At 66, Dave Barry still hasn’t figured out women

Still a funny, that Dave Barry.A phone conversation with him is like sitting in the audience in a comedy club. In Florida.Because while Barry may have mined the weirdness of the Sunshine State for his syndicated Miami Herald column and some of his 30-odd books, he is starting to write like a short-fused retiree.The cover of his new book depicts Barry with one finger pointed, standing behind the title, “You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty.”Think he’s joking? Don’t be so sure.Consider this passage

BooksMarch 13, 2014

17 secrets of the millionaire next door

According to Reuters, in 2009 there were 7.8 million millionaires in the U.S. which means 1 in 40.6 people are a millionaire. Hence, Business Insider said that a millionaire might be living in the next door but neighbors may not know since they may not look like one.BI added that a true millionaire, who is financially afloat, will not be easily recognized and that is their secret. Here is a list of secrets of being a millionaire with more than sheer luck.(123rf)1. They spend less than they earn2

Life&CultureMarch 13, 2014

Girls' Generation video surpasses 10 mln YouTube views

(OSEN)Girls’ Generation’s latest music video became the first K-pop video this year to hit 10 million views on YouTube.The video of “Mr. Mr.,” the title song of the group’s fourth EP of the same title, topped the 10 million viewer mark Wednesday night, 13 days after it was uploaded on the video sharing site.No other K-pop music video has surpassed the milestone this year.The track has been well received on iTunes and local online music services since it was released online on Feb. 25. “Mr. Mr.”

PerformanceMarch 13, 2014

[Newsmaker] Korean Catholics deserve spotlight

It’s official: Pope Francis is coming to Korea. His visit was widely predicted. In multiple news reports, sources at the Vatican and Seoul had said the papal visit was highly likely. Still, the announcement by the Vatican on Monday was a source of surprise, and of course joy, for many Catholics here because the holy man decided to commit the entire five days of his trip to Asia, his first as pontiff, to Korea. Since becoming pope a year ago, he has received invitations from a number of countries

CultureMarch 12, 2014

Diaspora, women artists

Three Korean women artists who spent most of their lives outside Korea have presented artistic records of their identities at a group exhibition at Seoul Museum of Art. Titled “Nobody,” the exhibition showcases installations and photographs through which the artists express their quest to define their identities as Koreans living abroad. Through some works, artists do not only explore their personal identities, but also deal with historical issues such as “comfort women.” Having moved to the U.S

PerformanceMarch 12, 2014

‘Ernest & Celestine’ a delicate delight

The delicate and lovingly hand-made “Ernest & Celestine” captures the whimsy and warmth of a dearly felt children’s picture book like few movies before. The Oscar-nominated animated French-Belgian film is a simply rendered tale about a friendship between a mouse and a bear, painted with watercolor backgrounds and hand-sketched characters. In a movie landscape crowded with awesome digital animations and forgettable big-budget cartoon blockbusters, “Ernest & Celestine” is a humble oasis of gentle

FilmMarch 12, 2014

How dance and music together create ballet

Canadian conductor Judith Yan first saw ballerina Kang Sue-jin dance four years ago, when she was visiting Stuttgart, Germany. Kang, who was one of the principals of the Stuttgart Ballet at the time, was playing her signature role: Tatiana in John Cranko’s “Onegin.”“I have to say, you have to see Sue-jin dance,” Yan, who is currently the director of Guelph Symphony Orchestra, said in an interview in Seoul on Monday. “It was like a revelation. I remember going to see Sue-jin dance for the first t

PerformanceMarch 12, 2014

Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ closing in London after 12 years

LONDON (AFP) ― The Queen musical “We Will Rock You” is to close in its London home after 12 straight years, producers said Tuesday.The show, which has played to more than 6.5 million people at the Dominion Theatre, will close on May 31 after what will be more than 4,600 performances.The musical, set in a future where music is computer-generated and instruments banned, sees a group of rebels bringing rock back to life, inspired by surviving fragments of songs ― chiefly Queen’s masterpiece “Bohemi

PerformanceMarch 12, 2014

South By Southwest overstuffed with music goodies

South By Southwest and the surrounding unaffiliated hoopla have slipped into hyperdrive as the music portion of the annual conference and festival opens this week. Kanye West and Jay Z have announced they’re headed to Austin, Texas, the cherry on top of a gloriously all-over-the-place gathering that also will feature Lady Gaga as a keynote speaker, Lil Wayne as an interview subject and 2,000 other acts vying for attention in the midst of the frenzy. And there are still more surprises to come. Tr

PerformanceMarch 12, 2014

Gypsy jazz band La Vie est Belle to perform in March

Up-and-coming gypsy jazz band La Vie est Belle is scheduled to perform live at Olympus Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul on March 21.Titled “Gypsy World,” the concert will feature a variety of songs ranging from upbeat, groovy compositions to gypsy-influenced tunes from the band’s recently released album “Gypsy Mood.”The gypsy band La Vie est Belle ― a French phrase for “life is beautiful” ― was formed under the influence of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli by five acc

PerformanceMarch 12, 2014

It’s hats off, and everything else, as nudist resort marks 50 years

ORLANDO, Florida ― Hans Stein is 86 years old and ― except for tennis shoes ― naked as the day he was born.Fit and looking much younger than his years, he has a simple explanation: “It’s the nudist lifestyle!”Stein and his wife, 81-year old Lisa, are part of a cadre of longtime members at Cypress Cove, a nudist resort near Kissimmee, Florida, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.Like the Steins ― who are German-born Canadians ― a number of members are foreign-born, and they use words such

CultureMarch 12, 2014

‘Hola, Salsa’: Disputed origins of Latin music’s most popular genre

Latin music as we know it comes from a harmonious marriage of African drums and Spanish guitar, and salsa, perhaps the most popular and complex of all Latin musical genres, is no exception. However, the origin of salsa remains a hot topic of debate.Yet the exotic allure of its exciting sound is immensely popular all over the world, including right here in South Korea.The sizzling Afro-Cuban rhythms of son montuno, guaguanco, mambo, cha-cha-cha, guaracha and rumba, together with plena and charang

CultureMarch 12, 2014

Does Disney‘s ‘Frozen’ promote homosexuality?

Disney’s animated film “Frozen” is trying to “indoctrinate” children into being gay, and treating “homosexuality and bestiality in a light sort of way,” American Pastor Kevin Swanson said in a radio broadcast. 　The sensational film has reportedly grossed over $1 billion worldwide and won two Oscars, but it has been blasted for being “too gay-friendly.” 　Swanson, however, did not cite specific scenes that he viewed as advocating homosexuality.　Blogger Kathryn Skaggs also penned a lengthy post las

FilmMarch 12, 2014

Expat designer promotes sustainability maxim

An expat designer has teamed up with local firm Ssamzie for a collection of bags, wallets and other items made with recycled leather as part of his push to help fuel Korea’s sustainable design trend.Sven Schelwach created his design company Taomina several years ago to design high-end sustainable furniture. But when he began lecturing at Hongdae University in Seoul, it led to an unexpected opportunity. When his students saw his wallet designs, they suggested he approach the firm, as they had a s

Expat LivingMarch 11, 2014

St. Paddy’s to return to Seoul

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival will return to Seoul’s D Cube City on Saturday for a scaled-up celebration of Ireland’s national day. The centerpiece of the event will be the open-air concert, which this year will feature the Boxty Rebellion, an Irish folk band flying in especially for the event. Other main stage events will be a performance from Korean-Irish dance troupe Tap Pung, a military band, and a “ceili” ― a traditional type of Irish folk dancing that everyone can get involved in.“The St.

Expat LivingMarch 11, 2014