[Weekender] Staying relevant to the neighborhood

Lee (right) learns to shuck conch from a veteran woman diver in Seongsan-ri, Jejudo Island, Wednesday. (Kim Hoo-ran/The Korea Herald)SEOGWIPO, Jeju ― It is not every day that a two Michelin-star chef from San Francisco gets tips on shucking a conch from a grandma. But then, this is no ordinary grandma: she is a hardy haenyeo, one of the celebrated women divers of Jejudo Island. Corey Lee, 36, the owner-chef of the critically acclaimed Benu, has just picked out some conch at a beachside eatery op

FoodMay 23, 2014

Calendar

Dance“Mookhyang”: Fashion designer Jung Kuho’s dance “Mookhyang (Scent of Ink)” is returning for its second run in June. The piece is his second collaboration with the National Dance Company of Korea, a group that specializes in traditional Korean dance. It is inspired by Korean traditional ink painting and pays special attention to the “four noble ones,” the four plants believed to epitomize Korea’s Confucian aesthetics: bamboo, the chrysanthemum, the plum blossom and the orchid. The four were

CultureMay 23, 2014

[Weekender] Eyelike: Fly to the Sky continues to soar on new album

Fly to the Sky continues to soar on new albumFly to the Sky“Continuum” (LOEN Entertainment)Despite five years of being apart, popular male R&B duo Fly to the Sky has returned strong and unchanged with its ninth studio album “Continuum.”The 10-track album is filled with the duo’s signature sound, characterized by the deep, resonant vocals of Hwanhee, which are balanced out by Brian Joo’s light and clear singing.“You You You,” the second track, is a yearning ballad about not being able to let go o

PerformanceMay 23, 2014

Box office

Maleficent (the U.S.)Opening May 29Action, adventure, family. Directed by Robert Stromberg.In this hidden story behind Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty,” Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) becomes a vindictive fairy when her forest kingdom is invaded by a human kingdom. In order to exact revenge, she wages a war against the human kingdom and places an irreversible curse on infant princess Aurora (Elle Fanning). But as the princess grows up, Maleficent realizes that Aurora is the only one who can resto

FilmMay 23, 2014

‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ merges old and new

Marvel’s X-Men franchise involves multiple characters, multiple aliases, multiple story lines, comic books, TV shows, seven blockbuster feature films and a legacy of esoterica dating back to 1963. One would need an Anti-Perplexity Superpower to keep all the history straight.Now, they’re mutating history itself.“Days of Future Past,” which brings the latest X-venture to theaters Friday, involves traveling through time, changing the past and several characters meeting not only younger versions of

FilmMay 23, 2014

Mountainous Muju now home to world’s largest taekwondo training grounds

Long known for its upscale Deogyusan ski resort, the mountainous and remote countryside of Muju-gun, North Jeolla Province, has now become the new go-to destination for all things taekwondo. About a 2 1/2-hour drive from Seoul stands the Taekwondowon, the world’s largest taekwondo training space. Situated at the foot of Mount Baekunsan, the vast area spans across 2.3 square kilometers and nine valleys and equates to approximately three-quarters of the land mass of New York City’s Central Park. T

TravelMay 23, 2014

Mount Jirisan area reveals rich heritage and culture

Mount Jirisan offers stunning scenery from every peak and ridge, but also holds a trove of unique culture and rich tradition well preserved for centuries. The biggest mountain range in South Korea sprawls across seven cities and counties in the Jeolla region and South Gyeongsang Province. Hikers visit there year-round to appreciate its majestic peaks, the highest of which towers 1,915 meters above sea level, and to tread trails that weave in and out of the foothills of the mountain. The popular

TravelMay 23, 2014

Janchi guksu

Janchi guksu (Korean Bapsang)Janchi guksu, which translates to “banquet/feast noodles,” is a simple warm noodle dish made with thin wheat-flour noodles (somyeon) in a clear anchovy or beef broth. It is typically topped with thin strips of beef, egg and vegetables such as zucchini, carrot and kimchi. The noodles can be served with a spicy soy sauce-based sauce (yangnyeomjang). Or, you can enjoy the clear and refreshing broth without the sauce. Noodles symbolize long and happy life in Korean cultu

