‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ irreverent but not enough

At the height of their powers, our overlords at Marvel have deigned to prove, like an emperor tolerating a court jester, that they do, in fact, have a sense of humor. The Marvel universe, of course, isn’t entirely lacking comedy, as we’ve seen in “Iron Man” and “The Avengers.” But on the whole, the Marvel kingdom is built on an unshakable foundation of self-seriousness. The comic book studio seems to fear that if the solemnity of its fiction isn’t diligently guarded, people might start questioni

FilmJuly 29, 2014

Gaga on Bennett duet CD: Jazz comes easier than pop

NEW YORK (AP) ― Lady Gaga is a bonafide pop star, but the singer says recording jazz music was easier than pop. Gaga has spent two years recording an album of jazz standards with Tony Bennett called “Cheek to Cheek,” to be released this fall. “You know, it’s funny, but jazz comes a little more comfortable for me than pop music, than R&B music,” Gaga said in an interview Monday. “I’ve sang jazz since I was 13 years old, which is kind of like my little secret that Tony found out. So this is almost

PerformanceJuly 29, 2014

JYJ’s single ‘Back Seat’ tops charts

JYJ. (C-JeS Entertainment)Popular K-pop trio JYJ, who has kept fans waiting patiently for nearly three years, has returned with its newest album “Just Us” on Tuesday. JYJ’s “Just Us” is only the second full album for the trio following its 2011 “In Heaven” studio album. The new album’s lead single “Back Seat” topped all nine major online real-time music singles charts ― Naver Music, MelOn, Daum, Mnet, Soribada, Bugs, Genie, Olleh and Cyworld Music ― within hours of its release. The group’s new a

July 29, 2014

HyunA twerks her way to ‘Red’ solo return

The sexy K-pop starlet HyunA of 4Minute has made her solo return after nearly two years with the EP “A Talk,” featuring the lead single “Red.” The singer-rapper is certainly no stranger to risque choreography and lyrical innuendos, and her solo return on Monday has proven to be no different. HyunA. (Cube Entertainment)The album’s electro-pop lead track is an adult parody of the popular Korean children’s song “The Monkey’s Butt is Red,” which is the main line of the song’s chorus. The official mu

July 29, 2014

Lee Teuk makes low-key military discharge

Lee Teuk. (Yonhap)Super Junior member Lee Teuk has been released from his mandatory military service, after enlisting in the army in October 2012. Despite around 1,000 fans showing up and waiting outside the base in Gangwon Province to greet and welcome him back, Lee did not turn his discharge into a media spectacle. Rather he made a very quiet and low-key departure. “We did not hold any kind of interview or fan event in light of his discharge,” said a statement made by SM Entertainment. “It was

July 29, 2014

When can all Super Junior members get together?

While Leeteuk of idol group Super Junior was discharged from military on Tuesday, another member -- Shindong -- is now set to start his service in August.As the members serve their mandatory military service one-by-one, many fans wonder when Super Junior will be able to reunite as a full group.So far, three of the 13 members have completed military -- Heechul, Kangin and Leeteuk. Yesung is currently serving in the Army after joining in May 2013.Since the rest of the members -- Sungmin, Donghae,

July 29, 2014

‘Entertain Us’ to highlight dark side of Korean entertainment industry

　Mnet’s upcoming series “Entertain Us” will highlight the hidden side of the Korean entertainment business by mixing reality into the new drama series.“Entertain Us” is a black comedy that hits on the dark, illegal and unfaithful side of K-pop that takes place behind its glamorous façade. The unusual series attempts to blend reality and fiction by following real-life boy band Teen Top as it is placed in the hands of overly ambitious producer Yoon Jong-shin, founder of Mystic89. While the stars w

July 29, 2014

Yunho compliments Jaejoong’s acting

Jung Yun-ho, an actor and member of idol group TVXQ, shared his thoughts about Kim Jaejoong’s performance as an actor.“When I do get to watch the drama sometimes, it is good to see Kim working hard as an actor,” said Jung at a press conference held on Tuesday for the upcoming MBC drama “The Night Watchman,” which will follow up “Triangle.”“I had been overseas and went straight to preparing for the drama shoot, so I did not have enough time to watch it in detail,” he added.Kim currently plays as

July 29, 2014

Jung Il-woo reveals passion for Yi Lin and global fans

(Herald Pop)Actor Jung Il-woo revealed passion for his character Yi Lin of MBC’s new historical fantasy drama “The Night Watchman,” as well as for his global fans. “(In ‘The Night Watchman’) You can notice how Yi Lin expresses different characteristics depending on which character he is with,” said Jung in a press conference for the drama in Seoul on Tuesday. “I was impressed about how many different aspects I could show in this one character. I thought I could show all I have through (the role)

