Choi Soo-young, better known as Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation, is to take a leading role in a Korean-and-Japanese-made film. Choi will play a leading role in the film “Memories of a Dead End,” based on a novel written by Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto. It depicts how a female character faces a life-changing moment. The film will start shooting in April in Japan.  Choi Soo-young (Echo Global Group)Choi debuted as a member of Girls’ Generation in 2007. She did not renew her contract with the age

Film March 22, 2018

Koreans are known for their love of fermented dishes -- for instance, the ever-present kimchi. And Koreans also consume fermented sauces on a daily base. Adding one more to the list is, hongeo, a fermented skate dish, is a delicacy for many. A whole skate is placed in a pile of hay for days for the fermentation that results in its pungent odor -- such that some compare it to a public toilet. Even after the meal, one cannot escape the pungent smell that attaches itself to clothes and hair for day

Food March 22, 2018

Despite heavy snow, a fashionable, passionate crowd gathered at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Wednesday to enjoy the second day of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week. Various local brands staged creative shows, providing the audience the chance to observe Korea’s fashion industry at the scene. Following are three highlights of the day. Ordinary People (Seoul Collection) (Seoul Design Foundation)Ordinary People went experimental, making use of various materials typically considered unfit f

Arts & Design March 21, 2018

With the hype of the Winter Games beginning to fade, Executive Creative Director Song Seung-hwan revealed the intricate planning that went into staging the Olympic opening ceremony that captivated an international audience. Song directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Olympics. He attended a meeting held by the Corea Image Communication Institute on Tuesday night in Seoul to speak about what it was like to stage performances for a global audience.  Song Seung-hwan delivers

Olympic Games March 21, 2018

Unlike most medical dramas that feature doctors as the main characters, tvN’s new series “A Poem, a Day” depicts staff who are less often in the spotlight. The new Monday-Tuesday drama centers on the lives of physical therapists and radiology technicians, dubbing them “co-medical staff.” It can also be called a “comedical drama,” as it features a combination of comedy and medicine.  From the left, Jang Dong-yoon, Lee Yoo-bi and Lee Joon-hyuk (tvN)Producer Han Sang-jae hopes to set the series apa

Television March 20, 2018

The 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week officially began Tuesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Various local brands staged eye-catching shows, providing the audience the chance to observe Korea’s fashion industry at the scene. Following are three highlights of the day. A.Bell (Seoul Collection)  (Seoul Design Foundation)“Light” was the main keyword here. Around 34 outfits portraying the refraction and reflection of light were showcased. Hues of white, beige, ivory and black were dominant. The

Arts & Design March 20, 2018

The 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week opened Monday with a showcase of modern interpretations of hanbok, or traditional Korean clothing. Celebrated hanbok designer Kim Hye-soon traveled back in time for her inspiration to create a colorful jewel-toned collection of hanbok made contemporary, which graced the runway at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.  Models walk down the runway of hanbok opening show for the finale. (Seoul Design Foundation)“This season, I wanted to promote the beaut

Arts & Design March 20, 2018

With the reality TV show “I Live Alone” enjoying a purple patch, the program’s real-life couple, Jun Hyun-moo and Han Hye-jin, opened up about their relationship at a press conference held Monday to mark the show’s fifth anniversary. TV personality Jun Hyun-moo and fashion model Han Hye-jin admitted to the relationship at the end of last month, after news reports regarding the two surfaced. The two have been dating since Christmas.  Jun Hyun-moo and Han Hye-jin pose for photos at a media briefin

Television March 19, 2018

Actress Lee Tae-im has announced she is ending her acting career.“Going through difficulties with many thoughts and pain, I decided to live a normal life,” she wrote in a social media post Monday. “I won’t forget those who loved me. Thank you,” she added. Lee Tae-im (Management Henem)The announcement came as a surprise as Lee had returned to the entertainment scene last summer with the hit drama series “Women of Dignity” on JTBC, after a two-year break. She disappeared from the public eye after

Television March 19, 2018

Celebrating Easter at Millennium Seoul Hilton For guests who seek to celebrate Easter in a classic yet luxurious way, Millennium Seoul Hilton has prepared various activities and events. Cilantro Deli offers specialty Easter bread and chocolates during Easter week. Precooked Easter lunch hampers will also be on sale at 350,000 won. For lunch on Easter Sunday, diners can head to Cafe 395 for an Easter-themed buffet, at the price of 94,000 per person. On Easter Day, visitors can take part in an Eas

Food March 16, 2018

Chicken is beloved around the globe, but in Korea, extra effort is made to avoid wasting any part of it. Along with the neck and gizzards, Korean cuisine makes good use of the feet. Chicken feet, or “dakbal” in Korean, are widely eaten with alcohol. Their appearance alone can be a considerable challenge, with little effort made to disguise what they are. A typical serving consists of a pile of feet chopped off at the ankle. Dakbal are usually broiled in spicy red sauce, although they are sometim

Food March 15, 2018

Cable channel tvN’s Wednesday-Thursday drama “Mother” is to be screened at Canneseries, the Cannes International Series Festival.The festival, which is to take place from April 4 to 11 in Cannes, France, aims to highlight series from around the world, giving “the new art form” an international voice. The poster of the drama series “Mother” (tvN)The roster for the festival’s official competition was announced Tuesday. Some 10 drama series from various countries were nominated, including tvN’s “Mo

Television March 14, 2018

Sheet masks, lip stain and BB creams have been mainstays of the tidal wave of Korean beauty around the world, but new beauty entertainment show “The Beauty” hopes to add more to the list. The show, which aired in August via KBS World to more than 110 countries, is to return with its second season on March 24 with six new episodes. The cast of “The Beauty,“ (from left) makeup artist Park Tae-yun, Choi Jong-hun of FT Island, comedian Jang Do-yeon and actress Han Eun-jung pose for photos at a media

Television March 14, 2018

Kang Dae-sung, more widely known as Daesung of Big Bang, began his mandatory military service Tuesday. The singer arrived at Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, to join the Army, starting with a five-week training session. After the basic training period, he will be assigned to an Army unit, where he will carry out the rest of his duty. Daesung salutes before his enlistment Tuesday. (Yonhap)Fans gathered outside the military camp to say goodbye to the star. A large number of the fans were Japanese as Da

Performance March 13, 2018

In a move to support the successful hosting of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games, various events were held Saturday to encourage the athletes and welcome the tourists.As the Winter Paralympics kicked off its 10-day run Friday, National Smile Team, affiliated with the Visit Korea Committee, hosted a campaign for the public near Gangneung Station on Saturday. Members of the University Students’ National Smile Team welcome foreign tourists at Gangneung Station for the 2018 PyeongChang Wi

Olympic Games March 11, 2018