Kwon Sang-woo to star SBS TV show ‘Seduction’

Actor Kwon Sang-woo will star a new SBS TV drama, temporarily titled “Seduction” (Yuhok in Korean), the TV station confirmed on Tuesday. The show will air after the conclusion of “Doctor Stranger.” The exact date of airing is not specified yet. Actress Lee Mi-yeon is considering SBS TV’s offer to costar the show with Kwon.  Actor Kwon Sang-woo (Cosmopolitan, TEARS)“Seduction” is a romantic melodrama about financially embattled husband Cha Seok-hoon (Kwon), a naïve man from a rural village in Gan

May 20, 2014

Psy, Maroon 5 to hit stage together

This summer, K-pop sensation Psy and American pop rock band Maroon 5, who once vied for the top spot on Billboard chart, confirmed that they would appear in the rock festival Hyundai Card Citybreak 2014 slated for Aug. 9-10 in Seoul. The annual rock festival, launched last year, will feature over 30 artists ranging from internationally renowned bands to popular local musicians on three big stages at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The first lineup, disclosed Tuesday, includes world-famous Maroon 5,

May 20, 2014

Lee Hyori shows sexy side in Amsterdam

 K-pop diva Lee Hyori poses at a photo session organized by fashion brand COMING STEP and fashion magazine Grazia in Amsterdam. The intense clothes and makeup give her a chic, unique look. 　By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)　(Photo Credit: Grazia)

May 20, 2014

Song Hye-kyo calls Zhang Ziyi ‘Eonni’

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo revealed her close relationship with Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Sunday.Asked if any of the Chinese actors have pet names for her, Song responded that “Zhang Ziyi calls me meimei (妹妹; younger sister).”“I call her ‘eonni’ in Korean (jiejie, 姐姐; older sister),” the Korean actress was quoted as saying. “Other actors mostly just call me my Korean name pronounced in Chinese,” Song added.Touching on her relations with Zhang, Song

May 20, 2014

Miss A’s Suzy celebrates Coming-of-Age Day

K-pop girl group Miss A’s youngest member, Suzy, expressed her feelings about coming of the age on Monday.“It feels awkward yet good to finally become an adult. It was a longtime wish of mine to get a driving license and go out for a drive when I turn legal age,” Suzy said through her management company, JYP Entertainment.Suzy picked a bouquet of flowers as the present she hopes to receive among well-known and typical Coming-of-Age Day presents, such as perfume, a kiss and a bundle of flowers.“I

May 20, 2014

Park Bom’s unique garter belt fashion

2NE1’s Park Bom, was spotted at Incheon International Airport on Monday while heading for her tour to Manila, the Philippines. The pop singer, known as a bag lover, matched a Gucci diamante mini tote bag with a unique pair of gold-buttoned detailed garter belts to a casual outfit. 　By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Dimaco]

May 20, 2014

Lee Young-ae not to star in ‘Daejanggeum 2’

Actress Lee Young-ae has decided not to star in the sequel to the television series “Daejanggeum,” known as “Jewel in the Palace.”In the press conference for “Daejanggeum 2” on Monday, MBC revealed that Lee Young-ae had made her final decision not to star as Jang-geum in the new drama. Lee Young-ae in Daejanggeum (MBC)“Lee Young-ae was offered  the lead role in the drama, but ultimately rejected it,” an MBC official was quoted as saying. “However, "Daejanggeum 2" will be produced, nevertheless,”

May 20, 2014

Song Seung-heon throws surprise Twitter event for “Obsessed” fans

Actor Song Seung-heon on Monday hosted a surprise question-and-answer event to celebrate the successful release of the film “Obsessed,” in which he costarred with actress Im Ji-yeon.Song wrote on his Twitter page, “Box office No.1! Please put #인간중독 (‘Obsessed’) and feel free to ask questions to Kim Jin-pyeong of ‘Obsessed.’”The actor said he will select 20 questions and put up responses, starting 7 p.m. (Korea time) on May 21.  "Obsessed (2014)" official poster (left), actor Song Seung-heon (rig

May 20, 2014

Gyeongju museum chief puts tomb relics in the limelight

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province ― Yi Young-hoon, director of Gyeongju National Museum, is one of the few who breathe fresh air into the otherwise dull local museum scene. Through a series of exhibits on royal tombs of the ancient kingdom of Silla, he brought to the spotlight a slew of long-forgotten relics from the backroom of the museum. “Rediscovery of relics from our own storage rooms is what I emphasize to most to my staff here,” Yi said at his office in the museum last week. “The concep

CultureMay 19, 2014

Jones brings ‘women’s Western’ to Cannes

Cannes, France (AFP) ― Tommy Lee Jones on Sunday premiered his Cannes contender “The Homesman,” a women-driven Western starring fellow Oscar winners Hilary Swank and Meryl Streep that turns the genre on its head. The film, which drew warm applause and largely positive reviews after a press preview, marked Jones’ second directorial outing at the world’s top film festival, following 2005’s “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.” Like that film, “The Homesman” takes a critical look at the defini

