Prince to release new albums after record label bust-up

PARIS (AFP) ― U.S. pop star Prince will release two new albums at the end of September, his record label said on Tuesday, marking the end of one of the longest-running employment disputes in musical history.Prince ― whose 1984 album “Purple Rain” sold over 13 million copies in the U.S. ― fell out with Warner Bros. Records in the early 1990s, prompting him to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol and appear in public with the word “slave” daubed across his face.The name change bewildered f

PerformanceAug. 27, 2014

Agriculture and suburbia find common ground

Lyndsay Luff, 6, of Pittsburgh, tosses a green pepper into the crate as she and her brother Brandon Luff, 12, pick vegetables at the Common Ground farm in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, on July 31. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/MCT)PITTSBURGH ― Lyndsay Luff, 7, held out two salsa peppers as long as her hand. She smiled coyly and didn’t say a word, her eyes cast down at the first chilies she had ever picked. They sat loosely on her palms like miniature rolling pins.A slim, bright-eyed woman stood besi

CultureAug. 27, 2014

Turning trash into beauty and a sparkling career

When Tiffany Threadgould moved into her Philadelphia apartment in 2012, the first thing she did was trash the place.For Threadgould, 40, that didn’t mean making a mess. On the contrary, it’s all about discovering beauty ― or at least function ― in objects that might otherwise be destined for the landfill. In her hands, CD jewel cases formed pendant lamps, paint cans became planters (and paint stirrers labels for a windowsill herb garden), and old sweaters made a cozy throw for her sofa.Has been

CultureAug. 27, 2014

Valor Games help disabled veterans heal

CHICAGO ― A roadside bomb in Afghanistan left Israel Del Toro Jr. with third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body. He underwent 130 surgeries to reconstruct his body and face. After the grueling rehabilitation, he made peace with the fact that there were many things he would never do again.But at a Chicago athletic competition for disabled veterans in 2011, a coach urged him to try powerlifting. Del Toro balked at first. The explosion had taken the fingers on his left hand, and most of the f

CultureAug. 27, 2014

Singer-turned-designer Im Sang A splits with American husband

Im Sang A, Jamie Propp, and their only daughter appear on a Korean television reality show. (SBS)Former Korean pop diva Im Sang A put an end to her 13-year marriage with her American husband Jamie Propp, online celebrity news outlet OSEN reported on Wednesday. “Im Sang A divorced the music producer Jamie Propp, whom she married back in 2001,” OSEN reported. The former partners have one daughter. The precise date of and reason for the separation remain unknown. Critics believe that the divorce to

Aug. 27, 2014

Nichkhun’s successful debut as designer

Nichkhun made his debut as a designer at a launch event for his collaboration with Rosa.k at a Seoul hotel on Tuesday.The showcase introduced the fashion brand Rosa.K and Nichkhun’s fashion philosophy.Many celebrities including Jo-kwon and Jin-woon of 2AM, Sun-mi, Miss A and Eric Nam joined the showcase. Nichkhun also posed for a picture with his own work.“I still have a long way to go before I can call myself a designer, but I am happy to see these bags reflecting my ideas,” Nichkhun said in a

Aug. 27, 2014

2AM Jo Kwon, Eric Nam beam in selfie

Eric Nam (left) and 2AM’s Jo Kwon (Instagram)Jo Kwon of K-pop boy band 2AM posted a selfie with singer Eric Nam on Instagram Tuesday, flaunting the duo’s boyish charms. With the photo Jo Kwon wrote: “Musical ‘Priscilla,’ Eric Nam-hyung (big brother) thank you!” Jo plays the free-spirited gay man Adam in the musical “Priscilla" that runs from July 3 through Sept. 28 at LG Art Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Aug. 27, 2014

Tiffany reveals luxurious house in L.A.

 Tiffany, a member of K-pop group Girls’ Generation, revealed her posh house in L.A. on OnStyle’s reality TV show “The TaeTiSeo,” in an episode aired on Tuesday.TaeTiSeo is a subunit of the girl group comprised of Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun. The latest episode of the program showed the group gathered at Tiffany’s house, talking about their next plan in L.A.Outside the house, there was an enormous swimming pool as big as that of a luxury hotel and also a beautiful garden. However, the inside wa

Aug. 27, 2014

SHINee’s Taemin shows ‘manly side’

Taemin, a member of K-pop boy group SHINee, showed off his “manly side” in a fashion shoot with lifestyle magazine The Celebrity. The idol posed in vividly colored suits including red, green and purple. In an interview, he revealed that he tried to go for a more macho look for his new album ACE. Taemin recently released a new single, “Danger,” and will be doing his first solo performance soon. The remaining pictures and the interview can be seen in the September issue of The Celebrity and on its

Aug. 27, 2014

Lee Hyori bathed naked with people

Korea’s pop diva Lee Hyori revealed her experience of mixed bathing on an episode of SBS’ “Magic Eye” that aired on Tuesday. She said it was during her trip to Germany with her husband. “I once did mixed bathing when I was in Germany. I and my husband wore a swimming suit, but all the people inside were taking a bath naked."“It was natural to be naked in there. We were the ones who were acting strange. So I took off my (swimming) suit, though my husband kept wearing his until he finished the bat

Aug. 27, 2014

Lee Min-jung shows off elegant look in Milan

The actress Lee Min-jung, wife of the actor Lee Byung-hun, demonstrated her elegant look in a photo shoot for the fashion magazine Cosmopolitan in Milan, Italy. Lee, the current muse of the fashion brand VINCIS BENCH 2014 F-W, wore simple tailored dresses matched with colorful bags and clutches. Apparently, the actress participated in designing VINCIS BENCH’s new line, BOLOGNA. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Cosmopolitan)

Aug. 27, 2014

Go Ara boosts elegance in fashion shoot

Pictures of actress Go Ara for fashion magazine High Cut were released Tuesday. The actress wears a trench coat and knitted dress -- feminine clothes that highlight the fall atmosphere of the shoot and make for a mature look. The actress revealed her friendship with the cast of “Reply 1994” in accompanying interview. The full interview and remaining pictures can be seen in this month’s High Cut magazine. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: High Cut)

Aug. 27, 2014

Fund-raiser to help single mothers’ group

Quarterly Expat-Korean charity concert CLASH will open again Saturday, with proceeds going to the Korean Unwed Mothers Families’ Association.The show brings together hip-hop and rock acts from both the expat and Korean communities, with all proceeds going to a good cause.As this edition is in aid of a women’s organization, there is a strong female representation among the lineup. Four of the seven acts are women or predominately feature women, including expat band Baekma as well as headliner Jol

Expat LivingAug. 26, 2014

Comedy contest to hit Itaewon

Game for a laugh? Comics from Korea and overseas will be testing their mettle this weekend.On Saturday, expat comedians from across Asia will compete for a small trophy decorated by a bobblehead figurine of Kim Jong-il in the Seoul International Comedy Competition.The competition is organized by Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province-based expat Dan Wiberg, who invited comedians from across Asia to enter and will also be hosting the event. After whittling the applicants down to 10 competitors, the

Expat LivingAug. 26, 2014

Established shows win out at Emmys

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― “Modern Family” and “Breaking Bad” triumphed at Monday’s Emmy Awards, proving that established broadcast and cable fare retains the power to fend off challenges from upstart online series such as “Orange Is the New Black.” The ceremony’s emotional high point came with Billy Crystal’s restrained and graceful remembrance of Robin Williams, who was found dead Aug. 11, an apparent suicide. “He made us laugh. Hard. Every time you saw him,” Crystal said of Williams at the conclusion

TelevisionAug. 26, 2014