Beastie Boys“Hot Sauce Committee Part Two”Warner Music KoreaAmerican hip hop trio Beastie Boys has released their eighth studio album “Hot Sauce Committee Part Two,” four years after the 2007 album “The Mix-Up.” Since their debut in 1979, the hardcore punk rappers have sold more than 16 million albums. Although the new album title says “Part Two,” there is no “Hot Sauce Committee Part One.” In 200

Performance June 3, 2011

At Suncheon Bay, a traveler might feel overwhelmed and dwarfed by the magnificence of nature. Created over thousands of years, Suncheon Bay in South Jeolla Province boasts endless tidelands and massive reed fields where rare birds and plants find homes. In 2006 it became the first coastal estuary in Korea to be put on the Ramsar List, an international convention for wetland protection, and is glob

Travel June 3, 2011

Songwriter Priscilla Ahn says new album written during period of reflectionFolk singer-songwriter Priscilla Ahn has stayed busy since she debuted in 2008 with album “A Good Day” under EMI’s jazz music label Blue Note Records.Often compared with jazz vocalist Norah Jones, who also debuted with the Blue Note Records, Ahn’s beautiful but not-too-pretty tone, unique lyrics and simple acoustic guitar w

Performance June 1, 2011

Filipino immigrant wife Kenneth Dela Cruze Sangalang speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)A decade has passed since the Korean Wave, or hallyu, hit the Asian region with the rapidly growing popularity of Korean entertainment and culture, especially in ASEAN countries.However, there has been little effort in Korea to understand ASEAN culture in return, wh

Culture May 31, 2011

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival, a major cultural attraction for Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, will celebrate its annual fiesta for 10 days from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 in Mask Dance Park in Andong.The city is home to Hahoe Village, the most well-known historic clan village in Korea, and was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites last year. A scene from the mask dance dr

Culture May 30, 2011

U.S. singer-songwriter to hold first Korea gig next weekFor singer-songwriter aspirants in Korea, his upcoming show should be a must-see. Ben Folds, an American rock pianist and singer-songwriter who has influenced musicians including John Mayer, Josh Groban and Rufus Wainwright, is coming to town next week to hold his first-ever concert in Korea.The 44-year-old said he writes music spontaneously.

Performance May 30, 2011

Top tourism policymakers of Korea, Japan and China have announced on Sunday that they will jointly develop the 10 best tourism routes by linking travel packages in the region.The plan is part of their long-term strategy called “Tourism Vision 2020” to boost regional tourism and establish a risk management system, especially since natural disasters such as the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan

Culture May 29, 2011

SHENZHEN (AP) ― After building a name for himself in the South Korean film and TV industries, Kwon Sang-woo is setting his sights on another booming Asian entertainment market ― China.The 34-year-old actor is shooting a Chinese-language romance alongside Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung and will next join the Jackie Chan project “Chinese Zodiac.”Kwon, who shot to fame with the 2003 TV drama “Stair

Film May 29, 2011

Taipei offers exotic tradition as well as vibrant youth cultureTAIPEI ― Taipei is a city of red and green.It’s red because a traditional food market, a Buddhist temple and a bustling night market are all colored very much with the redness of foods, red Buddhist lanterns and reddish wax apples. It’s green because the Taiwanese capital’s clean streets and roads are almost always decorated with green

Travel May 27, 2011

Tristan Prettyman“Twentythree,” “Hello”Warner Music KoreaSan Diego-based singer-songwriter Tristan Prettyman’s first and second studio albums “Twentythree” (2005) and “Hello” (2008) have been belatedly released in Korea. Probably best known as fiancé of Jason Mraz, the 29-year-old’s music style is pretty much like that of her partner, in that her songs are mostly based on the sounds of the acousti

Performance May 27, 2011

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Wednesday recognized 33 Korean travel agencies for attracting foreign tourists with quality services.The travel agencies were selected by a jury consisting of tourism officials, consumer group officials and academics. Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug (right) confers the certificate, “2011 Best Travel Agency Recommended by Ministry of Culture, Sports

Travel May 25, 2011

Veteran journalist says ‘Agent Orange is never justified, any way you use it’Larry King, who hosted the talk show “Larry King Live” on CNN for 25 years until December last year, said if he had the chance to interview any one person on the Korean peninsula, it would be the leader of North Korea.“It will be the head of North Korea. People who are perceived as evil by the world... They don’t think th

People May 25, 2011

Manager says Taiwan’s first W hotel aims to exceed 45 percent occupancy rate this yearTAIPEI ― In the bustling central business district of Xinyi in Taipei, W Taipei hotel encased in radiant glass stands tall not far from the iconic 101 Tower which shoots up more than 500 meters into the sky.Arriving at the first W hotel in Taiwan, a large stainless steel installation called “The Chain” is seen, w

Arts & Design May 25, 2011