K-pop stars anticipate the May 19 Coming-of-Age Day

f(x) Crystal (left), Miss A Suzy (upper center), Tiny-G Dohee (lower center) and Teen Top Niel (right). (Talent agencies, facebook)A series of K-pop artists, including Miss A’s Suzy, Teen Top’s Niel and f(x) ’s Crystal, are anticipating the annual Coming-of-Age Day on May 19. This year’s Coming-of-Age Day is expected to include more celebrities, as the amended law lowers the coming-of-age by a notch, from 20 to 19. The new civil law took effect from July 1, 2013, and applies to those born betwee

May 12, 2014

2PM Nichkhun beams about SNSD Tiffany in 'Running Man'

Nichkhun (left) and Yoo Jae-suk talk in SBS reality show "Running Man." (SBS)2PM’s Nichkhun is “happy” about his puppy-love relationship with Girls’ Generation member Tiffany, the K-pop boy band member said on Sunday.In the May 11 episode of the SBS variety show “Running Man,” Nichkhun beamed happily when show host Yoo Jae-suk asked him, “Since when did you two start dating each other?” Nichkhun avoided a direct answer but instead cried out, “I am happy (to be with her),” spreading the happy atm

May 12, 2014

[Herald Interview] Story of sexual surrogate tackles themes of urban life, human intimacy

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province ― In filmmaker Anja Marquardt’s feature debut “She’s Lost Control,” the protagonist Ronah (Brooke Bloom) works as a sexual surrogate while completing her master’s thesis in psychology in New York. She seems to be isolated from her own family ― her mother is ill and her brother is rather weary of taking care of her alone ― and often dines by herself in her depressing flat where a leak leads to a huge hole in the bathroom wall.The film, which won the Best Film prize i

FilmMay 11, 2014

Austrian drag queen wins Eurovision song contest

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) ― The Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won the 59th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a James Bond-inspired power ballad that had unleashed a wave of protests in eastern Europe before the competition. The song, “Rise Like a Phoenix,” helped Wurst ― the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth ― secure Austria’s second victory in the competition with 290 points. The country also won in 1966. “This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a

PerformanceMay 11, 2014

Dynamic duo: The success of Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre

NEW YORK (AP) ― They truly are marching to the beat of their own drum.It’s as though anything Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre touches turns to gold: The dynamic duo marked epic-level success when they introduced Eminem to the music world 15 years ago, and their lucrative Beats by Dre business reached blockbuster heights following reports that Apple plans to buy the headphones’ parent company, Beats Electronics, for $3.2 billion.But the music industry veterans have had a string of triumphs, and we take

PerformanceMay 11, 2014

[Band Uprising] Expat rock band New Blue Death looking to break into underground scene

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 11th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.Six strangers from different walks of life, hailing from across the globe and all with different occupational backgrounds, found themselves in Korea on a temporary void-filling search for something new and exciting. Lit

PerformanceMay 11, 2014

‘Fatal Encounter’ draws 3m viewers

The period blockbuster “The Fatal Encounter” sold over 3 million tickets in just 11 days since its release, according to official data provided by the Korean Film Council. Starring Hyun Bin, Jeong Jae-young, Jo Jung-suk and Han Ji-min, the 10 billion won ($9.8 million) project is inspired by Jeongyuyeokbyeon, the assassination attempt on the Joseon era King Jeongjo by his political opponents in 1777, his first year as the nation’s ruler.Fatal EncounterThe movie is also the film debut for promine

FilmMay 11, 2014

EXO-M tops China’s CCTV music chart with ‘Overdose’

EXO-M tops the music chart in China. (CCTV)EXO-M, the Chinese unit of K-pop boy band EXO, topped the music chart on Chinese state-run media outlet CCTV, SM Entertainment said Sunday.“Overdose,” the title track of the boy band’s latest EP, won the most votes on “CCTV Global Chinese Music Bang Shang Bang,” which aired live in China on Saturday 7:30 p.m. local time. The music program is the first of its kind to have the audience vote via telephone, Internet and SNS, according to SM Entertainment.EX

May 11, 2014

Kim Sung-ryeong okayed her role in “Fatal Encounter” partly for Hyun Bin

Actress Kim Sung-ryeong (Issue Daily)Kim Sung-ryeong said actor Hyun Bin was part of the reason she joined the cast of historical epic film “Fatal Encounter” on KBS 2tv “Entertainment News” Saturday.The comment came as Kim, 47, was asked about a past statement she made, calling Lee Min-ho her ideal date and Hyun Bin her ideal husband. When she was asked again if she took up her part because of Hyun Bin, she jovially said “partially.”The actress won public envy as she played the beloved mother of

May 11, 2014

Filmmaker brings moving portrait of his adoptee life to big screen

Korean-born Belgian filmmaker Jung Henin (Jeon Jung-sik) was only about five when he was adopted by Belgian parents after being found as a lost child at Namdaemun Market in Seoul. He doesn’t know who filled out his adoption papers, but whoever it was recorded his skin color as “miel,” which means “honey” in French, instead of “Asian.”Now 48, Henin, who wants to be called by his Korean name, recently visited Seoul for the local release of his autobiographical animated film “Approved for Adoption.

