Nine Muses reveals tracklist for upcoming EP

A tracklist for Nine Muses’ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” has been revealed.  Promotional photos for Nine Muses‘ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” (Star Empire Entertainment) A tracklist for Nine Muses‘ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” (Star Empire Entertainment)A total of six songs, including the lead track “Remember,” are on the tracklist that was released by the group’s agency Star Empire Entertainment Saturday. The new EP marks the group’s first release since its

PerformanceJune 4, 2017

Big Bang’ T.O.P issues hand-written apology for marijuana use

T.O.P of Big Bang wrote a letter to apologize for his recent marijuana case. A hand-written letter from T.O.P to apologize for his marijuana use (YG Entertainment)In the hand-written letter released by YG Entertainment Sunday, the rapper wrote, “First of all, I would like to extend my sincere apology to many of you for causing huge disappointment and disturbance. I feel so embarrassed that I can’t show myself in front of you to apologize.”“I have no excuses and deserve any kind of punishment. I

PerformanceJune 4, 2017

Son Ga-in claims boyfriend‘s friend suggested marijuana

Singer Son Ga-in of Brown Eyed Girls dropped shocking news that a friend of her boyfriend Joo Ji-hoon had suggested she use marijuana. (Son Ga-in`s Instagram)Son took to Instagram Sunday to reveal a photo that screen-captured messages between her and a man surnamed Park, whom she identified as Joo’s friend and the person who suggested she smoke marijuana. Along with the photo, she also posted a lengthy letter that fiercely accused Park of offering her the product.In the letter, Son said that her

PerformanceJune 4, 2017

Contemporary plays examine Korean diaspora

Five plays written by playwrights of Korean descent will be staged at the National Theater Company of Korea in June and July, contemplating on the identity, family and other issues related to Korean diaspora.Korean Diaspora Session, which opened last Thursday and will continue until July 23, sets the focus on those who often feel alienated.“We were curious as to how the Korean diaspora is retaining their identity as Koreans, or how they are relinquishing it, and how they are changing. I felt tha

CultureJune 4, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Warriors of the Dawn(Korea)Opened May 31Historical, drama. Directed by Jeong Yoon-chulTo-woo (Lee Jung-jae) is the rugged leader of proxy soldiers who receive money from noblemen to go to war on their behalf. When the Imjin War between Joseon Kingdom and Japan breaks out, King Seonjo flees to Ming China. His son Prince Gwanghae (Yeo Jin-goo) is left to lead the royal court alone, and the responsibility of protecting and guiding the young heir befalls on To-woo. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men

FilmJune 2, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Seafood buffet at Sheraton Seoul D Cube CityThe Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel will feature a seafood dinner buffet at its restaurant Feast from June 5 through July 27. The “Shell We Feast” promotion offers freshly steamed seafood throughout the week, including snow crab, king shrimp, scallop, abalone, corb shells, middle mussels, short-necked clams and date mussels. The price starts at 84,000 won per person. Seating is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and fr

FoodJune 2, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose Fest Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 27 to June 11. The programs include photo competition, magic show (Saturdays and Sundays), Rose and Love Concert (Saturdays and Sundays) couple mugs (fee varies) and plaster mine on Memorial Day. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but closes at 8 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays.Admission fees are 2,000 for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000 won for children. The event is open to v

TravelJune 2, 2017

[Weekender] Beat the heat, get sporty indoors

About a century ago, a Canadian-American teacher was struggling to find a sport his students could play during the harsh New England winter. He decided to take the activity indoors, introducing to the world what came to be known as “basketball.”In the spirit of James Naismith, a growing number of people across the world are enjoying sports that can be done within the comfort and shelter of an indoor space. Traditionally outdoor sports are now being carried out inside as well. In Korea, one of th

CultureJune 2, 2017

K-pop idols produce, act on own web entertainment series, ‘Idol Drama Operation Team’

Seven members from seven different K-pop groups get together to produce their own show -- that’s the premise of the new web entertainment series “Idol Drama Operation Team.”For KBS’ latest experiment in combining drama and variety show, Mamamoo’s Moonbyul, Red Velvet’s Seulgi, Lovelyz’ Baby Soul, Sonamoo’s D.ana, Oh My Girl’s YooA, Jeon So-mi and Kim So-hee, former members of now-disbanded project group I.O.I, have picked up pens instead of microphones.The cast of KBS TV’s entertainment series “

TelevisionJune 2, 2017

Former I.O.I. member Kim Chung-ha drops teaser video

Singer Kim Chung-ha on Friday revealed the teaser video for the music video of her upcoming song “Why Don’t You Know.” The singer poses in an exotic-looking outfit, with the release date of her song June 7 shown in the background.Scenes from Kim Chung-ha’s teaser video (MNH Entertainment)The release of “Why Don’t You Know,” due Wednesday, will mark the first solo debut for any former member of now-disbanded I.O.I.Kim was a contender in survival show “Produce 101,” which picked out 11 winners to

PerformanceJune 2, 2017

Lovelyz to hold second solo concert ‘Alwayz’

