Most Popular
-
1
Actor Jung Woo-sung admits to being father of model Moon Ga-bi’s child
-
2
Wealthy parents ditch Korean passports to get kids into international school
-
3
Man convicted after binge eating to avoid military service
-
4
First snow to fall in Seoul on Wednesday
-
5
Final push to forge UN treaty on plastic pollution set to begin in Busan
-
6
Korea to hold own memorial for forced labor victims, boycotting Japan’s
-
7
Nvidia CEO signals Samsung’s imminent shipment of AI chips
-
8
Job creation lowest on record among under-30s
-
9
NK troops disguised as 'indigenous' people in Far East for combat against Ukraine: report
-
10
Opposition leader awaits perjury trial ruling
-
Prosecutor says singer questioned over sleeping drug
A singer, who attempted suicide last year, has been questioned over his alleged use of a drug widely used to treat insomnia, a prosecutor said Saturday.Son Ho-young, a member of once popular boy band G.O.D., was called in by prosecutors in late June on charges that he took zolpidem, a common prescription medication that induces sleep.The 34-year-old allegedly took the drug in May 2013 when he attempted to kill himself just days after the body of his girlfriend was found in his car along with an
July 12, 2014
-
[Weekender] Eyelike: f(x) reaffirms funk with ‘Red Light’
f(x) reaffirms funk with ‘Red Light’f(x) “Red Light”(KT Music)K-pop girl group f(x), known for their innovative and funky style, has returned with yet another album filled with unique sounds ― this time, funky as usual with an added touch of electro-pop.The group’s new 11-track studio album “Red Light” opens with an eponymous lead single featuring diverse electric sounds behind a pop melody, all embellished with a dose of hip-hop. “Red Light” begins with some ominous clock-ticking and the member
July 11, 2014
-
K-Ballet looks to cater to all tastes
Inspired to create a dance festival under the premise of showcasing “ballet for all to enjoy,” the Korea Ballet Association is returning with the annual “K-Ballet World” two-week-long ballet extravaganza. The upcoming festival will be held on select days from Aug. 22 to Sept. 5 and will showcase various short dance programs performed by both renowned principal dancers and young, novices. It will also include productions from Korea’s top ballet companies ― Universal Ballet and the Korean National
July 10, 2014
-
Crashing through stereotypes
This is the eighth in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.Velvet Geena was never a trained musician. In fact, before she started rockabilly band the RockTigers in 2001, she was a writer for a music cable channel and event organizer. The only experience she had was a short stint as a vocalist in a punk band as a student.She said she had just simply wondered what it would be like to be on stage.“Some people have the
July 10, 2014
-
Super Sonic 2014 reduced to 1-day music festival
This year’s edition of the Super Sonic music festival, slated to bring legendary English rock band Queen and other renowned acts to South Korea next month, has been reduced to a one-day event, according to organizers. Super Sonic 2014 will now take place on Aug. 14 at the Auxiliary Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex. The festival had originally been scheduled to take place from Aug. 14-15 at Olympic Park.“We moved the festival’s location to Jamsil Sports Complex to acquire a larger stage and space
July 10, 2014
-
Summer escape to the museum
White balloons sway in the breeze, creating shade where urbanites can take shelter from the blazing summer sun. A mist of water from sprinklers cools off the hot summer air in a forest of high-rise buildings. Even dragonflies fly around the mist as they do over a river fog. The space is in the front garden of the Seoul Museum of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. It is, in fact, an architectural installation that won the prestigious Young Architects Program run by the Mus
July 9, 2014
-
Pharrell Williams seduces Montreux
MONTREUX, Switzerland (AFP) ― “Clap along if you know what happiness is to you,” Pharrell Williams sings and the room pulsates with clapping hands and joyous dance moves.Williams, whose ubiquitous hit “Happy” has taken the world by storm and spawned copycat dance videos around the globe, worked his magic on the audience at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland late Monday.When Williams, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt hidden behind a mass of gold chains and of course his signatory hat, wrappe
July 9, 2014
-
K-EDM needs to be new future of Korean music, producer says
Leaving his K-pop days behind him, 30-year music producer and composer Kim Chang-hwan is setting his sights on K-EDM, the future of Korean music.Kim, a long-time figure in the Korean music industry who is currently the CEO of Media Line production company, say he hopes local EDM music will become the next hallyu movement and take the world by storm. Music producer and composer Kim Chang-hwan. (FS E&M)“EDM is no longer a minor genre and it has risen to a level that is beyond music that is only b
July 9, 2014
-
Recapturing past glory
The Orchestre de la Suisse Romande is coming to Korea next week for a concert through which the nearly century-old ensemble hopes to revive its past glory. The concert, to be held on July 15 at Seoul Arts Center, will be the Geneva-based orchestra’s first performance in Korea in 23 years. It also comes two months after the ensemble’s counterpart in German-speaking Switzerland, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, delivered a roof-raising performance in its first concert in Seoul on the same stage in April
July 8, 2014
-
Like a juror: Madonna does NYC jury duty, briefly
