Popular animation character Pucca is to off to a new start, partnering with media mogul CJ E&M. Pucca, created by Korean company VOOZ, is an internationally known animation character. Designed with an image of an Asian girl, the red-and-black character is active, energetic and bold, not hesitating to express her affection for ninja Garu. Pucca (VOOZ)Pucca, as a brand, marked $90 million in royalty profit over the past 10 years. More than 90 percent of the profit was generated overseas. According

Cosmetics tycoon Elizabeth Arden once said, “To be beautiful is the birthright of every woman,” rewriting the mantra of the beauty industry in the early 20th century.Half a century later, not every woman is yet able to enjoy the right to be beautiful, restricted by personal and social boundaries. Take for example Muslim women in Korea. Their choices of cosmetics, limited by their religious faith, are further narrowed by an unchanging, conservative Korean market.  Korean cosmetics stores line the

Remakes of popular foreign TV drama series are hitting the local small screen, possibly as they are considered a “safe choice” in the near-saturated current market.  (KBS2) (KBS2)KBS2 recently started to air “Suits,” a remake of the popular US series. The Korean adaptation has marked a favorable start, noting an average viewership rating of 7.4 percent for its two episodes. OCN’s remake of BBC hit series “Mistresses” captured the public’s attention over the weekend. As the original British produ

Some of the dishes served at the summit banquet pay homage to the people who strived for the peace and reunification of two Koreas, such as chilled salad made with octopus from Tongyeong, the hometown of internationally acclaimed composer Yun I-sang. Dumplings and bibimbap, prepared with ingredients from the birth towns of the two late presidents -- President Kim Dae-jung and President Roh Moo-hyun -- who visited Pyongyang for previous summits, were served.Swiss-inspired dishes were presented as

Considering culinary experience as part of the daily practices of Buddhism, nun-chef Wookwan strives to introduce Korean temple food to a global audience. Temple food refers to cuisine prepared in a religious manner for Buddhism practitioners. Today, in an age of abundance for many, the moderate food style has gained popularity, taking center stage in the global culinary scene. Wookwan speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald. (Photo by Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)As a Buddhist nun,

Gearing up for summer at Sheraton Seoul In early preparation for the summer, Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel presents variations of bingsu, a dessert made of shaved ice, milk and various toppings. Two seasonal fruits -- mango and coconut -- are separately used as main topping ingredients. Both menus provide the signature lamington cake and traditional red bean paste made by the hotel chef.Bingsu can be ordered at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.Bar, Feast and Fit Cafe until the end of August. Mango an

Though famous for raw fish, Korea’s seafood restaurants don’t dish out only fish sashimi. There are many more on the menu, including some that do not look mouth-watering but prove to be unexpected delicacies. Meongge (left) and haesam chopped into edible pieces. (Photo by Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)Meongge is one of them. It’s sea pineapple, a type of sea squirt, whose shape strongly resembles a grenade with small fiery-looking bumps. It is red and rubbery and when squeezed, the bumps squirt

BTS’ first performance of a new track from its upcoming album will be at the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs). The K-pop act will perform the song at the BBMAs, according to the band’s agency Big Hit Entertainment. The group has also been nominated for the top social artist award for the second consecutive year. It won the award last year, beating other well-known global artists.  BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)The track is part of BTS’ new full-length album “Love Yourself: Tear” set for release on Ma

The once-controversial “High School Rapper” has wrapped its second season, after striving to deliver teenagers’ stories and messages.　The TV competition, the high school counterpart to “Show Me the Money” and “Unpretty Rapstar,” aired its season finale on April 13. The eight-part show ranked an average viewership rating of 1.5 percent, relatively high for a cable channel. Songs from the show are also currently ranking near the tops of local music charts. 　What set the second season apart from th

Lee Sung-kyung will take the role of a detective in the upcoming film “Girl Cops” (working title).In the comedy-investigative film, Lee co-stars with veteran actress Ra Mi-ran. Taking on the roles of a rookie and a seasoned detective, respectively, the two demoted detectives find themselves accidentally caught up in a major case.  Lee Sung-kyung (YG Entertainment)Rookie director Jung Da-won is to lead the production. He won accolades for “Garak Market Revolution” in 2016, a comedic depiction of

