Most Popular
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Key S. Korean, USFK special operations officials to hold rare meeting amid NK threats
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Jennie, Stray Kids's Met Gala attendance puts them on 'digital guillotine' blacklist
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Controversy brews over shakeup of prosecutors amid probe of first lady
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OpenAI gives ChatGPT new powers to see, hear
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Another suspect behind murder of Korean tourist in Pattaya arrested in Cambodia
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Korean industries gauge impact of Biden's steep tariffs on China
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S. Korea to inject $70m into AI-powered public education
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[KH Explains] Naver’s Line dilemma: Lose global footing for cash?
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[Herald Interview] Carbon breakthrough in Korea: Making diamonds at atmospheric pressure
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Do Korean doctors make too much money?
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Jay-Z tops Grammy nominations, snub for Justin Timberlake
LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Veteran rapper Jay-Z topped nominees for the 2014 Grammys announced Friday with nine nods, while Taylor Swift and Daft Punk were also among those in the running in major categories.But other major stars including Justin Timberlake failed to score any nominations in the major categories, which saw a mixture of rap and pop in the running for the top honors at music’s equivalent of the Oscars next month.In second place with seven nods apiece were California hip hop star Kendrick
Dec. 8, 2013
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Eyelike: ’VOODOO‘ catchy but average
’VOODOO‘ catchy but average VIXX “VOODOO”(CJ E&M) One year after their debut, rookie boy band VIXX has come out with the release of their first full-length studio album, “VOODOO.” Although with 15 tracks there are many to pick and choose from, much of the album sounds like catchy but average K-pop affair.The album begins with a short horror movie-esque instrumental piece titled “VOODOO.” Albeit short, the introductory track is actually very well made with a haunting piano melody that transitions
Dec. 6, 2013
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‘Mamma Mia!’ returns with British cast
The globally popular hit musical “Mamma Mia!” has returned to Seoul, this time starring a British cast from the original London production. Written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, and based on songs by ABBA ― the famous Swedish pop group, active from 1972 to 1982 ― including “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money” and “Thank You for the Music,” the musical offers a hilarious tale of a young bride-to-be’s search for her unknown father. The musical premiered in 1999 in the West End at Prin
Dec. 6, 2013
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Ancient beliefs spirited away in the shift to modernity
Shamanistic practices were considered an aspect of Korea that needed to be stamped out in its shift to industrialization and modernization. In the 1970s, the government-initiated New Year’s campaigns, promoted in newspapers, stressed that people must build their own fortune by working hard, rather than depending too much on shamanistic fortunetelling. A few practices have survived despite the government’s attempt to break away from old customs, but most of them are remembered through research an
Dec. 5, 2013
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Ringing in the holidays with K-pop carols
For those looking to celebrate the Yuletide with K-pop rather than traditional Christmas carols, there will be no shortage of new releases to choose from by the end of the year. In honor of the holiday season, many K-pop artists have or are scheduled to release special season’s greetings-inspired tracks to usher in Christmas and the New Year. The artists of Cube and A Cube Entertainment came together as Cube United for the collaborative holiday single “Christmas Song” ― not a variation of Mel To
Dec. 5, 2013
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Newport Jazz to add third festival day to mark 60th year
NEWPORT, Rhode Island (AP) ― The Newport Jazz Festival is adding a third day of music to mark its 60th anniversary and will focus that day on new and emerging acts, part of a plan to ensure the event does not become a “museum piece,’’ festival producer George Wein said Wednesday.At least one already familiar name ― John Zorn ― will be on hand to help kick off one of the world’s top jazz festivals when it begins during the day, Aug. 1, rather than its traditional evening start.Zorn will bring his
Dec. 5, 2013
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Psy, SNSD recognized on Time’s Top 10 Everything of 2013
Time magazine has selected the music video for Psy’s comedic single “Gentleman” as the No. 1 Viral Video of 2013 as well as Girls’ Generation’s “I Got a Boy” as No. 5 on the Top 10 Songs of 2013 in the magazine’s list set of the Top 10 Everything of 2013. Psy and Girls’ Generation were the only two Koreans on the publication’s set of Top 10 lists. Rap star Psy’s “Gentleman” music video raked up more than 595 million hits on YouTube since it was released in April. “Think lightning can’t strike tw
Dec. 5, 2013
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Boohwal’s vocalist Jung Dong-ha to marry next year
Jung Dong-ha, the vocalist of South Korean rock band Boohwal, announced Thursday that he is marrying his girlfriend of eight years.“Next year, I will tie the knot with my girlfriend who has waited and supported me for more than eight years,” the 33-year-old singer said on his official online fan page. In the letter titled “Promise,” which was addressed to his fans, he said, “This year was a blessing, thanks to my fans supporting my dreams with me.”The singer said he is planning to hold the weddi
Dec. 5, 2013
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Time announces top songs of 2013; Girls’ Generation at No.5
K-pop group Girls’ Generation turned heads on Wednesday by making No.5 on Time magazine’s list of “Top 10 Songs of 2013” with "I Got A Boy."“The nine-woman, South Korean group Girls’ Generation is a ridiculously effective hook machine, and a major phenomenon in Asia,” the magazine said. While the group enjoys gigantic popularity here and in most parts of Asia, it is still a relative newcomer on the world pop stage. The group, which unexpectedly took “Video of the Year” at the first-ever YouTube
Dec. 5, 2013
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Hiroshi Sugimoto exhibition: A slow journey through time and space
