Changwon’s spring about more than cherry blossoms

This is the third installment of a four-part series introducing Korea’s springtime tourist destinations. ― Ed.CHANGWON, South Gyeongsang Province ― Changwon, a southern industrial port city, heralds the arrival of spring on the Korean Peninsula with cherry blossoms. The city’s Jinhae district draws huge crowds of tourists and locals with the famed cherry blossom festival Gunhangje every April. But Changwon is not all about cherry blossoms. A true spring trip comes after the blossoms fall. This i

TravelApril 19, 2015

Singing competitions get mysterious twist

Koreans love singing and they love to watch people sing on TV.In the latest addition to a horde of popular singing TV programs, two shows are in with a big, counterintuitive twist: musical talent has nothing to do with winning.Mnet’s “I Can See Your Voice,” launched in February, proclaims to be “a mystery music show where the tone-deaf can win the top prize.”  Its eight contestants each week are not allowed to sing until the end of the last round, when the winner is chosen. The objective of the

TelevisionApril 19, 2015

[Weekender] Analog’s allure in a digitized world

In this digital age, the word analog has taken on new meanings. In a highly connected society swamped by hand-held digital devices, more and more people are harking back to simpler times. Times when electronic devices were not “smart” and the word application usually meant a paper document to be submitted when seeking an academic or professional position.This sense of longing has led to all things “old” being referred to as “analog” in Korea, and has given rise to the term “analog sensibilities.

CultureApril 17, 2015

[Weekender] The joy of coloring

The last time Lee Soo-jin carried her own coloring book inside her bag was more than 25 years ago, but it’s a hobby she’s recently picked up again. Lee is not alone ― coloring books are no longer just for kids. “When I was young, I would use my crayons and color until it was broken,” she said. “My favorite was the book of Disney princesses.” Now, the 33-year-old office worker doesn’t use pink and red to color Cinderella’s dress, nor does she ask her mom to buy her a new book. Instead, she takes

BooksApril 17, 2015

[Weekender] LP designer puts new spin on analog music

The vinyl market in South Korea died out long ago with the emergence of compact discs in the mid-1980s and digital music in the 1990s. Now, music listeners can simply download any song in 10 seconds for a dollar. Still, avid LP record collectors can find jazz greats such as Us3, Herbie Hancock and The John Scofield Band with the phrases “Printed in Korea.” They are designed by a little-known local firm called Khiov Music, headed by an LP addict, Sur Bo-ik, 41.“I felt sad that many good albums ha

PerformanceApril 17, 2015

Dreaming of a Korean craft renaissance

Throngs of foreign tourists stroll the streets of Insa-dong. The popular neighborhood in upper Seoul is famous for antiques, traditional crafts and art galleries and is considered a must-see location for those looking for a taste of “real Korea.” But most souvenirs sold in the area are anything but authentic.  Choi Jeong-cheol, president of Korea Craft and Design Foundation, poses for a photo at the foundation’s gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul. (Ahn Hoon/The Korea Herald)Fans, wooden masks, traditio

Arts & DesignApril 17, 2015

Eyelike: Reba McEntire, Randy Bachman, Halestorm

Reba McEntire shines on ‘Love Somebody’Reba McEntire“Love Somebody” (Starstruck/Nash Icon/Big Machine)“Love Somebody” is Reba McEntire’s best album of the 21st century because it draws on her strengths: That is, subtly and powerfully interpreting substantial story songs about adult relationships set to contemporary country music.At 60, the performer remains a remarkable vocalist, capable of stunning ferocity and dramatic nuance. She’s one of the great traditional country singers of her time, but

PerformanceApril 17, 2015

Box Office

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (U.S.)Opening April 23Adventure. Directed by Joss WhedonTony Stark attempts to revive a dormant peacekeeping program, but the situation takes a bad, dangerous turn. The Avengers -- Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) -- team up again to save the world from the villainous Ultron’s plans.The Gunman (U.S.)Opened April 16Action.

FilmApril 17, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Throwback ’70s theme in BoseongKorail will offer a tourism program in front of Deukryang Train Station in Boseong County, South Jeolla Province, where both the old and the young can play games and visit stores of the ’70s. Boseong is renowned for green teas.The rail operator has remodeled the station, and will open ’70s coffee and barber shops to take visitors back in time and reminisce about the good old days.Korail’s Cosplay Festival, which will be held from May 2-31, will also allow tourists

TravelApril 17, 2015

Around the Hotels

Cantonese cuisine at Lotte Hotel SeoulLotte Hotel Seoul’s Toh Lim will be inviting Chef Lau Kwok Wai of Fook Lam Moon, the best Cantonese haute cuisine restaurant in Hong Kong, for a gourmet promotion from April 21-24. The promotion will feature popular dishes such as the sauteed abalone with black beans and peppers and baked stuffed crab shell with onions and fresh crab meat. The six-course lunch menus are priced at 138,000 won and 158,000 won. The eight-course dinner menus are priced at 195,00

FoodApril 17, 2015

Marvel’s superheroes back in action

The Avengers superheroes are back to save the world from a rogue robot.The cast and crew of Marvel’s blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” including director Joss Whedon, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, came to Seoul to promote the film ahead of its official opening. They were joined by Mark Ruffalo and Kim Soo-hyun at a press conference at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido on Friday.“We really started the movie by coming here, and this is actually the hotel where Claudia auditioned for a role,” d

FilmApril 17, 2015

Tongyeong: Gateway to Korean islet bliss

This is the second installment of a four-part series introducing Korea’s springtime tourist destinations. ― Ed.TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -― The island-cluster port city of Tongyeong is an all-too forgotten weekend coastal destination for those looking to revel in the refreshing sea air while avoiding crowds of beach dwellers and out-of-towners. Situated on the southern reaches of South Gyeongsang Province, Tongyeong is only about 1 1/2 hours’ drive from Busan. Best known as the locati

TravelApril 16, 2015

Big Day South a cultural showcase in Ulsan

After a successful run last year, the Big Day South Festival will return this month, with a three-day artistic showcase in Ulsan.The festival was set up last year by Ali Safavi and Philip Brett as a showcase of creativity in the south of the country.Last year’s festival was in Daegu, featuring bands, acoustic performances and printing and art showcases alongside interactive art activities.“We just wanted to take it on the road,” said Safavi, who is based in Daegu and organizes music shows in his

Expat LivingApril 15, 2015