MILAN -- Milan fashion designers launched six days of fall-winter fashion previews Wednesday, as the long-accepted runway format undergoes challenges like never before. Brands like Gucci and Bottega Veneta sat out last month’s menswear previews to combine their efforts this round, while some labels, like Roberto Cavalli, were taking breaks during creative transitions. Master showmen Dean and Dan Caten, the Canadian twins behind the DSquared2 label, opted for showroom presentations rather than a

Arts & DesignFeb. 23, 2017

A French artist was entombed Wednesday inside a 12-metric ton boulder for a week, saying, “I think I can take it.”With the world‘s press looking on, the two halves of the limestone rock were closed on Abraham Poincheval by workmen in a Paris modern art museum.  French artist Abraham Poincheval performs “Pierre” (“Stone”), at the Palais de Tokyo on Wednesday in Paris. (AFP-Yonhap)The 44-year-old had hollowed out a hole in the rock just big enough for him to sit, with a niche to hold supplies of w

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2017

The Brit Awards recognized big international stars including Drake and Beyonce and a cross-section of homegrown talent Wednesday -- but the ceremony was overshadowed by the much-missed David Bowie and George Michael.　 Bowie, who died in January 2016 at age 69, was crowned British male artist of the year and won British album of the year for "Blackstar," released days before his death.　 Bowie‘s son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, accepted the best album award on behalf of his father, who he said had "al

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2017

Cigarette smoke hangs thick in the air of a Tokyo nightspot as Aki Nitta sips champagne with a trio of sweet-talking Lotharios peddling fake love at premium rates.   In a country which has lost its mojo, many wealthy Japanese women spend eye-watering sums on male hosts in return for an evening of sweet talk, flirting -- and often sex.   "I want my heart to flutter," Nitta told AFP at a popular club in the Kabukicho red-light district lined with chrome and mirrors.    "Japanese men aren't very at

CultureFeb. 22, 2017

Korean film industry insiders are speculating on the next move by director Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee, who won the best actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday for their film “On the Beach at Night Alone.” The two have not yet made specific plans to return to Korea or hold a press conference here, as is customary after winning prominent international prizes.“On the Beach at Night Alone,” Hong and Kim’s second collaboration, meanwhile, will open in local theat

FilmFeb. 22, 2017

A historical novel isn’t the most obvious next step from citywide treasure hunts, but organizing two such events inspired Brian Van Hise to pen a story for middle school English learners.“History’s Mysteries: The Missing Years of Gutenberg” is novel for English-language learners that follows two pairs of siblings from Korea and the US as they try to solve a mystery surrounding the German inventor.The idea for the book came from two treasure hunts Van Hise set up, one in Daegu and one in Seoul. I

Expat LivingFeb. 22, 2017

North Korean refugees will be showing off their English skills Saturday in a biannual speech contest.The contest run by Teach North Korean Refugees, a volunteer organization that helps refugees learn English, will focus this year on the theme “That Moment, My Escape From North Korea.”TNKR founder Casey Lartigue said the “That Moment” concept was designed to give the speakers room for interpretation. North Korean refugee Cherie Yang works on her script with a TNKR coach.(TNKR)“We wanted a topic t

Expat LivingFeb. 22, 2017

Actor Lee Min-ho was awarded the grand prize at the 2017 National Brand Awards held at the National Assembly Hall in Seoul on Wednesday.　 Actor Lee Min-ho receives the grand prize at the 2017 National Brand Awards held in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)“I traveled around the globe so many times over the past few years. I was so touched to see people (overseas) trying to write or speak Korean to me,” he said at the acceptance speech. “I will further try to contribute to Korea’s brand image.”　The Nat

PeopleFeb. 22, 2017

Three Korean restaurants were included among the 50 best restaurants in Asia, in a list sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.Seoul-based Mingles took the No. 15 spot and retained its position as the top-ranked Korean restaurant for the second straight year. The 3-year-old restaurant last year marked its first entry on the list in the same spot, winning the Highest New Entry Award. The Michelin-starred restaurant by Spain-trained chef Kang Min-goo serves a fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine

FoodFeb. 22, 2017

Stud after stud after stud. If you like being soaked in a world filled with beautiful men flashing their fine-toned abs and running loose fighting bad guys, then KBS 2TV's "Hwarang" may have been for you."Hwarang" is admittedly unapologetic eye candy, especially to K-pop fans at home and abroad given its cast filled with idol singers. But the big budget series came up short in resonating with the general audience.The fusion period series' final episode aired Tuesday and recorded a 7.9 percent vi

TelevisionFeb. 22, 2017

Twice’s new album “TWICEcoaster: LANE 2” is on fire not just in Korea, but abroad as well.As of Wednesday, the album topped iTunes top 20 music album charts in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It also had a strong showing in the Philippines, taking the No. 5 spot. Twice (JYP Entertainment)The main track, “Knock Knock,” topped the top 20 songs charts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, and was ranked among the top 10 on charts for nine regions. “TWICEcoaster : LANE 2” was espe

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2017