[Weekender] Eyelike: Fly to the Sky continues to soar on new album

Fly to the Sky continues to soar on new albumFly to the Sky“Continuum” (LOEN Entertainment)Despite five years of being apart, popular male R&B duo Fly to the Sky has returned strong and unchanged with its ninth studio album “Continuum.”The 10-track album is filled with the duo’s signature sound, characterized by the deep, resonant vocals of Hwanhee, which are balanced out by Brian Joo’s light and clear singing.“You You You,” the second track, is a yearning ballad about not being able to let go o

PerformanceMay 23, 2014

[Weekender] Around the Hotels

Chef of Cantonese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul’s Chinese restaurant Chee Hong is inviting guest chef Ku Chi Fai, the director of Chinese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, from June 19-30 to present authentic Cantonese cuisines. Chef Ku will present two special set menus -- priced at 228,000 won and 288,000 won -- consisting of eight traditional Cantonese dishes including grouper balls, lobster balls, baked crab legs, noodles with scallions and mushrooms, and sea cu

TravelMay 23, 2014

[Weekender] Life as a Korean journalist

Journalists and journalism in Korea are going through a critical time, as clearly demonstrated by the recent ferry disaster. The tragedy highlighted conventional media’s shortcomings as well as the need for news outlets to exercise scrutiny.The accident, which has left more than 300 people dead or missing, also raised serious questions about the work ethics of news organizations. Pressured by increasing competition and worsening finances, many news organizations have resorted to yellow journalis

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Korean reporters face tough rite of passage

The first step to becoming a reporter in Korea is to pass a written exam and rounds of competitive interviews. The next step entails sleepless nights and stressful days at police stations. “Taxi, Jongno police station.” This was the beginning of a long night ahead of me. Cub reporters must pass the rigorous training program called “mawari” (the Japanese word for “going around”) in order to continue. We eat and sleep at police stations, checking every incident, including those at fire stations an

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Under pressure from the outset

A career in journalism in Korea is laden with stress from the word go. Would-be reporters compete for jobs against odds of hundreds to one, only to be put through seemingly endless training with workdays as long as 20 hours. Park, a 30-year-old reporter for a daily newspaper, describes his experience as “hell.” “It was indescribably tough. I don’t think I could do it again. But, the hard experiences made me stronger,” Park said. “Whenever I face difficulties, I remind myself that nothing can be

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Intense competition for journalism jobs

Ahn Jae-hyun works at a company many Koreans term as a “workplace of the gods” ― one that offers high job security and a host of other perks ― but what he does is not his dream job. “I still dream of becoming a journalist,” says the 29-year-old office worker. Ahn, who once interned at a local newspaper, says that he prefers a journalist’s “thrilling life” over a “comfortable life.” “I cannot forget the thrill of seeing my efforts presented in the form of an article in the newspaper each day.”  S

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] SNS increase opportunities, but at a price

Gone are the days when journalists dictated how news was delivered and what made headlines.The explosion in use of social networking and smartphones has undermined the monopoly that professional reporters once had.Rather than simply producing news, they had to become communicators, working in collaboration with the public. They also had to adjust to new, more varied methods of delivering information.Defense journalist Yang Nak-gyu of the Asia Economy Daily is among those to embrace the changes e

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] ‘Sewol disaster reveals failure of mass media as watchdog’

The Sewol tragedy has left many to blame. The captain of the ill-fated ferry escaped, leaving hundreds of passengers trapped in the sinking boat. Maritime authorities closed their eyes to the ferry operator’s illegal business activities for years. But the country’s mainstream media also failed in their jobs right in the midst of the disaster. Public criticism has been mounting against the Korean media as it relied too much on the government’s inconsistent and inaccurate announcements, releasing

Social AffairsMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] What a difference a draught master can make

When it comes to a glass of a cold one, Franck Evers finds the same problems everywhere around the world.“Temperature, dirty glassware, too much or too little foam, and presentation. These are the four major issues with serving beer,” noted Evers, a Dutchman who holds the unusual title of Heineken Global Draught Master. Since assuming the post in 2006, he has traveled to some 60 countries, spreading the gospel of how to pour the perfect glass of draught beer.“It is not marketing gimmickry,” insi

FoodMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Eyelike: Wheesung shares confessional monologue on new EP

Wheesung reflects on self on new EPWheesung“The Best Man” (KT Music)Ballad and R&B singer Wheesung has released his new EP “The Best Man,” featuring seven tracks filled with personal reflections and signature vocals.Wheesung looks back on his life as a singer on his new album, sharing his thoughts as he returns to the music scene after more than two years of military service.The last track, “Must Make Money,” is particularly attention-grabbing given that the singer blatantly criticizes himself a

PerformanceMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Around the Hotels

