Late artist Kim Whan-ki makes record-breaking sale, again

A pioneer of Korean abstract art, Kim Whan-ki, has once again broken the record for the most expensive piece of Korean art sold, confirming the artist’s lasting global appeal. His yellow dotted painting “12-V-70 #172” was sold for 6.32 billion won ($5.36 million) at Seoul Auction’s 20th Hong Kong Sale at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on Sunday. The painting garnered significant attention from buyers even before the auction opened over the weekend. The bidding started at 4.5 billion won and eventuall

PerformanceNov. 28, 2016

Suzy, Lee Jong-suk to star in new SBS series

Suzy and Lee Jong-suk are set to return to the small screen next year. The two will co-star in the new SBS drama series “While You Were Sleeping,” according to production company iHQ on Monday.  “We will wrap up all of the necessary logistics by the end of the year, and kick off production next year,” said iHQ in a statement. The series will be written by Park Hye-ryun, who worked on Suzy’s acting debut production “Dream High” in 2011 and will be directed by Oh Choong-hwan of “Doctors” and “My L

TelevisionNov. 28, 2016

Disney's 'Moana' tops N. American movie charts

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- The animated sea-faring musical adventure “Moana” sailed to success in its debut weekend, taking in an estimated $55.5 million to top the North American box office, an industry group said Sunday.The Disney film about a brave Polynesian teenage girl on a risky mission to save her people reaped in $81.1 million during the full, longer Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Exhibitor Relations said.The composers of the film’s score include Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyr

FilmNov. 28, 2016

2 artworks in 1: Double-sided Pechstein on display

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) -- A new exhibit of Max Pechstein's “Still Life with Nude, Tile, and Fruit” takes viewers not only behind the scenes of the German artist’s career, but also behind the painting itself.While previous owners displayed the painting with only the still life and portrait showing, the Currier Museum of Art is showing its reverse side, which reveals a separate but related landscape. The museum has installed the double-sided painting on a pedestal in a specially constructed glass f

PerformanceNov. 28, 2016

NY subway inspires Broadway's first a capella musical

NEW YORK (AFP) -- New York's cityscape reverberates with pounding jackhammers and blaring car horns, but it’s the cacophonous subway that perhaps best epitomizes the bustling metropolis.A chorus of voices sans instrumental accompaniment will soon bring the transit system's rhythms to Broadway, the first time the famous theater district will host an a cappella show.“In Transit” brings a rather unconventional touch to the Broadway stage: in a world known for its lively orchestras and consistent vi

PerformanceNov. 28, 2016

K-pop video director charged in S. Korea's scandal

SEOUL (AFP) -- A prominent K-pop music video director was charged Sunday as part of a corruption scandal rocking South Korea and engulfing President Park Geun-hye. Cha Eun-taek, who has worked with “Gangnam Style” star Psy and boy band megastars Big Bang, used his ties to a secret confidante of Park to win lucrative projects from state agencies and private firms, prosecutors say.That confidante -- Choi Soon-sil -- has been labelled Park's eminence grise, a shadowy figure who is believed to have

PerformanceNov. 28, 2016

Kimchi institute chief welcomes bold experimentation

Kimchi is a soul food that Koreans can’t live without, but foreigners may find it hard to eat the spicy, fermented cabbage at first due to its strong scent of salted fish and garlic.To make it more accessible to those who first try it, tweaking, combining or even transforming the traditional recipe could help expand the presence of the major staple of Korean cuisine in the global culinary scene, the new head of the World Kimchi Institute said. Ha Jae-ho, who took the helm of the organization und

FoodNov. 28, 2016

Korean celebrities speak out against President Park　

Korean celebrities are actively joining in the protest against President Park Geun-hye, who is currently embroiled in a scandal for allegedly leaking state documents and funneling funds from businesses. Some have taken to the streets to attend mass rallies, while others are voicing their support on social media. Among these are entertainers who have long been outspoken against the conservative administration. But stars who have previously remained politically neutral -- such as actress Kim Yoo-j

CultureNov. 27, 2016

Lee Byung-hun wins best actor at Blue Dragon Film Awards

Actor Lee Byung-hun nabbed the Blue Dragon Film Award for best actor for the first time in his 25-year career, and after seven previous nominations, for his role as a smooth-talking gangster in last November’s political thriller “Inside Men.” Actor Lee Byung-hun attends the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday evening at Kyung Hee University. (Yonhap)“When I saw the script for “Inside Men,” I wondered if it exaggerated reality,” Lee said in his acceptance speech Friday at the awards ceremony at Kyu

