‘Love Catcher,’ a complicated mind game between love and money

Money is often considered a counterpart of love for those weighing the two in the course of setting their life priorities or goals. Mnet’s new variety show “Love Catcher” brings the two together to create a complicated situation in which the program’s contestants struggle to find true romance.“I came up with the program after having the thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I could tell whether he/she dates me for money?’ said producer Jung Min-seok during a press conference for the program in Seoul

TelevisionJuly 9, 2018

BTS’ exhibition ‘Five, Always’ slated for Aug.-Oct. in downtown Seoul

Following the closure of BTS’ fifth anniversary celebrations in June, the septet has announced another event this summer and follow-up details are now available. (Big Hit Entertainment)BTS is presenting an exclusive exhibition dubbed “2018 BTS Exhibition ‘24,7=Serendipity (Five, Always),’” which marks the group’s second exclusive exhibition after 2015’s “Butterfly Dream.” The “Five, Always” part is stylized as “O, neul” in Korean -- a play on words that also translates to “today.” This is elabor

PerformanceJuly 9, 2018

‘Star on Stage’ gathers top classical musicians on one stage

A concert next month will offer local classical music enthusiasts a rare opportunity to listen to ensembles performed by several internationally acclaimed musicians in one place on a single day.A total of 10 teams of 15 artists will perform as ensembles on Aug. 15 at the Lotte Concert Hall. The 15 featured soloists include pianists Kim Sun-wook, Sunwoo Ye-kwon, Lim Dong-hyek, cellists Mun Tae-guk and Isang Enders, violinists Kim Suyoen, Kim Bom-sori and Soprano Hwang Su-mi. Seven artists from No

CultureJuly 8, 2018

SHINee’s Key features in remix version of Years & Years’ ‘If You’re Over Me’

SHINee’s Key has lent his voice for English synth pop band Years & Years’ remix version of “If You’re Over Me,” contributing to K-pop’s worldwide expansion. In the remix version of the song, released on Friday, the K-pop star sings both in Korean and English alongside the British trio. Key’s Korean verses reflect the English song’s original meaning, as Key asks his lover to stop pushing-and-pulling. He wrote the lyrics himself, according to his agency S.M. Entertainment. The single’s release coi

PerformanceJuly 8, 2018

Japanese idol quits Produce 48 amid controversy

Matsui Jurina is quitting the survival reality TV show “Produce 48” due to health reasons, a decision that came after the Japanese idol star was embroiled in a controversy surrounding her attitude.The officials of the Mnet show confirmed Sunday that she is off the program, a day after her original group SKE48 announced that Matsui is putting her career on hold for her health. The group said this means ceasing any activity on social media or personal mail. Matsui Jurina (Mnet)The 21-year-old has

PerformanceJuly 8, 2018

Jessie sizzles with summer single ‘Down’

Jessie has unveiled a beach-themed music video for her latest single “Down,” featuring plenty of tight choreography. The 29-year-old singer’s new video for the upbeat song has been watched over 1.5 million times on YouTube since it was released on Friday, prompting some fans to call her the “Korean Nicki Minaj.”Jessie and backup dancers perform a choreographed dance. (Youtube)The song, which is packed with plenty of feel good vibes and irresistibly addictive beats, has been hailed as a surefire

PerformanceJuly 8, 2018

Dating fellow idols not an option for Dreamcatcher

Dating fellow idols is not a priority for Dreamcahter for now, the girl group said in a recent interview.In the recent interview with a local magazine bnt, members of the seven-piece band said they are putting work before love at the moment and ruled out dating fellow idols.When the magazine asked whether there had been advances made by male idol stars, the girls said compliments on looks for their strong makeup are all they get. (bnt)When it comes to ideal types of boyfriends, Siye said she doe

PerformanceJuly 8, 2018

What does NK’s Okryugwan naengmyeon taste like?

Though most South Koreans have never been to the North, almost everyone has heard of the famous Okryugwan restaurant in Pyongyang and its signature naengmyeon.Koreans often debate about the cold noodle dish’s original taste, wondering what it’s really like in its hometown of Pyongyang. The classic menu has been creating a sensation here, partly thanks to the recent peace mood between the two Koreas. North Korea even brought a noodle machine from Okryugwan to the historic summit with the South in

TelevisionJuly 8, 2018

[Photo News] Water Gun Festival in Sinchon quenches summer heat

The sixth Water Gun Festival in Sinchon, Seoul, brought some much needed relief to the scorching summer heat on Saturday.On the first day of the two-day fiesta, the main street that rolls down from Sinchon subway station to the front gate of Yonsei University was crammed with people of all nationalities and ages, armed with water guns and raincoats.Several were dressed up as DC and Marvel’s super heroes, including the intergalactic villain Thanos of the latest Avengers movie. The festival runs u

CultureJuly 8, 2018

[Weekender] Euljiro Nogari Alley offers unpretentious pub fare

During a sudden downpour in Seoul on Monday evening, Euljiro turned into a ghost town surrounded by a modern megapolis. Located south of the Cheonggyecheon in central Seoul, most of the shops and restaurants in Euljiro closed their business after a busy day dealing with customers visiting electric shops and publishing companies. But at the end of the dark alley, a light still glimmered. Under the roofs decorated with small flags of different nations, crowds of people sat in bright red plastic ch

