[K-Talk] IU to release 10th anniversary single ‘BBI BBI’

Singer-songwriter IU is set to commemorate 10 years since her debut on Oct. 10 with the new single “BBI BBI.”On Monday, IU posted a teaser image for the new single on Instagram with the comment, “October 10 (at) 6 p.m. BBI BBI.” (Instagram)The new EP comes after a yearlong hiatus for the singer, who released cover album “A Flower Bookmark #2” in September 2017.“Originally, there was no official plan for the release of the new EP,” said IU’s agency, Kakao M, Monday. “But 2018 is a special year as

PerformanceOct. 1, 2018

BTS merchandise sale starts at Big Hit Shop

Big Hit Shop dominated local search engines Monday, when it started selling merchandise for BTS’ latest world tour.The merchandise shop run by BTS’ agency, Big Hit Entertainment, posted an announcement on its homepage Sunday, indicating that official merchandise for the “Love Yourself” tour would be available at the shop starting Oct. 1. (Big Hit Entertainment)For premium photos, key rings, magnets, picture scrolls and image pickets, the announcement said, sales would be limited to one product p

PerformanceOct. 1, 2018

Seasonal programs recommended for travel week

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday announced the launch of this year’s Autumn Travel Week, a designated period between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 featuring travel programs and government-recommended destinations.Continuing the theme of travel spots featured in popular Korean movies and TV shows, 17 regional governments will take part in Travel Week. Twenty travel spots are introduced on the event’s homepage (https://travelweek.visitkorea.or.kr), in categories such as a place to visit

TravelOct. 1, 2018

Korean-learning foreigners invited to Seoul

Foreigners learning Korean language across the world via state-run King Sejong Institutes will visit the country from Oct. 2-10, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday.According to the ministry, 147 foreigners who got high scores at Korean speaking contests at the 172 institutes across 56 countries have been invited, with 12 of them participating in the finals Thursday. Students of King Sejong Institute in India try on traditional hanbok in this Sept. 24 file photo. (Yonhap)Part

CultureOct. 1, 2018

Rotary Korea offers free heart surgery for 60 Mongolian infants

Some 60 Mongolian infants have received heart surgery operations free of charge over the past six years through a charity program funded by Rotary Korea, the organizers said. Korean medical professionals pose for a photo in Mongolia, where they have performed some 60 free heart surgery operations for local children over the past six years. Rotary KoreaThe Seoul bureau of Rotary International, a global service organization dedicated to bringing professional leaders and businesses together to prov

PeopleSept. 30, 2018

Wanna One’s agency apologizes for manager’s violent act toward fan

Swing Entertainment has issued a formal apology for Wanna One’s manager, whose violent act toward a fan has sparked off a storm of criticism.  (Twitter)The incident took place Friday when Wanna One members were on their way to “KCON 2018 Thailand.” A video of the group’s departure from an airport in Thailand captured a manager of Wanna One swearing and pushing a fan with excessive force.  (Twitter)The video went viral and drew criticism. “The man pushing fans in the video is a manager of Wanna O

PerformanceSept. 30, 2018

Experiencing Korea with Daemyung Leisure Industry

Daemyung Leisure Industry, a major ski resort and water theme park operator in Korea, has launched packages that invite foreign tourists to experience Korea’s culture and history. Targeting the millennial generation’s desire for local experiences, the packages focus on unique experiences that are only offered in Korea.  The MVL Hotel Goyang (Daemyung Leisure Industry)The MVL Hotel Goyang, a five-star hotel in Gyeonggi Province, presents the Go Peace & Shopping package, which includes a two- or t

TravelSept. 30, 2018

New ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film sparks dispute over casting of Korean actress as ‘pet snake’

The casting of South Korean actress Claudia Kim as Lord Voldemort’s pet snake in the latest installment of the “Fantastic Beasts” series has sparked yet another debate over typecasting in Hollywood.Kim, whose Korean name is Soo-hyun, sounded excited Tuesday when she revealed on her Instagram account that she would appear in the upcoming Harry Potter spinoff “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” as Nagini, originally described as Lord Voldemort’s right-hand snake in the books and films. H

FilmSept. 30, 2018

NCT 127 to perform at Disney special on ABC

K-pop group NCT 127 will put up a musical performance at an upcoming American TV event celebrating Disney’s most iconic figure -- Mickey Mouse.The two-hour “Mickey’s 90th Spectacular” will air on Nov. 4 (EST) with appearances by stars from Disney movies and TV such as Kristen Bell, Sofia Carson and Tony Hale. NCT 127 (S.M. Entertainment)NCT 127 will be featured in the musical performance, along with Josh Groban, Leslie Odom Jr., Zac Brown and Meghan Trainor.According to the boy band’s label S.M.

