BTS tops brand value for five consecutive months

Bangtan Boys, or BTS, has been ranked as the boy band with the highest brand value for the fifth consecutive month. The Korea Reputation Center analyzed over 39 million pieces of data on 43 Korean boy bands between March 7 and April 8 and the result showed BTS receiving the highest consumer participation although the amount of its big data decreased by 5.48 percent compared the previous month.Korean boy band BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)“The amount of big data decreased for BTS but its music sourc

PerformanceApril 10, 2017

Winner among Apple Music’s ‘Best of Week’

Boy band Winner’s recent single “Really Really” is making an impact on foreign charts, with Apple Music Pop selecting it as one of the songs on its “Best of the Week” list.Winner (YG Entertainment)The list compiles popular songs across the globe, selected by Apple Music’s editors. Among the songs on the latest list were “Last Day Live” by the Chainsmokers and “Galway Girl” by Ed Sheeran.Winner last week unveiled its single album “Fate Number For,” which topped iTunes album charts in 21 regions a

PerformanceApril 10, 2017

[Next Wave] Deepflow looks to make his crew next big thing

His name may be obscure to many, but Deepflow and his crew are artists that no self-respecting Korean hip-hop lover would gloss over. Considered one of the most prominent underground rappers in the country, the rapper-producer’s pride rested on showing off “real” hip-hop that you cannot see on TV.Deepflow (Vismajor Company)But Deepflow has overcome his disdain for the mass media, introducing his crew Vismajor to the general public. “Back when I made the album “Yanghwa” (in 2015), I wrote the lyr

PerformanceApril 10, 2017

Photo of missing 15th century book on Hangul released　

An independent candidate running in a regional by-election revealed a photo of what he claims is a centuries-old instruction book for Hangul, deemed missing since 2008.Bae Ik-gi is running for the National Assembly seat for Sangju, Gunwi, Uiseong and Cheongsong regions in Wednesday’s election.　Bae, a self-claimed scholar and collector of old books, released a photo of what he claims is the Sangju edition of the Hunminjeongeum Haerye, an instruction book on Hangul, the Korean alphabet, published

CultureApril 10, 2017

Junggigo to release solo album

Hip-hop musician Junggigo, who has collaborated with K-pop’s trendiest artists, will be releasing his first solo LP on April 20. 　“Junggigo will kick off his official activities with a media showcase at the Hyundai Card Understage in Itaewon on April 20,” Starship Entertainment, Junggigo’s label, said Monday. Junggigo revealed the cover art for the album, titled “Across the Universe,” on Sunday.The 36-year-old singer-producer recently released “Let me Love You” with boy band EXO’s Chanyeol.Album

PerformanceApril 10, 2017

'Wolgyesu' kept me up in my final days: Kim Young-ae

Kim Young-ae, the life-long South Korean actress who recently passed away from pancreatic cancer, said her final work on the KBS 2TV series "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop" is what kept her persevering in her final days.In an exclusive interview with Yonhap News Agency before her passing, Kim said that "I would have let myself go if it wasn't for this drama," referring to "Wolgyesu," the weekend drama series that finished its broadcast in February.(Yonhap)Kim, who passed away on Friday at

April 10, 2017

Actor Kim Woo-bin ends Asia 'fan meeting' tour in Thailand

South Korean actor Kim Woo-bin has finished his six-month-long tour of Asian countries to meet his overseas fans in Thailand, his agency said Monday.(Sidus HQ)Kim had a fan meeting at MCC Hall in Bangkok on Saturday on the last leg of his third Asian tour titled "Spotlight" that began in October in Seoul, Sidus HQ said. The tour also took him to Macao, Japan and Taiwan.He most recently appeared in the KBS TV soap series "Uncontrollably Fond" with actress Bae Suzy and the Korean action film "Mast

April 10, 2017

Identity struggle fires creative power

In a world where the notions of ethnicity, culture and identity are constantly evolving, Korea’s fashion world is taking those influences and turning them into creative expression.Fashion model Han Hyun-min presented a striking image on the Korean catwalk at the 2016 Seoul Fashion Week fall-winter collection in March 2016. Born to a Nigerian father and Korean mother, Han is Korea’s first model with African roots. 　“I’ve always been skinny and tall at 184 centimeters and 56 kilograms. Kids would

Arts & DesignApril 9, 2017

Veteran actress Kim Young-ae dies of pancreatic cancer

Veteran actress Kim Young-ae died Sunday from pancreatic cancer, according to her agency, Starvillage Entertainment. She was 65. Kim starred in KBS2’s “The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop,” which ended its 54-episode run in February. She appeared on the originally planned 50 episodes before opting out of the extra four episodes due to her failing health.Actress Kim Young-ae (Yonhap)She showed her strong will, tenacity and passion for acting by participating in filming the weekend series even a

