Yoona to release collaborative single with Lee Sang-soon

Yoona of Girls’ Generation will release the single “To You” in collaboration with guitarist Lee Sang-soon at 6 p.m. Sunday.According to S.M. Entertainment, “To You” is a song written by Lee with lyrics by Yoona. The two appear in the second season of “Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast” on JTBC.  (S.M. Entertainment)The new track will be an acoustic ballad reminiscent of Jeju Island, the setting of the variety show, where K-pop star Lee Hyo-ri and her husband Lee Sang-soon provide lodging for guests at the

PerformanceMay 9, 2018

Samulnori festival to be held in US

A state-run Korean culture center in New York is organizing samulnori music festivals on the East Coast, commemorating the center’s 40th anniversary.Korean Traditional Music Festival 2018 will be held in May across major East Coast cities, including New York, Englewood, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. It is hosted by Korean Cultural Center New York.Samulnori, which means “playing with four objects,” is a reimagined version of pungmul, a traditional performance involving music, dancing and singing.

CultureMay 9, 2018

Gang Dong-won invited to Cannes while promoting film

Actor Gang Dong-won was seen late Tuesday on the red carpet of the 71st Cannes Film Festival.According to YG Entertainment, Gang was formally invited there as a guest while visiting the city to promote his upcoming film “Tsunami LA.” It is a disaster film set in Los Angeles, the first Hollywood flick for the 37-year-old actor.  Gang Dong-won (YG Entertainment)The agency did not comment on media reports that Gang met with French filmmakers for a potential role in a film made there.This year’s Can

FilmMay 9, 2018

[Album review] Ben, please stick to what you’re good at

Ben“Recipe”Genie MusicSingers are divided into two categories: Those who have consistently released albums under their names and those whose resumes are fronted by “soundtracks” and “featuring.”  Ben belongs to the latter, as most of her songs, technically not hers, have been soundtracks of drama series until her first full-length album “Recipe” recently came out.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a reason why her voice was heard mostly in sad ballad songs. Her voice has a narrow spectrum; it su

PerformanceMay 9, 2018

Teen Top returns with energy of ‘Seoul Night’

Seoul is a city that never sleeps; bright with glowing neon signs and buzzing with every hustle and bustle. But the city is also where the members of K-pop act Teen Top became K-pop stars. Nine years on, the group -- which deserves the title of “veteran” in this fast-paced industry -- embodied the energy of a bright night in the capital with its new EP “Seoul Night.”“Our new album is the album we’ve participated in the most. It will remind fans of Seoul’s dazzling night and deliver its bright en

PerformanceMay 9, 2018

Seoul city govt. launches upgraded version of foreigners-only tour pass

An upgraded version of the foreigners-only Seoul tour pass is now available for travelers visiting the city, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday.The Discover Seoul Pass comes with a variety of discount benefits or complimentary offers for key tourist hotspots that have newly been added, the city government said.New attractions that require no entry fees include the National Museum of Korea, Seoul Battleship Park, Namsangol Hanok Village, the 63 Square Observatory and its aquarium, a

CultureMay 9, 2018

‘Lawless Lawyer’ seeks justice in corrupt city

Cable channel tvN’s new courtroom drama series “Lawless Lawyer” aims to set itself apart from other works of the genre, with its lawyers winning not just lawsuits, but also fights. The new Saturday-Sunday series features actors Lee Joon-gi and Seo Ye-ji as the main leads. Lee is to play a gangster-turned-lawyer who seeks revenge against the powerful. The story takes place in the fictional city of Kisung, where corruption is rampant.  Lee Joon-gi and Seo Ye-ji pose for photos at a media briefing

TelevisionMay 8, 2018

Infinite’s Sungkyu takes up arms for his country

Sungkyu of Infinite will be the first in his boy band to begin his mandatory military service on May 14, his agency said Tuesday, confirming the surprise announcement the singer made during his concert the day before.“We were shocked too, because it wasn’t something he discussed with the company beforehand,” said Woolim Entertainment on enlistment of the 29-year-old. He will receive basic training at the boot camp in the 22nd Division of the Army in Gangwon Province. Sungkyu (Yonhap)Sungkyu will

PerformanceMay 8, 2018

Blacklist committee calls for independent body on subsidies

The committee investigating the blacklist of cultural figures during past administrations on Tuesday announced that 8,931 individuals and 342 groups were unlawfully penalized during the time, and recommended the government establish an independent committee on subsidizing cultural figures. The joint government-civilian committee -- co-headed by Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan and artist Shin Hak-chul -- released its findings during a press conference in Seoul. The committee, launched last July to

CultureMay 8, 2018

Park Shin-hye to show ‘Memories of Alhambra’

Actress Park Shin-hye will star in tvN’s new drama series “Memories of the Alhambra.”Park is to take the role of a character named Jung Hee-ju, who owns an old hostel in Granada, Spain. Hyun Bin is the other protagonist in the series, playing a mysterious man who visits the hostel on a business trip.  Park Shin-hye (SALT Entertainment)Alhambra, which means “red palace” in Arabic, is a palace located in the city of Granada, a popular tourist destination. The actress is currently traveling in Spai