A Korean remake of the popular US drama series “Suits” aims to focus on interpretation rather than imitation, making the series more relatable to a Korean audience. The Wednesday-Thursday series on KBS2 revolves around the relationship between legendary lawyer Choi Kang-suk and rookie lawyer Go Yeon-woo, played by Jang Dong-gun and Park Hyung-sik, respectively. Choi hires Go as an associate lawyer, even though he isn’t qualified for the job, valuing his photographic memory.  Jang Dong-gun (left)

The arrival of spring is heralded by a slew of wedding invitations in the mailbox and weekends from late April to early June are filled with the ceremonies to attend. While the size and style of weddings differ, many couples, or rather their parents, do one identical thing for the big day -- consult a fortuneteller for the couple‘s “gunghap.” Fortunetellers predict “gunghap” at street stalls in eastern Seoul. (Photo by Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)While many people no longer believe in destiny

Urban picnic from Park Hyatt Seoul Park Hyatt Seoul’s Italian restaurant Cornerstone offers to deliver picnic sets for guests who opt for an urban picnic from May to June. The basic picnic set presents salads and sandwiches prepared in an Italian manner. A sweet dessert and a drink is included in the price of 13,500 won. For those who desire a more luxurious picnic, champagne set is offered, including caviar and smoked salmon. Customers can chose between Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, Louis Roede

Taking a spring stroll along riverside parks, passersby might be startled by a steaming pot of brownish worms. Called “beondegi,“ the wormlike creatures are boiled silkworm pupae. While the insects are considered a possible future food source, Koreans have been eating silkworm pupae for half a century. Beondegi was a common street food in the late 20th century. (Produced and narrated by Lim Jeong-yeo/Reporter Im Eun-byel appears in this video)During the country‘s rapid industrialization, Korea’s

Rapper Cheetah and JeA of Brown Eyed Girls are to be “big sisters” to young Korean women, returning in the second season of “Strong My Way,” which kicked off Thursday.The show’s first season, created by SBS’ mobile entertainment division Mobidic, was well received, recording 12 million views in its 13-episode run last year. Cheetah and JeA, known for their bold manner of speaking, read stories submitted by viewers and dished out harsh yet realistic advice. While the first season focused mainly o

BTS is to drop a new album, continuing its “Love Yourself” series. The band’s agency Big Hit Entertainment announced the details of the new release, uploading a post on BTS’ official fan website Tuesday. According to the agency, the new full-length album “Love Yourself Jeon Tear” will be dropped on May 18. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)The upcoming album is a sequel to the band’s previous album “Love Yourself Seung Her” and “Love Yourself Ki Wonder.” The albums’ titles are inspired by the four-char

Cherry blossom afternoon at Grand Hyatt SeoulGrand Hyatt Seoul hotel’s dining cafe Gallery offers afternoon tea buffet, under the concept of spring cherry blossom. The hotel took advantage of its location, surrounded by blooming spring flowers. As the cafe’s decoration was inspired by a garden of cherry blossoms, bouquets of flowers are placed around the Gallery. Around 17 kinds of pastel toned desserts are prepared, along with coffee and tea. The buffet is prepared every day from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

One of the most recognized film festivals worldwide, Cannes Film Festival announced its official selection list for this year Thursday, including two Korean films.Director Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning” has been invited to the festival’s main competition category, going up against 17 other films. The film features Yoo Ah-in and Hollywood actor Steven Yeun as the main leads. “Burning” (CGV Arthouse)The thriller, an adaptation of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning,” revolves a

Drama series “My Mister” didn’t get off to a smooth start, being hounded by controversies from the very beginning. At a media briefing held Wednesday, the producer and cast attempted to dispel concerns about the program, appealing to the public to see its sincerity. The tvN drama that airs at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays aims to portray how scarred souls heal each other, focusing on a relationship between a man in his mid-40s and a woman in her early 20s.  Poster of “My Mister” (tvN)The

Broadcaster JTBC’s new lifestyle trend channel JTBC4 is to launch with a beauty show “My Mad Beauty Diary,” featuring singer and actress Koo Ha-ra.  Koo Ha-ra, Hwang Seung-un and Lee Su-hyun (JTBC4)Fashion and beauty magazine Cosmopolitan has been participating in the production with the goal to make a “beauty magazine that can be watched on TV.”According to the network’s announcement, Koo Ha-ra, Hwang Seung-un and Lee Su-hyun are to host the show, revealing their tips on makeup and style. Edito