The members of SM Entertainment’s girl group f(x) said that they let themselves loosen up for their first solo concert, “Dimension 4 - Docking Station.”“We’re a group that always tries to be perfect, so we normally didn’t accept even the smallest mistakes (in our performances). But with this concert, we wanted to focus on being free and interacting more with our fans, so we made some more mistakes,” member Luna told reporters ahead of the concert‘s third and last show at Olympic Hall on Sunday.A

Performance Jan. 31, 2016

Luna of SM Entertainment girl group f(x) said that f(x)’s music has been successful because it is global and trendy. The girl group is known for its high quality dance music in addition to its energetic performances. Billboard named the quartet’s latest album “4 Walls” the No. 2 K-pop album of 2015.“F(x) communicates a lot with composers from abroad, so we can connect better with our fans abroad. It also helps us to develop our musical color,” she said at a press conference before the Sunday per

Performance Jan. 31, 2016

Thinking about watching a movie this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to the top movies playing on the big screen.A Melody to Remember (Korea)Drama, war. Directed by Lee HanOpened Jan. 21　Sang-ryeol (Im Si-wan) is a soldier who has lost everyone he loves in the Korean War. He is sent to another division, and meets a group of children who have lost everything, just like him. Along with volunteer teacher Ju-mi (Ko A-sung), he creates a children’s choir to bring a little warmth to the cold

Film Jan. 22, 2016

The Legend“Sound Up!”(Loen Entertainment)　It’s almost a shame that “Sound Up!” wasn’t boy group The Legend’s first EP. Making a 180-degree flip from rookie group’s original pained, brooding image, “Sound Up!” brings out the commercial pop appeal of the group, who had previously had trouble getting off the ground despite the tall, handsome looks. The five-track EP kicks off with the lead track “Crush on You,” a funky, fun and brass-heavy dance track about a guy who falls in love at first sight wi

Performance Jan. 22, 2016

JQ“Paper Moon”(Bugs)　Singer-songwriter and rapper JQ’s music is always easy on the ears. Although he is a rapper, his songs are catchy and rhythmic and never overbearing. Perhaps the reason that his music is so listener-friendly is that he is best-known for being the rap coach for artists at SM Entertainment such as TVXQ, Super Junior, and EXO. On his sixth EP “Paper Moon” JQ aptly demonstrates that he has a full understanding of how to shape rap for a pop audience.The six tracks each take on a

Performance Jan. 22, 2016

Cross Gene“Game”(Universal Music)Cross Gene’s third EP “Game” is slow overall, considering the group’s talents in dance. For whatever reason, the dance tracks all take on a slower tempo, leaving the songs feeling outdated and reminiscent of the dance tracks of the past decade.Perhaps the biggest culprit is “Noona, You,” which lacks any sense of personality. With an intro that sounds like the starting notes of a cardio workout mixtape, a bland melody and lyrics that take yet another whack at the

Performance Jan. 22, 2016

Every Thursday evening, a group of 20 people gather at a hands-on food lab on the 10th floor of a quiet building in Jongno, central Seoul. The lab of Makgeolli School is clean, with five smooth countertops surrounded by barstools, and earthen pots and ingredients stacked against the walls. There are huge sinks for washing rice, pots for steaming it, huge earthen jars for fermentation, and smaller jars and bottles labeled with the names of herbs and medicinal ingredients for flavoring. Students h

Culture Jan. 22, 2016

Activist and author Shin Young-bok, a professor at Sungkonghoe University best known for writing “Reflections from Prison,” containing his thoughts while imprisoned during the military-backed government, passed away Friday from skin cancer. He was 75.Shin was imprisoned for his pro-democracy ideas in 1968, accused of being part of the Tongil Hyeongmyeongdang (Unification Revolution) party. He remained imprisoned for 20 years until he was released through a special pardon on the Aug. 15 Liberatio

People Jan. 17, 2016

LONDON -- The IOC is ready to examine allegations of possible bribery in the bidding for the 2020 Olympics.　 The Olympic body said Friday it has asked the World Anti-Doping Agency‘s independent commission for transcripts from its report on doping and corruption in track and field that raises the possibility that $5 million in sponsorship money was paid to help Tokyo secure the games.　 A footnote to the WADA report indicates that former IAAF president Lamine Diack was prepared to sell his vote in

Olympic Games Jan. 15, 2016

BEIJING -- Haier Group, the world’s biggest home appliance maker, is buying General Electric Co.‘s appliance business for $5.4 billion to expand its U.S. and global presence.　 The acquisition announced Friday comes as Haier tries to transform itself into a premium brand. GE is shifting emphasis from traditional businesses such as appliances, in which it has been a prominent presence for more than a century, to higher-technology areas such as medical equipment and clean energy. Haier headquarters

World Business Jan. 15, 2016

A main opposition leader became a front-runner in an opinion poll for the first time in eight months, a poll showed Friday.A poll released by polling agency Gallup Korea showed 16 percent of people supported Moon Jae-in, leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party, in a potential presidential race.It marked the first time that Moon has become a front-runner in a poll since May last year.The turnaround came as Moon is recruiting new figures for his embattled party following a breakup with Ahn Cheo

Politics Jan. 15, 2016

Headed to the theaters this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to the latest films to hit the big screen in Korea.Mood of the Day (Korea)Romantic comedy. Directed by Cho Ku-jang　Opened Jan. 14　Su-jeong (Moon Chae-won) and Jae-hyeon (Yoo Yeon-seok) are two strangers who find themselves as seat neighbors on a train to Busan. The confident, suave Jae-hyeon is attracted to Su-jeong, and proposes a one-night stand -- but she won’t have any of it. Will he be able to convince her to come over to

Film Jan. 15, 2016

SEOUL/BUSAN -- Police said Friday they have heightened security as Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul received an international phone call threatening to blow up all airports in South Korea.A pre-recorded voice of a Korean woman was heard in the call made to the airport at around 7:40 a.m., saying explosives had been set up in every airport in the country, police said.“All of you will die,” the voice said, according to police.“The explosives will not only shoot us but also you.” The ai

Defense Jan. 15, 2016

BRUSSELS -- European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said EU member states have “failed to deliver” on efforts to resolve the migrant crisis, including on a deal to relocate thousands of asylum seekers from Italy and Greece.So far just 272 refugees have been moved to other countries out of the 160,000 that European Union nations agreed to relocate as the continent faced a wave of people fleeing conflict in Syria and elsewhere. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gives a press

World News Jan. 15, 2016