FoodMay 23, 2014

Cantonese cuisine in Seoul from Michelin-starred chef

Fu Man Piu, sous chef of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong’s two Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen, set foot for the first time in South Korea on Tuesday to showcase Cantonese cuisine at the JW Marriott Seoul as part of its second annual Culinary Art Event. Fu is presenting two prix fixe menus that he says he has culled directly from Tin Lung Heen’s famed repertoire, giving diners in Seoul an opportunity to taste the cuisine that helped earn the restaurant two much-coveted stars. While Tin Lung Heen chef

FoodMay 23, 2014

[Weekender] Around the Hotels

Chef of Cantonese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul’s Chinese restaurant Chee Hong is inviting guest chef Ku Chi Fai, the director of Chinese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, from June 19-30 to present authentic Cantonese cuisines. Chef Ku will present two special set menus -- priced at 228,000 won and 288,000 won -- consisting of eight traditional Cantonese dishes including grouper balls, lobster balls, baked crab legs, noodles with scallions and mushrooms, and sea cu

TravelMay 23, 2014

Lee Jun-gi, Nam Sang-mi get intimate

Actor Lee Jun-gi and actress Nam Sang-mi showed off their “bond of intimacy” in a photo that was taken at the group script-reading session of TV drama “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday.  Actor Lee Jun-gi and actress Nam Sang-mi (KBS)In “Joseon’s Gunman,” Lee will play the last swordsman of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who learns how to use a Western rifle and becomes a heroic gunman. The series premiere of “Joseon’s Gunman” will air in June, costarring Lee and Nam. The Wednesday-Thursday drama is

May 23, 2014

Actor Lee Jun-gi posts ‘ramen selfie’

Actor Lee Jun-gi released a picture of himself devouring instant ramen at the mise-en-scene of KBS TV show “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday. In the selfie, Lee is dressed in a hanbok, the traditional costume of the Joseon era, holding a steaming-hot bowl of instant ramen. The picture was posted on Lee’s Twitter page with a short comment: “Yes, Ramen.” Actor Lee Jun-gi eats instant ramen at the mise-en-scene of KBS TV show “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday. (KBS)In “Joseon’s Gunman,” Lee will play the l

May 23, 2014

[Beauty] HyunA’s ‘Vampire Makeup’

Girl group 4minute member HyunA’s “Vampire Makeup,” which was shown in “Troublemaker M/V There Is No Tomorrow,” is drawing popularity among young women.This is a tutorial showing how to do HyunA’s Vampire Makeup.Makeup products used in this tutorial:Eyes: Shu Uemura Hard Formula BrownAritaum Style Pop Brown Mascara Ginger CookieChanel Rouge Allure Lipstick #135Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow #7RMK Dusty Bright Eyes Coral BrownMake Up Forever Technique Color Pallette Make Up Forever Aqua Ey

May 23, 2014

[Photo News] SNSD Sooyoung reveals bare face in pajamas

(Instagram)Girls’ Generation member Sooyoung disclosed a selfie on Friday, with the caption: “Good morning, globe. I will be with you for three days.” She greets the camera while in her pajamas, without any makeup on. Girls’ Generation is currently in Japan for the concert “JAPAN 3rd TOUR 2014” that will be held until June 29. (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

May 23, 2014

[Photo News] Super Junior-M poses for camera in tuxedo

(Instagram) Super Junior-M’s Donghae posted a photo of the group giving high-fives and wearing tuxedos on his Instagram on Thursday. “It’s been a while, China. Won an award! Going to Korea tomorrow! Thank you, China! Good night,” Donghae wrote in a caption. Super Junior-M is one of the subunits of K-pop idol boy band Super Junior, formed to appeal to Chinese fans. The group has six members from Super Jun

May 23, 2014

‘Dohee-ya’ to be released in France

Korean movie “Dohee-ya (A Girl at My Door)” will be released in France amid growing interest in Cannes, officials said Friday. French film company Epicentre will distribute the movie no later than this year, the company said. It will be provided to about 60 movie theaters in the country, it added. (OSEN)Dohee-ya has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival as part of the non-competitive section, and been highly praised by film critics. The movie, starring Bae Doo-na and 15-year-old Kim Sae-ron,

FilmMay 23, 2014