July 29, 2014

Yoona backs off, Shim Eun-kyung rolls in

Actress Shim Eun-kyung won final confirmation as the heroine of KBS 2tv’s upcoming rom-com “Nodame Cantabile,” the broadcaster said on Tuesday. Her character, Nodame, is a talented yet eccentric student who majors in piano at college. She will co-star in the drama with actor Joo Won, a talented conductor-aspirant and the love of Nodame’s life.  Actress Shim Eun-kyung. (OSEN)After Shim reportedly rejected the offer at first, citing schedule conflicts, KBS cast Yoona of K-pop girl group Girls’ Gen

July 29, 2014

’Shinhwa‘s Andy is strict producer‘

K-pop boy group Teen Top compared its producer Andy, also a member of Shinhwa, with singer-producer Yoon Jong-shin in the upcoming drama series “Entertain Us.”Yoon plays the part of a greedy and determined producer who lays his hands on Teen Top in order to make money.“Andy is strict as a producer and gives a lot of advice but Yoon Jong-shin in the drama is a character who pursues his own benefits,” Teen Top’s Niel explained. (CJ E&M)As the longest-standing idol group in the K-pop industry, memb

July 29, 2014

Super Junior member discharged from military service

Leeteuk, a conscripted member of the K-pop boy band Super Junior, was discharged from military service on Tuesday.The 31-year-old singer, whose real name is Park Jeong-su, served for 21 months in an Army unit in Inje, 165 kilometers northeast of Seoul.All able-bodied men should serve roughly two years in the South Korean military, which is still technically at war with North Korea. His fans flocked to the front gate of the military unit in the early morning to see him, but Leeteuk only briefly g

July 29, 2014

Compilation album by Girls' Generation tops Japanese weekly chart

Popular K-pop group Girls' Generation on Tuesday topped Japan's Oricon weekly albums chart with its first compilation album released there, the group's management agency said. The girl group placed first on Oricon's weekly albums chart with "The Best," the compilation album composed of 18 of the group's hit songs, S.M. Entertainment said. It marks the third time for the band to top the chart following its first full-length album "Girls' Generation" (2011) and the third full-length album

July 29, 2014

Model-Actor Lee Soo-hyuk glows in stylish looks

Actor Lee Soo-hyuk has found himself in the spotlight for his style in the drama “High School King.” In the drama, Lee plays Yoo Jin-woo, a coldhearted but successful man who is the chief manager of his company.Lee was able to capture viewers’ attention with his dandy yet fashionable suits and “pomade hair” styling.“High School King” is broadcast on tvN every Monday and Tuesday. By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: tvN]

July 29, 2014

So Yi-hyun and In Gyo-jin’s wedding pictorial

Actress So Yi-hyun and actor In Gyo-jin’s wedding pictorial was released in the magazine Singles Wedding. The pictures of the soon-to-be-married couple were taken in Chateau, France, an area near Paris. So posed elegantly in various wedding dresses and the couple looked lovely together. The whole pictorial and interview about their love story can be seen in the August issue of Singles Wedding. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Singles Wedding)

July 29, 2014

KARA’s Park Gyu-ri’s lingerie look

DSP Entertainment revealed the lingerie look of Park Gyu-ri for KARA’s new album “DAY & NIGHT” on the group’s official homepage. Park looks flawless in a lingerie top and white skirt. The album pictures of another member, Heo Young-ji, was released yesterday and can be seen here: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140728000709. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: DSP Entertainment)

July 29, 2014

JYJ's Park Yoo-chun talks about love-making scene in 'Sea Fog'

Singer-turned-actor Park Yoo-chun talked about his first sex scene in the upcoming film “Sea Fog” with actress Han Ye-ri on Monday.“I agonized over the sex scene before I shot it. I talked about how to articulate the scene with the director but as we started shooting, I understood the feelings of the character,” Park said during a press premiere.“Han was the only person who felt alive in the film,” Park added. Park continued to explain that the scene was more than just a sexual expression but a

July 29, 2014

JYJ returns in 3 years with new EP ‘Just Us’

JYJ returned with its long-awaited new EP “Just Us” at midnight on Tuesday. Its lead track “Back Seat” immediately rose to the top of seven music charts.“Back Seat” emphasizes Junsu, Jaejoong and Yoochun’s mellow yet stable vocals on top of their sexy and charming R&B tunes.In the music video, the three dance as one person, proving their strength in the easy-come, easy-go world of K-pop.By Ha Ji-won, Intern reporter (jiwonha@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: C-JeS Ent.]

July 29, 2014

2PM to make comeback in September, Wooyoung reveals

The boy band 2PM will make its comeback in September, Wooyoung, one of its members, revealed on Monday.Along with the upcoming concert “2014 JYP NATION -- ONE MIC,” an interview titled “ONE MIC TALK” was held and broadcast on Naver Starcast. JYP artists including Wooyoung from 2PM, Miss A, 15&, Sunmi and GOT7 participated in the interview.“We are planning to come back around September, making Korea hotter than ever,” Wooyoung replied when asked about 2PM’s comeback.The concert “2014 JYP NATION -

July 29, 2014