Young artists critique modern life

A strong smell strikes viewers as they open the heavy curtain in the exhibition hall of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. Inside hangs a huge damp cloth with a brown urine stain, emitting the ammonia-like odor. This year’s Young Korean Artists exhibition of the MMCA is full of artistic experiments embedded with the anxiety of and satire toward modern Korean society. It features eight Korean artists in their 20s and 30s living through the crisis of Korea’s young generation, depriv

PerformanceJan. 7, 2015

Time capsule dating to 1795 contains coins, newspapers

BOSTON (AP) ― Boston residents in the newly formed United States valued a robust press as much as their history and currency if the contents of a time capsule dating back to a decade after the Revolutionary War are any guide. When conservators at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston gingerly removed items from the box Tuesday, they found five tightly folded newspapers, a medal depicting George Washington, a silver plaque, two dozen coins, including one dating to 1655, and the seal of the Commonwealth

CultureJan. 7, 2015

Paris’ Louvre world’s most-visited museum

Louvre MuseumPARIS (AFP) ― The famous Louvre in France received 9.3 million visitors last year, retaining its title as the most-visited museum in the world, the Paris attraction announced Tuesday.Foreign visitors represented 70 percent of ticket sales, with Americans, Chinese, Italians, Britons and Brazilians visiting in strong numbers over 2014, the Louvre said in a statement.The total number of tourists who came in to admire works of art and antiquities including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, was up 1

CultureJan. 7, 2015

Sting unable to save his Broadway musical

NEW YORK (AP) ― Sting will be going down with his ship.Producer Jeffrey Seller said Tuesday that the Grammy Award-winning songwriter’s Broadway musical “The Last Ship” will close when his stint in the show ends Jan. 24 at the Neil Simon Theatre.Sting, who wrote the songs, jumped into the musical in early December, playing a shipyard foreman that had been portrayed by Jimmy Nail. While that improved sales, they didn’t skyrocket and the future looked bleak without him.“We made the musical we wante

CultureJan. 7, 2015

‘Interview’ digital release grosses $31 million: Sony

A scene from “The Interview” (AP)NEW YORK (AP) ― Sony Pictures’ “The Interview” has made more than $31 million from its online and on-demand release, according to the studio.Sony announced digital figures Tuesday for the film spanning its first 11 days of release since debuting Dec. 24. Sony had previously said the film made $15 million in its first four days online, so demand for the Seth Rogen comedy has slightly declined as Sony has added more platforms. While $31 million constitutes the most

FilmJan. 7, 2015

’90s icon So Chan-whee relishes return to spotlight

After hitting it big in the ’90s with her debut album “Cherish,” solo female rock vocalist So Chan-whee seemed to have fallen prey to the so-too-often cliched stigma of music icons unable to maintain the spark of their heyday. However, unbeknownst to her, one televised performance was enough to change her life once again.The rocker recently appeared on an episode of Infinite Challenge’s “Saturday, Saturday is for Singers (TOTOGA)” ― a segment of the MBC hit reality show that invites ’90s stars t

PerformanceJan. 7, 2015

Ask a Designer: Improving the kitchen in small (or big) ways

Another holiday season has passed, and with it the marathon cooking and baking sessions. The hours spent using every kitchen appliance and inch of counter space had a potential benefit more lasting than a good meal: When we really use our kitchens, we discover what does and doesn’t work in this very important room.Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and challenging, but you can make substantial cosmetic changes with just the help of a painter and electrician, says interior designer Betsy Burnh

Arts & DesignJan. 7, 2015

Park Shin-hye spreads beauty of ‘hanbok’

(S.A.L.T Entertainment)Actress Park Shin-hye spread the beauty and grace of “hanbok,” the traditional costume of the Joseon era.In her latest movie “The Tailors,” Park wears a number of breathtaking traditional outfits with trendy designs, elegant embroidery and ornaments. (Instagram)"I was very happy to wear hanbok during the filming of the movie. I personally like them a lot and they are all so beautiful and full of artisanship. I wanted to keep them myself if I could,” the 24-year-old was quo

Jan. 7, 2015

AOA stuns in pastel dresses

A local nail care company N.O.Q revealed on Wednesday a photo of a girl group AOA modeling for the firm.  　　In the shot, the stars wear dresses in pastel colors.　AOA has been selected as a model for 10 different brands including cosmetics, mobile games and sneakers since the group released its second EP in November. 　They are to attend the upcoming 29th Golden Disc Awards in Beijing through Jan. 14-15. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Jan. 7, 2015

