Abraham Lincoln is history’s most scrutinized American. Nearly every facet of his life ― his political accomplishments, ethics, religion, marriage, even his sexual orientation ― has been explored in the 148 years since his assassination. What could a new Lincoln biography offer?For author David Von Drehle of “Rise to Greatness,” the answer lies in tracing Lincoln’s transformation from inexperienced new president of a crumbling country to steady-willed leader who saved the Union in its most vulne

Books Jan. 17, 2013

Three heavyweight actors are co-starring in one of the most anticipated films of the first half of the year.Choi Min-sik (“Oldboy,” “I Saw the Devil”), Lee Jung-jae (“The Thieves,” “The Housemaid”), and Hwang Jeong-min (“The Unjust,” “You Are My Sunshine”) are returning to the big screen next month in a crime thriller directed by Park Hun-jeong.The thriller tells the story of police detective Ja-seong (Lee Jung-jae), who is assigned by his boss Park (Choi Min-sik) to do an undercover investigati

Film Jan. 17, 2013

The Korea Herald is publishing “Korea’s Cultural Pride,” a 10-part series on the country’s cultural and natural heritage. A total of nine tangible and 14 intangible examples of heritage in Korea have already been designated UNESCO World Heritage items for international preservation. This year,15 cultural properties are on the tentative list, awaiting designation. This installment explores the Seoul City Wall, the Joseon-period city wall that guarded the capital and was also an intrinsic part of

Performance Jan. 16, 2013

Three Korean films have been invited to the upcoming Berlinale’s Panorama section. The section features new independent and art house films that deal with “controversial subjects or unconventional aesthetic styles.”One of the three films is director E J-yong’s “Behind the Camera,” which tells the story of an eccentric filmmaker and 14 actors and actresses who work with him on a film project. The movie premiered at last year’s Busan International Film Festival and received positive reviews from t

Film Jan. 14, 2013

Following “Phantom of the Opera” and “Aida” of last year, the performing arts scene is seeing the arrival of heavyweight openers for the 2013 season.Among them is major musical company EMK’s much-anticipated imported musical “Rebecca,” which opened at LG Arts Center on Friday. Following “Rebecca,” one of the most anticipated homegrown musicals, “The Goddess is Watching,” is opening at Chungmu Art Hall on Tuesday in Seoul.“Rebecca” is based on Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same title. The

Performance Jan. 13, 2013

CHUNGJU, North Chungcheong Province ― Located in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, Godowon Healing Center is a serene place, a rarity these days. Surrounded by mountains and trees, it is where people meditate, eat what’s healthful, and go for slow walks in the hope of clearing out what is cluttering their mind. It may be hard to believe, but the center’s famous director, Go Do-won, used to be a very busy man. He enjoyed a prolific career as a journalist and as a speech writer for late Preside

Books Jan. 11, 2013

Godowon Healing Center offers something to enjoy for all ages. The center opened in 2010 with funds donated by Go Do-won’s readers. The property, located in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, gives visitors an opportunity to have a quiet time to learn more about themselves, away from their daily lives.The center’s program is very diverse. There is a program for soon-to-be mothers, newly married couples, young adults, and those who suffer from painful disorders. There is also a walking program,

Books Jan. 11, 2013

“Gangster Squad” may be loosely based on truth ― the takedown of notorious Los Angeles crime lord Mickey Cohen 60 years ago ― but it feels about as real as a mob-themed costume party. At least there’s a certain sport in counting how many neo-noir cliches director Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland,” “30 Minutes or Less”) can get his all-star cast to engage in over the course of nearly two hours.Sean Penn, trapped underneath a layer of unconvincing makeup that makes him look more like a Batman or Dick

Books Jan. 11, 2013

1356By Bernard Cornwell(HarperCollins, NY)All in all, the Middle Ages in Europe was lousy living for most people.How can you tell? Just pick up “1356” by prolific author Bernard Cornwall and you’ll see. Like the period it is written about, it needs a strong stomach to finish.The pragmatic hero, Thomas of Hookton, is ordered to find the fictional lost sword of Saint Peter, “la Malice,” which is reputed to bring victory to the armies that wield it. Of course, others are also hunting the weapon.The

Books Jan. 10, 2013

It’s been a few weeks since Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” was released in local theaters. The star-studded musical film, whose cast includes Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, has been doing well at the box office, attracting over 4 million viewers as of Thursday. And it’s not just the film’s importers that are making money. Thanks to the movie’s popularity, publishing houses are also seeing sales rise of the French novel published in 1862 ― a book considered one of the greatest pieces of literatur

Books Jan. 10, 2013

Poet Kim Ji-ha, a well-known dissident figure during former President Park Chung-hee’s authoritarian regime in the 1960s and ’70s, has been stirring up controversy since he abruptly announced his support for Park’s daughter, president-elect Park Geun-hye.On Tuesday, the 72-year-old poet shocked the public further when he bashed Moon Jae-in and Ahn Cheol-soo during an interview with a local radio station. Not mincing his words, Kim said Moon’s performance as a presidential candidate was “dreadful

Performance Jan. 9, 2013

An Oscar-shortlisted Israeli-Palestinian documentary is in the lineup for the upcoming screening of last year’s BIFF highlights. Starting Thursday, Seoul’s Indie Plus Theater is showcasing a total of eight works screened at last year’s Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), including “5 Broken Cameras,” which features the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The documentary received a 5 million won ($4,700) fund from BIFF and Busan Bank’s Asia Network Documentary (AND) Fund back in 2010. Co-directed

Film Jan. 9, 2013

A theatrical play is being performed in Seoul’s Daehangno district to support overseas Koreans, according to Peace Asia, a group that supports ethnic Koreans living in foreign countries. The play, “A Performance with a Long Title,” tells the story of four individuals who discover hope by revisiting their childhood dreams. Instead of purchasing tickets in advance, viewers can pay after the performance. There is no fixed price; one can pay as much as they like.  The play’s producer and local theat

Performance Jan. 8, 2013

Actress Bae Doo-na has been famously adored by some of the most celebrated filmmakers in Asia, such as Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, and Japan’s Hirokazu Koreeda.“I always felt I was very lucky,” Bae said during an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday.“Throughout my career, I often felt like it’s my luck (to star in the directors’ films) that brought me success, not my own ability as an actress. But with my latest movie, I feel like I achieved almost everything on my own (for the first time

Film Jan. 7, 2013

When his “Sopranos” boss David Chase asked James Gandolfini to play another New Jersey Italian for his movie, a working class dad unhappy with his musician-son’s career choice in the swinging ‘60s, the big man didn’t hesitate.“I knew this guy,” Gandolfini says. “There’s a lot of my dad in him.”Pasquale, his character in “Not Fade Away,” is a gruff mechanic who runs a local Pep Boys auto repair shop. He’s pushing his son (John Magaro) to go to college. He doesn’t approve of the kid’s music, his l

Film Jan. 4, 2013