The Cat (Korea) Opening July 7.Horror. Directed by Byeon Seung-wook. So-yeon (Park Min-young), a young woman who works at a pet shop, suffers from claustrophobia stemming from a traumatic childhood experience. One day, the owner of a beautiful cat named Bi-dan, who often visits So-yeon’s shop, is found dead in an elevator. So-yeon takes Bi-dan, found next to her dead owner’s body, to her place and

Film June 24, 2011

After 17 years of winning over moviegoers with her mile-long legs, breezy confidence and wide, almost goofy smile, one of Hollywood’s consummate charmers has had enough. Cut the charisma and cue the contempt: It’s time, finally, to loathe Cameron Diaz.As an unrepentant moral scourge in her new film “Bad Teacher,” Diaz plays Elizabeth Halsey ― an educator who steals, cheats, lies, sleeps in class,

Film June 24, 2011

Poetry makes nothing happen.So said W.H. Auden.Who never lived in Chicago.Or knew Don Share. Share is the senior editor of Poetry magazine, the venerable Chicago-based literary institution. It turns 100 next year and has seen far more than nothing happen, particularly in the past decade. Share arrived at the magazine four years ago, hired away from Harvard University, where he was poetry editor of

Books June 24, 2011

PORTO, Portugal ― On an overcast day in November, we drove east from Porto along the Douro River. The grape harvest was over. The men hired for the crush had gone home; the raw tawny and ruby ports had been poured into barrels or steel casks to age.The boats that make day trips up the river and the excursion trains that bring visitors to the wineries had ended their seasons, so my travel agent had

Travel June 24, 2011

The Cry of the MagpiesBy Kim Dong-ni(Jimoondang, 5,000 won)“The Cry of Magpies” is one of the most well-known short stories written by Korea’s late author Kim Dong-ni. A dark and painful account of war and betrayal, the novella engages elements of Korean shamanism to reflect his view on human destiny that controls one’s life and innermost desires.The novel tells a story of Bong-su, who just return

Books June 24, 2011

Miracle told by late Park’s chiefFrom Despair to HopeBy Kim Chung-yum(KDI)The right-hand man of late President Park Chung-hee uncovered inside the brainstorming of Korea’s macroeconomic policies of the 1960s and 70s ― process widely believed to have brought the country’s remarkable development. The memoirs by former chief presidential secretary Kim Chung-yum is reorganized and translated by the Ko

Books June 24, 2011

Ever since a shipwrecked Robinson Crusoe scrambled ashore and found Friday, the novel has been exploring lost continents in search of what’s missing at home.Anybody who has read Ann Patchett’s masterfully constructed “Bel Canto” won’t be surprised to learn that in “State of Wonder,” her latest novel, she, too, has made an outbound voyage.“Bel Canto” revolved around a hostage crisis in an unnamed c

Books June 24, 2011

About 60 books written by Korean pastor Lee Jae-rock of Manmin Central Church, translated into 25 foreign languages, were exhibited by Urim Books at the 17th Seoul International Book Fair from June 15 to 19 at COEX in Seoul. Urim Books exhibited Lee’s books on his Christian faith and spiritual experiences along with their translated copies. Having translated Lee’s books into 25 different languages

Books June 23, 2011

Veteran writer’s 39th novel coincides with 39-year-long careerFor the past 39 years, author Park Beom-shin has been a busy man. He has raised his three children with his wife, taught at a university, and published almost 40 books. “I’ve always gone for the second best options in my life,” Park told reporters at a press meeting held in central Seoul, Wednesday. “It was the only way to compromise. I

Books June 23, 2011

American actor and practicing Tibetan Buddhist Richard Gere spoke out on the sufferings of Tibetans under Chinese occupation in Seoul, Wednesday.“I think it’s impossible to look at these photographs and not realize the extraordinary suffering of the Tibetan people,” Gere told reporters at a press conference promoting his Tibet-themed photo exhibition at Seoul Arts Center. “I think when you see the

Film June 22, 2011

American actor and practicing Buddhist Richard Gere paid a courtesy call to officials of Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, at Jogye Temple in central Seoul, Tuesday.Gere worshipped with his palms pressed together as he entered the main building of the temple. After burning incense, he signed the temple’s guest book with a message that wished “peace and happiness” for all beings in the wo

Culture June 21, 2011

Digital cartoon exhibition on wayAbout 300 animated films from 32 different countries and cartoon exhibitions covering diverse themes are arriving in Seoul next month.The 15th annual Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) will open on July 20 in several locations in Seoul, the festival organizing committee said Tuesday during a press conference in Seoul.The official poster of S

Culture June 21, 2011

Richard Gere (AP-Yonhap News)American actor Richard Gere arrived in South Korea on Monday at Incheon International Airport along with his wife, actress Carey Lowell and their son, Homer Gere, to promote his Buddhist-themed photo exhibition and experience Korea’s traditional Buddhist culture.Gere, who is known for his Buddhist faith, is scheduled to meet with Venerable Jaseung, head of the Jogye Or

Culture June 21, 2011