What if idols were soccer players?

The World Cup has finally kicked off, attracting billions of fans to stadiums in Brazil. In time with the opening of the games, the “Idol Futsal World Cup Competition” was broadcast nationwide. Idol group members became the topic of the day by showing off skill close to that of the real pro players and their great passion. (1) FW: Idol soccer icon, Yoon Doo-joon and Minho  Minho of SHINee and Yoon Doo-joon of B2ST (OSEN)SHINee’s Minho and B2ST’s Yoon Doo-joon are idol soccer icons. Min-ho’s fath

June 16, 2014

Infinite Challenge hosts Jung Il-woo, B1A4 plan guerilla rally in Gwanghwamun

The hosts of MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge” and Korean celebrities will strike a guerrilla rally in Gwanghwamun, adding to the frenzy of the Korea-Russia World Cup match on Wednesday, TV Report reported Monday.  Infinite Challenge rally team. (MBC)The show hosts Yoo Jae-suk, Ha Ha and Park Myeong-su as well as actor Jung Il-woo, actress Son Ye-jin and boy band B1A4 will watch the match together at a guerrilla rally, mostly likely in Gwanghwamun, the production staff reportedly said. After

June 16, 2014

‘Heirs from the Star?’ China makes parody movie of 2 Korean dramas

A Chinese production company has completed the film “Heirs from the Star,” which is creating controversy over the title -- a combination of two popular Korean dramas “My Love from the Star” and “The Heirs.”Chinese portal site Sina reported that the filmmaker held an event for the new movie on June 9, but it did not reveal any specific details.Some Chinese viewers showed negative reactions online to the alleged parody, according to news reports.Chinese media, including Sina, has been criticizing

June 16, 2014

Main cast members of ‘The Heirs’: What are they doing now?

Six months have passed since the SBS drama “The Heirs” ended. But its popularity still hasn’t died down. The Kpop Herald has tracked down the main cast members of “The Heirs” and found out what they are doing now.1. Lee Min-ho (Kim Tan)After “The Heirs,” Lee Min-ho went on his 10-month “My Everything” tour till May, starting from Seoul and visiting Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Japan. Lee also starred in a promotional minidrama for the messenger app LINE in China. Lee Min-ho in mi

June 16, 2014

Jun Hyo-seong’s sporty fashion editorial

K-pop star Jun Hyo-seong posed for Sure magazine in May, wearing sporty fashion outfits including shorts and white shirts and showing off her glamorous body. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Sure)

June 16, 2014

Park Ji-sung’s fiancee spotted in ‘Running Man’

The fiancée of retired soccer player Park Ji-sung was spotted on SBS variety show “Running Man,” cheering on Park as he played an away game in Indonesia. Kim Min-ji, the fiancée of retired soccer player Park Ji-sung. (Running Man)Kim Min-ji, a former SBS announcer, accompanied her star player fiancé to Jakarta, Indonesia, to support Park’s team who played against the Indonesian all-star team. The match is the Indonesian leg of special segment “2014 Dream World Cup Asia,” aired on Sunday. Kim Min

June 16, 2014

Song Hye-kyo declares opening of Shanghai Film Festival

South Korea’s actress Song Hye-kyo launched Shanghai International Film Festival on Saturday.Song took the microphone following Jackie Chan as a representative of all Asian actresses.“A movie is like a trip for me. I find joy discovering the variety of sceneries in the film. I hope you find wonderful (new insights into your) self through Asian movies,” Song said in her congratulatory address, which moved the whole crowd.In addition to SIFF’s exceptional love for Song, her dress and style also ca

June 15, 2014

Psy’s new music video tops 50m views on YouTube

South Korean rapper Psy’s music video for his new song “Hangover” surpassed 50 million views on YouTube on Saturday, just six days after its release, his agency said.As of noon on Saturday, the video had some 53 million views on Youtube after debuting on Monday, according to YG Entertainment.The music video, which was shot in Seoul, depicts South Korea’s drinking culture and nightlife. In the video, Psy and American hip-hop star Snoop Dogg have drinks to cure their hangovers and visit some late-

June 15, 2014

Art struggles to find space in Ulsan

ULSAN ― Every summer for the past eight years, art sculptures and installations popped up along the Taehwa River that cuts through this port city, home to the world’s largest automobile assembly plant and its largest shipyard. But the Taehwa River Eco Art Festival seems to have had little impression on citizens of Ulsan, despite its stated aim of stimulating public interest in art. “We’ve met opposition and complaints from citizens and local businesses in organizing the art festival. Even though

