Among all of the U.S. Ambassadors to Korea since 1883, John M.B. Sill (1831-1901) served during one of the most turbulent periods of Korean history. During his stay in the country ― from 1894 to 1897 ― Korea went through the Sino-Japanese War, the Gabo Reform, the murder of Queen Myeongseong, and King Gojong’s refuge in the Russian legation.Written and compiled by freelance writer and history researcher Robert Neff, “Letters from Joseon” features personal letters written in Seoul by Sill’s wife

Books Jan. 3, 2013

After their first Berlin-winning project together, the famous Park brothers are back with another short film ― this time about a pansori artist and his young student. Director Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy,” “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance”) and his brother and media artist Park Chan-kyong in 2011 won the top prize at Berlinale for their short “Night Fishing.” The 30-minute fantasy film, which touches on local shamanism and dreams, was shot entirely with an iPhone 4.The Park brothers launched a co-direct

Film Dec. 30, 2012

“Zero Dark Thirty” begins in our mind’s eye ― our memories of 9/11 play out as a black screen is backed by the sounds of news reports, 911 emergency calls and tearful dying messages left on voice mails.The movie about the long hunt for Osama bin Laden will have plenty to show us. But “Hurt Locker” writer Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow want us to provide the rationale for the next 2 hours. What they’re about to depict is the spy’s-eye-view of this epic search ― the tedium of false leads,

Film Dec. 28, 2012

When it comes to events like school shooting in Newtown, Conn., there are knowns, unknowns and, already, mis-knowns. A photograph of Ryan Lanza circulated asserting he was the shooter, when in fact it was his brother, Adam Lanza. Their mother, Nancy Lanza, whom Adam killed, was reported to have been a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary, where the other shootings took place ― but she was not. The story of what happened Friday when 20 children and seven adults were killed has been written and rewrit

Books Dec. 27, 2012

Desert AirBy George Steinmetz(Abrams, New York)‘Tis the time of year for coffee table books and, for the adventuresome, there is nothing better than “Desert Air.”World-class photographer George Steinmetz who worked for National Geographic and GEO Magazine has published a number of his finest photographs in a book that is only just big enough to hold their subjects.He was fascinated with the hyper-arid regions ― “areas that get less than four inches of annual precipitation.” Seated in a motorized

Books Dec. 27, 2012

After years of living overseas, musician Seo Tai-ji plans to settle down in Korea in a house he built for himself and his family.  Seo, the media-shy enfant terrible of Korean hard rock and one of the most prominent cultural icons of the ‘90s, is famous for leading a secretive life in foreign countries. But it seems like the musician is returning home for good, according to his Christmas message to his fans.“I’ve been doing very well, and very busy,” Seo wrote on his website on Christmas Eve. “I

People Dec. 26, 2012

It’s been 50 years since Korea’s pioneering modern dancer and choreographer Yook Wan-soon held her first solo performance in Seoul, the first American-style modern dance ever showcased in the country.“I had to major in physical education in college because no university at the time offered degrees in dance,” said Yook during a press conference in Seoul last week. “Physical education programs offered one or two dance sessions but it was nowhere near what dance students learn at art schools these

Performance Dec. 24, 2012

Korean movie fans will be excited to see the line-up of the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, as a total of four local directors’ works are to be featured ― including the much anticipated “Stoker” by Park Chan-wook.The festival, which kicks off on Jan. 17, includes Park’s film in its Premieres program, a showcase of world premieres of some of the most highly anticipated dramatic films of the coming year. The thriller, which tells the story of a girl and her mother who are visited by a mysterious

Film Dec. 23, 2012

Actress Sung Yu-ri is returning to the big screen as a grieving sister in her next drama film, “A Boy’s Sister.”The former idol star made her film debut in 2009, as a Korean-American adoptee who returns to Korea in Joo Ji-hong’s “Maybe.” She also starred in this year’s comedy “Runway Cop” as a fashion designer who gets involved in a drug case.In her upcoming movie, Sung stars as Yoon-hee, whose late brother died while trying to rescue her from flood waters many years ago. She is deeply traumatiz

Film Dec. 21, 2012

The Korea Culture and Information Service, an affiliate of the Culture Ministry, continues to publish books on Korean culture, this time about literature and the history of hallyu, the Korean wave.“K-Literature: The Writing World’s New Voice” is the latest addition to KOCIS’ English-language book series featuring Korean culture and artists.Earlier this month, the organization added two new volumes to the series, one about Korean sports and the other about fashion. The previously published books

Books Dec. 20, 2012

While local movie buffs now enjoy IMAX theaters and movies rendered in 4-D, watching movies was a different affair about 80 years ago in Seoul. First of all, people had to endure an “almost unbearable” stench from the theater’s public bathroom, and sometimes, their fellow viewers. The stench and filthiness of the movie theaters became a public hygiene problem in the early 1930s; newspapers published articles warning people not to bring infants to the theaters, as it could seriously risk their he

Books Dec. 20, 2012

A local film about the 1948 Jeju Massacre has been invited to the upcoming Sundance Film Festival and International Film Festival Rotterdam, according to its producer Japari Films.An artistic, black and white work by Jeju-based director O Muel, the film tells the story of a group of some 120 villagers who hid from soldiers in a cave during the 1948 massacre. The incident resulted in the death of some 30,000 islanders as the government sought to quell an uprising led by a small group of communist

Film Dec. 20, 2012

The first film directed by Busan International Film Festival’s founding director has been invited to the non-competition section of the upcoming Berlinale, according to its production house.Kim Dong-ho, who is considered one of the pioneer figures in Korean film history, currently serves as the honorary chief of BIFF. He made his directing debut last month during Korea’s Asiana International Short Film Festival, with his short titled “Jury.” The film premiered as the festival’s opener.An account

Film Dec. 20, 2012