“Madonna,” the latest work from director Shin Su-won, which played in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section, takes place in two central settings. The first is the VIP ward at a hospital where the nurse‘s assistant Hae-rim (Seo Young-hee) works. The other is a red-light district in a slum where the streetwalker Madonna (Kwon So-hyun) works. At first glance, it is difficult to understand how they come together in the movie.“It's a story about a nurse’s assistant named Hae-rim who digs into the backgro

Film June 28, 2015

　Four of Korea’s top celebrities take off on a trip across Jejudo Island to discover their very own travel routes on O’live TV’s new reality show “Maps.”　Korea’s most famous travel destination will be explored over four days-three nights by two teams -- actress Choi Gang-hee and Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, and Super Junior’s Heechul and hip-hop artist Simon D -- riding around in cars (called Maps Cars) equipped with 360-degree street view cameras.　“It’s a show unlike anything that’s come before. I

Television June 26, 2015

　If one good thing came from the years of communist control in Hungary, it was to hew Hungarian winemaking to its traditions.　　For the most part, Hungary’s wine is still made as it has long been made, by small vineyard owners and wineries and down-to-earth, everyday folk. Fertilizer use is infrequent; sustainable farming practices are common.　　This somewhat bucolic image belies Hungary’s past as a winemaking country. From the 17th to the early 20th century, Hungary had the third-most sophisticat

Food June 26, 2015

Private cabanas at Banyan Tree Macau 　Urban luxury resort Banyan Tree Macau -- located in Galaxy Macau, the region’s largest resort complex -- has opened Pool Cabana, a luxurious, private poolside shelter.　The pool deck is surrounded by palm trees and provides a well-serviced space for relaxation. The cabana is located nearby the Grand Resort Deck, the world’s largest man-made wave pool located on the rooftop of the Galaxy Hotel.　The newly launched eight cabanas hold six persons per room. Large,

Culture June 26, 2015

　Director Jeon Kyu-hwan is known for his propensity to create films that reveal the dark underbelly of modern society. Focusing on those who have been marginalized by society due to their origins or economic status in his “Town” trilogy and other films, Jeon’s camera has never hesitated to pull back layers and lay hardships bare. 　That particular brand of social critique is muted for his latest film “Angry Painter,” a Korea-Estonia collaboration marketed as a “vintage nude action” film starring

Film June 26, 2015

　Minority Opinion (Korea)　Opened June 24　Drama. Directed by Kim Sung-je　　A clash between riot police and protesters over a redevelopment project leaves a boy and a young policeman dead. Witness accounts tell different stories about how the tragedies unfolded. Sensing that the government is trying to cover something up about the incident, two lawyers (Yoon Kye-sang, Yoo Hae-jin) and a journalist (Kim Ok-bin) attempt to uncover the truth and find justice.　　　Northern Limit Line (Korea)　Opened June

Film June 26, 2015

Hudson Mohawke’s ‘Lantern’ illuminates nicely　　Hudson Mohawke, “Lantern.”(Warp)　 Scottish electronic music producer Hudson Mohawke is out with his sophomore album, “Lantern,” a lush blend of edgy vocals and smartly managed mixes that are ripe for hip lounge listening.　Ross Birchard, who goes by the stage name Hudson Mohawke, began his mix career on traditional turntables before migrating to more intricate remix environments. “Lantern” builds well on his discography, coming off experimental and u

Performance June 26, 2015

 　Somewhere between “euphoria and melancholia”: That’s the music favored by the fictional young Parisian deejay in cowriter/director Mia Hansen-Love’s “Eden,” a fragrantly atmospheric portrait of a time, a place and a restless state of romantic yearning.　Hansen-Love’s fourth feature also serves as a reminder. Few of us in this life monetize our passions on a grand scale. Mostly there are those who glide along, doing their thing, doing what they can to support their thing, becoming neither legend

Film June 26, 2015

THEATER　“Arirang”: The upcoming production of the high-anticipated Korea-original musical “Arirang” will mark a historic moment as the production will bring to life the words of renowned Korean novelist Jo Jung-rae and his epic 12-volume eponymous novel. The musical tells the novel’s painstaking tale of Japan’s colonization of the peninsula and comes after years of failed attempts to adapt the 20,000-page novel into a screenplay. The musical will be held at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from July

