GFriend releases teaser photos for new album

Gearing up for the release of its first full studio album, six-member K-pop group GFriend released teaser photos to excite fans Wednesday night.This will be the group’s first full album since its debut in January 2015. The images released via GFriend’s official Twitter and Instagram pages show the members smiling in colorful outfits, portraying a different concept from their signature schoolgirl look in an effort to embody the two underlying themes of the new “LOL” album: “Laughing out Loud” and

PerformanceJune 30, 2016

Aside from ‘Hamilton,’ Revolutionary era inspires little art

NEW YORK (AP) -- Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and 11 Tony Awards, "Hamilton" is a cultural phenomenon that stands as the most celebrated work of art ever inspired by the American Revolution.The competition is remarkably thin.While the Civil War, World War II and the Vietnam War have inspired acclaimed movies, plays, poems and novels, from Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage" to Steven Spielberg’s "Saving Private Ryan," notable works about the American Revolution are rare outside of history

CultureJune 30, 2016

Centuries-old winemaking in Bordeaux gets a modern twist

BORDEAUX, France (AP) -- For centuries Bordeaux has been the corporate center of French winemaking, known for luscious wines, elegant chateaus and shrewd wine-sellers. Now there's a new twist: More consumers want vineyards to use organic or sustainably farmed grapes, and so wineries are responding by mixing tradition with high-tech quality control.The vineyards at Chateau Haut Lafitte offer visitors a look at both the past and the future of winemaking. The vineyards date back to the 1300s, and t

FoodJune 30, 2016

Black Pink is newest YG girl group

YG Entertainment confirmed the launch of new four-member girl group Black Pink on Wednesday.YG released pictures of the new girl group via their official blog, confirming the identities of the members as Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rose.Black Pink is the first girl group that YG has released since 2NE1 seven years ago. YG’s executive director and producer Yang Hyun-suk had initially attempted to sign a nine-member group, but a few years ago, he confirmed the creation of a four-member group instead.

June 29, 2016

BigBang to highlight 10th anniversary with grand concert

Korean boy band BigBang will hold a special concert to celebrate its 10th anniversary in August, the group's agency said on Wednesday. The five-member hit K-pop group will stage "BigBang10 the Concert - 0.TO.10" at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Aug. 20, according to YG Entertainment. (YG Entertainment)The concert will revolve around the musical chronicle of BigBang, from its debut in 2006 to present. "The concert will be a special opportunity to enjoy BigBang's greatest hits, early to recent, o

PerformanceJune 29, 2016

Movie shows Big Bang in natural state

In a scene in “Big Bang Made,” G-Dragon sits in his dressing room barefaced and in his underwear, while Seungri ambushes the shower to take candid shots of T.O.P, who proceeds to spew expletives at his bandmate.The documentary-style movie, a project that celebrates the wildly popular K-pop boy band’s 10-year anniversary, follows the group’s five members -- G-Dragon, Seungri, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung -- as they perform in 32 cities in 13 countries as part of the group’s 2015 world tour. It is a

FilmJune 29, 2016

Chun sketches pulled from auction over forgery suspicion

Seoul Auction has withdrawn a book of sketches by Korean artist Chun Kyung-ja that was due to be auctioned Wednesday. The book of 16 drawings by Chun, bidding for which was set to start at 400 million won ($343,000), was removed from the list of artworks Tuesday, just one day before the auction, amid suspicion the sketches may be counterfeit. “An art expert raised suspicion that the sketches might have been forged at a private gathering and it has been spread in the Korean art world. We already

PerformanceJune 29, 2016

Zion. T, KUSH dominate charts with ‘Knock’ and ‘Machine Gun’

Zion. T and KUSH dominated domestic music charts with their latest works “Knock” and “Machine Gun,” released at midnight on Tuesday.Within eight hours of release, “Knock” topped eight domestic music charts, including MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, Olleh Music, Naver Music, Soribada, Genie and Monkey3, while “Machine Gun” followed on the charts at either No. 2 or No. 3.  “Knock” is a single from Zion. T that boasts honest lyrics and an emotional melody, while “Machine Gun” is the newest collaboration from Zi

PerformanceJune 29, 2016

Manjaedo family returns to ‘Three Meals a Day’ in Gochang

The Manjaedo family -- actors Cha Seung-won, Yu Hae-jin and Son Ho-jun – is set to return to the small screen with the fifth season of tvN variety show “Three Meals a Day,” located in Gochang, North Jeolla Province.The three cast members along with a new fourth member -- actor and model Nam Joo-hyuk -- will present their family-like chemistry in the new location, building up an even tighter bond.“Three Meals a Day” is a variety show featuring celebrities staying at a farming or fishing village w

TelevisionJune 29, 2016

Sistar album tops K-pop charts

All-female K-pop quartet Sistar is garnering international popularity with their fourth EP, “Mol-a-ae,” released last Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, Sistar was the only K-pop group to appear on the Billboard World Albums Chart, currently sitting at No. 7. The chart provides a weekly compilation of top-selling folk music albums in and out of the U.S. The group is also gaining attention from Chinese fans. The music video for lead track “I Like That” is topping K-pop charts this week on QQ Music

PerformanceJune 29, 2016

Kim Whan-ki's painting sells for record 5.4 bln won in auction

A painting by Korea's abstract painting master Kim Whan-ki sold for 5.4 billion won ($4.62 million), the highest price ever paid for a Korean artwork in an auction, a local art sales company said Tuesday.At the K Auction held in southern Seoul, the late artist's "Untitled 27-VII-72 #228" broke the previous record set by the very artist in April, when another of his blue-dotted abstract paintings was auctioned off for 4.86 billion won in the Seoul Auction held in Hong Kong. (Yonhap)Prior to the a

PerformanceJune 29, 2016

[Best Brands] Grand Hyatt Incheon, where world-class amenities meet business and pleasure

Exterior view of the Grand Hyatt Incheon (Grand Hyatt Incheon)HOTEL CONVENTION　GRAND HYATT INCHEON　Located a mere three-minute shuttle ride away from Incheon International Airport, the Grand Hyatt Incheon has been a prime location for both local and international conferences since it opened in September 2003. 　As of last year, since the opening of the West Tower, the total number of guestrooms, suites and residences stands at 1,022, making the Incheon establishment the largest Hyatt hotel outsi

Life&CultureJune 28, 2016

[Best Brands] Banyan Tree, a place of rest for the soul where true relaxation awaits

A nighttime view of Banyan Tree Club & Spa (Banyan Tree Club & Spa)HOTEL LUXURY　BANYAN TREE CLUB & SPA SEOUL 　Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is the award-winning hospitality brand’s first property combining urban resort and membership club, bringing together the energy of city life, the serenity of a getaway and a prestigious social network. 　Overlooking Mount Namsan, the luxury hotel offers travelers and busy city folks a hushed sanctuary right in the middle of Seoul, in a sprawling 70,000 squar

Life&CultureJune 28, 2016