2 outgoing KARA members to start anew

The K-pop girl group KARA has already lost one member, Nicole, and is soon to lose a second, Ji-young.  (Captured from Nicole's instagram)Nicole went to the U.S. to study right after her contract with her management company, DSP Media, recently ended. She is currently considering a solo career and will return to South Korea at the end of March.She is reportedly planning to open a bakery in Shibuya, Tokyo. (Osen)The plans of Ji-young, another departing member, are also drawing attention in online

Feb. 26, 2014

The artist as a nomad

Artist Chae Tong-yull’s dynamic life story fascinates everyone who hears it. Born in Busan in 1951 in the middle of the Korean War, Chae went to university at age 15. He quit school, volunteered to serve in the marine corps and participated in the Vietnam War as a military intelligence officer. Thus far, Chae’s life doesn’t sound much like that of an artist. His life took a more dramatic turn when he decided to go to the U.S. on an exchange student program. There he lost his interest in studying

CultureFeb. 25, 2014

KNCDC opens season with ‘Bul-Ssang’

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is opening its 2014 season with “Bul-Ssang,” a 2009 piece choreographed by the troupe’s artistic director Ahn Ae-soon. The dance is known for its use of pop art Buddha statues and choreography that combines traditional dance and martial arts from different Asian countries including China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia.It premiered at Seoul’s LG Arts Center in 2009, and was staged again at Hoam Art Hall in 2010. The piece was also featured at last year’s

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2014

Jung Mina looks to usher in modernized sounds of the gayageum

Ever since musician Jung Mina started learning to play the gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument, at 12 years old, she knew then it would play a significant role in her life and career. With the aspiration of using the sounds of the gayageum with a modern-day twist, Jung differentiates herself from other classical gayageum players as well as solo folk singers by pairing her voice with the non-traditional techniques of playing while singing contemporary music. “I think it’s obvious tha

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2014

Roy Kim to release sophomore album under CJ E&M

Singer-songwriter and “Superstar K4” winner Roy Kim has signed with CJ E&M and will release his sophomore studio album this fall, according to the company.Roy Kim, currently a student at Georgetown University in the United States, is in the process of preparing his upcoming album while pursuing his studies. Kim is slated to return to the Korean music scene later this year equipped with a new album and concert schedule, said CJ E&M.“We understand and respect Kim’s situation. We will support him t

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2014

[Photo News] Lotte city hotel Jeju

PeopleFeb. 25, 2014

[Photo News] Top honor

PeopleFeb. 24, 2014

Last years of the ‘people’s princess’

After receiving negative reviews from the British press, “Diana,” a biopic on the Princess of Wales, is arriving in Korean theaters next month. The film features the private heartaches of the late princess, whose high-profile marriage to Prince Charles, divorce, and style, made her one of the biggest icons of the 20th century.Directed by German filmmaker Oliver Hirschbiegel, the film deals with the last two years of Diana’s life after she finally divorced Prince Charles in 1995. Starring as the

FilmFeb. 24, 2014

Free English lectures to shed light on Korea

Living in Korea, but can’t quite grasp what this country is about? Try the YEOL lectures. YEOL, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, offers a series of English seminars featuring prominent scholars, experts and intellectuals in the field of Korean history, culture and art to discuss new insights into Korean society. They are free of charge. The monthly lecture series will kick off next week with professor Emanuel Pastreich from Kyung Hee University speaking on the philosophy of Park Ji-won

CultureFeb. 24, 2014

Sicilian fairy tale, nomadic spirit infuse Milan Fashion Week

MILAN (AP) ― Hilary Swank, Eva Herzigova and Monica Bellucci gave Milan Fashion Week a burst of star power on Sunday, the fifth day of Milan Fashion Week, which featured womenswear previews for next fall and winter by Dolce&Gabbana, Missoni, Marni and Ferragamo. And one young designer found his pot of gold.Enchanted Sicily Romance flourishes in Dolce&Gabbana’s Sicilian fairy tale, inhabited, according to the designers’ fanciful notes, by elves, fireflies, fairies and knights. Never has little Re

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2014

‘Tick Tick Boom’: The Hives to perform first concert in Korea

Popular Swedish rock band The Hives, credited for being a driving force in re-introducing garage rock to the 21st century music scene, will perform a live concert for the first time in Korea in April. The Hives ― with band members Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous ― first formed more than 20 years ago in the small town of Fagersta, Sweden. In 1994 the bandmates, eager to revitalize the garage band movement, released their firs

PerformanceFeb. 24, 2014

More rumors regarding g.o.d.’s comeback

Veteran K-pop boy group g.o.d is gearing up for a return to the music scene, as fresh rumors circulate about a potential reunion.Amid talks that all of the g.o.d members have agreed to reunite and some have finished recording a new song by renowned Korean producer duo Double Kick, news outlets recently reported that g.o.d is slated to make an official comeback in March.In response, officials close to the members have denied claims of an official return so soon, saying that nothing has been carve

PerformanceFeb. 24, 2014

Girls’ Generation unveils new album on iTunes

South Korean pop group Girls’ Generation released its long-awaited new album on online music services worldwide on Tuesday.“Mr.Mr.,” the fourth EP album from the group, was put on iTunes and local music services such as Melon and Naver Music at 5 p.m. The six tracks include the title track by famous American music production duo “The Underdogs.” After officially releasing the album in record stores on Thursday, the band plans to resume local broadcasting activities with cable TV network Mnet’s m

PerformanceFeb. 24, 2014

Pope names new cardinals as predecessor looks on

VATICAN CITY (AFP) ― Pope Francis appointed his first batch of cardinals on Saturday, as his predecessor Benedict made a surprise rare appearance at the ceremony naming the new “princes of the Church”. The new cardinals were presented with scarlet-red birettas and gold rings at a grandiose ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica that Vatican observers say should help correct a perceived bias towards European cardinals. Nine of the 19 cardinals appointed on Saturday came from South America, Africa and A

CultureFeb. 23, 2014