The Korea Times

Special screenings of films by Cannes winners to be offered

Cinema chain CGV will hold special screenings of director Park Chan-wook and actor Song Kang-ho's films, which have won awards or been invited to compete at Cannes Film Festival, from June 16 to 29. Courtesy of CGVBy Kim RahnSpecial screenings of films by director Park Chan-wook and actor Song Kang-ho will be held later this month at CGV.The nation's largest cinema chain said, Thursday, that seven films will be screened at CGV Art Houses nationwide from June 16 to 29 to honor Park's Best Director award and Song's Best Actor award won at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.The seven movies are those that have been either nominated for or won an award at Cannes festivals ― four films directed by Park and three by other directors and starring Song.Among Park's films, neo-noir thriller “Oldboy” won the Grand Prix at the 57th festival. “The Handmaiden,” the erotic psychological thriller that competed in the 69th edition, will be screened this time in an extended version with some 20 extra minutes added.“Decision to Leave,” the romance noir that earned Park th

Jun 9, 2022By Kim Rahn

Special screenings of films by Cannes winners to be offered

K-pop

J-hope of BTS to perform at Lollapalooza

J-hope of BTS / Courtesy of Bighit Music By Kim RahnJ-hope, a member of K-pop giant BTS, will perform at Lollapalooza, a famous music festival that will be held in Chicago next month. The poster announcing the headliners of this year's Lollapalooza / Captured from Lollapalooza website The organizer of the festival put j-hope as one of the headliners in an announcement on its website and social media, June 8 (KST). The four-day festival lasts from July 28 to 31, and the K-pop superstar will appear on the last day.Other musicians performing on the last day include Green Day, Jane's Addiction and The Kid Laroi, while Metallica and Dua Lipa will perform on other days.“We're thrilled to announce j-hope of BTS will headline Lolla 2022 on Sun, July 31st! His performance will make history, cementing him as the first South Korean artist to headline a main sta

Jun 8, 2022By Kim Rahn

J-hope of BTS to perform at Lollapalooza

Music

Maestro Chung Myung-whun receives Italy's 2nd-highest national order

Conductor Chung Myung-whun, left, receives Grand Officer of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, June 2. Courtesy of the KBS Symphony OrchestraBy Kim RahnConductor Chung Myung-whun has received the second-most prestigious order of merit from the Italian government, becoming the first Korean to receive the honor, the KBS Symphony Orchestra said, Tuesday. The maestro received the Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Grand Officer of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) from Italian President Sergio Mattarella, June 2, at the Quirinal Palace before a concert commemorating the 76th anniversary of the country's declaration as a republic.The order is awarded to Italian or foreign nationals who contributed to promoting the national prestige of Italy or its relations with other countries in the fields of literature, arts, the economy, social and humanitarian activities. The recipients in the music fields include conductor Herbert von Karajan in 1960 and tenor Andrea Bocelli in 2006, acc

Jun 8, 2022By Kim Rahn

Maestro Chung Myung-whun receives Italy's 2nd-highest national order

K-pop

BTS agency launches global auditions for new boy band

The poster of Bighit Music's global audition to select next-generation boy band members / Courtesy of Bighit MusicBy Kim RahnBighit Music, the label beyond K-pop megastar BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), will hold auditions around the world to find members of a next-generation boy band. The company said, Monday, it will hold “2022 Bighit Music Global Audition” both online and offline through September. Males born in 2002 or later can apply regardless of their nationality and location of residence, for categories such as vocal, rap, dance and producing to show their artistic potential, according to the agency.Offline auditions will take place in Los Angeles on June 25, Toronto on July 2, Sydney on July 16, Bangkok on July 30, Taipei on Aug. 13, Tokyo on Sept. 3, and Seoul on Sept. 18. Prior registration for participation in the auditions is not required, so those wanting to take part can just come to the venues on those dates. They will receive comments on their singing and dancing skills from casting directors at Bighit Music. Details of the auditions are available on t

Jun 6, 2022By Kim Rahn

BTS agency launches global auditions for new boy band

K-pop

KARD to release 5th mini album June 22

Scenes from trailer of K-pop group KARD's mini album “RE:” that will be released on June 22 / Courtesy of DSP MediaBy Kim RahnKARD, one of the few mixed-gender K-pop groups, will release its fifth mini album “RE:” on June 22, its agency DSP Media said, Sunday. The new EP of the four-piece act ― male members BM and J.seph, and female members Somin and Jiwoo ― comes more than two years after its previous one released in February 2020. KARD is resuming its full-member activities after J.seph finished his mandatory military service recently.The group's 15-second teaser film about the EP clocked over 8 million views on YouTube and TikTok since its release on May 28.DSP Media also disclosed a trailer on the act's YouTube channel, Friday. The trailer shows photos and videos of the group since its debut in December 2016 with the single “Oh NaNa,” and displays each member stating “RE:Turn to the basics,” “RE:Born,” “RE:Trigger,” and “RE:Debut” to give a hint about the new mini album “RE:.”The band

