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Around Town 2

The OctagonNonhyeonNear the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.Club VolumeItaewonOffering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the "10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul." For more information, call 1544-2635.Once in a Blue MoonApgujeongOnce in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.Club AnswerCheongdamClub Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul b

Apr 2, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

 ‘Lucia di Lammermoor'Seoul Arts Center*April 17-19The Gloria Opera Company will stage a performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," a three-act tragic opera, at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 17 to 19. Gaetano Donizetti, then considered the reigning genius of Italian opera, drew inspiration for his operatic masterpiece from Sir Walter Scott's novel, "The Bride of Lammermoor," which was published a few years earlier. The opera tells the wretched tale of Lucia, who is caught in the middle of a deadly feud between her own family and that of a neighboring family. Most notably, celebrated Italian soprano Valeria Esposito will take on the lead role of the tragic heroine Lucia. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 543-2351 or visit www.gloriaopera.co.kr. ‘Die EntfuhrungausdemSerail'Seoul Arts Center*April 16-19The National Opera Company will perform W.A. Mozart's "Die EntfuhrungausdemSerail" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 16 to 19. The light, jovial and oftentimes comic Germ

Apr 2, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Defense

Tourism is Korea's new driving force

Kim Jong-deok, Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismBy Kim Jong-deokI extend my sincerest congratulations to The Korea Times on the publication of its 20,000th edition on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Korea Times was born amid the devastation of the Korean War in 1950 and played an important role in letting the world know about Korea in the right way.The Korea Times has shared both joys and sorrows with the modern history of the nation. During the Korean War, the newspaper was a prompt source of news in English for the United States Forces in Korea and served a pivotal role in promoting the nation to international visitors when it published "The Seoul Olympian," the official newspaper for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The Korea Times is beloved for introducing the excellence of Korea to the whole world and guiding the improvement of language skill of locals to this day.An ever-increasing number of 14 million foreign tourists visited Korea last year and we aim to attract 20 million tourists a year by 2017. Right ahead of the era of 20 million foreig

Apr 2, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

'English media market will keep growing'

Lifestyle

Arirang reforms program for global stage

Arirang PresidentBang Suk-hoBy Kim Jae-heunSeoul-based English-language television network Arirang unveiled its new program lineup covering broader aspects of Korean culture and strengthening its in-depth news delivery at the Press Center, Seoul, Monday.Arirang’s four new “K-Culture” programs emphasize two-way communication between hosts and audience by utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The quiz show “Join Us Korea” has installed the world’s first Interactive Voting System (IVOS) based on a smart-phone application for viewers to solve problems and participate in the discussion simultaneously. The English-language network is also taking a role in journalistic diplomacy to promote Korea and provide news from the country’s perspective. Arirang seeks to join international news providers at U.N. headquarters in New York and provide a 24-hour news channel if it passes the screening to earn its broadcasting license in July.“We’ve reorganized new programs to adapt to changing trends in information sharing,” A

Mar 31, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Arirang reforms program for global stage

Shows & Dramas

Suzy confirms she's dating hallyu star

Miss A’s Suzy By Kim Jae-heunK-pop girl group Miss A’s Suzy acknowledged she is dating hallyu star Lee Min-ho at the group’s comeback showcase in Olympic Park, Seoul, Monday. “I found him very considerate and warm-hearted,” Suzy said. “I will maintain a good relationship while working on the new album.”News about the K-pop star and the hottest Korean actor in China broke on March 23 when the couple were seen dating in London, hiding their faces with mask and muffler. Suzy admitted that she met Lee there because they had overlapping photo-shooting schedules. The couple went on a rather routine date ― driving around and dining. Suzy asked that attention not be focused on her relationship, but rather on Miss A’s new album.Miss A released its first single in 17 months, “Only You,” and the song immediately topped the online music charts. Popular songwriter Black Eyed Pilseung produced the lead single, a hip hop song with trap rhythm that tells the story of a girl’s passionate love for her crush. As for the ot

