Tiger JK wants to bridge gap between hip-hop and K-pop

The man dubbed the godfather of Korean hip-hop, Tiger JK, alongside his queen of hip-hop wife Yoon Mi-rae and long-time friend Bizzy, have proclaimed their new album “Wondaland” is one of the driving forces that helps blur the distinctions between Korean rap music and K-pop. “I know many people are anticipating a hip-hop album from us, but to the three of us, this is our attempt at trying to reinterpret the definition of K-pop,” said Tiger JK during a press conference held at the M Academy Conce

PerformanceMarch 19, 2015

Yim Si-wan to star as military officer in new film

Korean singer-turned-actor Yim Si-wan has been confirmed as the male lead in an upcoming movie “Thinking of Brother (working title),” directed by popular Korean director Lee Han known for his feel-good movies such as “Punch,” the movie producer said on Thursday.  Yim Si-wan. (Yonhap)The star of tvN series “Misaeng (Incomplete Life)” will play the role of Han sang-ryul, a military officer who commands his unit with excellent leadership while suppressing agony inflicted by the war. Set in the mids

FilmMarch 19, 2015

EXO to return with ‘Exodus’ on March 30

K-pop sensation EXO will make a grand return to the music scene with its new album “Exodus” in late March, its label SM Entertainment said Thursday. The band’s second full-length album, which comes nearly a year after its debut album “Overdose,” will hit stores on March 31.  EXO. (Yonhap)Some tracks, including its lead single “Call Me Baby,” were unveiled during EXO’s five-day local concert series held early this month in Seoul. This time, the boy band aims to promote the upcoming album by relea

PerformanceMarch 19, 2015

Plaza names new general manager

The Plaza has appointed veteran hotelier Kim Young-cheol as its new general manager, the hotel’s parent company Hanwha Hotels and Resorts said Thursday. Kim, who started his career with the hotel in 1987, is the first to climb all the way to the top. Kim Young-cheol, general manager of the Plaza. (The Plaza)In his nearly three decades with the Plaza, Kim has served in every department from marketing, finance and management to food and beverage. He has been credited for placing the hotel at the t

PeopleMarch 19, 2015

Former Seoul teacher shines with ‘Gilded’ trilogy

Many expats in Korea think they have a novel in them. Some even go on to write and publish them. Few, however, manage to get a whole trilogy published. But Christina Farley has done just that with “Gilded,” a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels.“It’s one of those dreams come true for me,” Farley said. “Sometimes I pinch myself.”But it was something she only really dared to dream of once she began working in Korea. Christina Farley (Liga Photography)She used to often write as a child and submit

Expat LivingMarch 18, 2015

Erasing by drawing thousands of times

At first, it doesn’t seem like art befitting the white cube gallery space. The pitch-black piece of paper looks as if someone burned it until it was about to turn to ashes. Yet, the work, currently on exhibit at Arario Gallery, sums up the lifetime endeavor of first-generation Korean avant-garde artist Choi Byung-so. Based in Daegu, the birthplace of Korean avant-garde art, Choi has been drawing repetitive lines and circles on newspapers with ballpoint pens and pencils for more than 40 years.  I

PerformanceMarch 18, 2015

Tongyeong music fest to pay tribute to Isang Yun through ‘Voyage’

This year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival will pay homage to the late composer Isang Yun in his hometown of Tongyeong through the festival’s new theme of “Voyage.”The festival will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Yun’s death.The Korean-German composer was praised for his constant struggle to bridge the musical gap between Europe and Asia and his personal “voyage” to create different styles and sounds with his compositions. The annual TIMF will be opening its curtains this season on

PerformanceMarch 18, 2015

WWF-Korea publishes children’s book on environment

A children’s book that encompasses the theme of environmental awareness and sustainability was published Wednesday in English and Korean. “Our Beautiful Earth” was published by the Korea office of World Wide Fund for Nature, an international conservation organization. The picture book centers on the critical threats the Earth will face if people keep their consumption-oriented habits and do little to protect the nature.  “Scientists continue to say that we are at a critical point, where if we do

BooksMarch 18, 2015

New MBC drama to address school violence, bullying

One of the most salient social problems plaguing Korea today is violence and bullying in schools. A new Korean TV drama is seeking to address the issue with the story of a mother who, after discovering that her precious daughter is a victim of school violence, decides to take matters into her own hands by putting on a high school uniform and enrolling in her daughter’s school as a student.MBC’s new series, “Angry Mom,” which is comical at times and serious at others, aims to open a discussion on

TelevisionMarch 18, 2015

Miss A to release new album March 30

K-pop female quartet Miss A will release its new album on March 30, the group announced. The group unveiled three teaser images for the upcoming album “Colors” on its official website, with a release date set for March 30. Tracks will be made available to listen to from midnight on March 29, according to the group, while a showcase event for the album will be held at 7 p.m. on March 30. Composed of two Chinese members, Wang Feifei and Meng Jia, and two Korean members, Min and Suzy, Miss A debute

PerformanceMarch 18, 2015

2PM’s Hwang Chan-sung to star in Japanese movie

Koren idol group 2PM member Hwang Chan-sung has landed the male lead role in an upcoming Japanese film called “Wasureyuki,” Hwang’s agency said Wednesday. Hwang will play the role of Yoon Tae-oh, a young veterinarian who falls in love with his old friend Miyuki, played by Ono Ito, a 19-year-old up-and-coming Japanese actress.  The film, directed by 41-year-old Korean Han Sang-hee, is based on a Japanese best-selling comic book, with over 700 million copies sold. It deals with a love story betwee

FilmMarch 18, 2015

Now serving: Wolfgang’s porterhouse in Seoul

Fans of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in New York can now expect to get served sizzling, dry-aged USDA prime porterhouse steak on a tilted platter in classic fashion right in Cheongdam-dong, in the heart of Seoul.  Slated to open to the public on March 23, this is the dry-aged steakhouse chain’s first restaurant in South Korea.“Wolfgang’s Steakhouse started in 2004, and since then we’ve grown,” said Wolfgang’s Steakhouse managing partner Peter Zwiener at the South Korean launch press event on Wednesday

FoodMarch 18, 2015

Comprehensive Goryeo history translated into English

The “Koryosa choryo” (Essentials of Koryo History) is arguably one of the most substantial historical records of the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392).Written in 1452, few decades after the fall of the kingdom, the 35-volume book is an abridged version of the 135-volume annals “Koryosa” (History of Koryo).  Photocap: “Koryosa choryo II” translated by Edward J. Shultz and Hugh H.W. Kang (Jimoondang)In an effort to provide in-depth understanding of Korea’s history internationally, the English version “Kor

BooksMarch 18, 2015

Korea to adopt common brand for state agencies

Korea plans to adopt common branding for all government departments and agencies, government officials said. According to a blueprint unveiled Tuesday, a new government identity will be developed by October and will be phased in from next March until 2017, replacing the existing brands and symbols of some 750 public institutions. “From development to application, the all-of-government brand is estimated to cost around 23.6 billion won ($20 million),” Won Yong-gi, director at the Ministry of Cult

CultureMarch 17, 2015

K-pop helps fan battle cancer

“Hallyu” continues to grow worldwide as Korean artists become more active internationally than they do at home.Also known as the Korean Wave, referring to the popularity of Korean pop culture, most hallyu fandom starts at a young age, as do the K-pop artists and teen idol groups. However, this wasn’t the case for Katherine Kokenes, a mother of three college graduates.Kokenes has been in love with K-pop since 2007 and became a huge fan of the K-pop duo TVXQ. She has been actively supporting them

March 17, 2015