Giant Chinese zodiac sculptures are turning heads in Boston

BOSTON (AP) -- A dozen giant bronze animal heads representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac are stopping people in their tracks in downtown Boston and sparking conversations.　“Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” by contemporary Chinese artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, is the latest in a series of outdoor public art projects on the Rose Kennedy Greenway intended to delight, awe and educate the thousands of tourists and workers who walk through the park daily.　“The goal of all public art

PerformanceMay 1, 2016

‘Amadeus’ musical stars team up for duo concert series

Two stars of the international-hit rock musical, “Amadeus: Mozart, L’ Opera Rock” are teaming up for a live duo concert series in Korea this summer. 　Italy-native Mikelangelo Loconte and French musical star Laurent Ban recently wrapped up the Seoul run of “Amadeus,” the first time the production was performed by its original French cast here. The duo is scheduled to hold eight shows from June 30 to July 5 at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in Seoul. 　“Korean fans are unlike fans anywhere else in the

PerformanceMay 1, 2016

‘Handmaiden’ may raise controversy, says director Park Chan-wook

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- The lesbian theme in his upcoming movie “The Handmaiden” may bring about another storm of controversy in Korea, according to director Park Chan-wook.　“It’s not a theme that’s been dealt with in Korea’s commercial film industry, so it could be called unique,” said Park during a talk with the audience that followed the screening of “Old Days,” a documentary film highlighting the making of director Park’s internationally renowned 2003 film “Oldboy,” at the Megabox t

FilmApril 29, 2016

‘Hamlet’ gives rise to a comedy

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- After kicking off to a lively start with a fireworks-filled opening ceremony and an outdoor screening of this year’s opening film “Born to be Blue” Thursday night, a number of interactive sessions are underway at the Jeonju International Film Festival. 　In addition to screening some 200 movies at cinemas dotted along the city’s Cinema Street, Korea’s largest indie film festival is hosting programs such as Talk Class -- a small group meeting of filmmakers and audi

FilmApril 29, 2016

[Weekender] How to celebrate Children‘s Day with family

Children’s Day, which to some may just be a day off to catch up on sleep or binge watch their favorite TV shows, has a rich history indebted to the efforts of one man -- Pang Chong-hwan.The late children’s advocate and political activist was a pioneering figure in children rights and literature, introducing the country’s first children’s magazine in 1923. He made efforts to improve children’s welfare, especially during Japan’s colonial rule of the peninsula.However, to modern day Koreans, Pang’s

CultureApril 29, 2016

Movie review: ‘Mother’s Day’ aims to ruin another holiday

It seems there’s no stopping Garry Marshall’s terrifying cinematic rampage on our nation’s treasured holidays. Having ruined both “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve” with his star-packed omnibus projects, the director has burned his way through the calendar, landing on “Mother’s Day” as his next victim.　This time around, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, Britt Robertson, Margo Martindale, Timothy Olyphant, Aasif Mandvi, Sarah Chalke and Shay Mitchell, among others,

FilmApril 29, 2016

Eyelike: Beyonce, Rufus Wainwright, Jayhawks

Beyonce again proves to be center of pop universeBeyonce “Lemonade” (Parkwood, Columbia)Beyonce doesn’t simply release albums anymore, she unleashes events. And so it was this weekend, amid deep mourning for a lost icon, music’s queen dropped “Lemonade,” an arresting display of what technically qualifies as videos and singles, but is better described as a work of art that appeared deeply personal, yet is a bold social and political statement as well. 　It contains revenge anthems for scorned wive

PerformanceApril 29, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Captain America: Civil War　(U.S.)　Opened April 27　Superhero, action. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo　The Avengers superhero team is divided. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes they should defend humanity’s freedom from government interference, but Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) disagrees.   Brooklyn　(Ireland, Britain, Canada, U.S.)　Opened April 21　Drama, romance. Directed by John Crowley　A young Irish immigrant, Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) arrives in Brooklyn seeking a better future and fall