NEW YORK (AP) ― Madonna has spent a little time living in the judicial world. The pop superstar turned up for jury duty Monday at a Manhattan state courthouse, quickly getting dismissed. She had gotten excused from a jury service date in May. This time, she was finished within two hours and wasn’t questioned for any case, spending the wait in a clerk’s office instead of in the sprawling juror waiting room. State court system spokesman David Bookstaver said officials cut Madonna loose because the
July 8, 2014
-
Catholic celebrities sing for the pope
More than 20 A-list celebrities gathered at Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral last month sing in a music video for Pope Francis, who’s due to visit here next month. The video was released Monday. The single “Koinonia” celebrates the Holy Father’s Aug. 14-18 visit to Korea. The title is the Greek word for fellowship, sharing in common and communion. “So many people live just for themselves. If more people prayed for others, the world would be a better place to live,” Noh Young-sim, the song’s composer
July 7, 2014
-
Paris Hilton to DJ at SuperX Summer Festival
The international fashion icon and notorious socialite Paris Hilton will be packing her bikini and DJ set and performing live at the upcoming SuperX Summer Festival in Seoul next month. The SuperX Summer Festival is the first all-day poolside party to hit South Korea and will be held at the Walkerhill River Park from Aug. 15-16. Although the starlet is best known as the heiress of the Hilton Hotel franchise, her frequent appearances on reality TV shows launched her into superstardom and made her
July 7, 2014
-
[Band Uprising] Taste the satisfying bitterness of Sweet Revenge
As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 19th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.More than just innocent faces and dainty voices, members of the all-female band Sweet Revenge are here to prove that an act doesn’t have to scream and shout to create rock and roll.“The basic concept of our band is to h
July 6, 2014
-
Paul McCartney returns to stage after hospitalization
ALBANY, New York (AP) ― Paul McCartney returned to a concert stage Saturday after being sidelined for two months because of a virus, spinning out songs from the Beatles, Wings and a solo career that has spanned more than 50 years of rock ’n’ roll.McCartney, who turned 72 two weeks ago, looked none the worse for wear. He made no immediate reference to his absence. One oblique reference could have been his performance of the song, “On My Way to Work,” which he said he hadn’t done live before. Paul
July 6, 2014
-
[Weekender] Eyelike: Trey Songz is complacent on 6th album
Trey Songz is complacent on 6th albumTrey Songz“Trigga”(Atlantic Records)Six albums in and making R&B hits almost seems too easy for Trey Songz.He’s got the vocals of a crooner with the swagger of a rapper, and on his latest release, “Trigga,” the heartthrob once again darts between the bedroom and bottle service, sending his sweet vocals soaring over a landscape of seductive beats, beautiful melodies and lyrics that beg to be repeated. But Songz’s latest set is missing something: growth. Shuffl
July 4, 2014
-
Young musicians honored at international contests
Young Korean classical music artists are continuing to collect honors at acclaimed music contests across the world. Two recent competitions in Russia and the U.S. were no exception. Cho Jun-hwi, 18, won the New York International Piano Competition, held from June 23-27, organizers said Thursday. Along with the top honor, the young pianist received a cash prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to make concert appearances throughout America, beginning next year. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation,
July 3, 2014
-
Art of keeping masterpieces safe
Two metal detectors are installed in the lobby of the Seoul Arts Center and a sign stands near them, saying that sharp and blunt weapons, firearms and chemical substances and toxic chemicals are not allowed inside. The heavy security measures are not in place for a presidential event, but they were instlled to protect the Edvard Munch exhibition currently in Seoul. “We install metal detectors at every overseas Munch exhibition and also at the Munch Museum in Oslo,” said Trygve Lauritzen, head of
July 3, 2014
-
Chinese race for artist Xu Beihong’s heroic horses
BEIJING (AFP) ― Galloping with the vigor of strong and simple brush strokes, the horses painted by late Chinese master Xu Beihong inspired his countrymen in wartime ― and now they are lining up to pay huge sums to treasure them.Xu, who died in 1953, created horses that pulsed with beauty and bravery just as China was struggling under Japanese occupation in the 1930s and 1940s, imbuing them with realism learned at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.His works have s
July 3, 2014
-
‘Clinton: the musical’ to hit New York stage
NEW YORK (AFP) ― It’s tough being Hillary Clinton. Her book’s a flop, she’s angered ordinary Americans with crass remarks about money and now her husband’s sex life is a New York musical.The lofty ideals and sordid scandal of the eight-year Clinton White House have been rolled into a two-hour, two-act musical satire making its U.S. premiere in the Big Apple on July 18.Looked upon affectionately as one of America’s best presidents despite his human flaws, Clinton treads the boards played by two c
July 3, 2014
-
A woman of strength and grace
This is the seventh in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.For actress Kim Hyo-sun, also known as Sunny Kim, choosing to specialize in action came from a desire to have something more to offer as an actress. Some questioned her decision to go into what they perceived as a “guys’ area.” But her choice was not much of a surprise considering it was Hong Kong film “The Phantom Lover” (1995), starring actor Leslie Cheung,
July 3, 2014