[Weekender] Summer is a season of horror as a bone-chilling way to beat the heat

While some may think the best way to beat the scorching weather is to take a dip in the pool or guzzle an iced coffee, summertime in Korea is known for its unique culture of scaring the heat right out of you. Every summer the local box offices are filled with the newest horror and psychological thriller flicks to literally give viewers the shivers. Many local moviegoers are known to flock to the theaters in the summer hoping to cool off with a little bit of self-inflicted fear, as it is popular

CultureJuly 1, 2016

[Album Review] ‘The Mountain Will Fall’ revels in darkness

DJ Shadow“The Mountain Will Fall”Mass Appeal RecordsDJ Shadow set a new standard for the art of sample-based composition with his auspicious 1996 debut album, “Endtroducing.” It was an album that turned snippets of obscure recordings into aural journeys, as if Shadow were orchestrating a perfectly sequenced dream, creating order out of randomness.That everything Shadow, aka Josh Davis, has created since will be measured against his 20-year-old masterpiece is a daunting prospect, but he continues

PerformanceJuly 1, 2016

Big Bang’s 10th anniversary exhibition opens in August

In line with Big Bang’s 10th anniversary since its debut, the K-pop group will be holding the event “BIG BANG The Exhibition A to Z.”Scheduled to open in August, the exhibition will showcase the boy band’s 10-year career from its members’ perspectives. It will include photos, videos, costumes, music and other elements, to illustrate the past, present and future of Big Bang, said the group’s management agency YG Entertainment in a press release.   A documentary-style film about the group was also

PerformanceJuly 1, 2016

[Album Review] Deerhoof simply giddy

Deerhood“The Magic”(Polyvinyl)There are moments on “The Magic” (Polyvinyl) when Deerhoof sounds simply giddy.“Cappuccino! Macchiato! Affogato! Cortado!” bassist Satomi Matsuzaki enthusiastically sings in “Kafe Mania!” over burbling synthesizers and roaring guitars. She’s seriously giving props to coffee drinks -- well, as seriously as you can do such a thing.It sums up the anything-goes vibe of Deerhoof’s 14th album, seemingly a response to the more refined songs of the San Francisco quartet’s r

PerformanceJuly 1, 2016

[Album Review] Avett Brothers get real

The Avett Brothers“True Sadness”(Republic)For their ninth album, Seth and Scott Avett -- better known as The Avett Brothers -- basically decided to get real.In a letter to fans announcing the arrival of “True Sadness” (Republic), Seth Avett writes about removing the lens that would “present themselves in the most favorable light possible” and crafting an album “as multidimensional as its makers.”They succeeded. The Avett Brothers’ gorgeous harmonies remain intact, but they are deployed in a far

PerformanceJuly 1, 2016

[Weekender] On-screen scares for summer

As the sweltering Korean summer sets in, theaters are gearing up to open a series of horror movies for audiences wishing to cool off with goosebumps and chills.　Coming soon to the screens are a diverse horror films, from spectral and psychological to survival thrillers. 　American supernatural horror flick “Sinister 2,” set to open in local theaters on July 7, features ghostly children and demonic sacrifices taking place inside an isolated farmhouse. Directed by Ciaran Foy, it is the sequel to th

FilmJuly 1, 2016

Park Yoo-chun questioned on sex assault charges

Police questioned Park Yoo-chun of K-pop group JYJ for eight hours on Thursday evening regarding a series of assault complaints that have been filed against him in the past three weeks. “I’m sorry to have upset many people. I will comply diligently with police inquiries,” Park told reporters before going in for questioning at Gangnam Police Station on Thursday at around 6:30 p.m.Police said they questioned Park on whether coercion was involved in his sexual relations with the four complainants i

PerformanceJuly 1, 2016

'Familyhood,' 'The Hunt' top domestic box office

Just within one day of its release, “Familyhood” topped the Korean box office, while second place went to “The Hunt,” which debuted on the same day. Released on Wednesday, “Familyhood” lagged behind “The Hunt” on the first day, but quickly stole the No. 1 spot by Thursday, attracting a total of 255,660 viewers, according to data from the Korean Film Council Friday. “The Hunt” has drawn a total of 234,726 viewers.  As of Friday morning, “Familyhood” and “The Hunt” have each grabbed 20.7 percent a

FilmJuly 1, 2016

[Home Cooking] Miyeok muchim (Seaweed salad)

Here’s a nice, refreshing summer side dish! Miyeok, also known as wakame, is an edible brown sea vegetable that is highly nutritious. Dried seaweed is a staple in Korean pantries and it is used to make soups and salads year round. In its fresh form, miyeok is brown. You may see brown fresh miyeok sold in markets. It turns green when blanched in boiling water. You can use fresh miyeok for this recipe.  Once soaked, miyeok turns green, plump and is ready to be eaten. However, blanching it briefly

