Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I expresses support for Korea’s unification

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, widely considered the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, expressed support for South Korean President Moon Jae-in‘s efforts to bring reunification of Koreas closer to reality.Visiting Korea to lead a special service commemorating the 50th anniversary of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Seoul, Bartholomew said the Orthodox community around the world is praying for a peaceful reunification of the peninsula. This marks the fourth time he has visi

CultureDec. 4, 2018

Ask GOT7: GOT7 presents live Q&A party on Twitter #Blueroom

GOT7 dropped its third record of the year “Present: You & Me” Monday, following the EP “Eyes on You” in March and full-length “Present: You” in September. The reissue album is a 28-track winter treat fronted by the seasonally-themed ballad “Miracle.”Twitter is the septet’s chosen medium to herald its final release of the year, on the social networking service’s Q&A platform Blueroom. GOT7 (Twitter @GOT7Official)Held in a specially optimized studio, Blueroom lets Twitter followers toss questions

PerformanceDec. 4, 2018

Evoking innermost voices

If you are looking for a trendy or fashionable exhibition, Doosan Gallery Seoul’s “Cour des Miracles” is probably not the right one for you. It surely will not meet your need for escapism. Here, you will not find a soothing, relaxing or sublime experience. But the exhibition offers a different kind of sensory experience.“Cour des Miracles” is an exhibition curated by Bae Enn-a, the winner of the 2018 Curatorial Open Call, a new biennial award that the art center launched this year. Artist Park S

Arts & DesignDec. 4, 2018

CJ ENM seeks to crack the US market with thriller remake

The American remake of the Korean horror thriller “Hide and Seek” has commenced filming, according to officials at CJ ENM, along with another film by director Drake Doremus. “Hide and Seek,” originally released in 2013, is a flick by director Huh Jung featuring a family who believe strangers are hiding in their home. It was recently reported that actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was cast as the lead in the film directed by Joel David Moorem, joined by Jacinda Barrett, Joe Pantoliano and Mustafa Shakir

FilmDec. 4, 2018

BTS’ Jin writes to Army on his birthday

BTS member Jin penned a handwritten letter to the group’s official fan club, Army, on his birthday, which fell on Tuesday.In the long letter posted on the group’s official social media account, he said that he is happy. “I’m happy not only because it’s my birthday but mainly because Army members are happy celebrating my birthday together,” read the letter. “BTS could do everything it did because Army was supportive all the time.” (BTS` official Twitter)“Sorry for not being fluent in English but

PerformanceDec. 4, 2018

Gamut of contemporary classical music in store at TIMF

Music of Yun I-sang and works by Japanese contemporary classical music composer Toshio Hosokawa are among the highlights at next year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival, March 29-April 7, taking place at the southern port city of Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province.　The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra raises the curtain on the annual music festival on March 29 with the Asian premiere of Heinz Holliger’s “Ostinato Funebre,” as well as Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C Minor Op. 67. Pianist Behzod

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

Reunion of Chung Myung-whun and SPO abruptly canceled

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will not be reuniting with its former music director Chung Myung-whun after all as the conductor withdrew from an upcoming engagement, citing health reasons.Chung has canceled all upcoming concerts until he recovers as advised by his doctor, according to a recent announcement made by management company Askonas Holt’s Martin Campbell-White. Maestro Chung Myung-whun speaks during a press conference in August to promote the concert commemorating the 120th anniversar

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

Period piece ‘Mal-Mo-E’ shows fight to keep alive Korean identity

After colonizing Korea, Japanese Empire in 1938 tried to squash out the identity of Korea as a nation, forcing its colonial subjects to pledge allegiance to the Japanese emperor, take up Japanese names and accept Japan’s history as part of its own under the claim that the two countries share the same roots. Perhaps the worst among such attempts is the policy in 1938 to ban education of the Korean language and gradually phase out its use. “Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission” depicts 1940s Gyeongseong –

FilmDec. 3, 2018

[Newsmaker] ‘Feminist, no. You’re a mental illness’: San E causes outrage during concert

Rapper San E has yet again managed to put himself in the headlines after offending the audience with his comments about feminism during a concert over the weekend.While onstage at the concert Brand New Year 2018 on Sunday, San E used an expletive before rapping in English before an audience of 5,000: “Womad is poison. Feminist, no. You’re a mental illness.”In another politically charged comment, the rapper said he supports “normal women” before criticizing radical online feminist communities Wom

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

Seoul develops cooking class in English at Korean traditional market

Seoul Metropolitan Government has teamed up with startup company OME to run a cooking class for foreigners at a Korean traditional market.OME’s cooking class is one of the eight tourism programs selected for “Seoul Tourism Startup 2018,” a series of programs aiming to provide “unique” travel experiences for foreigners visiting Korea.  (Seoul Metropolitan Government)Participants will learn basic Korean phrases and use them to buy fresh ingredients from the Euljiro Jungbu market. Later, they will

TravelDec. 3, 2018

Minzy releases first English single “All of You Say”