K-pop act Lovelyz is set to host its second concert series “2017 Lovelyz Concert Alwayz” on July 29 and 30.Lovelyz will showcase a variety of performances with a wide repertoire of songs, according to its agency Woollim Entertainment on Friday. K-pop group Lovelyz (Woollim Entertainment)The girl group held its first concert Jan. 13-15 in Seoul, performing hit songs such as “Hi,” “Ah-Choo” and “Destiny.”“Lovelyz still has a lot more to show to its fans. The group is preparing to present good memo

PerformanceJune 2, 2017

Kim Ok-bin takes female-led action to next level in ‘The Villainess’

With the blood-drenched action flick “The Villainess,” actress Kim Ok-bin may have raised the caliber of Korean female-led action sequences to the next level. In the visceral revenge thriller directed by Jung Byung-gil, Kim plays a skilled assassin who shows no mercy or pity in the face of opponents. She shoots, stabs and kills with weapons ranging from long daggers to axes. After a violent and bloody showdown, she wipes blood off her face, completely emotionless.  Actress Kim Ok-bin poses at a

FilmJune 1, 2017

Big Bang’s T.O.P under investigation over marijuana use

Big Bang member T.O.P has been booked without detention on charges of smoking marijuana multiple times last year, police said Thursday.T.O.P (Yonhap)The rapper had tested positive for marijuana in a drug test conducted by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s drug crime unit in March.T.O.P’s agency YG Entertainment confirmed the news and issued a statement that said, “It is true that T.O.P smoked marijuana before the enlistment and we sincerely apologize for the outcome.”“The rapper has undergone a

PerformanceJune 1, 2017

G-Dragon to return with ‘Bulls---’

G-Dragon has confirmed the lead track for the upcoming album -- “Bulls---.”YG Entertainment, the K-pop sensation‘s agency, revealed the poster for his new album and announced that the title of the track will be “Bulls---.”“The song ’Bulls---‘ will be a hip-hop track which is every bit as powerful as the title suggests,” YG officials said.  Poster for G-Dragon’s upcoming new album. (YG Entertainment)The album, titled after G-Dragon’s real name Kwon Ji-yong, will be the first studio album since “C

PerformanceJune 1, 2017

Mamamoo’s Wheein teams up with Jeff Bernat for ‘Da Ra Da

Wheein of K-pop group Mamamoo will collaborate with US musician Jeff Bernat and up-and-coming singer B.O. for a new song “Da Ra Da.” According to Wheein’s agency RBW Entertainment, the unscheduled release of the song takes place online on Sunday. “’Da Ra Da‘ was inspired by a pleasant humming, and will feature jazz piano and strings combined with lyrics about love,” said the agency. Wheein of Mamamoo (RBW Entertainment) Jeff Bernat (RBW Entertainment)The song is part of Wheein‘s collaboration pr

PerformanceJune 1, 2017

Kim Joo-hyuck, Chun Woo-hee to star in ‘Argon’

Veteran actors Kim Joo-hyuck and Chun Woo-hee have confirmed their roles in the upcoming tvN drama “Argon” on Thursday.Kim will play Kim Baek-jin, an anchor and reporter of the news program “Argon,” who does not allow any mistakes.Kim Joo-hyuck (left) and Chun Woo-hee (Namoo actors)“The role of a truthful reporter seems much more needed nowadays than ever. That’s why this drama and the character resonated with me,” Kim said.Meanwhile, Chun will play Lee Yeon-hwa, a reporter assigned to “Argon” t

TelevisionJune 1, 2017

Sistar tops music charts with swansong track

Sistar's new and final song "Lonely" on Thursday rose to No. 1 on major South Korean music streaming charts."Lonely," an acoustic R&B song released Wednesday afternoon, topped seven music streaming charts, including Melon, Olleh Music, Naver Music and Bugs Music, as of 8:30 a.m. The track was produced by Sistar's longtime collaborator Black Eyed Philseung. (Yonhap)The seven-year-old K-pop team announced earlier that it will disband after releasing its final single album. Hyolyn and Soyou are exp

June 1, 2017

MWTV gives migrants their voice

Broadcasting from a studio above a punk club in Mullae, Seoul, Migrant World TV has been making media for a decade. And more recently, this migrants’ TV station has also been offering training to foreign residents to help them make their own programs and take more control over programming.Migrant World TV started out as Migrant Workers TV during a strike by migrant workers in Myeong-dong in 2005.People learn how to present radio broadcasts at the Migrant World TV Academy (MWTV)“At the time they

Expat LivingMay 31, 2017

Seoul Book Club to host Q&A with Korean author Bae Suah

Korean author Bae Suah, the writer behind “Nowhere to be Found” and “Recitation,” will be discussing her latest works at the Seoul Book and Culture Club on June 10. The event, which will allow fans to get books signed, will be hosted by Sookmyung Women’s University English instructor Barry Welsh. It will include Korean interpretation and invite questions from the audience. Bae is one of the most highly acclaimed contemporary authors in Korea, having won both the Hanguk Ilbo and Tongseo literary

Expat LivingMay 31, 2017