Most Popular
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Tensions heighten ahead of first president-opposition chief meeting
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Seoul to provide housing subsidy to married couples with newborns
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[KH Explains] No more 'Michael' at Kakao Games
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Rapper jailed after public street fight with another rapper
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Woman gets suspended term for injuring boyfriend with knife
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Samsung chief bolsters ties with Germany’s Zeiss
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NewJeans pops out ‘Bubble Gum’ video amid troubles at agency
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Med schools expect 1,500+ new admission slots next year
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Nominee for chief of anti-corruption body pledges 'independence, effectiveness'
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KT launches new mobile plans for foreign residents
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Versatile idol group BTOB has a lot more to show
Seven-member group to make international debut at Singapore’s Music Matters FestivalThis is part of a series featuring new hallyu stars. ― Ed.Korean idol groups, so far, may have relied on their pretty looks, dance performances that are akin to acrobatics, and trendy music widely accepted by different cultures around the world, to appeal to audiences. However, BTOB, a Korean boy group that debuted two months ago, said they will show new features as K-pop artists in a way that will set them apart
PerformanceMay 14, 2012
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YG Entertainment CEO reveals story of Seo Taiji and Boys
YG Entertainment CEO and former member of Korean group Seo Taiji and Boys Yang Hyun-suk has revealed the story behind the formation of the group for the first time on a TV talk show.The dance guru said on SBS’ “Healing Camp” that he met the leader of the band, Seo Taiji, in a club and Seo paid him a large amount of money to learn his dance moves.They started dance lessons after Seo’s request, but Yang later lost contact with him.The dancer-turned-producer also spoke about his childhood and his e
TelevisionMay 14, 2012
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Michael Caine given freedom of London borough
LONDON (AFP) ― Oscar-winner Michael Caine Saturday received the freedom of the London borough of Southwark, where the veteran British actor grew up.The 79-year-old received the honour in a ceremony at St George’s Cathedral, not far from the Elephant and Castle district where he spent his childhood.The honorary freedom of Southwark is given to individuals or organisations in recognition of their contribution to life in the borough.“I’ve received awards before, but this is so personal, because it’
PeopleMay 13, 2012
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Life celebrated at 19c hiding place of persecuted Catholics
The Seonggeo-san Catholic Church is located on the Seonggeo-san shrine near Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. The Seonggeo-san shrine is located two kilometers up along a mountain road. Nestled in the deep, isolated mountain, it is understandable that Korean Catholics hid here during the time of Catholic persecution. Every May, a wild flower festival is held here for a week ― the wild flowers are considered metaphors for the unnamed Catholic martyrs.The site of the Seonggeo-san shrine is a vi
Arts & DesignMay 13, 2012
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Annual Lotus Lantern Festival kicks off this weekend
Newly listed Intangible Cultural Heritage fetes Buddha’s birthThe annual “Yeon Deung Hoe,” or lotus lantern festival, will kick off its three-day run on May 18 in Seoul to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on May 28 this year.What makes this year’s event more special than previous years, is that the festival was designated an intangible cultural heritage by the Cultural Heritage Administration last month.The first form of the festival dates back to Korea’s Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.)
CultureMay 13, 2012
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Cannes fest slammed for all-male line-up
PARIS (AFP) ― French feminists on Friday slammed the Cannes Film Festival for failing to include a single woman director in the line-up for the Palme d’Or top award that kicks off next week.There are no female film-makers among the 22 competing for the top award at the May 16-27 festival, and just two among the 17 in its new talent section “Un Certain Regard”: France’s Catherine Corsini and Sylvie Verheyde.“All 22 films in the official selection were written, happy coincidence, by 22 men,” the f
FilmMay 13, 2012
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Suzy says kiss with Kim Soo-hyun ‘made her heart flutter’
Up-and-coming actor and singer Suzy singled out a kiss with actor Kim Soo-hyun as the one which made her heart throb the most. Suzy, a member of a popular K-pop girl group Miss A, talked about her experience doing romantic scenes with some of the hottest male celebrities in Korea during an interview with TV program “Entertainment Broadcast.”“I was not sure at first, but now I ‘go with the flow’ during a kiss scene,” she said.Suzy’s first ever experience of on-screen smooching with Taek-yeon, a m
TelevisionMay 13, 2012
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Mnet’s ‘Voice Korea’ finds its swan
Mnet’s “Voice Korea,” a popular singing contest show, crowned Son Seung-yeon its musical swan on Friday.Son dazzled the judges and the audience with a heartfelt performance of “Ugly Duckling” in the final round which took place Friday night at Kyung Hee University in Seoul.Son beat rivals Yoo Seung-eun, Woo Hye-mi and Ji Sae-hee to go home with 300 million won ($262,000) in cash and prizes, a new car and a tour of international cities renowned for their music.“The new song that I sang during the
TelevisionMay 13, 2012
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Chinese actress comes out of closet
Chinese actress Lan Yen has announced on Friday that she is a lesbian, according to Chinese news reports.The 26-year-old Lan said that she “would not choose men in reality” during a press conference introducing her new movie. The bold announcement caught many by surprise.She also told the reporters that her “eternal idol” was late Leslie Cheung, a world-renown Chinese actor who was also known to be homosexual. Lan Yen is an emerging actress who recently gained fame by starring in the Hong Kong e
