Busan to host mingling events for singles

Busan, the second-largest city in Korea, will host events to help single people get together to find a potential date.Those eligible to take part should be aged between 36 and 46. The city announced Monday that it will hold the mingling events on June 16 and July 7, at Geumjeong-gu’s ‘Evergreen Forest’ camping facility. The city will also host a festival on June 24 for those aged between 25 and 38. Recruiting is ongoing at the festival’s homepage www.선남선녀.kr for 20 men and 20 women. (www.선남선녀.kr

CultureJune 11, 2018

BTS falls out of top 10 on Billboard 200 albums chart

K-pop superstars BTS was nudged out of the top 10 on the Billboard 200 most popular albums chart after topping it two weeks earlier, according to Billboard on Monday."Love Yourself: Tear" landed out of the top 10 for the third week of June, according to the Billboard website's preview of the chart, posted ahead of an official chart update set for June 12. Kanye West's "Ye," released on June 1, topped the Billboard 200 chart.The latest BTS record landed atop the 200 album list in the week startin

PerformanceJune 11, 2018

Yoon Doo-joon’s flip-flop over why he can’t travel overseas

Highlight member Yoon Doo-joon has recently come under fire from the public concerning his agency’s untruthful explanation about why he cannot travel overseas.The incident started when Around Us Entertainment issued a statement on Thursday that Yoon could not participate in a K-pop event in Hanoi Saturday and a fan meeting in Bangkok on June 24 due to the Ministry Manpower Administration revising the conscription law that mandates all able-bodied Korean man to serve for approximately two years.

PerformanceJune 10, 2018

Actor’s daughter denies #MeToo revelations crushing celebrity dreams

Late actor Jo Min-ki’s daughter Cho Youn-Kyoung has refuted a recent media report that her debut was called off after her father was accused of sexually attacking students.A news-entertainment show reported Friday that Cho had been set to sign a deal with a talent agency two weeks before her father was accused of sexually harassing students, which emerged as part of the #MeToo movement here. The report said that Cho’s debut had to be called off. (Cho Youn-kyoung`s Instagram)On Sunday, Cho addres

FilmJune 10, 2018

Gentle Monster looks beyond sunglasses

Among the foreign luxury brands filling the eyewear section at local duty-free shops and department stores, the Korean-based brand Gentle Monster stands out.Getting its initial fame among the Korean public as “Jun Ji-hyun sunglasses” after the actress wore a Gentle Monster product in hit TV series “My Love From the Star” in 2014, the brand is solidifying its place in a market heavily dominated by foreign luxury brands.　 Photo 1/ Gentle Monster is to launch the capsule collection “Once Upon a Fut

Arts & DesignJune 10, 2018

TVXQ to see record 1m attendance for tour of Japan

TVXQ wraps up its Japanese tour Sunday, with the total in attendance across the concerts expected to top 1 million.According to Japanese news reports, TVXQ’s ongoing “Begin Again” tour in Japan will come to a grand finale with a three-day concert series at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. TVXQ (Yonhap)Nissan Stadium is the largest concert venue in Japan, and can host more than 70,000 people. The K-pop duo is expected to attract 220,000 fans during its concerts at the stadium, hel

PerformanceJune 10, 2018

BTS' 'DNA' video tops 400m YouTube views

K-pop sensation BTS' music video for "DNA" exceeded 400 million views on YouTube on Saturday, marking the first time that a South Korean music group has set such a record.The video for the lead song on the group's mini album "Love Yourself: Her" surpassed the milestone on the global video-hosting site in the day, according to Big Hit Entertainment.The group achieved the feat within nine months of releasing the video, which is the shortest time to set such a record by a South Korean group, the ag

PerformanceJune 10, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Cozy night with children at Conrad Seoul Welcoming family guests with children, Conrad Seoul presents a new children-friendly package. The kid-oriented package includes a night stay and a breakfast at the hotel’s buffet dining restaurant Zest. A Conrad Junior kit, comprising of a playbook and a coloring pencil set, is offered. Also a kids’ tent provides children guests a unique indoor space in the hotel rooms. Guests are also allowed free admission to the indoor swimming pool. The package is ava

FoodJune 8, 2018

Flavorful French with an artistic bent

Hulotte -- a fine dining French restaurant into its second year of business -- settled into its new perch in Cheongdam-dong a little over a month ago. The interior is new, the location is new but, owner-chef Lee Seung-jun says, the food is not. The food is the driving force behind Hulotte, and it seems the driving force behind the food is husband-and-wife team Lee and Na Yun-jeong.  Hulotte's strip loin pairs juicy cuts of beef coated in a caramelized glaze of cumin, honey and balsamic vinegar w

FoodJune 8, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom(US)Opened June 6Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Directed by J.A. BayonaBeliever (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-young　Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David LeitchBurning(Korea)Opened May 17Mystery, DramaDirected by Lee Chang-dong　 　Dinosaurs left on the abandoned island of Isla Nublar are now on the verge of re-extinction as a volcano on the island is about to erupt. Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Ch

