10 bands and singers coming to Korea in 3 months

1. Oh Wonder (Oh Wonder's Instagram)Feb. 20 (Tues.) 9 p.m.MUV-HallTickets: 80,000 won (purchase on the spot from 6 p.m.)http://ticket.yes24.com/Pages/Perf/Detail/Detail.aspx?IdPerf=28878 A London-based alt-pop duo, Oh Wonder are holding their first concert in Korea after their first-ever performance here at Holiday Land Festival, July 2017. The duo has released two studio albums so far, both of which have gained favorable reviews -- their self-titled debut album and “Ultralife.” Their voices cre

PerformanceFeb. 13, 2018

BoA to drop new EP ‘One Shot, Two Shot’

Having just returned to the K-pop scene, solo singer BoA will release a new EP on Feb. 20. “One Shot, Two Shot” will contain seven tracks. The singer has released 18 regular albums since her 2000 debut, but this is her first EP release. BoA (S.M. Entertainment)BoA’s new songs will be dropped on local music websites at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20. The physical albums are to go on sale the next day. BoA released her latest album “Nega Dola” on Jan. 31. The powerful dance anthem was well received for showing

PerformanceFeb. 12, 2018

Expats to get a taste of home this Lunar New Year

Organizations in Seoul and Gwangju are inviting expats to experience Seollal this week.The Yeoksam Global Village Center is holding a Lunar New Year event for foreign residents in Seoul’s National Folk Museum of Korea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The attendees will learn the history and customs of Seollal, and celebrate with other participants by cooking up a traditional Seollal meal that includes rich cake soup (tteokguk) and mung bean pancakes (bindae tteok).  Guests learn traditional c

Expat LivingFeb. 12, 2018

Singer Seohyun sings about unification with North Korean art troupe

Seohyun of K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation joined a North Korean art troupe in singing about unification and peace in Seoul on Sunday.The 140-member Samjiyon Orchestra, led by Hyon Song-wol, head of the all-female Moranbong Band, held a special concert at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul to celebrate the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games.  (Yonhap)According to local media reports, Seohyun, dressed in a white dress and matching heels, made a surprise appearance at the grand finale of the con

PerformanceFeb. 12, 2018

Musical highlights prejudice against women through Victorian writer‘s struggles

Singer-turned-actress Ivy admitted that she paid little attention to women’s rights before landing the lead role in“Red Book,” a local musical production that explores the theme of discrimination against women.”(It is) embarrassing to tell, but I had not given much thought to issues such as women’s rights or discrimination against women in the past. However, I recently became more aware of these issues. I have learned a great deal while preparing for the role, and I began studying the issues as

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2018

Troubled TV series ’Return‘ tries to get back on track

Troubled TV series “Return” is eying to restart its production process, according to industry sources Sunday. The sources say the actors and actresses on Saturday met with producers to work on their scripts. They will meet again Sunday for filming, it also has been reported.  The new poster of SBS TV series “Return” /SBSOn Saturday, SBS also uploaded an altered poster for “Return.” The new poster does not include the actors and actresses, instead opting for just the letters of the title.Who will

TelevisionFeb. 11, 2018

[Video] PyeongChang Winter Games promote traditional Korean culture

For the next two weeks, the world’s best winter sports athletes will be vying for the coveted gold in the PyeongChang Winter Games. But organizers of the international event seek to take this opportunity to also promote Korea’s traditional culture through what they have dubbed “Cultural Olympiad.”(Shot and edited by Park Ju-young)From Feb. 9 - 25, various cultural events will take place across Gangwon Province, including Olympic venues, temples, tourist spots and stations.  PyeongChang Olympic P

CultureFeb. 11, 2018

Baek Ji-young apologizes for husband’s drug charges

Singer Baek Ji-young apologized for the recent drug scandal involving her husband, actor Jung Suk-won, during a concert in Seoul on Saturday.On Friday, local media reported that Jung was nabbed by police at Incheon Airport late Thursday for allegedly using methamphetamine while overseas.  Baek Ji-young (Yonhap)“I recognize my husband’s misdeed, and as his wife, spouse and lifelong companion, I’ve been deeply regretting it along with him,” said Baek tearfully, during the concert that took place a

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2018

Gangneung lifts limits on taxi operations

Gangneung will exempt taxis from a restriction on operations in order to increase the supply of taxis during the Olympics. Taxis in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, are usually required to take one day off when they have operated for two consecutive days, but the recent increase in visitors to the city has prompted the authorities to lift the rule during the Olympic period from Feb. 10 to 25. (Yonhap)As for vehicles other than rental cars and public transportation services, those with odd plate numb

TravelFeb. 11, 2018

Weekly K-pop concerts at Gangneung Olympic Park

Weekly K-pop concerts will take place at Gangneung’s Olympic Park starting Sunday, as part of the Olympic celebrations.Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is one of the cities hosting events for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games in PyeongChang. All the games on ice take place in Gangneung.There will be three concerts during the Olympics and one during the Paralympics. The first is on Sunday, when rock bank YB, rapper and singer Heize, and K-pop groups EXID, WJSN and Teen Top are slated to perform.T

