The Korea Times

Phobia is unlike common cold

By Park Jin-hai, Kwon Ji-youn, Yoon Sung-won“It’s circles,” Hwang Soo-kyung said in a trembling voice, when asked what scares her the most. Then she closed her eyes as if she could see them here and now. Even the very thought of circles was enough to make her shudder. The medical term for her condition is “trypophobia,” or repetitive pattern phobia. “At the sight of small circular figures of clams clustered on rocks or strawberry seeds, instant fear runs down my spine. I feel like something might creep out of those circles.”Circles are everywhere, so are trypophobes. On websites or blogs, self-diagnosed trypophobes share tales of vomiting, sleep loss and anxiety attacks at the sight of honeycombs and rotting wood punched with holes.However alien her diagnostic name is, celebrity figures daily own up about their phobias on television reality shows; actor Ricky Kim fears sharp objects; rapper Bbaek ga,  cats; emcee Yoo Jae-suk, heights; actors Cha Seung-won and Ha Ji-won, birds; and the list runs endless.Experts said that phobias are

Apr 30, 2013By Park Jin-hai

South Korea

US Navy Academy joins hallyu fever

By Shim Jae-yun, Park Jin-haiThe U.S. Navy is not immune to the global hallyu (Korean wave) phenomenon.Last year, U.S. Navy cadets posted a YouTube video of “Naval Academy Gangnam Style,” a parody of Psy’ s video hit, where they danced in uniform to the Korean singer’s song.Throughout April of this year, various programs on Korean culture and language were held on the campus of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in MD.On April 12, some 300 cadets took part in an event that featured Korean foods, including bulgogi (grilled marinated beef), gimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) and jeon (Korean pancake).Five days later, a Korean language open-class was offered on campus, and a “Korean Movie Night” took place on April 23.“The US Naval Academy has Chinese, Japanese and French classes on their curriculum, but no Korean class so far,” said Kim Woo-sang, president of the Korea Foundation (KF).The foundation’s Washington office organized the event in a bid to help future naval officers better understand Korea, and plans to hold more such in com

Apr 29, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

'Gentleman' for No. 1 on Billboard

Psy waves during a news conference at Incheon International Airport Thursday before heading to the United States to promote his latest single “Gentleman.” / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiRapper Psy displayed hope and confidence before departing to the United States to promote his new single, “Gentleman.”“After two to three weeks, ‘Gentleman’ will be on track. While I am in the U.S., I will promote the song,” said the singer at a press conference.The 36-year-old headed for New York, leaving behind fans and flash-popping media corps who crowded Incheon International Airport to catch a glimpse of him.“It ranked fifth, thanks to the support from my fans in Korea. I will take on challenges one by one until I can bring good news to my fans,” he said.“Gentleman” is in fifth place on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The song made its debut at No. 12 when it was released on April 12. Billboard magazine said the song won top Streaming and Digital Gainer honors following its first full week of availability.However, it stated the lac

Apr 25, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Society

Family Marathon due on May 4

Participants of last year’s “Queen Family Marathon” run on the course at the Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul in this file photo.                                                                                                           / Courtesy of “Queen”Woman’s magazine “Queen” will hold a long distance run event at Sangam World Cup Park on May 4.“Queen Family Marathon 2013,” in its eighth year, is organized by publishers Magazine Plus, to celebrate the arrival of May dubbed “the month of family.”Over the years, the event has evolved into an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of family and neighbors as well as benefit the participants’ health.All profits raised will go to help orphans.There are four types of course; Half Ma

Apr 23, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Magazines give hallyu boost

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Magazine Association announced the names of 34 magazines they will support with translation work, Monday.The drive to support Korean magazines overseas is intended to help small- and medium-sized but competitive publishers, who have long wanted to enter the overseas market but couldn’t due to the relatively small size of their businesses.A total of 27 magazines including “Auditorium,” a monthly music and performing arts magazine, “Science Boy,” a children’s science magazine and “Memories,” a parenting magazine will have their abstracts translated into both  English and Chinese and made into brochures. Those brochures will be distributed at international literature expos.The other seven magazines which have concrete overseas marketing plans will receive from 12 to 15 million won a year. These include “Chulpan Journal,” “Ce Ci” and “IW.”The government set aside a total of 200 million won for the project this year.  

