The satirical comedy flick “Birdman,” which won big at the Academy Awards, created a stir in Korea over a line involving the country’s traditional dish, Kimchi, in the run-up to its release here. 　In the Oscar-winning film, Emma Stone criticizes the smell of kimchi at a flower shop owned by a Korean. Her father, played by Michael Keaton, asks for flowers that smell nice, and Emma says, “It all smells like f**king kimchi.” 　The controversy swirled with some critics and moviegoers in the U.S. acc

FilmFeb. 24, 2015

HOLLYWOOD ― “Birdman,” which won the best picture Oscar on Sunday, is a quirky black comedy about the dark side of fame in the entertainment industry, starring Michael Keaton in the performance of his career.The film directed by Mexico’s Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was the big winner of the night, taking four Oscars out of nine nominations ― including best director and best original screenplay.Alejandro G. Inarritu accepts the award for best director for “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ign

FilmFeb. 23, 2015

Although the Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the first installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.Tongin Market in downtown Seoul was originally established in 1941 during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, after food vendors began springing up in the then-growing neighborhood of Tongin-dong.Over the decades a

TravelFeb. 23, 2015

Kim So-eun has no plans to get married until she is 30, she revealed in an interview to Korean fashion and entertainment magazine At Star1, in its March issue released Wednesday. (At Star1 magazine) The 25-year-old actress, currently starring in MBC reality show "We Got Married," said she is focusing on her career."Whenever I'm asked when I would like to get married, I say that I don't have any plans until I’m 30 ... until then, I'm going to work like a cow."Kim, who recently denied being romant

Feb. 23, 2015

(Cosmpolitan Korea magazine)Cosmopolitan Korea magazine accompanied Queen of K-pop Lee Hyo-ri to a yoga session in New York for their March issue, revealing photos and interview snippets online Tuesday.In the article titled "Healthy Body and Mind -- Hyori’s New York Yoga Life," the fashion magazine snapped the 35-year-old, who wears all Adidas sportswear, in various yoga poses."While living on the beautiful Jeju Island (off the coast of South Korea), I get a lot more me-time. I particularly get

Feb. 23, 2015

(CeCi Magazine)CeCi magazine on Friday released photos from its fashion shoot with "Pinocchio" actress Park Shin-hye, who will grace the cover of its upcoming March issue.In the photos revealed by the Korean fashion and lifestyle magazine, Park gazes into the camera against a stunning backdrop of the Thai seaside and an azure blue sky. (CeCi Magazine) (CeCi Magazine)"Park, who has a healthy energy, took part in the photo shoot with ease, even under the blinding sunlight," a CeCi spokesperson sai

Feb. 23, 2015

The local fashion magazine Nylon has revealed a pictorial of Suzy, member of K-pop girl group Miss A, on Tuesday. With the concept “Suzy’s natural look,” the-20-year-old singer and actress poses in tangled hair and nude tone makeup. The shoot took place in a Japanese restaurant-turned-home to convey her ordinary but lovely daily life. (NYLON)The magazine said she actively joined the photo shoot from the early stage of concept development. “Even my grandmother will like the photos as they are can

Feb. 23, 2015

Local fashion magazine CeCi has revealed a pictorial of the K-pop girl group 4Minute, which has seen a surge in popularity since it released the single “Crazy.” (CECI)Magazine staff said the singers created a cheerful mood during the shoot, chatting on endlessly like good sisters. Hyuna did the photo shoot first and completed it just in 10 minutes, fully understanding the concepts and poses, the magazine said. The youngest member Sohyun won praise from others, striking seductive and sexy poses. 

Feb. 23, 2015

Hollywood has long been criticized for portraying Asian characters as caricatures instead of complex human beings.However, the past few years have seen more and more Asian-Americans taking lead roles, playing charming, multidimensional characters who appeal to a wider audience. Here are three up-and-coming Korean-American actors who are chipping their way through the U.S. entertainment industry’s “bamboo ceiling,” both in film and on network television. Steven Yeun Steven Yeun in “The Walking De

TelevisionFeb. 22, 2015

South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yeung's celebrity wife, who is eight years his senior, is expecting their first baby, her management agency said Sunday.Han Hye-jin, a South Korean actress in her 30s who wed the Swansea City midfielder in 2013, is in the "early stages of her pregnancy," Namoo Actors said, without elaborating on how many weeks in she was.(OSEN)Their wedding attracted much attention from the South Korean public as older-woman-younger-man relationships are just gaining traction in t

FilmFeb. 22, 2015

From the classic Queen song “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the boho-chic fashion statement, references to the Czech region of Bohemia have been thrown around in a variety of different contexts throughout modern culture.However, it is a relatively lesser known fact that the area has for centuries been celebrated for its intricate, high-quality glass craftsmanship. Even Swarovski, the internationally renowned crystal glass brand, was founded by a man from the northern parts of Bohemia. An exhibition that

PerformanceFeb. 17, 2015

Great news for local Benedict Cumberbatch fans: The 2011 British National Theatre production of “Frankenstein,” in which the “Sherlock Holmes” star played the titular role of a hideous creature, is currently playing here. The original production never came to Korea, but instead will appear on the silver screen. As part of National Theater Live series, The National Theater of Korea is screening the award-winning play ― written by British playwright Nick Dear and produced by Academy Award-winning

CultureFeb. 17, 2015

Kim Seong-kon, the incumbent president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, has been tapped to serve a second term at the state-run institution, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. The ministry endorsed Kim, 66, for his efforts to spread Korean literature abroad through publishing Korean literature in translation in many countries and expanding the curriculum at LTI Korea Translation Academy to nurture native-speaker translators.  “I hope Kim will spearhead the

CultureFeb. 17, 2015

Korean actor Bae Yong-joon confirmed on Tuesday that he had separated from girlfriend Koo So-hee, who is 14 years younger than him, over a year since reports first broke that he had started dating the conglomerate vice president’s daughter.　KeyEast Entertainment revealed that that 42-year-old‘s relationship had ended, but declined to disclose specifics, citing privacy reasons.　(OSEN)Bae, who shot to international stardom with box-office hits like “Winter Sonata” and “April Snow,” was first spott

Feb. 17, 2015

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, Korea is preparing for another influx of Chinese travelers over the holiday. The Korea Tourism Organization projects the number of Chinese arrivals in 2015 to reach a new record of 7.2 million, up from 6.1 million last year.Chinese tourists are also boosting the Korean economy. With an average Chinese spending 3 million won ($2800) per visit, the combined impact on the local economy was estimated at 18.6 trillion won last year, which equals the export

TravelFeb. 16, 2015

As March quickly approaches, there’s no better time to celebrate the thawing of winter and the arrival of spring than a night filled with the soul-soothing classical bliss of Rachmaninoff and Chopin.Next month promises a wide range of noteworthy classical performances, including a concert by one of the country’s most beloved pianists, Steve Barakatt.  The Canadian piano prodigy is making his way back to Seoul on March 8 for his largest symphony production ― “Ad Vitam Aeternam.” The symphony, con

PerformanceFeb. 16, 2015

Singer Park Hyo-shin will star as the Phantom, a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the dark cellars of a Paris opera house, in an upcoming production of a musical based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel “Phantom of the Opera.” A Seoul-based EMK Musical Company production, the American musical “Phantom” will premiere in Korea on April 28, with Park sharing the lead role with veteran musical actor Ryu Jung-han and pop-opera singer and musical actor KAI. Park became one of the most sought

CultureFeb. 16, 2015