Suzy posts gorgeous selfie with rosy lips

K-pop girl group Miss A’s member Suzy uploaded a photo of herself to her Instagram account on Monday.(Instagram)In the photo, she had her hair down to her shoulders, with her eyes wide open. Her doll-like beauty and fair skin add to the lovely, attractive look.“See you soon,” she wrote alongside the photo.The singer-actor is currently working on a period film with the working title “Dorihwaga.”By Park Gyu-oh (q5park@heraldcorp.com)

Jan. 7, 2015

Lee Minho models for Samsonite Red

(Samsonite Red)Samsonite Red announced that it will run an ad campaign with Korean actor Lee Min-ho for spring-summer season. The brand released the “Lee Minho backpack” as both part of its casual brand VOY and business line BALLON.The Korean star matched the VOY backpack with a casual denim shirt in its advertising campaign. It is available in four shades of red, navy, black and beige. The BALLON backpack is a more minimalist and luxe version with leather details. The actor paired this with a c

Jan. 7, 2015

Yoo Seung-ho unveils Grazia photo shoot

(Grazia)Grazia, a fashion magazine, put out a photo of Yoo Seung-ho, marking the first photo shoot for the actor since he was discharged from the military in December.In the photos, Yoo, who was conscripted in the army in March 2013, dressed in a Korean army uniform along with other casual wear. The fashion shoot, which took place in Paris, features the actor’s “bad boy” and masculine images, with his gaze into the lens with a laid-back and confident charisma. Yoo also gave his first interview t

Jan. 7, 2015

Lee Jong-suk boasts his flawless skin in close-up selfie

(Weibo)Korean actor Lee Jong-suk boasted his flawless skin in a close-up selfie on Sunday.　In the photo uploaded on his weibo account, the heartthrob is pouting his lips and giving an impish look at the camera.　“Go for it this new year!” the actor wrote alongside the picture.　Lee is currently playing the main role of Choi Dal-po in SBS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama “Pinocchio.”　By Yoon Ji-soo (thankque@heraldcorp.com)

Jan. 7, 2015

Kim Woo-bin models for Merrell

Kim Woo-bin has signed on to model for leading American outdoor brand Merrell in Korea for the second year. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the actor renewed his contract with Merrell to promote a range of its outdoor fashion goods.(Merrell)A spokesman for Merrell said Kim well represents the “young and refined image” of the company, which helped boost the brand’s domestic popularity and sales last year.(Merrell)Kim, who won acclaim in the drama series “The Heirs” in 2013, stars in the movie “

Jan. 7, 2015

Davichi showcases new album cover

(CJ Entertainment and Media)K-pop duo Davichi shared the cover of its upcoming album through fashion magazine 1st Look on Wednesday. The singers are set to make a comeback, with their new EP hitting stores on Jan. 21.The female idols, Kang Min-sung and Lee Hae-ri, appear to have revamped their girly image in favor of a more grown-up and edgy look.(CJ Entertainment and Media)On the album cover, the K-pop singers are wearing minimalist outfits, highlighting masculine silhouettes. They wore outsize

Jan. 7, 2015

Victoria strolls through airport in khaki jacket

(Instagram)Victoria, a member of a K-pop girl group f(x), posted a photo of herself on Instagram on Tuesday.　 She wrote “Kai-aakmann,” the brand name of the khaki jacket she wears, alongside the picture. 　In the shot, her long black boots and sunglasses match well with the jacket, completing the casual and sporty look.　She stars in “My Sassy Girl 2,” a direct sequel to the 2001 original with the return of actor Cha Tae-hyun, to be released this year. 　(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Jan. 7, 2015

Daejeon expats open own art gallery

A new gallery has opened in Daejeon, run by a local group of expat artists.The Daejeon Artists’ Collective has been running exhibitions since 2011, but made the plunge late last year to open a small gallery near the city’s Junggu Office Metro Station. The DAC held a group exhibition there in December, and has begun this year’s series of solo exhibitions with a collection of mandala paintings by Rika Scholtz.DAC member Rosalie Knaack explained that the paintings were based on the mandala painting

Expat LivingJan. 6, 2015

‘12 Angry Jurors’ explores drama behind deliberation

A scene from a rehearsal of “12 Angry Jurors.” (Jenna Apollonia)The cold weather has done nothing to cool off tempers in the south, as Busan English Theater Association will stage a production of “12 Angry Jurors” his weekend.The play was originally a TV production but was most famously produced as the film “12 Angry Men” in 1957. BETA production director Michael Uchrin said he wanted to stage it after seeing the movie. “It wasn’t so much focused on the court proceedings as it was on the people

Expat LivingJan. 6, 2015