Accor’s ‘Super Sale’ offers discounts until June 27

The global hotel chain Accor is offering discounts on accommodations and breakfast for those who book online by June 27. Members of its loyalty program will receive a markdown of up to 40 percent and free breakfast, while regular customers will get a 30 percent discount with free breakfast.The sale applies to Accor’s brands, including Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure and ibis across the world. Some 2,200 hotels will participate in the Accor’s “Super S

TravelJune 19, 2014

Korea seen through eyes of foreign artists

Czech artist Klega noticed vegetables growing in every available plot of land in Seoul ― even in the narrow space between the old royal palace property and sidewalks. The sight piqued his interest, and he photographed vegetable gardens scattered across two bustling cities, Seoul and Incheon. Titled “Allotments,” the 15-photograph series on the petite gardens is one of the works by foreign artists living and working in Korea currently on display at Seoul Museum of Art.The works expose those aspec

PerformanceJune 19, 2014

GOT7 strays from hip-hop, tries sweet for a change

Stepping a foot outside the hip-hop realm and stripping away the high-flying, martial arts and b-boy style choreography that they emphasized in their debut, the seven members of JYP Entertainment’s latest boy band GOT7 have returned with their newest EP “Got Heart.”Looking to swoon their female fans with their boyish charms instead of their flips and tricks, the members of GOT7 unveiled the newest concept behind their upcoming album to members of the press during a showcase at the Uniqlo AX Hall

June 19, 2014

Top 5 female hallyu stars whose look barely changed over time

Most female celebrities spend tremendous time and effort on keeping their beauty. From skin care to fashion items, the range of their “beauty effort” is broad. Among those, however, some have shown off a natural beauty from a young age. The Korea Herald has listed the top five female hallyu stars who have had attractive looks since they were young. 1. Song Hye-kyo (OSEN)Actress Song Hye-kyo’s old pictures show a pure and cute look from a young age. She had an interview during middle school on re

June 19, 2014

Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong pose for ‘Roaring Currents’

The official poster of the historical film “Roaring Currents,” starring actors Choi Min-sik and Ryu Seung-ryong, was released on Thursday, portraying the historical sea battle of Myeongnyang between Joseon-era Korea and the Hideyoshi shogunate.  Actors Choi Min-sik (top) and Ryu Seung-ryong.               Actor Ryu Seung-ryong.In the poster, the two heroes are dressed in the armor of the two countries in 16th-century fashion.Choi plays the legendary Korean admiral Yi Sun-shin, who fends off some

June 19, 2014

EXO fans shocked about Baekhyun‘s dating with Taeyeon

Fans of EXO’s Baekhyun feel “betrayed” as the rumor about his romantic relationship with Girls’ Generation member Taeyeon has turned out to be true.Some congratulated the new couple, while the majority of the fans online expressed their disappointment with the news. The Twitter user @19930112_april said, “I am so furious, but I cannot live without EXO... I will wish you luck, but I will watch you two.” Another fan of the 22-year-old heartthrob, Twitter user @nabillamgfhr, said, “What is wrong wi

June 19, 2014

Gong Hyo-jin injured in triple-car accident

Actress Gong Hyo-jin was injured in a triple car accident, inevitably delaying the filming schedule of SBS television series “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” talent agency Management Soop said on Thursday. Actress Gong Hyo-jin (Management Soop)Gong, 34, suffered a fractured arm and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital after her car and two dump trucks collided. Gong’s driver and the two truck drivers were also injured and taken to the hospital.The accident occurred when Gong was heading back fro

June 19, 2014

SM confirms EXO‘s Baekhyun and SNSD’s Taeyeon dating

SM Entertainment, the nation’s largest entertainment agency that manages EXO and Girl’s Generation, confirmed Thursday that EXO’s Baekhyun and Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon are actually an item.  “They have been close senior and junior, but recently started to have feelings for each other. The relationship is in its early stage,” said an official from the agency. Earlier in the day, the rumor surfaced that Taeyeon and Baekhyun have been dating for four months.The news broke after Korean online ent

June 19, 2014

‘Fans knew EXO’s Baekhyun and Taeyeon had been dating’

Fans of EXO and Girls’ Generation may have known that Baekhyun and Taeyeon have been dating for months, according to local news reports. Some fans claim that it is no surprise that the idols are an item, eagerly posting photos of the two wearing the same bracelets, headphones and sunglasses. (Taeyeon and Baekhyun's SNS)There have also been numerous firsthand accounts online about the alleged couple being sighted together on dates. Earlier in the day, the rumor surfaced that Taeyeon and Baekhyun

June 19, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun’s Chinese fans to buy apartment just to be his neighbors

Some rich Chinese fans are hoping to buy certain apartments in Seoul just to become neighbors of hallyu star Kim Soo-hyun, according to real estate agencies.Property dealers said two Chinese women in their 40s and a legal representative of a Chinese mogul visited Seoul to buy an apartment neighboring the Korean actor’s flat.Kim rose to fame in China with SBS drama series “My Love from the Star,” in which he plays an alien who falls in love with A-list star Cheon Song-yi, played by actress Jun Ji

