HyunA stuns in make-up free selfie

Sexy diva HyunA disclosed a no make-up selfie Sunday on her Instagram. In the photo, she shows off her fair skin, big eyes and pink lips without thick make-up on. HyunA will start solo activities in July, one year and nine months after she released her album “Ice Cream” in 2012. 　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

June 30, 2014

Key of SHINee posts selfie with new hairstyle

Key of SHINee posted a selfie revealing his new hairstyle on Instagram on Sunday. The picture showed Key lying down in bed and shoving his hair away from his face. With the photo, Key wrote, “New hair cut new new.” The idol recently participated in a pictorial shoot for fashion magazine NYLON.By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Instagram]

June 30, 2014

Sandara Park reveals her beauty with new bangs

Sandara Park of K-pop girl group 2NE1 posted a photo showing her new hairstyle, having changed her bangs, on Instagram on Sunday.Along with the photo, Sandara said in the posting, “Dara’s sightseeing with stylists in Singapore!” 2NE1 returned to Korea on Monday after winding up its Singapore world tour concert.By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Instagram] 

June 30, 2014

Foreigners learn traditional Korean music

Participants perform “pansori” at this year’s International Gugak Workshop on Friday. (National Gugak Center)Inside a classroom at the National Gugak Center in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on Friday, a group of people sit upright and cross-legged on the hardwood floor, bringing out melodies with traditional Korean instruments such as the gayageum and haegeum. In another room, people passionately learn how to bellow out “pansori,” a type of sung Korean folk narrative, while snapping open and shut traditio

PerformanceJune 29, 2014

[Band Uprising] Crying Nut: Punk is ‘one giant party’

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 18th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.After nearly two decades in the local punk rock music scene, the five members of Crying Nut show no signs of growing old ― or maturing for that matter. The meeting place of Korea’s best-selling indie rock group is remin

June 29, 2014

Lee Hyori in distress due to reckless tourists

(Lee Hyori's blog)Korean singer, Lee Hyori, expressed frustration with tourists who think her private home is part of a “tourist route.”Lee posted a long and heartfelt Tweet on Saturday, explaining her distress at the disturbance caused by curious fans and visitors to Jejudo Island.“Dear tourists in Jejudo Island, I’m sorry but our home is not a tourist route. Our family is extremely distressed due to the doorbell and alarm that goes off tens of times day and night. Please excuse us although you

June 29, 2014

Clara supports baseball team in sexy style

Korean actress Clara supported baseball team Doosan Bears in a match against the Nexen Heroes in Seoul on Friday. (OSEN)Mix-and-matching the baseball team uniform with a pair of mesh stockings, Clara attracted fans‘ attention with her trademark sexy look. (OSEN)(OSEN)(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 29, 2014

T-Ara Hyomin geared up for solo album

A picture of T-Ara member Hyomin was released on Sunday, showing the girl group member practicing for her first-ever solo stage and solo album release.(OSEN)In the photo, Hyomin does pre-workout stretching before dance practice, flaunting her perfect bodyline in comfy training wear. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 29, 2014

EXO’s Tao writes ‘Call me when you need me’

Tao, a Chinese member of K-pop group EXO, greeted fans by posting a selfie on his SNS account while traveling in China for a concert.“Departing. Call me when you need me. Haha, just kidding. All the best for the concert. Remember to smile every day for yourself,” Tao wrote on his Weibo account with a picture of himself making a call-me hand gesture.The eleven members of EXO held a concert “EXO FROM EXOPLANET #1 - THE LOST PLANET” at Chongqing Olympic Sports Center with a million fans on Saturday

June 29, 2014

Still shows Kwon Sang-woo, Choi Ji-woo in ‘Seduction’

A still of actor Kwon Sang-woo and actress Choi Ji-woo was revealed on Sunday, hinting at a tragic romance between the costars of SBS’s new television series “Seduction.”  A still shows Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Ji-woo in SBS television series “Seduction.” (SBS)The photo portrays the contrasting personalities of the two lovers. Choi Seok-hoon, played by Kwon, is plaintively looking out of the window, revealing a husband who is torn between two priorities. The dry, cold-hearted heiress Yu Se-young,

