‘The Interview’ makes $1 million theater debut

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― “The Interview” was never supposed to be a paradigm shifting film. But unusual doesn’t even begin to describe the series of events that transpired over the past few weeks, culminating in the truly unprecedented move by a major studio to release a film in theaters and on digital platforms simultaneously. Sony is in uncharted waters now with the film which earned $1.04 million from 331 locations on Thursday, according to studio estimates, in addition to the untold VOD grosses. “

FilmDec. 28, 2014

Jazz great Buddy DeFranco dies at 91

PANAMA CITY, Florida (AP) ― Renowned jazz clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, who led the way on his instrument in the transition between the swing and bebop eras, has died at the age of 91, his family said Friday. DeFranco’s family told The Associated Press that the famed musician died Wednesday evening at a Panama City hospital. His wife, Joyce, said he had been in declining health in recent years. The couple lived in Panama City. DeFranco, who began his professional career as a teenager in the late 1

PerformanceDec. 28, 2014

[Weekender] Rollercoaster year for economy, culture

[Conglomerates] Conglomerates face changesThe hottest topic in Korean big business circles this year was no doubt a generation shift that was brought to surface by the poor health of Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee, who suffered a heart attack in May. Lee is said to be recovering, but is still unable to return to the company. As the 72-year-old business magnate’s hospitalization dragged on, the nation’s largest conglomerate was taking steps for handing the chairman’s managerial autho

CultureDec. 26, 2014

A force to reckon with

Three out of all American luxury handbags that hang on women’s arms today are made by Simone, a Korean company.When Kenny Park started the company in 1987, naming it after a nickname he had given his wife, luxury handbags made in Asia were unheard of. “It was an unspoken rule that for bags over $1,000, customers wanted a ‘Made in Italy,’” Park said at his corner office, filled with rocks, flowers and handbags, on Dec. 16. Yet, armed with seven years of experience and a proven track record at a b

Arts & DesignDec. 26, 2014

Calendar

FestivalPyeongchang Trout Festival: The festival, named one of the top 20 winter festivals in Korea by the Korea Tourism Organization, is being held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics until Feb. 8. The festival is underway along the Odaecheon Stream known for its abundant trout population. Visitors can ice fish and eat trout raw for sashimi or roast it on the spot. More winter activities are available such as catching trouts with bare hands, ice skating,

CultureDec. 26, 2014

‘The Interview’ dives into geopolitics

Huzzah! Our right to see James Franco blast Katy Perry with Kim Jong-un has been successfully defended. With Sony Pictures Entertainment’s releasing of “The Interview” in limited theaters on Christmas, here follows an updated review of the film: “The Interview” will go down as the satire that provoked an authoritarian dictatorship, roiled Sony Pictures in a massive hacking attack and prompted new questions of cyberwarfare, corporate self-censorship and comedic audacity. The movie is already assu

FilmDec. 26, 2014

Eyelike: Tuneful tunes with touch of twang from Colerick

Tuneful tunes with touch of twang from ColerickBrad Colerick“Tucson”(Back 9 Records) Brad Colerick opens his fourth solo album with the title cut, which reminds us the road does not actually go on forever. Colerick goes on to examine his trip down that road in tuneful tunes with a touch of twang.Colerick’s stories are worth hearing, in part because he makes singing sound so easy. His warm, sunny, homey tenor brings alive the characters, places and relationships in these 11 songs. Guitars, banjo,

PerformanceDec. 26, 2014

Box Office: Criminal Designer, The Tailors, Ode to My Father

Criminal Designer (Korea)Opened Dec. 24Crime, Action. Directed by Kim Hong-sunJi-hyeok (Kim Woo-bin), a skilled cracksman, teams up with hacker Jong-bae (Lee Hyun-woo) and engineer Gu-in (Ko Chang-seok) to rob jewelry stores for a living. One day they are hired by mob boss Jo (Kim Yeong-cheol) to steal 150 billion won ($135.75 million) hidden at Incheon Customs. If they don’t complete the mission in 40 minutes, their life is at stake. The Tailors (Korea)Opening Dec. 24Drama. Directed by Lee Won-

