Most Popular
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Korea enters full election mode
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Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
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Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
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Lee Jong-sup resigns as envoy to Australia
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Yellow dust engulfs S. Korea, advisory alert issued
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Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
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S. Korea to boost support for single-parent families
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Court upholds jail term for man who attempted to murder ex-girlfriend
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Kia EV9 wins world car of year
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Korea misses out on global bond index boost
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Journalist’s memoir lacks personal insight
Foreign Correspondent: A MemoirBy H.D.S. Greenway(Simon & Schuster)A memoir is defined as a written account in which someone describes past experiences. Longtime journalist David Greenway certainly does that in “Foreign Correspondent: A Memoir.” Working for Time, The Washington Post and others, he covered nearly every significant historical conflict during the past half-century from Vietnam and Israel to Afghanistan and Iraq. Greenway’s book serves as an excellent primer to America’s history of
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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Professor looks at economics of slavery
The image of the genteel, benevolent Southern slave owner was the creation of early 20th century artists and writers like D.W. Griffith and Margaret Mitchell. Life on the antebellum plantation, they led us to believe, was as languid as a slow-moving river winding through magnolia trees.At about the same time, American historians were writing the first analyses of slave-centered Southern society. Slavery was an economically inefficient institution, they argued. For slave owners, profit was a seco
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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‘Hold the Dark’ no simple crime story
Hold the DarkBy William Giraldi (Liveright) If dark, violent novels aren’t usually my cup of tea, why did “Hold the Dark” exert such a hold over me, right from the start? “Hold the Dark” begins simply enough ― wolves have taken three children from a tiny Alaska hamlet. Medora Slone, mother of the most recent missing child, beckons Russell Core, a nature writer who has become a wolf expert after living with them for a year in Yellowstone, to her village that is so far off the grid that it doesn’t
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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Novel with vivid sense of Japan
Tokyo KillBy Barry Lancet (Simon & Schuster)Art, social issues, culture and, yes, war ― all the things that make or break a society ― converge in Barry Lancet’s exciting second novel about antiques dealer Jim Brodie, who inherited his father’s Tokyo-based private investigation and personal protection firm. Lancet delves deep to illustrate the intricacies of Asian culture in “Tokyo Kill,” while also delivering a believable, action-packed plot. The combination of Brodie’s occupations might seem od
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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‘Blind Spot’ picks up Jesse Stone novels
Robert B. Parker’s Blind SpotBy Reed Farrel Coleman (Putnam)Although Robert B. Parker died in 2010, stories about iconic Boston private eye Spenser have continued through novels by Ace Atkins. Now award-winning author Reed Farrel Coleman takes up the mantle by continuing the Jesse Stone novels with “Robert B. Parker’s Blind Spot.” In his first outing with Jesse Stone, Coleman deftly captures the nuances of this character who Parker introduced in 1997 and featured in nine novels. Parker was caref
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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Historic fantasy to inspire youth
Most people in their 70s slow down when it comes to work and settle into the comfort of retirement ― but not Daisy Lee Yang. Instead, the former teacher, doctorate in comparative and international education, diplomat’s wife, and loving grandmother pursued a new chapter in her life. She decided to write a novel with a superhero whom her grandchildren can look up to. The result is “Lady Bora from Diamond Mountain,” a historical fantasy novel of a super heroine during the Joseon era (1392-1910). Th
BooksSept. 18, 2014
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Lee Min-jung returns to parents’ home, not to marital home
South Korean actress Lee Min-jung, the wife of top-tier actor Lee Byung-hun, is currently staying at her parents’ home away from her husband, Korean media reported Thursday. Lee, who stayed in Paris for two weeks, returned to Korea on Tuesday. The actress headed to her parents’ home in Gangnam, southern Seoul, instead of going back to the home she shares with her husband after shooting a TV commercial. “Lee came back to Korea to attend her friend’s wedding. It would be a lie if she said she wa
Sept. 18, 2014
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Seo In-guk in street fashion
Singer and actor Seo In-guk has posed in a photo shoot for fashion brand Pancoat. Seo pulled off street fashion perfectly. From impish grins to serious looks, the star showed a variety of styles in the picture.You can see the photos on the Pancoat website ( http://www.pancoat.com). By Yoon Ji-soo, Intern reporter (thankque@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Pancoat]
Sept. 18, 2014
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‘Dansaekhwa’ under global spotlight
In the 1960s and 1970s, some Korean artists took on different painting methods. Instead of applying paint to canvas, they pushed thick paint from the back of the canvas, applied paint with a finger, or sprayed water onto the canvas surface. Suppressed by the military-backed government, the artists sought to explore a deeper part of their mind through repetitive, performative painting. Criticized by their contemporary peers for turning away from reality, the artists continued to develop an abstra
PerformanceSept. 17, 2014
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Chinese vases soar 120 times past estimate to fetch $1.2m