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2018

So Yoo-jin gives birth to daughter

Actress So Yoo-jin is now a mother of three, having given birth to a daughter. Her management agency SOPM announced in an official statement that So had delivered her third child.  So Yoo-jin / Yonhap“So gave birth to her daughter at a hospital in Seoul, Thursday,” the statement read. “The mother and the baby are well. So will work on recovery and child care for a while.” The actress is married to food restaurateur Baek Jong-won, who is known in Korea for launching successful food businesses. Th

TelevisionFeb. 9, 2018

Rethinking dessert at Plan Plan

From its small perch in Seoul’s Samseong-dong, Plan Plan is doing creative, structured, delicious things with cake. This tiny 14-seat dessert shop has been spinning out mouthwatering sweets since 2015, infusing mousse cakes and other treats with its own aesthetic. The aim is to create toothsome cakes that will even appeal to those who are not fond of sweets, “cakes that one can eat every day,” said Plan Plan co-owner and pastry chef Moon Sun-young, 39.Both Moon and co-owner and pastry chef Kim E

FoodFeb. 9, 2018

[Home Cooking] Eomuk guk (fish cake soup)

Eomuk guk (Korean Bapsang)When it’s cold outside, eomuk simmered in a light savory broth is a comfort food at its best! Eomuk is processed fish cake made with pureed fish and other ingredients. It’s a common ingredient used in various Korean dishes such as gimbap and eomuk bokkeum (stir-fried). The street version of eomuk guk is conveniently served on long skewers with the hot broth served separately in a cup. At home, eomuk guk can be prepared without skewers as an easy everyday soup! Eomuk com

FoodFeb. 9, 2018

Korean-Danish chef returns to Seoul, ‘back to where it all started’

On the profile section of Chef Anders Groenholm’s social media account, a simple yet loaded phrase is written -- “Back to where it all started.” For him, Seoul is the beginning. Groenholm, a Danish national, has decided to return to the beginning, joining Millennium Seoul Hilton as its executive chef. The chef has traveled the world, working for various hotels. But for now, he is settled in Korea, working with the upscale hotel at Namsan, in the center of Seoul.  Chef Anders Groenholm (Millenniu

FoodFeb. 9, 2018

[Weekender] Around the Hotels

Valentine day at Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton has prepared everything needed for the special day, from dinner to gifts. Gourmet six-course dinner can be met at the hotel’s Italian trattoria, Il Ponte. The set menu consists of carpaccio, pasta, entree and dessert, a gratifying combination. The course costs 110,000 won and requires a minimum order for two. The hotel’s Cilantro Deli, located on the first floor, offers the classic but romantic gifts for lovers, including premium c

FoodFeb. 9, 2018

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (Korea)Opened Feb.8Comedy, CrimeWhen a series of unusual murders occurs, Detective K (Kim Myung-min) and his partner (Oh Dal-soo) are once again called into action as they discover a trail of bodies with mysterious bite marks. Along the way, the pair comes across with a woman with mystical powers and a hidden past.Paddington 2(US)Opened Feb.8Animation, Adventure, ComedyPaddington (Voiced by Ben Wishaw), now happily settled with the Brown family and a popula

FilmFeb. 9, 2018

Actor Jung Suk-won arrested for drug use: police

Police said Friday they have arrested Jung Suk-won, a South Korean actor and the husband of pop singer Baek Ji-young, on drugs charges.Jung, 33, was taken into custody by police officers at Incheon Airport late Thursday night for allegedly shooting up meth in a pub in Australia, an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, without giving further details.  Jung Suk-won (C-JeS Entertainment)Police said the arrest was made after they got intelligence on Jung’s possible use of the dru

TelevisionFeb. 9, 2018

SBS drops Go Hyun-jung from ‘Return’

Actress Go Hyun-jung has officially been dropped from SBS hit drama series “Return.” “Go Hyun-jung has officially left ‘Return,’“ said Go’s management agency IOK Company in a statement released Thursday. It further explained that the actress and the staff could not come to an agreement on decisions concerning the production process.  Go Hyun-jung poses at press conference for drama “Return” on Jan. 15 at Times Square Mall in Seoul. / YonhapThe broadcaster had notified the veteran actress of its

TelevisionFeb. 9, 2018

Opera ‘Seonbi’ to be staged PyeongChang Olympics

Adding an original opera to the vast array of cultural offerings during the Olympics period, Chosun Opera Company’s opera “Seonbi: The Noble and Wise Man” will be staged at the Gangneung Dano Culture Center on Saturday.The opera performance will be accompanied by the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Kim Bong-mi.  Opera ”Seonbi“ at the National Theater of Korea in 2015 (National Theater of Korea)”Herald Philharmonic Orchestra and I have accompanied the opera many times since its Ko

PerformanceFeb. 8, 2018