[Herald Interview] Rapper San E living his dream

It appears that the sky is the limit for rapper San E, who is still scoring hit after hit despite his decision last year to leave JYP Entertainment, one of the nation’s top management agencies.After joining popular hip-hop label Brand New Music shortly after his departure from JYPE, the artist released a single “Story of Someone I Know,” which topped local music charts. His newest single “A Midsummer Night’s Sweetness,” a duet with After School’s Raina, also claimed the No. 1 spot upon its relea

PerformanceJune 18, 2014

‘Star Wars’ droid builders bring galaxy down to earth

Most people just have cars, bikes and lawn mowers in their garage. George Westwater has a droid.As in R2-D2. As in “Star Wars.” As in ...“Whoa! Where’d you get that thing?”With “Star Wars: Episode VII” now shooting, every tidbit of news about the iconic franchise flies across social media and the Internet at light speed.Fan-built droids are part of the frenzy. Costing more than $16,000, the Lenexa, Kansas, man’s R2 is no dime-store copy. Though you could believe he got it at a George Lucas estat

PerformanceJune 18, 2014

Mirror, mirror: Style meets activity trackers

Eight kilometers equals approximately 10,000 steps.How do I know this?Because just as I made it to the 8-kilometer mark on the Kelly Drive loop Saturday morning, the teeny LED lights in my red Fitbit Flex started doing the happy dance. And the silicone wristband ― reminiscent of cyclist Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong bracelets ― vibrated.I stopped for a smoothie and did some grocery shopping. And when I got home, I synced the Flex to my laptop and ― drumroll, please ― my grand step total was 18,14

Arts & DesignJune 18, 2014

Modern meets traditional at London menswear shows

LONDON (AP) ― In the world of women’s fashion, London often plays second fiddle to other style capitals ― it lacks the allure of Paris’s haute couture or the polish of Milan’s luxury labels. Yet when it comes to dressing gentlemen, no city can rival the British capital’s heritage. Steeped in a rich history of tailoring for kings, army generals and the world’s wealthiest men, London is now being marketed as the home of men’s fashion ― the original birthplace of the tuxedo jacket, the bowler hat a

Arts & DesignJune 18, 2014

2NE1 gears up to hypnotize Japan

The K-pop girl group 2NE1, currently on world tour, released a promotional video for its upcoming Japanese edition of the EP “Crush” on YouTube.The group is to release the album in Japan on June 25 with repackaged contents, different from the Korean edition.As the Korean version of “Crush” was thoroughly loved by fans worldwide, the upcoming album is raising anticipation among eager fans. The album will have 10 tracks: “Crush,” “Come Back Home,” “Gotta Be You,” “Do You Love Me,” “Happy,” “Fallin

June 18, 2014

Lee Seung-gi to debut on screen with ‘Woman of 3 Men’

South Korean singer and actor Lee Seung-gi will make his screen debut with “Woman of Three Men,” according to local news reports on Wednesday.  (Yonhap)“Lee Seung-gi will accept the male lead in the film ‘Woman of Three Men’ if the plan goes well,” a film insider told entertainment news outlet Star N. Directed by Park Jin-pyo, the rom-com will follow the story of three male friends who happen to fall in love with the same woman, who works as a TV weather forecaster, played by Korean actress Moon

June 18, 2014

Lee Seung-chul in feud with JYJ fans over cover song

The feud between Korean ballad singer Lee Seung-chul and K-pop band JYJ’s fandom is deepening due to a dispute over the promotion method for Lee’s remake of a song originally sung by Junsu.Lee released a song on the soundtrack for SBS drama series “You Are All Surrounded” on June 5. The song “I’m in Love” was initially sung by Junsu as part of his second solo EP.The controversy sparked as JYJ fans claimed the way “I’m in Love” was promoted was improper since it did not mention the original song.

