‘Planet of the Apes’ thumps chest with $73m debut

NEW YORK (AP) ― The monkey business is a good business to be in at the box office. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” roared to $73 million on its opening weekend, one of the summer’s best debuts, according to studio estimates Sunday. The 20th Century Fox sequel easily surpassed the $54.8 million opening to 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the reboot of the fabled chimp franchise. In a summer heavy on hype but thin on quality, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” has proven to be one of the fe

FilmJuly 14, 2014

[Herald Interview] Understanding contemporary South Korea through K-pop

Characterized by a Western sound, synchronized dance moves and a repetitive and addictive melody, and sung by well-crafted performers with a dedicated following, K-pop, or contemporary South Korean music, has become a defining aspect of modern Korean culture, gaining international recognition over the past decade.The government, media and entrepreneurs have taken a keen interest in K-pop, which has managed to bring Korean influences to various corners of the world. Its impact goes beyond the Asi

July 14, 2014

Girls’ Generation attracts 200,000 in third Japan tour

Girls’ Generation. (SM Entertainment)Girls’ Generation completed its third tour of Japan on Sunday, the K-pop group’s agency, SM Entertainment, said Monday.The group kicked off the tour in Fukuoka on April 26, then moved to Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagoya, Osaka, Saitama and Tokyo.It performed 17 times in the seven cities and attracted a total of 200,000 spectators.The group’s last concert series took place in Tokyo for three days from July 11-13. In the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in the Japanese capital

July 14, 2014

AOA on Billboard’s K-pop MV list with ‘Short Hair’

AOA’s EP “Short Hair”K-pop idol girl group AOA ranked sixth on Billboard.com’s June K-pop MV Top 8 with its latest song “Short Hair.”AOA was the only female group on the list of the most viewed K-pop music videos in the world for the month of June. It attracted over 2.6 million viewers.The other eight music videos were Psy’s “Hangover,” Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips” and “1AM,” BEAST’s “Good Luck” and “No More,” GOT7’s “A,” and U-KISS’ “Don’t Flirt.” Meanwhile, AOA’s “Short Hair” topped the Gaon S

July 14, 2014

Super Junior-M to turn into tour guides for Chinese fans

Seven Super Junior-M members will transform into tour guides for Chinese fans on an upcoming reality show that will kick off in September. On the first-ever entertainment program exclusively starring Super Junior-M, the idols will offer selected Chinese fans a glimpse of their lives in Korea.  (OSEN)“Whenever we travel abroad for concert tours, we enjoyed eating and sightseeing. But we did not have any chance to introduce where we live, what we eat to our fans,” Sungmin said Monday at the press

July 14, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun’s beer ad under suspicion of plagiarism

Another commercial featuring the actress Jun Ji-hyun has become the center of debate, this time regarding plagiarism. The controversy is centered on a claim that Jun’s advertisement for the beer brand Kloud resembles an ad for Gucci. According to Dispatch, a local entertainment news agency, the Kloud and Gucci ads have similar introductions and music, and the models are styled similarly. Blake Lively is the model for the Gucci ad. Both ads begin with Jun and Lively standing in front of a w

July 14, 2014

B2ST reveals secret of teamwork

Members of boy band B2ST talked about their great teamwork during an interview with a local newspaper Monday.“The six of us share similar taste in humor, and it seems like each of us are not that different. We may be a little bit dull, but we are similar,” Yoseob said to a question on the secret to maintaining good relations within the band. “We keep things very simple, so we have no difficulty in expressing our feelings and accepting them,” he added.“We have now entered the stage where we can s

July 14, 2014

AOA Choa, Seolhyun go ‘snow white’

AOA members Choa and Seolhyun flaunted their girlish charms in snow-white outfits and settings. The photos were released on Monday as part of the girl group’s first photo book “Hot Summer.”(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 14, 2014

IU confesses that she once suffered from bulimia

K-pop singer IU will confess that she was once a bulimia patient on the talk show “Healing Camp.” During filming for the show, the popular star said that she always felt nervous and empty-minded.  (SBS)“I tried to fill my empty mind with foods. I ate to the point of vomiting, so I received treatment,” she said.The singer-songwriter has shot to fame with her easy-listening songs, vocal talents and well-regarded acting skills since her debut in 2008.Starring the K-pop duo Akdong Musician and veter

