Most Popular
-
1
Korean labor force to shrink by 10 million by 2044: report
-
2
[AtoZ Korean Mind] Does your job define who you are? Should it?
-
3
Allegations surrounding BTS resurface, enraged fans demand apology
-
4
Students with history of violence will be barred from becoming teachers
-
5
Top prosecutor pledges 'speedy, strict' probe into first lady's luxury bag allegations
-
6
Medical feud leaves hospitals in financial crisis
-
7
Samsung mocks Apple over iPhone alarm glitch
-
8
'Queen of Tears' riding high on Netflix chart
-
9
Chip up cycle won’t stay long: SK chief
-
10
Speaker floats dual citizenship as solution to falling births
-
Concept Korea show in New York explores Korean identity
The Concept Korea fashion show presented a unique mix of four different Korean designers during New York Fashion Week on Monday. Under the theme of “4cus on Ma Dang” ― Ma Dang meaning courtyard in Korean and here referring to sharing the stage ― the annual fashion event presented a show that reflected both the distinctive personalities of four designers and a balanced mix of different styles on the runway at The Stage at Lincoln Center. The four designers, Lee Suk-tae (Kaal E. Suktae), Choi Bo K
Arts & DesignSept. 10, 2013
-
Woody Allen cast as a pimp in new Turturro comedy
TORONTO (AFP) ― Woody Allen is a pimp, John Turturro is his gigolo-employee and Sharon Stone buys his escort services.It is an absurd premise, but working from his own screenplay, Turturro’s exploration of what it would be to be a middle-aged man for hire tickled audiences at the Toronto film festival, where his comedy “Fading Gigolo” premiered this week.In the film, Turturro (“The Big Lebowski,” “Transformers” and “O Brother Where Art Thou”) plays a New York florist, Fioravante, and friend to M
FilmSept. 10, 2013
-
G-Dragon presents ‘Space 8’ art exhibition
In commemoration of the release of his second solo album “Coup d’Etat” and his first solo world tour, Big Bang leader G-Dragon is holding a weeklong art exhibition at the Cais Gallery in Seoul, from Sept. 10-17. Entitled “Space 8,” which opened exactly eight days after the release of “Coup d’Etat,” the exhibition represents what the artist believes is his lucky number, the number 8. Because G-Dragon was born on Aug. 8, 1988, he has always had a special attachment to the number. “There has been n
PerformanceSept. 10, 2013
-
Asia Song Festival 2013 joins MU:CON 2013
Asia Song Festival 2013 will join hands with MU:CON 2013 from Oct. 9 to 12 to commemorate the festival’s 10th anniversary. The Asia Song Festival is an Asian pop music festival held annually in Korea with participating performers from all over Asia. The festival is set up as a space for interaction between fans and musicians, as well as countries. MU:CON is a global music conference and showcase focusing on looking at the trends of the music market in Asia and around the world. The festival will
Sept. 10, 2013
-
One Hip-Hop Festival cranks up heat at KINTEX
CJ E&M certainly wanted its tribute to hip-hop to be big. In addition to bringing in foreign acts Tyga and Nelly, One Hip-Hop Festival ran from 2 p.m. to nearly 5 a.m. at KINTEX in Ilsan, just outside of Seoul, on one of the biggest hip-hop stages in the country.The long hours made it possible for Korean hip-hop’s heavy hitters to take the stage. Everyone from rookies to top hip-hop agencies Hi-Lite Records, Illionaire, Brand New Music and Standart Music Group performed, with Jay Park even stopp
PerformanceSept. 10, 2013
-
Cho Yong-pil to perform in Japan
Cho Yong-pil is to fly to Japan to perform in Tokyo International Forum Hall for his concert, “One Night Special” on Nov. 7. Cho’s last performance in Japan was in 1998, making this concert his first there in 15 years. The singer is set to release the Japanese version of his 19th album “Hello” on Oct. 16 with 2PM member Taecyeon featuring on the title track. The lyrics for three track ― “Hello,” “Bounce,” and “Walking Along” ― have been translated into Japanese. The K-pop veteran is also plannin
Sept. 10, 2013
-
FT Island to release EP
FT Island is releasing a new EP on Sept. 23 to commemorate their sixth year in the music industry and to also thank fans for their continued support. The album, “Thanks To,” stands apart from the group’s previous albums because it marks the first time that the members wrote and composed all of the tracks.The title track for the album is “Memory,” which was composed by group vocalist Lee Hong-gi. He gained positive reviews in the past composing “Black Chocolate” and “Orange Sky” as a capable sing
Sept. 10, 2013
-
Fans organize TVXQ Forest Project
To commemorate TVXQ’s 10th anniversary, fans are organizing the TVXQ Forest Project to plant several trees dedicated to the K-pop boy group near Yunjung-ro in Yeouido, western Seoul this month. Several different types of trees are to be planted in the area, including Chinese plum trees whose leaves turn a bright red, TVXQ’s representative color. Fans organizing the event recently set up a website on Sept. 6 with the goal of raising 5 million won ($4,600) to fund the tree planting. When the trees
Sept. 10, 2013
-
India, Chad groups win UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize
Two groups that campaign against illiteracy in India and Chad have won the 2013 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize. UNESCO presented the prize to the Federation of the Associations of the Promotion of the Languages of Guera, Chad, and the National Literacy Mission Authority of the Indian Ministry of Human Resources Development in an award ceremony in Paris on Monday, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO said. The prize was created by the South Korean government in 1989 to memorialize the ou
PeopleSept. 10, 2013
-
U.N. chief wins alumni award from Seoul National University
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been chosen as a winner of the alumni award from his alma matar in Seoul for his contribution to world peace, his school said Tuesday.Seoul National University decided to confer the Distinguished Alumni Award on Ban “for his decades of service to his home country and his contribution to global peace and the welfare of all mankind as the U.N. chief,” it said. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held next month to mark the school’s foundation day, though i
PeopleSept. 10, 2013
-
Kim Jong-jin appointed head of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
Kim Jong-jin, a former director of the Cultural Heritage Administration, was appointed the president of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the CHA said Monday. Kim will serve a three-year term.The government said Kim’s wealth of experience in cultural heritage management will boost the state-subsidized organization’s work to preserve and transmit traditional culture in a creative way.Kim started his career at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and then moved to the CHA. The Korea C
PeopleSept. 10, 2013
-
Vice minister in charge of sports offers to resign
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Jong-kil on Tuesday offered to resign over a scandal involving the illegal transfer of a private shooting range to his wife. Park is also likely to face prosecution if found to have fabricated an official document in the process. Those who fabricate public documents could face up to 10 years in prison. According to the revelation made by Rep. Lee Yong-sup of the Democratic Party, Park fabricated a Seoul Metropolitan Government document whi
PeopleSept. 10, 2013
-
Can K-dramas take off outside Asia?