Mar 31, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Arts & Theater

Around Town 2

The OctagonNonhyeonNear the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.Club VolumeItaewonOffering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the "10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul." For more information, call 1544-2635.Once in a Blue MoonApgujeongOnce in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.Club AnswerCheongdamClub Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul b

Mar 26, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

 ‘Aida’Seoul Arts Center*April 10-12The Sugi Opera Company will helm a production of preeminent composer Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 10 to 12. Giuseppe Verdi needs no separate or long-winded introduction, for he has long been considered the most influential composer since the nineteenth century. His opera "Aida," which enjoyed a thunderous opening night in Cairo, Egypt, in 1871, has also attained a spot on many opera companies' repertoires. The title role of Aida, the Ethiopian princess betrothed to the Pharaoh but in love with his guard, will be filled by Romanian and Russian sopranos Cellia Costea and Olga Romanko, respectively. Walter Fraccaro and Francesco Hong round out the cast as her doomed lover, Radames, who struggles to reconcile his affections for Aida and his fierce loyalty to the Pharaoh. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 390,000 won. For more information, call (02) 542-0355 or visit www.sugiopera.com.‘Lucia di Lammermoor'Seoul Arts Center*April 17-19The Gloria Opera Company will stage a performanc

Mar 26, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Films

NOW SHOWING

TwentyThe comedy tells the hilarious, yet touching tale of three friends who are turning 20 ― Chi-ho (Kim Woo-bin), the resident slacker who has relied solely on his “charm” to get through life; Dong-woo (Lee Joon-ho), who dreams of becoming a cartoonist; and Gyung-jae (Kang Ha-neul), the bookworm who is forever hapless at anything else. Directed by Lee Byoung-heon. LeviathanThe film "Leviathan" follows the harrowing tale of an ordinary fisherman, Kolya (Aleksey Serebryakov), and his family, whose lives are thrown into unexpected turmoil when the town's treacherous and opportunistic mayor (Roman Madyanov) attempts to forcibly seize his land. Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev.CinderellaIn this live-action reimagining of the fairytale and Disney animated classic, Ella (Lily James) finds herself utterly alone after her father's untimely death and under the iron fist of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters (Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger). When she crosses paths with a kind, dashing stranger (Richard Madden) in the forest by chance, she begins to expe

Mar 26, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Films

Box Office Rankings

Domestic1. Whiplash2. Cinderella3. Kingsman: The Secret Service4. Run All Night5. The DealUnited States1. Insurgent2. Cinderella3. Run All Night4. The Gunman5. Kingsman: The Secret ServicePoster for "Insurgent"

Mar 26, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Sports

Stop hitting your shot into trouble on the left

By Kim Jeong-kyooKorea Times Golf Columnist When you notice a striking hazard on the left, you’ll immediately decide to aim with your driver for another place. But only your decision cannot help you achieve your goal. You need skill to stay clear of the left side of the fairway. Indeed, you don’t need many ways to do this. You need only one technique. Select one that suits you and practice until you feel comfortable and easy. Keep your hands ahead of the clubheadBe sure to keep your hands ahead of the clubhead when you hit your ball. That means you did not throw your club outside the target line with your hands. That also means you are delivering your club to your ball on the proper inside path, not from the outside to inside the target line. To this end, you’d better focus on keeping your hinged right wrist constant for as long as you can. Also critical is starting your downswing with your lower body. That encourages your wrists to remain cocked longer. Preserve the room between your right shoulder and the target linePreserve the space between your right shoul

Mar 11, 2015By Kim Jae-heun

Kim Jae-heun

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Around Town 2

Around Town 1

Tourism is Korea's new driving force

Arirang reforms program for global stage

Suzy confirms she's dating hallyu star

Around Town 2

Around Town 1

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Box Office Rankings

Stop hitting your shot into trouble on the left

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