For a recent episode of the TV series “Modern Family,” Raul Ojeda crafted a pair of shoes covered in red sequins for actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. His character, Mitchell, shows off the shoes for a “Wizard of Oz”-themed birthday party he throws for his partner, Cam.A decade ago, Raul Ojeda was working as a shoe shiner. Now the 29-year-old is leaving his own footprint in Hollywood, supplying custom-made shoes to stars such as Steve Carell and Sally Field.Ojeda is the owner of Los Angeles-based Will

Stone, Walls and PathsBy Yim Seock-jaeTranslated by Lee Jean-young(Ewha Womans University Press)Anyone who has been to a hanok, or traditional Korean house, will have noticed its exquisite use of stone and wood, and how it naturally blends into its surroundings. Wood and stone are the most representative natural materials used in Korea’s traditional architecture, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes.Scholar Yim Seock-jae’s English-translated book, “Stone, Walls and Paths,” is an insight

Nine renowned university professors are holding Saturday lectures on various subjects in the hope of boosting public interest in the humanities, according to program organizers.The program, “Lectures by Eminent Scholars in the Humanities,” offers free Saturday lectures on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is organized by National Research Foundation of Korea, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.Hanyang University professor emeritus Choi Mun-hyeong kicked off t

Historian Jang publishes new memoir ‘To Live My Way’Scholar Jang Byung-hye, who is also the daughter of Korea’s third Prime Minister Jang Taek-sang, said public apathy toward politics endangered Korean democracy at an event to publish her memoir “To Live My Way.”The 81-year-old scholar’s book is a collection of Jang’s thoughts on various issues, including the life of her father, tips and advice for young people, and Korea’s modern history and democratic development. “I see a lot of people consid

Nine renowned university professors are holding Saturday lectures on various subjects in the hope of boosting public interest in the humanities, according to program organizers.The program, “Lectures by Eminent Scholars in the Humanities,” offers free Saturday lectures on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is organized by National Research Foundation of Korea, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.Hanyang University professor emeritus Choi Mun-hyeong kicked off t

Actor Cho Hee-bong performs oldest surviving  Korean silent film ‘Crossroads of Youth’What would it have been like to watch a silent film with live narration and music?Today’s moviegoers were given an opportunity to watch Korea’s oldest surviving silent film, “Crossroads of Youth.” last week, accompanied by live music and narration ― all in the 1930s style. Just like the “silent era” in the 20s and 30s, they saw and heard a “byeonsa” ― Korean term for silent-film narrator ― “performing” each an

Howling (Korea) Opened Feb. 16Crime. Thriller. Directed by Yoo Ha. Detective Sang-gil (Song Kang-ho), who is desperate for promotion, gets annoyed when he is assigned to work with an inexperienced junior Eun-young (Lee Na-young) for what looks like a suicide case. Eun-young finds out that it is a murder case involving a giant wolf-dog. Being the only female detective in her team, socially inept Eun-young endures low expectations, lewd jokes and even sexual harassment by her macho team members. W

Hearing Ewan McGregor as an uptight salmon fisheries expert in the comedy “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” you might think that you’re hearing the real Ewan ― the one whose voice isn’t the put-on American, British or what-have you accents he so often manages in the movies.“But nooo, that’s not me,” he says. “I didn’t want to use my own accent ― exactly.”He took a suggestion from “Salmon Fishing’s” Oscar-winning screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy (“Slumdog Millionaire”). Beaufoy’s one word idea?“Morningsi

The Lost DaughterBy Lucy Ferriss (Penguin)If all the bad choices people made as teenagers returned to haunt them as adults, the world would be filled with fearful and guilt-ridden people.Most people get away with those bad choices with few repercussions, but in Lucy Ferriss’ novel “The Lost Daughter,” they come back big for Brooke O’Connor.Brooke lives in Connecticut with her husband, Sean, who is from a big Irish-Catholic family. But Brooke and Sean have only one child, a daughter named Meghan,

Norigae: Splendor of the Korean CostumeBy Lee Kyung-jaTranslated by Lee Jean-youngEwha Womans University PressFor anyone who is familiar with Korea’s traditional costume, hanbok, the term “norigae” will ring a bell. A decorative pendant hung from the inner or outer tie of jeogori, the upper piece of a hanbok, norigae carries both aesthetic and emotional traces of women from the Joseon era (1392-1897).Scholar Lee Kyung-ja’s English-translated book, “Norigae: Splendor of the Korean Costume” offers