Former member of 2NE1 Minzy has released her first English single, “All of You Say.”Minzy’s new single was first released in the United States on Saturday, along with its music video. The single is set for release in Korea and other parts of the world on Monday. (Music Works)“All of You Say,” a mixture of reggaeton, K-pop and hip hop, was released ahead of her “Dance Break Tour.” Minzy announced in November that she had to postpone the North American leg of the tour to early 2019 because of labe

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

Beyonce, Jay-Z dazzle South Africa at Mandela gig

Beyonce was leading an all-star line-up including Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z and Usher in Johannesburg at a concert to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.The concert was the climax of a year of events celebrating the centennial of Mandela's birth in 1918, and part of a campaign to tackle poverty, child malnutrition and boost gender equality.This year's Global Citizen Festival is being held at Johannesburg's 94,736-capacity FNB stadium and began at 1200 GMT. Beyoncé Knowles and Jay Z, pictured w

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

Value of Park Jin-young’s JYP shares rises W100b in 11 months

The value of JYP Entertainment shares held by its founder, owner and Executive Producer Park Jin-young has soared over 100 billion won ($89.2 million) in the past 11 months. Park is the largest shareholder of the company with an 18.72 percent stake, according to Chaebul.com. The value of his stake rose from 74.68 billion won in January this year to 203.79 billion won at the end of November, according to the corporate tracker’s Dec. 2 report. From left, Jin-young of GOT7, Na-yeon of Twice, Lee Kn

PerformanceDec. 3, 2018

N. Korean paintings show another side of hermit kingdom

In spite of recent efforts to denuclearize North Korea, the image of the communist state remains unfavorable for most people around the world. From the country’s brash threats to its human rights record to the unpredictability of its young leader, dealing with Pyongyang has never been an easy task.However, Teresa Song, a South Korea-born British entrepreneur, says she wants to promote another side of the country through paintings depicting the country’s relatively-untouched nature.  Teresa SongT

CultureDec. 2, 2018

Mamamoo, bringing R&B to the mainstream K-pop scene

Mamamoo is making R&B happen in K-pop town. (RBW)The quartet added a third EP to its 2018 project “Four Seasons, Four Colors,” a tetralogy of four seasonally themed albums, with each band member taking center stage over the course of a year. This time it’s Solar, the leader. Following spring’s “Yellow Flower” and summer’s “Red Moon,” “BLUE;S” is a late-autumn collection composed of six breakup songs. Mamamoo gives the exhausted theme of romance gone wrong a groovy makeover with “Wind Flower,” th

PerformanceDec. 2, 2018

BTS takes home bagful of trophies at 2018 MMA

After sweeping prizes at award shows like the MGA and Asia Artist Award, BTS once again won big at the 2018 Melon Music Awards that took place in Seoul. Held on Saturday at Gocheok Sky Dome, the star-studded event in its 10th year saw the “Idol” singers take home seven trophies -- the most for anyone in attendance.The biggest awards of the night went to BTS, which received the best artist of the year award and the best album of the year award for its “Love Yourself: Tear” album.  (MMA)“It’s been

PerformanceDec. 2, 2018

Lacasa Hotel aims to be big in boutique hotel industry

Along with the staycation boom, lifestyle boutique hotel brand Lacasa Hotel hopes to be a big player in the hospitality market with new and renewed properties. Lacasa Hotel Seoul, located in Sinsa-dong of southern Seoul, recently renewed its penthouse floor and restaurant. After the renovation, the top floor now houses two rooms: the Loft House and Garden House.  Lacasa Hotel Seoul Lacasa Hotel SeoulThe rooms, with separate bedroom and living room spaces, are designed to accommodate brand events

TravelNov. 30, 2018

5 Best new South Korean shows to watch this winter

As temperatures plunge and people like to snuggle up indoors, home entertainment becomes essential. And for that, we have put together a list of new South Korea drama series that will make for some great winter TV viewing.(MBC, tvN)“Encounter” 9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, tvN  (tvN)The new tvN series is already a success as far as ratings are concerned. The pilot episode broke the previous record for the most watched first episode of all shows on the drama-focused cable channel.Featuring Song H

TelevisionNov. 30, 2018

Discontinued infamous ‘2X fire noodle’ returns by popular demand

Samyang Food announced on Friday that the discontinued “Haek Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen” will return, with an upgrade to make the ramen even spicier than before.  (Samyang Food)“We decided to officially bring back the product to express our gratitude to customers who loved the ‘Haek Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen.’ Samyang Food will strengthen communication with customers to put out products that meet the public demand.” Samyang Food said.The renewed Haek Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen, also known as 2X

FoodNov. 30, 2018

NCT 127 accused of cultural appropriation after sampling Maori haka

K-pop group NCT 127’s song “Simon Says” sparked mixed sentiments in New Zealand after it was accused of appropriating parts of traditional Maori prayer karakia.“‘Simon Says’ by NCT 127 has been watched nearly 7 million times, but not everyone’s a fan,” wrote New Zealand’s television channel TVNZ, Thursday. Screen grab of “Simon Says”’s music video (YouTube)TVNZ quoted professor Aroha Mead of New Zealand’s Maori Centre of Research Excellence, that the te reo Maori words, “Ttuturu o whiti whakamau

PerformanceNov. 30, 2018