How director Gore Verbinski wrangled ‘Rango’

“Animation isn’t a genre” like Westerns, film noir, romance or horror, Gore Verbinski was saying. “It’s just a technique for telling a story.”So when the man behind the hugely popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” series decided to make his first animated feature, his biggest concern wasn’t about the process of animation but about the process of storytelling.Verbinski, 46, could have stuck with the “

March 4, 2011

Events Calendar

Exhibitions“Special Exhibition of Chateau de Versailles”: A rare opportunity to see some of The Palace of Versailles’ precious treasures in Seoul. The exhibition features 84 works of art and relics which span 200 years of the palace’s history from the 17th century to the late 18th century, including portraits of the royal family and Marie-Antoinette’s golden tableware. The portraits of Louis XIV,

March 4, 2011

‘Adjustment Bureau’ aims to be latest hit based on stories of Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick had a flair for spinning science fiction scenarios that were well within the orbit of paranoia. In his novels and short stories, he addressed the tricks of memory and the quirks of reality.Once dismissed as a mere purveyor of pulp fiction, Dick ― who died in 1982 ― is now recognized as a major American writer. But arguably, he’s still best known for inspiring some of the most imagin

March 4, 2011

Walkerhill launches brunch with N.Y. Met Opera films

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill said it has launched a brunch program offering a New York Metropolitan Opera, filmed live.At the hotel’s theater, a high-resolution 16-by-7.5 meter screen with a 7.1 surround audio system will play the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010-2011 season programs, including all-time favorites such as “Turandot” from March to December, the hotel said.The theater’s Met Opera Brunch progr

March 4, 2011

Sheen gains Twitter followers, loses kids

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― When Charlie Sheen threatened and maligned his bosses over “Two and a Half Men,” it was business and, to some people at least, bizarrely comic. When his estranged wife alleged that she and their twin toddlers were in peril from the TV star, the saga turned ugly.Sheen’s 23-month-old sons were removed from his home Tuesday night after Brooke Mueller Sheen claimed that he threatene

March 4, 2011

Thieves try to sell a rare Stradivarius violin for 100 pounds ($163)

Violinist Kym Min-jin who has had lost her $1.9 million worth violin.(min-jin.com)Three Irish thieves who snatched a rare Stradivarius violin worth 1.2 million pounds ($1.95m) from a world-famous violinist and tried to sell it on for just 100 pounds ($163).John Maughan, 40, and two teenage brothers thought they had a laptop when they stole the black rectangular case as owner Min-Jin Kym stopped to

March 4, 2011

Kim Kardashian releases debut single

Reality show star Kim Kardashian released her debut single “JAM” on Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show Thursday on KISS FM. Television personality Kim Kardashian attends the QVC 25 To Watch party during Fashion Week on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 in New York. (AP-Yonhap)As a reality star and co-owner of three clothing boutiques, Kardashian has launched her own perfume. “This was just a fun new experienc

March 4, 2011

Sony apologizes for J-pop band’s Nazi garb

TOKYO (AFP) ― Sony Music apologized on Wednesday for the Nazi-style uniforms worn by a Japanese pop band under its management in an MTV broadcast that triggered a protest from a U.S.-based Jewish rights group.The Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles had voiced its “shock and dismay” at the appearance of the six-member J-Pop band Kishidan in SS-style uniforms with Nazi insignia such as the Iron C

March 3, 2011

Conceptual art to boggle your mind

PKM Trinity Gallery offers top artists’ conceptual contemporary artworks from 1960s to presentMartin Creed crumpled up a piece of white paper into a ball. People call it art. Tracey Emin scribbled one single sentence, “Only God Knows I’m Good,” using snow white neon. People also call that art. Since when did art become something so difficult to understand and not something simply beautiful to enjo

March 3, 2011

Behind the scenes of East-West collaborations

SM searches abroad as overseas producers eye K-pop trends to keep hits comingThis is the final of a two-part series exploring the increasing involvement of foreign producers and composers in the K-pop scene. ― Ed.With the K-pop market going increasingly global, the pressure is on to churn out an array of catchy and addictive tracks that feed the public’s increasingly selective appetite for music.I

March 3, 2011

More authentic ‘Miso’ draws in bigger crowds

Foreigners flock to Chongdong Theater’s dance and musicAs the clear yet sorrowful tune of a “haegeum,” a traditional Korean musical instrument, resonated throughout Chongdong Theater in Jeong-dong, central Seoul, on Tuesday evening, the audience grew quiet and all eyes were set on stage. A soft light focused on a corner of the stage where an orchestra was set. The orchestra consisted not of violin

March 2, 2011

Mexico’s Slim reveals new art museum

MEXICO CITY (AP) ― The world’s richest man, telecom tycoon Carlos Slim, gave a sneak peak Tuesday at the new museum where he plans to show his vast collection of art and collectibles, including priceless pieces by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, French sculptor Auguste Rodin and Italian master Leonardo da Vinci.The Soumaya museum ― named after the tycoon’s late wife ― opens to the public on March 2

March 2, 2011

Western artists, producers turn to K-pop

 Music industry slump and digital downloads spur increase in East-West collaborationsThis is the first of in a two-part series exploring the increasing involvement of foreign producers and composers in the K-pop scene. ― Ed.When footage of The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am working with girl group 2NE1 hit national television last year, it was a defining moment for the K-pop industry. Though the domes

March 2, 2011

Powerful female vocalists to take to Seoul stage

World musician Kidjo and jazz singer Nah Youn-sun bring their unique sound to SeoulThose tired of Seoul’s brutally cold winter may want to check the upcoming concerts by two female vocalists, Angelique Kidjo from Africa and Nah Youn-sun from Korea, at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul.Their powerful and energetic voices, combined with experimental and fun music will melt and unlock the most fro

March 1, 2011

Over 80,000 fans sign petition for JYJ

　Foreign fans of K-pop group JYJ said on Tuesday that they submitted a petition on Monday to the Seoul Central District Court and the Fair Trade Commission for the recognition and protection of the boy-band’s legal and human rights.　The petition urges prompt action by the South Korean government and justice system to “concretely block the illegal interferences and anti-trust activities of SM Enter

March 1, 2011

Over 80,000 fans sign petition for JYJ

Foreign fans of K-pop group JYJ said on Tuesday that they submitted a petition on Monday to the Seoul Central District Court and the Fair Trade Commission for the recognition and protection of the boy-band’s legal and human rights.The petition urges prompt action by the South Korean government and justice system to “concretely block the illegal interferences and anti-trust activities of SM Enterta

March 1, 2011

Plum blossoms herald spring

When Chinese plum trees bloom into clouds of puffy white and red blossoms, we know spring is just around the corner. The flowers are likened to “seonbi,” or a firm and right-minded scholar, in Korea because their soft and fragrant petals peep out despite the chilly weather. This herald of spring is one of the “sagunja,” or four gracious plants, which also include orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo

Feb. 28, 2011

Listen to King George VI’s real speech

At the Oscars, the night undoubtedly belonged to “The King’s Speech,” which won four Academy Awards, in best picture, director, actor and original screen play. Accepting the award for best original screenplay, David Seidler said: “I would like to thank her majesty the queen for not putting me in the Tower of London for putting swear words in George VI’s mouth. And I accept this on behalf of all th

Feb. 28, 2011