Lotte World Mall to open KPOP Museum in February

The second KPOP Museum is set to open at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, Seoul, next month.Lotte World Mall said Thursday that prior to the opening, a pop-up event is being held from Wednesday through Jan. 28 at the Atrium on the first floor of the mall. The event titled “Go Back” will feature exhibitions and experiential halls under the theme of music and art popular from the 1950s to 1990s. The first branch of the KPOP Museum opened in April 2015 at Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongs

CultureJan. 18, 2018

Jung Joon-young to debut as pro-gamer

Singer-songwriter Jung Joon-young is ready to debut as a professional gamer, having joined Team Kongdoo, a professional gaming team.He will compete as a player of “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds,” a multiplayer online shooting game. “Jung joined the team Wednesday in an official joining ceremony,” said Jeong’s management agency C9 Entertainment on Thursday. Kongdoo Co.’s CEO Seo Kyung-jong said, “We scouted Jung, valuing his skills and passion as a gamer.” “I certainly know the difference between

PerformanceJan. 18, 2018

‘Splash of Old in New’ curates Korea in eyes of fashion

To enjoy a photo exhibition that portrays abstract Korean concepts in the perspective of fashion, a visitor needs to bring three packages each of ramen and instant rice.Such is the admission charged at “A Splash of Old in the New,” a photo exhibition running through Sunday at the Gangnam Tourist Information Center in Seoul. The exhibition “A Splash of Old in the New” is underway at Gangnam Tourist Information Center at Apgujeong-dong, Seoul, through Sunday. (Photo by Im Eun-byel / The Korea Hera

Arts & DesignJan. 18, 2018

Chungha rides love’s ‘Roller Coaster’ in new single

K-pop soloist Chungha rides on a “Roller Coaster” of love in her first single of 2018.About six months after making a splash with her tropical hit “Why Don’t You Know” last summer, Chungha returned with her new single “Roller Coaster,” a lead track off her second EP “Offset,” released Wednesday.  Chungha performs during a media showcase for her second EP, “Offset,” in Seoul on Wednesday. (MNH Entertainment)Chungha who rose to fame as a member of project girl group I.O.I, kicked off last year in

PerformanceJan. 18, 2018

Singers in boots, new concept for Gugudan

Gugudan heralded its return on Jan. 31 with the single “Act.4 Cait Sith,” which will have the K-pop act brandishing a concept that centers on the “Puss in Boots” fairy tale.Jellyfish Entertainment on Thursday announced the concept for Gugudan’s upcoming single and its lead track “The Boots.”  A promotional image for “Act.4 Cait Sith.” (Jellyfish Entertainment)According to the agency, the new record will feature the K-pop act’s interpretation of the European literary tale “Puss in Boots.” Popular

PerformanceJan. 18, 2018

[Photo News] Fishing at sunset

The silver prize-winning work titled "A Big Fish" at a photo contest, which was organized by Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province, shows a spectacular view of fishing at sunset.  (Uljin County-Yonhap)

CultureJan. 18, 2018

Expat film fest to return after year hiatus

The Korea International Expat Film Festival is inviting entries for its run in September, returning after a year away. The organizers have tried to keep the cost of entry down this year, choosing to seek sponsorship to reduce the festival’s reliance on fees. Now filmmakers have two options, either entering at the usual price, with the complete level of feedback offered before, or at a lower price without a detailed review. The feedback was set up as a selling point of KIXFF, inspired by founder

Expat LivingJan. 18, 2018

K-pop's pundit awards hope to 'comfort' independent creativity

As K-pop exploded into a multibillion-dollar global business over the years, music awards celebrating the industry have also grown increasingly lavish and extravagant. Last year's Mnet Asian Music Awards was staged in three countries -- Vietnam, Japan and China -- in a course of a week, highlighted by over-the-top production and performances of mega stars, such as BTS, EXO and TWICE. But among today's handful of established awards in South Korea, the Korean Music Awards stands out for being the

