The art of typography

The biggest exhibition of typefaces and texts as visual art is being held at the former Seoul Station, shedding light on the transformation of typography and the act of writing and reading in the digital age. The third Seoul International Typography Biennale, which kicked off Friday, explores the dual role of typography ― as a language and visual art ― through works by 58 international artists.First launched in 2009, the typography biennale is the only biannual exhibition in the world devoted to

PerformanceSept. 2, 2013

East meets West in food

Celebrity chef Kang Leo, who has worked in the kitchens of some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants, set out on a different course when he opened Hwa Soo Mok by Kang Leo on Mt. Namsan earlier this year.Studying the royal cuisine of Joseon for a number of years now under the guidance of Han Bok-ryo, president of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, Kang gained enough confidence in his Korean cuisine to launch a contemporary Korean restaurant. Kang’s new direction was highlighted at a dinn

FoodSept. 2, 2013

Seoul to hear ‘The Most Beautiful Sound Next To Silence’

Edition of Contemporary Music, a prominent German-based record label with the motto “The Most Beautiful Sound Next to Silence,” is holding the ECM Music Festival at Seoul Arts Center from Sept. 3 to 7. The performances will feature world-renowned artists including conductor Chung Myung-whun, violist Kim Kashkashian, and the jazz group Norma Winstone Trio. The music festival will host four performances, starting with guitarist Ralph Towner and followed by the Yeahwon Shin Trio, composed of vocali

PerformanceSept. 2, 2013

Herbie Hancock to return for another night of funky jazz

Herbie Hancock, a living legend on the black and white keys, is returning to Korea for a live concert performance. The American jazz pianist previously performed in Seoul in May 2011 and is making his way back to his Korean fans with a show at Chungmu Art Hall on Nov. 8.Born in Chicago in 1940, the classically trained pianist was widely considered a child piano prodigy. The young musician’s talents were immediately recognized and he even performed a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphon

PerformanceSept. 2, 2013

‘Harry Potter’ fans stampede for Radcliffe in Venice

VENICE (AFP) ― The Venice film festival descended briefly into chaos Sunday as screaming “Harry Potter” fans stampeded across the seafront after British star Daniel Radcliffe, in town to present his new film.Radcliffe, who rose to fame playing the child wizard, was surrounded by bodyguards and police, but that did not stop some admirers pushing their way into the bathroom with him during a press conference break.The 24-year-old shrugged off suggestions that the clamor of hyperventilating teenage

FilmSept. 2, 2013

Mandela discharged from hospital, returns home

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ― Nelson Mandela went home in an ambulance on Sunday after nearly three months in a hospital that became the focus of a global outpouring of concern, but authorities said the health of the former South African president remained critical and sometimes unstable. The return of the 95-year-old leader of the anti-apartheid movement to his home in an affluent neighborhood of Johannesburg allows his family to share time with him in a more intimate setting. The office of South African

PeopleSept. 2, 2013

Rodman hints at North Korea revisit to release Kenneth Bae

NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, who traveled to North Korea early this year, may return to the communist country to push for the release of Kenneth Bae. In an interview with the Huffington Post’s Marc Lamont Hill on Aug. 30, the flamboyant former NBA star hinted that he may go back to North Korea soon to bring the American missionary home. Bae has been detained in North Korea for nine months for allegedly plotting a coup against the communist regime. “I gave (Kim Jong-un) a great indication of

PeopleSept. 2, 2013

Ben Johnson to return to Seoul track 25 years after positive drug test

Ben Johnson, a Canadian sprinter who tested positive for a banned substance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, will return to South Korea later this month to promote an anti-doping campaign, officials said.Skins, an Australian sports apparels company, is running an international anti-doping campaign called, “Choose the Right Track.” On the campaign’s website, Skins announced last week that Johnson began his world tour to promote the campaign in Britain, and will also stop in Canada, the United States,

PeopleSept. 2, 2013

SKC chairman appointed to Pacific Forum CSIS board

SKC and SK Telesys chairman Choi Shin-won has been appointed to the international board of governors of the Pacific Forum CSIS (Center for Strategic & International Studies), SK Telesys said.His appointment was made at the recommendation of Ralph A. Cossa, president of the forum, in May after researching influential Korean businessmen with a high understanding of international issues.The CSIS is a nonprofit, private research institute of internationally distinguished figures in politics, busines

PeopleSept. 2, 2013

Big-name musicians to perform on Psy’s new album

Well-known international musicians have helped make Psy’s next album, raising expectations about how the YouTube sensation will extend his popularity following the unprecedented success of “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman.”“Many famous musicians have participated in Psy’s new album,” said Yang Hyun-suk, chief producer of YG Entertainment. “Psy always wanted to work with them, and they are really amazing musicians, even by international standards.”YG Entertainment is one of South Korea’s big three

Sept. 2, 2013

Former Korean Red Cross chief dies

Lee Yoon-gu, a former president of the Korean Red Cross who directed humanitarian assistance to North Korea, died on Saturday. He was 84. The Lee family foundation in Seoul said he died of a sudden illness at The Queen’s Medical Center in Hawaii at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday. Lee was inaugurated as president of the Korean Red Cross in January 2004 and carried out relief projects for North Korea while in office. In June 2004, he visited Ryongchon in North Korea to personally assess the damage at the s

PeopleSept. 1, 2013

Lee Hyori officially ties the knot on Jeju

K-pop diva Lee Hyori is now officially off the market as she and longtime boyfriend, jazz guitarist Lee Sang-soon, tied the knot on Sunday. The wedding was held at their country home on the northern part of Jeju Island and was reported to have been a simple and private affair with only family and close friends in attendance. Although there had been rumors circulating about a September wedding, the two had made no official public announcements on the exact date they planned to hold the event. The

PerformanceSept. 1, 2013

Uncut ‘Moebius’ will only screen at Venice: Kim Ki-duk

This week’s Venice International Film Festival will be the one and only opportunity for the world’s filmgoers to watch the locally banned original version of Kim Ki-duk’s controversial work, “Moebius.” “I am going to send the edited version of the movie to all of the international film festivals except the ongoing Venice Festival, and I think that’s the right decision to make,” the director said during a press meeting in Seoul on Friday, before leaving for Venice to attend the film’s world premi

FilmSept. 1, 2013

Culture key to greater exchanges between countries

Exploring different societies and the relations between cultures and countries are the focus of Indian documentary filmmaker Archana Kapoor’s works. She has recently produced a 15-minute documentary on the 40 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and India that was commissioned by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.Kapoor became interested in Korea when she visited for the first time in 2008. “Different from the neighboring countries, there is a lot of humility here. I think we share the

CultureSept. 1, 2013