LONDON (AP) -- An Australian archaeologist says he and colleagues have found evidence of previously undiscovered medieval urban and agricultural networks surrounding the ancient city of Angkor Wat.Using high-tech lasers to scan the Cambodian jungle, Damian Evans and colleagues say they found traces of extensive networks surrounding the monumental stone temple complex at Angkor Wat. Evans said their findings could further our understanding of Khmer culture and throw into question traditional assu

CultureJune 14, 2016

Big Bang, an award-winning K-pop boy band, hit 100 million YouTube views with “Loser,” the group’s agency YG Entertainment announced Tuesday.　By Tuesday morning, the music video recorded 100,002,839 views on YouTube. The group became the first K-pop outfit to have four music videos surpassing 100 million views on YouTube. “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang,” and “Good Boy” by its subgroup GD&Taeyang, are the three other music videos with over 100 million views. A still from Big Bang’s “Loser” mus

PerformanceJune 14, 2016

Since the smash-hit drama series “Descendants of the Sun” ended its 16-part run, speculation has abounded as to who is to succeed Song Joong-ki -- who played dashing Army Capt. Yoo Si-jin -- as Asia’s next leading heartthrob. 　From medical dramas to period pieces, an ambitious roster of TV shows starring some of the country’s most in-demand male leads are scheduled to launch in the coming months.Actor Kim Rae-won in “Punch” (SBS)　First up is the SBS show “Doctors,” featuring actor Kim Rae-won as

TelevisionJune 14, 2016

Park Yoo-chun, a member of the popular K-pop boy band JYJ, is under investigation after a woman in her 20s filed a complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted by Park at a local bar earlier this month, police said Tuesday.The woman, whose identity was withheld, filed the case with the Gangnam Police Station on Friday, claiming the singer raped her at the bar in southern Seoul against her will early in the morning on June 4.(C-Jes Entertainment)She claimed the incident took place in a bathroom

TelevisionJune 14, 2016

Actors Cha Seung-won, Yu Hae-jin, and Son Ho-jun will return with the fifth season of “Three Meals a Day.” 　Producer Na Young-seok had previously confirmed Cha and Son as the main cast members for the upcoming season, announcing it was difficult for Yu to join the show in the upcoming season due to the actor’s film commitments.　Yu, however, has rearranged his schedule to join the show and complete the “Manjaedo family,” local media reported Wednesday, quoting the production crew. From left: acto

TelevisionJune 13, 2016

The annual Ditto Festival is returning for its 10th season backed by its founder and music director, violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, who says this year’s festivities are all about paying homage to one of the heroes of humanity with its theme “Beethoven: Beyond the Limits.”　The Ditto Festival officially opened its curtains on Sunday with a special performance by Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer and French pianist Lucas Debargue during the duo’s Asia Tour, marking the first recital program Kremer h

PerformanceJune 13, 2016

While the tradition of busking -- performing music outdoors for passersby -- is appreciated as a spontaneous display of creativity unique to indie musicians, a growing number of K-pop groups are straying from the confines of their scrupulously set stages to roam the streets. 　Live outdoor performances allow management-led singers to show off their talents, display a more carefree side, stripped of K-pop’s notoriously choreographed stage sequences, and bond with the crowd. In addition, with live

PerformanceJune 13, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) - What makes a great musician? Passion and practice, most would agree. Acclaimed French pianist Alexandre Tharaud would add another vital trait -- knowing when to take a break.Tharaud took a rare step for a top-level classical musician of stepping away from concerts for nearly a year as he devoted himself to Bach’s famously challenging Goldberg Variations.“It is very important to be able to say no. In this profession you can easily perform constantly. But what would be the point?”

PerformanceJune 13, 2016

K-pop girl group 4Minute may not stay together when the members’ contracts with agency Cube Entertainment end around mid-June, local media reported Monday, quoting industry insiders.Only Kim Hyun-a, better known by her stage name HyunA, has renewed her contract, as the other bandmates are still discussing whether to renew or leave the agency.“Each member has a different career goal in mind and it was considered difficult to remain a team,” said the industry insider.News of the group’s possible d

PerformanceJune 13, 2016

Foreign visitors to South Korea chose "ganjang gejang," or raw crab marinated in soy sauce, as the most challenging Korean food, a survey showed Monday.According to the survey of 726 foreigners who visited the country between April and May, 508 respondents, or 65 percent, said the marinated crab is the most difficult dish to eat. (Instagram upload by seungtae.kim) Instagram upload by guun_95"Cheonggukjang," or soup made out of fermented bean paste, came second with 16.7 percent, followed by "san

FoodJune 13, 2016