Jun 6, 2022By Kim Rahn

Entertainment

Singer-actress Jang Na-ra to tie the knot

Singer and actress Jang Na-ra / Courtesy of Lawon Munhwa By Kim RahnSinger-actress Jang Na-ra will tie the knot this month.The 41-year-old said Friday that she would marry a man who is six years younger than her after two years of dating.“I fell in love with him for his bright smile, kindness and sincerity,” Jang wrote on the board of the website of her agency, Lawon Munhwa.She said that her husband-to-be is involved in video production work but did not elaborate further, adding he is not a celebrity. She and her agency did not disclose the exact date of the wedding, adding she would have a small wedding with only family and friends attending. “Soon after marriage, I'll meet you the audience with a new drama, so I'm working hard on that, too,” she wrote.Debuting in 2001 as a singer with the album “First Story,” she saw immediate popularity with songs including “Burying My Face in Tears” and “Confession.” She furthered her singing career, continuing to release album

Jun 3, 2022By Kim Rahn

Singer-actress Jang Na-ra to tie the knot

Travel & Food

Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food'

Ven. Wookwan, left, and Ven. Jeongkwan, right, pose with Ven. Wonhaeng, president of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, at the order's headquarters in central Seoul, Thursday, after being named “Masters of Korean Temple Food” by the nation's largest Buddhist sect. Courtesy of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism By Kim RahnBuddhist monks Jeongkwan and Wookwan have been named “Masters of Korean Temple Food” by the Jogye Order, the nation's largest Buddhist sect, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism under the order said Thursday.Jogye Order has been giving the honor to monks who have contributed to preserving, passing down and popularizing the nation's temple cuisine. It was the fourth time for the master title to be offered, following Ven. Seonjae in 2016, Ven. Kyeho in 2017, and Vens. Jeokmun and Daean in 2019.“Temple food is not just food making but is one way of practicing,” Ven. Jeongkwan said during a ceremony commemorating the master title. “I believe this nature (of t

Jun 3, 2022By Kim Rahn

Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food'

K-pop

Pop-up stores open in Seoul selling Stray Kids merchandise

JYP Entertainment operates pop-up stores of K-pop boy group Stray Kids merchandise in Seoul until June 15. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment By Kim RahnTwo pop-up stores selling K-pop boy band Stray Kids' merchandise opened in western Seoul, the group's agency said Monday.“Stray Kids x SKZOO Pop-Up Store 'The Victory' in Seoul” opened at The Hyundai Seoul, a department store in Yeouido, and Sound Wave, a cafe in Hapjeong-dong, receiving customers from May 30 to June 15, according to JYP Entertainment. The stores are open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.SKZOO are animal characters symbolizing the members of the group.The stores will have 40 types of goods featuring the singers and their animal characters, including some merchandise available only at the pop-up stores such as photo books, acrylic stands and sets of mini album key rings and photos, as well as exhibition areas.At Sound Wave, visitors can have eight drinks and desserts featuring SKZOO characters.Visitors to both si

May 30, 2022By Kim Rahn

Pop-up stores open in Seoul selling Stray Kids merchandise

K-pop

Seventeen donates for children's education to mark debut anniversary

K-pop act Seventeen / Courtesy of Pledis EntertainmentBy Kim RahnK-pop boy band Seventeen has made a donation for educationally marginalized children across the world, according to the Korean National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Thursday. The donation was made on the group's seventh anniversary of its debut and a day before the release of its new album.The fund donated by the 13-member act will be used for the Korean commission's program to help underprivileged children in Asia and Africa get a better education. The group has continued donations for various activities supporting children, and this time its contribution will be especially focused on education for them, according to the commission.It did not disclose how much the band had donated.“In this global situation in which nearly 1 billion people are illiterate, Seventeen made a significant donation for education. We express our appreciation to the group and its agency,” commission Secretary-General Han Kyung-koo said in a release. “We'll spend the

May 26, 2022By Kim Rahn

Seventeen donates for children's education to mark debut anniversary

People & Events

Song Hae gets Guinness recognition as 'oldest show host'

Veteran emcee Song Hae poses at KBS in Seoul, Monday, after receiving a certificate from Guinness World Records acknowledging him as the “oldest TV music talent show host.” Courtesy of KBSBy Kim RahnVeteran entertainer Song Hae, who has emceed the “National Singing Contest” for 34 years, has been recognized as the “oldest TV music talent show host” by Guinness World Records, local broadcaster KBS said, Monday.Song received a certificate from Guinness which confirmed he was “94 years and 350 days old” at the time of verification on April 12.“I attribute this to Korean TV viewers who have loved 'National Singing Contest' for such a long time,” Song was quoted as saying by KBS.Born in 1927, he began his career as an entertainer in 1955 by joining the Changgong musical troupe. While working as a comedian, actor and ratio presenter, he has since 1988 hosted the singing contest which is held at a different location every week, with thousands of residents at each location gathering at outdoor venues.While the show was planning to r

May 24, 2022By Kim Rahn

Kim Rahn

Read more

Special screenings of films by Cannes winners to be offered

J-hope of BTS to perform at Lollapalooza

Maestro Chung Myung-whun receives Italy's 2nd-highest national order

BTS agency launches global auditions for new boy band

KARD to release 5th mini album June 22

Singer-actress Jang Na-ra to tie the knot

Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food'

Pop-up stores open in Seoul selling Stray Kids merchandise

Seventeen donates for children's education to mark debut anniversary

Song Hae gets Guinness recognition as 'oldest show host'

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