LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Prince Harry was due to arrive in South Africa on Monday as he makes his way to Antarctica for a gruelling trek to the South Pole.The royal is taking part in a 335-kilometer race between three teams of four wounded military personnel, representing Britain, the United States and the Commonwealth (drawn from Australia and Canada).The 29-year-old army attack helicopter pilot will trek alongside the British team in the charity race to the planet’s southernmost point, which i

PeopleNov. 18, 2013

A male fan of K-pop group Crayon Pop jumped on to the stage and tried to hug a member at the end of a live performance last week, the group’s agency said on Monday.The man turned up on stage in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Thursday, while the group members were staging their latest hit song “Bar Bar Bar,” Chrome Entertainment said. He pretended to shake hands with Cho-a, who was walking down from the stage, but then dashed toward her for a surprise hug. She quickly moved to avoid the

Nov. 18, 2013

For those who haven’t yet had a chance to see some of the most significant independent Korean films in theaters, the ongoing IndieGO Film Festival will come as a special treat.Hosted by Indie Story, a film house and distributor that specializes in independent cinema, the movie bash offers screenings of some 40 films, including ones that have not yet been released in theaters. The company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.Included in the lineup is director Kim Dong-hyun’s “The Dinner,” a

FilmNov. 17, 2013

It is no wonder that a tale of fiery yet innocent romance between a young, naive soldier and a sultry gypsy touches the hearts of many Koreans. “Carmen,” the tragic love story of exotic dancer Carmen and Don Jose by Prosper Merimee, was named the most-loved opera in a National Opera survey in 2012. From November through December, the story and music will be reinterpreted on three very different stages in opera and musical forms.KNO ― Original French styleThe Korea National Opera will feature “Ca

CultureNov. 17, 2013

This is the 15th in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Thomson Gazelle found hip-hop in junior high when he discovered American rapper Eminem and then old school hip-hop. But from a young age, he’s been all about freestyle.“I love freestyle. I’m really confident in my freestyle,” the 29-year-old rapper said. He got his start in freestyle and often competed in contests and rap battles, making it to the top eight in the Mnet Miller Rap

PerformanceNov. 17, 2013

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Brad Pitt kissed Angelina Jolie after her grand entrance at the film academy’s Governors Awards Saturday night.Steve Martin pretended to take a seat at the wrong table a few times before finding the right one, while Angela Lansbury beamed as she entered the room. The honorary Oscar winners, along with Italian costume designer Piero Tosi, were honored at a private dinner at the Hollywood & Highland Center. Tosi wasn’t able to attend, but scores of A-listers did, including Tom H

FilmNov. 17, 2013

 Thanksgiving feast at JW Marriott Hotel SeoulJW’s Grill and The Caf will offer a holiday feast on Nov. 28. Priced at 110,000 won, JW’s Grill’s dinner course menu will include smoked salmon with potato and asparagus, foie gras terrine, butter-roasted turkey and more. Priced at 260,000 won, a family set for six people will include a whole roast turkey carved and served table-side. For reservations, call (02) 6268-6759. Buffet restaurant The Caf will serve roast turkey complete with side dishes su

FoodNov. 15, 2013

Scooping up her dogs into her arms, Chung Kyung-wha coos “Mi amore, oohhh, mi amore.” Clara and Johannes ― named after Clara Schuman and Johannes Brahms ― respond in kind, lovingly gazing into Chung’s eyes, nuzzling against her neck.In her sun-filled living room in Seoul, the world-acclaimed violinist is a doting mother of two dogs, delighting even at the sound of Johannes eating a piece of thin wafer. “Do you hear that? The sound is so beautiful,” she exclaims, unable to resist giving him anoth

PerformanceNov. 15, 2013

Performing in China more than a decade ago, violinist Chung Kyung-wha had predicted that there would be phenomenal change in the country in 10 years. It has been 12 years now and the Chinese have expanded into every field of Western culture, Chung notes. “This trip was an eye opener. It was very impressive how they are systematically planting, building cultural centers everywhere,” Chung notes of the China leg of her Asia tour.“My performance venues had fantastic acoustics which means they have

PerformanceNov. 15, 2013

Theater“Danton’s Death”: Seoul Arts Center is presenting “Danton’s Death,” the first play written by German dramatist Georg Buchner (1813-1837), set during the French Revolution. The play presents the last few days of the French revolutionary leader, Danton. Korean artist Lee Ja-ram, who is known for her pansori works, will make her theater acting debut as a street performer. The show is directed by Romanian theater director and teacher Gabor Tompa. “Danton’s Death” runs from Nov. 3 to 17 at Seo

PerformanceNov. 15, 2013

 The CounselorOpened Nov. 14Thriller. Crime. Drama. Directed by Ridley Scott. In Juarez, Mexico a young and talented lawyer known by the name The Counselor (Michael Fassbender) buys a luxurious diamond ring to propose to his fiance Laura (Penelope Cruz). He attends a party hosted by the rich and corrupt businessman Reiner (Javier Bardem) and his girlfriend Malkina (Cameron Diaz). Short on money, the Counselor is convinced by Reiner to enter into the illegal drug trade for a fast profit. He meets

FilmNov. 15, 2013

“The Best Man Holiday” is a most welcome sequel to the 1999 sleeper hit, “The Best Man,” about a tight-knit circle of black friends who gathered then for a wedding, now to spend Christmas together.Yes, it’s occasionally maudlin and melodramatic, and it’s entirely too long. But it’s also heartfelt and often downright hilarious, and shows off just how canny Malcolm D. Lee’s casting was all those years ago.Everybody’s paired up, now. Pretty much everybody, anyway. And everybody seems successful, wi

FilmNov. 15, 2013

Lee Juck shines on ‘Meaning of Silence’Lee Juck “The Meaning of Silence” (LOEN Entertainment)Lee Juck has once against demonstrated his prowess as a skillful singer-songwriter on “The Meaning of Silence” at a time when the majority of Billboard chart tracks are made by a small handful of composers. The 10-track album starts out with “Lies Lies Lies,” a simple song about a man in grief over being left by a lover. Lee’s voice is heavy and accompanied with a melancholy piano melody. “Sarangi Mwogil

PerformanceNov. 15, 2013

LOS CABOS, Mexico ― Much of what you need to know about Cabo San Lucas happens during the first weekend of October.It’s Sammy Hagar’s birthday.Yes, that Sammy Hagar, the second-best singer Van Halen ever had and the rock ’n’ roll wordsmith responsible for sentiments such as “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy” and “I Can’t Drive 55.” When Sammy ages another year ― he recently turned 66 ― Cabo San Lucas celebrates. More accurately, Sammy Hagar celebrates with a concert at Cabo Wabo, his sprawling bar-

TravelNov. 15, 2013

KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) ― People from across the world are drawn to the coastal town of Kailua. Its white sand beaches are among the nation’s best. Some recommend the Honolulu suburb for its laid-back vibe. And President Barack Obama vacations there with his family each Christmas.But now, the neighborhood board is asking a state tourism agency to stop encouraging visitors to stay overnight in their town.It’s the latest salvo in a long-running battle over how much tourism Kailua wants and should allo

TravelNov. 15, 2013