[Herald Review] When go meets fierce action

The game of go seems convoluted and mind-boggling to beginners, though the game pieces are simple black and white stones. Go is a brain game; the playing time can range from 20 minutes to several hours, depending on the strategies of the players. No talking or action is required. Winning or losing is all determined on the grid of 361 points.In this war of silent minds, another game piece is added to the board. Blood spatter and heated action are peppered throughout an epic go battle in the new f

July 2, 2014

Older new dads savor wisdom that comes with age

Was I nervous about becoming a dad for the first time at age 40? You bet. But I was hardly the only guy intimidated by taking on what was by far the biggest responsibility of my life ― nothing else came close.“When faced with first-time fatherhood at 49, I didn’t know whether to celebrate with Champagne or hemlock,” author Len Filppu quips in “Prime Time Dads: 45 Reasons to Embrace Midlife Fatherhood” (Bright Lights Press). He wrote the book to sing the praises of being an older dad once it beca

CultureJuly 2, 2014

‘Booze and brushes’ movement a masterpiece in community building

OAIKLAND, California ― The drink isn’t necessarily the draw.It may start that way for most, as it did for three friends during the recent Booze and Brushes evening at the San Jose Museum of Art. Jane Taheri of San Jose had come across the event notice online and thought it would make for a fun outing with her longtime pals, so they picked up some cocktails at the no-host bar in the museum’s lobby and joined about 25 others who were similarly sipping in a large classroom.Then art happened. Once b

CultureJuly 2, 2014

South Florida’s teenage poets find their voice in WordSpeak program

The words and feelings pouring out of Celestelle Webster, 19, and Christelle Roach, 18, on this sunny afternoon seem fiercely, startlingly beyond their years.“The bones in my body are like needles in my skin ... I am a bomb, take shelter.”Facing each other onstage in the small auditorium at the Miami Beach Regional Library, they summon a wrenching vision of domestic violence with lines they wrote together.“Why are you still here? I’m in love with the arsonist ... There is a fire burning inside m

FilmJuly 2, 2014

Actress Kim Yun-jin takes U.S. peers to watch ‘Snowpiercer’

Actress Kim Yun-jin took her American peers and colleagues to watch the Korean film “Snowpiercer,” Korean entertainment tabloids reported on Wednesday.  Actress Kim Yun-jin appears on the U.S. edition of fashion magazine "InStyle." (Zion Entertainment)The actress recently saw an ad for the Korean film, which launched in the U.S. on May 29, and talked about the movie with her American colleagues and peers, according to local sports tabloids. “Snowpiercer” is a sci-fi action film directed by Bong

July 2, 2014

Tang Wei to tie knot with Korean filmmaker this fall

Chinese actress Tang Wei and Korean filmmaker Kim Tae-yong will get married in the fall, Kim’s agency Bom Film Production said on Wednesday.The two first met through the 2009 film “Late Autumn” as an actress and director. After the film, they maintained a good friendship until October 2013 when Tang visited Korea for a commercial shoot. From then on, they grew as a couple.Tang Wei and Kim Tae-yongThe couple will have their wedding this fall, only inviting friends and family.“Through movie, we go

FilmJuly 2, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun’s controversial Chinese ad revealed

The embattled actor Kim Soo-hyun’s Chinese advertisement for bottled water was released Tuesday amid criticism in Korea that he ignored the public’s negative sentiment for the commercial. The 15-second video clip showed Kim drinking Hengda Bingquan after working out and making rice with the water while Chinese narration says, “If you like me, drink Hengda Bingquan. When you drink water daily, brew tea with it and make rice with it, the water will make you beautiful and healthy.” At the en

July 2, 2014

Suzy shows sexy dancing in ad

(Coca-Cola)Suzy, a member of the K-pop girl band Miss A and an actress, changed into jean shorts and a white sleeveless top in a departure from her usual go-go frilled pink dress.In the behind-the-scenes photos released Wednesday, Suzy is dancing, swaying her wet hair from side to side.The photographs were taken during the filming of a Sprite commercial which was released last month. The short clip of Suzy dancing with a male model lured many fans to watch the video over and over.By Ha Ji-won, I

July 2, 2014

Director praises Park Yoo-chun over acting in ‘Sea Fog‘

JYJ member Park Yoo-chun garnered praises from the director and actors involved in his upcoming movie “Sea Fog,” where the singer made his silver screen debut.In the movie to be released Aug. 13, Park plays Dong-sik, the youngest among six sailors of the ship Jeonjin. Park Yoo-chun in the movie "Sea Fog" (NEW)Park expressed his gratitude for being given a chance to participate in the movie starring Kim Yoon-suk, one of Korea’s best actors.Shim Sung-bo, the director, showed great anticipation for

July 2, 2014

Will KARA’s new member fill Jiyoung and Nicole’s empty seats?

