S. Korea to seek safety steps for its nationals in Bali on volcanic eruption

South Korea said Monday it plans to draw up measures to ensure the safety of its nationals on Indonesia's resort island of Bali, as the Southeast Asian nation has raised the volcano alert on the island to the highest level.The volcano at Mount Agung has been spewing plumes of smoke and ashes since last week, raising fears that a larger eruption is imminent, according to foreign media reports. Airports on Bali and neighboring island Lombok have been closed. This photo carried by AFP on Nov. 26, 2

TravelNov. 27, 2017

Sistar's Soyou to release solo album next month

Soyou, former member of the disbanded K-pop group Sistar, will release her first solo album next month, according to her agency Monday.Soyou, whose real name is Kang Ji-hyun, will put out "Re:Born" on Dec. 13, Starship Entertainment said. The record will be "Part.1," or the first installment, of the songstress' solo debut album, the company explained."Re:Born" will feature collaborations with leading K-pop talents, including ballad stars Sung Si-kyung and Yoon Jong-shin, and hip-hop artist Prima

PerformanceNov. 27, 2017

TWICE to drop repackaged edition of ‘Twicetagram’ next month

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- Idol group TWICE will release a repackaged edition of its hit inaugural studio album “Twicetagram” next month, its agency said Monday.The upcoming record titled “Merry & Happy” will come out Dec.11 and will include “Heart Shaker” and several new songs in addition to the track list for “Twicetagram,” according to JYP Entertainment.The nine-member girl group swept the local music charts with “Likey,” the lead song for “Twicetagram,” upon its release in late October. The record al

PerformanceNov. 27, 2017

EXO thanks BTS, Wanna One for advancing K-pop overseas

K-pop boy group EXO on Sunday thanked fellow Korean artists BTS and Wanna One for expanding the popularity of K-pop overseas, while also sharing anxieties of fan fatigue amid growing competition."We're grateful for groups such as BTS and Wanna One promoting K-pop globally. As did many senior artists such as Psy, Girls' Generation and TVXQ, we also want to contribute in the advancement of K-pop overseas," EXO leader Kim Jun-myeon, better known as Suho, said during a press conference ahead of a co

PerformanceNov. 27, 2017

Yoo Ah-in moves to end ‘gender bashing’ dispute with netizens

Actor Yoo Ah-in attempted to wrap up his lengthy online battles with fans concerning one of the most sensitive issues in Korea: gender bashing.On Sunday, he posted a lengthy letter on his Instagram page, through which he said that he has always been a feminist. It appeared to be his way of denying accusations of misogyny by some netizens.“I am a feminist. Although I do not know which authorities may bestow such license on me, I wish to discuss feminism with conviction, love and the spirit of my

PeopleNov. 26, 2017

‘Gangnam Style’ continues funky streak

South Korean singer Psy’s global megahit “Gangnam Style” topped 3 billion views on YouTube on Sunday around 8 a.m.The single was released in July 2012, unleashing worldwide interest in Korea, from its music and fashion to tourism and food. “Gangnam Style” was viewed more than 500 million times within 100 days of its release. Major international media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC and ABC spotlighted Psy’s “horse dance” as a worldwide sensation.  South Korean s

PerformanceNov. 26, 2017

Male-centric thrillers continue to flood box office in 2018

This year’s Korean box office has once more seen a deluge of dark thrillers spotlighting tortured male characters.From the Cannes-screened “The Merciless,” starring Sol Kyung-gu and Im Si-wan as gangsters, to “Bluebeard,” in which Cho Jin-woong plays a doctor driven to psychological and financial edge, films this year presented struggling male characters as leads. “Memoir of a Murderer” saw Sol Kyung-gu as a serial killer with Alzheimer’s disease. The recently opened “The Swindlers” features Yoo

FilmNov. 26, 2017

Wanna One, Seventeen win at 2017 MAMA in Vietnam

K-pop boy bands Wanna One and Seventeen took home trophies at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday. At the event, Wanna One won the Best of Next award, while Seventeen won the Worldwide Favorite Artist award. Wanna One receives the Best of Next award at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saturday. (CJ E&M)“It is an honor to be invited to MAMA alongside these great Asian artists. Thank you Mn

PerformanceNov. 26, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Christmas lunch buffet, dinner at Sheraton Grand Incheon HotelSheraton Grand Incheon Hotel will offer a Christmas-special lunch buffet of chicken wings, grilled turkey and beef on Dec. 25 from noon to 2:30 pm at its Grand Ballroom.The dishes are followed by sweet desserts, and for children a dance and photo-taking session with robot and cartoon characters are available. The promotion is 94,000 won for adults and 66,000 won for children under 13. For more information and reservations, call (032)

FoodNov. 26, 2017

'A Taxi Driver' wins best picture at Blue Dragon Awards

"A Taxi Driver," a local box office hit about a pro-democracy uprising in the country, won best picture at the 38th annual Blue Dragon Awards, one of the nation's top two film honors, on Saturday.The movie took home best film and best actor awards during the ceremony held at Kyunghee University in eastern Seoul. This image released by Showbox shows a promotional poster for "A Taxi Driver." (Yonhap)Song Kang-ho was honored for his role as the eponymous Seoul taxi driver who takes the late German

