Korean B-boy Hong 10 won the Red Bull BC One 2013 Seoul World Final on Saturday, becoming the champion of champions in the world of break-dancing.Hong 10, whose real name is Kim Hong-yeol, beat the 2012 winner, Mounir from France, at the final dance-off after 14 other contenders had been eliminated. Hong 10 won three out of four judges’ approval with his signature moves, epic stare-downs and powerful freeze holds before some 5,000 fans in attendance and tens of thousands more watching on live TV

Dec. 1, 2013

Kim Sun-wook looked tired. He kept rubbing his eyes and had a gaze that screamed “fatigue” as he sat down. But at the same time his face was glowing with a certain sense of fulfillment and confidence. “We had a party last night,” the pianist said with a smile, trying to conceal a sense of embarrassment. It was Nov. 22, a day after the pianist concluded his two-year challenge of performing 32 Beethoven sonatas over the span of eight recitals at the LG Arts Center and became the youngest Korean to

Nov. 29, 2013

Dance“Mookhyang”: Former executive director of well-known fashion brand KUHO Jung Kuho is directing a dance piece for the third time. Jung joined Cheil Industries in 2003, and also acquired his label KUHO the same year. After 10 years at Cheil Industries, Jung announced his departure on Nov.15. The upcoming dance piece, which is Jung’s second collaboration with the National Dance Company of Korea ― which specializes in traditional Korean dance ― features the “four noble ones,” the four plants th

Nov. 29, 2013

MOSCOW (AFP) ― French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has been ordered to remove a giant trunk put up as a publicity stunt on Moscow’s iconic Red Square, an associated department store said Wednesday, after it triggered outrage among Russians.The boxy brown suitcase-shaped pavilion, covered with the brand’s signature “LV” stencilling was erected 10 days ago just outside GUM, a 19th-century upmarket department store across from the Kremlin that faces the square.But many tourists and ordinary Russians

Nov. 28, 2013

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― South Korean officials say a 16th century royal seal in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art may have been stolen out of a shrine in Seoul during the Korean War.An official at the state-run Cultural Heritage Administration told the Associated Press that South Korea in May asked the United States to investigate how the gilt bronze seal ended up at LACMA in 2000.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, says U.S. officials have confiscated the seal.The

Nov. 27, 2013

Now is the time of “Hallyu 3.0,” when academia could become the driving force of Korean culture promotion, said Lee Bae-yong, president of the Academy of Korean Studies, on Tuesday. Promotion of extensive studies into Korean history will give a boost to the country’s cultural products, contributing to the further spread of the Korean culture wave, the chief of the state think-tank said at a press luncheon. She took the helm of the AKS in September.“‘Hallyu 1.0’ was about TV dramas, such as ‘Wint

Nov. 26, 2013

The historic Space building, built by first-generation modern architect Kim Swoo-geun, will be turned into a gallery space following Arario Gallery’s purchase of the property on Monday, according to the Space Architecture Group. The architectural firm said the ownership of the building was handed over to Arario Gallery CEO Kim Chang-il from Space Architecture Group president Lee Sang-lim. The two heads signed the contract on condition of not altering the structure, especially the old work studio

Nov. 26, 2013

Thorough research, good maintenance and promotion of returned cultural assets are as important as the repatriation of these treasures, said the chief of the state organization in charge of gathering Korean assets held overseas. It is also crucial to forge ties with the owners of the items in order to induce more people to return valuable Korean items to the country in the future, said Ahn Hwi-joon, chairman of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, on Monday.“There are many valuable c

Nov. 25, 2013

Following Prime Minister Chung Hong-won’s call for a special audit of the management of cultural heritage on Friday, the Culture Ministry and the affiliated Cultural Heritage Administration, both responsible for the inquiry, were still unclear Sunday about how the audit would be conducted. The Culture Ministry said it was not aware of how the audit will be conducted since its affiliate, the Cultural Heritage Administration, would be in charge of carrying out the inquiry. According to a Culture M

Nov. 24, 2013

The Space building, an early modern work of architecture that was on the auction block last week after the building owner filed for bankruptcy, may be purchased by the Kim Swoo Geun Foundation, as 1 billion won ($942,000) was raised in five days via a social funding initiative. The social funding initiative was launched Nov. 18 as an attempt to save the historic building and register it as a cultural heritage site. “We plan to purchase the building through social funding and begin the process of

Nov. 24, 2013

Solo, single, alone, stag, unaccompanied, companionless: When it comes to travel, these terms may cause many to have second thoughts about going on vacation without someone by their side. But breaking free from these societal chains and taking the plunge to face the world “mano y mano” is no better realization of the phrase “carpe diem.”Waiting for the perfect travel buddy can mean many missed opportunities and precious moments wasted. With countless exhilarating adventures just a couple of mous

Nov. 22, 2013

On Friday evening at Greek Joy, a Greek restaurant in Seoul’s Hongdae, six women and a man got together.They had never met each other before. But it didn’t take long for them to gossip, giggle and converse pleasantly.Red, white and rose wines were served with vegetable soup. Meat skewers were paired well with a strong red. They had gathered through online community Zipbob (homemade meal), which arranges social wining and dining events for those who don’t want to eat alone. Zipbob’s tagline state

Nov. 22, 2013

Nov. 21, 2013

Craftsmen and their works are increasingly at the vanguard of the promotion of Korean culture, with an exhibition in Saudi Arabia being the latest example.According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the month-long “Hidden Match ― An Exhibition of Korean Craft” kicked off on Thursday at the Saudi National Museum with 34 artists featuring 106 sets of items. This is the first time a handicraft exhibition is being held in the Gulf state. Featuring a wide range of handicrafts ― includin

Nov. 21, 2013