[Home Cooking] Beets, mint and lemon team up in a simple spring salad

The modern beet descends from the ancient sea beet. News that thrilled my inner biologist.　Imagine the sea beet, swimming the Indian Ocean. It must have slithered the depths, dodging eels, sharks and other toothy creatures attracted to its plump, red tastiness. Frantic, it fluttered its green leafy fins toward the shallows, and in an act of evolutionary heroism, sprouted legs, skittered across the sand and planted itself safely on earth -- where we farmers tended and, much like the sharks, downe

FoodApril 22, 2016

‘Breakfast for Dinner’ author gives meal its respect

Asked why she wrote the cookbook “Breakfast for Dinner” (Ryland Peters & Small, $19.95), author Carol Hilker admits that the morning meal doesn‘t always get the time and respect it deserves: “We skip breakfast a lot. We don’t always have time in the morning to stop and cook, but you can do it at dinner.”　While that bit of practicality sort of explains the impetus for eating breakfast foods at dinner, it doesn‘t completely account for the allure. Hilker says that’s easy: “We all need to indulge e

FoodApril 22, 2016

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

Family time at Kensington Yoido　Kensington Yoido presents Fun & Fun Kids Package until May 26 to celebrate the month of family.　The package includes a one night’s stay at Deluxe Room along with a mini bar offering kids-friendly snacks and beverages. It also includes two Cocomong Kids Land tickets for an adult and a kid, and the doll of the Cocomong character. Cocomong is the main character of Korean animation series “Cocomong” which aired on EBS1.　The package also offers breakfast buffet for two

TravelApril 22, 2016

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

‘Yeon Deung Hoe’ to celebrate Buddha’s birthday　Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No.122 “Yeon Deung Hoe,” also known as the Lotus Lantern Festival, will take place at Jogyesa and Bongeunsa temples and on Jongno Street on May 6-8. The festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday which falls on May 14 this year, will offer glimmering night views with lotus lanterns and a vast array of traditional cultural experiences. The festival will feature traditional lantern exhibitions at three separ

TravelApril 22, 2016

An authentic taste of Spain in Madrid

This is the second and final article of a two-part travel series on a weeklong journey to the new European capital of culture, San Sebastian, Spain, and through the heart of the country’s capital, Madrid. - Ed.MADRID -- Priceless works of arts, world-class cuisine and a rich history -- there’s no touristic thirst that cannot be quenched in Madrid, Spain’s alluring capital.　Spain is certainly no stranger to the tourism spotlight. Last year the country was the third most visited country in the wor

TravelApril 22, 2016

[Album Review] Ace Frehley still has what it takes on 'Origins'

Ace Frehley　“Origins Vol. 1” 　(Entertainment One)　The twice (and future?) Kiss guitarist has put his other-worldly spin on classic rock anthems he grew up on, including legendary tracks from Creem (“White Room”); Steppenwolf (“Magic Carpet Ride”); the Rolling Stones (“Street Fighting Man”); and Jimi Hendrix (“Spanish Castle Magic”).　The idea was just to let Ace rip on songs he’s loved since he was a little alien on Planet Jendell. But the result might just indicate he’s ready for a third incarna

PerformanceApril 22, 2016

[Album Review] Ben Harper reunited with Innocent Criminals for new songs

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals　“Call It What It Is” 　(Stax Records)　Ben Harper is back with the best band he’s ever sung with, delivering strong new material with a group that has always known when to play hard and when to hang back.　Coming on the heels of a 2015 tour with the Innocent Criminals, Harper and the band have recorded 11 new songs that stay true to their eclectic past. They’ve done so on Stax Records, which isn’t the same outfit it was in its Memphis heyday, when Otis Redding,

PerformanceApril 22, 2016

[Album Review] Santana gets the band back together for ‘Santana IV’

Santana　“Santana IV” 　(Santana IV)　On “Santana IV,” Carlos Santana is reunited with the core musicians from the band’s first three albums, restoring the team concept to a name more immediately associated with his solo career since the mega-success of 1999’s “Supernatural” and its dizzying array of guest stars.　The return of guitarist Neil Schon and keyboard wiz Gregg Rolie who left in 1973 to form Journey, along with drummer Mike Shrieve and conguero Mike Carabello, gives Santana the band a natu

PerformanceApril 22, 2016

‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ misses its target

How do you solve a problem like Kristen (Stewart)? If you’re the filmmakers of “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” you write Snow White entirely out of the sequel to “Snow White and the Huntsman.” 　The film’s clearly a valuable property, so it’s no wonder that Universal would return to that well with a sequel, this time directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, the visual effects supervisor on the first film. But the script acrobatics result in a bizarre prequel-sequel mash up where Snow White doesn’t show u

