Citing former police authorities and a lawmaker, the MBC investigative news show “PD’s Notepad” claimed that the investigation of a sexual abuse case involving the late actress Jang Ja-yeon was swayed by pressure.Jang took her own life in 2009, leaving behind handwritten notes that allegedly revealed she had been coerced into providing sexual favors for high-profile figures. Figures with connections to Chosun Ilbo, a major local daily, were on the list, but the prosecution did not charge them, c

Well-known lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung has criticized the current military exemption law, perhaps giving reason to hope to global megahit boy band BTS. All able-bodied men in Korea are conscripted in the military for around two years. Exemptions can be granted, however, to those who rank atop certain international competitions designated by the government.  (Big Hit Entertainment)“The list of the designated international competitions is unfair,” Ha said in an interview with a local radio show Friday.

(Yonhap)Following a break of about two years, newlywed couple Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki will each star in their own TV dramas, in their respective returns to the small screen. Song Joong-ki confirmed Thursday his upcoming production will be a tvN period-fantasy drama tentatively titled “Asadal Chronicles.” He will star as a character with a tragic fate who tries to revolt against the fabled kingdom of Asadal. From left: Song Joong-Ki (Blossom Entertainment), Jang Dong-gun (D Entertainment C

JTBC’s upcoming drama “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” promises to be more than just a sweet campus romance tale.The Friday-Saturday drama, an adaptation of a well-known web comic of the same name, centers on a character named Kang Mi-rae, who grew up listening to hateful comments about her appearance.  Actress Lim Soo-hyang poses for photos before a press event at Times Square mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (JTBC) Stressed out by her appearance, the character undergoes extensive plastic surgery. But

Beer night at Hotel La Casa　Hotel La Casa, a lifestyle design hotel in south central Seoul, is offering its “Rooftop Summer Night” package. The package includes a one-night stay in a double room, two bottles of Schneider Weisse Tap 7 beer and a four-piece bruschetta plate. Customers can sip on cool beer while enjoying the city lights on a hot summer night on the rooftop of lounge bar House of Alchemy. The package is available until Sept. 9. For more information, contact House of Alchemy at (02)

Koreans are known for “thoroughly” eating the pig. We barbecue the meat, grill the intestines, make a soup with leftover meat and steam the feet. But there is more to the list: grilling pig tail and pork rinds.  Pork rinds and pig tail (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)When visualizing a pig tail, an image of a squiggly, pinkish, spring-like tail comes to mind. The cute visual isn’t really appetizing. But no worries, pig tail on the grill doesn’t look anything like it. The tail is chopped into

Song Joong-ki will finally return to the small screen with tvN’s upcoming blockbuster drama “Asadal Chronicles” (tentative title). The network on Thursday announced the main cast for the period-fantasy drama including Song Joong-Ki, Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ji-won in the lead roles. It will be Song and Kim’s second time working together, after “Descendants of the Sun” in 2016.  From left: Song Joong-Ki (Blossom Entertainment), Jang Dong-gun (D Entertainment Company) and Kim Ji-won (King Kong by Sta

Actress Han Ji-min, known for her lovely, angelic image, is to take on a completely different role this time -- an ordinary wife with anger management issues. In the upcoming tvN drama “Familiar Wife,” the actress plays a mother of two young children, who works at a shop. She also has to take care of her mother who suffers from amnesia. Ji Sung (left) and Han Ji-min pose for photos before a press event Wednesday at Times Square mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (CJ ENM)Coping with work and family,

London, Paris, New York and Milan. The “big four” fashion cities are every designer’s dream stage. But it is not easy for small, independent brands, as the runways are taken up by megabrands with years of legacy and money. Overcoming the odds, two Korean brands succeeded in making their dreams come true last season -- and they are not even from mega fashion companies. The two independent designer brands, Besfxxk and Blindness, infused with young energy and bold creativity, captivated Milan and L

With the two Koreas in a peace mood, the Korea Institute of Design Promotion is considering ways to use design to support better inter-Korean ties. Eune Ju-hyun, KIDP president and CEO, revealed a plan to enhance inter-Korean cooperation -- if the right opportunity were to present itself -- at a press conference in central Seoul on Tuesday. The press conference was held to mark 90 days in office for Eune. A former Seoul National University professor specializing in user experience design, Eune i

