Keeping it fresh

This is the second in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.According to Korean rapper Paloalto, promotion is difficult for independent labels in Korea. Lack of financing limits their promotional reach and makes it difficult for promotion companies to want to work with them.But a recent show put on by underground hip-hop label Hi-Lite Records saw hundreds crowd into the venue to support the artists, while the musicians jumped from one s

PerformanceAug. 18, 2013

'Snowpiercer' surpasses 8 mln viewer mark

South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's English language debut film, "Snowpiercer," has attracted more than 8 million viewers in 19 days since opening, the national film promotion agency said Sunday.The film, starring top Korean actor Song Kang-ho alongside Hollywood thespians Chris Evans, Ed Harris and Tilda Swinton, attracted a total of 8,004,089 viewers as of Sunday morning, the 19th day since first playing on local screens, the Korean Film Council said. The feat marks a faster speed in attract

FilmAug. 18, 2013

Records return

It was only a few decades ago that buying records seemed like little effort for the listening pleasures it promised. But over time, LPs started collecting dust and filling up empty boxes in the back of garages. Today, with the advent of the Internet, MP3 players and smartphones, music lovers can play songs in the palm of their hand with the touch of a button. The music industry releases singles online before CDs ever hit the shelves of music stores. However, the unpredictable nature of trends di

PerformanceAug. 16, 2013

Korea’s only LP manufacturer seeks niche

The LP Factory stands alone as South Korea’s only manufacturer of LP records. Its founder and CEO, Jason (Gil-yong) Lee is a music industry expert and devoted LP fan who started the factory on a whim. Today, the factory churns out more than 4,000 records a year to export overseas. The factory is a mid-sized warehouse in an industrial park in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. Large machinery imported from Germany and France stands inside, along with boxes of cardboard, plastic and PVC lining along the fl

PerformanceAug. 16, 2013

Is gluten Korea’s new food focus?

While the term “gluten-free” is still relatively new to the Korean food industry, this year might witness the gluten-free movement as well as the related wheat-free trend take hold here. According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, a gluten-free diet omits all food containing gluten, a natural protein that can be found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. While a gluten-free diet originated primarily as a course of treatment for people diagnosed with celiac disease, it appears more people are cutting

FoodAug. 16, 2013

Calendar

Pop music“Hyundai Card Super Concert 19 City Break”: Joining the club of blowout summer music festivals, this year the Hyundai Card Super Concert 19 City Break two-day music festival is bringing some of the hottest bands in the rock music industry. The lineup includes headlining acts Metallica, Muse, Iggy and the Stooges, Limp Bizkit, Rise Against as well as popular local bands Jang Ki-ha and the Faces, Kwon Soon-kwan and much more. The two-day music Hyundai Card Super Concert will be held on Au

CultureAug. 16, 2013

Eye like: MBLAQ average on ‘Love Beat’

MBLAQ average on ‘Love Beat’MBLAQ“Love Beat”(CJ E&M)MBLAQ has released its fifth album, “Love Beat,” with a whole new concept that drifts away from its usual bad boy flair. The group has gone for the charming, boy-next-door concept with tracks that may appeal to tween fans, but overall the album lacks a depth, meaning more mature listeners are likely to be disappointed. “No Love” has a classic boy band sound with a bright piano melody led by a steady beat and a layered chorus. “I Don’t Know” is

PerformanceAug. 16, 2013

Box Office: The Grandmaster, The Flu, The Place Beyond the Pines

The GrandmasterAction. Directed by Wong Kar-wai. Opening Aug. 22Ip Man (Tony Leung) is a martial arts specialist who enjoys a peaceful life with his wife (Song Hye-kyo) and two children in southern China. While Ip is training, he is challenged to a duel by Gong Yutian, a martial arts master known for his 64 hands technique. Ip wins, much to Gong’s surprise. He later runs into Gong’s daughter, Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi), who visits Ip to regain her father’s honor. The two form a special bond through an

FilmAug. 16, 2013

The incomparable Karen Black in 1970s cinema

Though actress Karen Black never stopped working, news of her passing last week at age 74 sent me back to the 1970s. That era ― a transformative cultural moment for women in general ― had the films I remember the actress in most.It actually starts on the eve of the decade with 1969’s “Easy Rider,” the movie that put Black on Hollywood’s radar. (She had already made an imprint on stage.) It’s hard to forget her portrayal of a leggy prostitute with a long tangle of brown curls taking an LSD-fueled

FilmAug. 16, 2013

A parade of Asian cuisines along Vancouver’s ‘Food Street’

By Chris Erskine, Los Angeles TimesVANCOUVER, Canada ― For a decade or more, the Vancouver area has enjoyed a reputation as the Asian food capital of North America. Near the airport south of town, locals and visitors flock to Alexandra Road in Richmond, a three-block stretch packed with modest noodle houses and grand banquet rooms.It’s called “Food Street,” and seemingly every type of Asian cuisine is on parade here ― Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, plus a melding of all of the above.For a fo

TravelAug. 16, 2013

Serving kitsch fresh from the oven: Imagination is the magic ingredient

LOS ANGELES ― “The colors need to be bright, like saturated neon,” Charles Phoenix says, describing his Seven-Layer Soda Pop Rocks Cake. “You can’t have too much food coloring. Think Day-Glo!”Phoenix is visualizing the elements of an ideal summer party. His ideal summer party. “A pool would be nice, because pool parties are classic summer. And there would be those motorized pool toys with remote controls for the gearheads, so they can fight in the water.” A little something for everyone.“But I t

FoodAug. 16, 2013

Hobak gochujang jjigae (spicy zucchini stew)

I love having a constant supply of sweet and tender Korean zucchinis (aehobak) from my garden this time of the year. This gochujang jjigae (stew) is one of my favorite ways to eat them. If you like rich and pungent Korean stews, such as kimchi jjigae and doenjang jjigae, this stew is for you. Gochujang adds lots of spicy, robust flavors to this simple stew which is made with a few ordinary ingredients such as zucchini and potato. Tofu, mushrooms, onions, and radishes would all be great additions

FoodAug. 16, 2013

Around the Hotels

The Plaza ‘Beer & Fun Festival’End your summer vacation with friends, family or colleagues at the Plaza’s “Beer and Fun Festival” on Aug. 21 and 22 featuring unlimited beer and a semi-buffet. Retro music will be played in the background and there will also be a lottery event. Customers will receive a glass of Kirin Frozen Nama beer with unlimited free refills. The buffet includes 17 of the chef’s special dishes including salads, pasta, smoked salmon and chicken BBQ among others. Kirin Frozen Nam

FoodAug. 16, 2013

Seungri releases explicit music video teaser

Big Bang member Seungri released an R-rated video teaser on YG Entertainment’s official blog for the title track for his upcoming solo album “Let’s Talk about Love” on Friday. Viewers need to go through adult confirmation in order to watch the 28-second teaser, which overall has a dreamy ambience much different from the concept of his first solo album released in 2011. The teaser, which doesn’t feature Seungri himself, shows provocative slow-motion scenes of models and artistic close-up shots of

Aug. 16, 2013

Basketball legend Seo talks about rumors, early life

Former South Korean basketball player Seo Jang-hoon on Thursday talked about a series of rumors -- namely one concerning his ex-wife Oh Jeong-yeon -- that had followed him around during his storied career.Appearing on MBC talk show “Golden Fishery: Knee Guru,” the 39-year-old former center said that most of the rumors surrounding Oh were not true, adding that the former KBS announcer is “an easygoing and good person.”“People had been telling stories ever since we got married. I thought they woul

PeopleAug. 16, 2013