TelevisionMay 8, 2018

CICI holding photo, video contest on Korea’s alleys, food

The Corea Image Communications Institute is organizing the second “Korea Through the Lens, Video & Photography” contest.  (CICI)This year’s contest focuses on Korea’s alleys and food. The contest is open to all non-Korean nationals who live in Korea and foreigners who have visited the country. Koreans are also invited to submit their works. Photo and video submissions are being accepted until July 16.A total of 10 selected works will be presented at the Culture Communication Forum slated to take

CultureMay 7, 2018

Comedian Park Myung-soo to be featured in health-themed show

Comedian Park Myung-soo will star in a new health-themed variety show, according to OtvN on Monday.“Today Tomorrow” (working title) will feature a cast of middle-aged men traveling around the country to ease their health concerns with healthy food after undergoing medical checkups.  Park Myung-soo (Yonhap)The program hopes to resonate with middle-aged men who strive to find a balance between work and a healthy lifestyle, and provide health tips, said its director Sung Jong-kyu. “It’s quite an ob

TelevisionMay 7, 2018

Dua Lipa ‘rules’ first solo concert in Seoul

Just like her first name, which means “love” in Albanian, Dua Lipa’s first solo concert in Seoul overflowed with love and passion, as the 22-year-old London-born artist repeatedly blurted out “I love you so much” to screaming fans. There was no fixed choreography for her songs, but the perpetual motions of her arms and legs throughout the 90-minue set showed how much the singer -- whose hair was slightly disheveled from headbanging and perspiration --was enjoying her sold-out show in Seoul on Su

PerformanceMay 7, 2018

Korean modern art fits right in at Deoksugung

The Deoksugung branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary, located inside the Joseon palace of Deoksugung, is perhaps one of the most suitable places to house Korea’s modern art. A picture of the the Yi Royal Family Museum, which in 1998 became the MMCA's Deoksugung branch (MMCA)Deoksugung, where Joseon-period architecture stands alongside two Neoclassical buildings built during the short-lived Daehan Empire, encapsulates the turbulent history of early 20th century Korea.The MMCA’s

Arts & DesignMay 7, 2018

'Avengers 3' becomes fastest foreign film to break 8 million admissions in S. Korea

"Avengers: Infinity War" surpassed 8 million in attendance on Sunday, the 12th day since it hit South Korean theaters, box-office trackers said.According to computerized box-office figures from the Korean Film Council, the latest release from Marvel Studios logged about 7.76 million in accumulated ticket sales as of Saturday. An additional 276,252 people viewed the movie by 9 a.m. Sunday, bringing its cumulative total to 8.03 million, its local distributor Walt Disney Company Korea said.In this

FilmMay 6, 2018

Four S. Korean temples recommended for UNESCO World Heritage list

Four South Korean Buddhist temples were recommended for addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Friday. Tongdo temple (Yonhap)South Korea submitted an application last year for seven mountain temples to be listed. The list includes Beopju on Mount Songni, Tongdo on Mount Yeongchuk, Buseok on Mount Bonghwang, Bongjeong on Mount Cheondeung, Magok on Mount Taehwa, Seonam on Mount Jogye and Daeheung on Mount Duryun.The state agency said UNESCO's In

CultureMay 4, 2018

[Eye Plus] Fantasy, splendor and desire at Cheongdam

The streets of Cheongdam-dong in southern Seoul shine in splendor at night with lights coming from boutiques of high fashion brands that invite passersby into their world of extravagance. Embodying a luxurious lifestyle, the district is flamboyant yet quiet all year round, with faceless mannequins dressed in glittering outfits enticing you to indulge. Formerly a small pier connecting Songpa and Apgujeong in the premodern era, Cheongdam has gone through dramatic development since the late 1970s,

CultureMay 4, 2018

Shopping for lifestyle at Olive Con

It is hard to keep up with fast-changing lifestyle trends just by reading books, magazines and posts on social media. Therefore, local entertainment media company CJ E&M hopes to serve as a lifestyle curator for locals by hosting the 2018 Olive Con, a lifestyle shopping convention.  Visitors look around a convention hall filled with lifestyle booths. (CJ E&M)The convention started Wednesday and will end Sunday at the Coex Convention &Exhibition Center in southern Seoul. It features cooking class

FoodMay 4, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Champion(Korea)Opened May 1Comedy, Drama Directed by Kim Yong-wanMark (Ma Dong-seok) is a Korean-American adoptee working as a bouncer, but with a dream of becoming an arm-wrestling champion. Jin-Ki (Kwon Yool), a promoter dreaming of turning his life around through Mark, invites Mark to his birthplace for an arm-wrestling tournament.Avengers: Infinity War(US)Opened April 25Action, Adventure, FantasyDirected by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Thanos (Josh Brolin) wants collect all of the Infinity Stone

FilmMay 4, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Cheongsando Slow Walking FestivalDesignated as the first Slow City in Asia, Cheongsando in Wando-gun hosts the annual Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival until May 7.The spring is the best time to enjoy the canola blossoms and barley with the sea in the background. During the festival, visitors can participate in various cultural events and exhibitions.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and there are separate charges for hands-on programs. Call the travel hotlines at 1330 for more informat

TravelMay 4, 2018