Choi Min-sik kicks butt in Hollywood film ‘Lucy’

Korean actor Choi Min-sik (top) plays Mr. Jang, an evil ganster, in U.S. sci-fi action film "Lucy" starring Scarlett Johansson (bottom). (Captured from Lucy)Korean acting guru Choi Min-sik successfully debuted in Hollywood with the Universal Pictures’ movie “Lucy,” which raked in about $44 million in its first week, U.S. media outlets reported on Sunday.International movie critics highly praised the 54-year-old Korean actor, who gained international fame for his role in the mystery-thriller “Old

July 28, 2014

EXO’s Tao injured during TV show shooting

It was belatedly revealed Monday that Tao from the K-pop boy band EXO-M was injured during the filming of a TV reality show about two weeks ago.　According to Korean news reports, Tao injured his right foot at a coral reef in the Solomon Islands on July 14 during the filming of the SBS reality show “Law of the Jungle.” 　The Chinese member received urgent treatment from a local doctor and stopped over in Singapore for a medical checkup and treatment on the way back to China. 　Fortunately, the woun

July 28, 2014

Top 7 Korean stars with best wedding photos

Their wedding is one of the most memorable and grateful moments in life for many people, and such is the case for celebrities. Many stars attempt to take “one and only” wedding photos in their own unique style. The photos gives a glimpse of what kind of style the stars pursue. Against this backdrop, The Korea Herald has put together this list of the top seven hallyu stars who took unique and stylish wedding photos. 1. Lee Hyori K-pop diva Lee Hyori did not follow the Korean wedding photo traditi

July 28, 2014

Jung Il-woo, Jung Yun-ho beam in ‘The Night Watchman’ posters

Four official posters for MBC’s upcoming historical drama “The Night Watchman” were revealed on Monday.Actors Jung Il-woo, Go Sung-hee, Seo Yea-ji and actor-singer Jung Yun-ho of TVXQ appeared on the posters, dressed as ghost-busters from the Joseon era. The Monday-Tuesday drama will air from Aug. 4 on MBC at 10 p.m.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 28, 2014

KARA’s new member Young-ji’s album picture

KARA’s new member Heo Young-ji’s picture for their new album “DAY & NIGHT” has been released on KARA’s official Facebook page. Heo is wearing a white dress, giving her a pure and innocent look. It’s the first time that Heo was introduced as official member. KARA’s showcase for their album “DAY & NIGHT” is going to be held on Aug. 18. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: DSP Media)

July 28, 2014

Legendary Hip-hop Show combines old with new

For fans of Korean hip-hop, Legendary Hip-hop Show on Saturday lived up to its name. It was a night full of the biggest names in underground hip-hop from newer artists like Swings to first-generation artists such as Verbal Jint and Bulhandang Crew, nearly filling the Indoor Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex. The show opened up with performances by students in dance and hip-hop at Korea International Institute of the Arts and New Champ, Ven and Kye-bum Zu from PJR Entertainment.Spinning for severa

July 27, 2014

Suzy in dispute over alleged sexual harassment

MissA member Suzy was mired in controversy over an alleged case of sexual harassment on Saturday. In the opening event for a water gun festival, held by a beverage company in Sinchon, Seoul, Suzy showed up to declare the start of the festival as the model for a beverage commercial. After the event, some fans claimed that Suzy was sexually harassed by the event host, who stood next to her in the opening ceremony.In the video clip, which is going viral online, the host grazed her hip and upper leg

July 27, 2014

AOA’s revealing GQ pictorial

AOA members Choa, Hyejeong and Seolhyun posed for GQ magazine. The members are wearing crop tops, leather skinny jeans and miniskirts which highlight their bodylines. The idol group recently released their new song “Short Hair” and their first summer pictorial which was released on July 24 is also beloved by fans.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: GQ)

July 27, 2014

HyunA’s pictorial in spotlight again

4Minute member HyunA’s pictorial for the fashion magazine Cosmopolitan is back in the spotlight again. HyunA is wearing various clothes ranging from sporty to sexy. The K-pop idol has embarked on her solo comeback and will release her new album on July 28. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Cosmopolitan)

July 27, 2014

Regrouped KARA to return with new EP

KARA will release its new EP “Day & Night” on Aug. 18. (DSP Media)K-pop quartet KARA will officially return to the music scene with a new EP and a showcase next month, its agency said Friday. KARA, which now consists of the group’s three original members Park Gyu-ri, Hang Seung-yeon and Koo Ha-ra and new member Heo Young-ji, will drop its sixth EP “Day & Night” on Aug. 18 with the album’s showcase to be held the same day. The showcase, slated to feature KARA’s first performances of tracks from i

