Korean slang guide gets revision

After nearly selling out of the first edition of Korean slang guide “As Much as a Rat’s Tail,” authors Peter Liptak and Lee Si-woo are working on an update. The revision has ended up being more involved than planned, with 30 pages of new content, a set of new flashcards and revisions of the existing design and content.They also held a contest for the design of the new cover. Replacing the timid rodent on the first edition is a sunglass-donning street rat, dancing “Gangnam Style.”  “It just spoke

Expat LivingApril 29, 2014

‘Fairytales for adults’

Artist Park Hyun-woong’s paintings look more appropriate for a child’s room than a museum. His paintings are pretty. They depict candy, cute elephants and bears, and European castles that little girls dream about. This is why children’s hospitals and Save the Children are among the major collectors of his works. “Actually my paintings are intended for adults. Every adult has bits of their childhood memories, like elephants they saw at a zoo or travels with parents,” Park said. “My paintings are

PerformanceApril 29, 2014

Jeon Do-yeon first Korean actress to be Cannes jury member

Jeon Do-yeon has become the first Korean actress to be a jury member at Cannes International Film Festival in its upcoming edition.The actress has been announced as one of nine panel members who will join jury president Jane Campion. Jeon won the Best Actress prize at the renowned film festival in 2007 for playing the emotionally distraught mother in Lee Chang-dong’s drama “Secret Sunshine.” Joining Jeon and Campion as the main competition jury members are Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke, American

April 29, 2014

American mothers publish book on traditional Korean handicrafts

After adopting children from Korea more than 20 years ago, two American mothers and longtime friends, Debbi Kent and Joan Suwalsky, were both determined to raise their children in an environment that would expose their families to their kids’ native culture as much as possible. Making regular visits to the country over the past two decades, the two mothers fell in love with all things Korean culture, and more specifically, were fascinated by the tradition and history of Korean arts and crafts. “

BooksApril 29, 2014

Garfield-Stone chemistry saves Spider-Man 2

Deep into “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” my 11-year-old companion was confused about a certain plot point ― justifiably, I’d say ― and demanded an immediate and thorough explanation. “Shh, not now. Later!” I hissed. Because, though I didn’t admit it, I really didn’t want to miss an Andrew Garfield-Emma Stone kiss. And who knew when the next one was coming? With great chemistry, you see, comes great kissing. Let’s just say this unequivocally: Whether or not my young Spidey fan would agree, the best

FilmApril 29, 2014

Clooney gives up litany of loves for engagement

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Looks like George Clooney owes Michelle Pfeiffer lots of money. The 52-year-old actor ― Hollywood’s most determined bachelor, famous for a litany of fleeting loves ― has taken himself off the romantic market, even though he once bet Pfeiffer $100,000 that he’d never marry again. After dating a string of actresses, models, a cocktail waitress and a former professional wrestler, Clooney recently proposed to 36-year-old international law attorney Amal Alamuddin ― despite repeated

FilmApril 29, 2014

Outkast returns to home state for CounterPoint

ROME, Georgia (AP) ― Despite the wet and muddy conditions, the energy was high for Outkast’s performance in their home state at the CounterPoint Music & Arts Festival. Organizers suspended the festival due to heavy rain and inclement weather, pushing Outkast’s set back more than an hour Sunday night. But the Grammy-winning rap duo still put on an energetic show that kept the crowd jamming in the late hours. Outkast was one of the final acts to close out the three-day festival in Rome, Georgia, w

PerformanceApril 29, 2014

Jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi to stage concert in Seoul Cathedral

This spring, jazz music will fill the air of an unusual concert venue ― a grand cathedral.Giovanni Mirabassi, a renowned Italian jazz pianist, will stage a concert titled “Jazz Standards in the Church” at the Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea on May 21. Considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Korea, the building is particularly known for its excellent acoustics.The upcoming concert is scheduled to feature a string of familiar jazz tunes from Giovanni’s new album which was recor

PerformanceApril 29, 2014

N.K. issues used only as fictional factor in ‘Doctor Stranger’: Park Hae-jin

Korean actor Park Hae-jin (left) and Chinese model and actor Zhang Liang pose in a press conference for SBS TV show　“Doctor Stranger” in Mok-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. (SBS)Actor Park Hae-jin, a major cast member in SBS show “Doctor Stranger,” said the melodrama portrayed the inter-Korean issue only as a fictional factor and was not intended to convey the actual inter-Korean abduction issue. “The major focus of the drama is in the melodrama (rather than the political message),” said Park, when asked

April 29, 2014

Lee Jong-suk goes on diet for ‘Doctor Stranger’

Actor Lee Jong-suk shed some weight to add to the authenticity of his North Korea scenes, the actor said in a press conference for SBS TV’s “Doctor Stranger” in Mok-dong, Seoul, Tuesday.“I know I am pretty skinny, but I still tried to lose extra weight for the part until my face got all bony,” Lee said. Doctor Stranger is the actor’s first major role in a medical drama.“We tried to pick the costumes that best fit the scenes, rather than (based on) corporate sponsorship,” the actor added. The Mon

