MMCA opens its shopping bag

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is showcasing its shopping bag, exhibiting a selection of its purchases and acquisitions from 2013 to 2016 at its Seoul branch. The title of the exhibition, “Samramansang: From KIM Whanki to Yang Fudong,” is appropriated from New York-based Kang Ik-joong’s “Saramansang,” which stands majestic at the entrance of the show. It is apt as “samramansang” can be interpreted as “all things and phenomena of the universe” and can hence be taken to

CultureMarch 19, 2017

EXO concert heats up Malaysia

K-pop juggernaut EXO held a concert in Malaysia on Saturday as part of their ongoing global tour.“EXO Planet #3 - The EXO’rdium - in Kuala Lumpur,” held at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, marked the group’s first concert in the Malaysian capital in about a year. EXO performs at a Malaysia concert held Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. (S.M. Entertainment)Among the hit songs performed were “Wolf,” “Love Me Right,” “Growl” and “Overdose,” along with “Monster” and “Lucky One” from its studio album from la

PerformanceMarch 19, 2017

Around the Hotels

Weekend packages at ibis Styles Ambassador The ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeong-dong and Gangnam are offering weekend packages for replenishing the weary mind and body. The Cozy Weekend package at the Myeong-dong branch comprises an overnight stay at a Standard Suite, breakfast for two, access to a sauna and fitness center and late checkout at 2 p.m. It is available until the end of this year and costs 163,900 won for two.The Lazy Weekend in City package at the Gangnam branch comprises an ove

FoodMarch 17, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals in Korea this week

Yangpyeong Strawberry FestivalThe Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival is being held through the end of May. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at the strawberry farms and participate in a variety of activities and programs in the village. Reservations are required.Exclusive events for bloggers are on offer at blog.naver.com/yp_nadri. Up to 50 groups can participate. The festival is open to visitors of all ages. Visit www.yp21.net for information provided in Korean, English, Japanese and Mandari

TravelMarch 17, 2017

Sheeran to close Glastonbury Festival

Ed Sheeran is to close this year‘s Glastonbury Festival, headlining the final night, the giant British music event said Thursday.The singer-songwriter, who is dominating the British charts by holding a record 16 singles in the top 20, has performed at the festival before but this time is topping the bill. Ed Sheeran performs on NBC‘s “Today” show on March 8, in New York. (AP-Yonhap)“Ed Sheeran is Glastonbury’s third 2017 headliner! He‘s gone from the Croissant Neuf tent in 2011 to topping the bi

PerformanceMarch 17, 2017

New matcha tea spot in Seongsu-dong

At Matchacha Seoul in Seongsu-dong, owner Lee Yenie can be found behind the counter, vigorously whisking pulverized green tea leaves into a frothy, creamy beverage. “I have a fondness for matcha,” said Lee, 29, of why she decided to specialize in beverages crafted from the powdered green tea. Considered by many health-conscious consumers to be a wholesome caffeine fix, matcha has been gaining traction around the world. For traditional ceremonial-style matcha, owner Lee Yeni sifts ceremonial grad

FoodMarch 17, 2017

Ji Chang-wook confirms role in ‘Be Careful of This Woman’

Ji Chang-wook will star in an upcoming SBS drama titled “Be Careful of This Woman.” Actor Ji Chang-wook (Glorious Entertainment)“Ji Chang-wook decided to accept the lead role. He will play Noh Ji-wook, the prosecutor in the drama,” a representative from his agency, Glorious Entertainment, said. “Noh is a genuine all-rounder who’s excellent in math, music, sports and more.”Actress Han Ji-min was recently offered the female lead role of Eun Bong-hee, but has not yet made a decision, according to B

TelevisionMarch 17, 2017

[Weekender] Minimalist lifestyle: Detoxing mind and body

Being a minimalist is confined not only to reducing the possessions of material things but giving up on unnecessary and superficial social relationships in life, according to an author who wrote a book in Korean about how to live a minimalist life and take care of domestic work.“Having deep relations with two people is more comfortable and (psychologically) healthier than having superficial relations with 10 people. Because you don’t say much and say only necessary things to a person you deeply

CultureMarch 17, 2017

IU to release fourth full-length album in April

South Korean singer-songwriter IU will release her fourth full-length album next month, her agency said Friday.The K-pop diva's new album will be released on April 21, according to Loen-Fave Entertainment. IU will pre-release two songs from the album on March 24 and April 7, respectively.  (Yonhap)The self-produced upcoming album is IU's first new material since "Chat-shire," an EP album that came out in October 2015."IU has collaborated with talented musicians," the agency said, and added that

PerformanceMarch 17, 2017

'Good Manager' in solid lead, newcomer 'Radiant Office' trails

"Good Manager" maintained a firm grip on its lead in the Wednesday-Thursday late night TV drama race, while new office series "Radiant Office" lagged far behind in the 3-percent range, data showed Friday. Episode 16 of KBS 2TV's "Good Manger," which aired Thursday evening, recorded a 17.1-percent viewership, according to Nielsen Korea. It marks a 1.3 percentage point dip from the previous broadcast but still towered over its main competitors.SBS TV's "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors" stood at 10.2 pe

