Grand Father(Korea)Opened Aug. 31Drama, action. Directed by Lee SeoWhen elderly truck driver Ki-kwang’s (Park Geun-hyung) estranged son commits suicide, he attends the funeral. There, his granddaughter tells him the death might not have been self-inflicted, sending Ki-kwang on a chase for the truth.Money Monster(US)Opened Aug. 31Thriller, crime. Directed by Jodie FosterTelevision stock expert Lee Gates (George Clooney) hosts the show “Money Monster.” One day, a disgruntled investor ambushes the

Film Sept. 2, 2016

There is no misfortune too shattering for Derek Cianfrance it seems. The writer and director of “Blue Valentine,” “The Place Beyond the Pines” and now, an adaptation of the M.L. Stedman novel “The Light Between Oceans” confidently strides into stories of little hope and painful circumstance, using pretty actors and even prettier settings to create sweeping milieus of human devastation. But where the dissolving marriage in “Blue Valentine” was so tangibly real that it felt as raw as a breakup, “T

Film Sept. 2, 2016

The international appeal of Korean TV shows lies in their “wholesome sexiness,” according to Sean Richard Dulake, who plays the dreamy male lead Joon Park in the show-within-a-show universe of the online drama series “Dramaworld.” “I had always wondered why Korean content was connecting to outsiders,” said the actor-producer Wednesday in Seoul at Broadcast Worldwide 2016 (BCWW), a media convention hosted by the Culture Ministry and Korea Creative Content Agency. In 2013, Dulake directed “Finding

Television Sept. 1, 2016

One of the most famous maps in Korean history is the 1861 Daedongyeojido, meaning “the great map of the east land.” Measuring 6.7 by 3.8 meters and depicting the entire Korean Peninsula, it has long been lauded by historians for being astonishingly accurate, detailed and advanced for its time.In “The Map Against the World,” a new historical drama flick set for release on Sept. 7, actor Cha Seung-won takes up the role of Kim Jeong-ho, a late Joseon era geographer, cartographer and maker of the hi

Film Aug. 31, 2016

The members of girl group April were appointed promotional ambassadors for eco-friendly school meals by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday, according to the group’s agency DSP Media. The group will be featured in subway posters, online videos and other advertisements promoting eco-friendly school meals. Mayor Park Won-soon presented trophies to the group at a ceremony held Wednesday morning at Seoul City Hall.On Oct. 20, April will participate in a public forum for eco-friendly meals

Performance Aug. 31, 2016

“Platinum Doll” By Anne GirardMIRA Books (352 pages, $15.99)“Madame Picasso” author Anne Girard takes on another bewitching figure from the past in “Platinum Doll,” a charming fictionalized account of how Jean Harlow became a movie star.Stunning blonde Harlean Carpenter McGrew, only 17, moves to California in 1928 with her handsome young husband, Chuck, who’s rich but troubled after the death of his parents. She’s discovered by studio executives while waiting for a starlet girlfriend. She uses t

Books Aug. 31, 2016

“The Darkest Secret”(Penguin Books)By Alex Marwood The disappearance of a child whose body is never found eventually implodes a family as well as a circle of friends. Yet perhaps even more chilling is how this horrid crime appears to have such little effect on the self-centered patriarch in Alex Marwood’s compelling novel. As “The Darkest Secret” poignantly delves into the aftermath of 3-year-old Coco Jackson’s disappearance, Marwood delivers an unexpected story. This isn’t a family forever sty

Books Aug. 31, 2016

In Spike Jonze’s 2013 romantic science fiction comedy “Her,” a man converses with and eventually falls in love with the feminine voice of a computer operating system.Inspired by the film, tvN’s “My Ear’s Candy,” currently airing Thursdays at 11 p.m., is based on a similar premise: Celebrities tell intimate secrets to an unknown confidante via their cellphone.Until their identities are revealed, the callers are nicknamed “Candy” to enhance the sense of “sweetness,” according to the show’s produce

Television Aug. 29, 2016

For many Koreans of a certain age, hearing the word “Majuang” will bring a wistful smile. It is difficult to recall the taste, but in the days when imported wines were a rarity, Majuang ruled. 　The story has it that Majuang, launched in 1977, was created at the behest of the late President Park Chung-hee, who, while visiting Germany, hit upon the idea of producing grape wine in Korea as an alternative to the traditional rice wine. The country suffered from a rice shortage at the time and the man

Food Aug. 26, 2016

When it comes to wine, most people would envision the sun-kissed vineyards of Italy, France or California. In contrast, Asia and its cuisine are not often brought up when discussing wine culture. 　But Korean-American wine critic Jeannie Cho Lee is looking to change this perception and put Asia on the international wine map. Based in Hong Kong, the author, journalist, consultant and wine educator is a highly regarded wine master in Asia.  Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee (Jeannie Cho Lee)　In 2008,

Food Aug. 26, 2016

Lisa Hannigan“At Swim”(ATO)What is most striking about Lisa Hannigan is her control.It’s an unexpected skill considering how the Irish singer first gained attention as part of the band that brought Damien Rice’s raw, unpredictable emotional folk to life. And, for fans of a certain age, there are times when Hannigan’s lower range sounds just like a young Sinead O’Connor, which sets up a wait for the Sinead-ish banshee shrieks that never come.Instead of wild emotion, Hannigan offers gorgeous, well

Performance Aug. 26, 2016

Truth(US)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by James VanderbiltControversy begins to brew when anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mape (Cate Blanchett) broadcast a report about President W. George Bush and his military service.Florence Foster Jenkins(UK)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by Stephen FrearsNew York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) dreams of becoming an opera singer. The problem is her limited talent: while others are not at all impressed with her voice, it

Film Aug. 26, 2016

Neither a sterling remake nor the disastrous camp hoot some were anticipating, those punks, the new “Ben-Hur” arrives in theaters beaded with flop sweat. Its box office forecast calls for gray skies followed by red ink: It cost about $100 million to make and the tracking data puts the weekend haul at $14 million to $15 million, which is grim like the Charlton Heston jawline under pressure was grim.The movie arrives in the supplicant position, begging for unfavorable comparisons to the 1959 Willi

Film Aug. 26, 2016

Actors Yeo Jin-goo and Lee Jung-jae have been cast for the upcoming movie “Opposition Forces” (tentative title), set to begin shooting on Sept. 5, Fox International Productions confirmed Thursday.The film, set for release next year, chronicles the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, during which Crown Prince Gwanghae, played by Yeo, struggled to defend Joseon while King Seonjo fled to the Ming dynasty in China.Lee will play the leader of the opposition forces, which served as soldiers in the place

Film Aug. 25, 2016

Two films by renowned Korean directors, Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and Kim Ki-duk’s “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring,” have been included in BBC’s top 100 films of the 21st century released Tuesday.Park’s neo-noir mystery thriller ranked 30th place, while Kim’s tale of a secluded Buddhist monastery came in at 66th place. Both films were released locally in 2003 and later distributed internationally.The list, created by the British public service broadcaster, surveyed 177 film critics

Film Aug. 25, 2016