HBC Fest returns bigger than ever

HBC Fest is set to open in the Haebangchon area of Seoul’s Itaewon on May 16-18, with its biggest lineup yet.Now in its ninth year, the festival has added a number of venues in Gyeongnidan, a nearby neighborhood with an increasing number of popular bars and restaurants.Festival organizer Lance Reegan-Diehl said that after a few bars from the area asked about joining, interest snowballed ― 12 new venues have been added to the festival in both areas, more than doubling the festival’s size.“In most

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

Comedian Tom Rhodes returns to Seoul

Tom RhodesU.S. comedian Tom Rhodes will return to Seoul this month for two shows hosted by Stand Up Seoul.Rhodes, who performed in Korea in 2012, combines his profession with world travel, even making documentaries about his experience. He has had television shows in Europe and the U.S., including showcases on Comedy Central, as well as three comedy audio releases.The shows will be on May 23 and 24 and start at 10 p.m. Tickets are 25,000 won before May 22 and 30,000 won thereafter. To reserve, c

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

Julio Iglesias is a fan of Eurovision queen Conchita

Spanish singer Julio Iglesias poses for photographers at a press conference with his award after being named the “Most Successful Latin Artist of All Time” at a central London venue on Monday. (AP-Yonhap)LONDON (AFP) ― Spanish singer Julio Iglesias on Monday expressed his admiration for Conchita Wurst, the Austrian bearded transvestite who won Eurovision at the weekend.“She’s a super singer and she’s an amazing girl, very sensitive, and I’m really happy for her,” said the 70-year-old.Iglesias wa

PerformanceMay 13, 2014

Actor Park Hae-jin gives Kang So-ra a ‘kiss of fire’

Actor Park Hae-jin gives Kang So-ra a deep kiss inside a flashy convertible in the third episode of the SBS medical show “Doctor Stranger,” aired on Monday, a calculated move to win her heart.The coldhearted elite doctor Han Jae-joon, played by Park Hae-jin, kisses Oh Soo-hyun, played by Kang So-ra, to calm her as she complains about him not spending much time with her.  Actor Park Hae-jin kisses Kang So-ra in the third episode of "Doctor Stranger." (SBS)Oh is a doctor and illegitimate daughter

May 13, 2014

AKMU tops Melon chart for 5 weeks, ventilates appearance-prevailing K-pop scene

Brother-sister duo Akdong Musician, nicknamed AKMU, topped the country’s largest music chart for the fifth straight week, a significant streak in the idol-prevalent K-pop scene. The acoustic duo members, Lee Chan-hyuk, 17, and Lee Soo-hyun, 14, remained No. 1 in Melon’s “top-20 artist ranking” and “top-20 album chart” from April 7 through May 11, YG Entertainment stated on Tuesday. The album also topped Mnet’s “M! Countdown” and SBS’ “Music Trend” for three consecutive weeks. Lee Soo-hyun (left)

May 13, 2014

Abashed Kang So-ra slaps Lee Jong-suk’s face in “Doctor Stranger”

An embarrassed Kang So-ra slaps Lee Jong-suk in the third episode of the SBS medical show “Doctor Stranger,” aired on Monday, marking a fiery first encounter at the hospital.Oh Soo-hyun, played by Kang So-ra, becomes upset when Lee Jong-suk, playing Park Hoon, pops up out of nowhere and successfully operates on an injured man whom she failed to save. Oh is a doctor and illegitimate daughter of a rich hospital owner, whereas Park is an orphaned water delivery man. Oh Soo-hyun storms up to Park Ho

May 13, 2014

Goo Ja-myung caught drunk-driving, ousted from 'Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education'

Soccer player-turned-singer Goo Ja-myung, 24, will leave KBS 2tv variety show "Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education" amid drunk-driving controversy.The soccer player-turned-singer was asked by the producers to leave the show as a token of self-discipline. The incident comes after the entertainment industry has kept a low profile recently in light of last month’s ferry disaster. Goo was involved in a car accident while driving drunk around 5 a.m. on Tuesday in Goyang City, northwest of Se

May 13, 2014

K-pop musicians rush out to play in May

A number of K-pop celebrities are gearing for a comeback as the nation is slowly getting back on track following the trauma of the Sewol ferry sinking last month.A new EP has been released almost every day since the local music industry started to defrost after the ferry disaster, music industry watchers said.Starting with EXO’s comeback on May 7, the K-pop charts have been pumped with new songs.Music programs, which voluntarily halted as a tribute to those who died aboard the ferry Sewol, are e