TelevisionMarch 17, 2017

SNL Korea to kick off ninth season with Sooyoung as host

TvN’s “Saturday Night Live Korea” will return for its ninth season, featuring Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation as its first host, the cable network said Thursday. 　“Sooyoung is very motivated and she has a good sense of humor so she will create good synergy with SNL,” the show’s production team said. 　The official promotional image of Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation starring on season nine of “Saturday Night Live Korea” (tvN)Sooyoung has shown her sense of humor on other TV shows, for which her fans

TelevisionMarch 17, 2017

GOT7 to hold ‘The Flight Log’ exhibition

K-pop boy band GOT7 is holding a special exhibition to celebrate the group’s recent release “Flight Log: Arrival.”The exhibition, titled “GOT7 ‘THE FLIGHT LOG’ EXHIBITION,” is being held at Gallery Won in Cheongdam-dong until March 22.  The official poster for “GOT7 ‘THE FLIGHT LOG’ EXHIBITION” (JYP Entertainment)“Flight Log: Arrival” is the last entry in the group’s “Flight Log” trilogy that started in March 2016 with the mini album “Flight log: Departure.” The exhibition will feature content,

PerformanceMarch 16, 2017

JYJ's Park cleared of sex assault charges: agency

Park Yu-chun, member of K-pop boy band JYJ, has been cleared of all four sexual assault allegations that have dogged him since last year, his agency said Thursday.C-JeS Entertainment, Park's agency, said that "the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office notified (Park) of such investigation results," and added, "the string of cases involving Park Yu-chun since last June have been closed."(Yonhap)Park, a member of the famous K-pop boy band JYJ, was embroiled in a scandal as four different women

PerformanceMarch 16, 2017

[K-Talk] T-ara to release last album in May

K-pop group T-ara is set to release a new album, to be the group’s last album with all the members before their individual contracts expire. The group’s agency MBK Entertainment released a statement saying that the upcoming album -- slated for a May 17 release -- will be the last in its “complete form.” T-ara (MBK Entertainment)“Concerts and other activities as a group will cease as of late June. The members will discuss their future plans with the agency afterwards,” MBK Entertainment said.The

PerformanceMarch 16, 2017

Actress Lee Young-ae donates to local hospital

Popular actress Lee Young-ae has donated to a local hospital in Gangneung where her recent drama was shot.Earlier this month, Lee made the donation of 100 million won ($87,450) to Asan Hospital in the city, in Gangwon Province, asking that the money be used to treat poor patients. She stayed in the city for months from late 2015 to shoot her latest drama "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors," now showing on SBS TV. This undated file photo shows Korean actress Lee Young-ae (Yonhap)Lee came back to the sma

TelevisionMarch 16, 2017

Kim Jae-joong's 2nd studio album named favorite K-pop album in China for 2016

South Korean singer Kim Jae-joong's second full-length album has been chosen as the most popular K-pop album in China for 2016, his management said Wednesday.Kim's "NO. X" topped the ranking recently announced by the major Chinese video streaming platform Youku, C-JeS Entertainment said. The ranking was based on album reviews and grades posted on the popular media review sites in China. Kim Jae-joong, a member of K-pop boy band JYJ, performs during a concert in Seoul on Jan. 22, 2017. (Yonhap)Re

PerformanceMarch 16, 2017

SM Entertainment plans talent audition in Indonesia

SM Entertainment will hold auditions in Indonesia to scout talent for its "NCT" idol group project, the nation's top entertainment agency said Wednesday.Company founder Lee Soo-man unveiled the plan for its first-ever talent audition in Indonesia at a South Korea-Indonesia business summit in Jakarta the previous day. "Last year, we launched our global idol group project NCT and are producing groups tuned to the cultures of each city around the world," Lee was quoted as saying. The K-pop mogul an

PerformanceMarch 16, 2017

‘Infinite Challenge’ to return after seven-week break

MBC’s hit variety show “Infinite Challenge” will resume airing on Saturday, ending its seven-week break. “Let’s make a new legend from this moment on,” the host of the show Yoo Jae-suk said. Saturday‘s episode, titled “Match! Hanamana,” will feature the cast members competing in games and challenges suggested by the members themselves.  From left: Yang Se-hyeong, Kwanghee, Jeong Jun-ha, Yoo Jae-suk, Park Myeong-su and Haha star in MBC‘s variety show “Infinite Challenge.” (MBC)“Infinite Challenge

TelevisionMarch 15, 2017

How K-pop fans reach for the stars

Tucked away from the main thoroughfare of Cheongdam-dong, a posh residential-business area, is the headquarters of JYP Entertainment, one of the three biggest entertainment agencies in Korea.A blown-up poster of the company founder Park Jin-young is plastered on the building’s facade, making it impossible to miss. The excited faces of a group of young people standing outside it suggest something is going on.“Why did Jackson (of GOT7) come here? I thought he didn’t have anything on his schedule t

PerformanceMarch 15, 2017