Most Popular
-
1
Tensions heighten ahead of first president-opposition chief meeting
-
2
Seoul to provide housing subsidy to married couples with newborns
-
3
New celebrity-endorsed therapy for face contouring requires only a pair of rubber bands
-
4
Rapper jailed after public street fight with another rapper
-
5
[KH Explains] No more 'Michael' at Kakao Games
-
6
Nominee for chief of anti-corruption body pledges 'independence, effectiveness'
-
7
Med schools expect 1,500+ new admission slots next year
-
8
Woman gets suspended term for injuring boyfriend with knife
-
9
Samsung chief bolsters ties with Germany’s Zeiss
-
10
KT launches new mobile plans for foreign residents
-
Singing prodigy Charice to perform in Seoul
Charice, a YouTube star who was introduced to the world through South Korean TV show “Star King” in 2007 is returning to the Korean audience. After huge success in the United States and Europe, Charice, an 18-year-old Filipina with an incredible voice, will hold her first live show in Seoul on March 21.“Without ‘Star King’ I would never have been noticed. I owe a lot to that show and am honored to be back,” she said in an e-mail interview.She was praised by Oprah Winfrey as “the most talented gi
March 6, 2012
-
K-pop star JYJ under fire for hitting and cursing fans
An audio recording confirmed a rumor that two members of K-pop group JYJ assaulted and cursed at fans, accusing them of invasion of privacy. The 10-minute clip released by online news outlet Dispatch on Tuesday features Park Yu-cheon swearing at a fan on the phone.Kim Jae-jung can also be heard beating and threatening his fans. Kim then warns the victims not to report it to the police. The fans had followed Kim to a bar, Dispatch reported.“Do I have to live like this? I’ve been troubled because
March 6, 2012
-
U.K.’s Tate Gallery buys Ai Weiwei’s ‘Sunflower Seeds’
LONDON (AFP) ― Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei has sold part of his “Sunflower Seeds” installation to Britain’s Tate Gallery, it said on Monday.The London gallery has bought around eight million of the 100 million porcelain seeds, which covered the floor of the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in 2010, for an undisclosed figure.The public was initially able to walk over the 1,000-square-meter carpet of seeds when they went on show, but the work was later cordoned off when dust created by the porcel
March 6, 2012
-
Mixed reaction for Fox’s foray into local market
Major American film studio announces plans to invest and distribute K-filmsFollowing Fox International Productions’ announcement of its foray into the Korean film market as a distributor and investor last month, there are mixed reactions here to the possible changes to be brought to the scene.An international production umbrella unit of America’s major film production house Fox Filmed Entertainment, FIP produces and distributes local language films around the globe. Known as one of the world’s l
March 6, 2012
-
IBM making the Louvre smarter
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) ―IBM on Monday revealed an alliance with the venerable Louvre Museum to use sensors, real-time data analysis and other Internet Age tools to make the museum smarter.IBM’s “building whisperer” has been listening to the Louvre to make the famed Paris museum better at protecting art, saving energy, and staying open for its millions of annual visitors.“It is not a job; it is a mission,” said IBM industry solutions vice president David Bartlett, whose passion for figuring out how
March 6, 2012
-
Photo show captures Bob Dylan, rock star in the making
PARIS (AFP) ― Rare photographs of Bob Dylan, shot over a year-long period in the mid-1960s, go on show in Paris on Tuesday in an exhibit that captures the moment the protest folk singer morphed into cult rock star.From 1961 to 1966, Dylan wrote seven albums that marked the history of pop, but also underwent a radical transformation between the first, “Bob Dylan,” and the last, “Blonde on Blonde.”Entitled “Bob Dylan: The Rock Explosion 1961-66,” the Paris show centres on 60 rare shots by the New
March 6, 2012
-
Coldplay performs to defend freedom of expression
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Coldplay and Mumford and Sons were among the performers here late Sunday at an Amnesty International concert organized in defense of freedom of expression. The show marked the first time that the “Secret Policeman’s Ball” ― organized by Amnesty International since 1976 ― was held in the United States.Television comedian Jon Stewart was among the performers, sharing the stage with a fake Kim Jong-un, who wanted to dominate the stage at all cost.U.S. actor Ben Stiller and Briton D
March 6, 2012
-
Shinhwa hopes to remain Korea's longest-running boy band
(Yonhap News)South Korea's popular K-pop group "Shinhwa" said Monday it wants to remain the country's longest-running "boy band" as it announced plans for a new album and concerts after four years away from the stage.Clad in sharp black suits, the six members of the group expressed their excitement
March 5, 2012
-
Rookie director heads to Miami, Hong Kong fests
Rookie director Kim Joong-hyun has been invited to two international film festivals for his feature debut “Choked,” according to the film’s production house. The work will be featured at the Miami International Film Festival and the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film was featured at last year’s BIFF and this year’s Berlinale. It tells the story of a young man whose mother suddenly disappears and leaves him a trail of debts.“Late Autumn” director Kim Tae-yong worked with Kim Joo
March 5, 2012
-
Pop stars flock to Korea
Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz to hold their first concerts in SeoulSeoul becomes the center of pop music this spring with a number of world-famous musicians and celebrities coming to the city to hold their own concerts. U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga kicks off her “The Born This Way Ball” world tour at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, one of the biggest sports and concert venues in Korea, on April 27. The concert will be “the first-ever pop electro opera” and is the first full-fledged concert in Seoul by Gaga.
