Behind the glory of hallyu dramas are the star-studded casts. After garnering attention abroad in Korean dramas -- mainly other Asian countries including China and Japan -- stars quickly jump into dramas and variety shows thereOverseas endorsements, and fan meetings follow, consolidating their positions, as well as the prominent status of hallyu.Starting with the unexpected success of the KBS2 TV drama series “Winter Sonata” which aired on Japanese satellite channel BS2 in 2003, the drama’s prot

Television March 18, 2016

Without drama, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won won his way back into the boardroom of the group’s holding firm SK Holdings on Friday, a key outcome of the “Super Friday” glut of shareholders meetings in Korea. More than 300 companies, including 10 SK companies, seven LG units and four Lotte affiliates, held their annual congress of shareholders on the day.As in previous years, shareholder debate or a vote battle to turn down a presented agenda item was a rare sight. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won

March 18, 2016

As worldwide interest in Korean entertainment and content continues its global thrust, the city of Seoul is starting to see an influx in “hallyu-based” tourism, leading to the establishment of Korean drama-inspired tourist guides to assist die-hard fans in tracking down the filming locations of their favorite Korean dramas. “Not long ago, something strange happened on a cold winter day in China -- fried chicken and beer starting selling like hotcakes,” reads VisitSeoul’s Hallyu Tourist Guide. “T

Television March 18, 2016

The cast of “Spotlight” accept their best feature award during the 31st Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, Sunday. (Yonhap-Reuters)The 31st Independent Film Spirit Awards provided a clear rebuke to the Oscars, bestowing awards on “Beasts of No Nation” costars Idris Elba and Abraham Attah and “Tangerine” star Mya Taylor, making her the first transgender actress to win at the annual awards.The newsroom drama “Spotlight” was the big winner at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, the d

Film Feb. 28, 2016

The entrance to the Dolby Theatre is shown during preparations for the 88th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, Wednesday. (Yonhap - Reuters)The Oscars has gone disco -- or at least embracing the gilded glamour of the 1970s.A fringe of gold and silver sequins dangle over the final stretch of the red carpet, and the stage for Sunday’s show was inspired by the glittery, glam styles of the disco era.Production designer Derek McLane said the ’70s were on his mind when he was creating the look f

Film Feb. 28, 2016

Conductor Kim Bong-mee leads the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra during its concert performance at the Seoul Arts Center last year. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)Following its win at last year’s 8th Korea Opera Awards, the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra will be taking the stage at the upcoming “Golden Opera Gala Concert” on Feb. 22. The gala concert is being held as part of the Korea Opera Awards and will stage performances by all of last year’s winners. The Herald Phil was honored with an arts a

Performance Feb. 14, 2016

Former Clon member and popular local electronic dance music icon DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup) has been picked as the music director at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games’ second round of test events. “We have selected Koo Jun-yup as the music director at the upcoming ‘2016 FIS Freestyle Ski-Snowboard World Cup’ second test event from the 18th to 28th at the Bokwang Phoenix Park in PyeongChang,” said PyeongChang Organizing Committee President Cho Yang-ho, in a press release Sunday. 

Performance Feb. 14, 2016

A classical music craze has swept over the country ever since young pianist Cho Seong-jin’s historic win at last year’s International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. He is the first Korean ever to win the prestigious title and his win has helped revive classical music here. Costa Pilavachi, senior vice president of classical artists & repertoire for Universal Music International Group, is among those looking to capitalize on the current buzz in the classical music scene. “Korea is a hot place

Performance Feb. 11, 2016

The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Sri Lanka. – Ed.Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea enjoy longstanding friendly relations and historical bonds based on Buddhist cultural links spanning centuries.  Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Korea in 1977, there has been steady expansion of bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural spheres.  In terms of high-level visits, a presidential visit from Sri Lanka to Korea took place in

Politics Feb. 3, 2016

DES MOINES, Iowa - The US presidential race looked suddenly wide open Tuesday after frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton suffered chastening evenings in Iowa, the first step on the long road to the White House.It was a particularly humbling experience for Trump, who cut a forlorn figure after Republican arch-rival Ted Cruz streaked to victory in the Iowa caucuses, staking his claim as the new standard bearer for the conservative camp going on to New Hampshire. And if Clinton was in any

World News Feb. 3, 2016

Despite the dark clouds gathering over Korea’s economy, its sovereign ratings are at the highest levels on record, data shows. Standard & Poor’s, one of the world’s big three credit ratings agencies, on Wednesday decided to maintain Korea’s rating at AA-, the fourth highest level in its evaluation scheme, with an outlook of “stable.” A stable outlook means the rating is most likely to stay at the same level for the time being. An AA-, the highest rating given to Korea, is where the country was b

Feb. 3, 2016

In a short span of time, pianist Cho Seong-jin has risen from an unknown musician to a household name in Korea who shatters classical music records. His popularity has grown since he won the highest prize at the prestigious International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition last October. “It’s been almost a year since I’ve been back in Korea and I’m both anxious and happy to be back,” said Cho, during a press conference at the Seoul Arts Center on Monday, just hours after he arrived back to Seoul.“

Performance Feb. 2, 2016