The Korea Herald

U.S. senators stage their own ‘Survivor’ show

Oct 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― Jeff Flake and Martin Heinrich were willing to go to great lengths to prove that a Democratic and Republican U.S. senator could work together.Like halfway around the world. The freshman senators traveled to an uninhabited tropical island north of Australia this summer for a week documented by the Discovery Channel on a special that airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.The result is a lot like “Survivor,” only without Jeff Probst leading them through challenges. Thankfully, they’re neithe
Actress Lee Young-ae wins Taiwanese charity award

Oct 29, 2014

South Korean actress Lee Young-ae has been chosen as the winner of an international charity award for saving the life of a premature Taiwanese baby earlier this year, her management agency said Wednesday.Lee, 43, will be presented with the Global Fervent Love of Lives Medal by the Chou Ta-guan Cultural and Educational Foundation, a Taiwanese nonprofit, in a ceremony slated for May 2015, her agency Leeyes said.In late February, Lee spent nearly $100,000 to cover the costs of medical procedures an
‘Boardwalk Empire’ ends spectacular run

Oct 27, 2014

It’s almost time to wave goodbye to the sons of anarchy. I’m not referring to the FX series about motorcycle hooligans who rode in from some demented Shakespeare festival, although that show also will be missed when it wraps up in December.But the more compelling anarchists are at the heart of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” a drama that belongs on the shortlist of TV’s all-time greatest, right alongside “The Wire” and “Breaking Bad.” Sunday’s episode puts the finishing touches on a show that took the
Guru behind ‘Teletubbies’ teams up with Korean studio for new series

Oct 22, 2014

Kenn Viselman, an American marketer who turned children’s TV series “Teletubbies” and “Thomas the Tank Engine” into megahits, is up for a new project after his much-hyped big-screen venture bombed at the U.S. box office in 2012. This time, he will give toddlers an inquisitive bunny, Sunny Tunny, and a mischievous cat-dog hybrid, Lady LuLu, to love and will present them a world that merges the strengths of two cultures ― Korea and America. Why Korea? Viselman is partnering with an obscure animati
‘New Girl,’ ‘Cosmos’ win environmental media award

Oct 20, 2014

BURBANK, California (AP) ― TV’s “New Girl,” “Parenthood” and “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” have been recognized for supporting green initiatives by the Environmental Media Association.The organization presented its Environmental Media Awards on Saturday during a gala dinner that also celebrated its 25th anniversary.Board member Ed Begley Jr. lauded the Environmental Media Association for encouraging the entertainment media to serve as a vehicle to educate the public about environmental concerns.
S. Korea, China to coproduce Chinese version of ‘Full House’

Oct 20, 2014

A South Korean producer will coproduce a Chinese-language version of the hit South Korean TV soap series “Full House,” the producer said Monday.Group Eight Co. said it is teaming up with China’s Media Asia Group Holdings to produce the Chinese version of the drama that was aired on South Korea’s KBS 2TV channel in 2004.The filming of the new series will begin in December for possible broadcasting next year, it said.Eli, a member of the South Korean idol group U-Kiss, was cast for the series’ mal
Audiences following best characters to TV, says top film director

Oct 13, 2014

PARIS (AFP) ― A troubled detective hunting a serial killer in rural Louisiana, a chemistry teacher with inoperable lung cancer reinvented as a drugs kingpin, a bisexual woman doing jail time for aiding and abetting her drug mule ex-girlfriend.Hollywood’s David Fincher says all the most interesting characters have gone to television ― and audiences have followed them.Fincher, who directed the first two episodes of online streaming giant Netflix’s “House of Cards,” insists he hasn’t given up on mo
Jang Na-ra confesses to eating disorder

Oct 13, 2014

Jang Na-ra. (Jang Na-ra Offical Website)Hallyu star Jang Na-ra has suffered from serious mental breakdowns over her 15-year career, the singer-actress confessed on a television talk show.Jang said on SBS’ “Healing Camp,” which aired on Monday night, that she has suffered from panic disorders, bulimia and acrophobia since debuting in 2001, decrying her trademark smiley face and joviality. Her popularity did not exempt her from the immense pressure that a celebrity had to undergo, she added.She sa
Korean drama starring Rain tops 100m views on Chinese websites

Oct 7, 2014

A South Korean soap series starring singer and actor Rain has surpassed the 100 million mark in accumulated views on China’s two major video streaming and downloading services, the drama’s promoter said Tuesday.The SBS TV series “My Lovely Girl” hit the milestone on Sunday, 19 days after the drama went into service on Youku and Tudou, News Link 21 said.The series earlier drew attention at home for selling its transmission rights for $200,000 per episode, the most ever for a Korean drama sold to
Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon denies fraud accusations

Sept 24, 2014

Actor Bae Yong-joon denied allegations of fraud after he was sued by a local health food supplement firm. KEYEAST, a local entertainment company of which the hallyu star is the majority shareholder, released an official statement Tuesday, flatly denying the accusations.“Koje is using Bae’s fame to make a social issue out of its preposterous claims,” the statement read. “Every action will be taken to respond firmly to the false accusations.” Bae Yong-joon. (KEYEAST)Koje, a health food company, s
Michael Bolton to appear on Korean TV music show

Sept 21, 2014

Grammy Award-winning pop star Michael Bolton will appear on local television music show “Immortal Songs 2 ― Singing the Legend,” broadcaster KBS said. The program covers a competition of Korean singers remaking hit songs of legendary musicians. Bolton will be the first foreign singer to feature on the show as a “legend,” KBS added. Seven top vocalists including Lena Park, Ailee, Jay Park and Hyorin will cover his biggest hit songs. Bolton, renowned for many songs such as “When a Man Loves a Woma
‘The Simpsons’ toast to 25 years with songs, stars

Sept 14, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Bart and Lisa Simpson, Chief Wiggam and son Ralph, bartender Moe and Apu from Kwik-E-Mart celebrated 25 years of “The Simpsons” in Hollywood on Friday. Those characters are performed by three actors ― Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria ― who hosted the world premiere of “The Simpsons Take the Bowl” at the Los Angeles concert venue the Hollywood Bowl. The program featured music, stars and reminiscences from TV’s longest-running scripted show. The Hollywood Bowl Or
[Herald Interview] Korean drama fever hits U.S.

Sept 14, 2014

Unique flavor, simple plot key to success: DramaFever CEO
[Herald Interview] Making life choices through acting

Sept 4, 2014

Simon Abkarian, a French-Armenian actor who played Col. Amanulla in “Kaboul Kitchen,” flew from the ongoing Venice International Film Festival to receive the grand prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards. It is his first visit to Korea.Reflecting on his diverse roles in films, TV dramas and plays over the past 30 years, the 52-year-old actor said he considers two things when selecting a drama.“First, we actors have to work and make a living, at least for me,” said Abkarian. “But second, an
[Herald Interview] Small changes can send big message

Sept 4, 2014

Norwegian actress and director of “Mammon” Cecile Mosli, the Best Miniseries award winner, says she believes that small changes from the perceived norms can make a statement. “I try to put different people from different countries, backgrounds and genders all together in my works,” said Mosli. “For example, if the role is written for a male part, I change it to female,” which makes it more interesting added. “I like putting things upside down, and this sometimes carries out the message I want to