June 29, 2014

[Weekender] Eat well, be well

At a glance, the Korean traditional diet may look ideal.It contains a lot of vegetables, beans, fermented foods and not too much meat or sweets. Koreans do not seem to eat large portions, either. Many people seem to be sticking to the traditional daily diet of a bowl of rice, soup and a few side dishes which are mostly vegetables. And there is, of course, kimchi, the superhealthy fermented cabbage dish served at just about every meal.(123RF)A further look into Koreans’ eating patterns, however,

FoodJune 27, 2014

[Weekender] Cut back on salt

Want a healthier diet now? Then start with salt. How much sodium do you think is in a bowl of instant ramen? And what would be the total if you had it with kimchi? Chances are it is more than your body needs for the whole day.  Ramen and kimchi are a bad combination, as far as sodium is concerned.The World Health Organization recommends that adults limit their daily sodium intake to 2,000 milligrams a day, which equals about a teaspoon of table salt. Now back to ramen.A bowl of ramen contains 1,

FoodJune 27, 2014

[Weekender] Less, simple mean healthier, trendier

“Less” and “simple” are two keywords that depict the latest food trend in Korea as more consumers seek foods with less sodium and artificial additives while still wanting to eat on-the-go.CJ Foodville, a leading food business, is at the forefront of promoting healthy eating.In line with the latest trend for “less,” Tous les Jours, a bakery franchise run by CJ Foodville, launched a new bread lineup this year called Pure, with which the company said it aims to deliver the original tastes of its in

FoodJune 27, 2014

[Weekender] Slow food movement catches on with Koreans

Some people say that dating and eating have one thing in common: They can be fully enjoyed when you take them slow.As far as eating is concerned, Koreans are beginning to discover the virtue of “slow food” ― sustainably produced foods that use regional ingredients adapted to the local environment. With this, locally produced foods are growing in popularity.Jung Sung-hoon, 27, is among those who recently started to take interest in foods that are produced with care and are made with local and sea

CultureJune 27, 2014

[Weekender] Calendar

Dance“Don Quixote”: Following the Korean National Ballet’s staging of “Swan Lake” this past April, the company is gearing up to present it latest production, a resurrection of Marius Petipa’s classical tale of humor, “Don Quixote.” Based on the eponymous novel by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, the ballet version first made its premiere more than 260 years ago and has since become one of the ballet world’s most beloved comical productions. “Don Quixote” will run from June 26-29 at the Seoul

CultureJune 27, 2014

Eyelike: Jung revives rock spirit on new EP

Jung Joon-young revives rock spirit on new EPJung Joon-young“Teenager”(CJ E&M)Singer Jung Joon-young is bringing back rock ’n’ roll spirit to the local music scene inundated by mainstream pop music with his new EP “Teenager.”With the new release, Jung boldly declares a return to his roots as a hardcore rocker, showcasing six tracks infused with electric hard rock sounds and his signature, soaring vocals that made him a top contestant on the 2012 audition program “Superstar K4.” The new EP defini

PerformanceJune 27, 2014

[Weekender] Box Office

The Divine Move (Korea)Opening July 3Crime, Action. Directed by Jo Bum-guProfessional Go player Tae-seok (Jung Woo-sung) watches as his brother is murdered by Sal-su (Lee Bum-soo) during a high stakes Go match. He is even allegedly framed for the crime and locked up in prison. When he serves his time, he vows revenge against notorious Sal-su and his gang. He gathers professional Go players and forms a team to prepare for the final match against Sal-su’s invincible team. His players play one-by-o

FilmJune 27, 2014

‘Game of Thrones’ puts Northern Ireland on the map

BELFAST (AP) ― Giants, dragons and vengeful queens have for generations populated Northern Ireland’s folk tales. Now, such creatures are visiting the land in a different version ― on the sets for the hit TV show “Game of Thrones.” But rather than spells and destruction, they’re bringing an economic boost to this British province still healing from its past of political violence. Fans of the HBO fantasy drama would recognize here the landscapes from the fictional land of Westeros ― the castle of

TravelJune 27, 2014

Miami’s Virginia Key transforms from desolate hammock to tropical wilderness

MIAMI ― Just seven years ago, the 17-acre hammock in Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was as desolate as a moonscape, but now it brims with native plants and wildlife.Volunteer Gary Hunt, armed with a Home Depot fanny pack and a floppy tan hat, walks the overgrown path, pointing out hundreds of new trees and recalling the owls and warblers he has spotted in the park.“This shows you very profoundly what volunteer effort can do,” Hunt said.Volunteers like Hunt have helped transform Virginia Key in

TravelJune 27, 2014