The Korea Herald

Television as modern-day novel

Feb 11, 2015

‘House of Cards’ director talks new TV formats, power of ‘binge watching,’ importance of good stories
‘Jingbirok’ sheds new light on Imjin War

Feb 6, 2015

Most Koreans are familiar with Adm. Yi Sun-sin, one of the nation’s most revered heroes. Last year’s record-breaking flick “Roaring Currents” centered on a historic battle led by Adm. Yi during the Japanese invasion of Korea in the 1590s, also known as the Imjin War. A new period TV drama ― set against the backdrop of the Joseon era ― projects to center on a lesser-known figure, Yu Seong-ryong, to shed light on a different facet of the Imjin War. “Jingbirok,” produced by local TV channel KBS, i
Uee plays haughty swimming champion in new TV rom-com

Jan 30, 2015

In the new tvN miniseries “Hogoo’s Love,” girl group After School member Uee takes on the role of Do Do-hee, a beautiful but haughty it-girl and national swimming champion. Known for her long legs and glamorous body, Uee recently appeared in the reality show “Law of the Jungle.” “Hogoo” is her first TV drama lead since 2013, in which she played orphan Kim Baek-won in “Golden Rainbow.” Uee of girl group After School poses during a press conference for the new tvN miniseries “Hogoo’s Love” in Seo
Uee plays haughty swimming champion in new TV rom-com

Jan 29, 2015

(OSEN)In the new tvN miniseries “Hogoo’s Love,” girl group After School member Uee takes on the role of Do Do-hee, a beautiful but haughty it-girl and national swimming champion.　Known for her long legs and voluptuous body, Uee recently appeared in reality show “Law of the Jungle.” “Hogoo” is her first TV drama lead since 2013, when she played orphan Kim Baek-won in “Golden Rainbow.”　“I have never sworn this much before in my life,” she said on her role as the boisterous queen bee. “I’m so immer
South-North duo make TV trip to Japan

Jan 27, 2015

Two 31-year-old friends embark on a journey to a Japanese spa town in a new TV travel series, where they try out mackerel sushi and Japanese ramen.Comedian Ahn Young-mi is fascinated with the unique taste of the fish, but North Korean defector Lee Eun-hye can’t stand the fishy taste after taking a bite. In the three-episode travel program, “Hiking Together,” the unusual South-North pair visit Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, for four days. Comedian Ahn Young-mi (right) and North Korean defector L
U.S. TV networks make unequal progress toward on-screen diversity

Jan 21, 2015

Kenya Barris, creator of ABC’s “black-ish,” was motivated to write the comedy about an African-American family’s efforts to honor its heritage in part by the unreality of what he grew up watching on television. “I saw ‘Friends’ and ‘Seinfeld’ and thought, ‘What part of New York is this?’”recalled Barris, who is black. “It’s not about being diverse. It’s about being true to the world.” His show comes 15 years after civil rights groups, galvanized by a lineup of new network series almost entirely
Actor Ryu Si-won divorces his wife

Jan 21, 2015

Actor-singer Ryu Si-won's five-year marriage ended on Wednesday as a local court ruled in favor of his wife in a divorce suit, judicial sources said.The Seoul Family Court ordered Ryu to pay 30 million won ($27,700) in alimony to his wife surnamed Cho, recognizing the actor's responsibility in the marriage's demise, they said.The 42-year-old actor was also ordered to give 390 million won or 15 percent of the property that he accumulated during the marriage to his wife, according to sources.The c
Cosby takes stage despite protest over sex assault claims

Jan 18, 2015

DENVER (AP) ― About 100 protesters chanting “Rape is not a joke!” and “No means no!” protested outside a theater in Denver before comedian Bill Cosby took the stage on Saturday.Shortly before his performance at the Buell Theatre, one woman held a news conference at a hotel in the city to accuse him of sexually assaulting her in 1986.Beth Ferrier said during the gathering called by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred that Cosby put drugs in her coffee when she went to see one of his shows in Denve
[Weekender] Office theme prevails on TV

Jan 16, 2015

Up until recently, the mundane white-collar world was never at the center of attention on the small screen, even in a country known as the hardest-working nation.More often than not, the office cubicle served merely as a backdrop for a Cinderella story between a large conglomerate’s young, handsome heir and an ordinary female office worker. But now, viewers are more than eager to watch and sympathize with the average Joe or Jane as they struggle to survive in the office ― even if the show lacks
Jang Geun-suk drops out of TV show after tax evasion report

Jan 16, 2015

Jang Geun-suk is leaving tvN’s popular reality program “Three Meals a Day,” a day after it was revealed that he was caught evading taxes amounting to nearly 10 billion won ($9.27 million). TvN announced Jang’s departure late Thursday, adding that the actor had decided to drop out. “The time is not right,” the press release said, “for Jang to appear in the show, considering public sentiment.” Actor Jang Geun-suk. (Yonhap)The channel will edit out pre-filmed scenes starring the actor. The show’s
Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun on course for jackpot year

Jan 14, 2015

Actor Kim Soo-hyun and actress Jun Ji-hyun are set for another massively profitable year in 2015, propelled by their hit drama “My Love from the Star.”According to advertising and entertainment industry sources, Jun and Kim’s combined earnings from advertising are likely to break the 50 billion won ($46.2 million) mark for the second consecutive year. Last year, Jun and Kim earned an estimated 20 billion won and 30 billion won, respectively, from advertising and endorsement fees. Jun Ji-hyun (le
Colbert to get CBS debut in September

Jan 13, 2015

PASADENA, California (AP) ― CBS has hosts and starting dates for its remade late-night lineup ― Stephen Colbert on Sept. 8 and James Corden on March 23 ― and now is waiting to find out what kinds of shows the two men create.The network announced Monday that Colbert will take over the “Late Show” after Labor Day. He’s replacing David Letterman, who is retiring and will have his last show on May 20. CBS will air reruns of prime-time programming in the time slot until Colbert starts.Colbert is brin
Will ‘Two and a Half Men’ end run with or without Sheen?

Jan 13, 2015

PASADENA, California (AP) ― Charlie Sheen left “Two and a Half Men” amid great drama. Whether he’ll return for the show’s last episode is a mystery.CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler ducked the question when pressed at a meeting Monday of the Television Critics Association.“I can promise you there will be a lot of surprises,” Tassler said. Series executive producer Chuck Lorre has promised to deliver “what he’s calling a ‘mystery sandwich,’” she added.“Two and a Half Men,” which once reigned a
Social media has positives, pitfalls for actors, producers

Jan 12, 2015

PASADENA, California (AP) ― Social media is giving television stars and creators a more direct relationship with fans and, as actor Joseph Morgan of the CW’s “The Originals” can attest, requires a thick skin.The connection can be particularly intense for shows on the CW, which has a comparatively young audience and shows with a heavy geek factor of comic book heroes, vampires and zombies. Fans don’t hesitate to speak out about what they do or don’t like on their favorite programs.“There are alwa
Courtney Love, puppets and Korean identity at N.Y. opera fest

Jan 11, 2015

NEW YORK (AFP) ― A dreamy video performance that explores Korean identity and an opera that dramatizes a disabled boy’s plight through puppets are premiering in New York as part of the latest Prototype festival.Prototype, launched in 2013 to showcase experimental opera and other new theater, opened Thursday with a star provocatrice ― grunge rock icon Courtney Love.The Hole singer, who has played in films for the past 30 years, made her theatrical debut in a production of Todd Almond’s “Kansas Ci