CultureJan. 18, 2018

Jung Yong-hwa withdraws from TV show following grad school admission scandal

CNBLUE’s frontman Jung Yong-hwa has decided to withdraw from “Talk Mon,” a talk show on Olive TV that features the singer as its host, following recent controversy over his graduate school admission.A local media outlet reported Tuesday that Jung was admitted to Kyung Hee University’s graduate school program for applied arts even though he had not showed up for two official interviews. It was also reported that the singer recently underwent police investigation over suspicions of preferential tr

TelevisionJan. 17, 2018

Data reveals popular overseas destinations of Koreans in 30s, 40s

Analysis of the most searched shopping items around the turn of the year showed varying results among different age groups.According to social commerce operator WeMakePrice, the most searched key words from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10 differed by age group. The most frequently searched items for teens included six-ring binder journals and study planners. Six-ring binder journals used to be popular in the 2000s, but recently turned trendy again.Those in their 20s seemed to be more into travel. The most po

CultureJan. 17, 2018

Businessman, politician, model honored for promoting Korea worldwide

Joachim Son-Forget, a member of the French National Assembly representing French residents abroad, is an enterprising middleman linking France to the world through innovative initiatives. The 34-year-old radiologist and cognitive scientist, adopted at 3 months old from Korea by a French family, represents the sixth constituency for French citizens overseas in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He is also the president of the France-Korea Friendship Group, a parliamentary organization entrusted with

CultureJan. 17, 2018

Volunteer group Hope seeks revival

Ten years ago, expat volunteering organization Hope was set up to pair up English teachers willing to volunteer their time with orphanages and children’s centers that could benefit from their skills.At its height, Hope -- the name stands for Helping Others Prosper through English -- ran about 40 classes in Seoul and mostly nearby areas, and also ran clothing drives and other volunteering activities, receiving a citation from the Ministry of Education.But activities have slowed over the last two

Expat LivingJan. 17, 2018

MBC idol sports competition under fire on safety issues

MBC’s “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” a variety show featuring droves of K-pop stars competing across different sports events, has once again come under fire, following a series of injuries sustained by participants.  Controversies over the show’s safety arose as Ungjae of K-pop boy band Impact was reportedly rushed to a hospital for shoulder pain after a shoot that took place at Goyang Gymnasium in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. It was revealed the singer, who had already been receiving treatm

TelevisionJan. 17, 2018

Singer-songwriter Jo Jung-chi to mark return on Jan. 26

Singer-songwriter Jo Jung-chi will return with a new full-length album on Jan. 26, his agency Mystic Entertainment said Wednesday.According to the agency, Jo’s upcoming album marks his first full-length album release since 2013’s sophomore effort “Posthumous Work.”  Jo Jung-chi (Mystic Entertainment)“Jo, who has been loved by fans as a TV entertainer for his witty personality, will return as an artist after a long time. Jo’s new album will feature several talented musicians,” an agency official

PerformanceJan. 17, 2018

[Photo News] Korea Image Award

 Korea Image Award -- Participants pose at the 14th Korea Image Award ceremony and reception organized by the Corea Image Communications Institute at the InterContinental Seoul Coex on Tuesday.In the picture are award winners Joachim Son-Forget, Korea-born member of the French National Assembly (front row, fifth from left), CJ Group Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik (front row, fourth from right), Russian model Angelina Danilova (front row, third from right) and corporate executives, diplomats and actors

CultureJan. 16, 2018

[Newsmaker] NK’s ‘biggest’ visiting art troupe still shrouded in mystery

The two Koreas on Monday reached an agreement to send a 140-member team of performers to the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics. While it will be the biggest group of North Korean musicians ever to set foot south of the DMZ, there is scant information about the Samjiyon Orchestra and what it will perform in the South. It is to perform in Seoul and Gangneung, Gangwon Province, which is hosting Olympic events.  Samjiyon Band performs in this Jan. 3, 2017 file photo. (Yonhap)At a briefing held fo

CultureJan. 16, 2018