Novel set in a country stranger than fiction

The most reclusive state on earth is paradoxically a country that draws great attention from the rest of the world when it is in the news ― usually for its nuclear threat, horrific human rights abuses and its unpredictable behavior.In fact, the world seems to hunger for information on North Korea. When Adam Johnson, a professor of creative writing at Stanford University, included a memoir by a North Korean defector in the syllabus for an undergraduate class in narrative technique in 2004, he cou

CultureApril 18, 2014

Calendar

Classical musicZurich Tonhalle Orchestra: One of the two most prominent orchestras in Switzerland, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra will hold its first performance in Korea on April 21 at Seoul Arts Center. David Zinman, its principal conductor since 1995, will take the baton, while famed violinist Gidon Kremer will join as soloist. The concert will open with two works by Beethoven: Overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus” Op. 43 and Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61. It will close with Brahms’ Sympho

CultureApril 18, 2014

Marlon Wayans is in it for laughs, but his career is no joke

“How you doin’, baby?” Marlon Wayans said, leaning down to kiss a doll on the lips.The toy, a prop from Wayans’ latest movie, “A Haunted House 2,” was propped up in a chair across the table from the actor at a stuffy Beverly Hills restaurant. The doll, named Abigail, was meant to resemble a creepy figurine from 2013’s “The Conjuring”: Both shared dead green eyes, sooty peasant dress and pigtail braids.Wayans, 41, has long been known for his outrageous comic taste. He dressed as a Caucasian femal

FilmApril 18, 2014

Box Office: 10 Minutes, My Father’s Emails, Son of God

10 Minutes (Korea)Opening April 24Drama. Directed by Lee Yong-seung.Ho-chan (Baek Jong-hwan) takes an internship position at a state-run agency, while dreaming of becoming a TV producer one day. He works hard as an intern, just as much as full-time workers, volunteering to work overtime and even giving up his weekends to attend his senior colleague’s social gatherings. He gets conflicted when he is asked to work as a stable full-time worker, as he doesn’t know if the job offer is worth giving up

FilmApril 18, 2014

Eyelike: Park Si-hwan debuts with ‘Spring Awakening’

Park Si-hwan debuts with ‘Spring Awakening’Park Si-hwan“Spring Awakening”(CJ E&M)Park Si-hwan, the runner-up on the television audition program “Superstar K5,” has entered the local professional music scene with his first solo EP “Spring Awakening.”During the program, Park, a mechanic at the time, impressed judges and listeners with his soulful voice, earning the moniker “bolt guy” for gripping a 13 mm bolt throughout his first audition.The EP title signals the fulfillment of his long-cherished

PerformanceApril 18, 2014

Roots of a nation

As sometimes happens on Korean hiking excursions, it proved hard at Mount Moaksan to move beyond the approach and onto the mountain itself. Aside from the usual series of restaurants, serving hearty dishes like barley bibimbap, the trailhead area had attractions of a more arcane nature, and even a few riddles. One such attraction was a store named The Herb of Everlasting Life. Lined up behind the display window were glass cylinders of mountain ginseng in alcohol, alongside other stamina roots li

TravelApril 18, 2014

Strolling through Istanbul neighborhoods

ISTANBUL (AP) ― Istanbul, the noisy metropolis on the Bosporus Strait lauded by many a travel ranking, has much more to offer than grand mosques and bazaars. Away from the din of typical tourist haunts, a walk around the neighborhoods of Karakoy, Balat and Kuzguncuk will peel back the surface to reveal the city‘s multilayered history, and the lifestyles of those who’ve lived it. And while headlines persist on Turkey‘s uneasy political situation, which included a recent government shutdown of Twi

TravelApril 18, 2014

Star mixologists launch new bar

Two cocktail heavyweights have teamed up to open a new bar in Seoul’s Cheongdam-dong. Christened Le Chamber, the speakeasy-classic hybrid is the ambitious project of owner-bartenders Lim Jae-jin and Eom Do-hwan.Slated to open April 21, Le Chamber will serve signature cocktails concocted by Eom and Lim in a posh, chandelier-laden den with a classic vibe and a speakeasy attitude. To get in, patrons will need to get past a door masquerading as a bookcase by tugging on a special book, Lim revealed.

