Busker Busker album release, concert planned for September

Busker Busker, an indie band that came to fame through Mnet’s audition program “Superstar K,” is planning an official comeback in September with their sophomore full-length album.Busker Busker’s agency, Chungchun Music, announced through its official Facebook page that the band was busy making final touches to their album. To commemorate the release of their new album, the band is also planning a nationwide tour for their “2013 Busker Busker Concert.” “The band is working very hard for the relea

July 30, 2013

Kim Hyun-joong highlights Korean culture in ‘Unbreakable’

In the advent of the release of his third EP album, hallyu star Kim Hyun-joong not only unveiled a new look, but also introduced a new approach of infusing Korean traditional culture with his latest music video, “Unbreakable.” Kim, who became an international sensation thanks to his role in the smash hit Korean drama “Boy Over Flowers,” as well as being the leader of the popular K-pop idol group SS501, released his comeback album “Round 3” on July 22 after nearly two years. Widely known for his

PerformanceJuly 30, 2013

Woo Kyung-sik elected president of Union International Speleology

Woo Kyung-sik, a member of the National Heritage Committee, was elected president of the International Union of Speleology at its 16th Congress in Brno, the Czech Republic, on Sunday, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Monday. With the election, the 57-year-old will lead the member organization of the International Council for Science for four years. The council is in a close relationship with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which is the advisory body to the World Heri

PeopleJuly 29, 2013

Pugilist Pacquiao says will consider running for president

MACAU (AFP) ― Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao is harboring thoughts of running for president in his beloved homeland when he finally hangs up his gloves, he revealed to AFP in an exclusive interview.Giving his strongest hint yet that he will push to the top of the political tree when he finally retires from the ring, the “Pacman” ― a hero and congressman in his home country ― admitted he had considered the presidency of the 95 million-strong nation.When pressed on whether he had thought a

PeopleJuly 29, 2013

U.N. chief to visit S. Korea next week on home leave

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit South Korea next month while on home leave, a diplomatic source said Monday.Ban’s visit is scheduled for Aug. 22 and he will stay here for six days, the source said. During his visit, the 69-year-old secretary-general will be with his mother who lives in Chungju, Ban’s hometown located 147 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the source. Ban’s itinerary also includes attending the opening ceremony for an international boat game to be

PeopleJuly 29, 2013

Jordan Matter, dancers combine the sublime with the mundane

Jordan Matter, a New York-based photographer, has been shooting dancers in everyday settings ― out in a park, on a pedestrian walk, in a subway and restaurant. The dancers’ bodies in motion against the mundane backdrops create images that people have never seen before: a man’s body drawn up in the air; a woman jumping a dozen times higher than the average woman does when her boyfriend proposes with an engagement ring. The photographs capture the thrill and adrenaline rush that people desire as t

PerformanceJuly 29, 2013

Puppet Fest Chuncheon celebrates 25th year

The largest puppet festival in Korea, the annual Puppet Festival Chuncheon, kicks off on Aug. 9-15 this year. Marking its 25th anniversary, the festival will present 200 performances by 96 teams of puppeteers and puppet theater troupes from Korea and abroad. Seven acclaimed puppet troupes from six countries including Greece, China, Portugal, Bulgaria, New Zealand and Spain are participating in the festival. Greek team Nevma Theatre will feature the bunraku-style (a form of traditional Japanese p

CultureJuly 29, 2013

Tilda Swinton: Making ‘Snowpiercer’ was like ‘being in kindergarten’

What was it like to work with Korean director Bong Joon-ho in making a dystopian sci-fi thriller?According to famed British actress Tilda Swinton, it was like “being in a kindergarten.”“What made me decide to be in a Bong Joon-ho film? Bong Joon-ho,” the actress said in a press conference promoting their latest collaboration, “Snowpiercer,” in Seoul, Monday. “Not only his work, but really, the person. We met maybe two years ago and we became friends instantly. And we wanted to play together. I c

