Where ghosts are guests

It was a dark and stormy night when I arrived at Nottoway Plantation, eager to get to my room, unaware of the ghosts.Western Louisiana was flooding. Roads were washed out, hotels in short supply. I had pointed my rented jeep toward one of the few places with a room, a mansion by the Great Mississippi River Road, 48 kilometers south of Baton Rouge that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.It was about 1 a.m. when I finally passed sugar cane fields surrounding the plantation on Ba

TravelSept. 9, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Seoul International Fireworks Festival The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is an annual event of extravagant firework displays by firework masters from home and abroad, attracting more than 1 million spectators every year. Celebrating its 16th year, one of the most anticipated autumn festivals in Seoul is taking place outside Yeouinaru Station at the Han River Park.Prior to the firework show, visitors will also be able to enjoy live performances and cultural programs.The 16th annual Seoul

TravelSept. 9, 2016

Blueberries plus zucchini make for awesome cake

Here’s the thing about cake. It can help make or break a celebration.I say that because earlier this month I threw a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and of course I wanted to make the best impression. Special occasions require equally special desserts. But because I was doing all the cooking, I wanted to serve a cake that was relatively easy, and at the same time as beautiful as the woman who captured my son’s heart.I found a winner in this luscious two-layer cake developed by A

FoodSept. 9, 2016

‘Collective kitchen’ GBB defies boundaries

GBB Kitchen, a new grub-centric spot that opened this April in Cheongdam-dong might have more than one foodie scratching his or her head in confusion. There are no signs, no indication it exists on the sixth floor of a building near Hakdong Intersection and the menu-less brunch, only available on Saturdays, requires a reservation. Cooking classes are held twice a day, Tuesday through Friday, and spontaneous dining events are announced via the spot’s Instagram account. In short, GBB, which stands

FoodSept. 9, 2016

‘Magnificent Seven’ remake kicks off Toronto film fest

TORONTO (AFP) -- Double Oscar-winner Denzel Washington and a motley band of gunslingers opened the Toronto film festival Thursday, blazing trails in a much-anticipated remake of the 1960 Western “The Magnificent Seven.”The film festival, which runs through Sept.18, is the largest in North America and has become a launchpad for Oscar-conscious studios and distributors, attracting hundreds of filmmakers and actors to the red carpet in Canada’s largest city.Nearly 400 feature and short films from 8

FilmSept. 9, 2016

[Movie review] ‘Sully’ gets lift from Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood and strong script

Films based on real events and characters have not drummed up much box office business. For example, look at how little interest moviegoers showed in the story about miners trapped underground in “The 33” or boxer Roberto Duran in “Hands of Stone.”The majority of films based on real events are not like “Titanic,” where the sinking of the ship was the backdrop for a love story that lured millions. When audiences know how the story ends, they are hesitant to plop down the price of admission to wat

FilmSept. 9, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

The Age of Shadows(Korea)Opened Sept. 7Thriller, action. Directed by Kim Jee-woonA group of independence fighters led by Kim Woo-jin (Gong Yoo) attempt to smuggle bombs into Korea’s capital during the Japanese occupation era when they detect a mole who has infiltrated their organization.The Map Against the World(Korea)Opened Sept. 7Drama. Directed by Kang Woo-suk Cartographer Kim Jeong-ho (Cha Seung-won) dreams of mapping the entire Korean Peninsula and distributing the maps to people for their

FilmSept. 9, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Theater 　　“Mr. Show”: By renowned musical director Kolleen Park, the naughty male striptease show “Mr. Show” is returning to the stage this year. The women-only variety show features strapping young men who dance and perform various themed acts that are geared toward tantalizing females. The live show – only for those 19 and above -- will be staged from Sept. 24 to Dec. 4 at the Shinhan Card Fan Square’s Live Hall in Seoul. Tickets are 52,000 won and 80,000 won. For more details, call 02-547-569

PerformanceSept. 9, 2016

British-American TV series wins top prize in Seoul Drama Awards

The British-American TV series “The Night Manager” on Thursday triumphed and megahit South Korean military romance “Descendants of the Sun” captured three prizes in the local drama category at this year‘s Seoul International Drama Awards.　Producers of the series received the Grand Prize at the 11th Seoul International Drama Awards during the ceremony at the KBS Hall in Seoul’s Yeouido. 　“The Night Manager” is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carre about a former British soldie

TelevisionSept. 8, 2016

[Contribution] What is Myeongri theory?

