A passion for freedom, innovation and a group of enthusiastic volunteers is all it takes to make a difference for North Korean refugees, according to Casey Lartigue and Lee Eun-koo, cofounders and codirectors of Teach North Korean Refugees.The nongovernmental organization will hold the third TNKR English Speech Contest on Feb. 27, another milestone in the organization’s three-year journey. “I’ve always been someone interested in freedom, and when you create opportunities, how do you do it so tha

Expat LivingFeb. 17, 2016

Music channel Mnet is launching a new show, in search for the best children’s song. 　The channel has produced music competition and survival programs such as “Superstar K,” “Show Me the Money” and the recent “Produce 101.” 　In the new show, called “We Kid,” short for “We Sing Like a Kid,” teams made up of children, top stars and composers are created. They come up with new songs that cater to children. 　Aspiring young singers who pass a preliminary audition are matched with one of three teams. T

TelevisionFeb. 17, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Designer to the stars Vera Wang shored up her artistic clout Tuesday by sending models down the New York runway in towering platforms and elongated cuts inspired by Modigliani and Giacometti.　Wang, best known for designing wedding gowns for the rich and famous, presented a collection steeped in the lean, sculptural image of the European artists, whose modernist masterpieces fetch record prices.The Vera Wang Fall 2016 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York on Tues

Arts & DesignFeb. 17, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) -- New York Fashion Week this season has put “click and buy” on the map, revolutionizing the antiquated global fashion calendar with clothes that now can be ordered straight from the catwalk.　For more than 100 years, the world of high fashion has been divided up into four seasons – spring-summer, autumn-winter. 　Designers debut their collections at fashion week, fashion magazines write them up and go to print a few months before the clothes are available to buy in boutiques -- six

Arts & DesignFeb. 17, 2016

Nighttime at a royal palace in Seoul reveals the beauty of Joseon-era architecture and unique contrast between the centuries-old landscape and modern skyscrapers outside the walls. Thanks to the growing number of visitors wishing to be immersed in the magical night view, royal palaces will remain open in the evening more frequently than it did last year. The state-run Cultural Heritage Administration, which manages public programs at royal palaces, announced it would increase the late-night open

CultureFeb. 17, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- After recognizing eclectic musicians in recent years, the latest Grammys have gone to some of the best-sellers -- a meeting, deliberate or not, of the industry's top honors with popular taste.　The most prestigious award, Album of the Year, had an unusually diverse range of nominees including meditative rapper Kendrick Lamar, indie rock sensation Alabama Shakes and late-blooming country singer Chris Stapleton.　But the music professionals voted to give Monday’s prize to Taylor

PerformanceFeb. 17, 2016

Classical pianist Son Yeol-eum has returned to the limelight with her first album in eight years, “Modern Times.” It  features a wide range of music from jazzy razzmatazz swing tunes to sounds that remind listeners of a dark and desolate night. 　“This musical theme is something I have always wanted to pursue because I think this style of music represents such important and influential times in our history,” said Son, during a press conference held at the Stradeum concert hall in Seoul on Wednesd

PerformanceFeb. 17, 2016

PARIS (AFP) -- A bronze cast of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture “The Kiss” sold for 2.2 million euros ($2.4 million) to an American collector at an auction in Paris on Tuesday.　Auction house Binoche et Giquello said the 85-centimetre model, produced in 1927, had beaten presale estimates and set a record for a model made after the French sculptor’s death.  A bronze cast of this original Auguste Rodin sculpture “The Kiss” has sold for 2.2 million euros ($2.4 million) to an American collector (AFP

PerformanceFeb. 17, 2016

From fantasy, action to science fiction and adventure, 4:33 Creative Lab, a Korean mobile game publishing company, introduced a variety of mobile genre games for 2016 at its media event in Seoul on Tuesday.　With cinematic storylines and soundtracks, high-quality 3-D graphics and realistic sound effects of bullets and ancient sword fighting, a total of 18 games will be launched on a quarterly basis, starting with the long-awaited “Lost Kingdom” next week.　“Lost Kingdom” is a fantasy action role-p

FilmFeb. 16, 2016

Korean girl group Ladies’ Code is poised to make a comeback with their mini album “Mystery” on Feb. 24, according to its agency Polaris Entertainment on Tuesday.The group had been involved in a car accident on Sep 4. 2014 in which two of their members, RiSe and EunB, suffered fatal injuries. EunB died at the scene of the accident while RiSe died three days later due to head injuries. Sojung was also badly injured but recovered. “The remaining three members have weathered hard times and braced fo

PerformanceFeb. 16, 2016

Korea’s longest running male group Shinhwa will hold a concert to celebrate its 18th anniversary. (Shinhwa Company)The upcoming show, titled “Hero,” will take place on March 26-27 at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena in Seoul.“We really appreciate the love of our fans. Hope everyone enjoys the show. All members are passionately preparing for special performances to satisfy their expectations,” said its agency, Shinhwa Company.Shinhwa held concerts in March and August last year to celebrate their

PerformanceFeb. 16, 2016

Since its establishment nearly three decades ago, Seensee Company has grown into one of the country’s leading professional musical theater companies. 　It has introduced world famous musical products to local theatergoers over the years since it was first formed in 1987.  These days, helmed by theater guru Park Myung-sung, Seensee continues to thrive as one of the leading forces in Korea’s musical and theater scene.  Seensee Company president Park Myung-sung. (Seensee Company)　“Although when you

PerformanceFeb. 16, 2016