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

G-Dragon, Taeyang to release photo collection

G-Dragon and Taeyang from popular boy group Big Bang are set to release a photography collection featuring photos and videos of themselves shot in Paris.Titled “G-Dragon x Taeyang in Paris 2014,” the collection will become available for purchase in South Korea, China and Japan on June 11.The collection features photos and videos of G-Dragon and Taeyang taken during 2014 Paris Fashion week, one of the largest fashion events in the world, held in January. The two Big Bang members had been invited

April 17, 2014

KBS bans Akdong Musician’s ‘Galaxy’

Akdong Musician’s new song “Galaxy,” a track from the duo’s recently released debut album “PLAY,” has been ruled inappropriate by the national broadcasting station KBS.The KBS Popular Music Standards Commission announced on Wednesday that “the word ‘galaxy’ is repeated several times throughout the song, so that it could be mistaken for a smartphone commercial,” apparently referring to Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone series.The rest of the tracks on “PLAY” have passed screening by KBS.Akdong Musician

April 17, 2014

KARA to have fan events in Korea, Japan

South Korean girl group KARA will hold special events for their local and Japanese fans next month in the group’s first public appearance in five months, its management agency said Wednesday.The group will hold “fan meeting” events in Seoul on May 24 and in Tokyo on June 1 for members of its fan clubs, according to DSP Media.This marks the group’s first public activities since it switched to a three-member band after the departure of two of its original five members ― Kang Ji-young and Nicole ―

April 17, 2014