Zion.T unveils third Winner pre-release cover

YG Entertainment released a video Saturday titled “Zion.T – ‘Baby Baby’ by Winner Cover 03” on its official blog, www.yg-life.com.　This is the third time that other musicians have released their own version of Winner’s upcoming song “Baby Baby.” A still from “Zion.T-‘Baby Baby’ by Winner Cover 03” (YG Entertainment)　The prerelease promotion of the album by Winner, a five-member idol group affiliated with YG Entertainment, began Jan. 21. The promotion presents part of Winner’s new song “Baby Baby

PerformanceJan. 24, 2016

Ovation, tears for James Foley film at Sundance festival　

PARK CITY (AFP) - A documentary about James Foley, the U.S. journalist slain by the Islamic State group, premiered to a standing ovation on Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival, leaving few dry eyes in the audience.　Directed by Brian Oakes, a childhood friend, “Jim: The James Foley Story” chronicles the life of the journalist through interviews with his family, friends and fellow reporters who had worked or were held captive with him in Syria. Composer J. Ralph (left) and recording artist Stin

FilmJan. 24, 2016

Lee Byung-hun to appear at Oscars

Actor Lee Byung-hun, one of the country’s top stars, has accepted the invitation to be a presenter at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, Lee’s agency BH Entertainment said Saturday.　Lee made his Hollywood debut with “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in 2009, playing Storm Shadow. Since then, he has been holding his place as a Hollywood movie star with “Terminator Genisys” and “Red: the Legend.” Lee Byung-hun poses for photos at the Korean Film Actors Association awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt S

FilmJan. 24, 2016

European culture capital San Sebastien kicks off peace-themed festivities

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain (AFP) -- San Sebastian kicked off its year as the European Capital of Culture Saturday with a concert on the beach as the northern Spanish city pushes a banner of peace years after being hit by waves of violence.　The traditional “tamborrada,” a drum festival originating in the early 19th century that is held in the city every January, took place on San Sebastien‘s beach as thousands of men, women and children watched, while an outdoor show created by Cirque du Soleil choreog

CultureJan. 24, 2016

Dior creates millionaire skateboarders‘ perfect wardrobe

PARIS (AFP) - When Kris Van Assche was designing the new Dior menswear collection, he had a very specific person in mind, he told AFP Saturday as it debuted on the Paris catwalk.“It‘s a young Parisian who creates a skate park in the 800-square-meter apartment he lives in a (historic) Haussmannian building,” the Belgian designer said. Models wear creations as part of Dior men‘s Fall-Winter 2016-2017 fashion collection, presented in Paris, Saturday. (AP-Yonhap)　Mere mortals may wonder if such a pe

Arts & DesignJan. 24, 2016

[Weekender] The art of traditional Korean liquor

Savoring traditional Korean soju requires five steps, similar to wine tasting. You have to look at the color, smell the aroma, sip and hold it in the mouth for several seconds before letting it slide down the throat and enjoying the slowly spreading scent inside the nose and throat. “A good soju is soft and makes you smile,” said artisan Kim Taek-sang at his brewing studio at Samcheong-ro in Jongno, central Seoul. Kim, who was named Seoul Intangible Cultural Asset No. 8 in 1990, has carried on t

CultureJan. 22, 2016

[Weekender] Drinking soju can be a lesson in gastronomy

Drinking is almost a national sport in Korea, and soju takes a large chunk of the market.Soju is so popular that the fact that mineral water sales outpaced those of soju at one of Korea’s largest supermarket chains made headlines in 2015. Soju comes in many shapes and guises, ranging from the cheap but effective brands that cost about $1 a bottle at a supermarket to those produced using traditional methods with significantly higher price tags. Regardless of the quality of soju, “anju,” or food e

FoodJan. 22, 2016

[The Palate] Eat like a local on Jeju-do Island

Christine Cho, a Korean-American expat in Seoul, has been eating and cooking her way around the world for 16 years as a private chef. -- Ed.The list is long as to what one should eat on Jejudo Island as a visitor, but it is a top culinary destination. Some of the most flavorful fruits and vegetables in the country grow on the island and it is prized for its Jeju black pigs and the abundance of seafood from the surrounding waters. Jeju black pig is a heritage breed indigenous to the island and pr