Myeongri theory is a philosophy that studies fortunetelling that has been passed down from ancient times in the East. Just as tarot card readings in the West, Myeongri theory in the East reads the combination of the Chinese sexagenary cycle and yin and yang with Five Elements. It teaches that the logos of the universe resides in the earth, that of earth in humans and that of humans in their bright mind. Therefore, since long ago, because humans and nature coexist in Eastern philosophy, people se

PeopleSept. 8, 2016

GOT7 to release new album

K-pop boy band GOT7 is getting ready to unveil new releases.　The seven-member act is currently working on a new album, scheduled to be announced at the end of the month or beginning of October, the group’s management agency JYP Entertainment told local media outlets Thursday. 　The upcoming album will be the group’s second studio release after the 11-track album “Identify.” Its lead track “Stop Stop It” received positive reviews globally, landing at No. 4 on Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart.

PerformanceSept. 8, 2016

Se7en, Lee Da-hae open up on relationship

Singer Se7en, 31, and actress Lee Da-hae, 32, confirmed they have been romantically involved for over a year through their respective agencies, Eleven9 Entertainment and JS Pictures. Local media had previously reported sightings of the two at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The two stars have stood by each other during difficult times, according to Eleven9. Reports say they met through friends, and the actress stood by Se7en when he was investigated in 2013 after visiting a massage parlor allegedl

TelevisionSept. 8, 2016

Portman plays Jackie Kennedy, her ‘most dangerous’ role

VENICE, Italy (AFP) - Natalie Portman said Wednesday that portraying a grief-stricken Jacqueline Kennedy was her “most dangerous” film role, as the piercing bio-drama “Jackie” entered the race for the Venice film festival‘s prestigious Golden Lion.Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain’s first English-language feature is an intimate look at the woman who shaped her famous husband‘s legacy, offsetting public images and audio recordings with an exploration of Jackie’s private side.The glossy drama starts

FilmSept. 8, 2016

London exhibition celebrates rebellious 1960s

LONDON (AFP) - Counterculture and hippy life are served up in a visual and musical blend at London‘s Victoria and Albert Museum, where a new exhibition delves into the swinging sixties. “With this exhibition we explore the era-defining significance and impact of the late 1960s upon life today,” says Victoria Broackes, curator of the exhibition “You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970,” which opens on Saturday. “The years from 1966 to 1970 -- just 1,826 days -- undeniably shap

CultureSept. 8, 2016

Italy's museums turn toward private sector for funding

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) -- Italian taxi drivers and concierges are being enlisted to encourage tourists to visit some museums. In Florence, supermarket customers raised 250,000 euros ($275,000) by opting to help the city’s art instead of receiving store loyalty rewards. And in Venice, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is partnering with big-name businesses including ones that make watches, grappa and cologne.Whatever the formula, museums are increasingly looking to private-sector donations, collabora

CultureSept. 8, 2016

Kanye West unveils body suits in NY presidential park

NEW YORK (AFP) - Kanye West showed the loftiness of his ambition Wednesday by commandeering the same presidential park Hillary Clinton used for kick-starting her White House run to unveil his latest fashion collection of body suits and stilettos.Yeezy Season Four is the rapper and global sensation’s latest collaboration for Adidas, which has seen him fend off complaints the clothes are too expensive for the mass market he has in mind.The event kicked off more than an hour and a half late at Four

Arts & DesignSept. 8, 2016

Fall art shows in full swing

A strong lineup of art shows are being offered this fall, more so than other seasons. With two big biennale events -- the Gwangju Biennale and Busan Biennale -- kicking off last week, major Korean museums and galleries have opened a plethora of exhibitions to attract the influx of international art professionals and local art lovers. Some of the more notable exhibitions are taking place in the tranquil art district of Samcheong-dong near Gyeongbokgung and the National Museum of Modern and Contem

PerformanceSept. 8, 2016

Controversy-ridden Busan film fest to open next month as scheduled

Busan International Film Festival, Asia’s largest film fest which has for the past two years been mired in controversy with the Busan Metropolitan Government, is set to take place Oct. 6-15 in Korea’s southeastern port city of Busan.The festival’s organizers announced this year’s lineup and addressed the latest developments in the festival’s fight for autonomy at press conferences in Busan and Seoul on Tuesday. “My main focus was that (BIFF) must open this year, and that we must preserve its ide

FilmSept. 7, 2016