Master of textile art, flavoring past with present

Choi Ae-ja, adjunct professor of Korean traditional costume at Konkuk University Graduate School of Design, has been selected the “Korea Arts and Culture Master” of traditional craft in fabric dyes. The title recognizes her excellent craftsmanship of extracting natural dyes of colors that are produced only through chemical dyes. The honorable designation is awarded annually by the Korea Art and Culture Organization, one of the largest and oldest associations in Korea to promote Korean culture an

Arts & DesignJuly 3, 2014

Chinese race for artist Xu Beihong’s heroic horses

BEIJING (AFP) ― Galloping with the vigor of strong and simple brush strokes, the horses painted by late Chinese master Xu Beihong inspired his countrymen in wartime ― and now they are lining up to pay huge sums to treasure them.Xu, who died in 1953, created horses that pulsed with beauty and bravery just as China was struggling under Japanese occupation in the 1930s and 1940s, imbuing them with realism learned at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.His works have s

PerformanceJuly 3, 2014

A woman of strength and grace

This is the seventh in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.For actress Kim Hyo-sun, also known as Sunny Kim, choosing to specialize in action came from a desire to have something more to offer as an actress. Some questioned her decision to go into what they perceived as a “guys’ area.” But her choice was not much of a surprise considering it was Hong Kong film “The Phantom Lover” (1995), starring actor Leslie Cheung,

PerformanceJuly 3, 2014

Kim Yuna effect in music world

Kim Yuna poses with her Platinum-selling records to be hung on the wall of Universal Music Korea’s Hall of Fame. (Universal Music)It looks like Queen Kim Yuna can sell just about everything in Korea. The iconic athlete who ended her trailblazing figure skating career earlier this year models for virtually all sorts of products ― from beer to detergents and air conditioners, to fueling stations for LPG-powered cars. Her mighty marketing power doesn’t stop there. Even Yuna’s music is a hit, too. A

PerformanceJuly 3, 2014

For Maya Sloan, ghostwriting Jenners’ book just part of fiction fun

NEW YORK ― One day. That was all the time Maya Sloan allowed herself to Google reviews of the dystopian young adult novel she ghostwrote for Kendall and Kylie Jenner.Not surprisingly, Internet trolls had it out for the youngest sisters of the Kardashians ― lampooning the idea that two teenage models who have yet to graduate from high school wanted to be taken seriously as authors. But Sloan, 37, didn’t escape unscathed, either.“Maya Sloan must have a serious need for money to submit herself to t

BooksJuly 3, 2014

‘War and Gold’ explains chaotic history of money

One of my souvenirs is a note from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. I paid a vendor in Victoria Falls $3 for it, and that was more than it was worth. Its value to me is in the impressive pledge on the note: “I promise to pay the bearer on demand TWENTY BILLION DOLLARS.”When your national currency is rooted in such paper promises, inflation and chaos are sure to follow.This is the lesson taught in “War and Gold” by Kwasi Kwarteng, a son of Ghanaian parents who is a historian, hedge fund analyst and

BooksJuly 3, 2014

Maum’s novel an exercise in wit and ‘Fun’

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without YouBy Courtney Maum (Touchstone)Richard Haddon, the morose British artist at the center of Courtney Maum’s amusing and yet still heartfelt new novel, used to be devoted to the avant garde. He made mixed-media collages using saw blades and driftwood and melted ramen noodle packets. He wrapped toy soldiers in Bubble Wrap to make a statement. He was confident and energetic and young. Hell, he even used to listen to Peaches.Now, though, things have changed. Richa

BooksJuly 3, 2014

Powerful ‘Euphoria’ reimagines Mead

EuphoriaBy Lily King (Atlantic Monthly Press)This novel is as concentrated as orchid food, packing as much narrative power and intellectual energy into its 250 pages as novels triple its size.Inspired by the 1933 meeting of anthropologists Margaret Mead, Reo Fortune and Gregory Bateson (Mead’s second husband and her third), and interweaving many other real characters and theoretical developments, “Euphoria” is a tale of passions, discoveries, jealousy, dedication, sexual mores and violence. It i

BooksJuly 3, 2014

Korean celebrities engaged in cross-border romances

Korean celebrities with international partners are taking the spotlight after the recent announcement of director Kim Tae-yong’s upcoming wedding with Chinese actress Tang Wei.Korean movie director Kim Tae-yong and Chinese actress Tang Wei. (OSEN)Actress Chae Rim confirmed her engagement with Chinese actor Gao Ziqi, accepting a beautiful wedding proposal on June 29. The couple plans to marry in the fall. Korean actress Chae Rim and Chinese actor Gao Ziqi.Gao Ziqi proposes to Chae Rim.Actress Bae

July 3, 2014

Han Jung-soo’s ex-girlfriend was 180cm tall, nicknamed ‘Bayaba!’