May 13, 2014

Musee d’Orsay brings blockbuster exhibit

Nineteenth-century Paris has a unique place in the history of art, giving birth to two very important movements ― Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Many masterpieces of this era are housed at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. They include works by such illustrious artists as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, van Gogh and Czanne. Some such works are currently in Seoul for a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in a ravishing treat for art lovers here. “Beyond Impressionism, Masterpieces

PerformanceMay 12, 2014

‘Late Spring’ awarded at Arizona film festival

Korean drama film “Late Spring” won the Best Foreign Feature prize at this year’s Arizona International Film Festival, the movie’s producer Studio Hook said.Directed by filmmaker Cho Keun-hyun (“26 Years”), the film revolves around a genius sculptor (Park Yong-woo) in postwar Korea, who suffers from a progressive muscular disease that will lead to complete paralysis. Disheartened, he decides to quit his career as an artist. In an effort to encourage him, his dutiful wife (Kim Seo-hyung) hires a

FilmMay 12, 2014

Ballet dancers tie the knot

Universal Ballet dancers Konstantin Novoselov (left) and Kang Mi-sun pose for a photo right after their engagement on Dec. 28. (UBC)Universal Ballet Company’s principal dancers Kang Mi-sun and Konstantin Novoselov tied the knot on Sunday at L.luce Wedding Convention in Seoul, nearly five months after their public engagement in December.According to Universal Ballet, the two dancers have been dating for the last six years. Kang joined the troupe in 2002, while Russian-born Novoselov joined the co

PerformanceMay 12, 2014

Art Basel puts spotlight on Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AFP) ― Hong Kong’s tallest building will transform into a glowing art installation this week, a beacon showing off the city’s ambition to be recognized as a major cultural hub with its second Art Basel fair. With its knack for bringing in a global mix of wealthy buyers, artists, gallerists, VIPs and celebrities, the five-day show is the catalyst to a champagne-soaked itinerary of art fairs, exhibitions and happenings. German artist Carsten Nicolai was commissioned by Art Basel to turn

CultureMay 12, 2014

Kara hunts for new members through reality TV show

Former five-member girl group Kara searches for new members, as members Ji-young (left) and Nicole (second from left) have left the group. (DSP Media)Contrary to rumors that the departure of Nicole and Ji-young from Kara would result in the end of the popular idol girl group, fans can let out a sigh of relief as Kara will be making its way back to the public eye this month. According to an announcement by DSP Media on Monday, the formerly five-member act is, in fact, searching for replacements a

May 12, 2014

Toy’s Yoo Hee-yeol writes requiem for Sewol victims

Yoo Hee-yeol performs “Sea of Mother” during his music program Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook on Saturday.Composer Yoo Hee-yeol, leader of the project group Toy, has written a requiem for the victims of the Sewol ferry accident.“Sea of Mother” is a calm and melancholy piano composition written by Yoo as a small gesture of encouragement to a nation grieving deeply over the accident, said his management agency Antenna Music.Its theme is a healing mother, who provides peace and solace to her children du

PerformanceMay 12, 2014

McCartney returns to Tokyo venue for first time since 1966

Paul McCartney performs during the opening concert of his “Out There” tour in Montevideo on April 19. (AFP)TOKYO (AFP) ― Paul McCartney is to play Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall this month, marking his first return to the venue since appearing there with The Beatles in 1966. And for some fans, the nostalgia even extends to the tickets, with 100 seats for those aged under 25 going on sale for 1,500 yen ($15), the same price as they were 48 years ago, organizers said. The rest of the tickets for the

PerformanceMay 12, 2014

Girl’s Day Yura, Teen Top C.A.P act out lovers in “Night and Day”

Girl’s Day’s Yura and Teen Top’s C.A.P played lovers in the music video of “Night and Day” from the latest EP by Wheesung.The two K-pop stars portrayed a romance that turns tragic. C.A.P, who loses Yura due to a lack of determination, tries to win her back by time-traveling to the past.  Yura and C.A.P in "Night and Day" (from "Night and Day") Yura and C.A.P in "Night and Day" (from "Night and Day")The EP, titled “The Best Man,” contains seven songs, including “Night and Day.” The music videos f

May 12, 2014