Jang Seo-hee and 'hallyu' in China Actress Jang Seo-hee, also known as Jang Ruicy in China, poses at a cafe in Seokchon, Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Park Young-kyuBy Park Jin-haiActress Jang Seo-hee, 42, who is also known as Jang Ruicy in China, will return to the small screen in a new drama, tentatively titled “Cuckoo’s Nest.”It is the first new drama in four years for the actress who pulled off a stunning performance and high viewership or 44 percent with the drama “Temptation of a Wife” (2008).Because of the long interval, the local drama scene is anticipating the comeback of the actress who started out as a child actor at the age of 10.“People talk about how long I’ve been away from Korea’s dramas,”she said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seokchon, southeastern Seoul, Tuesday. “But, in fact, I have never shot many dramas in a short period of time. It’s always been in a carefully selected few,” she added.In a series of dramas, Jang has shown that she is an actress of broad range and spectrum as she crossed the boundariesApr 24, 2014
Renaissance Seoul outdoor beer garden opens The Renaissance Seoul Hotel has opened its outdoor garden offering barbeque and beer. / Courtesy of Renaissance Seoul HotelBy Kim Ji-sooRenaissance Seoul Hotel has opened its signature outdoor garden offering barbeque and beer.Guests can experience a diverse array of grilled sausages, grilled beef-on-a-stick, pork ribs and barbeque with beverages and liquor for 42,500 won on Mondays and Tuesdays.From Wednesdays through Fridays, the price will go slightly up to 47,000 won. The prices include 10 percent service charge and VAT.For an additional amount of 15,000 won per person, guests can enjoy unlimited red and white wine.For a limited time through April 30, for a group of eight and more who visit on Mondays, two will receive free admissions to the beer garden. For salaried workers from Gangnam, Yeoksam, Seolleung and Samseong-dong areas who visit the beer garden on Tuesdays, they can receive a 10 percent discount if they have an ID or a business card. There will also be a raffles on Tuesdays at 8:14 p.m.The outdoor beer garden operates from 6 p.m. through midnight and is availableApr 24, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
May is month of the family The Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul will hold a special jazz concert on May 8, which is the Parents’ Day, at the outdoor swimming pool the Oasis. / Courtesy of Banyan Tree Club & Spa SeoulBy Kim Ji-sooThe month of May is dotted with days to thank our loved ones. There is most notably Children’s Day on May 5 and Parents’ Day on May 8. The beginning of Children’s Day, which falls on May 5 every year, was with a declaration by Bang Jeong-hwan in 1923. It became a national holiday in 1970 so that every child can grow up as a democratic citizen, without prejudice and full of integrity. For the children The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel has prepared a special Children’s Day event at the hotel’s theater with the Korean toy Tobot. The event includes a six-course lunch menu and there will be a showing of Tobot Special Edition with the director’s cut. The event is held in two shifts, from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. and then 2 p.m. through 4 p.m. The latest Tobot toy “Tobot Zero” will be given away on that day. Prices for adultApr 24, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Nam to co-star with Lee Jun-gi Actress Nam Sang-miBy Kim Ji-sooActress Nam Sang-mi is set to co-star in the upcoming television drama “Joseon’s Gunman” opposite actor Lee Jun-gi.The new drama is expected to start airing on Wednesdays and Thursdays on KBS in June, following “Golden Cross.”This is the first reunion in seven years for the two stars who also appeared together in the 2007 drama, “The Time of Dogs and Wolves.”In the new drama, Lee will play the last swordsman of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who goes on to become a hero after he embraces the use of a Western rifle.Apr 23, 2014
Kim Jae-joong to star in new drama Kim Jae-joong of the K-pop group JYJ will return to the small screen in “Triangle.”The new drama is expected to air after the current MBC drama “Empress Ki” ends in May.The first official teaser for “Triangle” was released showing Kim, who plays one of the three brothers, along with actors Lee Bum-soo and Im Si-wan. The drama depicts the story of the three who meet each other again 20 years after being separated at a young age. Kim’s character is depicted as a third-rate gambler in the drama. His last drama, “Doctor Jin” in 2012.Co-starring actresses include Baek Jin-hee, who recently concluded her role “Empress Ki.”Apr 23, 2014
