Most Popular
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1 in 3 Koreans live alone, family types becoming diverse
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Korea, Japan finance chiefs vow to tame rampant FX market volatility
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K-pop singer lost consciousness after being hit by foul ball, cancels show
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K-pop group's manager dismissed for setting up spycam in theater dressing room
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Contentious grain bill put directly to plenary meeting for vote
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Korean Muslim YouTuber's plan to build mosque in Incheon goes viral
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Why is Apple Pay struggling to get purchase in Korea?
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Yoon's office denies considering liberal figures for key posts
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Trilateral talks acknowledge ‘serious’ slumps of won, yen
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[Today’s K-pop] BTS pop-up event to come to Seoul
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[Band Uprising] Winterplay pioneers jazz-pop genre in Korea and abroad
As the Korean music market is beginning to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the fourth installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed. On the surface, musicians Lee Ju-han and Moon Hae-won seem like the most unlikely of bandmates.As the son of a Korean diplomat, 48-year-old Lee spent much of his life abroad, more accustomed to speaking English
PerformanceMarch 23, 2014
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[Weekender] Korean musicals evolve
Last year, the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” co-produced by Korean entertainment company CJ E&M, won a total of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Leading Man.The company, which has been investing in West End and Broadway musicals such as “The Bodyguard” and “Big Fish,” invested $1 million in “Kinky Boots,” becoming the sixth-largest investor in the production. It was the first time that a musical co-produced by a Korean company received such honors. “I guess
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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[Weekender] For better or worse? K-pop stars flood the stage
While Broadway is certainly no stranger to shows led by big-time Hollywood talent, the trend of Korean musicals casting K-pop stars has gotten to the point where it’s now almost routine in a large production. The inclusion of K-pop stars not only helps sell shows, it has become an almost unspoken policy that any non-Broadway musical that wants to hit it big should include a popular K-pop star in its cast. Whether it’s Girls’ Generation’s Jessica in “Legally Blonde,” 2PM’s Jun.K and SHINee’s Key
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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[Weekender] Global blockbusters in store for Korean audience
This year will see a rush of hit musicals in Korea following the footsteps of successful foreign-licensed shows such as “Wicked,” “Three Musketeers” and “Elisabeth.”Starting with “Le Roi Soleil” next month, popular musicals such as “Marie Antoinette” and film-turned-musicals “Priscilla” and “Once” are lined up for Korean fans. “Le Roi Soleil,” scheduled for Blue Square in April and May, will feature Shin Sung-rok, from the recently ended smash hit TV drama “My Love from the Star” as Louis XIV.
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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[Weekender] ‘It’s time for global K-musical’
Korean musical producers should go global with universal themes, storylines, characters and crew, according to the managing director of CJ E&M, the country’s leading cultural corporation. “You have to be quite sensible when talking about musical productions. It is business after all and it needs to generate profits,” Lauren Park, head of live entertainment at CJ E&M, told The Korea Herald. The company is said to have accounted for 30-35 percent of the 300 billion won Korean market for musicals i
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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Brilliant young man who made classical music sexy
Inside of the case that houses violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill’s 18th century Matteo Goffriller ex-Trampler wrapped up in an orange-and-white horse pattern Hermes scarf are several photographs placed in a row.They are pictures of his father at various stages of his life and Toby Saks, a dear friend who passed away, O’Neill explains. “I did not mean it to be a memorial,” he says with a smile; yet, whenever he opens the lid, there they are ― his loved ones who are no longer here.O’Neill, 35, who h
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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Calendar
Pop music“Travis Live in Seoul”: Scottish rock band Travis is returning to Korea with its first solo concert in Seoul in five years. Led by Fran Healy on vocals, Travis first formed in the early ’90s in Glasgow and made a name for itself as one of the most well-respected acts from the U.K. Although Travis has always seemed to float below the radar, without having joined the ranks of the most iconic rock bands, the rockers are still often credited with having influenced British bands such as Cold
CultureMarch 21, 2014
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Eyelike: 4minute returns with new EP, ‘4minute World’
4minute returns with new EP, ‘4minute World’4minute“4minute World”(Universal Music)K-pop girl group 4minute returned to the local music scene with its fifth EP “4minute World” on Monday, premiering the music video of the title track “Whatcha Doin’ Today?” in which the five girls party in wild and odd settings.Though 4minute definitely establishes its own style throughout the album, some parts of the album are disappointing, lacking in originality and depth. The slower, melodic tracks better reve
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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Box Office: Han Gong-ju, Stories We Tell, Moster
Han Gong-ju (Korea)Opening April 17Drama. Directed by Lee Su-jin. Han Gong-ju is a 17-year-old girl who starts a new life in a new school, leaving everything behind in her hometown. She makes new friends and begins to sing again, which she gave up after going through a traumatic event in the past. But everything changes when the parents of her old classmates visit Gong-ju out of the blue. The debut feature by director Lee Su-jin won numerous awards from international film festivals, including Ro
FilmMarch 21, 2014
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Jake Gyllenhaal doubles down in ‘Enemy’
