Saint Laurent ordered to remove ‘degrading’ posters

France’s advertising regulator has ordered fashion house Saint Laurent to remove posters of extremely thin models in “degrading” poses after an outcry over their appearance around Paris.The campaign features a reclining woman in a fur coat and fishnet tights opening her legs and another of a model in a leotard and roller skate stilettos bending over a stool.Stephane Martin, head of advertising regulator ARPP, told AFP Tuesday that his organization had received 120 complaints over the way the pos

Arts & DesignMarch 9, 2017

New poster for Hong Sang-soo’s film revealed

The Korean poster for Hong Sang-soo’s “On the Beach at Night Alone,” which competed in the Berlin International Film Festival last month, was revealed by the film’s production and distribution company Jeonwonsa on Thursday.It features Kim Min-hee, who won the award for best actress at the film fest, gazing into the distance on a beach at the break of dawn. The film’s title in Korean, handwritten by Hong, is featured in the center of the poster, according to Jeonwonsa. The Korean poster for “On t

FilmMarch 9, 2017

Rapping or raping? Mnet audition show makes glaring gaffe

It seems as though “High School Rapper,” Mnet’s audition show that pits the country’s top teenage rappers against each other, just can’t catch a break from controversy.First, it was allegations that a contestant had solicited prostitution, followed by accusations of bullying by another. The latest? An innocent yet cringe-inducing production gaffe was aired last week that should embarrass Mnet and its parent company CJ E&M, a South Korean entertainment behemoth and self-professed evangelist of K-

TelevisionMarch 9, 2017

Actor Gong Yoo to meet fans in Taiwan, Hong Kong

South Korean actor Gong Yoo will hold meet-and-greet events in Taiwan and Hong Kong starting next month, his management agency said Wednesday. This undated photo provided by Management Soop on March 8, 2017, shows South Korean actor Gong Yoo. (Yonhap)The events will be held at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taipei on April 29 and at the AsiaWorld?Expo in Hong Kong on May 5, Management Soop said in a press release.HIs fan conventions are part of an overseas promotional tour for the popular series "Gu

TelevisionMarch 8, 2017

'Defendant' holds onto No. 1 spot, 'Ms. Perfect' drags behind

SBS TV's crime thriller "Defendant" held steadfast to its lead in the Monday-Tuesday late night television drama race, while Ko So-young's comeback series "Ms. Perfect" lagged far behind, data showed Wednesday. Tuesday night's 12th episode of "Defendant" recorded 24.9 percent viewership, according to Nielsen Korea, reaching a new high for the series.  Promotional image for SBS TV series "Defendant" (Yonhap)MBC TV's "Rebel: A Thief Who Stole The People" raked in 10.5 percent, seeing a small up-ti

TelevisionMarch 8, 2017

‘Superstar K’ to be halted for now

Following an eight-year run, the popular singing audition program “Superstar K” will be taking a break. “There is no ‘Superstar K’ in this year’s program lineup,” cable music channel Mnet said.  (Mnet)However, the company denied the rumor that it will not be continuing with the show. It is re-examining the show, leaving open the possibility of a title and format change, Mnet explained.The show, which began in 2009, achieved record-breaking success for a cable program, drawing a viewership rating

PerformanceMarch 8, 2017

K-beauty clicks with US consumers

Before Bailey Ewing leaves her home each morning, she lathers her face in eight different skin care products: cleanser, four different toners, serum, emulsion and sunscreen. The 35 minutes it takes her to complete her morning skin care routine and makeup is only a fraction of her two-hour evening routine -- something, she says, she learned only after arriving in Korea in 2014.　Bailey Ewing wears a Korean-style sheet mask. (Bailey Ewing)“I never even had a skin care routine back home, and when yo

Arts & DesignMarch 8, 2017

Jay Park releases new single ‘Hulk Hogan’

K-pop artist Jay Park on Wednesday released “Hulk Hogan,” his first single of the year.The song, written by producer Woogie, is a hip-hop track that is a follow-up to Park’s hugely popular album “Everything You Wanted.” Starting off with chants of “Hulk Hogan flex on em flex on em,” the rapper shows off supreme confidence in himself and his “team,” indicating pride in his work and his hip-hop label AOMG.The cover for “Hulk Hogan” (AOMG)The unscheduled release of the single took place at noon via

PerformanceMarch 8, 2017

Old but new Brave Girls unveils new look with ‘Rollin’’