Using design to vitalize K-towns The Gwangju Theater’s building in Gwangju, southwest of Seoul, has been designated as one of the six venues due to receive central and local government support to “re-innovate” old edifices into a more culturally-engaging venues for the region’s residents. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been carrying out such project since 2011. / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and TourismBy Kim Ji-sooAs Korea growingly becomes a destination for hallyu fans and other tourists, there is movement to use design to re-innovate the dilapidated edifices and revitalize communities.Despite some controversy, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) that was designed by Zaha Hadid opened in March and added a new dimension to the Seoul landscape. Known as the DDP, the plaza combines fashion design centers, show rooms, galleries, conference facilities and shops in the heart of the district.While not on a scale like the DDP, the government has been pursuing projects to imbue new designs and cultural uses at now idle temporary train stations, suburban bus terminApr 23, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Overseas treasures boost cultural pride Gammoyeojaedo (Spirit House) from the 18th century at the HonoluluMuseum of Art in Hawaii / Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of ArtCHA expanding support for historical objects in other countriesBy Chung Ah-youngAbout 150,000 Korean cultural relics are scattered throughout more than 20 countries, including Japan, the United States and Germany, according to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. Supporting preservation of them and research is a way of promoting understanding of Korean artifacts. At the same time, overseas artifacts are an effective means of enhancing Korean cultural pride. For Koreans overseas they generate a sense of connection to their roots while non-Koreans may develop curiosity after viewing an exhibition.The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) has stepped up efforts to strengthen preservation of overseas cultural heritages and use them to raise the profile of Korea in eight countries since 2007. It has aided foreign institutions to establish databases and preservation treatments as well as produce publications related to Korean artifacts. “The CHA Apr 22, 2014
Stars offer prayers; make donations By Park Si-sooMany K-pop musicians, actors and sports stars continued to offer their prayers and condolences for those affected by the capsizing of the ferry Sewol.Actor Song Seung-heon and pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers donated 100 million won ($96,300), each, to support the ongoing rescue operations. Actor Jung Il-woo of the drama “Reply 1994” donated 30 million won, saying “My heart goes out to those affected by the horrific disaster.” UAA, an agency representing actress Song Hye-kyo, and actors Kang Dong-won and Yoo Ah-in, sent hundreds of blankets, soap, toothbrushes and other living necessities to Jindo, South Jeolla Province, where relatives of the missing, mostly high school students, are gathered.Several foreign entertainers, including Taiwanese actress Wu Ying Jie, British musician Mika, Dutch singer Wouter Hamel and Belgian singer Frederik Sioen, joined the move, lamenting the manmade tragedy.There were many concerts and album releases canceled or postponed due to the nightmarish event. Major broadcasters also canceled thApr 21, 2014
Seoul City to hire foreigner Seoul Mayor Park Woon-soonBy Park Si-sooSeoul City will hire a foreign national to deal with its ethnic diversity.The successful applicant will work at the city government’s division responsible for supporting multiethnic families and public promotion of multiculturalism.The position is not permanent, but the temporary contract can be extended by up to five years depending on performance, the city said.Those eligible for the position must have a Korean spouse and lived here at least for three years. Naturalized Koreans are eligible as well. Applicants are also required to have teaching or counseling experience regarding multiculturalism.Seoul City will receive applications April 24-29. For more information, visit www.mcfamily.or.kr or call 02-2133-5063. Apr 21, 2014
One name, three stars Actress Kim Soo-hyun / Screenwriter Kim Soo-hyun / Actor Kim Soo-hyun‘Soo-hyun’ increases hallyu crazeBy Park Si-sooIn Korea, “Soo-hyun” is a common name like John or William in the U.S. and U.K. Three figures sharing the very ordinary name are now playing a crucial role in lifting Korean entertainers’ international profile to an extraordinary level.They are actor Kim Soo-hyun, actress Kim Soo-hyun and screenwriter Kim Soo-hyun.Simply put, for now, Kim Soo-hyun defines everything as far as Korean entertainment’s globalization is concerned. Soo-hyun in ‘My Love From the Star’ The leader among the pack is actor Kim Soo-hyun, one of the hottest Korean stars.The 26-year-old jumped to international stardom with the hit drama “My Love From the Star,” which was a huge success here and was exported to nearly 20 countries, including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Israel and Belgium.What he wore and ate — along with his costar Jun Ji-hyun — in the 21Apr 21, 2014
