BUSAN -- Musical “The Phantom of the Opera” has finally landed in Korea, kicking off in Busan and taking the audience into the haunting love story set in Paris in the late 19th century. This is the first time the international tour of the opera is visiting Busan, having already performed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. After Busan, the tour moves on to Seoul and Daegu.  Based on the novel of the same name written by Gaston Leroux, &

Performance Dec. 15, 2019

A total of 25 performing arts productions will go onstage for three months, funded by the Art Council Korea (Arko) under a support program called the 2019 Arko Selection. For the past 12 years, Arko -- affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism -- has operated the Arko Selection program to support the local performing arts scene, covering the production costs for selected productions. The council released this year’s Arko Selection list Thursday.  A total of 25 produc

Performance Dec. 12, 2019

A sexual assault allegation against singer Kim Gun-mo will be investigated by the Gangnam Police Station, according to the prosecutors’ office Tuesday.Lawyer Kang Yong-seok filed a case Monday at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on behalf of a woman who claims to have been sexually assaulted by the singer. In the complaint, Kang accused Kim of raping his client. Kim’s agency denied the sexual assault allegation and said it would take legal action for defamati

Social Affairs Dec. 11, 2019

Big Hit Entertainment has denied a recent report that the agency and BTS have been in dispute over profit distribution and the renewal of a contract. On Monday, broadcast station JTBC’s “News Room” aired a report that said the band and its members’ parents have been looking into taking legal action against the agency. A few hours after the news was broadcast, the agency released a statement saying, “The report is groundless.” “BTS and the members&rs

Performance Dec. 10, 2019

Though French restaurants are at better odds to be included in the La Liste, a gastronomic ranking system based in France, a total of 22 restaurants in Korea have made it in the recently released 2020 edition of the list.Like that of last year, French fine-dining restaurants Guy Savoy in France and Le Bernardin in New York took the top spots, earning 99.5 points each. Japan also made a presence, with Ryugin and Sugalabo earning top marks.  Meanwhile, Korean fine-dining restaurant La Yeon at

Food Dec. 9, 2019

A fitness instructor who challenged the notion that workouts are supposed to be painful and boring, now runs a successful global fitness brand that focuses on making people healthy and happy. Colombia-born Beto Perez, 49, created Zumba, the calorie-burning fitness dance, by “accident.” One day, he forgot to bring music to an aerobics class and had to improvise with a Latin American dance music cassette in his car. That was the beginning of Zumba. Later, he moved to Miami, Florida, an

People Dec. 9, 2019

In celebration of Christmas, Gracias Choir has embarked on its “Christmas Cantata” tour across Korea from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22. The choir will perform in 18 cities, including Ansan, Gyeonggi Province; Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province; Gwangju; Gangneung, Gangwon Province; and Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. The tour ends in Seoul. The 120-minute performance is separated into three acts. The first act takes the format of an opera, depicting the birth of Jesus. The second follows a mu

Performance Nov. 28, 2019

As the art scene becomes more social media-friendly, a new exhibition -- literally full of colors -- opened Friday, openly welcoming Instagram users. Sfactory, a culture complex in the hip Seongsu-dong neighborhood in eastern Seoul, has organized an exhibition inspired by colors, titled “Museum of Colors,” targeting 20- and 30-somethings.Influential artists on social media are featured, in the exhibition, including Russian photographer Kristina Makeeva, Korean artist Yoon Sae-rom, Sc

Arts & Design Nov. 28, 2019

Busan -- As the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit got underway in Busan, a conference on multicultural families in South Korea was held Tuesday. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korean Institute for Healthy Family co-hosted the 2019 Multicultural Families Network Conference at the Busan Tourism Organization Arpina on Tuesday.More than 100 people attended the event to share their opinions on Korea’s multiculturalism policies, including multicultural families and experts.&ldqu

Expat Living Nov. 26, 2019

BUSAN -- Celebrating the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, a fashion show introducing the latest fashion trends of ASEAN member states was held Monday. The Busan Metropolitan Government organized the ROK-ASEAN Fashion Week from Friday to Monday, holding events ranging from fashion shows to networking sessions. The highlight of the four-day event was Monday’s ASEAN Fashion Show, during which designers from ASEAN countries presented their creations on the runway. Featured designers includ

Arts & Design Nov. 25, 2019

BUSAN -- Reflecting the popularity of K-beauty trend and high demand for K-beauty products around the world, K-beauty Festival is being held at BEXCO during the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit.K-beauty has been an influential trend across the world, propelled by the high popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas. Korean cosmetics companies have been exporting a wide range of skincare and makeup products. Total exports reached $6.89 billion last year, according to the Korea Cosmetic Association. The f

Arts & Design Nov. 25, 2019

The mayor of Busan expressed hope that the 2019 ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit will elevate the city into a hub of exchanges and cooperation between South Korea and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don said the regional summit, which will draw heads of state from the 10 ASEAN member countries, can be expected to establish Busan’s place firmly as a global city that links Korea with foreign nations. “This summit symbolizes our governme

People Nov. 24, 2019

ASEAN Culture House under the Korea Foundation is to host mini fair “Bazaar Mekong: Handicraft and Design Goods,” introducing the art and design culture of the five Mekong countries.The exhibition opens Friday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Culture House’s Community Hall in eastern Busan. It is to showcase handicraft wares from five countries along the Mekong River, Southeast Asia’s longest: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.According to the org

Arts & Design Nov. 24, 2019

To refresh oneself with Vietnamese coffee in Seoul, Cong Caphe in Yeonnam-dong, western Seoul, is the prime destination. The successful Hanoi-based cafe chain offers visitors a glimpse inside Vietnamese cafe culture, serving various Vietnamese-style coffees and coffee variation drinks, such as the famous Coconut Smoothie Coffee. Coconut Smoothie Coffee features sweet coffee mixed with a coconut-flavored smoothie. In this rather chilling weather, the drink can be brain freezing, but the flav

Food Nov. 22, 2019

Controversy surrounding Michelin Guide Seoul now shows no signs of abating, as a South Korean chef has accused the fine dining guide of the crime of “insult” for including his restaurant on its list. On Nov. 15, chef Eo Yun-gwon, 49, who runs modern Italian eatery Ristorante Eo in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, took legal action against Michelin Travel Partner, formally accusing it of insult, which is a crime under Korean law, after the gourmet guide included his restaurant in the M

Food Nov. 21, 2019