Movie doubles seem to be multiplying at an alarming rate. At last fall’s Toronto International Film Festival both “Enemy” and “The Double” grappled with what happens when you confront your doppelganger, and the idea appeared again in several films at the Sundance Film Festival.With their enigmatic explorations of identity and persona, these recent films seem to be grappling with the human issues of the online age.“Enemy,” opening in theaters Friday and already available on VOD, also has its own
FilmMarch 21, 2014
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Finding history at colorful Kaymoor in West Virginia’s New River Gorge
FAYETTEVILLE, West Virginia ― My first on-land visit to historic Kaymoor was before trails existed.Friend David Arnold led me on a killer bushwhacking hike in the 300-meter-deep New River Gorge 30 years ago to get to the old coal camp and take photographs of the mining equipment and infrastructure.It was one of the most visible old mining communities along the New River. There was a large coal operation from 1900 to 1962 at what was called Kaymoor No. 1 mine.Its headhouse near the entrances to t
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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Morocco sees record 2013 tourism; 10m visitors
RABAT, Morocco (AP) ― Morocco’s tourism minister says a record-breaking 10 million people visited the North African country in 2013, indicating the industry is recovering from the setbacks of the Arab Spring revolutions.After several years of flat growth, Morocco on Tuesday reported a 7.2 percent increase in arrivals since 2012.Morocco, with beaches, exotic cities and pristine mountains that are popular among Europeans, relies on tourism for 10 percent of its GDP, the second-largest contributor
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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Photograph scenic places in Korea
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the 25 top photo-worthy places in Korea. Among them are Mt. Cheonmasan in Busan; Suseong Lake in Daegu; Farming Village in Daejeon; Jeongja Port and Daewangam in Ulsan; Namhansanseong Fortress in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province; and Gosam Lake in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. The ministry announces photogenic spots every year from among scenic or historically valuable but little-known places. They are picked by tourism, geography and ecology experts
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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A new luxury boutique resort opens in Fiji
Fiji opened a new luxury boutique resort in the island’s adventure capital, Pacific Harbour, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Fiji International Airport. Nanuku Resort and Spa is the latest private resort set in lush tropical gardens over the pristine waters of Beqa Lagoon. Designed with Figian motifs, all suites and residences offer floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Beqa Lagoon. The resort’s five beachfront residences are just a step away from the soft white sand beach. The resor
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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A mountain with friends in high places
The granite peak of Mount Geumosan rises prominently above a reservoir of the same name west of the city of Gumi. It’s rather on the fringes of the Taebaek Mountain Range, just as Gumi is decidedly off the radar of tourists. For many KTX passengers, Gumi is nothing more than a short stop on the way to Daegu or Busan. In fact, it’s the second-largest city in North Gyeongsang Province, behind Pohang, and helps power South Korea’s export economy through its production of cellphones, TV screens and
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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Around the Hotels
Gourmet French dining at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant Seasons is offering the 74th “Gourmet Circle Dinner” on April 4-5. The dinner promotion, which began in 1996, is offered four times a year during each season. Every time, the executive chef creates a special menu that is paired with a selection of wines. This year’s spring promotion begins with a champagne reception at 7 p.m., followed by a 7-course meal featuring bright, fresh and seasonal ingredients as
TravelMarch 21, 2014
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Kimchijeon
If you have nicely fermented kimchi and a bag of flour, you can make this popular snack in no time. The flavor-packed sour kimchi is a wonder when it’s fried in a simple batter. Everything else is nice to have, but not necessary. Here, I added sweet rice powder to give a little bit of elastic texture to the pancakes. The juice from the kimchi is a must. It gives the batter the flavor and a nice orange hue. The chewy squid lends a nice textural contrast to the crunchy kimchi. For a spicier kick,
FoodMarch 21, 2014
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Mon Chou Chou’s new sweet paradise
Mon Chou Chou, the Japanese brand behind the popular Dojima roll, launched its South Korean flagship store this February. Until then, Mon Chou Chou sweets were only available at two kiosks in Shinsegae’s Gangnam store and Hyundai’s Apgujeong-dong outlet. Both stores opened last August to an overwhelming response.When the Osaka-based brand landed in both department stores in Seoul over six months ago, customers queued to purchase the much-coveted Dojima rolls, essentially cream-filled, supersoft
FoodMarch 21, 2014
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Superstar K ballad singer puts on dancing shoes for first time
After playing on the streets of Hongdae for spare change as a struggling troubadour looking to help his single mother and himself make ends meet, former Superstar K4 contestant Hong Dae-kwang is rapidly putting his tough past behind him and looking toward a bright future as a singer.Hong released the second half of his “Silver Lining” album, “The Silver Lining ― Part 2,” on Friday. The new EP features the lead track “Thank You My Love,” and despite being relatively slow-paced, it has the most up
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014
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Lady Gaga adds K-pop act Crayon Pop to N. American tour
LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― K-pop made fresh inroads Thursday when Lady Gaga revealed that South Korean girl group Crayon Pop will open her upcoming summer concerts in Canada and the United States.“I’m excited to announce June 26 through July 22 of Lady Gaga’s artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball will be opened by CRAYON POP!” the “Mother Monster” announced on her @ladygaga Twitter feed.The candy-colored quintet topped the K-pop charts last year when their danceable ditty “Bar Bar Bar” ― featuring their signature h
PerformanceMarch 21, 2014