In the past few years, K-pop has tapped the hitherto impenetrable European and American markets with acts like Super Junior and Psy, whose single “Gangnam Style” became a chart-topping, universally hot phenomenon. “My 3-year-old nephew can do the dance,” said Muffy Potter, who is company director and producer of Put It Out There Pictures, noting that “Gangnam Style” had definitely reached Australia.American Public Television CEO Cynthia Fenneman, noted a similar development in the U.S. “It was q
TelevisionSept. 10, 2013
-
‘Project Cheonan Ship’ resurfaces to grab viewers’ interest
By Im Woo-jung, Intern reporter“Project Cheonan Ship,” a documentary on the ill-fated Cheonan naval corvette that sank off the west coast in early 2010, was supposed to sink into oblivion; surprisingly, it’s floating back to social media’s hot-button issues. The movie, directed by Baek Seung-woo, was released on Thursday, but was then removed from the lineup of national multiplex chain Megabox on Saturday, after a two-day screening. Megabox cited security concerns for moviegoers as conservative
FilmSept. 10, 2013
-
Crayon Pop’s revamped music video attracts 15 million viewers
Crayon Pop’s upgraded “Bar Bar Bar,” released on Monday, attracted 15 million viewers on YouTube within 24 hours, reflecting the group’s surging popularity. The new music video, dubbed “Bar Bar Bar 2.0,” came after the group won a coveted recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Korea in August. The new version is aimed at boosting the group’s international presence on the strength of the agency’s global networks, taking a cue from the unprecedented success of Psy’s addictive “Gangnam St
Sept. 10, 2013
-
Scarred survivor of horrid accident ‘grateful’ for her life
Looking back at the fateful car crash that left her body marred and completely changed her life, Lee Ji-seon said she is still thankful for her life.Lee, the author of best-selling essay “Ji-seon-A Saranghae (Ji-seon, I Love You),” appeared on SBS talk show “Healing Camp” to share how she coped with a horrid traffic accident that burned over 55 percent of her body. “That is when I learned to be grateful for one thing each day. I was thankful for still being able to pick up a spoon, for being abl
PeopleSept. 10, 2013
-
Bringing traditional crafts closer to modern life
The Korean Craft and Design Foundation is holding an annual crafts exhibition, aimed at reviving public interest in craftworks and promoting applicability of traditional Korean craftwork in modern lifestyles.The exhibition, which started on Monday at a gallery run by the state-funded institution in Insa-dong, showcases the aesthetics and practical use of Korean craftworks that still work in modern settings. “It’s really hard to tell where many of the craftworks we see at craft biennales belong.
PerformanceSept. 9, 2013
-
Jeff Koons’ ‘Balloon Dog’ going to NYC auction
NEW YORK (AP) ― Jeff Koons’ whimsical “Balloon Dog (Orange)” is going to auction on Nov. 12 in New York City. The pre-sale estimate is $35 million to $55 million.The stainless steel sculpture is 3.6 meters tall. It looks like a long balloon twisted into the shape of a dog.It’s one of a series of five, each in a different metallic color.Christie’s says art collector Peter Brant is selling it to raise money for his Brant Foundation Art Study Center.Koons’ “Tulips” sold last year at Christie’s for
PerformanceSept. 9, 2013
-
Italy delays Botticelli loan to Israeli museum
ROME (AFP) ― Italy will delay the planned loan of a famous painting by Renaissance master Botticelli to Israel because the timing is “not appropriate,” the culture ministry in Rome said on Friday.“The Annunciation of San Martino alla Scala” was to be sent to the Israel Museum for an exhibition opening on Sept. 17 to be opened by Italian Culture Minister Massimo Bray and his Israeli counterpart Limor Livnat.“The culture ministry, in agreement with the government, decided that the timing was not a
PerformanceSept. 9, 2013
-
Designers defy matchy-matchy wisdom for the mix
NEW YORK (AP) ― Most people are taught from a young age that they want their outfits to match.Isn’t that why there are suits? And belts should complement shoes. And try to wear the same shades of black, right?The biggest group of offenders to the conventional wisdom, however, is probably fashion designers. In the styles they’ve been previewing at New York Fashion Week, which hit its midpoint Sunday, it’s been “juxtaposition” this and “opposite” that.“It’s all in the mix: feminine with masculine,
Arts & DesignSept. 9, 2013