FilmJuly 29, 2013

Ansan Valley Rock Festival goes out with a bang

Despite scattered rain showers that forced people to trudge through heavy muddy terrain that was sludgy enough to make some in the crowd lose their shoes, the inaugural 2013 Ansan Valley Rock Festival attracted more than 50,000 rock music lovers in three days and left the crowd screaming for more. The three-day annual rock music fest, which was originally known as the Jisan Valley Rock Festival, relocated its stages to the Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, for the first ti

PerformanceJuly 29, 2013

HUFS president Park’s book published in Japan

A research book by Park Chul, president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, has been translated into Japanese and published in Japan, the university announced.Park, a prominent scholar of Spanish literature, first wrote in 1986 about Gregorio de Cespedes, a Spanish Jesuit priest, who was the first European on record to land on the Korean peninsula in 1593. He stayed in Korea for about a year. His book, published in both Spain and Korea, led to the establishment of the Cespedes Memorial Hall

PeopleJuly 28, 2013

Classical music festival brings Nordic cool to Gangwon

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province ― The lush green mountains of Daegwallyeong in Gangwon Province are the idyllic setting for the premier summer classical music event that the Great Mountains Music Festival and School, organized by the Gangwon Art and Culture Foundation, has become over the past decade.Saturday evening’s gala concert was a vibrant testimony to how far the festival has come. The 1,300-seat Music Tent, built specifically with the annual music festival in mind, was packed with classica

PerformanceJuly 28, 2013

Changdeokgung Palace to restart moonlight tours in August

The popular night time tours of Changdeokgung Palace return in August.The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation will be hosting “2013 Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace” from Aug. 21 to Oct. 20.A UNESCO World Heritage site, Changdeokgung Palace is one of the five palaces in Seoul built during the Joseon period. The program includes a walk around the palace while learning fun facts with the help of an expert guide. Afterward, participants will be able to

CultureJuly 28, 2013

Cinema greets music in Jecheon

Film buffs and music lovers will likely be found in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, next month, as this year’s edition of the annual Jecheon International Music Film Festival is just around the corner. Celebrating its ninth edition this year, the upcoming JIMFF will screen 95 music-themed movies, including 11 world premieres.French director Martin Le Gall’s “Pop Redemption” is opening the upcoming edition kicking off on Aug. 14. The film is a comical cinematic portrait of a satanic rock ban

FilmJuly 28, 2013

Jennifer Aniston says she, Theroux ‘already feel married’

NEW YORK (AP) ― Jennifer Aniston is dismissing rumors surrounding her upcoming wedding to Justin Theroux and is setting the record straight.The 44-year old actress was promoting her new film, “We’re the Millers,” on Saturday when she told the Associated Press that she and Theroux are doing fine, and have not set a date, postponed their wedding, or argued about where to get married.Aniston and Theroux began dating more than two years ago. They got engaged last summer, but their lack of wedding pl

FilmJuly 28, 2013

NBC to broadcast Hillary Clinton miniseries

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) ― A Hillary Rodham Clinton miniseries timed to precede the 2016 presidential election is part of NBC’s effort to create “event” programming that will draw viewers to the shrinking world of broadcast network TV, NBC’s programming chief said Saturday.“We need to be in the event business. I think you’re going to hear that from every broadcast network,” said Bob Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment chairman.The four-hour miniseries “Hillary,” starring Diane Lane as the former

TelevisionJuly 28, 2013

Ansan rocks to The Cure, The xx

More than 50,000 people gathered in Ansan over the weekend to move to the beat of the 2013 Ansan Valley Rock Festival. The first day on Friday attracted around 19,000 people with headliners The Cure, one of Britain‘s most influential and enduring bands. The group performed for three hours but had the audience lose track of time. Another British group, The xx, marking their first visit to Korea, created a dream-like ambiance with the help of dry ice and their trademark indie sound. The following

PerformanceJuly 28, 2013