Grand Father(Korea)Opened Aug. 31Drama, action. Directed by Lee SeoWhen elderly truck driver Ki-kwang’s (Park Geun-hyung) estranged son commits suicide, he attends the funeral. There, his granddaughter tells him the death might not have been self-inflicted, sending Ki-kwang on a chase for the truth.Money Monster(US)Opened Aug. 31Thriller, crime. Directed by Jodie FosterTelevision stock expert Lee Gates (George Clooney) hosts the show “Money Monster.” One day, a disgruntled investor ambushes the

There is no misfortune too shattering for Derek Cianfrance it seems. The writer and director of “Blue Valentine,” “The Place Beyond the Pines” and now, an adaptation of the M.L. Stedman novel “The Light Between Oceans” confidently strides into stories of little hope and painful circumstance, using pretty actors and even prettier settings to create sweeping milieus of human devastation. But where the dissolving marriage in “Blue Valentine” was so tangibly real that it felt as raw as a breakup, “T

The international appeal of Korean TV shows lies in their “wholesome sexiness,” according to Sean Richard Dulake, who plays the dreamy male lead Joon Park in the show-within-a-show universe of the online drama series “Dramaworld.” “I had always wondered why Korean content was connecting to outsiders,” said the actor-producer Wednesday in Seoul at Broadcast Worldwide 2016 (BCWW), a media convention hosted by the Culture Ministry and Korea Creative Content Agency. In 2013, Dulake directed “Finding

One of the most famous maps in Korean history is the 1861 Daedongyeojido, meaning “the great map of the east land.” Measuring 6.7 by 3.8 meters and depicting the entire Korean Peninsula, it has long been lauded by historians for being astonishingly accurate, detailed and advanced for its time.In “The Map Against the World,” a new historical drama flick set for release on Sept. 7, actor Cha Seung-won takes up the role of Kim Jeong-ho, a late Joseon era geographer, cartographer and maker of the hi

The members of girl group April were appointed promotional ambassadors for eco-friendly school meals by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday, according to the group’s agency DSP Media. The group will be featured in subway posters, online videos and other advertisements promoting eco-friendly school meals. Mayor Park Won-soon presented trophies to the group at a ceremony held Wednesday morning at Seoul City Hall.On Oct. 20, April will participate in a public forum for eco-friendly meals

“Platinum Doll” By Anne GirardMIRA Books (352 pages, $15.99)“Madame Picasso” author Anne Girard takes on another bewitching figure from the past in “Platinum Doll,” a charming fictionalized account of how Jean Harlow became a movie star.Stunning blonde Harlean Carpenter McGrew, only 17, moves to California in 1928 with her handsome young husband, Chuck, who’s rich but troubled after the death of his parents. She’s discovered by studio executives while waiting for a starlet girlfriend. She uses t

“The Darkest Secret”(Penguin Books)By Alex Marwood The disappearance of a child whose body is never found eventually implodes a family as well as a circle of friends. Yet perhaps even more chilling is how this horrid crime appears to have such little effect on the self-centered patriarch in Alex Marwood’s compelling novel. As “The Darkest Secret” poignantly delves into the aftermath of 3-year-old Coco Jackson’s disappearance, Marwood delivers an unexpected story. This isn’t a family forever sty

In Spike Jonze’s 2013 romantic science fiction comedy “Her,” a man converses with and eventually falls in love with the feminine voice of a computer operating system.Inspired by the film, tvN’s “My Ear’s Candy,” currently airing Thursdays at 11 p.m., is based on a similar premise: Celebrities tell intimate secrets to an unknown confidante via their cellphone.Until their identities are revealed, the callers are nicknamed “Candy” to enhance the sense of “sweetness,” according to the show’s produce

For many Koreans of a certain age, hearing the word “Majuang” will bring a wistful smile. It is difficult to recall the taste, but in the days when imported wines were a rarity, Majuang ruled. 　The story has it that Majuang, launched in 1977, was created at the behest of the late President Park Chung-hee, who, while visiting Germany, hit upon the idea of producing grape wine in Korea as an alternative to the traditional rice wine. The country suffered from a rice shortage at the time and the man

When it comes to wine, most people would envision the sun-kissed vineyards of Italy, France or California. In contrast, Asia and its cuisine are not often brought up when discussing wine culture. 　But Korean-American wine critic Jeannie Cho Lee is looking to change this perception and put Asia on the international wine map. Based in Hong Kong, the author, journalist, consultant and wine educator is a highly regarded wine master in Asia.  Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee (Jeannie Cho Lee)　In 2008,

