Most Popular
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[AtoZ into Korean mind] Humor in Korea: Navigating the line between what's funny and not
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Yoon seeks rebound, taps 5-term lawmaker as chief of staff
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Medical standoff deepens as doctors reject new med school plan, talks
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[Herald Interview] Why Toss invited hackers to penetrate its system
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[Graphic News] 77% of young Koreans still financially dependent
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S. Korean envoys convene to navigate strategy amid Middle East tensions
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North Korea fires several short-range ballistic missiles into sea: JCS
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Samsung, SK hynix investors dump shares on Nvidia crash
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Suspect in murder of girlfriend's mugshot, name made public
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S. Korea, US to initiate early defense cost-sharing talks this week
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‘Snack culture’ to lead cultural trends this year
In 2014, more people are expected to use smartphones in their spare moments to watch short video clips or engage in cultural activities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. Koreans will likely live more private and individualistic lives while seeking a sense of attachment in real life, not just in cyberspace, it said. According to a joint report by the ministry and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, titled “10 Likely Trends for 2014,” this “snack culture” ― in which
CultureJan. 1, 2014
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[Herald Review] Revisiting Roh Moo-hyun
Though director Yang Woo-seok’s latest film “The Attorney” specifies in the very beginning that it is “fiction,” it is hard to separate Song Woo-seok, the protagonist of the film and a fierce Busan-based lawyer in the 1980s, and the late President Roh Moo-hyun. Starring Song Kang-ho, of “Snowpiercer” and “The Face Reader,” who is undoubtedly one of the most famed and respected actors today, the film, which hit its 5 million viewers mark in just 12 days of its release on Monday, revisits Roh’s ea
FilmJan. 1, 2014
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Lee Seung-gi and SNSD’s YoonA dating
It has been revealed that popular TV personality and singer Lee Seung-gi and Girls’ Generation’s YoonA have been seeing each other for the past several months. On New Year’s Day both of the stars’ agencies confirmed rumors that the two were dating after local online news media Dispatch released several photos of YoonA getting into Lee’s car on a number of occasions since October. The two have reportedly been dating in secret since September.“Lee Seung-gi and YoonA’s feelings for one another are
PeopleJan. 1, 2014
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Herald Corp. names new managing editors
Herald Corp. has conducted a major shuffle of senior staff at its media business units to enhance its digital and mobile content, data-based news and visual presentation online and offline.Hwang Jang-jin, National Desk editor, was appointed managing editor of The Korea Herald, the nation’s No. 1 English daily newspaper, on Monday. He replaced Chon Shi-young, who led the newspaper since 2010 and will now write editorials.The media firm also named Kwon Yong-kook, chief of the English Business Divi
PeopleJan. 1, 2014
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Pope asks if people helped others in 2013
VATICAN CITY (AP) ― Pope Francis used his year-end prayer service on Tuesday evening to urge people to ask themselves a tough question: Did they mainly spend 2013 promoting self-interests or helping others? That’s what we all should consider as New Year’s celebrations get under way, the pontiff said as he led the service in St. Peter’s Basilica to give thanks, a Vatican year-end tradition.“Let us courageously ask ourselves: How did we live the time (God) gave us?” Francis asked in his homily. “D
PeopleJan. 1, 2014
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Vegas hypnotist will bring out your inner Strip dweller
LAS VEGAS ― Sure, Anthony Cools is a hypnotist, but this slick pompadour-sporting showman won’t help you quit smoking.He drives a Lamborghini and dresses in form-fitting suits with a bow tie, skull ring and pointy-toed, black-and-white Giorgio Brutini wingtips. Under his calculated spell, in fact, you might even start chain-smoking, or engage in other nefarious activities you wouldn’t be caught dead doing in your right mind.Maybe you’ll move your bra outside your blouse, dirty-flirt with a stran
CultureJan. 1, 2014
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World’s hottest pepper is grown in U.S.
