Harlem burgeons as an art gallery district

NEW YORK (AP) -- The opening of the Clara Francis Gallery on Wednesday in a renovated Harlem storefront was an exciting moment for Haile King Rubie. It was the first solo show for the 26-year-old painter, whose expressive works are all the more remarkable because he was born with Down syndrome.It also was another small step in the development of Harlem as an art gallery district.The neighborhood is still a long way from replacing Chelsea or Brooklyn as the epicenter of the city’s art scene, but

PerformanceAug. 1, 2016

German singer, K-pop fanatic Jamie-Lee visits Korea

German singer and self-proclaimed K-pop enthusiast Jamie-Lee Kriewitz -- better known simply as Jamie-Lee -- has made her first visit to Korea.The winner of the popular German talent show “The Voice of Germany,” the 18-year-old singer will be traveling throughout Korea until Aug. 3, according to the Korea Tourism Organization’s Frankfurt Office. In order to experience the Korean pop culture and music scene firsthand, she plans to visit Dongdaemun Market, Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower on Mo

PerformanceAug. 1, 2016

2PM’s Jun. K to release first solo album

Jun. K, the main vocalist for six-member K-pop group 2PM, will be releasing his first solo album “Mr. No Love,” according to his management agency JYP Entertainment.The full track list for the upcoming mini album was unveiled on the company’s official social media channels on Monday. Jun. K is an experienced songwriter who has produced hit songs like “Go Crazy” and “My House” for 2PM. He has already established himself as a solo artist in Japan, but “Mr. No Love” will be his first solo album rel

PerformanceAug. 1, 2016

‘The Wailing’ wins double at Bucheon Film Festival

Director Na Hong-jin’s horror-thriller “The Wailing” took home the best film and audience awards at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, which ran from July 21-31. A still from "The Wailing" (20th Century Fox)　 At the closing ceremony Friday, the film won the Best of Bucheon award in the Bucheon Choice: Features competition section, which celebrates progressive and unique genre films. Its panel -- consisting of veteran actors Jang Mi-hee and Jung Jin-young, director Park Chan-wook,

FilmJuly 31, 2016

[Herald Review] ‘The Last Princess’ a refreshing historical drama

“The Last Princess” provides a refreshing change from typical dramas about the Japanese occupation of Korea, which are usually intent on delivering a message of patriotism, and tend to be heavy-handed in their emotional arcs. This film has been handled by a director who is sensitive to the inner turmoil of characters, understands that a muted approach can often evoke greater emotions, and weaves an intensely personal story into historical context.  Actress Son Ye-jin stars in “The Last Princess.

FilmJuly 31, 2016

Seoul museums offer wealth of children’s programs in August

With the summer vacation season just starting, museums in Seoul are gearing up to attract young visitors and their parents to a variety of programs. 　The National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will offer overnight programs and museum tours that guide children through dimmed exhibition halls like in the film “Night at the Museum.” 　During the overnight program “One Night and Two Days,” the NMK will take elementary school children between 10 and 13 t

PerformanceJuly 31, 2016

[Album Review] Lil Durk’s new album may dominate summer

Lil Durk“Lil Durk 2X”(Def Jam) Maybe the most telling thing about Lil Durk's new album "Lil Durk 2X" (Def Jam) is that it wasn't supposed to be an album in the first place. It was supposed to be a free mixtape for fans. But one listen to "Lil Durk 2X" and it's clear that these songs are too well-crafted not to get the full push of an album release. After all the buzz that his love song "My Beyonce" with Dej Loaf received from his previous mixtape "300 Days 300 Nights," his label smartly saw the

PerformanceJuly 29, 2016

[Album Review] Candi Staton blends gospel and dance on new album

Candi Staton“It’s Time to Be Free” (Beracah Records) Candi Staton blends gospel themes and messages of redemption and caution with dance music, funk and soul on “It’s Time to Be Free,” revisiting earlier hits and perhaps creating new ones.  Staton, whose career since the early 1950s has ranged from gospel to R&B to disco and back, takes a spiritual approach on the songs, near all her own, with the mostly upbeat arrangements buffering any excesses. Based on the first couple of tracks – “Shout Out

PerformanceJuly 29, 2016

[Album Review] MSTRKRFT return after seven years

MSTRKRFT“Operator”(Last Gang) The Canadian duo MSTRKRFT is no stranger to the poppier side of dance music. After all, Jesse F. Keeler and Al-P remixed Katy Perry's "California Gurls" and Kylie Minogue's "Wow," as well as collaborating with John Legend on "Heartbreaker" for their last album. However, on "Operator" (Last Gang), their first album in seven years, MSTRKRFT balance their melodic side with songs that are far more aggressive and challenging. The result is a bit of a seesaw, especially e

PerformanceJuly 29, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Dance “Giselle: A Death-defying Love Story”: Universal Ballet will kick off a local tour with “Giselle” at the Chungmu Arts Hall from Aug. 12-14. “Giselle,” choreographed by Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa, is a romantic ballet in two acts that premiered at Universal Arts Center -- previously Little Angels Art Hall -- in 1985. The ballet depicts the tragic love story of peasant girl Giselle trying to save her lover from a group of supernatural women despite his betrayal. The performance will begi

