The Korea Herald

Louvre’s Da Vinci restoration ignites art world row

TheaterJan 29, 2012

PARIS (AFP) ― Delicate work to restore a Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece, to be unveiled in March, has turned into a headache for the Louvre, after experts accused the Paris museum of putting the precious oil work at risk.Da Vinci began painting “The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne” in 1503 and when he died in France in 1519 the unfinished work, depicting Christ beside his mother and grandmother with a sacrificial lamb, was acquired by King Francis I.Restoration carried out in the past century le
Searching for identity in Springfield

TheaterJan 29, 2012

Artist Moon Ji-ha blurs identity borders through color, symbol-saturated paintingsHer paintings look unmistakably “Korean” at first glance, like what female shamans might have used in rituals during the Joseon Dynasty. Animals, mountains, letters and all sorts of characters are confusingly strewn on the canvas in rainbow colors. But Moon Ji-ha told the press Thursday that she was surprised to hear many Koreans comment that her works have a strong Asian vibe. “I never thought so. I guess they cou
Vinyl records make the world go around again

MusicJan 29, 2012

NEW YORK (AFP) ― In today’s brave new world of MP3 players, compact discs are dying, cassettes are Stone Age, and old-fashioned vinyl records ... they’re back!It might seem that nothing short of a wind-up gramophone could be more out of place today than the nostalgia-laden, crackly-sounding 33 and 45 RPM disc.Yet in his Brooklyn, New York, factory, 40-year-old Thomas Bernich churns them out by the tens of thousands, feeding a vinyl revival that has record decks ― and cash tills ― spinning. “It’s
Box Office

FilmJan 27, 2012

Papa (Korea)Opening Feb. 1Comedy. Directed by Han Ji-seung. Chun-seob (Park Yong-woo), who used to be a high-earning representative of a popular idol singer, now lives as an illegal immigrant in the U.S. The singer he used to work with ran away with all the money to the U.S., and Chun-seob, without a proper visa, failed to get a hold of her in the foreign country. One day, Chun-seob runs into a young girl named Joon (Go Ara), who is in need of a guardian in order to live with her “siblings” all
EYE LIKE

FilmJan 27, 2012

Best-selling collection on sale in KoreaVarious artists“2012 Grammy Nominees” (Universal Music) The 2012 Grammy Nominees album went on sale on Jan. 17 in Korea, featuring hits from more than 20 chart-topping artists across genres.Artists featured include some of the world’s and Korea’s favorite artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Tony Bennett, the Black Keys, Eric Church, Coldplay, J. Cole, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.One of the most notable categories
Vintage eyeglasses provide clear path to Hollywood

FilmJan 27, 2012

Even in Hollywood, it’s rare for anyone to be able to boast a connection to dozens of Oscar-contending films and blockbusters over the last 25 years. But Russ Campbell can hardly turn on the television or go to a movie theater without seeing something he’s made a mark on ― including the high-profile films “J. Edgar,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “The Rum Diary,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” “A Single Man,” “Catch Me if You Can” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” as well as such TV shows as “Mad M
Monty Python members to re-unite for new film

FilmJan 27, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Members of iconic British comedy group “Monty Python” will re-unite for a new film, a science fiction farce, ex-Python Terry Jones said in comments published Thursday.“Absolutely Anything” will not be a Python film as such, but key members of the gang, John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, are involved, said Jones, who will direct the movie.U.S. comic Robin Williams will also lend his voice to the film, which will combine animation and live action, while producers are
CJ E&M brings curtain down on successful Chinese version of ‘Mamma Mia’

TheaterJan 27, 2012

HONG KONG (Yonhap) ― South Korea’s CJ E&M Corp. said Wednesday its Chinese joint venture has brought the curtain down on the Chinese version of the global hit musical “Mamma Mia!” after successfully running for the last six months in China.United Asia Live Entertainment Co., a joint venture established among CJ E&M, China Arts and Entertainment Group, and Shanghai Media Group, staged the Chinese version of “Mamma Mia!” in the six Chinese cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing a
BEAST to give 1st European concert

MusicJan 27, 2012

K-pop boy band BEAST will have its first concert in Europe next month, its agency said on Friday. The concert, titled “2012 Beast 1st World Tour -- Beautiful Show,” will take place in Columbia Halle, one of most prestigious concert halls in Berlin, Agency Cube entertainment said. The concert hall has hosted major concerts performed by international stars such as Boys∥Men and Sting, it added.Beast members said they were looking forward to introducing K-pop music to an audience more used to differ
Royal Ballet principal unexpectedly quits

TheaterJan 26, 2012

LONDON (AFP) ― One of the youngest dancers ever to be a principal of the Royal Ballet, Ukrainian Sergei Polunin, has quit just days before a new production opens and only two years after he was promoted.“This has obviously come as a huge shock,” said Monica Mason, the director of the Royal Ballet, in a statement issued late Tuesday.“Sergei is a wonderful dancer and I have enjoyed watching him tremendously, both on stage and in the studio, over the past few years. I wish him every success in the
Leibovitz opens new art show at Smithsonian

TheaterJan 26, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Photographer Annie Leibovitz says she has come back from some dark days and revived her creativity with a new project now on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum that marks a departure from her popular celebrity portraits.Two years ago, Leibovitz was facing millions in debt and a mismanaged fortune that nearly cost her the legal rights to her own work, which includes some of pop culture’s most memorable images. The ordeal was a good lesson in managing her business, Leibo
Filmmakers turn to popular novels for inspiration

FilmJan 26, 2012

More best-selling books to be made into movies in 2012We saw its success on the silver screen last year, with the hits “Punch” and “The Silenced.”Following the box-office triumph of the two bestsellers-turned-films, Korea’s publishing scene is seeing more of its output being turned into motion pictures this year. The film rights to about 10 popular books have been sold to production houses so far. The books to be turned into films include author Park Bum-shin’s romance novel “Eungyo,” Kim Tak-hw
Girls’ Generation to appear on U.S. talk shows

TelevisionJan 26, 2012

K-pop sensation Girls’ Generation will appear on two popular U.S. talk shows. The group’s agency S.M. Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the nine members would appear on CBS’s late-night talk show “Late Show with David Letterman” on Jan. 31 and ABC’s morning talk show “Live! With Kelly” on Feb. 1. The girls will appear on stage for about five minutes on Letterman and showcase their latest song “The Boys.” The group will also sing and dance on “Live! With Kelly” as well as do an interview.
‘Unbowed’ flying high at box office, reviving attention to forgotten case

FilmJan 26, 2012

“Unbowed,” a low-budget South Korean film based on the true story of the so-called “crossbow terror”incident of a college professor, is heating up the local box office, drawing renewed public debate over the 2006 incident.The movie claimed the No. 2 spot by bringing in more than 1 million viewers at local cinemas as of Wednesday, a week after making a robust debut, the Korean Film Council, a government agency in charge of promoting domestic films, said on Thursday.The 1 million viewers is double
Seoul's guest houses emerging as mecca of 'hallyu' fans

Jan 26, 2012

Guest houses located in the Seoul city center that resemble Western bed and breakfasts are becoming increasingly popular with young Asian fans of Korean pop culture seeking reasonably priced lodging, according to operators of such facilities.Guest houses in Seoul's Myeongdong shopping district and a