Singer dips toes into acting with two-part TV romance

Israeli television drama “Prisoners of War” won the grand prize at this year’s Seoul International Drama Awards.The series, originally broadcast on Israel’s Channel 2 from March to May 2010, features three Israeli soldiers who were captured almost 20 years ago while on a mission with their unit in Lebanon. It won the Israeli Academy Awards for Television for Best Drama Series back in 2010.In the hallyu drama section, MBC’s 2012 period horror-romance “Arang and the Magistrate” won the Best Drama

An American eco-thriller coproduced by Koreans has been included in the main competition lineup of the ongoing Venice International Film Festival. Titled “Night Moves,” the film stars American actress Dakota Fanning and actor Jesse Eisenberg in the lead roles. Directed by Kelly Reichardt, it tells the story of three young radical environmentalists who come together and plot to blow up a hydroelectric dam.Two Korean producers, Kim Sae-rom and Kim Sae-mi, participated in the production process of

Director gives K-pop diva 75 points for first major television roleBy Jean OhK-pop diva BoA is set to put her acting prowess to the test in her first major television drama. Slated to star in KBS’ short, two-episode, rom-com “Expect to Date” (working title), this will be the 26-year old singer’s first small screen lead. After making a brief cameo appearance in SBS’ “ATHENA: Goddess of War” in 2010, BoA continued to forge a career in television with SBS’ hit music reality show, “K-Pop Star,” earn

Soprano diva Sumi Jo is to hold outdoor concerts Sept. 14-15, featuring familiar tunes under the moonlight

VENICE (AFP) ― Korean director Kim Ki-duk, who won the Golden Lion award at Venice film festival last year, is back in the floating city with a tale of incest and self-mutilation.“Moebius,” a story about a father’s infidelity sparking a chain of violent events which lead to his wife dismembering their son, was initially banned in Kim’s home country.The Korean Media Rating Board put its foot down over the sex, nudity and incest and Kim had to cut out the offending passages before they would allow

A Bhutanese film directed by a Buddhist monk has been selected as the opener of the upcoming 18th Busan International Film Festival. It is the first time for a Bhutanese movie to be screened as an opening film at an international film festival, according to the organizers. Directed by Khyentse Norbu, the film features Bharata Natyam, a classical Indian dance. Norbu is unable to attend the film festival, as he is currently occupied with his religious training.A total of 301 films, including 95 wo

Star of musical ‘Elisabeth’ to play famous ‘Wicked’ character Elphaba

Girl group KARA held a showcase performance for their fourth studio album “Full Bloom” at UNIQLO-AX Hall in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul, Monday. Dressed in revealing all-black outfits, the members kicked off the showcase with the title track for the album, “Damaged Lady,” which came one year after the release of their third album “Pandora.” Composed by Sweet Tune, the song is a mixture of French pop and rock, and tells the story of a woman facing a breakup.  KARA released a teaser image in early Augus

K-pop superstar G-Dragon swept all the major music charts with the release of his second studio album “Coup d’Etat.” On Monday, part of the track list of the singer’s new album was released on the official YG Entertainment blog. Five tracks including “Black,” “R.O.D.,” “Niliria,” and “Who You” were released from the 14-track album. Seven tracks are set to be released on Thursday, while the rest of the album is planned for release on Sept. 13. “Black” and “Who You” instantly topped the music char

Seoul International Typography Biennale explores typography’s role in language, visual art

Edition of Contemporary Music, a prominent German-based record label with the motto “The Most Beautiful Sound Next to Silence,” is holding the ECM Music Festival at Seoul Arts Center from Sept. 3 to 7. The performances will feature world-renowned artists including conductor Chung Myung-whun, violist Kim Kashkashian, and the jazz group Norma Winstone Trio. The music festival will host four performances, starting with guitarist Ralph Towner and followed by the Yeahwon Shin Trio, composed of vocali