Ellen Ullman is the author of “By Blood” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, February 2012), a tale set in San Francisco in the ’70s, which involves an eavesdropper whose fascination leads to research into Heinrich Himmler’s Nazi Lebensborn program. Discoveries from her research for that book have touched her deeply.“The Bug,” recently reprinted by Picador, was a New York Times Notable Book and runner-up for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and the cult classic memoir, “Close to the Machine” (also reprinted by

Byeon returns with ‘Helpless,’ adaptation of Miyabe’s thrillerIt’s been 17 years since director Byeon Young-joo made her controversial feature debut.The 45-year-old director impressed the film scene in 1995, showcasing her non-fiction film about elderly women who were forced to be sex slaves for the Japanese military during World War II. Now, Byeon is back with her third commercial, yet socially-conscious, film ― following her not-so-successful “Ardor” (2000) and “Flying Boys” (2004) ― a gruesom

The Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday held a special ceremony at the restoration site of Sungnyemun, commonly known as Namdaemun, announcing that the completion of its restoration is close at hand.The historic gate of Seoul, which is also National Treasure No.1, was severely damaged by arson in 2008. The administration announced last month that the restoration will be completed by December.The ceremony, titled “Sangryangsik,” consists of placing a piece of wood at the highest center o

Kim So-yeon stars as Joseon’s first barista in ‘Gabi’Just a day before the press premiere of her upcoming film “Gabi,” actress Kim So-yeon could not hide her nervous excitement. It was a rainy day in Seoul, and Kim said she listened to singer Sim Soo-bong’s melodramatic song “Binari” on her way to the cafe in Samcheong-dong to calm herself down.“I’ve been waiting for the release date so badly,” the 32-year-old told The Korea Herald on Monday. “But now I’m rather worried a little. I really don’t

Major American film studio announces plans to invest and distribute K-filmsFollowing Fox International Productions’ announcement of its foray into the Korean film market as a distributor and investor last month, there are mixed reactions here to the possible changes to be brought to the scene.An international production umbrella unit of America’s major film production house Fox Filmed Entertainment, FIP produces and distributes local language films around the globe. Known as one of the world’s l

Rookie director Kim Joong-hyun has been invited to two international film festivals for his feature debut “Choked,” according to the film’s production house. The work will be featured at the Miami International Film Festival and the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film was featured at last year’s BIFF and this year’s Berlinale. It tells the story of a young man whose mother suddenly disappears and leaves him a trail of debts.“Late Autumn” director Kim Tae-yong worked with Kim Joo

Scott Wightman, British Ambassador to Korea, made his first visit to South Gyeongsang Province on Monday to promote the upcoming London Olympics and express his interest in South Gyeongsang-based corporations.During his visit to the province, Wightman had a meeting with the province governor, Kim Doo-gwan, in the provincial government building in Changwon. He reportedly said British corporations have a lot to learn from Korean ones during the meeting.  He promoted the upcoming London Olympics Ga

Amid growing public criticism of Beijing for forcibly deporting North Korean defectors to their home country, about 30 Korean celebrities were to hold a concert Sunday evening to urge China to stop the repatriations.The concert at Yonsei University’s 100th Memorial Hall in Seoul was to be hosted by “Cry with Us,” an organization recently formed by celebrities including actor Cha In-pyo, his actress wife Shin Ae-ra, veteran singer Yoon Bok-hee, comedian Park Mi-sun and pop singer Ivy. Some 30 tee

Aside from pop culture, sharing of academic and artistic content also important: Director MichigamiThis is the fifth of the series introducing cultural centers of different countries in Seoul. ― Ed. As is evident from the popularity of Girls’ Generation and Jang Geun-suk, Japan has continued to be charmed by Korea’s popular culture ever since the mega hit TV series “Winter Sonata” captured Japanese hearts. In Seoul, on the other hand, it’s not hard to spot a number of shelves dedicated to Japane

Howling (Korea) Opened Feb. 16Crime. Thriller. Directed by Yoo Ha. Detective Sang-gil (Song Kang-ho), who is desperate for promotion, gets annoyed when he is assigned to work with an inexperienced junior Eun-young (Lee Na-young) for what looks like a suicide case. Eun-young finds out that it is a murder case involving a giant wolf-dog. Being the only female detective in her team, socially inept Eun-young endures low expectations, lewd jokes and even sexual harassment by her macho team members. W