NEW YORK (Bloomberg) ― A pair of Chinese porcelain vases sold Monday for $1.2 million at Doyle New York, soaring 120 times past its low estimate. The two 16-inch tall glazed vases, painted with branches of blooming peonies on a turquoise background, each had a Qianlong-era seal on its base, referring to the reign of the Qianlong Emperor from 1736 to 1795. Estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, they were part of Doyle’s “Asian Works of Art” sale in New York. The price includes buyer’s commission. A pa
CultureSept. 17, 2014
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History meets modern art, high tech
Move over galleries, museums and theaters. Royal palaces are the new face of Seoul’s vibrant art and culture scene ― at least for nine days starting on Sept. 20. The first-ever Royal Culture Festival brings a plethora of performances, art exhibitions and cultural programs to four majestic royal palaces of Seoul, blending history, modern art and futuristic technology. Cute robots reenact royal ancestral rites. The kings’ royal procession plays in a three-dimensional documentary film screened in a
CultureSept. 17, 2014
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Yoon goes acoustic on solo EP
Rock musician and TV personality Yoon Do-hyun has returned to the stage with his first solo album in nearly five years.Best known as the lead singer of rock band YB, Yoon unveiled the tracks from his new solo EP, “Singing Yoon Do-hyun,” for the first time at a media showcase at the YES24 Muv Hall in the Hongdae area of Seoul on Tuesday. “I have been very anxious about this release this time around, especially because of the fact that this is a solo album,” said the rocker, visibly nervous during
Sept. 17, 2014
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Jewel releases free song to support public housing
LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Jewel is planning an album for release next autumn. But for now, she’s giving away her latest song for free. The once-homeless singer-songwriter wrote “Home to Me” to support the ReThink public housing initiative. She unveiled the track online and performed it in Los Angeles on Tuesday for an intimate audience of public housing administrators and residents. Jewel crowd-sourced further inspiration for the song through an online contest that drew hundreds of essays and poems abo
PerformanceSept. 17, 2014
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Girls’ Generation’s TaeTiSeo showcases ‘adrenaline’
Around 1,000 fans flocked to the Woori Art Hall at Seoul Olympic Park on Tuesday night to get the first taste of TaeTiSeo’s latest EP at the group’s live showcase. The trio, a sub-unit of girl group Girls’ Generation, released the group’s second EP, “Holler,” on Tuesday ― the act’s first record in more than two years. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Tiffany asked the flood of young fans who filled the hall up to the third floor balcony. “I’m sorry it took so long.” (From left) Taeyeon, Tiff
Sept. 17, 2014
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At 86, legendary personal shopper still has style and customers
The original personal shopper, Betty Halbreich, continues to help customers of all shapes, sizes and bank accounts with their wardrobes. Working at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City since 1976, she is appreciated by many and feared by some for her candor; she is incapable of selling for the sake of the sale. The 86-year-old has attracted the attention of “Girls” creator and star Lena Dunham, who is working to put together a show for HBO based on her life. She has followed her first book, “Secret
Arts & DesignSept. 17, 2014
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Berlin passion for ’40s fashion untempered by WWII hue
BERLIN (AFP) ― With her blotted red lipstick, perky coiffed curls and fitted 1940s skirt suit, Constanze Pelzer looks like she’s stepped off a World War II film set.From head to toe, the 49-year-old German is the picture of 1940s elegance ― from the little glasses and striking jewelry to her red sling-backs, her entire outfit is authentic.But it isn’t a costume.Despite bringing to mind a painful chapter of German history, Pelzer admires 1940s fashion so much that she wears originals from the era
Arts & DesignSept. 17, 2014
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Venezuela’s newest shortage: Breast implants
CARACAS (AP) ― Venezuela’s chronic shortages have begun to encroach on a cultural cornerstone: the boob job.Beauty-obsessed Venezuelans face a scarcity of brand-name breast implants, and women are so desperate that they and their doctors are turning to devices that are the wrong size or made in China, with less rigorous quality standards.Venezuelans once had easy access to implants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But doctors say they are now all but impossible to find because
CultureSept. 17, 2014
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Girls' Generation unit tops iTunes albums charts in nine Asian regions
The latest album by an official subgroup of South Korean girl group Girls' Generation topped iTunes albums charts in nine Asian regions on Wednesday after being released online a day ago, the group's management agency said. "Holler," the second mini-album by Girls' Generation-TTS, also known as TaeTiseo, was uploaded on major music websites Tuesday at noon and rose to the top of iTunes albums charts in nine regions -- Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia
Sept. 17, 2014
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2PM dominates Japan with new single ‘Midaretemina’
Popular Korean idol group 2PM proved its mighty power in Japan after releasing its eighth single, “Midaretemina,” on Wednesday.The song “Midaretemina” is a Japanese version of “Go Crazy,” the title song of the group’s recently released album in Korea. The songs on the single also include “Fight,” composed by member Taecyeon.The single was highly anticipated by Japanese fans, topping the Tower Records’ daily reservation chart Sunday even before its release.The promotional campaign for 2PM’s new a
Sept. 17, 2014
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Lee Jong-suk, sexy, chic, gentle
Photos from a shoot with actor Lee Jong-suk were released by fashion magazine Nylon on Wednesday. The actor in an avant-garde look exudes his sexy, chic and gentle charm. “He’s like a chameleon. When Lee stands in front of camera, he changes poses freely while caring about every detail,” the magazine‘s photographer was quoted as saying. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Nylon]
Sept. 17, 2014