FilmNov. 26, 2016

2NE1 officially disbands

YG Entertainment released a statement on Friday that announced that girl group 2NE1 has disbanded.Back in May, 2NE1‘s contract with YG ended and Gong Minzy left the group. The fate of the other members was uncertain and after much deliberation, it was decided that the group will no longer continue. In the official statement, YG said, “Rather than investing in a team that is uncertain of a comeback, we have decided to invest our efforts in the members’ solo careers.”CL and Sandara Park have renew

Nov. 25, 2016

Sicilian classics crafted from local ingredients at Spark

For diners who want Italian food with a twist, look no further than Spark, Park Sung-woo’s first stint as restaurant owner and chef. Situated in Seoul’s Sinsa-dong area, the new establishment, which tentatively opened in September before an official launch in November, strays away from traditional Italian and into slightly uncharted territory with local ingredients.  Spark's black port is crafted from pork belly that has been marinated in squid ink, balsamic vinegar and herbs and topped with a l

FoodNov. 25, 2016

Moon Hee-jun, Soyul to tie the knot

Singer and TV celebrity Moon Hee-jun is set to marry Soyul, a member of Crayon Pop. The 38-year-old -- once considered a teen heartthrob in the 1990s -- revealed the news in a handwritten note on his official fan website on Thursday. He did not disclose any information regarding his fiancee at the time. “Following a platonic relationship with Soyul over the last two years, the two began dating in April,” Moon’s entertainment agency KOEN Stars said in a statement released shortly after the singer

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

‘My Annoying Brother’ tops local box office

Director Kwon Soo-kyung’s latest comedy flick “My Annoying Brother” is off to a strong start. Over 137,000 moviegoers flocked to theaters for the film’s premiere this week, which is currently dominating the local box office, according to recent data from the Korean Film Council.The movie has attracted 232,413 people as of Friday morning. Starring Cho Jung-suk, Park Shin-hye and K-pop boy band EXO member Do Kyung-soo, the film tells the story of two estranged brothers forced into cohabitation fol

FilmNov. 25, 2016

[Around the Hotels] This week’s promotions and packages

Art package accommodations at ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul hotelsThe ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong and Gangnam are offering accommodation packages with tickets to an art exhibition from Dec. 8 to Feb. 28 next year. The “Art with Style” package at the Myeongdong branch includes a one-night stay at a Standard Room, breakfast for two, two tickets for “Klimt Inside” exhibition at the S-Factory in Seongsu-dong in Seoul, as well as access to a semi-outdoor sauna located on the hotel’s 20th f

FoodNov. 25, 2016

[Arts calendar] Musicals, exhibitions, concerts and more

Pop Music “Hyundai Card Curated 31 Dean with Club Eskimo”: Rhythm and blues singer-producer Dean is holding a concert with members of music movement Club Eskimo, which include rappers Crush, Punchnello and producer Millic, among others, on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Hyundai Card Understage in Itaewon. Dean has been garnering attention both inside and out of the country for his sophisticated yet soulful hip hop-infused R&B tunes. Tickets are priced at 88,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interp

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Quest still on: Tribe makes prodigious return on final album

A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It from Here. Thank You 4 Your Service” (Epic) On Veteran’s Day, A Tribe Called Quest released their first album in 18 years with all four founding members -- Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi -- taking part. Phife, who called himself the “Funky Diabetic,” passed away in March from the disease. Rallying around his death, “We Got It from Here. Thank You 4 Your Service” caps off one of hip-hop’s most storied runs. The Phifer’s jovial wordplay and the t

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Highly Suspect prove their rock chops on new album

Highly Suspect“The Boy Who Died Wolf” (300 Entertainment) When the rock band Highly Suspect nabbed two Grammy nominations last year, the world collectively went: “Wait, what?” They won’t do that after listening to the band’s stellar sophomore effort.“The Boy Who Died Wolf” is like a victory lap of rock, from the simple, piano-driven “Chicago” that Elton John would be proud to write, to the screaming hardcore punk of “Look Alive, Stay Alive” that might sound fine on a Black Flag greatest hits alb

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Rumer expertly cuddles Bacharach & David catalog

Rumer“This Girl’s in Love: A Bacharach & David Song Book” (Rhino Records)Rumer sprinkles moon dust over a dozen tunes from the Bacharach/David catalog, putting her smooth imprint on songs of love and heartbreak. Rumer and husband/producer Rob Shirakbari opt mostly for subtle changes in tempo or mood on tunes best known in versions by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters and Jackie DeShannon.The album comes with Burt Bacharach’s seal of approval, the master adding piano

PerformanceNov. 25, 2016