The upcoming historical drama “A Taxi Driver” doesn’t want to wallow in the pain of the 1980s Gwangju Democratic Movement, when hundreds of civilians died while protesting the authoritarian military regime.　“It’s about the hope of people who did not let go, who strived to go on with life amid the pain,” said actor Song Kang-ho after the film’s press screening in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Monday.　Song, who starred in “Age of Shadows” (2016), plays the focal character Man-seob, a middle-aged taxi driv

Seoul is a vibrant megalopolis with modern high-rises crowding the city’s major arteries. Nestled among the gleaming buildings are maze-like alleys that appear to have escaped the passage of time. The Korea Herald explores the many nooks and crannies of Seoul, proclaimed the capital of Joseon in 1392, that reveal a multifaceted city. - Ed. The Dongdaemun district in northern central Seoul is a bustling area where two very different types of commerce exist. 　 The used bookstore street lines Cheon

Yoo Yeon-seok has scored the lead male role in the next show by hitmaker scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook, who penned “Descendants of the Sun” and “Guardian: The Great and Lonely God.” 　Yoo has been cast as the lead of “Mr. Sunshine,” set to air early next year, according to reports. 　 Yoo Yeon-seok (King Kong Entertainment)Yoo is to play the “intriguing anti-hero” Dong-mae, reports say, a character who is born to a low class family in Korea in the 1900s, and escapees to Japan in pursuit of a new life.

Within two minutes, viewers get a peek into the life of character Oh Gu-sil, an office worker who goes on a string of blind dates, repeating the same conversations. 　This is the setup of web drama “Oh Gu-sil,” created by emerging digital content company 72 Seconds.　Entertainment is increasingly foraying outside the boundaries of television and film. Such short online clips fulfill viewers’ need for instant and intermittent entertainment, according to Jang Joon-yeon, head of content business at M

The Day After(Korea) Opened July 6Drama, comedy. Directed by Hong Sang-sooBong-wan (Kwon Hae-hyo) is accused at the dinner table by his wife Hae-joo (Cho Yun-hee) of having an affair. He feigns indignation and focuses on his meal, but the truth is that Bong-wan is heartbroken over a recently ended affair with an employee at his tiny publishing house, Chang-sook (Kim Sae-byeok). Chang-sook quits after friction with Bong-wan, and a new employee, Areum (Kim Min-hee), comes to work there. Spider-Man

Topping off a savory meal with something sweet has become a commonplace ritual all over the world.　But long before cafes or bakeries flooded the streets of Korea, sweets were not used as desserts but rather spotlighted on their own, according to Lee Sun-mi, professor of Korean traditional cuisine at Sookmyung Women’s University’s Korean Food Institute.　 A plate of ripe persimmon and red bean paste (left) and iced yuja tea at Cafe Noshi (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)“Korean confectionaries, or

Conductor Chung Myung-whun shakes hands with Italian Ambassador to Korea Marco della Seta after receiving the Order of the Star of Italy at a ceremony held at the ambassador's residence in Seoul on Thursday. The order is conferred by the president of Italy in recognition of a person's contributions to promoting friendly ties between Italy and other countries. (Yonhap)

Korean-American star Daniel Dae Kim spoke up Wednesday regarding his departure from the long-running CBS drama “Hawaii Five-0,” reportedly due to pay inequality.　Last Friday, entertainment trade magazine Variety reported that Kim and his co-star Grace Park, a Canadian-American actress of Korean heritage, were exiting the police-action show after seven years, having failed to reach an agreement with CBS on pay equality with their white co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.　“Though I have made

Comedian Kim Young-chul accompanied President Moon Jae-in on the presidential jet headed to Berlin for the G20 Summit.Kim Young-chul performs at a luncheon for overseas Koreans living in Berlin on Wednesday, local time. (Instagram)Kim performed at a luncheon Wednesday attended by some 200 Koreans living in Germany.Comedian Kim Young-chul (Herald Pop)Kim comically sang his recently released song “Ring Ring” but barely incited laughter from the crowd, according to reports.(doo@heraldcorp.com)

“I used to put on makeup and wear clothes with so much color. I dyed my hair every color. I wondered if the public would still like me if I took all that away,” said Lee on the inspiration behind the title of her latest album, “Black,” at a press conference in Seoul Tuesday.Lee wrote the lyrics for eight of the 10 tracks on the album. She also participated in the composition of eight songs. Lee Hyo-ri (Yonhap)Lee Hyo-ri (Yonhap)“People have always loved me for smiling and being bright,” she said

