[Weekender] Korea strives to revive fading interest in traditional clothes

Han Hyun-young, a 29-year-old office worker in Seoul, had a hanbok custom-made for herself when she got married in 2011. But she has worn the traditional Korean clothes only twice ― on her first visit to her in-law’s house after her honeymoon and on her sister-in-law’s wedding day. “I wore it because I had to. I wouldn’t wear it if I didn’t have to,” she said. Han is not the only one feeling reluctant to wear a hanbok on special occasions. As hanbok are no longer a daily outfit for most Koreans,

CultureJan. 24, 2014

[Weekender] Celebrating Seollal in old Korean fashion

Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Korea: It is not only a time to pay respects to one’s elders and ancestors, but is also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends to celebrate the New Year immersed in tradition. With the colorful hanbok (traditional Korean costume) and the traditional food and folk games, Seollal gives people the chance to experience some real Korean culture. Whether it be traveling to the countryside to reunite with extended fami

CultureJan. 24, 2014

Capturing sublime nature

Sitting in front of a large table in the second-floor library of photographer Bae Bien-u’s studio in Hyeri, an artists’ village near the DMZ in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Bae’s passions ― aside from the obvious, photography ― are apparent. Several thousand books ― on topics ranging from art, photography and history to cookbooks, all arranged alphabetically by title ― fill the bookcases lining the walls, and the marble-top kitchen counter and the professional-grade stainless steel pots that sit ato

CultureJan. 24, 2014

Box Office: My Place, The Nun, Miss Granny

 My Place (Korea)Opening Jan. 30Filmmaker Park Moon-chil offers a personal account of his sister’s unexpected pregnancy and what followed in his latest documentary “My Place.” Park’s sister, Peace, became pregnant in 2006, and decided to have the child alone. She had never been married and had broken up with the baby’s father. Park weaves his sister’s story with his family’s unique history of migration, from Korea to Toronto and back again to Korea. English subtitles will be provided for all scr

FilmJan. 24, 2014

Eyelike: ‘Mr. Gae’ takes Korean hip-hop to the edge

 Mr. Gae’ takes Korean hip-hop to the edgeGary “Mr. Gae”(LOEN Entertainment)Gary’s first solo album “Mr. Gae” is best described as R-rated. Although the title track “Shower Later” has hit the number one spot on Korea’s major music charts, the song and its accompanying music video were deemed “inappropriate” for public airing.Indeed, the songs on Gary’s new album are filled with vulgar lyrics that are questionable even by Korean hip-hop standards. The listening becomes pleasant only through the m

PerformanceJan. 24, 2014

Homeless teen searches for sanctuary in ‘Gimme Shelter’

“Gimme Shelter” is a simplistic, faintly emotional account of a pregnant teen’s desperate search for help, support and compassion with the huge decision she faces. It’s simplistic because the script discounts debate over that decision and glosses over the messy details of the path she chooses. But it’s emotional because we, and plainly some of the characters, know those messy details, even if other characters do not.Agnes (Vanessa Hudgens) is 16 and poor, the daughter of a drug addict (Rosario D

FilmJan. 24, 2014

Betting on snow

GOHAN-EUP, Gangwon Province ― Driving into Gohan-eup, it’s easy to mistake the isolated hamlet for just another ski town. Gohan serves as the gateway to the High1 Resort, and shops stocked with skis and snowboards line the road through the narrow mountain valley. In between the rental shops, though, attentive visitors will notice just as many pawn shops and loan agencies. The pawn shops (labeled “jeondangsa” in Gohan) don’t target ski bums, but gamblers. They signal the proximity of Kangwon Land

TravelJan. 24, 2014

Music lovers flock to Nashville for free stuff

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) ― Nashville’s history is so intertwined with music and creative expression that tunes seem to pour from every door and window. From Music Row to the Honky Tonk Highway, the city recognizes its past, while also celebrating emerging artists who are drawn to the city just like music lovers. Learn a little about the great artists that defined the Nashville scene for decades, hear new music that may soon be hitting radio waves, and take a sniff of Tennessee sipping whiskey,