FORT MILL, South Carolina (AP) ― Ed Currie holds one of his world-record Carolina Reaper peppers by the stem, which looks like the tail of a scorpion. On the other end is red fruit with a punch of heat nearly as potent as most pepper sprays used by police. Last month, The Guinness Book of World Records decided Currie’s peppers were the hottest on Earth, ending a more than four-year drive to prove no one grows a more scorching chili. The heat of Currie’s peppers was certified by students at Winth
FoodJan. 1, 2014
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Japan’s ‘Tree Town’ sculptors make living art
SOSA, Japan (AFP) ― With a deft clip here and a gentle tug there, Makoto Ishibashi sculpts trees with the skill of an artisan whose work is far more than just a job.The heir to a centuries-old family business, he creates masterpieces that can turn a pine tree into a work of art that could fetch $40,000. “This tree is a woman ― the leaves are soft,” the arborist says of the pine into a triangle at his farm in the city of Sosa.“Trees are my family ― they don’t say what they want but they are sendi
PeopleJan. 1, 2014
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[Photo News] Actress Hwang Jung-eum gives tearful speech
Singer and actress Hwang Jung-eum gives a tearful speech during her acceptance address after winning the best actress award in the 2013 KBS Drama Awards on Tuesday night, New Year’s Eve. In her speech, she expressed affection toward her long-term boyfriend Kim Yong-joon, a member of vocal group SG Wannabe, by saying, “Thanks to my other half for always being by my side. Love you.”By Ock Hyun-ju, Intern reporter(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)
TelevisionJan. 1, 2014
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[Rookies of 2014] Clara Jumi Kang, latest darling of classical music
Twenty-six-year-old Clara Jumi Kang was 5 when she was admitted to the Mannheim Musikhochschule as the youngest student ever accepted to study under Valery Gradov. Brought up in a music-filled environment ― her father is the famed Wagnerian bass singer Philp Kang and her mother is the equally noted soprano Han Min-hee ― the violinist climbed steadily to the top. At five, she made her debut with the Hamburg Symphony and at seven she was accepted at the Juilliard School to study under Dorothy Dela
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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[Rookies of 2014] Media artist Yang Min-ha draws on latest technologies
Media artist Yang Min-ha’s interactive media work was one of the well-received artworks at the inaugural exhibition of the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. His “Intervention, Misalignment,” on exhibit until Feb. 28 in Seoul, has been hailed as a fresh take on the existing media art form. His media installation, based on advanced technologies, not filmed images, set an example of the latest innovations in media art. “Yang is emerging in the international
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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[Rookies of 2014] Boys Republic looking to make a statement in 2014
In June 2013, Universal Music Korea launched the global music conglomerate’s first K-pop group. The five-member boy band of Boys Republic, consisting of members Won-jun, Da-bin, Soo-wong, Sung-joon and Min-soo, is the first K-pop group organized directly by Universal Music.After two years of training in singing and dancing, as well as learning many different customs in order to become a global idol group, the boys made their official debut with “Party Rock” on June 6.In August, the boys released
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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[Rookies of 2014] Shim Eun-kyeong steps forward with ‘Miss Granny’
One of the most anticipated films in the first half of this year is “Miss Granny,” a fantasy film and a comedy about an old woman in her 70s who somehow regains her physical appearance from when she was 20 years old. Playing the role is former child actress Shim Eun-kyeong, whose acting career in the past couple of years saw some dramatic highs, including roles in some of the most successful Korean films. In 2011, the 19-year-old actress played Na-mi, a wacky teenager living in 1980s Korea in di
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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[Rookie of 2014] Musical actress Park Ji-yeon evolves with ‘Ghost the Musical’
Though “Ghost the Musical,” one of the most anticipated musicals of last year, has been grabbing attention for its star-studded cast ― including TV actor Joo Won and pop-singer Ivy ― it is in fact actress Park Ji-yeon who is making huge strides in her career with the show.The 25-year-old actress is sharing the lead role with Ivy in the musical which opened in November, an adaptation of the 1990 hit romance movie “Ghost.” She won her first musical role ― in “Mamma Mia!” ― through an audition with
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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Unknown donor leaves cash for charity again this year
An unidentified person has made another cash donation this year in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, without being noticed at all.The mysterious donor has left a huge sum of cash in front of a community center of the city office each year for 14 years in a row.According to the Nosong-dong Community Center in Jeonju on Monday, a man presumed to be in his 50s called at around 11:15 a.m. Monday, and let them know he had left money there.The man said over the phone, “I put the money beside the statue o
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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Former F1 driver Schumacher ‘critical’ after skiing accident
PARIS (AP) ― Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery following a skiing accident in the French Alps on Sunday, doctors said. The Grenoble University Hospital Center said the retired racing driver arrived at the clinic in a coma and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma. It was not clear whether the 44-year-old Schumacher was still in a coma but the hospital statement, which was signed by a neurosurgeon, an anesth
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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Government to archive records on comfort women
The National Archives of Korea will safeguard records on former comfort women forced by Japan to provide sex to its soldiers during World War II.The government agency said Monday that it will archive 3,060 items currently stored by the House of Sharing, a home for surviving former comfort women.The records include oral statements by former comfort women on their lives as sex slaves; video footage of psychological testing, news conferences and rallies; their drawings; and articles by the deceased
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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S. African royals worried by Mandela family ‘instability’
CAPE TOWN (AFP) ― The tribal royal house in South Africa of which Nelson Mandela was a member on Sunday expressed concern at “instability” in the icon’s family and urged calm as his estate is settled.The AbaThembu royal family called the meeting in Qunu where Mandela was buried on December 15 and “shared their concern” amid reports of internal strife and warring over his estate.“We advised the family members to remain calm, respect the administration of the estate and ensure that all the assets
PeopleDec. 30, 2013
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What to expect in 2014
With the New Year upon us, it’s time to schedule in various cultural activities for our weekends and evenings. Here are some of the notable events to be held in 2014. ---Ed. 1. Beyond Impressionism: the Birth of Modern Art: The National Museum of Korea will feature more than 70 drawings and sculptures on loan from the Musee d’Orsay from May 3 through Aug. 31. The exhibition is expected to present some of the world’s most revered works of late impressionism and postimpressionism, illustrating the
CultureDec. 30, 2013
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Despite lackluster results, K-pop continues collaborations
With news earlier in the year of Psy’s collaboration with American rock legend Steven Tyler of Aerosmith as well as local rap star G-Dragon’s announcement that he had indeed recorded a track with international pop superstar Justin Bieber, it appears as though K-pop artists are looking to expand their presence in the international music realm and continue to snatch any collaborative opportunities that come their way. In August, Big Bang leader G-Dragon released his second solo album, “Coup d’etat
PerformanceDec. 30, 2013