Launched by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea in 2008, List: Books from Korea originally examined the Korean publishing industry through the eyes of Korean authors, critics, translators and publishers. The magazine has now been revamped and relaunched as Korean Literature Now to better represent its identity as a literary magazine, with the aim of offering a global perspective on Korean literature.The summer issue released on Aug. 19 features international voices, including an interv

Books Aug. 24, 2016

“The Last Days of New Paris” By China MievilleDel Rey (205 pages, $25)Page for page, there is no one generating more utterly unfamiliar ideas than author China Mieville (“Perdido Street Station,” “The City and the City”) -- and the glossary of monsters in his latest novel, “The Last Days of New Paris,” could support a full book for every entry. There’s so much absurd beauty among the fauna in this story of surrealist art come to life in Nazi-occupied France, in fact, that the author’s subtler po

Books Aug. 24, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) -- For viewers who rejoice in TV’s artistic upsurge, one virtuoso perhaps more than anyone can be credited for elevating the medium from its bygone “boob tube” status.Steven Bochco flinches at the mention of his half-century writing and producing TV. Could it really be that long? But his list of credits documents his legacy. Consider: the breakthrough hits “L.A. Law” and “NYPD Blue,” the pioneering half-hour dramedy “Doogie Howser, MD” and the groundbreaking legal drama “Murder One

Books Aug. 24, 2016

In the new season of Mnet’s audition program “Superstar K,” contestants will be given 20 seconds to sing. If the judges want to hear more, they can press a button which extends the allotted time by 10 seconds. Ultimately, contestants who are awarded enough time to complete one song in its entirety will be given a chance to move on to the next round.“We wanted to bring big changes this season,” said Kim Ki-woong, director of productions at Mnet, during a press conference for “Superstar K 2016” he

Performance Aug. 23, 2016

Appearing amid smoke and blue neon lights, Big Bang kicked off a steamy summer Saturday night with its 10th anniversary concert “0 To 10” in Seoul.The 65,000-seat Seoul World Cup Stadium was filled to the brim with a sea of blazing neon yellow sticks -- the Big Bang fan club’s signature color. The crowd erupted in cheers when the boy band appeared on stage at 7:30 p.m. and opened with “My Heaven.” The five members -- G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P, Seungri and Daesung -- climbed onto mobile miniature

Performance Aug. 21, 2016

Conductor Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra opened Seoul’s newest classical music venue last Friday with a rousing concert.Part of the Lotte Group’s CSR efforts, the Lotte Concert Hall is the first new classical venue to open in Seoul since the state-run Seoul Arts Center opened 28 years ago. The opening concert program consisted of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 Op. 72a; “Le Chant des Enfants des Etoiles (The Song of the Children of the Stars),” a new piece composed by S

Performance Aug. 21, 2016

Child actress Lee Na-yoon eats pasta in an empty classroom, using bread to scoop up leftover sauce after her last forkful. On a rainy day, model Lee Jini devours a bowl of steamed beef at a cafe, humming to herself. Singer Kim Hyun-chul finds himself outdoors next to a babbling stream, gulping down hot noodles while murmuring, “This has been cooked really well.” Celebrities do little else but eat in the new eating reality show “Quiet Dining,” which began airing on July 29 on cable channel O’live

Television Aug. 18, 2016

As befits the girl group’s name, the members of Cosmic Girls are featured dancing on an extraterrestrial planet and being dropped from space onto earth in the music video for “Secret,” the title track of the group’s second EP.　The Korean-Chinese girl group, created by Korea’s Starship Entertainment and China’s Yuehua Entertainment, held a showcase for the release of its new album Wednesday in Seoul. The group performed onstage “MoMoMo,” the title track of its 2016 debut EP “Would You Like,” “Sec

Performance Aug. 17, 2016

"Sober Stick Figure: A Memoir”By Amber Tozer(Running Press, $24)Comedian Amber Tozer is 39 years old. She is funny, profane and drop-dead honest. A recovering alcoholic, Tozer walked away from drinking eight years ago, and now she has written a book about it.I picked up “Sober Stick Figure: A Memoir” (Running Press, $24) because alcoholism has run in my family, and because of recent news about the prevalence of binge drinking among young people.“Sober Stick Figure” might be the funniest book abo

Books Aug. 17, 2016

“The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo” By Amy Schumer(Gallery Books)Amy Schumer is a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, thanks to her Emmy-winning TV series, “Inside Amy Schumer,” and feature film box-office smash “Trainwreck.” A comedian, actress, writer, producer and director, Schumer is on her way to adding “best-selling author” to her list of achievements with her new book, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.”Schumer is a talented storyteller. She’s known for standing in a spotlight

Books Aug. 17, 2016

Star Trek tells a story about integration and “infinite diversity” that resonates in today’s world more than ever, according to the actors of “Star Trek Beyond,” the latest installation in the science-fiction film franchise set for local release Thursday.Cast members Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin discussed the film’s core values at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. “It’s a franchise with all the hallmarks of a summer blockbuster but also has a lot of heart,

Film Aug. 16, 2016

Glittering costumes and colorful streaks of hair have become the trademark of K-pop singers, who are now known as much for their flashy visuals as for their hypnotic music. In the hypercompetitive world of K-pop, recent releases have been toying with niche concepts in an effort to stand out from the increasingly crowded market.Boy band VIXX chose to take the supernatural horror route for its single “Fantasy” from the group’s fourth album “Hades” released last Friday. The song’s music video featu

Performance Aug. 16, 2016

Haley Bonar“Impossible Dream” (GNDWIRE/Thirty Tigers)Haley Bonar’s songs on “Impossible Dream” are both personal and universal, stories with an indie film ambience detailed enough to fill a larger screen.Born in Canada, raised in South Dakota and now living in St. Paul, Minnesota, the 33-year-old turned it up a notch on her previous album, 2014’s “Last War,” and this one continues in a similar vein -- gliding power-pop that‘s much more in-your-ear than in-your-face.The cinematic textures are enh

Performance Aug. 12, 2016

Tunnel(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Sung-hoonA tunnel collapses on top of car salesman Jung-soo (Ha Jung-woo) on his way home. Trapped inside, surrounded by concrete, and with only two bottles of water, a birthday cake and cell phone in his possession, Jung-soo begins his fight for survival.Take Off 2(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Jong-hyeonA crew of women from diverse backgrounds gather to form the national ice hockey team. Ji-won (Soo Ae), the only former hockey play

Film Aug. 12, 2016

Perhaps not every quirky true story needs a biopic starring Meryl Streep, as evidenced by Stephen Frears' bizarre “Florence Foster Jenkins,” the story of a wealthy older woman who launched an amateur singing career in the 1940s, despite her distinct lack of talent. It’s a film that dares you to give it a bad review, simply so it can turn around and call you a bully who picks on the people who try. It invites you to giggle at Florence’s horrible singing and then promptly scolds you for laughing,

Film Aug. 12, 2016