FilmMay 13, 2012
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Jogye Order president apologizes for inappropriate behavior of monks
The president of the nation’s largest Buddhist sect released a statement of apology on Friday, following the release of a video clip recorded last month showing its high-ranking monks gambling and drinking at a luxury hotel.Amidst mounting criticism directed at the sect, the Most Ven. Jaseung, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and carry out heavy punishment against those involved according to the laws and regulations of
CultureMay 11, 2012
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YG reveals new member of girl group
YG Entertainment posted a new video unveiling the fifth member of its upcoming girl group through their official blog on Friday. The one minute and 30 second video featured the 16-year-old trainee’s powerful dance moves along with other girls in a studio.At the end of the footage, a profile showed a photo of her face but listed her name and nationality as 'Unknown.'On May 4, YG posted a photo of the new member under a title of “Who’s that girl?” and a month ago they also uploaded a video of othe
PerformanceMay 11, 2012
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CEOs say hallyu helps business, but few want to invest
An overwhelming majority of Korean CEOs said Korean popular culture has had a positive effect on their overseas business, a survey showed. But far fewer businessmen said they were willing to invest in promoting it further. The survey of 100 corporate CEOs conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange showed 95 percent of the respondents saying that the Korean Wave, or “hallyu,” contributed to promoting business abroad. In con
CultureMay 11, 2012
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Yeosu offers more than just Expo
Travel destinations near Expo venue await local and foreign visitorsMake the most out of your precious time while staying at Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea: alluring travel destinations await for your visit, not so far from the Expo venues. Most of the must-visit spots are lined up along the southern coast that connects Boseong, Suncheon and Sacheon cities as well as Yeosu. The expo’s Organizing Committee gathered 83 recommended one-day tour routes along the coast. Here
TravelMay 11, 2012
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Sip, celebrate, and learn: Ways to enjoy Korean green tea
A guide to appreciating Korean tea and culture It’s been almost a month since the first picking of green tea leaves took place in Korea. For those who are familiar with the well-known tea cultures of India, China, or Japan, it may be a surprise to discover Korea also has a rich history of tea ceremonies. Known as “darye” in Korean, the ceremonies have been practiced for some 2,000 years, since the time of the ancient Gaya Kingdom (A.D. 42-562).May is the perfect month to enjoy all aspects of Kor
CultureMay 11, 2012
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Calendar
Theater“On an Azure Day”: Director Go Seon-woong’s award-sweeping play about the 1980 Gwangju democratization movement is back for a second run -- just in time for the 32nd anniversary of the historical event on May 18. The show premiered in 2011 and won the grand prize and best play at last year’s National Theater Awards. It tells a story of middle-aged Buddhist monk Yeosan, who participated in the uprising and was brutally tortured by the authorities upon his arrest. At the time, he testified
PerformanceMay 11, 2012
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Box Office
Granny is in 1st Grade (Korea)Opening May 24Drama. Directed by Jin Gwang-gyo. Nan-ee, a 70-year-old illiterate woman, lives with her granddaughter in her rural hometown. She has just lost her son to a car accident and is still grieving. One day, Nan-ee finds out her late son had left her a letter while he was alive. Anxious to find out what’s in the letter, Nan-ee decides to learn how to read and write for the first time in her life. At first, she makes her 7-year-old granddaughter, Dong-ee, tea
FilmMay 11, 2012
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Eyelike
Snider’s twisted take on Broadway tunesDee Snider “Dee Does Broadway” (Razor & Tie)In a signature song early in his career, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider vowed “I’ll Never Grow Up.” But bless his twisted heart and frizzed-out hair, that’s exactly what’s happening to the heavy metal legend, best known for hits like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”Dee Snider has become a brand. He’s done stints as a commercial voice-over actor, a radio DJ, a reality TV star and budding author. Bu
PerformanceMay 11, 2012
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Tim Burton lightens the tone of ‘Dark Shadows’
There’s one thing everyone will be able to agree on regarding Tim Burton’s cinematic reimagining of the old TV series “Dark Shadows”: This isn’t your mother’s gothic soap opera.The original, which ran from 1966 to 1971, smashed the daytime-TV mold by introducing cool supernatural storylines into the usual heat of love triangles and broken hearts. Long before staid afternoon dramas like “General Hospital,” in order to attract young viewers, juiced up their storylines with fantastical elements, an
FilmMay 11, 2012
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Greed fueled scam that had big fallout
A Disposition to Be Rich: How a Small-Town Pastor’s Son Ruined an American President, Brought on a Wall Street Crash, and Made Himself the Best-Hated Man in the United States By Geoffrey C. (Ward; Knopf) Sure, we’ve all got a skeleton in the family closet. But Geoffrey C. Ward’s is particularly haunting.On Wall Street in the 1870s and ’80s, Ferdinand Ward pulled off a sprawling pyramid scam that ensnared some of America’s biggest financial names by promising ― and delivering ― unheard-of investm
BooksMay 11, 2012
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Lessons in History
Presidential Campaign Posters: From the Library of Congress By The Library of Congress (Quirk Books)OK, political groupies, travel back through time to the campaigns of yesteryear. You can even wallpaper your bedroom with (long dead) politicians touting their virtues ― and sometimes sliming their opponents.“Presidential Campaign Posters” ― an oversized book from the Library of Congress ― is exactly what it says ― wall posters ― but with the added dollop of history on the side.In the preface, Bro
BooksMay 11, 2012