Entertainment June 26, 2015

　BoA will become the first female idol star to have a solo concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, according to her agency SM Entertainment on Wednesday.　The singer will be performing at the iconic Sejong Center in time to mark the 15th anniversary of her debut. The concert is particularly meaningful because of the prestigious Sejong Center’s reputation for being a tough venue to break into for pop artists.  BoA (Herald file photo)　BoA debuted in 2000 with “ID: Peace B” and went on

Performance June 25, 2015

　JYP Entertainment confirmed Wednesday that the Wonder Girls are preparing to return to the stage.　The girl group, which debuted in 2007 and rapidly rose to fame through dance hits including “Tell Me,” “So Hot” and “2 Different Tears,” will be switching up their style on their next album by performing as a four-member band.  Wonder Girls (JYP Entertainment)　Original members Sunye and Sohee will be missing from the lineup, leaving Yubin on drums, Hyelim on guitar, Yenny on keyboard and Sunmi on b

Performance June 25, 2015

　AOA’s Jimin, Choa, Hyejeong, Seolhyun, Mina, Yuna and Chanmi are back as lacrosse players for their third EP, “Heart Attack,” dressed in sporty blue and yellow outfits for the stage. 　Monday they held a press showcase at the AX-Korea Concert Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, styled in the format of a sports contest.AOA performs "Heart Attack" at AX-Korea on Monday. (Yonhap)　On their long-awaited comeback, Hyejeong noted, “It‘s been eight months since we all performed together as a group. We missed ea

Performance June 23, 2015

Singer-songwriter Jane Jang spent three years away from the public eye fighting a creeping paralysis resulting from a neurological condition called dystonia.Although it must have been a difficult period for the 24-year-old singer-songwriter, Jang did not let any negativity break her bubbly mood as she spoke with The Korea Herald at a cafe in Seoul on June 17.“The past three years? I had a great time,” she said. “I got to hang out with friends, enjoy the small everyday things.”“Still, I feel rela

Performance June 21, 2015

당연한 사실로 여겨지는 심리학 지식 중 허구에 불과한 것들도 많다. 　2014년 1월에 심리학자 벤 에임브리지가 영국 맨체스터에서 열린 테드(TED) 행사 강연에서 심리학적 지식의 허구와 사실을 밝혔다. 　그가 지적한 내용 5가지를 소개한다. (123rf)　1. 남자는 여자보다 공간지각 능력이 뛰어나고, 여자는 남자보다 언어능력이 뛰어나다?　굳이 따지면 사실이지만 생각보다 그 차이는 많이 나지 않는다. 평균적으로 여성은 남성보다 약 33%나 공간지각 능력이 뛰어나고 반대로 남성은 여성보다 약 33% 언어능력이 뛰어나다. 　2. 로르샤흐 테스트로 성격을 진단할 수 있다?　로르샤흐 테스트는 좌우대칭의 잉크 무늬를 해석하는 방식에 따라 성격이나 정신병을 진단하는 테스트이다. 하지만 실제 이 검사로 진단을 했을 경우 평범한 사람들 중 20%나 정신분열증 진단을 받을 수 있다.　 (123rf)3. 사람마다 잘 배우는 ‘방법’이 있다?　동일한 내용을 배우더라도 시각, 청각 혹은 촉각을 사용했을

한국어판 Feb. 6, 2015

미국의 여고생들이 개발한 비디오 게임이 화제가 되고 있다. 　소피 하우저(17)는 친구 앤디 곤잘레스(16)와 함께 ‘탐폰 런(Tampon Run)’이라는 게임을 개발했다. 게임 속 여주인공은 탐폰을 무기삼아 적을 물리친다.  (YouTube)　두 학생은 미국의 비즈니스 전문 잡지인 파스트코(Fast Co.)와의 인터뷰에서 이 게임을 통해 여성의 월경을 터부시하는 사회 문화를 바꾸고 싶다고 말했다.　이 게임은 2013년에 있었던 한 사건에서 영감을 받아 만들어졌다. 미국 텍사스 주에서는 낙태법 관련 주 의회 투표가 실시되던 날 의회 건물에 출입하는 여성들의 탐폰을 모두 압수했다. 텍사스 주 방위군은 “투표하는 의원들에게 던질 위험이 있기 때문”이라고 밝혔다. 하지만 당시 텍사스 법은 의회 건물에 들어가는 사람의 총기소지를 허용했다.　 (YouTube)예전부터 여성 월경을 주제로 한 게임을 만들고 싶었던 이들은 이 사건을 계기로 게임 속 무기를 탐폰으로 정했다. 작년에 웹 버전을 출시

한국어판 Feb. 6, 2015