June 18, 2014

KBS releases couple photos of “Joseon’s Gunman”

KBS TV released couple photos of the two main characters of “Joseon’s Gunman,” Lee Jun-ki and Nam Sang-mi. The first episode of KBS 2TV’s “Joseon’s Gunman” will be broadcast on June 25. Just by looking at the photos, viewers can predict not only the story line, but also the strong chemistry between Lee and Nam. “We didn’t even need time to get used to each other. We’ve known each other for seven years, so we were able to film comfortably. We prepare every scene together. When I film, I feel like

June 18, 2014

‘Jung Sisters’ reveal their natural faces

 K-pop starlets Krystal of f(x) and Jessica of Girls’ Generation, also known as the “Jung Sisters,” revealed their natural faces without makeup.    OnStyle’s “Jessica & Krystal” was broadcast on Tuesday. The episode was about their trip to New York for a photo shoot. After the photo shoot, they went back to the hotel and removed their makeup, showing sisterly love by washing off each other’s cosmetics. After taking off their false eyelashes, they hesitated to show their natural faces. Jessica sa

June 18, 2014

Psy gives a thumbs up for Korea WC team

World star Psy offered encouraging words to the Korean national soccer team, following the Korea-Russia World Cup match that ended in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.  (Yonhap)“The Korean soccer team did really well. It was a wonderful match,” he said after watching the neck-and-neck game with his dance crew in Seoul. Earlier in the day, the viral sensation staged a 40-minute performance starting at 6 a.m. for the cheering crowds who gathered on Yeongdong road near Coex in Gangnam, to root for South Kor

June 18, 2014

Who is lying about Nichkhun’s future?

A Chinese news agency reported that 2PM member Nichkhun hopes to work in China. But 2PM’s management agency in Korea immediately denied the report, saying “it was exaggerated.”According to a report from China News, Nichkhun expressed his hope to grow as an actor in China during a meeting with reporters on Monday ahead of the launch of the Chinese drama “One and a Half Summer,” starring the K-pop idol.The media also reported the drama director hopes that his work will gain as much popularity in C

June 18, 2014

Pictures of EXO concert in China disclosed

Photos of K-pop idol group EXO taken at a recent concert were unveiled Monday by its label SM Entertainment.  (SM Entertainment)The photos offer a glimpse into the heated-up atmosphere at the concert held on June 14 in Wuhan, China, part of the Asian concert series “EXO FROM EXOPLANET #1 -- THE LOST PLANET.” (SM Entertainment)The group captivated Chinese fans with an array of hit songs including “Growl” and the new song “Overdose,” garnering around 10,000 spectators.  (SM Entertainment)A slew of

June 18, 2014

Krystal and Jessica in New York

K-pop starlets Krystal of f(x) and Jessica of Girls’ Generation, also known as the “Jung Sisters,” posed for fashion magazine 1st Look in New York. Both wear various outfits such as high waist pants, crop tops, jumpsuits and dresses. The editorial can be seen in 1st Look magazine, which will be released on June 19. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: 1st Look)　　

June 18, 2014

2NE1‘s album ’Crush‘ named among Fuse TV’s top 25 albums of 2014

“Crush,” K-pop girl group 2NE1’s second full-length album, was picked by a U.S. music TV channel as one of the 25 best tracks of the year on Monday. Fuse TV rounded up the strongest tracks of 2014 so far, and 2NE1 was the only Asian group to make this year’s chart. The U.S. media outlet chose the group’s three songs -- “Come Back Home,” “Baby I Miss You” and “Gotta Be You” -- as outstanding tracks worth listening. The broadcaster described a slew of 2NE1’s songs on the album “Crush” as “forward-

June 18, 2014

Jun Hyo-seong shows off curves in sexy black and white editorial

  Secret member Jun Hyo-seong showed off her sexy curves in a black and white editorial. The K-pop singer looked glamorous in a lace outfit and black dress. The whole editorial and interview on her confidence about her body can be seen in @star1 magazine, released on June 20.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: @star1)　　

June 18, 2014

Daegu Softball League runs match for local orphanage

Daegu Softball League hosted a charity softball event Saturday in partnership with a local orphanage. The event itself involved 15 members of the DSL and 21 children from a local orphanage. It was funded by donations, weekly raffles and money raised from league merchandise sales this year. The DSL donated the necessary softball equipment, as well as jerseys and hats for each of the children. After arranging the kids into teams, some of the league’s veterans held introductory training sessions to

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014

Language class helps Filipino-Korean kids stay in touch with their roots

A Filipino language class program for Filipino-Korean children was launched in Seoul on Saturday by the Philippine Embassy.The Wika Nga! Filipino Language Classes for Filipino-Korean Children, run in partnership with the Seoul Global Center, Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) Inc. and Seoul Filipino Parents and Children Organization, will run for 10 weeks at the Seoul Global Center.“We hope we could continue this project not only until August, but make it the cornerstone of a more comprehensive and

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014