Song Joong-ki has been offered a role in “Kingdom,” an upcoming Netflix series penned by writer Kim Eun-hee.“We have made an offer to Song, but nothing has been decided for certain as of yet,” an official at the series’ production company A Story said.Song’s management agency Blossom Entertainment also said that nothing had been decided regarding the actor’s appearance in the series.Song Joong-ki (Yonhap)“Kingdom,” which will be streamed on Netflix, is an eight-episode zombie series set in the J

Polish cartoons and works by Japanese masters will color the city this month at the 21st edition of the Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival. 　The annual event, set for July 26-30 this year, will open with the Polish-English animation “Loving Vincent” and showcase, for the first time worldwide, the trilogy of films by legendary Japanese science fiction writer Keikaku Ito.　The festival, which celebrates animated films from all over the world, will take place at the SETEC convention ce

The second woman who sued K-pop singer-actor Park Yoo-chun for sexual assault was declared not guilty Wednesday of wrongful accusations against Park. 　“It is difficult to ascertain that the defendant brought a suit against (Park) based on false facts, or that she damaged his reputation,” the court announced at the end of the first trial. “It is a case where there is no evidence of the criminal counts charged,” the court said. 　The woman, surnamed Song, was charged with falsely accusing Park of s

Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, who had repeatedly denied rumors they were dating, announced Wednesday through a joint statement written from their management agencies that they are to wed on Oct. 31. Blossom Entertainment and UAA confirmed the reports in an early morning announcement. Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo attend the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards in June, 2016. (Yonhap)“Since marriage is also between families -- as well as between individuals -- they had to be careful. ... The two had to b

Period drama “The King Loves” traces the turbulent love triangle and identity struggle involving an interracial Korean king, with two lead actors who have transitioned from careers in K-pop to acting.　The MBC drama, which premieres on July 17, stars Im Si-wan as Goryeo prince Wang Won, Korea’s first royalty of mixed heritage whose mother was the daughter of Kublai Khan, a Mongolian emperor and the founder of Yuan dynasty in China.　Girls’ Generation’s Yoona plays fictional character Eun San, the

Actress Kim Soo-hyun, known as Claudia Kim to the international audience, will be starring in the sequel to the Warner Bros. film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”Kim will star as a young woman introduced as an attraction at a wizarding circus, according to reports.The actress, who is fluent in English, previously starred in Hollywood films such as “The Dark Tower” (2017) and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015). Claudia Kim (Artist’s Facebook)The film is the second flick to be based on J.

BERLIN, (AFP) -- Emergency workers have retrieved 11 bodies so far from a bus crash Monday in southern Germany, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said, adding that work was ongoing to find another seven people who are believed dead.The flames that engulfed the bus "were so strong that only steel parts are still recognisable on the bus, and from that you can understand what it means for the people on this bus," he said, adding that the remains of "11 people have been recovered" so far. 

LONDON, (AFP) -- Korean international midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng dealt a blow to Swansea on Monday as the Premier League side announced he would miss the start of the season due to a knee injury.The 28-year-old -- who Swansea signed from Celtic for ?6million ($7.8m, 6.9m euros) in 2012 -- is to remain in South Korea after undergoing an operation on the knee he injured in a recent 2018 World Cup qualifier against Qatar. "He will remain in South Korea to continue his rehabilitation, before returning

Actor Cha In-pyo will venture into Hollywood as both an actor and producer in the upcoming film “Heavenquest: A Pilgrim’s Progress.” The film is co-produced by TKC Pictures, a film production company and management agency established by Cha, and the US-based King Street Pictures.　The film, based on John Bunyan’s 1678 novel “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” is an action fantasy flick.　At its helm is rookie American director Matt Bilen. The film will begin shooting in Los Angeles and northern California.

The tvN crime thriller series “Stranger” starring Bae Doo-na and Jo Seung-woo reached a viewership of 5.1 percent Saturday.The show is receiving favorable reviews for its airtight plot, gripping sequences and strong performances.  Bae Doo-na in "Stranger" (tvN) Jo Seung-woo in "Stranger" (tvN)Jo stars as Hwang Si-mok, a cold-blooded loner prosecutor who is unable to feel emotions. Bae plays Han Yeo-jin, a passionate police investigator seeking to uncover the murder of a prosecutor. “Stranger” ai