FilmJune 8, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Gangneung Danoje FestivalCentum Beer FestivalGoseong Lavender FestivalWelcome to Joseon The cultural theme park of the Korean Folk Village hosts the “Welcome to Joseon” Variety Festival each spring. Programs include parades and performances as well as hands-on activities and cast members wandering freely throughout the park to interact with visitors. Travel in time back to the Joseon era with the characters putting up an interesting comedy act.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and the d

TravelJune 8, 2018

Uee mulls next TV project

Uee might return in an upcoming TV series, according to her agency on Friday.Yuleum Entertainment said the singer and actress has been offered a lead role in a KBS2 drama series slated to kick off in September. Actress and singer Uee (Yuleum Entertainment)If she accepts, it would mark a return to the small screen for Uee four months after the completion of MBC’s “My Husband, Mr. Oh!”The character Uee has been offered is studying to become a teacher. The series unfolds as the character finds that

TelevisionJune 8, 2018

Lee Yi-kyung, Jung In-sun break up

Lee Yi-kyung and Jung In-sun have ended their relationship that had lasted more than a year.On Friday, both HB Entertainment and CJes Entertainment, Lee and Jung’s agencies, respectively, confirmed the actors’ recent breakup, stating the couple separated on good terms and agreed to remain supportive.  Lee Yi-kyung (HB Entertainment), Jung In-sun (CJes Entertainment)Lee and Jung had been dating for about a year when their relationship was revealed to the public in April. The two starred together

TelevisionJune 8, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Satisfying sweet tooth with red beans, patbingsu

In the sweltering heat of summer, patbingsu, or shaved iced with red beans, is a popular treat.The most classic type of bingsu, which refers to desserts made of shaved ice and condensed milk completed with various toppings, patbingsu looks like a white mountain with burgundy lava. Patbingsu’s overall taste is sweet, as the red beans have been simmered with sugar for hours and milk is used to make the shaved milk. The pleasure comes from the unexpected clash of textures. While the red beans are m

FoodJune 7, 2018

Ryse opens with ‘energy of Hongdae’

Newly-opened boutique hotel Ryse hopes to offer a trendy and artistic hospitality experience to guests, embracing the “Hongdae culture.” Hongdae area in western Seoul refers to the neighborhood near Hongik University, known for its art school, and the neighborhood‘s young and artistic crowd fill the area with a cool vibe and energy. RYSE from rooftop bar Side Note Club (RYSE)Ryse, part of Mariott’s Autograph Collection, officially opened its doors to guests and non-guests on May 24, hoping to re

CultureJune 7, 2018

NU’EST W to return with new single on June 25

K-pop act NU’EST W is set to return with a new single on June 25.The subunit of NU’EST made the announcement Thursday by sharing a handwritten letter on its official website that stated: “We know that it took us a long time for the new album. We’ve prepared and practiced a lot for the album. (Pledis Entertainment)“I hope the album could be like a gift for fans. It’s time for us to reciprocate your love.”The upcoming album marks the first record for the boy band since its debut EP “W, Here” in Oc

PerformanceJune 7, 2018

Artists caught between past and future legacies

Art movements that set milestones in history have had such a profound impact that some still inspire people to revisit and reproduce them, even generations later. French artist Lili Reynaud-Dewar’s solo exhibition “Beyond the Land of Minimal Possessions” at Atelier Hermes in Seoul is an exhibition that sheds light on ways in which people today work with one of most profound 20th century art movements, minimalism. Reynaud-Dewar’s latest exhibition in Seoul focuses on Marfa, a small desert town in

Arts & DesignJune 7, 2018

[Album review] Something big is missing on Wanna One’s new album

Wanna One“1÷χ=1(Undivided)” (Stone Music Entertainment) The clock is ticking for Wanna One, but the path the band has taken for its new album “1÷χ=1(Undivided)” is quite disappointing. As a group that was handpicked through a Korean audition show last year, Wanna One knows what kind of music pleases the public. It has continued its winning streak with super catchy hits like “Energetic,” “I.P.U” and “Boomerang,” songs that fit into K-pop’s typical sonic standard. But with “Light,” the UK garage-i

PerformanceJune 7, 2018

Elris confirms June release of new EP

Elris’ “Summer Dream” is the latest in the long line of girl groups returning with new releases for the blazing-hot season.The girl group’s agency Hunus Entertainment on Thursday released the teaser image for its third and latest EP, which shows a picture of five different colored drinks with the message “Elris is coming 2018 June.”It will mark the first release for the K-pop act since EP “Color Crush” last September.  The teaser image for Elris’ “Summer Dream.” (Hunus Entertainment)During a pre

PerformanceJune 7, 2018

One-off Buddhist talk for English-speaking expat community

Ven. Pomnyun, a celebrated Buddhist monk here, will hold a special talk with the English-speaking expat community in Korea on June 15 for two hours from 7-9 p.m. at the Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul.The occasion is prepared for the growing population of foreign residents in Korea to join in the conversation regarding the recent developments related to South and North Korean relations. A simultaneous interpreter will help run the program.According to Jungto Society, a humanitarian group led

Expat LivingJune 7, 2018