CGV, Lotte refuse to show new ‘Hobbit’ film in fee dispute

The latest installment of “The Hobbit” topped the charts Wednesday, even though Korean audiences cannot watch the film at theaters in Seoul run by CGV and Lotte Cinema. CGV posted an apology on their official website on the problems with screening the film: “The distributor of the film Warner Bros demanded a raise in the profit-sharing ratio in theaters in Seoul and we have refused.” Lotte Cinema also refused, meaning the film was not shown at its theaters in the capital area. With CGV and Lotte

FilmDec. 11, 2013

Skills over fun?

Double-clutch layups and breakaway slam dunks are not the usual repertoire of basketball shows on South Korean TV. But with Kim Hyuk, you’ve got another thing coming.The 32-year-old South Korean actor is wowing the viewers and even his teammates on the celebrity basketball team appearing in KBS’s “Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education” with his performance on the court. With Kim dominating the court, however, some are complaining that the KBS show has lost its initial concept of “average

TelevisionDec. 11, 2013

‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ takes to stage

Expats looking for a bit of Christmas fun could consider a visit to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” location of Yuletown from this weekend, as a stage version of the film is set to take the stage.The film has been adapted for the stage by Susan Morgan, who directed Camarata Music Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” earlier this year and will also direct this musical.After her friend Nikolas Kite Thompson ― who will play Jack Skellington ― wheeled out his Danny Elfman impression during a

Expat LivingDec. 10, 2013

Hollaback! rallies against harassment

Lisa Betham said she still finds it hard to shake off being groped on the street of Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, during the city’s mud festival one year. As she and a friend were walking back along the beach to the motel, a group of men headed toward them, shouting in Korean. Only when they had approached did Betham realize they were just distracting her so one of them could grab her crotch. “They walked off, laughing and clearly proud of what happened,” said Betham. “I did not seek hel

Expat LivingDec. 10, 2013

Overcoming obstacles to expression

Iconic Spanish artist Javier Mariscal’s works are eye-catching ― the bright, bold colors and strokes are loud and lively, demanding attention. Unbeknownst to many, however, the artist suffers from dyslexia, a condition he has had since childhood that makes reading difficult among other things. “When you are a dyslexic child, you don’t understand why others read very well, while you understand nothing,” he said at a press conference for the opening of his exhibition “The Art Player” held in Hanga

PerformanceDec. 10, 2013

What our dreams say about us

Filmmaker Zhang Lu’s dreams often have scenery of Beijing and Seoul all mixed together, making it hard for him to recognize where he actually is.The ethnic Korean-Chinese filmmaker, who was born and raised in China’s Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, has been working in Seoul since last year, after many years in Beijing. Zhang, who considers himself a “stranger” wherever he goes, pays special attention to the dreams of others in his latest film.Titled “The Scenery,” the film features 14 migr

FilmDec. 10, 2013

MTV picks Miley Cyrus as artist of the year

NEW YORK (AP) ― Here’s something to wag a tongue at: MTV says Miley Cyrus is the best artist of the year.The former child star twerked her way to the top. Her eye-popping duet with Robin Thicke on the MTV Video Music Awards was one of the year’s most talked about cultural events.MTV said Monday the VMA duet on “We Can’t Stop” and “Blurred Lines” was the year’s most-watched video on its websites. Similarly, the MTV artist site devoted to Cyrus had more visits than any other artist’s.Besides “We C

PerformanceDec. 10, 2013

Infinite brings ‘One Great Step’ to a close

After a promising debut in 2010 with the group’s first EP “First Invasion,” the seven members of K-pop group Infinite have finally completed the group’s first world tour, venturing to 14 countries and 21 cities for 31 live concert performances. Since launching the first leg of the concert tour in August with two shows in Seoul in front 15,000 fans, members Sung-gyu, Ho-ya, Dong-woo, L, Woo-hyun, Sung-yeol and Sung-jong have been performing all across Asia, Europe, the U.S. and even making a stop

PerformanceDec. 10, 2013

CNBLUE to embark on South American tour

Idol band CNBLUE is set to embark on a Central and South American tour next month. The band will be the first K-pop artists to launch an extended tour in that part of the world. The tour will kick off on Jan. 26 in Mexico City’s Pepsi Center WTC in Mexico, and then move on to Parque del la Exposicion in Lima, Peru on Jan. 28, and Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile on Jan. 31. Movistar Arena has hosted performances of world famous artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Jennifer Lopez and B

Dec. 10, 2013

Yong Jun-hyung releases solo album teaser

K-pop group BEAST member Yong Jun-hyung released a teaser for his first solo EP “Flower” on his official social networking page on Monday. The teaser image, to be used as the album jacket, is a black-and-white photograph of Yong with vintage spectacles and a unique tasseled hat. The album includes a total of five songs and will be released online on Friday. Yong is the main rapper of six-member boy group BEAST, but has done much more than just rapping for his new album. The artist participated i

Dec. 10, 2013

Lee Hyori to collaborate with CL

K-pop diva Lee Hyori and “Baddest Female” CL will collaborate and take to the stage on SBS’ “Gayo Daejun,” an annual year-end music program broadcast at the end of December. The pair is currently in early discussions on the kind of performance they would like to deliver. Although it is the first time the two have come together to collaborate, Lee has collaborated with YG Entertainment before, surprising audiences with a risqu performance with Big Bang member T.O.P. at the Mnet KM Music Festival

Dec. 10, 2013

Society founded to honor retired political leader Kim Jong-pil

Acquaintances of retired political leader and former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil launched a social gathering in his honor Tuesday. Named after Kim’s pen name “Unjeong,” the society held its first general meeting in the National Assembly Memorial Hall with Kim attending.It will push projects to commemorate his accomplishments in the industrialization and modernization of Korea. Its members are former or current political or government figures who formed ties with Kim during his four-decade politi

PeopleDec. 10, 2013

Miss France proud of ‘cosmopolitan’ country

DIJON (AFP) ― Franco-Beninese student Flora Coquerel has said she is proud to represent a “cosmopolitan” country after being crowned the new Miss France in a lavish ceremony.Coquerel, a 19-year-old from Orleans, beat 33 other competitors to take the title in the nationally televised competition in Dijon on Saturday night.Her victory came amid concern over a series of racist incidents in France, including slurs against the country’s top black politician, Justice Minister Christiane Taubira, who h

PeopleDec. 10, 2013