Apr 23, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Gang Dong-won closes contract with UAA

Actor Gang Dong-won has signed with the United Artist Agency (UAA), which is also home to actress Song Hye-gyo.The UAA was established last year when United Pictures (UP), a film distributor, merged with The Firm, a law firm.UAA boasts global networks, heightening the possibility the model-turned-actor will venture into the international movie industry.The agency has partnerships with China’s ATN, founded in Beijing by famous movie producer Terence Chang, and Effigies, a Paris-based artist representation and image consulting agency.Gang recently finished filming short-movie director Kim Ji-woon’s “Hide & Seek” after the actor completed his mandatory military service.

Apr 23, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Vita Coco to start selling in Korea

Vita Coco, also called “Madonna’s drink” is now available in Korea.The company behind the best-selling coconut water in the United States is also gearing up to make inroads into other Asian markets, said an industry watcher Monday.Vita Coco made headlines when a group of high profile celebrities including Madonna, Demi Moore and major-leaguer Alex Rodriguez invested in the firm. Also it hired pop star Rihanna as a model for its advertizing campaign.   Although the name isn’t familiar to Korean customers, it has been taking the sport and ion supply drink markets by storm as the next-generation natural sports drink.“It is all-natural, 100 percent coconut water. It is great to quench your thirst and recover from fatigue after workouts,” said the Korean manager of the local branch.  Vita Coco will be available at Shinsegae Department Stores, SSG Food Markets and Star Super, with many more outlets expected to stock it in the coming months.

Apr 22, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

2PM feel greatly moved by Japanese fans

The K-pop group 2PM perform during the “LEGEND of 2PM” concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiThe six-member K-pop boy band 2PM shed tears following their final performance Sunday in front of 55,000 Japanese fans at the Tokyo Dome.During the second of two concerts titled “Legend of 2PM,” they sang 33 songs including hits “Breakthrough” and “Give Me Love” before their cheering supporters.On the final day all members seemed unable to contain their emotions ― the teary-eyed Taec-yeon thanked fellow band members who have overcome difficulties as well as supportive fans for always being there for them.Nichkhun, who was involved in a drunk-driving incident, also gave his thanks holding back tears. “There was a hard time (for our group) because of me. But I would like to thank fans who trusted me. I am deeply sorry for what I caused to other members, the agency and most of all our fans,” he said.Jun-ho, Yoo-young, Chan-sung and Jun. K all expressed what it meant to perform for their fans in Japan

Apr 22, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Jang Geun-suk holds first overnight fan meeting with Japanese fans

Jang Geun-sukBy Park Jin-haiJang Geun-suk met with 1,500 Japanese fans in an overnight meeting held Sunday at High 1 Resort in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province.  The fans flew in a day earlier for the one-night, two-day meeting with the “Prince of Asia.” Jang, 25, an actor and performer, is in Japan where he recently opened a café for fans in Tokyo. He has starred in popular “hallyu” or Korean wave dramas including “You’re Beautiful.”The event was organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Lotte Duty Free’s Korean wave marketing. According to the itinerary, fans had shopping on the first day of their arrival on Saturday and checked in the resort the following day, where they took photos and dined with Jang.Other events included Jang’s mini-concert and a quiz show.“The event is surely a success, given that the Japanese tourists decreased in number in recent years due to the depreciation of Yen and rising security threat from North Korea,” said a manager of the Duty Free Shop. Lotte Duty Free Shop has

Apr 21, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Jang Geun-suk holds first overnight fan meeting with Japanese fans

Shows & Dramas

Brief Line

Officials from the organizing committee for the 2013 Osong Cosmetics and Beauty Expo and faculty members of CheongJu Foreign Language High School pose after signing a memorandum of understanding Thursday for the school’s students to volunteer for the expo.Students help Osong fair High school students will work as volunteer interpreters at the 2013 Osong Cosmetics & Beauty Expo, slated for May 3-26, in North Chungcheong Province.The organizing committee for the Osong fair announced on Thursday it sealed an agreement with CheongJu Foreign Language High School to enlist the services of 93 students as volunteer interpreters.The students will be dispatched in and around the venue during the international fair and provide language services for 10 days.“We have been encouraged by the participation of those students. Their interpretation service will help visiting foreigners and facilitate the Expo, while students themselves will have opportunities to nurture their global-minded talents,” said Ko Se-ung, secretary general of the fair.

Apr 19, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Phobia is unlike common cold

US Navy Academy joins hallyu fever

'Gentleman' for No. 1 on Billboard

Family Marathon due on May 4

Magazines give hallyu boost

Gang Dong-won closes contract with UAA

Vita Coco to start selling in Korea

2PM feel greatly moved by Japanese fans

Jang Geun-suk holds first overnight fan meeting with Japanese fans

Brief Line

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