Herald Interview In series
A series of in-depth interviews.
#Interview
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Herald Interview In series
A series of in-depth interviews.
Would you like to subscribe?
From 'KPop Demon Hunters' to 'Cha Cha Cha': Vince sets sights on stardom
Joe Rhee's look screams rebel. The pitch-black ink on his arms contrasts with his all-white attire, which is finished off with layered necklaces, diamond stud earrings and a nose piercing. More widely known as Vince, a singer-songwriter and producer under The Black Label, few would guess that he is the composer behind "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol," the Saja Boys anthems in "KPop Demon Hunters" that are taking summer music charts by storm. "I am surprised by the global popularity of 'KPop Demon Hunt
Aug. 18, 2025 - 08:00:01
How Kimdea found love and millions of followers
Digital platforms have shrunk the world, and among the frontrunners bridging cultures online is Korean-Indonesian couple Kim Seung-woo and Dea Sardiyana -- the duo behind TikTok channel Kimdea, its name blending Kim’s surname with Sardiyana’s given name. With 2.8 million followers and videos regularly amassing millions of views, they’ve carved out a niche that blends cross-cultural storytelling with the everyday charm of food and lifestyle vlogs. And the story of these powerhouse social influenc
Aug. 16, 2025 - 16:00:00
How the online manosphere fuels misogyny — and why young men are drawn in
In the digital era, a new ecosystem of online creators, communities and algorithms is reshaping conversations around gender. Some of these spaces, known broadly as the manosphere, are fueling reactionary ideas about masculinity, embedding harmful stereotypes, and, experts warn, accelerating gender-based violence. “The dangerous part is that technology is becoming our new reality,” said Emad Karim, Advocacy, Campaigns & Innovation Coordinator at UN Women’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Aug. 13, 2025 - 15:16:11
Breaking boundaries in AI-powered life sciences
In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence-powered life sciences, Baek Minkyung, assistant professor of department of biological sciences at Seoul National University, is making waves for pushing the boundaries of protein structure prediction and design. As the winner of this year’s APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education, or Aspire, which is co-hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation, she sha
Aug. 13, 2025 - 13:17:35
‘Little Mermaid’ dancers trade fins for legs, learn to walk for the first time
Cho Yeon-jae, returning to the role for a second time after last year’s premiere, and Kim Byeol, making her debut after understudying, will perform the drama ballet from Wednesday to Sunday at the Seoul Arts Center.
Aug. 13, 2025 - 11:49:03
Zoonizini hopes for lasting bonds, passion for music in 'Some Things Never Change’
Whether we like it or not, change is the only constant in life. Good moments do not last forever, but neither do bad ones, and even those moments of serenity eventually transform into something new. In hopes that their passion for music and the bond they share with their bandmates will remain forever, MJ and Jinjin of boy group Astro have come together for the first time as Zoonizini, debuting as a unit with the main track "Some Things Never Change," which will be released Wednesday at 6 p.m. "I
Aug. 13, 2025 - 08:00:00
Citi eyes Korea’s mid-market growth as key global hub
Tasnim Ghiawadwala, global head of commercial banking at Citi, reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to Korea, describing the country as a hub of innovative mid-sized companies eager to capture global market share. From cosmetics brands breaking into European retail chains to industrial suppliers expanding alongside global clients, she said Korea’s export-oriented companies offer fertile ground for the bank’s cross-border financing and advisory services. Making her first visit to Korea sinc
Aug. 12, 2025 - 15:16:37
‘Winning Grammy will be a message to every Asian American girl who’s ever felt impostor syndrome,’ says ‘Golden’ songwriter Ejae
