Gelato charmed Kwon Jeong-hye when she was studying Italian cuisine in South Korea.Kwon remembers being initially drawn to the canvas of gelato as a conduit through which flavors could be channeled.  Now Kwon is sharing that charm with shopgoers at the small gelateria she opened with her husband in Seoul. Zenzero -- a gelateria that specializes in artisanal, small batch gelato and sorbet -- opened this March in Seoul‘s Samseong-dong (Photo credit: Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)"I went to learn

Food May 26, 2017

Yunho of TVXQ is set to return as an actor with the upcoming drama “Meloholic” (unofficial translation), according to S.M. Entertainment. Yunho of TVXQ (Yonhap)The agency said Thursday that Yunho will play Yoo Eun-ho, a heartthrob who has the special power to read people’s minds, in the rom-com drama based on a web comic. In the series, Yoo falls in love with a woman who has a split personality. The drama marks the singer-turned-actor’s first project since he was discharged from military service

Performance May 25, 2017

After nearly two years preparation in Korea, 18-year-old Filipino-American teen Kriesha Chu took to the stage for a sweet but energetic debut.   Chu, once a runner-up on audition program “K-Pop Star 6,” delved into the experience of falling in love for her two-track debut album “Trouble,” released Wednesday. The lead track also titled “Trouble” and “I Wish It Were You” from the album both portrait a girl in love, while they differ starkly in musical styles.Kriesha Chu performs at a press showcas

Performance May 25, 2017

As a member of the once-sensational K-pop group Crayon Pop, Heo Min-seon used to dance in a helmet and bright tracksuit that recall the Power Rangers. She has now moved on to acting onstage. Also known by the name Way, Heo recently took on her first theater gig with a role in the historical play “Jjamppong,” acclaimed for its depiction of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in Korea. “I used to act in a high school theater club and had always wanted to try acting, even during Crayon Pop activities,”

Film May 24, 2017

While Sunday may have marked an all-time best moment for BTS, the winner of Top Social Artist at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, the group‘s euphoria probably doubled with the amount of friends who shared in the group’s joy. Billboard Music Award always brings artists together, and BTS also seems to have made some new pals on the global event’s magenta carpet. (Yonhap)Here is a list of new friends spotted at the group’s historic moment on site. 1. The Chainsmokers(BTS` Twitter)The Sunday award

Performance May 23, 2017

Without the gloss and glitter, seven street boys are back in the K-pop music scene amid growing anticipation toward their reunion with fans in Korea. Likening themselves to the “boys from backstreet,” rising K-pop group iKON dropped its long-awaited second single “New Kids: Begin” on Monday.The release came after the group held its first Japanese dome concert in Osaka on Saturday, which was a huge success. iKon (YG Entertainment)“Since we had such a long hiatus, it feels like we became newbies a

Performance May 22, 2017

In August 2016, four New Yorkers hailing from different backgrounds boarded a Korea-bound plane with one question that brought them together: Who says only Koreans can become part of a K-pop idol group? With the tagline “Born in New York, made in Seoul,” K-pop idol group EXP-Edition sings in Korean and dances K-pop style, but none of its members are Koreans. This unique international K-pop band, with ethnic backgrounds ranging from Portuguese to Croatian, entered the K-pop scene with its electro

Performance May 21, 2017

Nine K-pop darlings came back with a powerful “Signal” that another Twice sensation would hit the country and the world hard.  Twice, the K-pop girl group that has taken Asia by storm, dropped its fourth EP “Signal” Monday, with a lead track also titled “Signal.” The song marked the first collaboration with Park Jin-young, the founder and head producer of their label JYP Entertainment.  “If there is a big difference from our previous projects, it is that we attempted powerful choreography for th

Performance May 16, 2017

A special forest to celebrate G-Dragon’s birthday opened on Jeju Island. Forest Kwon Ji-yong (Yonhap)The forest, named after the artist’s real name Kwon Ji-yong, had its opening at the Citrus Museum in Seogwipo Sunday. A total of 50 citrus trees have been planted in the forest located within the museum. The project was co-organized by G-Dragon’s official fan site Always-GD and Tree Planet, a Seoul-based crowdfunding service for forest planting.The two organizations began the project in August la

Performance May 15, 2017

President Moon Jae-in vowed to do something which his ousted predecessor Park Geun-hye never set out to do -- break down boundaries with the administrative staff, the media, and the public in general.Reflecting its new chief’s casual tone and manner, as well as his open-minded gestures, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae is set to depart from its old formalities and open itself to the inquiring nation.Amid a tightly packed schedule on Friday, his third day as the nation’s 19th president, Moon

Politics May 12, 2017

"Ruler: Master of The Mask," MBC TV's new period drama, climbed to No. 1 in the Wednesday-Thursday late night drama race, single-handedly dethroning "Queen of Mystery" in its first week of broadcast, data showed Friday.Episodes three and four of "Ruler," which aired Thursday evening, recorded 10.5 percent and 12.6 percent viewerships, respectively, according to Nielsen Korea.This composite image shows highlights from MBC TV`s "Ruler: Master of the Mask." (Yonhap)The show has adopted a new progra

Television May 12, 2017

Kriesha Tiu, a contestant on the SBS competition show “K-pop Star 6,” is set to make her solo debut on May 24, according to the singer’s agency Urban Works Entertainment. “Tiu will put an end mark on her two years of training and release her first album on May 24. Please send your warm support to the singer who embarks on a new career in Korea,” said an agency official.  Promotional photo for Kriesha Tiu‘s upcoming debut album (Urban Works Entertainment)In a promo photo for the upcoming album ac

Performance May 12, 2017

“Us-against-the-world” spirited trio Triple H, a new group to the Korean music scene, stood firm in the face of a controversy surrounding its recently released debut single “365 Fresh.” The collaborative group, consisting of HyunA of disbanded girl group 4Minute and her Cube Entertainment labelmates Hui and E’Dawn of boy band Pentagon, opened up about the new track from debut album “199X” that is being assailed for its controversial music video, at an interview in Seoul on Wednesday. Triple H (C

Performance May 11, 2017

Global K-pop star Psy returned with his long-awaited eighth album “4X2=8” on Wednesday.   The singer, who has a 16-year music career under his belt, said he had initially not intended to release a full-length album, considering how fast the current music industry evolves and how quickly songs are consumed by listeners. Working with young artists from his agency YG Entertainment, however, was like having new life infused into his musical career, which had plateaued since his hit “Gangnam Style” i

Entertainment May 10, 2017

It’s Election Day, and the polls are open to celebrities and citizens alike.　Many Korean celebrities, from K-pop idols to actors, exercised their right to vote today, sharing post-voting photos and selfies on social media to show that they have also fulfilled their civic duty. They also didn’t forget to encourage their fans to vote. Here are some celebrities who headed to polling stations this morning. 　1. VIXX(Jellyfish Entertainment)A photo released by VIXX’s agency Jellyfish Entertainment Tue

Television May 9, 2017