Californians show Korea-inspired art in Seoul

The exotic culture of an Asian country has captivated five U.S. artists and made them a team. Lois Lancaster, Linus Lancaster, Chris Sarley, Mary Pettis-Sarley and Marilyn Hulbert, all California-based artists, have been collaborating since last year because they share a same interest: Korean culture.  Linus Lancaster talks about his work “Land Buoy”After holding two joint-exhibitions in Californi

Jan. 16, 2011

The troubled flight of the ‘Green Hornet’ to screen

What’s the buzz on “The Green Hornet”? Enough to make Michel Gondry as mad as one. After the director of the new action-comedy about a masked crime fighter, a cool car and a high-kicking sidekick saw fans stampeding out of the movie’s Q&A panel at Comic-Con International this summer, Gondry lit into them with a vengeance not unlike that of the hero himself.“Their values are Fascistic,” he seethed

Jan. 14, 2011

Events calendar

Exhibition“Christian Marclay: What You See Is What You Hear”: Three of U.S. artist Christian Marclay’s labor-intensive media works are on display at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art’s Black Box in Hannam-dong, central Seoul. It is the museum’s first “Black Box Project” which aims to introduce world-renowned media artists to the Korean public. The exhibition runs through Feb. 13 at Leeum, Samsung Museu

Jan. 14, 2011

Box office

I Am Love (Italy)Opening Jan. 20Drama. Directed by Luca Guadagnino. The polished rooms of a Milanese villa ignite with anxious activity as a wealthy industrial family, the Recchis, prepare to celebrate the birthday of their patriarch. It is an occasion designed to ensconce family traditions -- the handsome grandson, Edoardo, introduces his new girlfriend; his sister presents another piece of her a

Jan. 14, 2011

Peter Yates, director of ‘Bullitt,’ dies at 81

Peter Yates, the British director of “Breaking Away,” “The Dresser” and “Bullitt,” the 1968 Steve McQueen movie whose landmark car chase sequence over the hilly streets of San Francisco was a career-defining moment for both director and star, has died. He was 81.Yates died Sunday in London after an illness, his agent, Judy Daish, said in a statement reported by the Associated Press.In a career tha

Jan. 14, 2011

JYJ keeping their heads held high?

Trio that struck out independently from idol group seems unfazed by recent controversiesMired in a never-ending string of scandal-driven buzz, JYJ ― the boy band formed by three TVXQ idols-gone-independent ― put in a brief press appearance for their appointment ceremony as goodwill ambassadors for the robot competition, FLL KOREA. A mere eight days had passed since S.M. Entertainment’s three-less

Jan. 14, 2011

Italian researcher: Symbols discovered in ‘Mona Lisa’

ROME (AP) ― Forget her smile. An Italian researcher says the key to solving the enigma of “Mona Lisa” lies in her eyes.Silvano Vinceti claims he has found the letter “S” in the woman’s left eye, the letter “L” in her right eye, and the number “72” under the arched bridge in the backdrop of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting. According to the researcher, the symbols open up new leads to identifyin

Jan. 13, 2011

Japanese manga vilifies KARA, Girls’ Generation

A Japanese manga comic has sparked anger among Korean netizens for its depiction of lewd scenes of women clad in the signature clothes of Girls’ Generation and KARA’s butt dance.Korean fans of the two famous girl groups claimed that the manga titled, “An Analysis on the K-Pop Boom Lies” is intended to vilify the groups who have made successful debuts in Japan.The manga shows former Korean girl gro

Jan. 13, 2011

KARA makes debut in Japanese drama

CJ Media said Wednesday it has invested in the production of a Japanese drama in which five-member Korean girl group KARA is featured as the main cast.The operator of local cable and satellite TV channels such as Mnet and tvN said it has invested in the production of the 12-episode drama “URAKARA” (Inner side of KARA), which will be aired on major Japanese broadcaster TV Tokyo every Friday from Ja

Jan. 13, 2011

Deaf boys grow up through baseball

Kang’s new movie ‘Glove’ tells true story of hopeLike many other sports, baseball is a game of communication. Catchers are yelling which base to go, the crowd screams when someone hits a home run, and coaches constantly shout what to do when the players are at their bases. It’s also a sport of accumulated team effort. Having one great pitcher cannot make a strong team.Director Kang Woo-suk’s new f

Jan. 13, 2011

Chinese director coy over political satire’s message

HONG KONG (AP) ― Jiang Wen’s latest film has earned rare box-office success in the sensitive genre of Chinese political satire, but theories are flying that it accomplishes much more: eluding strict censorship to criticize China’s current government.Set in the chaotic years after the collapse of imperial rule, “Let the Bullets Fly” tells the story of a Robin Hood-like bandit who kidnaps a con man

Jan. 12, 2011

Hyun Bin to join the Marines in March

Top South Korean actor Hyun Bin has announced that he aims to join the Marines in March to serve his mandatory military duty. Hyun Bin’s agency, AM Entertainment, said on Wednesday that the actor took a physical test and an interview for the Marines last year. He will join in March if he passes the screening.  Actor Hyun Bin. (SBS)“Hyun Bin has so far focused on his sound image as an actor and als

Jan. 12, 2011

Actor Hyun Bin to join Marines

Korean actor Hyun Bin, who is one of Asia’s top stars, said on Wednesday he would join the Marines in March to serve the mandatory military duty.　AM Entertainment, an agency representing Hyun, said the actor took a test for the Marines last year and, if he passes the screening, will join the Marines in March. 　“Hyun Bin has so far focused on his image as an actor and also has had a good impression

Jan. 12, 2011

Studying men and women

Jealous husband kills 3, then himselfA 74-year-old Italian man went on a shooting spree -- killing two neighbors, his wife and finally himself -- apparently motivated by jealousy. Carlo Trabona suspected his 72-year-old wife had been having an affair with one of the neighbors, who were brothers, and shot them both, the Telegraph reported Monday. The Telegraph quoted an Italian media outlet as repo

Jan. 11, 2011

iPhone becomes cinematic medium

From visual voicemail to a portable media player and an Internet client, the iPhone has been serving the international public as a great multi-tasker with its revolutionary, diverse functionalities.The small handheld device has now arguably made another step, as Korea’s highly acclaimed director Park Chan-wook and his brother Park Chan-kyong ― a renowned media artist ― revealed their latest collab

Jan. 11, 2011

Korean dance world broadens its scope

Major dance and ballet companies are expected to showcase a broad spectrum of dances and ballets in 2011, ranging from Korean classical ballet to French classical romantic ballet to Korean contemporary dance and original Spanish flamenco.The first to kick-start the local dance scene in January is “The Song of Mermaid,” created and showcased by veteran choreographer Kim Sun-hee 10 years ago.Kim, pr

Jan. 11, 2011