TravelJan. 24, 2014

All in the tortilla

For Paco Loco owner-chef Kwon Si-hyun, a good taco begins with the tortilla. Every morning, Kwon and his culinary team of one craft their own with corn masa flour and water.“We make them every morning, about 100,” said Kwon, 28. To make their tortillas, corn masa flour and water are kneaded into dough. The dough is then hand-cranked through a rolling tortilla press and the resulting flat circles of dough are tossed on a griddle. Fragrant with that mouthwatering, nutty scent characteristic of cor

FoodJan. 24, 2014

Gungjung tteokbokki

Gungjung tteokbokki is the traditional version of tteokbokki. Gungjung means “royal court” in Korean, and this version dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). As the name suggests, it was part of the royal cuisine and regarded as a high-class dish ― an interesting contrast to the modern spicy version which is pretty much street food. One story behind the origin of this royal dish is that it was inspired by japchae (stir-fried starch noodles with vegetables) and created to help regain the k

FoodJan. 24, 2014

Around the hotels

The ‘Big Dipper’ course meal at The PlazaThe Plaza’s Japanese restaurant Murasaki is introducing the special “Big Dipper” course meal in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The meal is part of The Plaza’s “Gourmet Cruise” series which features ingredients selected by the chef under the theme of “premium,” “rare” and “taste.” The six-course lunch (150,000 won) features two types of gobachi, three kinds of raw fish, gratin made with wild rock oyster and soybean sauce, filefish pot, Korayaki, a roas

PeopleJan. 24, 2014

A night of “Entertainment”

Phoenix performs at its first concert in Korea at Uniqlo AX Hall, eastern Seoul, on Thursday night. (VU Entertainment)“Hello Seoul, this is Phoenix from Paris!” shouted French alternative rock band Phoenix amidst an explosion of red lights and fans roaring in deafening unison as the band launched into its first Seoul concert on Thursday.　The concert, held at the UNIQLO AX hall in eastern Seoul, drew thousands of fans in their 20s and 30s, both Korean and non-Korean. Phoenix, which features hard

PerformanceJan. 24, 2014

Rapper Gary’s solo debut album banned from TV

All the songs on the rapper Gary’s first solo album, “Mr. Gae,” including the title track “Shower Later,” have been banned by the country’s three major broadcasting channels, TV officials said. KBS, the country’s second-largest broadcaster, said Friday that its review panel decided to ban all four songs on the album and their music videos, citing risque scenes and vulgar language. Two other channels, MBC and SBS, took similar actions earlier this week. “Shower Later,” a mid-tempo song featuring

PerformanceJan. 24, 2014

EXO takes top prize at Seoul Music Awards

K-pop sensation EXO won a top prize at the 23rd Seoul Music Awards on Thursday, outshining 12 competitors including SHINee, Cho Yong-pil and Girls’ Generation.  　The idol group also earned awards for the main prize and Digital Song of the Year at the ceremony held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. 　“EXO had a tense and difficult year in 2013, but we were happy that we could be with our fans,” said Sooho, team leader of the idol group, expressing his gratitude to his fans and colleagues at SM En

PerformanceJan. 24, 2014

Over 500 artifacts discovered in undersea trove near Jindo

Off the southern coast of Korea near Jindo Island, a team of Korean archaeologists have discovered a cornucopia of relics that they hope will provide a glimpse into the country’s rich history of cultural assets. Among the artifacts are a pair of ceramic jars believed to date back to the Three Kingdoms era (57 to 668 AD) and two items that look like yogo, an ancient prototype of janggo, the traditional hourglass-shaped double headed drum. “The waters off Oryu-ri, Jindo, are an underwater treasure

CultureJan. 23, 2014

Ordinary things become centerpieces

Photographer Lee Jung-jin wanted to cast off fixed concepts about her art discipline. Instead of using photosensitized paper, she tried different printing materials to capture certain images which have inspired her. After experimenting with diverse materials such as fabric, printed paper and even toilet paper, she found the right image on a piece of mulberry paper. “Coincidentally the mulberry paper and the image created a synergy. It even looked like a painting,” she said at Shinsegae Gallery i

PerformanceJan. 23, 2014