July 25, 2014

Rain to star in SBS rom-com

Rain. (Cube DC)Korean heartthrob Rain will return to the small screen with a rom-com in September. The TV drama, tentatively titled “The Lady Who Is Lovely to Me,” will go on air from Sept. 17 every Wednesday and Thursday on Korea’s TV network SBS.Popular entertainer will play Hyun-wook, the CEO of a showbiz firm who has lost his lover to an accident. He meets a would-be singer who later turns out to be his past lover’s sister and ends up falling in love. “I was touched by the story of the chara

July 25, 2014

Korean films headed to Venice Film Festival

Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s film “Hill of Freedom” will be competing at the Venice Film Festival in the “Horizons Sections,” dedicated to a score of cutting-edge films, the festival’s organizers said Thursday as they unveiled this year’s lineup.The film depicts a Japanese man, played by Japanese actor Kase Ryo, who visits Korea to track down his bygone love. Korean actress Moon So-ri (“Oasis”) and actor Kim Eui-sung star in the film. Three other Korean films have been invited for the noncomp

July 25, 2014

U-know Yunho not okay with dating publicly

K-pop idol duo TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho revealed Thursday that he is not comfortable about going public with his romantic relationship on a TV show. On the MBC TV show “Star Gazing,” the 28-year-old heartthrob said that he personally thinks that keeping his cherished person out of the public eye is the best way to protect her.  (MBC)“When women are in a relationship (with celebrities), they are envied. But when they spilt up, women get hurt more than men do,” he said during the show. Comedienne Song

July 25, 2014

B1A4 members say they are banned from dating women

Members of the K-pop boy band B1A4 said that they are not allowed to date women on a radio program on Friday. Asked whether there is any rule that prevents the idols from dating someone, they said “Yes, there is” on the radio show “Jo Jung-chi and Jang Dong-min’s 2 O’ Clock” that aired on Friday. (OSEN)The members also confessed that they have no girlfriends, and that’s why they named a recent song “Solo Day.” Launched in 2011, the five-member group recently returned to the K-pop scene with the

July 25, 2014

EXO’s Lay praised for composing skills by Yuen Wei Ren

K-pop sensation EXO’s Lay was highly praised for his compositional techniques by famed Chinese songwriter Yuen Wei Ren, Chinese media outlets reported Friday.“I am so happy to listen to your song in Shanghai. I am surprised by young composers’ outstanding skills these days,” Yuen wrote on his Weibo account. (OSEN)“Creation takes time, but it would be the most powerful weapon for your music. Hope I can listen to more of your songs,” he added. The Chinese member of EXO expressed his appreciation,

July 25, 2014

Leeteuk to be discharged from military next week

Leeteuk of boy band Super Junior will complete his military duty on July 29, his entertainment agency announced on Friday.“An interview with reporters or an event with fans will not be held for Leeteuk’s discharge,” SM Entertainment was quoted as saying. “Leeteuk wanted to be discharged from the military without any attention,” the agency added.The singer started his military service on October 2012. After the discharge, Leeteuk is to participate in “Super Junior World Tour Super Show6,” visitin

July 25, 2014

Yoo Ah-in gets head injury while filming ‘Sado’

Actor Yoo Ah-in was rushed to the hospital after having a head injury while filming his upcoming historical film “Sado.”Yoo was injured by accidentally hitting his head on the floor in a conflict scene, according to local reports on Friday.  (Showbox)The injury occurred on Thursday while filming a scene in which Yoo’s character, prince Sado, has a fiery discord with his father, King Youngjo.The actor was sent to the hospital and had his injury treated. Despite the doctor’s advice, Yoo pushed ahe

July 25, 2014

TV commercial for JYJ goes on air

JYJ became the first K-pop band to advertise themselves through a TV commercial.The commercial to promote JYJ was first broadcast on July 21 right after the closing of MBC’s 23-episode action drama “Triangle,” starring group member Jaejoong.The TV commercial brings JYJ’s three members -- Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu -- into the spotlight, with the catch phrases “One for all” and “All for one.” “We invested 1 billion won into this three-week TV commercial campaign to raise JYJ’s brand power,” thei

July 25, 2014

Sulli temporarily leaves entertainment industry

Sulli of the girl group f(x) has decided to temporarily leave the entertainment industry, her agency SM Entertainment announced on Friday.“Sulli has been suffering from endless rumors and malicious comments on the Internet. She is determined to stay out of the entertainment scene for a while,” the agency wrote on its official homepage.“To protect the artist, we have decided to minimize Sulli’s entertainment activities and let her take some time off,” the agency added.SM also wrote that Sulli’s g

July 25, 2014

‘Kundo’ draws 1m viewers in 48 hours

“Kundo: Age of the Rampant” drew a record-high 1 million viewers in its first 48 hours, dwarfing its competitors at the box office.In its first two days, “Kundo,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin and starring Ha Jung-woo and Gang Dong-won, replaced the former records by “Transformer: Dark of the Moon” (2011) starring Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and “Secretly, Greatly” (2013) starring Kim Soo-hyun. “Kundo” is set in mid-19th century Joseon, in the 13th year of King Cheoljong’s reign. Dolm

July 25, 2014