Alicia Vikander set the tone on the Oscars red carpet Sunday as she walked early in a pale yellow custom Louis Vuitton gown, her hair flowing down her back.The Swedish actress has become an "it" girl for glam and didn't disappoint this time around in the strapless princess gown with a balloon hem that was higher in the front. Like her hemline, her hair was also high-low, fastened into a half-bun that showed off her chandelier earrings. Alicia Vikander(Academy Awards Official Website)"I love the

Arts & DesignFeb. 29, 2016

Dubai Renaissance compared with other iconic skyscrapers (OMA)A conventional, rectangular office building may not seem like an attractive design choice when major cities compete to build iconic skyscrapers as symbols of their economic growth. But Reinier de Graaf, partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, founded by architect Rem Koolhaas, says the simple form will ironically stand out among other stylish buildings. “When everything is exciting, a non-exciting (design) becomes excitin

Arts & DesignFeb. 28, 2016

“Spirit’ s Homecoming,” a film that portrays Korean women who served as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during colonial rule, has topped in the local box office since it was released Wednesday.The movie surpassed 750,000 admissions on Sunday morning, according to data from the Korean Film Council.(WAW Pictures)It took almost 14 years for Cho Jung-rae, the director of the movie, to finish filming because he had to stop shooting due to lack of resources.Cho said he was able to complete the film w

FilmFeb. 28, 2016

Rapper Jimin of girl group AOA will reveal her first joint single with EXO’s Xiumin on Thursday.Her agency FNC Entertainment confirmed that Xiumin participated in featuring the song, titled “#OOTD,” named after a widely used hashtag on social media that stands for “outfit of the day.”(FNC Entertainment)The song portrays the emotions of lovers in their teens and 20s and has an upbeat tempo.Moreover, her high pitched rapping is in perfect harmony with Xiumin’s captivating singing.The 25-year-old r

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2016

A conventional, rectangular office building may not seem like an attractive design choice when major cities compete to build iconic skyscrapers as symbols of their economic growth. But Reinier de Graaf, partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, founded by architect Rem Koolhaas, says the simple form will ironically stand out among other stylish buildings. “When everything is exciting, a non-exciting (design) becomes exciting,” said de Graaf at a public lecture at Daelim Museum in Seou

Arts & DesignFeb. 28, 2016

A jewel among the wild grass? A Hungarian historian is convinced that patches of fresco in a Transylvanian church ruin are a rare medieval copy of a legendary masterpiece by Italian maestro Giotto.The fragments found deep in the Romanian region are part of a 14th-century fresco reproduction of Giotto’s “Navicella” mosaic that used to adorn St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Szilard Papp told AFP in Budapest last week.Only three other 14th-century copies of the work, depicting Christ walking on water

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2016

The pay-what-you-like policy at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will be spelled out more clearly under a settlement of a class-action lawsuit that challenged the museum’s $25 “recommended” admission.Under the settlement reached Friday, the $25 ticket price will be “suggested” instead of “recommended.” In addition, signs will advise visitors that, “The amount you pay is up to you.”Andrew Celli Jr., a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said Saturday that the new signage “really opens up the museum t

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2016

The cast of “Spotlight” accept their best feature award during the 31st Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, Sunday. (Yonhap-Reuters)The 31st Independent Film Spirit Awards provided a clear rebuke to the Oscars, bestowing awards on “Beasts of No Nation” costars Idris Elba and Abraham Attah and “Tangerine” star Mya Taylor, making her the first transgender actress to win at the annual awards.The newsroom drama “Spotlight” was the big winner at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, the d

FilmFeb. 28, 2016

The entrance to the Dolby Theatre is shown during preparations for the 88th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, Wednesday. (Yonhap - Reuters)The Oscars has gone disco -- or at least embracing the gilded glamour of the 1970s.A fringe of gold and silver sequins dangle over the final stretch of the red carpet, and the stage for Sunday’s show was inspired by the glittery, glam styles of the disco era.Production designer Derek McLane said the ’70s were on his mind when he was creating the look f

FilmFeb. 28, 2016

Singer and rapper Yoon Mi-rae released at midnight Thursday, a digital single “Because of You” as the third artiste to participate in S.M. Entertainment’s Station project, announced S.M. Entertainment.　In a gentle and soulful voice, Yoon sings “Because of You,” a ballad featuring a love story between family members, friends, and romantic partners. The song is produced by Kenzie and Matthew Tishler who also composed Taeyeon’s “Rain” and EXO’s “Sing For You.” Promotional image of Yoon Mi-rae’s dig

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

　Korean actor Jang Hyuk has signed on to appear in the Chinese drama “Mei Feng Mei,” the actor’s agency SidusHQ announced Friday.　It has been six years since Jang last appeared in a Chinese drama. In 2010 he starred in “Fall in Love with Anchor Beauty,” a Chinese remake of the Korean drama “All about Eve.”  Actor Jang Hyuk (SidusHQ)　Jang’s new drama “Mei Feng Mei” will feature a story of ambitious immigrants seeking to make their dreams come true in a heaven-like city, where the actor will play

TelevisionFeb. 26, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) - Experimental artist Brian Eno has announced a new album that focuses on unencumbered human voices as he explores the legacies of World War I and the Titanic.　The groundbreaking British electronic designer, known for his work with David Bowie, Roxy Music and Talking Heads, said that the album, “The Ship,” would come out on April 29.　“On a musical level, I wanted to make a record of songs that didn't rely on the normal underpinnings of rhythmic structure and chord progressions but

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

Jeju Hueree Apricot Flower Festival　Jeju Hueree Maehwa (apricot flower) Festival is taking place at Hueree National Living Park until March 1.　The festival features numerous activities and contests in celebration of the apricot flower bursting into bloom.　As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy apricot flower photo contest, face painting, and calligraphy exhibition and contest as well as signature activities of Jejudo including picking tangerine and horseback riding. Visitors who want to par

TravelFeb. 26, 2016

 In the winter, dried vegetables are a staple in Korean kitchens. Chwinamul (aster scaber) is a popular choice. It is a wild vegetable, with a bitter taste and distinct aroma, that grows in the mountains of Korea. Simply seasoned, chwinamul is delicious as a side dish or in bibimbap. Chwinamul bokkeum (Sauteed aster scaber) (Korean Bapsang)　There are several ways to rehydrate dried vegetables. Some people soak dried vegetables in water for several hours and then boil them, but I like to boil the

FoodFeb. 26, 2016