FilmApril 29, 2016

French Lascaux cave paintings add sparkle to hidden gem Gwangmyeong Cave

GWANGMYEONG, Gyeonggi Province (Yonhap) -- The fate of Gwangmyeong Cave has fluctuated with the various happenings in the wild Korean modern history.　During the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), it was abused for precious metals like gold and copper for the Japanese. When the specter of exploitation had finally gone, it became a shelter for Korean refugees during the Korean War (1950-1953). In peacetime, the abandoned gold mine served as a storage for salted shrimp.　Now, the beautifully tran

TravelApril 29, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world　

 Springtime eateries on Jejudo Island　The following are two eateries on Jejudo Island featuring natural, seasonal dishes that travelers may want to visit during their spring outings.　Temple Stay Food in the southwestern district of Jejudo Island is a restaurant that specializes in temple food. The eatery serves healthy, fresh vegetable-based dishes that the Buddhist monks eat in their mountainside Buddhist temples. Key dishes include lotus leaf-wrapped rice and seaweed flower rice set. The resta

TravelApril 29, 2016

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

 Sheraton D Cube City presents Sheraton Wine Market　　Sheraton Seoul D Cube City is holding Sheraton Wine Market from noon to 9:30 p.m. on May 1-31.　During the promotion period, guests can enjoy wine with no corkage fee during the meal, and purchase a great selection of wines -- red, white, sparkling wines and champagne -- at special prices. More than 20 kinds of wines are available, including the sparkling wine Chandon, the chocolate, blackberry, and fresh black pepper scented Clos du Val, and t

FoodApril 29, 2016

[Home Cooking] Saeu ganghoe (Green onion-tied shrimp and asparagus)

Spring is in full swing! Gorgeous spring vegetables are everywhere. Among them is asparagus, which tastes best at this time of year. Another spring treasure is tender, thin green onion, called shilpa. It’s mild and sweet. I decided to put these two spring vegetables together with shrimp for these little rolls.  Saeu ganghoe　Ganghoe is a general term that refers to a dish that is made by tying ingredients with a thin green onion. It’s a spring favorite. Nakji (octopus) ganghoe and ojingeo (squid)

FoodApril 29, 2016

Piccolo lattes and hefty cookies at Hayley’s Cafe

There is something deeply satisfying about a cookie, especially when it is fat and plump, cake-like on the inside but crackly crisp and caramelized around the edges -- like the ones at Hayley’s Cafe in Sinsa-dong, Seoul.　The bakery-cafe chain, which opened its third outlet near Apgujeong Station last November, serves five kinds of cookies, including an oatmeal raisin and a cranberry variation, but it is the dark chocolate chip that is the most popular at the Sinsa shop, says owner Cho Jae-kun. 

FoodApril 29, 2016

Pompidou Center to open first Asian branch in Seoul next year

The Pompidou Center in Paris will open an exhibition space in Seoul next year, the museum’s first outpost in Asia. 　“The Centre Pompidou has been for several months in negotiations with a Korean partner, Mr. Sounjou Seo, to open a branch in Seoul for five years, possibly renewable,” Denis Berthomier, executive director of the Centre Pompidou, confirmed in an email to The Korea Herald. 　The location of the Seoul branch hasn’t been decided yet, but Seo, who will serve as the director of the Centre

PerformanceApril 28, 2016

‘Born to be Blue’ is not cliche musical biopic, director says

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Director Robert Budreau said he wanted a fresh angle in “Born to be Blue,” the opening film for this year’s Jeonju International Film Festival.　“We were tired of the cliche musical biopic,” he said Thursday afternoon at the Jeonju Cine Complex. A press screening of the movie took place there ahead of its official screening that evening at the festival's opening ceremony, set to take place at the outdoor theater on Jeonju’s Cinema Street.From left: festival execut

FilmApril 28, 2016

[Photo News] K-pop flashmob dance in Brazil

K-POP IN BRAZIL -- About 200 people, including members of “Viva Coreia,” a group of hallyu fans, perform a K-pop flash mob dance in Sao Paulo on April 27, 100 days before the opening of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. (Yonhap)

April 28, 2016