Ho-jin`s blog)Ji, 31, has appeared on multiple television shows such as Comedy TV reality

May 25, 2014

2NE1 mesmerizes Malaysian fans at world tour concert

Hip-hop-infused local girl group 2NE1 held the second leg of its “All or Nothing” world tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, enchanting 4,000 local fans.　The girl group was first of its kind to ever stage a world tour concert in Malaysia, agency YG Entertainment said. The first Malaysian concert was in 2012, when the members of 2NE1 -- CL, Park Bom, Dara and Minzy -- staged their first world tour, “New Evolution.”　(YG Entertainment)2NE1, also famous for its funky fashion style, came on s

May 25, 2014

Actor Kim Soo-hyun to appear on 4 magazine covers

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has been chosen to appear on the cover of four Asian magazines to be issued in late May and early June. The 27-year-old heartthrob went for a photo shoot in Marrakech, Morocco, for the May-June issues of Marie Claire’s Taiwanese edition, ELLE MEN’s Hong Kong edition, Me’s Hong Kong edition, and Femina’s Chinese edition.The photo shoot, sponsored by high-end Italian fashion label Gucci, came as part of the “Kim Soo-hyun Asia Project,” in which five Asian fashion ma

May 25, 2014

Kris-less EXO members talk first solo concert series

Amid the heated controversy surrounding EXO-M leader Kris’ lawsuit against agency SM Entertainment to nullify his contract, the remaining 11 members of EXO set aside all controversy and went on to hold the group’s first solo concert series at Seoul Olympic Park over the weekend. The three-day concert series that began on Friday sold out in a matter of minutes, which prompted the agency to tack on a third and final show to what was originally meant to be a two-concert series.  Eleven members of E

May 25, 2014

EXO-M Kris' exit nothing unexpected?

While the whereabouts of K-pop boy band EXO-M’s Kris remains unknown, some music watchers reportedly claimed that the idol star had attempted to signal his intention to leave the group before he sued his agency, SM Entertainment. EXO-M leader Kris (S.M. Entertainment)“Kris has broken away from the team before, so the agency‘s staff and fellow members found it difficult to bear,” one source told a local media outlet. The Chinese-born-Canadian allegedly stayed abroad without joining the team for p

May 25, 2014