FoodApril 18, 2014

Gyeran mari (rolled omelette)

Gyeran mari, literally translated as rolled eggs, is a Korean-style rolled omelette. Basically, the beaten eggs are cooked until almost set, then tightly rolled, and cut into slices. It’s usually eaten as a side dish for any meal, not just breakfast, and is hugely popular as a lunch box item. It is a delicious side dish that can be whipped up last minute before the meal. Gyeran mari is typically made with chopped vegetables, but the filling options are endless ― scallions, carrots, onions, mushr

FoodApril 18, 2014

Around the Hotels

Children’s Day event at Grand Hilton Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant and Atrium Café are holding a special two-day event in celebration of Children’s Day on May 4-5. The restaurants will be decorated under the theme of magic and offer a special menu for kids featuring traditional pasta, pizza, burgers and ice cream. Interactive events such as a magic show -- including levitation, card magic and other tricks -- by local magician Joo Woo-hyuk and face painting will take place. The hot

TravelApril 18, 2014

‘Jewel in the Palace 2’ director not chosen yet

Rumors are flying about the much-anticipated sequel to “Jewel in the Palace” (Dae Jang Geum), an MBC hit drama which ignited the craze for Korean TV dramas in China and many Asian nations. But the TV channel said Friday that nothing was fixed yet. “We’re discussing directors, cast and the detailed storyline of Dae Jang Geum 2. But it’s all talk as of now. Nothing has been decided,” an MBC official told the Herald Business, an affiliate of The Korea Herald. Earlier in the day, the broadcaster off

April 18, 2014

[Ferry Disaster] No singing, dancing or comedy on TV throughout weekend

Singing, dancing and comedy have disappeared from major TV channels since the Sewol ferry sank off the southern coast on Wednesday, and are likely to remain so throughout the weekend as the nation prays for more than 250 people still missing. KBS, MBC and SBS, the three major broadcasters, have all decided to cancel regular programs, running real-time news for most of Friday. They canceled most of their music and entertainment programs scheduled for the weekend. “This is no time to sing or laugh

TelevisionApril 18, 2014

EXO postpones release of mini album ‘Overdose’

K-pop boy band EXO has postponed the release date of its EP “Overdose” out of respect for the passengers onboard the sunken ferry Sewol, SM Entertainment said on Friday.“After discussions with the members over the upcoming schedule, we have decided to indefinitely put off the April 21 release date of the album,” the agency announced through its official website. "We ask for fans’ understanding, since the decision is our expression of condolence to the victims and our hope for the safe return of

April 18, 2014

‘Beckham of violin’ coming to Korea

David Garrett, a crossover violinist, is set to dazzle local audiences with a movie, new album and concerts. With devilish good looks and a knack for blending the genres of classical, rock and pop music, the 32-year-old musician enjoys superstar status in classical and crossover music. He is called “the David Beckham of classical music” and a “rock star violinist.” People magazine named him the “hunkiest musician alive.” But, don’t let his looks fool you. The German musician was a famed child pr

CultureApril 17, 2014

Legacy of Korean modern art on view

The late artist Kim In-soong once asked the May Queen of Ewha Womans University to model for a portrait. The painting depicts the modern young woman sitting on a wooden chair, wearing a flower-patterned dark turquoise sleeveless blouse and matching skirt. The white moon vase and LP turntable on a wooden cabinet in the background provide hints to the year the painting was made. But her classic style ― mid-length naturally straight hair, a silver watch and flats ― give a timeless value to the work

PerformanceApril 17, 2014

Original Jesus Ted Neeley brings ‘Superstar’ to Rome

ROME (AFP) ― Ted Neeley, the original lead in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” is back four decades on as the son of God in the hit musical in Rome, and hopes Pope Francis will be in the audience.The pontiff will be “just down the street and we’re hoping he’s going to come visit us and see the show. I think he’s a wonderful, wonderful man,” an enthusiastic 70-year-old Neely told AFP between rehearsals of the world-famous rock opera.The Texan musician and actor has appeared in other works, including Que

PerformanceApril 17, 2014