FilmNov. 26, 2017

From eclairs to tarts at patisserie by Garuharu

Yun Eun-young, pastry chef of the now-defunct Eclair by Garuharu, amassed a following with her sumptuous repertoire of eclairs and macarons for over three years before moving onto her next act.  Now, at her new perch in Yeoksam-dong, the prominent pastry chef, who studied at the Paris-based Ecole Lenotre, is proving her prowess in other things sweet.  “This location opened this February,” chef Lee Hwa-jin, 26, said of Patisserie by Garuharu, a small eight-seat spot that represents Yun’s latest e

FoodNov. 24, 2017

Stories hidden within southernmost strip of Korea

HADONG, South Gyeongsang Province - Take the scenic route to South Gyeongsang Province by train. Drift down past Gyeonggi Province, Sejong City, and Namwon, where the most famous pansori love story of Chunhyang is set. Change at Suncheon and it’s a short trip to Hadong-gun and Namhae-gun -- where you will find unique people with stories to tell.When you are visiting a place just a stone’s throw away from the shore, make sure to try some of the seafood. One of the delicacies of the area is the Ch

TravelNov. 24, 2017

[Eye Plus] Keeping coal factory embers alive

Coal briquettes have been one of the symbols of Korea’s rapid economic growth from 1960s to 1980s, providing heat and energy for the households hard at work to build an affluent economy.With development of energy sources and housing, however, briquettes are in less demand than ever. Around 19 briquette factories were in operation in Seoul alone in the 1990s, but now there are only two. “There are still about 200,000 households using briquettes to get through the winter, but the industry is hangi

CultureNov. 24, 2017

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

The Swindlers (Korea)Opened Nov. 22Action, crime. Directed by Jang Chang-won Ambitious, ruthless prosecutor Park Hee-soo (Yoo Ji-tae) decides to venture outside the law and employ the help of a gang of scammers to entrap another renowned scam artist. Skilled scammer Hwang Ji-sung (Hyun Bin) is central to the plan, hatching a grand scheme to both help Park and catch his father’s killer. Prosecutor Park goes on to form precarious ties with politicians and does not hesitate to delve into the illega

FilmNov. 24, 2017

Yearend award ceremonies hounded by uncertainties

Schedules for the annual award ceremonies hosted by major television networks remain murky this year in the aftermath of major broadcasting union strikes, which lasted from September until last week.　Only SBS, which was not affected by the strikes, has confirmed that it will host the SBS Entertainment Awards on Dec. 30 and the SBS Drama Awards on Dec. 31. The SBS Gayo Daejeon, a major end-of-the-year music program, will take place on Dec. 25.　Planning for the events is in full swing at SBS, acco

TelevisionNov. 24, 2017

‘Two Cops’ to feature Jo Jung-seok, Hyeri as cop, reporter

Comedy police drama “Two Cops,” starring Jo Jung-seok and Hyeri, is the first series broadcaster MBC will be airing after the end of a two-month strike by MBC union members that crippled the broadcaster’s programming. 　The show, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 p.m., mixes elements of fantasy with romantic comedy and police thriller, producer Oh Hyun-jong said at a press conference at MBC headquarters in Mapo-gu, Thursday. “It will deliver a satisfying blow through a multi-genre drama,” he said

TelevisionNov. 24, 2017

Singer Se7en to share his life on reality show

Singer Se7en will feature in SBS’ reality show “It’s Okay to Go a Little Crazy” to share his daily life with fans, according to his agency Eleven 9 Entertainment.According to the agency, Se7en will talk about his life style off the stage for the first time since his debut in 2003. Viewers will also be able to see various sides of the veteran singer as well as his house and hobbies.  A teaser image for the upcoming episode of SBS’ “It’s Okay to Go a Little Crazy” featuring singer Se7en. (SBS)The

TelevisionNov. 24, 2017

Lee Jae-jin of FT Island to play lead role in ‘Four Types of Houses’

Lee Jae-jin of boy band FT Island will return to the small screen with MBC every1’s upcoming drama “Four Types of Houses” (literal translation). The four-episode drama will tell the story of people accustomed to being alone. They end up sharing their feelings with one another and finding true love while living in a share house.Lee will play the male lead role of Sun-min, the owner of the share house who is an ex-idol group member.  Lee Jae-jin of FT Island (FNC Entertainment)Lee debuted as an ac

TelevisionNov. 23, 2017

[Neighborhood Trails] Nature walk atop Namsan in heart of Seoul

Seoul is a city dotted with many mountains. Following is a series that explores some of the easy trails in Seoul’s neighborhood mountains. --Ed.Standing just 265 meters above sea level, the petite mountain of Namsan in Seoul is hardly considered a hiking spot. But that is exactly why it is a perfect place for a light stroll.Namsan Dulle-gil refers to the trail surrounding the mountain. Along with access to its noted features, it also offers great views of the city.The two most-frequently used en

TravelNov. 23, 2017

Celebrities scrape by on minimal budget in new travel reality show ‘Salt Tour’

Comedian Kim Saeng-min, who has risen to popularity for his humorous penny-pinching habits, will attempt to scrape by on a shoestring-budget travel plan in “Salt Tour,” which begins airing on tvN Saturday. “It is actually my first reality show,” said Kim at a press conference for the show in Mapo-gu, Seoul on Thursday. 　The veteran television presenter who debuted in 1992 recently became popular for his advocacy of the frugal life. His KBS pilot program “Receipt,” where he analyzed and criticize

TelevisionNov. 23, 2017