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo is to file for divorce against his wife, a local media outlet reported Monday. According to the report, Hong has decided to sue for divorce after failing to come to a settlement with his wife, who has so far refused any agreement.  Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee (Yonhap)Citing personnel in the film industry close to Hong, the report said Hong is thinking about marrying actress Kim Min-hee. “A divorce is unavoidable. Hong regrets that he has to go through with a suit,” the

The idea of gaining energy by drinking unidentified brown liquid may sound suspiciously close to that of a magic potion. But such potions do exist in the real world, or at least in Korea, under the name of “nutritional extracts.”Plastic pouches of murky brown liquid substances may be healthier than one might expect, as they contain “jeup,” or extracts, of various produce considered beneficial in Korea. Talk about sucking the juice out of life. The extracts may not seem very appetizing, akin to o

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The phrase describes actors Lee Dong-wook and Cho Seung-woo’s relationship in the upcoming JTBC medical drama series “Life.”Lee plays a passionate emergency room doctor, while Cho takes on the role of a coldhearted president of the hospital. Having different goals and interests, the two confront each other.  Lee Dong-wook (left) and Cho Seung-woo pose separately for photos during a media event Monday at Imperial Palace Hotel in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)Pr

Putting his charming Grim Reaper character behind, actor Lee Dong-wook is ready to take on the role of a doctor in upcoming JTBC drama series “Life.”In the Monday-Tuesday drama series, Lee takes on the role of an emergency room doctor. The doctor may not be as charming as the humorous, sweet Grim Reaper in “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” but he is more passionate than anyone about saving lives.  Lee Dong-wook (JTBC)“Grim Reaper takes dead people, but this time I am saving lives of people w

At first glance, Kim Bum-soo seems more like a hip fashion editor or a stylish tailor than a general manager of a classy hotel. Kim is the GM of a newly opened hotel in central Seoul, L’Escape. He recently sat down with The Korea Herald for an interview at the French-style boutique hotel near Hoehyeon Station.   General Manager of L’Escape Kim Bum-soo (Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)Though wearing a classic suit, the GM’s style is different from that of your typical businessmen; his outfit was

Hilton Busan celebrated its first anniversary this month.The luxury oceanfront hotel located in eastern Busan has risen as an iconic landmark in the region for its beautiful scenery and architecture since its grand opening on July 1, 2017. Guests look around the hotel’s wedding chapel (Hilton Busan)It has been touted as a top “destination hotel,” inviting guests to visit the area particularly for the hotel.Celebrating the success, the hotel held its Gourmet Journey event on July 12, allowing par

Indian-themed night at Sheraton Seoul D Cube CitySheraton Seoul D Cube City hotel is offering a novel room package for families, called “My Little Agit.” The package provides a small Indian teepee for children to play in along with Milo & Gabby pillows and the signature Sheraton D-Bear in a deluxe room, along with macarons. Families can enjoy a lavish breakfast at the buffet restaurant Feast and swim at the indoor swimming pool. The deal is available until the end of the year at a starting price

Summer holidays are finally here.The idea of getting away from city life is always fun. But the reality is that it’s scorching outside, most of Korea is well over 30 Celsius degrees, and everywhere you go will be crowded with holidaymakers. Plus, the roads are already packed with millions of vacationers. When you do finally reach the beach after hours stuck in highway traffic, you find yourself swimming shoulder to shoulder with others. Koreans often say the beaches are “half water, half people”

TvN’s “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” has been a roaring success. The rom-com drama has been ruling the Wednesday-Thursday evening slot, with an average viewership share of 8.4 percent as of Friday. Lead female actress Park Min-young, who features as secretary Kim Mi-so, rose as a fashion icon for women in their 20s and 30s. Park has always been recognized as a trendy character. Her photos taken during traveling in Europe went viral here a few years ago, with many posing for same shots when tr

Even at this very moment, humankind is moving one step closer to Mars. Mars is getting more frequently mentioned by scientists and even non-scientists, as institutions such as NASA and Space X reach for the planet. To bring the exploration one step closer to viewers, tvN’s upcoming sci-fi reality series “Galileo: Awakened Universe” aims to explore what life on Mars would be like, though from the safety of Earth.  Poster for “Galileo: Awakened Universe” (tvN)In June, the cast and crew visited the