By Claire LeeScreenings of a documentary film which challenges Seoul’s claim that North Korea is responsible for the 2010 sinking of the warship Cheonan have been abruptly suspended by multiplex chain Megabox, only two days after the film hit theaters on Sept. 5.The theater chain, a subsidiary of major local daily JoongAng Ilbo, was the only multiplex that agreed to screen the controversial film. The documentary was released in a total of 35 theaters nationwide, 26 being Megabox theaters. The do

FilmSept. 9, 2013

Park Jin-young, a singer, music producer and CEO of one of the nation’s leading talent agencies JYP Entertainment, has released his 10th studio album, titled “Halftime.”The album’s two lead tracks ― “Love is Best,” which was pre-released on Sept. 2, and “Had Enough Parties” ― were released along with the rest of the album on Monday.  The artist’s new six-track album contains songs that share the stories of the artist and his trials and tribulations as a longtime member of the entertainment indus

PerformanceSept. 9, 2013

By Chun Sung-woo A giraffe at Everland Zoo, about 36 km southeast of Seoul, gave birth to her 18th calf Sunday, setting the world record for the number of births for the species.Jang-soon, living in the Lost Valley, an ecological safari area of the zoo, delivered a female baby at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Everland said. She has given birth to a total of 18 calves, including a pair of twins, since 1990. Sunday was her 27th birthday, it added. Everland said that it has registered Jang-soon’s 18th delivery

PeopleSept. 9, 2013

LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Prince Andrew said Sunday he had received an apology from police after jittery royal protection officers challenged him in the gardens of Buckingham Palace as they stepped up security following a break-in.Police confirmed that two armed officers approached the Duke of York, the third child of Queen Elizabeth II, as he took an evening stroll on Wednesday at the monarch’s official London residence.“I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the gard

PeopleSept. 9, 2013

TravelSept. 9, 2013

By Claire LeeThe title of Paulo Coelho’s popular 2003 novel “11 Minutes” refers to the duration of sex.Being a story of a young Brazilian prostitute and her adventurous journey to find true love, the novel is an entertaining and almost-spiritual exploration of self-discovery, sexual awakening and personal growth.“No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone,” Maria, the novel’s protagonist, says in the book.“That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world

PerformanceSept. 8, 2013

Thanks to the growing global popularity of K-pop, exports of Korean cultural content marked a remarkable success last year, with one exporter hitting 100 billion won ($92 million) in exports for the first time in the industry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Sunday.According to an administrative report to Rep. An Min-suk of the Democratic Party, S.M. Entertainment, the country’s most profitable showbiz agency with stars such as SNSD, TVXQ and Super Junior, marked 103.6 billion w

CultureSept. 8, 2013

This is the fifth in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Rapper Zizo said he walked away from Mnet’s hip-hop audition program “Show Me the Money” with many things besides coming second, one of the most important being the support his family began to show him. “My mother doesn’t really know about hip-hop, but by appearing on TV, I was able to get her support. She is proud of her son,” he said. On top of that, he said the show was a lea

PerformanceSept. 8, 2013

With the “emotional pervert” aboard, Saturday Night Live Korea was filled with more powerful and edgier humor Saturday that made even the most brazen audience members blush. New cast member You Hee-yeol, famously known for lyrical, sensual and trendy ballad music under the project group, “TOY,” showed off his mischievous side in the program’s “Weekend Update” slot. “I would like to leave a video message to Suzy (from girl group Miss A): This is my first on the show and I am so nervous. ... By th

TelevisionSept. 8, 2013

South Korean director Na Hong-jin was called a “heavyweight talent” on a list of “20 Directors to Watch” in the Friday edition of The New York Times.The critics gave the 39-year-old South Korean high points for keeping the viewers’ attention with his second feature “The Yellow Sea,” despite the unfavorable 10 p.m. screening slot at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.“Before it was over, this thrillingly visceral movie confirmed Mr. Na as a heavyweight talent,” the critics wrote.The daily’s film criti

FilmSept. 8, 2013

A prominent gay rights campaigner and movie director “married” his partner in South Korea Saturday, where same-sex marriage is not legally recognized.Kim Jho Kwang-soo ― a rare openly gay celebrity in conservative South Korea ― and Kim Seung-hwan held an outdoor ceremony in central Seoul, urging the government to recognize their union.“Through this ceremony, we will become a married couple, regardless of whether our marriage is legally accepted or not,” Kim told journalists.“Same sex marriage is

PeopleSept. 8, 2013