TravelJuly 6, 2018

One way to interpret BTS’ ‘Love Yourself’ saga

It is no secret that BTS has a talent in conveying deep messages through its music.Previously known for its millennial-oriented social commentary, the septet ventured into the realm of romance in its recent releases.  "Love Yourself: Her" concept images of Jin (top left), Jimin (bottom right) constrast with the black-and-white images of V (top right), Jungkook (bottom left) from "Love Yourself: Tear." (Big Hit Entertainment)BTS released “Love Yourself: Tear” on May 18, a sequel to 2017’s “Love Y

PerformanceJuly 6, 2018

Citing bipolar disorder, Jang Keun-suk to carry out alternative military service

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, actor Jang Keun-suk will alternatively serve his military duty as a public service worker. The actor will enlist on July 16, his agency Tree J announced Friday.  (Yonhap)According to the agency, Jang was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011 at a university hospital. He was later deemed to be unfit for active duty through multiple health examinations carried out by the Military Manpower Administration.“Jang tried his best to overcome bipolar disorder, working o

FilmJuly 6, 2018

Will ‘Along with the Gods’ create a second box office smash?

Korean blockbuster film series “Along with the Gods” is ready to start its second story, more confident than ever. The “Along With the Gods” series is based on a popular web comic of the same name, written and illustrated by cartoonist Joo Ho-min. The story deals with the afterlife from the perspective of traditional Korean mythology.The first installment “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds,” released in December, was the second most commercially successful movie in Korean box office history, s

FilmJuly 6, 2018

Specialty and micro-lot coffee roasted and brewed in-house

At Gray Gristmill, one of the latest additions to Seoul’s ever-growing cafe scene, getting a caffeinated brew is an interactive process. After perusing a selection of 12 different single-origin coffee and blends, cafe-goers choose their coffee and how it will be brewed. All coffee is displayed in vacuum-sealed, single portion packages at the counter with placards detailing their flavor profiles. For instance, there is Gray Gristmill’s single-origin Honduras coffee with “lemongrass tea,” “dried m

FoodJuly 6, 2018

[Weekender] Ever-changing Euljiro

Euljiro, a major road that runs through central Seoul, is enjoying its second boom in an unexpected way as young social media users have begun frequenting the area. The street and its nearby area have long been the center of Korea’s industrialization and economic growth, housing small metal workshops, print shops, lighting stores and much more. Getting out of Euljiro 3-ga Station, a funky smell pierces through your nose, proving that the workshops in the area are still up-and-coming. A passerby

CultureJuly 6, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Mango bingsu at Grand InterContinental Seoul ParnasGrand InterContinental Seoul Parnas added a new addition to its bingsu list, the Cloud Mango Bingsu.The new bingsu menu comes with cotton candy on top of a pole-shaped mango biscotti. The shaved milk ice is topped with mango puree, mango ice cream and fresh mango slices. Finnish-style berry cheese cake and mango jelly are served as side dishes along with the bingsu. The menu is served in a glass bowl, decorated with a dewdrop-shaped design, from

FoodJuly 6, 2018

Receiving all types of guests as hotel-residence complex

Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences (Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun) aims to meet the needs of all kinds of guests, from business travelers to family visitors and long-term guests. The hotel, which officially opened Sunday, is situated in Dongdaemun area, a famous shopping district in central Seoul. Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Hotels & ResidencesOf the 523 rooms, 331 are classic hotel rooms for business travelers while 192 rooms are residences, much like apartments and studios, eq

TravelJuly 6, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Ugly fish’s spicy twist, aguijjim

Aguijjim (often misspelled as agujjim) is a braised spicy monkfish dish. When cooked, the ugly fish takes an unexpected gourmet turn with a delicate texture.Monkfish, or anglerfish, is usually described as one of the ugliest fish in the deep ocean. Koreans often call it “devil fish” due to its huge head and tiny eyes. An enormous mouth filled with numerous needle-like teeth completes its gruesome appearance. (Shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo)Surprisingly, the fish’s texture is quite the opposi

FoodJuly 5, 2018

Paintings bring back memories of countless past encounters

With dark-and-bright contrasts throughout, young local painter Jwa Hae-sun’s portraits of ordinary people remind us of our own memories of numerous overlooked encounters. Her portraits of unknown people have the power to evoke questions on the otherness of the others and the solitude that we feel among a crowd of unknowns. Jwa’s solo exhibition “The Most Ordinary Stories,” which opened Thursday at Arario Gallery Samcheong branch, comprises of works that capture everyday scenes and people that an

Arts & DesignJuly 5, 2018

[Photo News] Meet newly crowned 2018 Miss Korea Kim Soo-min

Kim Soo-min, 23, was crowned winner of Miss Korea 2018 in the final round of the annual beauty pageant in Seoul on Wednesday.Representing Gyeonggi Province, Kim studied international business at Dickinson College. With her eyes set on becoming an international journalist, Kim said her hobbies include dancing, singing and impersonating voices.This year’s 62nd Miss Korea pageant was held Wednesday night at the Olympic Hall in Sonpa-gu, southeastern Seoul, with 32 contestants competing in the final

CultureJuly 5, 2018