Everyone has a dream. Some see it through. Others are forced to let go. For 33-year-old Korean American singer-songwriter Ejae, born Kim Eun-jae, the dream was to debut as a K-pop idol after spending 10 years training at SM Entertainment. But the call never came. Neither in a group nor as a soloist did the powerhouse label see her fit to debut. Instead of turning her back on music, Ejae found another path — one that would lead her to co-write “Golden,” the soaring anthem from Netflix’s megahit “
Aug. 12, 2025 - 11:22:15
Bridge connecting worlds: Wu Guanzhong’s art lands in Seoul
In the painting "Snow-covered Mountain," Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) left blank large areas of Xuan paper, a traditional Chinese handmade paper. The untouched whiteness of the paper evokes snow-covered mountains in striking contrast with black ink. The work hints at the Chinese art master's philosophical approach to ink wash painting. “Ink, when applied to Xuan paper, exudes a vibrant spirit thanks to the strong contrast between black and white. White plays a commanding role in tradi
Aug. 11, 2025 - 17:31:51
Where K-pop fandom meets platform power
Emily Mei Li, co-founder and CEO of fan-based cultural experience platform ArtisynX, is steadily emerging as a dynamic force in bridging Eastern and Western entertainment. Driven by a lifelong passion for storytelling and global connection, Mei co-founded the entertainment and talent management company ArtisynX in 2024 with partner Joey Ngoy. Together, they envisioned a cultural bridge where diverse narratives intersect and new creative possibilities emerge. “With a seasoned team behind us, we f
Aug. 11, 2025 - 16:34:40
Interview: Jeon Somi embraces chaos in bold new EP ‘Chaotic & Confused’
Jeon Somi is back after a year with her second EP, “Chaotic & Confused” — a candid exploration of self-discovery found within moments of disorder and doubt. The singer first rose to fame in January 2016 on the large-scale survival project “Produce 101,” where she finished first among 101 contestants. She debuted later that year as a member of the project group, I.O.I. After the group disbanded in early 2017, she signed a solo contract with JYP Entertainment but parted ways a year later without n
Aug. 11, 2025 - 08:00:00
Blackpink producer R.Tee seeks to shape the future of electronic music
Standing in the heart of his sleek, dimly lit studio, producer and DJ Kim Jung-gu -- better known as R.Tee -- is framed by towering high-end speakers as he scrolls through tracks on twin monitors, searching for a one to play. Then “Switch Out” bursts from the speakers -- a surge of pulsating techno and vibrant synths, pulling the body into its relentless rhythm. "Switch Out" is a track in his double single, dropped Sunday, which also includes "Damdadi," featuring vocals by Soyeon of I-dle. It’s
Aug. 10, 2025 - 13:59:57
Lawyer-turned-CEO aims to rewrite rules of entertainment industry
After decades working at the crossroads of law and entertainment — from serving as a prosecutor and entertainment lawyer to leading CJ ENM as its chief executive officer — Kang Ho-sung is taking on a new challenge: Building an agency that redefines what it means to professionally represent South Korean celebrities. His latest venture, KHS Agency, goes beyond traditional management, he said. “Korea’s management system still hasn’t properly developed a specialized agency system,” Kang told The Kor
Aug. 9, 2025 - 16:00:00
Interview: Ahn Bo-hyun trades tough for tender
Ahn Bo-hyun has played his share of tough guys. An alpha male par excellence of Korean dramas, he has terrorized Park Seo-jun as the sneering chaebol heir in "Itaewon Class" and thrown punches alongside Han So-hee in Netflix's "My Name." On the big screen, Ahn has nearly battled Jung Hae-in to the death in "I, Executioner." Meeting him at a Samcheong-dong cafe on Thursday, it's clear why he gets cast this way. The guy stands nearly 190 centimeters tall with a muscular and imposing boxer's frame
Aug. 8, 2025 - 16:05:17
Interview: Yoona becomes the devil she fakes
"I think I have both sides in me — that's why I was drawn to these characters," Lim Yoona says at a Samcheong-dong cafe on Thursday. She's talking about her dual role in "Pretty Crazy," where she plays a picture-perfect bakery owner who transforms into a demon every night with no memory of it come morning. For nearly two decades, Yoona has been Korea's sweetheart. She's been the face of dozens of brands and the star of TV dramas everyone's mother watches, all while perpetually glowing with a cel
Aug. 7, 2025 - 15:15:09