FilmApril 22, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

The Last Ride 　(Korea)　Opened April 20　Comedy, Drama. Directed by Nam Dae-joong　Nam-joon (Kim Dong-young) wants more than anything to be a macho man, but often fails at the feat. Gab-deok (Ahn Jae-hong) has been born into a rich family, but always gets into trouble. When their friend Go-hwan (Ryu Deok-hwan) is diagnosed with a terminal disease, the duo decides to help him fulfill his wildest wishes.　The Huntsman: Winter’s War　(U.S.)　Opened April 13　Action, Fantasy. Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Tro

FilmApril 22, 2016

Lotte Cinema to charge new rates

Following fellow cinema chain CGV, Lotte Cinema will stagger its ticket prices starting next Wednesday. Lotte Cinema had previously run discounted rates throughout the week for movies shown before 10:30 a.m. while on weekends after the morning discount hours it charged an extra 1,000 won (90 cents) on top of the regular fee. (Yonhap)Before, on weekday and weekend mornings before 10:30 a.m. the movies at Lotte Cinema were 6,000 won, weekdays after 10:30 a.m. they were 9,000 won and weekends after

Expat LivingApril 21, 2016

Pet-friendly parks in Seoul

Seoul city will open the third no-leash play zone for dogs, at Boramae Park in Sindaebang-dong, Dongjak-gu, from Saturday. Other such zones also exist at Children’s Grand Park in Gangjin-gu and Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu. (123RF)The new Boramae Park playground will be 1,300 square meters and equipped with drinking fountains, dog toilets and dog exercise and entertainment facilities. To prevent conflicts between dogs of varying sizes, the space has been divided according to their builds.

Expat LivingApril 21, 2016

Busan film fest determined to keep status as Asian cinema hub

While the Busan Metropolitan Government refuses to relinquish its influence over the Busan International Film Festival, the event’s organizers are more adamant than ever to protect its integrity and role in Asian cinema.　“All we want to do is preserve BIFF and what it stands for,” the festival’s public relations manager Kim Jung-yun told The Korea Herald on Thursday. “BIFF has come to play a huge role in Asian cinema. It acts as the stepping stone for Asian directors, a route to earn recognition

FilmApril 21, 2016

Actress Song Hye-kyo: I’m like any woman my age

Actress Song Hye-kyo has been living in the limelight for nearly two decades, since she rose to stardom in 2000 through “Autumn in my Heart,” a TV series largely credited with igniting the K-drama boom throughout Asia. 　Most recently, she starred in drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” which garnered explosive popularity both in and out of the country, alongside actor Song Joong-ki.　But her life is more normal than one would expect, filled with the same worries that occupy women her age, the 3

TelevisionApril 21, 2016

Gong Yoo picked for ‘Descendants of the Sun’ scriptwriter’s next drama

Kim Eun-sook, the scriptwriter behind the phenomenal success of the KBS2 drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” has cast actor Gong Yoo as the main lead for her next tvN drama series, Hwa and Dam Pictures announced Thursday.　The upcoming TV drama is yet another romantic comedy from Kim, this time inspired by folk tales and goblins, the production company said. Actor Gong Yoo (Management Soop)　It will incorporate elements from Eastern lore, depicting a supernatural story of a goblin in need of a

TelevisionApril 21, 2016

Kim Bum-soo collaborates for SM Station

Vocalist Kim Bum-soo and songwriter Kenzie were to release a collaboration track for SM Station at midnight on Thursday.　“Pain Poem,” the 11th song to be introduced on digital music channel Station, is a Latin pop ballad tune. It portrays the sad, love story of a man trying to let go of his lover after breaking up. Singer Kim Bum-soo (S.M. Entertainment)　Singer Kim has showcased explosive singing in hit songs such as “Promise,” “Miss You,” and “Last Love.” Songwriter Kenzie has produced hit song

PerformanceApril 21, 2016

Italian furniture-makers strengthen brands through archives

MILAN (AP) -- Big Italian furniture brands turned out collections at the 55th Milan Furniture Fair that included forgotten or neglected treasures from their archives, along with fresh innovations by the “starchitects” who have infused design with glamour.　A record 372,000 people attended the premier event for Italian design and furnishings that ended Sunday. It featured more than 2,400 exhibitors at the Rho fairgrounds and spilled out into eight design districts in Milan’s city center. The annua

Arts & DesignApril 21, 2016