Mercure Seoul aims to make hotel service affordable

Mercure Seoul, located in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district, has been offering friendly and accommodating service at an affordable price for both local and international travelers since it opened in March 2012. To meet the vision of the hotel CEO Woo Hee-myung that emphasizes “best value at a reasonable price,” Mercure Seoul Ambassador Gangnam SODOWE, has been targeting guests looking for affordable, yet satisfying service, especially in food and beverage. The mid-sized hotel, which is part

TravelNov. 18, 2013

‘Cheongdamdong 111’ captures K-pop stars off the stage

  For those who have ever wondered what the work atmosphere is like behind the closed doors of a big time K-pop entertainment agency, then the soon-to-be-aired new reality drama “Cheongdamdong 111” may help shed some light.Starring label mates CNBlue, FTIsland, AOA and Juniel, the new reality TV show follows the daily routine of the artists and staff of popular talent agency FNC Entertainment, from the CEO to the managers to the trainees. The agency recently moved its headquarters to the affluen

TelevisionNov. 18, 2013

Upcoming movie features real-life drug smuggling case

In 2004, Jang Mi-jeong, a Korean housewife, was arrested upon her arrival at Paris Orly Airport. She had been asked by her husband’s friend, whom she had known for more than 10 years, to take a bag of diamonds to France. Turns out, what was in the bag was some 17 kg of cocaine.An upcoming movie, titled “Way Back Home,” features the 2004 case, which led Jang to serve two years in prison in Martinique, an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea and one of the 27 overseas regions of France, for drug sm

FilmNov. 18, 2013

South Africa’s Mandela unable to speak: ex-wife

CAPE TOWN (AFP) ― South Africa’s Nelson Mandela remains “quite ill” and is unable to speak, using facial expressions to communicate as he receives intensive medical care at home, his former wife told a Sunday newspaper.Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said the 95-year-old former president was not on life support, but he was no longer talking “because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear (fluid from) the lungs” and prevent infection returning.“He can’t actually articulate anything” as a resul

PeopleNov. 18, 2013

Britain’s Prince Harry heading for South Pole trek in December

LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Prince Harry was due to arrive in South Africa on Monday as he makes his way to Antarctica for a gruelling trek to the South Pole.The royal is taking part in a 335-kilometer race between three teams of four wounded military personnel, representing Britain, the United States and the Commonwealth (drawn from Australia and Canada).The 29-year-old army attack helicopter pilot will trek alongside the British team in the charity race to the planet’s southernmost point, which i

PeopleNov. 18, 2013

A fan bursts into stage of Crayon Pop

A male fan of K-pop group Crayon Pop jumped on to the stage and tried to hug a member at the end of a live performance last week, the group’s agency said on Monday.The man turned up on stage in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Thursday, while the group members were staging their latest hit song “Bar Bar Bar,” Chrome Entertainment said. He pretended to shake hands with Cho-a, who was walking down from the stage, but then dashed toward her for a surprise hug. She quickly moved to avoid the

Nov. 18, 2013

Best of Korean independent cinema on show at IndieGo

For those who haven’t yet had a chance to see some of the most significant independent Korean films in theaters, the ongoing IndieGO Film Festival will come as a special treat.Hosted by Indie Story, a film house and distributor that specializes in independent cinema, the movie bash offers screenings of some 40 films, including ones that have not yet been released in theaters. The company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.Included in the lineup is director Kim Dong-hyun’s “The Dinner,” a

FilmNov. 17, 2013

Three shades of ‘Carmen’

It is no wonder that a tale of fiery yet innocent romance between a young, naive soldier and a sultry gypsy touches the hearts of many Koreans. “Carmen,” the tragic love story of exotic dancer Carmen and Don Jose by Prosper Merimee, was named the most-loved opera in a National Opera survey in 2012. From November through December, the story and music will be reinterpreted on three very different stages in opera and musical forms.KNO ― Original French styleThe Korea National Opera will feature “Ca

CultureNov. 17, 2013

Rapper searches for the perfect sound

This is the 15th in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Thomson Gazelle found hip-hop in junior high when he discovered American rapper Eminem and then old school hip-hop. But from a young age, he’s been all about freestyle.“I love freestyle. I’m really confident in my freestyle,” the 29-year-old rapper said. He got his start in freestyle and often competed in contests and rap battles, making it to the top eight in the Mnet Miller Rap

PerformanceNov. 17, 2013

Jolie, Lansbury, Martin, Tosi accept Oscars

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Brad Pitt kissed Angelina Jolie after her grand entrance at the film academy’s Governors Awards Saturday night.Steve Martin pretended to take a seat at the wrong table a few times before finding the right one, while Angela Lansbury beamed as she entered the room. The honorary Oscar winners, along with Italian costume designer Piero Tosi, were honored at a private dinner at the Hollywood & Highland Center. Tosi wasn’t able to attend, but scores of A-listers did, including Tom H

FilmNov. 17, 2013

Around the hotels

 Thanksgiving feast at JW Marriott Hotel SeoulJW’s Grill and The Caf will offer a holiday feast on Nov. 28. Priced at 110,000 won, JW’s Grill’s dinner course menu will include smoked salmon with potato and asparagus, foie gras terrine, butter-roasted turkey and more. Priced at 260,000 won, a family set for six people will include a whole roast turkey carved and served table-side. For reservations, call (02) 6268-6759. Buffet restaurant The Caf will serve roast turkey complete with side dishes su

FoodNov. 15, 2013

The dichotomy of violinist Chung Kyung-wha

Scooping up her dogs into her arms, Chung Kyung-wha coos “Mi amore, oohhh, mi amore.” Clara and Johannes ― named after Clara Schuman and Johannes Brahms ― respond in kind, lovingly gazing into Chung’s eyes, nuzzling against her neck.In her sun-filled living room in Seoul, the world-acclaimed violinist is a doting mother of two dogs, delighting even at the sound of Johannes eating a piece of thin wafer. “Do you hear that? The sound is so beautiful,” she exclaims, unable to resist giving him anoth

PerformanceNov. 15, 2013