FilmDec. 26, 2014

Austin rises to the occasion

AUSTIN, Texas ― Lounging poolside, sipping $18 mini-margaritas under sprawling live oaks, our eyes and wallets opened wide to a life of luxury we didn’t really know existed in the city we once knew so well.Austin’s drastically changing skyline was visible from our plush loungers at the small but otherworldly St. Cecilia Hotel. To fully see downtown, though, we had to look over the giant neon sign at the end of the hotel pool, which simply reads “SOUL.” It reminded me of Austin’s late, great musi

TravelDec. 26, 2014

8 places to watch sunset, sunrise in Incheon

Looking for the perfect spot to watch the sunset and sunrise that is not too far from Seoul? Incheon, situated on the west coast, recommends eight top places to watch sunset and sunrise for the New Year. The Incheon Development and Tourism Corporation suggests four great places to bid farewell to 2014: Jeongseojin, Mount Seoksan in Songdo, Sunset Village in Janghwa-ri, Ganghwa and Wangsan Beach. Jeongseojin, located at the starting point of the Gyeongin Ara waterway, is known for a beautiful sun

TravelDec. 26, 2014

Homey Japanese food at 28 Teheranro

28 Teheranro, a new Japanese restaurant-pub that opened in October in Seoul’s Daechi-dong, specializes in wholesome and homey meals that are fortifying yet light. “I want to make food that others and I want to eat,” said co-owner and chef Kim Gun-hee. 28 Teheranro represents Kim’s second act. After running a small Japanese restaurant in Seoul’s Gyeongnidan-gil for over three years, Kim teamed up with her brother to open a sophomore effort near Samseong-dong’s Coex. “We work well together,” Kim,

FoodDec. 26, 2014

Cooking tips and tricks to smooth the holiday

Doing a lot of cooking over the holidays? We’ve gathered some tricks and tips from our reporting to help you with the little things.Peeling squash: Attack it like chefs do when making supremes, those jewel-like, membrane-less sections of orange. This works best with smooth-sided squash, like butternut. Cut the vegetable in sections crosswise. Place a piece flat on the cutting board. Place the knife blade at the top, just inside the peel. Cut in a downward stroke to remove the peel, with the knif

FoodDec. 26, 2014

Around the hotels

Celebration of French cuisine at Grand Hyatt IncheonGrand Hyatt Incheon’s Restaurant 8 presents French course menus during the month of January as part of the restaurant’s promotion for each different global cuisine. The French Café offers a five-course lunch and dinner, featuring luxury ingredients such as caviar, truffles and foie gras, paired with fine French wines. The lunch is 66,000 won and the dinner is 88,000 won. In February, grill chefs will present traditional Korean Lunar New Year me

FoodDec. 26, 2014

Documentary sets viewing record

A homegrown documentary film about an elderly couple has surpassed the 3 million mark in attendance, setting a new record for a local documentary, an official box-office tracker said.“My Love, Don’t Cross That River” had attracted 3,039,536 moviegoers as of Thursday, breaking the previous record of 2.92 million viewers held by “Old Partner” (2009), according to the Korean Film Council.Released on Nov. 27, the film by director Ji Mo-young became the first local indie film to draw 100,000 viewers

FilmDec. 26, 2014

EXO’s first Asia tour draws 320,000

In its first-ever solo tour of Asia, K-pop boy band EXO drew 320,000 concert goers, proving their overseas fame, its label SM Entertainment said Friday. The hottest K-pop act, which debuted in 2012 as a 12-member group, held 30 concerts in major Asian countries including China and Indonesia from May until this week as part of its tour “EXO from Exoplanet: The Lost Tour.” The tour had been a turbulent ride, with Chinese member Kris abruptly departing just before the first concert, and second memb

Dec. 26, 2014