PerformanceJuly 29, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Nighttime walk in JeonjuOne of the country’s most traditional cities, Jeonju is gearing up to host its first “Walk in Jeonju (Heritage Night and Heritage Story)” nighttime sightseeing and walking tour event. From Aug. 12 to 13 and Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, Jeonju’s historic Hanok Village will welcome local and international visitors to attend its unique nighttime festivities. The upcoming event will include free outdoor performances, movie screenings and light shows, as well as moonlight tours to some

TravelJuly 29, 2016

Kim Ki-duk’s ‘The Net’ to be shown at Venice Film Festival

Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has been invited to the annual Venice International Film Festival for the world premiere of “The Net.” Scheduled to be screened under the festival’s noncompetitive program, “The Net” will be presented alongside Kim Ji-woon’s historical thriller “The Age of Shadows” and American actor Mel Gibson’s first directorial production in a decade, “Hacksaw Ridge,” among others.  Featuring actor Ryoo Seung-bum, “The Net” follows a North Korean fisherman who finds himself driftin

FilmJuly 29, 2016

Cakes with a novel twist at Vanilla Cloud

At first glance, the cakes at Vanilla Cloud -- a “dessert boutique” in Cheongdam-dong -- look predictable. There are colorful layer cakes and dainty mousse-like affairs, mouthwateringly displayed in a pristine, climate-controlled case. Nothing is over-the-top or flashy. Nothing screams cutting-edge. Yet, each forkful reveals that owner-chef Park Yena’s desserts are far from run-of-the-mill. “I wanted to create desserts that encapsulated my own visions,” said the former designer. Park started her

FoodJuly 29, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Operation Chromite(Korea)Opened July 27War, Drama. Directed by Lee Jae-hanThe story of the famed Incheon landing operation during the Korean War is told through the stellar cast of Liam Neeson, who plays Gen. Douglas MacArthur of the U.S. Army, and Lee Jung-jae, an undercover South Korean Navy lieutenant. Jason Bourne(U.S.)Opened July 27Action, Thriller. Directed by Paul GreengrassThis direct sequel to 2007’s “The Bourne Ultimatum” and the fifth installment of the “Bourne” film series features M

FilmJuly 29, 2016

‘Jason Bourne’ is a ripped-from-the-headlines thrill

It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. That’s if the dog is super-soldier former CIA agent Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), and the trainer is director Paul Greengrass, who helmed Bournes “Supremacy” and “Ultimatum.” After the misfire that was “The Bourne Legacy,” a misguided attempt to pass off the franchise to Jeremy Renner, Damon and Greengrass ably right the ship, delivering a Bourne film that looks and feels like the kind we’ve always loved.“Jason Bourne” delivers everything we expect

FilmJuly 29, 2016

Pyeongchang’s Yongpyong Resort has all one’s summer needs

Although it is located in the country’s mecca of winter sports, the iconic Yongpyong Resort is pulling out all the stops celebrating the summer season. Opened in 1975, the resort located at the foot of Mount Balwangsan in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, was the first ever modern facility of its kind in Korea. With an annual snowfall of around 250 cm, and the site of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics, the surrounding area of the resort allows for the enjoyment of a wide array of winter sports incl

TravelJuly 29, 2016

[Home Cooking] Mul naengmyeon (noodles in cold broth)

Naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish of thin, chewy noodles made with buckwheat and potato or sweet potato starch. Mul naengmyeon is served in a clear, refreshing broth that’s typically made with beef broth, dongchimi (radish water kimchi) broth or both.To make mul naengmyeon, you will need to prepare the broth ahead of time and chill it. You can use a combination of beef broth and dongchimi broth, if available. Otherwise, simply use beef broth.Another item you will want to make ahead is the naengmy

FoodJuly 29, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Taste of Peru at Grand Hyatt SeoulHosted by Grand Hyatt Seoul, a special Peru Food Festival promotion will take place at the hotel’s buffet restaurant The Terrace from July 29 to Aug. 11. In collaboration with the Peruvian Embassy, the event will offer some of the most iconic Peruvian dishes, including ceviche (raw seafood), chicharron (fried pork rind), Seco de Cordero (lamb stew) and aji de gallina (creamy chicken curry), all prepared by a visiting native chef. Diners can get a taste of Peru f

TravelJuly 29, 2016

Bermuda’s gentle beauty, easygoing lifestyle makes being shipwrecked enticing

HAMILTON, Bermuda — This small island — only 55 square kilometers in size and 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina — gave the world its eponymous shorts (still used as part of the island uniform), onions (still used in island cuisine), and grass (still used on the island’s ubiquitous golf courses).　Bermuda has earned literary cred as well. An early chronicler of its infamous Triangle, William Shakespeare used it as the shipwreck setting for his play “The Tempest,” maki

TravelJuly 29, 2016