July 14, 2014

SNSD draws 200,000 fans to 3rd Japan concert tour

South Korean girl band Girls’ Generation garnered a total of 200,000 concert-goers on its third concert tour around Japan, a whopping amount for a K-pop idol group. The nine-member group successfully wrapped up its third concert tour series “Girls Generation ~Love & Peace~ Japan 3rd Tour” that opened in April in Fukuoka. The group performed 17 times in seven Japanese cities including Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo.(SM Entertainment)Through three concert tours in Japan since 2011, the group attracted a

July 14, 2014

f(x) captivates fans with charismatic performance

K-pop girl group f(x) showcased a charismatic performance with their new track “Red Light” on SBS music show “Inkigayo” that aired on Sunday. f(x) members came onto the stage in black and white shorts, flaunting coke-bottle curves. The quintet electrified fans with their powerful yet sexy dance moves. The idol band returned to the local music scene equipped with electro-pop sounds on July 7 in a departure from their usual upbeat and invigorating music. Their new tune immediately climbed to the t

July 14, 2014

Henry takes shower with nothing but wet towel

(MBC)Super Junior-M’s Henry managed to show off his survival skills on MBC’s “Real Man” on Sunday, by taking a “simple” shower using only a wet towel.The K-pop singer took a piece of wet towel and wiped off from head to toe, while his fellow soldiers took a normal morning shower.Henry and the other members of “Real Man” were on deployment to the Philippines.Some watchers pointed out that Henry’s survival skill was in fact “the true portrayal of deployment.” When soldiers are sent abroad, many en

July 14, 2014

Yoona declines ‘Nodame Cantabile‘ for Korea-China rom-com

Yoona of popular idol group Girls’ Generation ultimately declined to play the female lead role in the drama “Nodame Cantabile,” a remake of a Japanese drama.The idol instead chose to play the lead in a Korean-Chinese romantic comedy named “Good-bye, Ani,” making her first big-screen debut.In the movie, Yoona is to play a loving and cheerful girl named Ani. The male lead has not yet been decided, but many popular Chinese actors, including Peng Yuyan, have been mentioned for the part.The movie pro

July 14, 2014

Rainbow showing off chic side

Kim Ji-sook, Cho Hyun-young and Noeul, members of the K-pop girl group Rainbow, appeared in Big Issue, a magazine sold on the streets by homeless people. According to DSP Media, Kim Ji-sook is showing off her mature side, Noeul her elegant side and Cho Hyun-young her sexy side. The magazine is going to be released on July 15. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Big Issue)

July 14, 2014

2PM Junho’s eyewear advertorial

Idol group 2PM member Junho took part in a Karl Lagerfeld eyewear advertorial which was release in bnt magazine recently. The Karl Lagerfeld eyewear collection seen in the magazine is well known for its unique retro design, which suits Junho well. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: bnt)

July 14, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun modeling for ‘rouge and lounge’

  Actress Jun Ji-hyun’s ad for “rouge and lounge,” a fashion brand which designs bags, was made public on Monday. The actress is dressed in all white, emphasizing the bag she is holding. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: rouge and lounge)

July 14, 2014

Park Hyung-sik says goodbye to ‘Real Man’

Park Hyung-sik of idol group ZE:A is to leave MBC’s Sunday reality show “Real Man,” according to local news reports.“Park has decided to leave the program after participating in the last military training that starts today. He is having difficulties handling the loaded schedule,” the staff of the program was quoted as saying on Monday.“A new member to replace Park has not yet been discussed. The program might proceed without one, or we might find a new member,” the staff added.Park has been part

July 14, 2014

Lee Hyori shows off new hairdo

Lee Hyori showed off her new hairstyle on her blog Saturday. “As I had my hair cut, the hairstyle became the same as my husband’s,” she said with laugh.A photo of two take from behind, shows that the couple really does have matching hairstyles.The blog was updated as she returned home after a three-night stay in Seoul. “My husband played a weird song which he composed while I was away. I guess he was bored without me,” she said. “As I come back home, every moment here is a laugh.” (khnews@herald

July 14, 2014