Most Popular
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Yoon's approval rating plunges to all-time low
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S. Korea votes in favor of Palestinian bid for UN membership
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Russia's denial of entry of S. Korean national unrelated to bilateral ties: Seoul official
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Bae Doo-na shares portraying Korean identity in Hollywood's 'Rebel Moon'
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[From the Scene] Monks, Buddhists hail return of remains of Buddhas
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Medical schools granted enrollment quota flexibility for next year
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Yoon offers first one-on-one meeting with opposition leader next week
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France rejects opening Paris flight routes to T'way Air, deals blow to Korean Air merger
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Iran fires air defense batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
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Chinese man behind drug scam targeting teens nabbed in Cambodia
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A guide to musical theater in fall, winter
Seoul’s musical theaters, scattered across the city, are offering a wide spectrum of shows this season. From a gay-themed show getting its first off-Broadway run in Korea to a set of original Korean works based on gugak, traditional Korean music, here’s a look into some of the most anticipated musicals of the fall-winter season. ‘Marie Antoinette’ The EMK Musical Company, which started the European musical boom in Seoul, is presenting in November its most ambitious production this year ― “Marie
CultureOct. 13, 2014
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Nobel prize boosts Modiano’s book sales
Following the announcement of French novelist Patrick Modiano as the recipient of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature, on Oct. 9, domestic sales of his books have boosted. Modiano’s titles, including his renowned 1978 novel “Missing Person” had been introduced in Korea, but never appeared among the top-selling titles in the past. According to Kyobo Bookstore, the country’s largest book chain, a total of 1,200 books written by Modiano have been sold since last Thursday ― 300 in stores and 900 o
BooksOct. 13, 2014
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Audiences following best characters to TV, says top film director
PARIS (AFP) ― A troubled detective hunting a serial killer in rural Louisiana, a chemistry teacher with inoperable lung cancer reinvented as a drugs kingpin, a bisexual woman doing jail time for aiding and abetting her drug mule ex-girlfriend.Hollywood’s David Fincher says all the most interesting characters have gone to television ― and audiences have followed them.Fincher, who directed the first two episodes of online streaming giant Netflix’s “House of Cards,” insists he hasn’t given up on mo
TelevisionOct. 13, 2014
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Bjork plans to coproduce new album with Arca
NEW YORK (AFP) ― Bjork, three years after her wildly ambitious “Biophilia” multimedia project, says she is working on a new album coproduced by the Venezuelan DJ Arca.The Icelandic musical icon, known for her sweeping vocal range and conceptual imagery, apologized in a Facebook message for missing the London premiere of the “Biophilia Live” film and said she was “already working on her next album,” which will be out in 2015.Arca, whose real name is Alejandro Ghersi, said on Twitter that he and B
PerformanceOct. 13, 2014
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Jang Na-ra confesses to eating disorder
Jang Na-ra. (Jang Na-ra Offical Website)Hallyu star Jang Na-ra has suffered from serious mental breakdowns over her 15-year career, the singer-actress confessed on a television talk show.Jang said on SBS’ “Healing Camp,” which aired on Monday night, that she has suffered from panic disorders, bulimia and acrophobia since debuting in 2001, decrying her trademark smiley face and joviality. Her popularity did not exempt her from the immense pressure that a celebrity had to undergo, she added.She sa
TelevisionOct. 13, 2014
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Lee Joon to part ways with MBLAQ
Lee Joon, member of the popular boy band MBLAQ, has announced his plans to leave the idol group in order to focus on his acting career, news reports said Monday.According to the reports, Lee’s contract with entertainment agency J. Tune Camp was recently terminated and the singer opted not to renew his contract so he could pursue other interests. Despite the end of his contractual obligation with MBLAQ, it was announced that Lee still plans to participate in the group’s upcoming solo concert, “MB
Oct. 13, 2014
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Epik High returning after two years with ‘Shoebox’
Officials at YG Entertainment have finally answered the question of “Who’s Next?” as it was announced on Monday that Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz of hip-hop trio Epik High will be lacing up their sneaks for the release of the group’s eighth studio album, “Shoebox.” For weeks, YG had been releasing a string of “Who’s Next?” teaser posters, baiting fans with its mysterious taunts about which one of the company’s artists was next in line to return to the airwaves with something new. Epik High.