PeopleApril 9, 2017

2PM to resume ‘6Nights’ concerts with Jun. K

K-pop boy band 2PM will resume concerts in June with Jun. K, as he has quickly been recovering from injuries, according to the group’s agency.  Boy band 2PM (JYP Entertainment)“All six members (of 2PM) will perform six ‘6Nights’ concerts from June 2-4 and June 9-11,” JYP Entertainment said in a statement. The “6Nights” concert series kicked off on Feb. 24. The concerts were set to take place at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul’s Olympic Park Feb. 24-26 and March 3-5. The idol band, however

April 9, 2017

K-pop artists win big at ‘Yin Yue Tai V-Chart Awards’

Several K-pop artists nabbed big awards at the 2017 Yin Yue Tai V-Chart Awards in Macau on Saturday.The logo for the 2017 Yin Yue Tai V-Chart Awards (Screenshot from official website’s main page)Boy band EXO was recognized as the most influential group in Asia. The group’s individual members were honored as well. Sehun won the award for most popular artist, Chanyeol received awards for most popular Korean artist and best collaboration and Lay received awards for best male artist and album of the

April 9, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Tea house opens at Park Hyatt SeoulThe Park Hyatt Seoul’s The Lounge tea house, located on the 24th floor, reopened Monday, offering quality dishes and beverages to customers. With spectacular views of the city, The Lounge features traditional tea, modern cuisine and desserts from 9 a.m. to midnight. The green teas come from tea estates on Jeju Island, Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, and Boseong, South Jeolla Province, while executive chef Federico Heinzmann and his team use seasonal specialt

FoodApril 9, 2017

[Eye Plus] Standing atop Seoul

Spring could not have come soon enough. After wintry months of one piece of gloomy news after another, things are starting to look prettier, at least on the surface.Namsan, nestled in the middle of chaotic Seoul, is finally looking more hopeful, as the barren trees and branches are being coated with blooming magnolia, forsythia and azalea.Groups of hikers and gaggles of friends and families share smiles as they walk up the trails or ride cable cars to reach the landmark N Tower and take pictures

TravelApril 7, 2017

[Home Cooking] Spicy braised tofu (dubu jorim)

Dubu jorim (braised tofu) is a popular Korean side dish which is typically pan-fried and then braised in a spicy sauce. This braised tofu doesn’t require pan-frying and uses a lot more liquid. It resembles a stew (jjigae), but is actually not a jjigae as the term is used in Korean cuisine. This dish is totally fine just with the onion and scallion, but this recipe also uses mushrooms and a chili pepper. You can also add a little bit of thinly sliced Korean radish to the bottom of the pot before

FoodApril 7, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the area of Jeonnong-ro and the entrance of Jeju National University. The peak of the King Cherry Tree blossoms lasts for only two to three days, but the beautiful blossoms can be seen for weeks, until April 9.There is no admission fee. For more information, call the travel hotline at 1330 or visit www.visitjeju.net. Both provide information in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.Shinan Tulip Festival Shinan Tulip Fe

TravelApril 7, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters

House of the Disappeared (Korea)Opened April 5Mystery, thriller. Directed by Lim Dae-wung Mi-hee (Kim Yun-jin) is a mother of two boys living in an old house on a quiet hill with an abusive new husband (Jo Jae-yoon). Strange events start to occur in the house. Mi-hee and her children are visited one night by a violent, unidentifiable being, and she begins to feel a dark presence in the basement of the house. All the while, tension between her children and husband continue to mount. Oneday(Korea)

FilmApril 7, 2017

Asian-French tapas at Bao27

Bao27 owner Kim Hyun-sung and chef Oh Jong-il take their variation of Chinese steamed buns very seriously. If one walks by in the afternoon, between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., one might be able to catch a glimpse of the two busy kneading, rolling and shaping the dough for their baos. Not surprising, given the name of their restaurant literally advertises the increasingly prevalent Chinese sandwich- or dumpling-like treat as their specialty. Yet, it is not the baos alone that make this new spot worth a tr

FoodApril 7, 2017

Taeyeon of Girls' Generation to hold solo concert in May

Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation will hold a solo concert series in Seoul next month to kick off her Asia tour, her agency said Friday.The “Taeyeon solo concert: Persona” series will be held from May 12 to 14 at the Olympic Hall of Seoul Olympic Park in southern Seoul, according to S.M. Entertainment. It will mark the second time she will perform in solo concerts, following Seoul and Busan gigs last year. Following the Seoul concert, Taeyeon will embark on a tour across Asia, covering cities includi

PerformanceApril 7, 2017