FoodJuly 1, 2016

Caribbean culture, hotel mergers among travel trends

A couple of developments in the travel industry have been making headlines recently. They may not be in the biggest type, but they’re notable. They’ve gotten me thinking. They’re indicators, I think, of what may be trends that will affect your travels in the near future.What do you think?Culture in the CaribbeanCuba’s hot. Its new prominence at the top of Americans’ list of places to see has gained most of the attention. But Cuba’s new rock-star status is also making waves among government and t

TravelJuly 1, 2016

MasterChef Korea’s Austin Kang on fast track to fame

Chef-celeb Austin Kang had no idea he would be cooking on cable TV.Up until February, he was far away from the limelight, three years deep into working in the kitchen, first at a Mexican fusion restaurant then at a French establishment, racking up experience in the hopes of one day running his own joint. Then, with his friends’ support and advice, Kang auditioned for cable food channel Olive’s “MasterChef Korea Season 4.”“I didn’t feel I was ready for it,” said the 25-year-old chef who remembere

FoodJuly 1, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Escape summer heat at the Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul presents Sunday Escape package for guests seeking a relaxing Sunday break.The package includes 12-hour stay at the Superior Deluxe room during the daytime and lunch at the Oksan Buffet for two adults and one child under the age of 6. The guests could choose to check in either at 9 a.m. or at 10 a.m., avoiding the relentless heat of midsummer.The guests will also be allowed access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool during the st

TravelJuly 1, 2016

[Weekender] Ghost hunting in the dark alleys of Seoul

Amid modern skyscrapers in Seoul, it’s hard to imagine that some horrifying murders or traumatic suicides occurred. But the northern center of the capital city is in fact where many major historical events with dark stories behind took place. 　Korean history and its appalling stories fascinate Joe McPherson, president of ZenKimchi food blog and the guide of the Dark Side of Seoul tour that runs every Friday and Saturday in the bustling areas of Jongno, Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon Stream. 　“Th

TravelJuly 1, 2016

[Weekender] Urban legends stoke kids' fears

Children growing up in Korea are exposed to numerous urban legends that often fan fear and anxiety -- unfounded fears, in the eyes of adults. 　Set against the backdrop of modernized cities, the urban legends typically involve nighttime happenings at rather ordinary, everyday places -- schools, elevators, bus stops, bathrooms, and so forth -- creating irrational fears of everyday activities. 　In those stories, a ghost happens to arise from right next to the bed or under the desk and tries to suff

CultureJuly 1, 2016

Academy asks Lee Byung-hun, 3 Korean directors to join

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, best known for hosting the prestigious Academy Awards, invited four representatives from Korea’s film industry to the organization’s newest membership class Wednesday.Among the 683 invitees are actor Lee Byung-hun, best known globally for his roles in Hollywood productions “Terminator Genisys” (2015) and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009), and filmmakers Park Chan-wook of “The Handmaiden” (2016) and “Oldboy” (2003), Lee Chang-dong of  “Poetry” (

FilmJune 30, 2016

Netflix plans to expand presence in Korea

Content streaming service Netflix, which launched here in January as part of its global expansion efforts, will be announcing plans for original Korean series within the year, Netflix leadership said at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. Netflix’s current projects here include the film “Okja,” directed by Bong Joon-ho, and Korean-English drama series “Dramaworld,” produced in partnership with streaming service Viki.This is only the beginning of Netflix’s foray into the Korean market, said

FilmJune 30, 2016

How to grill vegetables right, no matter the shape

Look on the bright side: What with global warming sending our poor, precious planet into a hellbound death spiral, and summer's newly blistering temperatures turning your kitchen into Satan’s sauna, this is the perfect opportunity for you to spend a little more time outside at the grill. So grab your tongs, Prep Schoodents, and let’s grill us some vegetables.　Remember that the grilling of vegetables is not an impenetrable mystery like the true identity of Jack the Ripper or the whereabouts of D.

FoodJune 30, 2016

Lee U-fan claims alleged counterfeits are authentic

Artist Lee U-fan reiterated Thursday that all 13 paintings that the National Forensic Service identified as counterfeits were authentic and revealed that a police officer tried to get him to say that some of the paintings were fakes.“All 13 paintings are undoubtedly mine,” said Lee at the press conference Thursday in Seoul. “They are created with my own flow, rhythm and colors,” he added.  Much to the surprise of many, he claimed that one of the police officers present with him during the examin

PerformanceJune 30, 2016

Leeteuk, Suho, Kassy cheer on Olympians

“My Hero,” the 21st song to be introduced on S.M. Entertainment’s digital music channel Station, is set to be released at midnight on Thursday, the agency announced. The intention of the song is to cheer on the Korean national team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. To support the competitors, K-pop singers, producers, a pianist and former members of the national team participated in the effort.“My Hero” was written and composed by Korea’s top songwriter and producer Cho Yeong-su, wi

PerformanceJune 30, 2016