Filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun have refuted additional allegations made by MBC’s investigative news show “PD’s Notepad.”After revealing allegations of sexual harassment and assault regarding the two in March, the show aired a follow-up story Tuesday. On Wednesday, Kim and Cho, refuted the claims.  Kim Ki-duk (left) and Cho Jae-hyun celebrate winning the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice International Film Festival for “Pieta” on Sept. 13, 2012. (Yonhap)Kim said through his attorney tha

Television Aug. 8, 2018

Korean dramas “Mother” and “Fight for My Way” are among finalists competing for this year’s Seoul International Drama Awards. The organizing committee of the annual awards announced 28 television dramas from around the world had made it to its list of finalists during a press conference at Korea Press Center in central Seoul on Tuesday. Members of the organizing committee of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2018 speak at a press conference at Korea Press Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on Tuesday

Television Aug. 7, 2018

State broadcaster KBS blurred remarks related to feminism written by a high school student on a show, saying the action was taken to abide by the principles of a public broadcaster. “The Golden Bell Challenge” is a weekly quiz show that features a group of high school students who hold up whiteboards with answers on them in front of the camera. The participating students often decorate the remaining empty space of the whiteboards with various phrases alluding to their aspirations or love for the

Television Aug. 7, 2018

Koreans who want to enjoy Vietnamese coffee are lining up in front of Cong Caphe in Yeonnam-dong, western Seoul. Cong Caphe, a Vietnamese cafe franchise with more than 50 stores, launched its first overseas store in Seoul on Tuesday. Cong Caphe in Seoul (Yonhap)News of the launch has been spreading on social media since it was made public on July 10. On Friday evening, a long line formed in front of the store, with people waiting to have a sip of Vietnamese coffee despite the scorching heat.  On

Food Aug. 5, 2018

In a dimly lit room, a masked man in kimono focuses on his hands. Adding refinement to his artwork using bespoke utensils, he eventually blooms a beautiful, pastel-hued flower, yet an edible one -- wagashi.Junichi Mitsubori is a third-generation artisan of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets made with bean paste, sugar and glutinous rice. Running a century-old shop handed down from his grandfather to father and then to him, he may seem like an average artisan who has inherited a family business

Food Aug. 5, 2018

We have been told that insects will be a valuable food source in the future. But it is not easy to embrace the idea of having worms, crickets and grasshoppers on our plates. There are pioneers, however, bringing the future closer to us. While figuring out more efficient ways of farming and retailing edible bugs, they also work on developing recipes, inviting those with brave hearts. Dried crickets (Im Eun-byel/The Korea Herald) Edible Coffee at Seocho-gu, Seoul (Edible Coffee)Edible Coffee is a

Food Aug. 2, 2018

For those seeking to experience the largest beer festival in the world while still staying in Seoul, Grand Hilton Seoul presents the 2018 Oktoberfest.　The hotel has been hosting Oktoberfest since 2007, attracting more than 1,000 visitors each year. This year’s event will take place on Sept. 8 at the hotel’s Convention Center. 　 Oktoberfest in Seoul (Grand Hilton Seoul)“If there is Chuseok in Korea, in Germany, the largest traditional festival is the Oktoberfest,” general manager Bernhard Brender

Food Aug. 2, 2018

Oi buchu kimchi (Korean Bapsang)Cucumbers are in their peak season. This recipe is a quick and easy kimchi you can make with summer’s abundant cucumbers. It’s crisp, crunchy, and delicious.Buchu, or Korean garlic chives, is commonly added to oi kimchi, but you can use scallions instead if you like. Although not used in this recipe, a little bit of julienned carrot or red pepper will give the kimchi a nice pop of color. To make kimchi, you will need to salt the cucumbers first to draw out some wa

Food Aug. 2, 2018

Eels for summer at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s Japanese restaurant Genji prepared a special eight-course set menu for guests who have lost their energy in the scorching summer heat. The course menu includes classic Japanese dishes such as sashimi and tempura. But what stands out the most is the Orotson eel teriyaki. Orotson eel is a wild, not farmed, eel found in the mud flats on the western coast of Korea. It is considered a great delicacy both in Korea and Japan, greatly n

Food Aug. 2, 2018

Gomjangeo, often mispronounced as ggomjangeo, refers to inshore hagfish in Korean. Hagfish may not sound, or look, appealing, with its degenerated eyes and a snake-like body that produces slime when distressed. But that does not stop Koreans from taking up a culinary challenge with the sea-dweller.  (Shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald) After being thoroughly skinned, gomjangeo goes on the grill. Restaurants and pubs often grill them outside on a strong fire, such as

Food Aug. 2, 2018

Citing former police authorities and a lawmaker, the MBC investigative news show “PD’s Notepad” claimed that the investigation of a sexual abuse case involving the late actress Jang Ja-yeon was swayed by pressure.Jang took her own life in 2009, leaving behind handwritten notes that allegedly revealed she had been coerced into providing sexual favors for high-profile figures. Figures with connections to Chosun Ilbo, a major local daily, were on the list, but the prosecution did not charge them, c

Social Affairs Aug. 1, 2018

Well-known lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung has criticized the current military exemption law, perhaps giving reason to hope to global megahit boy band BTS. All able-bodied men in Korea are conscripted in the military for around two years. Exemptions can be granted, however, to those who rank atop certain international competitions designated by the government.  (Big Hit Entertainment)“The list of the designated international competitions is unfair,” Ha said in an interview with a local radio show Friday.

Performance July 27, 2018

(Yonhap)Following a break of about two years, newlywed couple Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki will each star in their own TV dramas, in their respective returns to the small screen. Song Joong-ki confirmed Thursday his upcoming production will be a tvN period-fantasy drama tentatively titled “Asadal Chronicles.” He will star as a character with a tragic fate who tries to revolt against the fabled kingdom of Asadal. From left: Song Joong-Ki (Blossom Entertainment), Jang Dong-gun (D Entertainment C

Television July 27, 2018

JTBC’s upcoming drama “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” promises to be more than just a sweet campus romance tale.The Friday-Saturday drama, an adaptation of a well-known web comic of the same name, centers on a character named Kang Mi-rae, who grew up listening to hateful comments about her appearance.  Actress Lim Soo-hyang poses for photos before a press event at Times Square mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (JTBC) Stressed out by her appearance, the character undergoes extensive plastic surgery. But

Television July 26, 2018

Beer night at Hotel La Casa　Hotel La Casa, a lifestyle design hotel in south central Seoul, is offering its “Rooftop Summer Night” package. The package includes a one-night stay in a double room, two bottles of Schneider Weisse Tap 7 beer and a four-piece bruschetta plate. Customers can sip on cool beer while enjoying the city lights on a hot summer night on the rooftop of lounge bar House of Alchemy. The package is available until Sept. 9. For more information, contact House of Alchemy at (02)

Food July 26, 2018