FilmMay 19, 2014

Museum’s unsung heroes

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province ― Looking through a microscope, a researcher in a blue gown is poised to tackle a thumb-size, heavily corroded metal object with what appears to be a medical scalpel. After a deep breath, he starts scraping off the rust in a slow and controlled movement. Welcome to the conservation lab of Gyeongju National Museum, where ancient treasures are reborn with the help of the latest technology. “Patience is the greatest virtue around here,” says Shin Yong-bi, one of

CultureMay 19, 2014

[Herald Review] Spring jazz and live music at Seoul Jazz Festival 2014

Under the warm sun, soothing breeze and fresh air, tens of thousands of jazz lovers and music fans enjoyed a diverse range of jazz music and live performances at this year’s Seoul Jazz Festival, held at Olympic Park on Saturday and Sunday.SJF, one of the largest outdoor music festivals of the year, took place at three stages set up throughout the park where big names in the world of jazz, internationally famous musicians and popular local acts performed.The largest and most popular spot at the f

PerformanceMay 19, 2014

Big Bang’s Taeyang plans new solo release in June

Taeyang of Big Bang. (YG Entertainment)After a plethora of teaser images by YG Entertainment asking “Who Is Next?” fans finally got their answer as the agency revealed on Sunday that Big Bang’s Taeyang is the next YG artist who will be making his return. However, despite confirming Taeyang’s upcoming release, the announcement, which included an image that said “Taeyang Rise,” still teases fans with lingering questions, tauntingly asking “Is Rise the name of the album?” and “Will this be a full s

May 19, 2014

Michael Jackson hologram debuts at Billboard Awards

Singer Jason Derulo (bottom center) performs onstage during the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday. (AFP-Yonhap)A hologram of Michael Jackson made its debut Sunday at the Billboard Music Awards, mirroring the late King of Pop’s signature slick dance moves as some members of the audience became emotional. The hologram performed “Slave to the Rhythm,” a song from Jackson’s new posthumous album “Xscape,” along with a plethora of background dancers

PerformanceMay 19, 2014

EXO’s Kris expresses his feelings in a written letter

Kris, the embattled leader of EXO-M, posted a picture of his handwritten letter on Weibo to express his feelings about filing a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment.“螳螂拒轍 (It is like a fly trying to bite a tortoise). I am doing better, thanks to all your blessings. I would like to thank you for supporting me. I appreciate every voice you make. Wu yifan is always here,” Kris wrote in the autographed letter posted on Weibo on Friday. Wu yifan is Kris’ Chinese name. The post has gained more than 80,0

May 19, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun: I’ve never been kissed

Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun surprised his fans in Japan when he revealed that he had never kissed a woman besides his partners in movies and television dramas.On a fan meeting named “Kim Soo-hyun Asia Tour 1st Memories” in Japan on Sunday, the 26-year-old was asked about his secret to being a good on-screen kisser, according to OSEN’s reports.“Actually, I have never been kissed besides acting,” Kim was quoted as saying. About 4,000 fans, who packed the meeting, greeted him with shouts and enthusia

May 19, 2014

AOA’s Jimin and Park Hyung-sik in sweet mood

Girl group AOA leader Jimin and actor Park Hyung-sik signaled that they were in a sweet mood on a variety show. In “Real Men,” an MBC reality show in which celebrities experience life in a military barracks, which was aired Sunday, the surprise guest AOA melted the hearts of the military unit that was joined by Park Hyung-sik and other celebrities. In a quiz competition which offered a holiday for the soldier who won the final round, Park and Jimin teamed up together. The partner was chosen by J

May 19, 2014

EXO-K hopes controversy over Kris will settle

(SBS)EXO-K members expressed Sunday their hopes that the growing controversy surrounding the group‘s Chinese unit leader Kris would be settled soon.“I would like to share this honor with EXO-M’s members,” EXO-K leader Suho said after the group won the top prize Sunday on “Inkigayo,” a weekly SBS music program. “I hope you can feel my heart and know what‘s on my mind. Thank you, our fans,” he said in the acceptance speech on behalf of the K-pop boy band. But he did not elaborate on what was on hi

May 19, 2014

Huang Xiaoming reveals intimate selfies with Song Hye-kyo

Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming took and revealed two selfies of Korean actress Song Hye Kyo and himself having a good time in Cannes, France.In the selfies, Huang, wearing a black suit and black tuxedo, poses with the star hallyu actress in white, beaming. Huang posted the photos on his Instagram page on Friday local time.  (Huang Xiaoming`s Instagram) (Huang Xiaoming`s Instagram)The two Asian celebrities made an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival to promote the film “The Crossing,” along with

May 19, 2014