The calm yet thought-provoking images of Hiroshi Sugimoto, one of the most acclaimed artists in contemporary photography, are on exhibit at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art from this week through next year.Known for long-exposure photographs intended to capture layers of time and space, Sugimoto presents his photographic series on seascapes, theaters, portraits and lightning done over the past 40 years, beginning in the 1970s, at his solo exhibition in Seoul. As meticulous and patient as he is with
Dec. 4, 2013
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$1 million Picasso yours for just $135
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Still stumped for a Christmas present? Then what about an exquisite $1 million Picasso for the living room, yours for just $135 at an online charity raffle.The perfectly preserved Cubist gouache was bought by an anonymous donor from a New York gallery and given to a charity working to save the ancient city of Tyre in southern Lebanon.The UNESCO-registered charity has issued 50,000 tickets at 100 euros ($135) each for the first-of-its-kind tombola on Dec. 18 at Sotheby’s in Paris
Dec. 4, 2013
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G-Dragon’s ‘Niliria’ among Complex’s top 50 songs of 2013
American men’s fashion and entertainment magazine Complex has named G-Dragon’s electro pop song “Niliria” as one of this year’s top 50 songs. “Niliria,” featuring U.S. hip-hop artist Missy Elliott, is a single from the artist’s second solo album “Coup d’etat,” released on Sept. 5. “Niliria” was produced by G-Dragon, Missy Elliott and Teddy Park. The hybrid track, featuring traditional Korean sounds fused with electro pop and hip-hop, ranked at No. 32 on the Complex magazine list. “Korean pop sup
Dec. 4, 2013
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Britney Spears makes official Las Vegas entrance
LAS VEGAS (AP) ― Fire-breathers, contortionists, snake charmers and hunky dancers welcomed Britney Spears to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Tuesday afternoon in a staged event kicking off the pop icon’s two-year Las Vegas residency.One block of the Strip was briefly shut down as the star pulled up to the casino in a convoy of black Cadillac Escalades. Spears’ show debuts Dec. 27, just in time for Sin City’s massive New Year’s crowds. She will perform 50 shows each in 2014 and 2015, in a
Dec. 4, 2013
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Billy Joel unveils New York concert residency deal
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Grammy-winning U.S. singer Billy Joel on Tuesday announced a residency deal with Madison Square Garden that will see him play once a month at the iconic New York venue “as long as there is demand.”The deal makes Joel the Garden’s first-ever “music franchise” ― he joins the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty, all sports teams, as a resident of one of the world’s most famous arenas.The first four shows in January, February, March and April ― which were previously announced ― are
Dec. 4, 2013
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[Photo News] 9muses makes its return with “Glue”
K-pop girl group 9muses made its comeback with a new single, “Glue,” on Wednesday.The nine-member group kicked off online sales of the song and released a music video on its official YouTube channel. The song’s lyrics are about a woman who is “glued” to the memories of her days with a boyfriend she recently split up with. It is a medium tempo dance number with a 1990s-style disco rhythm. 9muses will perform on cable channel Mnet’s “Mcountdown” for its comeback show on Thursday. (minsikyoon@heral
Dec. 4, 2013
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Jung Kuho immerses himself in dance and traditional Korean art
Celebrated fashion designer Jung Kuho is no stranger to dance performances, having directed a number of pieces in collaboration with the nation’s top troupes.Jung, who abruptly announced last month his departure from his 10-year position as executive director at Cheil Industries, which acquired his brand KUHO in 2003, is directing a dance piece for the third time. Under Jung’s leadership, the label’s sales have increased 13-fold over the past decade. Jung’s departure came about two months after
Dec. 3, 2013
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Reyle junks conventions of art
Piles of junk take up a corner of the gallery space with signs saying the clutter is not garbage to be removed. The blinking lights from fluorescent lamps and neon acrylic boards are also carefully placed for a seemingly artistic vibe. The junk installation is one of the recent works by German artist Anselm Reyle, a rising artist in the international contemporary art scene. His works are being showcased at Kukje Gallery until the end of the year. “These are pieces that we consider as garbage. So
Dec. 3, 2013
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Bolshoi Theatre’s chief conductor Sinaisky quits
MOSCOW (AFP) ― The music director and chief conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre, Vassily Sinaisky, has quit, the theater’s spokeswoman said Monday, the latest blow to befall the legendary theater.Sinaisky presented his letter of resignation to the Bolshoi’s director, Vladimir Urin, and it was accepted, spokeswoman Yekaterina Novikova told AFP.The decision is effective immediately, she said.Sinaisky, who has been the Bolshoi’s leading conductor since 2010, was due to conduct Verdi’s opera “Don Carlo
Dec. 3, 2013
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French artist Laure Prouvost wins Britain’s Turner prize
LONDONDERRY, Northern Ireland (AFP) ― French artist Laure Prouvost on Monday won Britain’s Turner prize for contemporary art for her video installation set among a mock-tea party setting, it was announced at a ceremony in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.“The jury thought her work was outstanding for its complex and courageous combination of images and objects in a deeply atmospheric environment,” said an official press release from Tate, the award’s partners.Young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, who
Dec. 3, 2013
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Kang Sue-jin to head Korean National Ballet
Korean-born ballerina Kang Sue-jin, who currently dances as one of the principals with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, has been appointed the new director of the Korean National Ballet, according to the Culture Ministry. Her term starts next year.Kang, considered one of the most acclaimed Korean dancers, has been dancing with the German troupe since 1986. She was promoted to principal in 1997. The 46-year-old won numerous prestigious awards, including the Prix de Lausanne in 1985 and the Prix B
Dec. 3, 2013