FoodJan. 22, 2016

Olje Classics’ latest series focuses on writing well

Non-profit publishing house Olje released the 17th set in its “Olje Classics” series Thursday, focusing on the art of writing.The four-book series includes “Classic of Poetry,” the oldest collection of Chinese poetry in existence, “The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons,” a treatise on Chinese literary aesthetics, Aristotle’s “Poetics,” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.”According to Olje, these classic texts have been reinterpreted for the series. “Classic of Poetry” has been

BooksJan. 22, 2016

Weekend Box Office Guide: Jan. 23-24

Thinking about watching a movie this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to the top movies playing on the big screen.A Melody to Remember (Korea)Drama, war. Directed by Lee HanOpened Jan. 21　Sang-ryeol (Im Si-wan) is a soldier who has lost everyone he loves in the Korean War. He is sent to another division, and meets a group of children who have lost everything, just like him. Along with volunteer teacher Ju-mi (Ko A-sung), he creates a children’s choir to bring a little warmth to the cold

FilmJan. 22, 2016

[Album Review] The Legend finally turns it around

The Legend“Sound Up!”(Loen Entertainment)　It’s almost a shame that “Sound Up!” wasn’t boy group The Legend’s first EP. Making a 180-degree flip from rookie group’s original pained, brooding image, “Sound Up!” brings out the commercial pop appeal of the group, who had previously had trouble getting off the ground despite the tall, handsome looks. The five-track EP kicks off with the lead track “Crush on You,” a funky, fun and brass-heavy dance track about a guy who falls in love at first sight wi

PerformanceJan. 22, 2016

[Album Review] ‘Paper Moon’ a playbook on pop rap

JQ“Paper Moon”(Bugs)　Singer-songwriter and rapper JQ’s music is always easy on the ears. Although he is a rapper, his songs are catchy and rhythmic and never overbearing. Perhaps the reason that his music is so listener-friendly is that he is best-known for being the rap coach for artists at SM Entertainment such as TVXQ, Super Junior, and EXO. On his sixth EP “Paper Moon” JQ aptly demonstrates that he has a full understanding of how to shape rap for a pop audience.The six tracks each take on a

PerformanceJan. 22, 2016

[Album Review] Cross Gene’s ‘Game’ needs speed

Cross Gene“Game”(Universal Music)Cross Gene’s third EP “Game” is slow overall, considering the group’s talents in dance. For whatever reason, the dance tracks all take on a slower tempo, leaving the songs feeling outdated and reminiscent of the dance tracks of the past decade.Perhaps the biggest culprit is “Noona, You,” which lacks any sense of personality. With an intro that sounds like the starting notes of a cardio workout mixtape, a bland melody and lyrics that take yet another whack at the

PerformanceJan. 22, 2016

Around the hotels

‘Very Vary Berry’ at Banyan Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is launching the “Very Vary Berry” dessert buffet at Chez Blanc, located on the lobby floor, until March 1. The buffet offers 19 different varieties of the hotel’s favorite sweets, Mont St. Clair’s desserts, with a seasonal strawberry flair. The list includes macarons with strawberry ganache, strawberry cream Mont Blancs, choux and éclairs filled with strawberry cream and cream cheese.The “Very Vary Berry” buffet is open Monday to Thursday

CultureJan. 22, 2016

Travel bits

Dogye Station, a Steam LocomotiveKORAIL announced that the country’s sole switchback train will operate between Dogye Station in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, and High 1 Choochoo Park, the only mountain railway theme park in the country, from Jan. 9. A switchback refers to a zigzag railway in mountainous territory, which enables the train to run uphill. The train will depart Dogye Station twice a day, running for an hour toward its destination, High1 Choochoo Park located at the old Simpori Statio

TravelJan. 22, 2016

[Weekender] Makgeolli School, only for the devoted

Every Thursday evening, a group of 20 people gather at a hands-on food lab on the 10th floor of a quiet building in Jongno, central Seoul. The lab of Makgeolli School is clean, with five smooth countertops surrounded by barstools, and earthen pots and ingredients stacked against the walls. There are huge sinks for washing rice, pots for steaming it, huge earthen jars for fermentation, and smaller jars and bottles labeled with the names of herbs and medicinal ingredients for flavoring. Students h

CultureJan. 22, 2016