Korean food in ceramic art at Lotte Hotel SeoulLotte Hotel Seoul’s Korean restaurant Mugunghwa is presenting the “Elegance of Korean Cuisine” promotion from May 12-31, during which a special menu featuring traditional banga and royal cuisine will be offered. The courses will be served on dishes crafted by Korean ceramic artists. The lunch course, priced at 100,000 won, includes fish dumplings, bamboo sprouts, grilled chicken, abalone soup and bamboo rice. The dinner course, priced at 135,000 won

TravelMay 16, 2014

[Weekender] Everything is connected

After electricity was discovered, it took about 200 years for light bulbs and lamps, and other electrical products, to hit the market.The Web was created in the 1990s following the invention of the ARPANET system in the 1970s through a collaboration between the Pentagon, scientists and businesses that aimed to reduce inefficiency by sharing resources via network connections.A new market in which all sorts of physical objects ― ranging from home appliances and streetlights to roads and cars ― can

TechnologyMay 9, 2014

[Weekender] Bitfinder, SinglePet seek to develop game-changing gadgets

As was seen in the dot-com industry, venture entrepreneurship has been the key to creating not only new technologies but also new industries and values that can forever reshape conventional markets.Start-ups will be called upon again to develop an entirely new market where every physical object can connect to the Internet.With the Internet of Things gaining momentum, ventures such as Bitfinder and SinglePet are seeking to come out with their own connected innovative products and services that ho

TechnologyMay 9, 2014

[Weekender] IoT to bring winds of change

An Oracle yacht that uses IoT technology (Oracle)A man walks into a clothing store and sees customized advertisements based on his shopping data as soon as he gets his eyes scanned.This scene is from Hollywood blockbuster “Minority Report” but a similar situation could soon become reality thanks to the Internet of Things.Cisco Systems, the U.S. networking equipment giant, said people can already get a similar experience.“If you use, for example, Cisco’s Connected Mobile Experience, what happens

TechnologyMay 9, 2014

[Weekender] Rapid growth forecast for IoT

As an example of the potential for the Internet of Things, take for instance the mousetrap. It has been a very long time since anyone has built a genuinely better mousetrap.But with the ubiquity of device connectivity these days, it is now possible for the janitorial staff in a commercial warehouse to be notified via smartphone when a mouse has been caught in some dark corner of the building ― and subsequently inform the end-user that it is time to set another trap. In short, IoT can improve eff

TechnologyMay 9, 2014

[Weekender] All roads lead to in-car technology

Not so long ago, automakers were all about competing to produce and market vehicles with better horsepower and fuel-efficiency.With the Internet of Things coming around the corner, automakers’ focus has shifted from not only introducing cars with powerful engines that consume less gas, but also to dashboards with in-car networks.Automakers are revving up to form an alliance either with Apple, Google or both, following the introductions of their in-car platforms that can be linked with drivers’ i

TechnologyMay 9, 2014

[Weekender] The rise of men

Women still spend more on luxury items, from Hermes handbags and Tiffany necklaces to Prada dresses, but a new report suggests that, in the future, growth for luxury goods will come from a new breed of consumer: the Yummy.HSBC coined the term “Yummy,” which stands for “Young Urban Male,” in its recent consumer report, saying that men were reshaping the retail landscape in the luxury and beauty markets. The yummy is already becoming a commercial reality in Korea. According to Shinsegae Department

IndustryMay 2, 2014

[Weekender] Menswear undergoes smart evolution

Spring has brought versatile items and light colors to menswear, allowing men to be free from formal dress and try new style combinations. Blazers and pants that are both adaptable to formal and casual looks are gaining popularity. Fresh, light color shades are lifting the mood for the warmer weather.“The casual vibe has been prevalent in menswear for the past couple of seasons, and the hybrid items that can either work in formal and casual situations have been popular,” said Lee Hyun-jung, dire

Arts & DesignMay 2, 2014

[Weekender] Booming market for men’s skin care

Korean men in their 20s and 30s are more interested in skin care ― the various products and treatments ― than anywhere else in the world, according to skin care product manufacturer Estee Lauder.“Healthy skin allows an individual to make favorable impressions on others while also providing that extra sliver of confidence, which are both important in this contemporary society driven by fierce competition,” Lab Series communications manager Kim Jung-sook told The Korea Herald.Changes in lifestyle

IndustryMay 2, 2014

[Weekender] Men go under the knife

For many years, cosmetic surgery for men was something to be hushed up.Yet, in a society where appearance can be power, an increasing number of Korean men are heading to plastic surgery clinics in an effort to climb the corporate ladder and keep up with the younger-looking.Lee Jeong-hwan, 31, said he recently visited a plastic surgeon for a consultation on having double-eyelid surgery. “I have a double eyelid on only one eye. I think I’d make a better impression on people if I had a balanced loo

Special ReportsMay 2, 2014