STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Literary circles are abuzz with speculation ahead of Thursday's Nobel Literature Prize announcement, with award watchers suggesting this year’s honors could go to a controversial writer such as Syrian-born poet Adonis.The Academy is known for its cloak-and-dagger methods to prevent any leaks about its choice, resorting to codenames for authors and fake book covers when reading in public.The list of nominees is never revealed and the jury's deliberations are kept secret for half

CultureOct. 12, 2016

Korean historical fiction writer Cho Chong-nae’s epic tome “The Human Jungle” has been published in English by Chin Music Press Inc., a San Francisco-based company. The novel, which portrays China through its turbulent struggle of being an industrial hegemon, has sold over 1.8 million copies in Korea. It is a muckraking drama as well as a transnational love story encompassing migrant workers, Korean manufacturers, high-flying venture capitalists, street thugs and shakedown artists. “The picture

BooksOct. 12, 2016

Singer-songwriter Park Hyo-shin is coming to the big screen. 　The artist’s sold-out concert -- scheduled to take place on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul -- will be broadcast in real-time at CGV theaters in Ilsan, Yeongdeungpo, East Suwon, Sopung, Ori, Incheon, Cheonan Pentaport, Gwangju Terminal, Daegu, Daejeon and Seomyeon, said the multiplex cinema chain Wednesday. 　 The event was designed to provide fans with the experience of being at the concert titled “I am a Dreamer,” which

PerformanceOct. 12, 2016

Korean reggae duo Skull & Haha is heading to the home of reggae: Jamaica. 　The group will be making an appearance on Jamaica’s popular TV program “Smile Jamaica,” according to its management company Quan Entertainment on Wednesday. 　“Smile Jamaica,” a daytime talk show, is currently the highest rated program in the country. 　“Through this visit, Haha and Skull hope to create more opportunities for cultural exchanges and collaborations with Jamaica,” Quan Entertainment said in a statement. 　This

PerformanceOct. 12, 2016

Kicking off its 2016-2017 season, the Korea National Opera is gearing up to present its latest rendition of one of the operatic world’s most tragic love stories -- Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca.” The Italian libretto will be staged from Oct. 13 to 16 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater.In this production, the KNO has brought together world-renowned international singers and creators on one stage for a fresh, collaborative performance. Bringing to life some of the most heart-wrenching vocal melod

PerformanceOct. 12, 2016

“Today Will Be Different” By Maria SempleLittle, Brown (336 pages, $27)Maria Semple understands women on the verge -- she just likes to have a little fun at their (our?) expense. She’s empathetic, sure, but as a former television writer (“Arrested Development,” among other shows) with a formidable sense of humor, she can‘t help but reflect sardonically on bad decisions, questionable behavior, neurotic lapses and self-sabotage.In her first book, “This One is Mine,” a TV writer-turned-stay-at-home

BooksOct. 12, 2016

“Close Encounters of the Furred Kind: New Adventures with My Sad Cat & Other Feline Friends” By Tom CoxThomas Dunne (265 pages, $24.99)Fans of cat man Tom Cox and his merry band of pets can rejoice -- his fourth book about life with four demanding cats is available on our shores. Those who don't know Cox or his wildly popular social media accounts (@MYSADCAT, @MYSWEARYCAT, @Cox _ Tom, plus Facebook and Instagram) will want to get better acquainted after reading this charming book.“Close Encounte

BooksOct. 12, 2016

“Moscow Nights” By Nigel CliffHarper (452 pages, $28.99)In 1958, at the height of the Cold War, a gangly young Texan with an impressive mop of blond curls and an aw-shucks manner traveled to the Soviet Union to take part in the first International Tchaikovsky Competition. Sputnik had just been launched, and the Russians were swaggering.The music competition was intended as Soviet propaganda, and there was almost no question that a Russian would win. The event took place in Moscow; most of the ju

BooksOct. 12, 2016

“Two By Two” By Nicholas Sparks(Grand Central Publishing)In 1996, Nicholas Sparks introduced the world to Allie and Noah in his best-selling novel “The Notebook.” Their story became an overnight sensation. Two decades later, Sparks continues to prove he's an expert in exploring real world challenges in a believable romantic genre. His twentieth work, “Two By Two,” extends his impressive collection of literary tales. Russell Green is living a dream life. His young daughter, London, is adorable; h

BooksOct. 12, 2016

For fans of Emma Cline’s best-selling debut “The Girls,” Caroline Leavitt’s “Cruel Beautiful World” offers another opportunity to spend time in the wild, off-kilter America of the late 1960s, the period when peace-and-love idealism began to curdle into something far less wholesome, a period reigned over in the collective imagination by Charles Manson. Leavitt‘s title and lovely period book cover get it just right.While Cline placed her teenage protagonist in the middle of a fictionalized Manson

BooksOct. 12, 2016

Singer-rapper CL has become the first South Korean female solo artist to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, her agency said Wednesday.The 25-year-old musician claimed the 94th spot on the US benchmark music chart with her debut EP “Lifted” on Tuesday. Following the EP’s release on Aug. 19, CL made appearances on several TV shows, including American talk show “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on CBS. On Oct. 29, CL will kick off her US-Canada tour “Hello Bitches Tour 2016” in New York and is s

PerformanceOct. 12, 2016

Gloria Steinem was under the weather.Her famously level gaze that for decades could silently convey “Really?” looked only weary as she sipped pomegranate juice to ease a cough.Always svelte, Steinem now tips toward frail, yet padded about barefoot in the India-infused garden level of her New York City duplex, rocking a flamingo-pink T-shirt and black slacks.To update her famous retort about age: This is what 82 looks like.Steinem's hair, with its iconic middle part, mingles gray with blond. No,

BooksOct. 12, 2016

A number of the world’s top design experts and IT industry leaders from leading companies such as Pinterest and Kickstarter will be speaking at Herald Design Forum on Nov. 8. In its sixth year, Herald Design Forum 2016 will focus on how fusing technology and business with innovative design led to the success of their businesses.Kicking off the forum this year is Yancey Strickler, co-founder and CEO of the world’s largest crowdfunding service Kickstarter, a platform which allows individuals and b

Arts & DesignOct. 11, 2016

For all businesses, production starts with design and ends with design. Regardless of the type, design has become instrumental in developing a product’s identity. With technology evolving at an ever rapid pace, design has become more than just an expression of aesthetics and a tool of convenience. The convergence of design with technology has brought about new industries as it allows the businesses to break down the often fine lines that traditionally demarcate traditional industries. Creating t

Arts & DesignOct. 11, 2016

In a world where innovation is driven by technology, creating a vision of innovation starts with designers, who can give consumers an experience through innovative designs, according to Dick Powell, co-founder and chairman of design and innovation company Seymourpowell.“Years ago, when we did research about the future of TV, we expected some interesting opportunities beyond an ordinary TV in the living room, and now we are seeing slimmer and aesthetically designed TVs that are changing our lives

Arts & DesignOct. 11, 2016