A new member of K-pop girl group KARA was selected on Tuesday, but faced some doubts on whether she will be able to fill the hole left by two former members who defected from the group.The group’s management agency DSP Media, in cooperation with MBC TV, had pushed for a project to select a new member. And on MBC’s final episode of “KARA Project -- KARA The Beginning,” Heo Young-ji, 20, stole the stage with her baby-like face and contrasting sexy moves, beating out four rival trainees under DSP M

July 2, 2014

Actress Kim Tae-hee buys building pricier than boyfriend’s

Actress Kim Tae-hee purchased a pricey building near Gangnam Station in southeastern Seoul that brought her boyfriend Rain down a notch in the list of Korean celebrities with most expensive buildings.  Actress Kim Tae-hee. (OSEN)The actress reportedly spent 13.2 billion won ($13.1 million) to buy the Prestige Two Building in the office-packed area near Teheran-ro in Gangnam district. She paid 4.6 billion won through loans and the rest in cash, according to local reports. Built on a 403-square-me

July 2, 2014

Han Jae-joon’s tragic childhood revealed in ‘Doctor Stranger’

The vengeful past of Han Jae-joon, played by actor Park Hae-jin, was revealed in SBS medical series “Doctor Stranger” on Tuesday, as the elite doctor took revenge on the founding family of Myungwoo Hospital.  Actor Park Hae-jin plays vengeful surgeon Han Jae-joon in SBS medical television series "Doctor Stranger. (SBS)As a child, Han lost his parents in a medical accident that occurred in Myungwoo Hospital. The hospital head Oh Joon-kyu, Han’s boss and the father of his lover Oh Soo-hyun, refuse

July 2, 2014

Choi Daniel on cover of Big Issue

    Actor Choi Daniel appeared on the cover of the Big Issue, a magazine sold on the streets by homeless people. Choi “donated his talent” to the magazine’s fourth anniversary and can be seen in fashionable outfits. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Big Issue)

July 2, 2014

Nerd turns into handsome K-pop idol

A blogger and online fashion shop owner showed how to turn into a hot K-pop idol in a video clip that‘s less than 1 minute long. The video shows him turning into a handsome man by shaving, putting on a facial mask pack and transforming his hairstyle. To see the video, go into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLdtAG3xlIBy Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Youtube capture)

July 2, 2014

After School’s Yui in summer editorial for SPA fashion brand

After School’s Yui has appeared in a summer editorial for SPA fashion brand H:Connect. The editorial shows Yui wearing a black bra top matched with a see-through top and flare skirt. The K-pop actress and singer can also been seen wearing a cute black-and-white dress matched with a stylish snapback. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: H:Connect)

July 2, 2014

JYJ protests over exclusion in Asian Game opening session performance

The three-member K-pop group JYJ expressed its displeasure with organizers of the Incheon Asian Games with regards to its performance during the upcoming sports festival.“The organizing committee must reach a consensus with JYJ in advance regarding Incheon Asian Games’ events,” JYJ said Tuesday through its management agency C-jes Entertainment. Idol group JYJ (C-jes Ent.)“When casting K-pop stars for the opening and closing event or conferences of Incheon Asian Games, JYJ should become the top p

July 2, 2014

Seoul City Improv hosts U.S. performers for joint show

The cast of Seoul City Improv (SCI)Seoul City Improv and Improv America will team up in Itaewon and Haebangchon from July 4-6 to deliver a weekend of performances and workshops.The Seoul troupe will be joined by performers connected with ImprovBoston and the Hideout Theater in Austin, Texas. Having performed with the group in Seoul twice before, Texas-based improv artist Kaci Beeler praises the city, citing its supportive community and the joys of raising awareness of improv comedy.“(We hope to)

Expat LivingJuly 1, 2014

North Asian Gaelic Games returns after three-year break

Seoul Gaels will be welcoming teams from across the country and overseas for the North Asian Gaelic Games this weekend. The event, to be held at Namyangju Sports Center in Gyeonggi Province, marks the return of the North Asian games after a three-year hiatus.Seoul Gaels chair Declan Griffin said that Irish sports in the region had suffered a lot after many of the Japanese players left in the wake of the problems of 2011.While Seoul Gaels was doing well at the moment, some of the other teams woul

Expat LivingJuly 1, 2014