PerformanceSept. 30, 2018

Korean artist Lee Bul retrospective opens in Berlin

Korean artist Lee Bul’s retrospective exhibition kicked off Friday at Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin.The artist’s 2015-16 work “Willing to Be Vulnerable,” a 17-meter-long sculpture that looks like a Hindenburg airship or Zeppelin, is included in the 127 works that span over some 30 years and are on show. “Willing to Be Vulnerable” was first shown at the 20th Biennale of Sydney in 2016. “Scale of Tongue,” Lee’s latest work, is also presented at Martin-Gropius-Bauwill.The exhibition sheds light on h

Arts & DesignSept. 30, 2018

With Asia Focus, national museum amplifies Asian voices in global art world

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, kicked off the second edition of Asia Focus on Friday at its Seoul branch. This year’s Asia Focus -- a program launched last year to support artists in Asia -- runs through next Wednesday. Asia Focus forms part of MMCA Performing Arts, a yearlong program dedicated to interdisciplinary performances. This year, the museum co-commissioned five Asian artists -- Ho Tzu Nyen of Singapore, Meiro Koizumi of Japan, Dai Chenlian of China, Hong Kon

Arts & DesignSept. 28, 2018

Returning Sunye explains reason for leaving Wonder Girls

Sunye of the now-disbanded K-pop girl group Wonder Girls insisted via Instagram that she’d “never thought about leaving the entertainment industry,” amid criticism from some fans that she is “being selfish” by making a comeback. After tying the knot with Korean-Canadian missionary James Park in 2013, Sunye went to live in Canada despite the fact that her contract with JYP Entertainment had not expired. It wasn’t until 2015 that the singer officially left the agency.  (Polaris Entertainment)At th

PerformanceSept. 28, 2018

Korean cello maker wins gold medal at prominent int'l competition

ROME -- A young South Korean cello maker has topped a prominent international competition in Italy for making string instruments in the category.The 28-year-old Jung Ga-wang became the first South Korean to take the gold medal at the 15th International Triennale Violin Making Competition Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy. He is also the youngest award winner ever at the Olympics for violin making held in the hometown of the legendary violin maker Antonio Stradivari. The event closed Wednesday

PerformanceSept. 28, 2018

[Trending] Aged barbers’ trimming skills impress young customers

The barbershop, once considered a place of the past, has come back around as an essential grooming parlor for young hipsters in Korea. Many of the newly opened shops are operated by young barbers who garner customers by featuring trendy hairstyles.The professional trimming skills of more aged barbers, however, have caught the eyes of the youth, as videos of YouTubers experiencing old-school barbershops in Seoul have gone viral online.  (YouTube channel "That Russian Guy")YouTube creator Art from

CultureSept. 28, 2018

Diet drink under probe over safety

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Thursday they will look into a pineapple vinegar drink along with other food and drink products that promote their effectiveness for weight loss.The drink in question was selected for inspection through an online petition, which received the most votes from June 8 to Aug. 31 on an online petition forum provided by the MFDS. (Yonhap)The petitioner wrote that the pineapple vinegar drink had caused side effects including diarrhea, stomach pains and menstrua

FoodSept. 27, 2018

Taking in Seoul’s hidden gems along Fortress Wall

Emile Bourdartet, a French engineer who came to Korea in 1900 to help construct railways and mines, said of Seoul Fortress Wall, “It is possible to walk the whole length of this wall in a single day. It is a very interesting walkway for those skilled at sauntering and hiking.”He was writing about his experiences of Korea in “The Last Breath of the Korean Empire,” which became France’s most widely read book about the land of the morning calm after it was published in 1904. “The jaunt offers a sce

TravelSept. 27, 2018

[Eye Plus] Retro cinema welcomes film buffs to Dongducheon

Multiplex cinemas are easily seen in major cities nationwide. Moviegoers can pick their favorites among several films playing simultaneously in different rooms in a building.Most of all, visitors’ accessibility has quite improved compared to some 30 years ago, as many movie theaters are now located in shopping malls near residential areas.Despite the convenience and high-end facilities, some middle-aged Koreans cling to memories of their school days, when they looked forward to going to cinema h

FilmSept. 27, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Yangyang Songi Festival (Pine Mushroom Festival) The Yangyang Songi Festival offers programs that allow visitors to enjoy the Yangyang songi mushrooms that naturally grow on Taebaeksan Ridge.Activities include a mushroom-picking program for foreign visitors, a songi treasure hunt, concerts and traditional rice cake making.The festival runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, and is open to visitors of all ages, free of charge.For more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese, visit yangyang.go.k

TravelSept. 27, 2018

[Weekender] Fall walks to art museums near Gyeongbokgung

The fall has arrived and so has the season for strolling. In downtown Seoul, the area near central palace Gyeongbokgung is the favorite haunt of locals and tourists alike looking to enjoy fine culture and dining alike.On either side of the massive Gwanghwamun Square in front of the palace are the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and Sejong Center. The two large cultural institutions within close walking distance are perhaps ideal spots to start an “art walk” in Seoul. An installati

Arts & DesignSept. 27, 2018

1 in 3 regional museums substandard: report

About 34.7 percent of the museums run by regional governments have failed the government’s certification system, according to a Culture Ministry data submitted to an opposition lawmaker.Rep. Kim Jae-won of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said Thursday that 66 of the 187 public museums across the country fell short of the standards set by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.  Rep. Kim Jae-won (Yonhap)The ministry has been assessing the public museums via its certification system i

CultureSept. 27, 2018