Oct. 13, 2014
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‘Gone Girl’ remains at top of N. American box office
“Gone Girl” stood tall atop the North American box office for a second straight week, fighting back competition from a number of new films, industry estimates showed Sunday.The mystery, starring Ben Affleck as a husband accused of murdering his wife (Rosamund Pike), raked in $26.8 million over the weekend, bringing its two-week haul to $78.3 million. Action-horror film “Dracula Untold” ― depicting the vampire as a flawed hero in a tragic love tale ― debuted in the number two spot this weekend wi
FilmOct. 13, 2014
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Lee Joon to leave MBLAQ : report
Boy group MBLAQ member Lee Joon plans to leave the idol group to focus on his acting career, news reports said Monday.According to the reports, the contract between Lee and his agency, J. Tune Camp, was recently terminated. The singer decided not to renew his contract to pursue acting.Despite the contract termination, Lee is to participate in the MBLAQ concert “MBLAQ Curtain Call,” which is scheduled to be held Nov. 29-30. After the concert, Lee will officially end his involvement in the group.L
Oct. 13, 2014
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300 masterpieces from French museums set for Louvre Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI (AFP) -- Masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh will be among 300 works displayed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Emirate said Sunday, as it aims to become a leader in fine art.The museum, built at a cost of 500 million euros ($630 million) and set to open in December 2015, will feature paintings and sculptures from 13 of France's most renowned collections spanning from pre-Bronze Age to Pop Art, it said in a statement."This will be the first time many of these works will
CultureOct. 12, 2014
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Behind Korea’s film renaissance
At a glance, Korean cinema seems to be having a renaissance. In a world where Hollywood blockbusters dominate the silver screen, local films grabbed a market share of 60 percent in 2013, double that of U.S. titles. Not only that, ticket sales exceeded 200 million for the first time in history last year, as Koreans once again proved themselves to be among the world’s most avid cinemagoers. Then this summer came another major milestone. A local period flick, “Roaring Currents,” attracted more than
FilmOct. 12, 2014
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[Herald Review] Herald Phil: A critic’s view
Corporate engagement in cultural activities is not only based on capitalistic motives. Rather, its impact is immensely positive in terms of encouraging people’s cultural awareness. The Herald Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble founded by Herald Corp., the publisher of The Korea Herald, held its debut concert Wednesday night at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center.The newly created orchestra’s music director and conductor, Kim Bong-mee, opened the concert with the famous trumpet fanfare of “Tri
PerformanceOct. 12, 2014
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John Lennon comes to life in N.Y. show
NEW YORK (AP) ― When John R. Waters first heard the Beatles on the radio as a teenager, he made more than one mistake. He thought they were Yanks. And he suspected not all of them were male. “They sounded like a Motown band and I thought there was a chick singer in there somewhere,” said Waters laughing. The British-born, Australian-based Waters soon learned the truth, but it never stopped his adoration of a band that he says “changed the face of song-writing.” Waters, an actor and musician, has
PerformanceOct. 12, 2014
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Seo Taiji reveals personal side on TV
Less than a week before legendary ’90s K-pop icon Seo Taiji is slated to perform his highly anticipated comeback concert on Saturday, the singer continues to prep and hype the public with his return to the limelight. Seo appeared on the popular KBS2 TV program “Happy Together 3” last week, giving the public a rare glimpse into his personal life as he talked about the birth of his daughter and his surprise marriage with the lesser-known actress Lee Eun-seong last year. Following the announcement
Oct. 12, 2014
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SM Entertainment hit by Chinese idols’ defections
Luhan, a member of K-pop boy band EXO, became the third Chinese idol to launch a legal battle against his label SM Entertainment, spawning speculation over the reasons behind their defections.Luhan filed a lawsuit against SM and its chief executive Kim Young-min, demanding the termination of the contract he signed with the nation’s largest talent agency in 2010. The exact reason for the lawsuit was not publicly revealed.K-pop insiders, however, speculate that the legal action resulted from mistr
Oct. 12, 2014
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Korean, Iranian films on family share top award at Busan
A Korean and an Iranian film exploring family and relationships shared the top award at Asia's largest film festival Saturday, with jury members praising both for expressing "what it means to be a human being"."End of Winter" from Kim Daehwan and "13" from Hooman Seyedi will be officially handed the two $30,000 prizes given for the New Currents award forfirst- or second-time Asian filmmakers when the 19th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) draws to a close later Saturday.At the event's clo
FilmOct. 11, 2014
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Ojingeo muchim (spicy squid salad)
Ojingeo muchim (spicy squid salad) Korean BapsangOjingeo muchim is a spicy, sweet and tangy dish that’s made with boiled squid and fresh vegetables. It’s also called ojingeo cho (vinegar) muchim. Along with ojingeo bokkeum, stir-fried squid and vegetables, ojingeo muchim is one of the most popular ways to prepare squid in Korea. Cucumber and Korean radish (mu) are common vegetables for this dish. I did not use radish in this recipe to keep it simple, but try it for an extra crunch factor. If you
FoodOct. 10, 2014
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Calendar
Theater“On Golden Pond”: Based on American playwright Ernest Thompson, “On Golden Pond” will be staged with veteran actors and actresses including Lee Soon-jae, Na Moon-hee and Shin Goo. The play is about aging couple Ethel and Norman, who spend each summer at their vacation home on Golden Pond in Maine. As they are visited by their daughter Chelsea, whom they haven’t seen for years, and her fiance, Norman tries hard to mend his strained relationship with Chelsea while preparing for his death. T
CultureOct. 10, 2014
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Eyelike: Streisand’s timeless ‘Partners’ soars
Streisand’s timeless ‘Partners’ soarsBarbra Streisand“Partners” (Sony)Barbra Streisand’s “Partners” isn’t just about star-powered duets, but partnerships of love and family. It’s a love album for the ages, as fit for your anniversary as your parents’ or your child’s wedding. It could have been called “Timeless,” but Babs already used that title in 2000.Streisand sings with a stellar list of partners on her 34th studio album, including the awesome and unexpected: Andrea Bocelli, Kenneth “Babyface
PerformanceOct. 10, 2014
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Box Office: My Love My Bride, Slow Video, Whistle-Blower
My Love My Bride (Korea)Opened Oct. 8Romance, Comedy. Directed by Im Chan-sangA remake of the popular 1990 movie of the same title, “My Love My Bride” centers on a newlywed couple, poet Young-min (Jo Jung-suk) and art teacher Mi-young (Shin Min-ah). The couple tied the knot after being madly in love for four years. The sweet honeymoon period is short-lived as the couple faces the reality of married life. Small troubles and misunderstandings pile up and they begin to wonder whether their marriage
FilmOct. 10, 2014