Lisa Hannigan“At Swim”(ATO)What is most striking about Lisa Hannigan is her control.It’s an unexpected skill considering how the Irish singer first gained attention as part of the band that brought Damien Rice’s raw, unpredictable emotional folk to life. And, for fans of a certain age, there are times when Hannigan’s lower range sounds just like a young Sinead O’Connor, which sets up a wait for the Sinead-ish banshee shrieks that never come.Instead of wild emotion, Hannigan offers gorgeous, well

Truth(US)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by James VanderbiltControversy begins to brew when anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mape (Cate Blanchett) broadcast a report about President W. George Bush and his military service.Florence Foster Jenkins(UK)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by Stephen FrearsNew York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) dreams of becoming an opera singer. The problem is her limited talent: while others are not at all impressed with her voice, it

Neither a sterling remake nor the disastrous camp hoot some were anticipating, those punks, the new “Ben-Hur” arrives in theaters beaded with flop sweat. Its box office forecast calls for gray skies followed by red ink: It cost about $100 million to make and the tracking data puts the weekend haul at $14 million to $15 million, which is grim like the Charlton Heston jawline under pressure was grim.The movie arrives in the supplicant position, begging for unfavorable comparisons to the 1959 Willi

Actors Yeo Jin-goo and Lee Jung-jae have been cast for the upcoming movie “Opposition Forces” (tentative title), set to begin shooting on Sept. 5, Fox International Productions confirmed Thursday.The film, set for release next year, chronicles the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, during which Crown Prince Gwanghae, played by Yeo, struggled to defend Joseon while King Seonjo fled to the Ming dynasty in China.Lee will play the leader of the opposition forces, which served as soldiers in the place

Two films by renowned Korean directors, Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and Kim Ki-duk’s “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring,” have been included in BBC’s top 100 films of the 21st century released Tuesday.Park’s neo-noir mystery thriller ranked 30th place, while Kim’s tale of a secluded Buddhist monastery came in at 66th place. Both films were released locally in 2003 and later distributed internationally.The list, created by the British public service broadcaster, surveyed 177 film critics

Launched by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea in 2008, List: Books from Korea originally examined the Korean publishing industry through the eyes of Korean authors, critics, translators and publishers. The magazine has now been revamped and relaunched as Korean Literature Now to better represent its identity as a literary magazine, with the aim of offering a global perspective on Korean literature.The summer issue released on Aug. 19 features international voices, including an interv

“The Last Days of New Paris” By China MievilleDel Rey (205 pages, $25)Page for page, there is no one generating more utterly unfamiliar ideas than author China Mieville (“Perdido Street Station,” “The City and the City”) -- and the glossary of monsters in his latest novel, “The Last Days of New Paris,” could support a full book for every entry. There’s so much absurd beauty among the fauna in this story of surrealist art come to life in Nazi-occupied France, in fact, that the author’s subtler po

NEW YORK (AP) -- For viewers who rejoice in TV’s artistic upsurge, one virtuoso perhaps more than anyone can be credited for elevating the medium from its bygone “boob tube” status.Steven Bochco flinches at the mention of his half-century writing and producing TV. Could it really be that long? But his list of credits documents his legacy. Consider: the breakthrough hits “L.A. Law” and “NYPD Blue,” the pioneering half-hour dramedy “Doogie Howser, MD” and the groundbreaking legal drama “Murder One

In the new season of Mnet’s audition program “Superstar K,” contestants will be given 20 seconds to sing. If the judges want to hear more, they can press a button which extends the allotted time by 10 seconds. Ultimately, contestants who are awarded enough time to complete one song in its entirety will be given a chance to move on to the next round.“We wanted to bring big changes this season,” said Kim Ki-woong, director of productions at Mnet, during a press conference for “Superstar K 2016” he

Appearing amid smoke and blue neon lights, Big Bang kicked off a steamy summer Saturday night with its 10th anniversary concert “0 To 10” in Seoul.The 65,000-seat Seoul World Cup Stadium was filled to the brim with a sea of blazing neon yellow sticks -- the Big Bang fan club’s signature color. The crowd erupted in cheers when the boy band appeared on stage at 7:30 p.m. and opened with “My Heaven.” The five members -- G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P, Seungri and Daesung -- climbed onto mobile miniature