For girl group Brave Girls, producer and songwriter Brave Brothers is both a solid foundation and a looming shadow. Following its debut in 2011 as a seven-member group, Brave Girls was widely publicized as being produced by the K-pop mega-name, but quickly faded into obscurity with mediocre music.“It’s the seventh year for ‘Brave Girls,’ but its members only debuted last year and are practically rookies. However, the expectations (toward us) are those of a seven-year veteran, which puts a lot on

PerformanceMarch 8, 2017

Scarlett Johansson, cast of ‘Ghost in the Shell’ to visit Korea

The sci-fi crime action thriller “Ghost in the Shell” will have its world premiere in Korean theaters on March 29, the film’s local distributor Lotte Entertainment said Wednesday. The film’s director Rupert Sanders and its cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Juliette Binoche and Pilou Asbaek, will visit Korea on March 17 to promote the film.The film will hit US theaters on March 31 and Japanese theaters on April 7.  Scarlett Johansson stars in “Ghost in the Shell.” (Paramount Pictures)A promotio

FilmMarch 8, 2017

[Around the Hotels]

‘2+1’ package at Hyatt hotels in Korea The Grand Hyatt Seoul, Grand Hyatt Incheon and Hyatt Regency Jeju are offering a “2+1” combined package this spring. Guests can stay two nights and get one extra night for free if they book before March 31. Their stay period should be from March 1 to April 23.During the period, guests in Jeju Island can enjoy the cherry blossoms as well as flower festivals. Each Hyatt hotel in Korea has amenities including fitness centers, indoor and outdoor swimming pools,

FoodMarch 8, 2017

Bong Joon-ho's new Netflix movie 'Okja' to be released on June 28

"Okja," South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's follow-up to his smash-hit "Snowpiercer," will get a worldwide release on Netflix on June 28, officials at the US streaming service's local PR agency said Wednesday.The film is also set to be shown in South Korea in the same month, but the exact date for the domestic release has yet to be set, they said. This image provided by Netflix shows An Seo-hyun as Mija in South Korean director Bong Joon-ho`s new sci-film "Okja." (Yonhap)"Whether to open in the

FilmMarch 8, 2017

Beijing Symphony cancels concerts in Korea amid missile defense tensions

Beijing Symphony Orchestra has scrapped its planned concerts in South Korea, its organizer said Wednesday, as China curbs cultural exchanges in response to the deployment of a US missile shield in the neighboring country.The Korean and US militaries began the installation of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense this week despite China's vehement opposition to the missile defense system which it feared would hurt its security interests. Seoul-based concert organizer JK & Company said that it w

PerformanceMarch 8, 2017

Popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo named voting member of Grammys

South Korean singer Lim Hyung-joo has been named a voting member of the Grammy Awards for the first time as an Asian operatic pop artist, his management agency said Wednesday.The renowned singer was recently accepted as a new member of the Recording Academy and was granted a five-year term as a voting member, the highest of all membership grades, according to DGNcom.The Recording Academy is a US organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals that host

PerformanceMarch 8, 2017

IAK St. Patrick’s Day fest invites Seoulites to ‘be Irish for a day’

The Irish Association of Korea will be filling the amphitheater in Seoul’s D-Cube City plaza with Celtic sounds to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 18.It’s an opportunity for Seoulites to hear some traditional Irish instruments and watch some dancing, and is a family friendly way of celebrating the day before evening celebrations in bars and pubs. Performances at the event include traditional Irish music from Jigs and Reels and Ceoiltoiri Seoul, folk from Boss Hagwon and Scott Hildebrand, an

Expat LivingMarch 7, 2017

Holi to bring the color back to Korea

With spring about to bring some color back to the Korean landscape, Holi celebrations in Seoul and Busan this year are set to beat nature to it. Two separate groups -- through both are called Indians in Korea -- will mark the Indian spring festival famous for its throwing of colored powder, in Seoul on Sunday and in Busan on March 18. Holi Hai in Busan, usually the larger of the two events, will be held on the city’s Haeundae Beach.  Last year’s Holi Hai celebrations in Busan (IIK)“People are sh

Expat LivingMarch 7, 2017

KCON to be held in 5 cities

KCON, an annual global Hallyu convention held since 2012, will take place in five cities around the world this year, expanding to Mexico and Australia for the first time, its organizer CJ E&M said Monday.  Korean artists wave to fans at the KCON 2016 event held at Prudential Center, New York, June 24, 2016. (CJ E&M)The pop culture convention will kick off in Mexico City from March 17-18, then head to Chiba, Japan, from May 19-21, New York from June 23-24 and Los Angeles from Aug. 18-20, before w

PerformanceMarch 7, 2017