June 19, 2014

Yoo Ah-in shows off manly look in magazine shoot

Actor Yoo Ah-in graced the cover of W Korea magazine with a manly look. In July’s issue, Yoo boasted chicness with a semi-formal look.(W Korea)Despite his busy schedule, Yoo passionately proposed the photo shoot concept and gave ideas for styling, the magazine said. (W Korea)Full photos and interview are available in July’s issue. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 19, 2014

Ji Hyun-woo, Jung eun-ji boast chemistry in ‘Trot Lovers’

Actor Ji Hyun-woo and A Pink member Jung Eun-ji posed for a photo at a press event on Wednesday for the upcoming romantic comedy series “Trot Lovers.” (OSEN)The TV series will comically tell the love story between a poor girl and a genius musician. (OSEN)At the event, Jung boasted a slim body line in a tight black leather dress. While she seemed to pursue a simple one-color style, she paired it with a glamorous pair of heels decorated in fluorescent colors.  (OSEN)Ji mixed casual wear and a semi

June 19, 2014

Park Yoo-chun loves soju

A pictorial of Park Yoo-chun, singer and member of boy band JYJ, was unveiled on Wednesday. The 28-year-old heartthrob was pictured in casual clothes walking down a street in Macau. During the interview following the shoot, Park expressed his fondness for Korean traditional alcohol soju. “I’ve had many drinking gatherings since I started acting. There are a lot of good and tasty drinks, but I feel most comfortable with soju,” he said. The popular idol-turned-actor‘s new film “Sea Fog” is to be s

June 19, 2014

SNSD’s Taeyeon, EXO’s Baekhyun spotted in car on date: report

Girls Generation’s Taeyeon and EXO-K’s Baekhyun have been allegedly dating for four months, according to Korean entertainment news outlet Dispatch on Thursday. Baekhyun (left), TaeyeonThe news went viral after Dispatch unveiled photos of the two in a car, supposedly on a date, that were taken around dawn near EXO’s accommodations in Seoul. 　According to the news reports, Taeyeon headed to Baekhyun’s dormitory, located in eastern Seoul, at 2 a.m. to pick him up. They parked the car on a side road

June 19, 2014

Pontiff to meet Sewol families

Pope Francis will visit South Korea on Aug. 14 to attend a Catholic youth festival and preside over a ceremony to beatify 124 Korean Catholic martyrs, the Vatican and the local preparation committee for the visit said Wednesday.During the five-day state visit, the pope will conduct four Masses, including one for the beatification ceremony and another for the closing ceremony of Asian Youth Day. He will attend an official welcoming ceremony at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae and pay a visit

PeopleJune 18, 2014

Psy lights up Gangnam with World Cup street cheering concert

International K-pop sensation Psy helped cheer on South Korea in its first World Cup match against Russia with a concert in Gangnam, Seoul, on Wednesday morning. On a special stage set up in front of the Coex convention center, Psy put on a heated performance starting at 6 a.m. for some 20,000 people who had gathered to root for South Korea, which drew 1-1.“I will cheer with the loudest voice in the world. ... If we get tired, we lose. If we go crazy, we win!” said Psy as he took the stage decke

PerformanceJune 18, 2014

Lotte Hall to open in 2015 with Seoul Phil concert

Lotte Hall, a classical music hall currently under construction in Jamsil-dong, southern Seoul, will open on Sept. 3, 2015, with a concert by maestro Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the chief executive of the hall said Wednesday.The opening will be followed by a four-month music festival, during which the hall will make some necessary adjustments in acoustics and other installations.“From March onward, the hall will be made available to rent for concerts,” Kim Eui-joon sai

CultureJune 18, 2014

Chin Un-suk’s concertos available on CD

Three concertos of composer Chin Un-suk, played by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with maestro Chung Myung-hwun, are now available on CD. The Deutsche Grammophon album, which was globally released Tuesday, features the Korean artist’s compositions for three different instruments ― piano, cello and the Chinese mouth organ or “sheng.” It is the world’s first recording of the works. The featured soloists are Kim Sun-wook on piano, Alban Gerhardt on cello and Wu Wie on sheng. Composer Chin Un-suk (rig

PerformanceJune 18, 2014

Godzilla: Still relevant and raging after 60 years in Japan

TOKYO (AFP) ― While a digitalized Hollywood reboot stomps its way to box office success around the world, the original Godzilla ― a man in a rubber suit ― has hit screens in Japan again, as relevant as ever.The 1954 classic, which spawned more than two dozen follow-ups, has been cleaned up for a two-week run in Tokyo to mark the 60th anniversary of the monster from the deep.Despite the shaky sets and the all-too-obvious latex costumes, a new generation of movie-goers declared themselves impresse

FilmJune 18, 2014