TelevisionApril 29, 2014

Lee Jong-suk overwhelmed by Park Hae-jin‘s good looks

Actors Lee Jong-suk (right) and Park Hae-jin of SBS TV show “Doctor Stranger” pose at a press conference held in Mok-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. (SBS Media) Actor Lee Jong-suk said he “felt inferior” to Park Hae-jin, who plays opposite him in SBS TV show “Doctor Stranger,” due to Park’s good looks. “I was awed by Park Hae-jin’s good looks and taste of fashion. … I felt inferior,” Lee said in a press conference for “Doctor Stranger” held in Mok-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. Lee said he hopes to reveal more mas

April 29, 2014

Zhang Liang offers condolence to ferry victims

Chinese model and actor Zhang Liang expressed his condolances to the victims of Sewol disaster, saying he understood what it’s like to lose a loved one.“I offer condolences to the (victims of) the (ferry) disaster in Korea. I feel for them, as I have had the painful experience of losing my father as well,” the Chinese celebrity said at a press conference for SBS TV show “Doctor Stranger” on Tuesday.“I hope to visit Korean often,” Zhang added.Zhang will play the classmate of cold-natured elite su

April 29, 2014

SM Entertainment chief Lee donates W1 billion for ferry disaster

(OSEN)SM Entertainment and its chief donated 1 billion won ($970,000) for victims of the sunken ferry Sewol on Monday, according to Red Cross officials.　The 500 million won was contributed from SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo-man’s personal assets while the other half was made under the name of the entire company, the officials said.As Lee made the donation, he expressed grief over the disaster as a parent who nurtures trainees and celebrities like his own sons and daughters.“I am grief-stricken as

April 29, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun donates 100 million won to ferry disaster victims

 Famous Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun, also known as Gianna Jun, donated 100 million won for the victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy.The donation has been made under her real name, “Wang Ji-hyun,” to the Korean Red Cross. According to her agency, Jun Ji-hyun was deeply saddened when she heard news about the victims and their families. “I would like to share the pain and sadness of the victims and hope they never lose hope,” she was quoted as saying.Jun is also known for her previous donations made w

April 29, 2014

Pretty Korean boys

　  　Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the girliest of them all?　 　Taemin, 20, member of boyband SHINee　The fresh-faced popster Taemin has gotten the public‘s vote for his dainty looks.　He came out tops in a poll of “Male Idols Prettier Than Women” in a March episode of Super Idol Chart Show, a variety show on Korean TV channel MNet. He beat the likes of BigBang’s G-Dragon (ranked third) and Super Junior‘s Kim Hee-chul (ranked fourth).　It is not hard to see why Taemin is the champion of the pre

April 29, 2014

Jeon Do-yeon named to join competition jury of Cannes

South Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon has been selected among the nine members of the main competition jury for this year's Cannes International Film Festival, the event's organizer said Monday.She became the first Korean to join the Cannes' jury since director Lee Chang-dong was appointed in 2009. No South Korean actor or actress has been chosen among the festival's jury members before. Led by New Zealand director Jane Campion, the winner of the Palme d'or for "The Piano" in 1993, the jury includes

April 29, 2014

Kang Ji-hwan, Jung So-min kick off ‘Big Man’ with ‘fiery kiss’

Actor Kang Ji-hwan and actress Jung So-min kicked off the first episode of KBS2 TV show “Big Man” with a “kiss of fire” on Monday. 　Kang plays protagonist Kim Ji-heok, an orphan who suddenly becomes the elder son of a conglomerate family. 　In the stills released by the broadcaster, the actor is seen kissing Kang Jin-ah (played by Jung So-min), in a backstreet late at night. The actress plays the spoiled daughter of the business family.　Throughout the show, the Kim vies with Kang Dong-seok (playe

April 28, 2014

Choi Daniel hates travelling, loves glasses

　　Actor Choi Daniel said he hated traveling because it requires “bothersome” preparations, such as packing and being bound to flight schedules, the actor told reporters Monday.　“Traveling involves some incredibly bothersome jobs, such as making a list of things that I need, packing them up, making sure I arrive at the airport at least two hours before takeoff, and planning what to do during those two hours,” Choi told reporters at a press conference for KBS2 TV show “Big Man” in Yeouido-dong, Se

April 28, 2014

[Herald Interview] Author chronicles mother’s remarkable journey

In 1961, at age 25, Faye Pinchbeck crossed the Pacific Ocean to be with her beloved, a Korean man 15 years her senior. The American woman from Connecticut met Stephen Moon (Moon Tong-hwan), well-known pastor and social activist, while studying to be a social worker at Hartford Seminary in the U.S., where Moon was working on his doctorial thesis in Christian Education as an international student. After landing in the port of Busan, Faye married Moon in Seoul on a snowy day. So began a remarkable

BooksApril 28, 2014