PerformanceJune 15, 2014

No curfew: Saturday night Bangkok-style is back

BANGKOK (AP) ― The generals who seized power in Thailand disrupted one of the country’s most lucrative industries ― the go-go bars that were forced to close early because of a curfew. Now the junta has lifted the curfew, giving a green light for Bangkok’s red-light districts and other evening activities to roar back to life. For the first time in a month, Saturday night freedom returned to the Thai capital.“This is a party city, that’s why we’re here,” said Dan Moore, a 40-year-old visitor from

TravelJune 15, 2014

[Band Uprising] After three-year hiatus, Phonebooth returns with ‘Wonder’

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 16th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.After completing their stint in the military as part of the country’s mandatory service, the five friends of punk-rock band Phonebooth have been eager to resurrect their music and return to the stage. Having to put thei

June 15, 2014

Digital vs. celluloid debate grips movie world

PARIS (AFP) ― Director Quentin Tarantino lambastes digital film-making as nothing less than the “death of cinema as I know it.” Converts hail it as a democratizing force for good that is cheaper and faster than celluloid.A debate is raging in the film world about the merits of shooting movies on 35 mm film versus digital cameras.In one corner are those who believe digital’s practical and economic benefits make it impossible to resist.In the other, “purists” such as Tarantino and “The Dark Knight

FilmJune 15, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun seals 35 advertising deals

Actor Kim Soo-hyun, who stole the hearts of fans in Asia, also caught the eyes of international advertising firms, setting a staggering record with a total of 35 commercial deals this year.According to a local advertising expert, Kim has recently filmed 15 commercials in South Korea, showing his strength as an “ad powerhouse.”“It is unusual for one celebrity to appear in over 15 ads. Because similar products in the same field normally don’t go for the same model during the same period of time,”

June 15, 2014

Is Kris being a fifth wheel in China?

Kris, an embattled member of K-pop boy group EXO, is reportedly having trouble making a solo debut in China, a local news agency said on Friday.“Why is it that (there have been) three meetings and no casting?” Chinese actress Lin Xi Ya posted on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, together with a photo of Kris.According to the news report, a source who came forward with Lin’s currently deleted SNS post claimed that “Lin Xi Ya is a person who has dated Kris and is still a close friend of his.”

June 15, 2014

Are Taeyeon, Key dating?

Girls’ Generation leader Taeyeon posted Sunday a picture taken with SHINee member Key on Instagram. With a natural, casual look, both were intimately posing in a photo with a friend. The picture was taken at Music Festival Korea 2014. (khnew@heraldcorp.com)

June 15, 2014

Snapshots of Apink’s fan meeting

Korean female idol group Apink held its second fan meeting in Seoul on Saturday. Under the title “Apink Picnic,” members did various performances, from sexy dancing to ballad singing, for their official fan club “PANDA.” Around 2,000 fans showed up for the event. (OSEN)The fan meeting was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to the ferry tragedy. (OSEN)Son Na-eun smiles at fans. (OSEN)Three members -- Park Cho-rong, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young -- perform together. (OSEN)Park Cho-

June 15, 2014

Apink breaks into Japanese market

Korean female idol group Apink will break into the Japanese music industry this year, CUBE Entertainment said Sunday. “Having received many love calls from the Japanese market, Apink decided to debut in Japan this fall,” said the agency. “Prior to the official debut, the group will launch a showcase event in Tokyo on Aug. 4.” The album will feature song lyrics translated into Japanese, the agency said. A Japanese fan club will also be formed, it added. Considering Apink’s rising popularity in an

June 15, 2014

Song Seung-heon shows off Western look

Korean actor Song Seung-heon wore an American look when leaving for Shanghai to attend a Chinese film event Friday.(OSEN)A leather belt, jeans, styled boots and sunglasses completed his image.  (OSEN)His tight shirt also highlighted his masculine body. (OSEN)Song is currently joining the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 15, 2014

Rain takes selfie with Gong Li

Rain revealed a selfie taken with Chinese actress Gong Li on Twitter on Saturday. The Korean pop singer is currently participating in the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival for his film “Lu Shui Hong Yan.” Gong is attending as a jury chief. Meanwhile, a number of Korean celebrities are joining the event, including Song Hye-kyo, Park Shin-hye and Song Seung-heon. The film festival, which started Saturday, will be held until June 22. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 15, 2014