March 5, 2012
-
U.K. envoy visits South Gyeongsang
Scott Wightman, British Ambassador to Korea, made his first visit to South Gyeongsang Province on Monday to promote the upcoming London Olympics and express his interest in South Gyeongsang-based corporations.During his visit to the province, Wightman had a meeting with the province governor, Kim Doo-gwan, in the provincial government building in Changwon. He reportedly said British corporations have a lot to learn from Korean ones during the meeting. He promoted the upcoming London Olympics Ga
March 5, 2012
-
‘Lorax’ cleans up at U.S. box office with $70 million debut
LOS ANGELES (AP) ― “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’’ raked in all kinds of green, earning $70.7 million in its first weekend to score the biggest box-office debut of the year by far.The 3-D animated family film from Universal Pictures, featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, is based on Seuss’ cautionary fable about the importance of preserving the environment. Of its opening haul, $5.4 million, or 8 percent, came from IMAX screens, which is on the high side for a family film.Com
March 5, 2012
-
Romanian opera diva debuts in Washington
Romanian opera diva Angela Gheorghiu was hailed Saturday in Washington as she made her opera debut in the U.S. capital, 20 years after launching her international career in London.Gheorghiu, 46, was treated to several standing ovations for her recital largely of works by Jules Massenet at the Kennedy Center, with excerpts from the operas “Cherubin,” “Manon” and “Le Cid.”Although she has sung many times at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Gheorghiu had never performed in Washington until now.A
March 5, 2012
-
‘Star Wars’ designer Ralph McQuarrie dies at 82
LOS ANGELES (AFP) ―Ralph McQuarrie, the cinematic designer known for the famous “Star Wars” characters such as Darth Vader, Chewbacca and R2-D2, has died at age 82, his website announced Sunday.McQuarrie, who died Saturday, collaborated with George Lucas on the original “Star Wars” trilogy in the 1970s and with Steven Spielberg on films including “E.T.,” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”He also was part of the team with director Ron Howard which made “Cocoon,” a 1985 production which won
March 5, 2012
-
Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose dies aged 64
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ― Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock’s heavy hitters, has died.His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, California. He was 64.Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed “personal demons.’’In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of musicians, including Sammy H
March 5, 2012
-
Korean rock bands to take on North America
Korean rock bands are making inroads into the United States and Canada this month in a bid to introduce the country’s unique indie music culture to the West.“From indie clubs to international festivals, SEOULSONIC pushes the tempo of Korean music acts making waves across and beyond Asia,” said DFSB
March 5, 2012
-
Celebrities hold concert to support North Korean defectors in China
Amid growing public criticism of Beijing for forcibly deporting North Korean defectors to their home country, about 30 Korean celebrities were to hold a concert Sunday evening to urge China to stop the repatriations.The concert at Yonsei University’s 100th Memorial Hall in Seoul was to be hosted by “Cry with Us,” an organization recently formed by celebrities including actor Cha In-pyo, his actress wife Shin Ae-ra, veteran singer Yoon Bok-hee, comedian Park Mi-sun and pop singer Ivy. Some 30 tee
March 4, 2012
-
Japanese culture center seeks common understanding
Aside from pop culture, sharing of academic and artistic content also important: Director MichigamiThis is the fifth of the series introducing cultural centers of different countries in Seoul. ― Ed. As is evident from the popularity of Girls’ Generation and Jang Geun-suk, Japan has continued to be charmed by Korea’s popular culture ever since the mega hit TV series “Winter Sonata” captured Japanese hearts. In Seoul, on the other hand, it’s not hard to spot a number of shelves dedicated to Japane
March 4, 2012
-
Korean rock bands to take on North America
SEOULSONIC to take bands to South By Southwest, Canadian Music WeekKorean rock bands are making inroads into the United States and Canada this month in a bid to introduce the country’s unique indie music culture to the West.“From indie clubs to international festivals, SEOULSONIC pushes the tempo of Korean music acts making waves across and beyond Asia,” said DFSB Kollective, a Seoul-based music agency. The project features talented Korean rock bands Yellow Monsters, 3rd Line Butterfly and Cryin
March 4, 2012
-
Weinstein protests R rating of ‘Bully’ documentary
NEW YORK (AP) ― Fresh off his Oscar glory with “The Artist,’’ there’s no silence for Harvey Weinstein when it comes to his next film.The famously bellicose producer is protesting the R rating received by a documentary his Weinstein Co. is releasing. “Bully,’’ directed by Lee Hirsch, is an examination of school bullying that follows five kids and families over the course of a school year.It received the rating, which restricts kids under the age of 17 from seeing it without an accompanying adult,
March 4, 2012