Actor Han Jung-soo revealed on MBC reality show “Radio Star” that his ex-girlfriend was 180 centimeters tall and nicknamed “Bayaba.” Actor Han Jung-soo appears on MBC reality show "Radio Star" on Tuesday. (MBC)The 41-year-old actor was one of the four male guests along with singers Park Sang-min, San E and actor Lim Dae-ho, who participated in the “Macho Men” special that aired on Tuesday.Han kicked off the men’s talk by saying, “My dates hated me after the first one to two months.” Show host Ki

July 3, 2014

Jang Hyuk draws laughs in rom-com ‘Fated to Love You’

Actor Jang Hyuk brought hilarious puns and comic twists to the television screen, kicking off the first episode of MBC’s rom-com series “Fated to Love You” as a thick-skinned heartthrob with money.  (MBC)Jang Hyuk plays Lee Gun, a stuck-up aristocrat who has been indulged by his business tycoon family all his life. The first episode is packed with countless chains of unlikely events, following the golden rules of classic rom-com dramas. He buys an engagement ring to propose to his Juliette, but

July 3, 2014

T-Ara’s Soyeon sparks plastic surgery rumor

The photo on the left was taken in January 2013 while photo on the right was taken in October of the same year. The controversial photo of Soyeon (Instagram)T-Ara member Soyeon discussed her disputed photos that sparked debates over whether she had additional plastic surgery after her debut in 2009.“I think one (nice) photo out of 50 photos that I took caused the misunderstanding. I upload photos that seem good and that don’t look like me so that might have been the problem. I’ll concentrate on

July 3, 2014

Kim Hyun-joong to reveal hip-hop song ‘His Habit’

K-pop singer Kim Hyun-joong is to unveil new song “His Habit” on Friday in the run-up to the release of his fourth EP “Timing” in July. (KeyEast Entertainment)“His Habit” is an urban hip-hop song composed by keyboard player Mister Rocks of American hip-hop group Far East Movement. Kim teamed up with K-pop singer Kim Ye-rim and rapper Kanto for the track. The upcoming album features tracks of various genres, ranging from up-tempo dance song “Beauty Beauty,” to acoustic ballad “Nothing on You,” an

July 3, 2014

Lee Hyori shows off all black style

K-pop diva Lee Hyori showed off her black style during a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday. The black silk dress gave her a flattering silhouette. To highlight chicness of the dress, Lee wore only minimal silver accessories. (OSEN)The press conference was held for the launch of her new television entertainment show called “Magic Eye.” Lee will co-host the program with actress Moon So-ri and Hong Jin-kyung. (OSEN)The new show will kick off next Tuesday on SBS. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 3, 2014

JYJ overseas fans demand its performance in Incheon AG

Fans of the idol group JYJ expressed their disappointment and anger over the uncertainty of whether the group would perform in the opening ceremony of the Incheon Asian Games.The three-member K-pop group has served as a promotional ambassador for the sports festival since February 2013, but was excluded from the list of singers performing in the opening and closing ceremonies.The list was revealed last Monday at a press conference and included other famous K-pop singers Psy, CNBLUE and EXO, an i

July 3, 2014

Psy‘s photo taken at age 27 revealed

World star Psy unveiled a photo of himself from when he was 27 years old on his Twitter page on Wednesday. “This is when Psy was 27 years old. I was young,” he wrote alongside the picture.The viral sensation came under the spotlight once again with his latest song “Hangover,” released on June 9, which had garnered nearly 90 million hits on YouTube as of Thursday. He plans to unveil his new song “Daddy” this summer. (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

July 3, 2014

2NE1 Park Bom‘s fate on reality show ’Roommate‘ remains unclear

The popular SBS-TV reality show “Roommate” is set to film the next episode as scheduled despite the uproar over 2NE1 member Park Bom’s alleged drug scandal. But whether the idol will make an appearance remains unclear. (SBS)Park, a regular cast member on the show, recently came under fire after a Korean daily belatedly revealed Monday that she had attempted to bring illegal drugs into Korea four years ago, but did not face charges. “The drug-related case wasn’t confirmed illegal, so there is no

July 3, 2014