FilmMay 9, 2014

Calendar

Pop musicSeoul Jazz Festival 2014: Every year the annual two-day Seoul Jazz Festival features a wide variety of musical acts, from legendary jazz musicians to popular contemporary figures. This year’s headline artists include Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice, jazz-pop musician Jamie Cullum, jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri, the Jack DeJohnette Trio and R&B soloist Eric Benet as well as local bands Jang Kiha and the Faces and Urban Zakapa. The 2014 Seoul Jazz Festival will be held at Seoul Olympic

CultureMay 9, 2014

Singers resume releases delayed by ferry disaster

(from left) g.o.d.’s “The Lone Duckling” (IHQ), Baek Ji-young’s “Bulggot” (WS Entertainment)Singers are resuming releases stalled after the Sewol ferry disaster in April.They have delayed their releases amid national grief over the ferry sinking off the southern coast on April 16, which killed 269 passengers and left 35 people still missing. EXO released their second EP “Overdose” on Wednesday, followed by single “Bulggot” by Baek Ji-young. K-pop group g.o.d. reunited and made a full comeback on

May 9, 2014

‘Belle’ filmmakers go where Jane Austen never dared

Folding fans flutter, bosoms heave above Empire-waisted dresses and class distinctions get in the way of true love.But in the 18th-century romance “Belle,” the young British aristocrat trying to find her place, in society, and in love, is black, the daughter of a black woman and a white sea captain of noble birth. Still, try to find a review of the new costume romance that doesn’t mention “Jane Austen.”The comparison to the works of the author of “Emma” and “Pride & Prejudice” may be too obvious

FilmMay 9, 2014

Eyelike: EXO makes listeners ‘Overdose’

EXO makes listeners ‘Overdose’EXO-K “Overdose” (KT Music)EXO has made its return to the K-pop scene in Korea, as the music industry slowly picks up its activities since coming to a virtual standstill after the Sewol ferry accident in late April.EXO-K, the South Korean unit of the 12-member group EXO, released a Korean version of the group’s new EP “Overdose” on Wednesday. The album features five tracks, including the lead single “Overdose,” which immediately climbed to the top of major local mus

FilmMay 9, 2014

Box Office

Mad Sad Bad (Korea)Opening May 15Fantasy, drama, horror. A collaboration between three renowned Korean directors, “Mad Sad Bad” consists of three short films, each telling a different story. It starts off with “Ghost” by Ryu Seung-wan, which deals with a senseless murder by reckless teenagers based on a real-life case. The second is Han Ji-seung’s “I Saw You,” a romance between a zombie and a human. The last film, “Picnic” by Kim Tae-yong, is about a child and her relationship with her autistic

FilmMay 9, 2014

Jumping into Normandy, 70 years after D-Day

COMMES, France (AP) ― Weather conditions over Normandy had been iffy for days. Showers and wind in the morning gave way to glorious spring sunshine in the afternoon, then electric green lightning storms over the sea at night. We watched the sky and waited for the go sign ― the signal that meant it was time to jump. With a brief window of only a few hours in which it would be possible, I began to doubt our chances. Finally the message my companions and I had been waiting for arrived: The jump was

TravelMay 9, 2014

Changdeokgung Palace unveiled beneath a full moon

One has not witnessed the true beauty of Changdeokgung Palace until seeing it unveiled under a full moon, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation claims. And it is beautiful with the full moon rising above Buyongji Pond and brushing through the royal court of Nakseonjae and the Secret Garden. Prior to the foundation’s launch of the “2014 Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace,” all visitors had to exit this UNESCO world heritage site by 6 p.m. without exception. But thanks to the monthly special

CultureMay 9, 2014

Brioche and coffee at Mill

Mill's butter-hued brioche (front) and nutty cranberry-walnut pain de campagne (Lee Sang-sub/ The Korea Herald)When Mill owner Joo Eun-suk moved to Seoul’s Seochon, she felt the time was right to open up a small local bakery, one that would fit right in with the storied neighborhood. “It is a great place for strolling,” said Joo, 49, explaining how she would frequently take her dog out for walks. Pleased by the lack of high-rise buildings and the organic fusion of new and old shops and stores, J

FoodMay 9, 2014