'Bojagi' connects different cultures Korean-born textile artist Lee Young-min, second from right, shows a “bojagi” (wrapping cloth) along with her pupils at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). / Courtesy of Lee Young-minArtist introduces Korean textile art to world By Chung Ah-youngKorean-born textile artist Lee Young-min moved to the United Sates 17 years ago because of her husband’s business. Like many Korean immigrants, she struggled to adapt to the new environment and suffered homesickness.However, she found consolation in stitching and sewing together pieces of fabric to make “bojagi” or Korean wrapping cloth. The work also allowed her to reconnect with her roots.The 45-year-old began making bojagi and teaching others how to do this some 10 years ago. She holds a master’s degree in fashion design and a bachelor’s degree in clothing and textiles.“For me, making a bojagi is a process of expressing homesickness for my families, culture and tradition and at the same time a process of finding my identity through this slow sewing by hand,” sheMar 27, 2014
Bieber reveals Korean tattoo By Park Si-sooJustin Bieber shows off his new tattoo on Instagram, which includes a Korean mask design and his name written in Korean.Check out the new tattoo Canadian pop idol Justin Bieber put on his forearm. It’s Korean and it’s his name. These were confirmed by photos Bieber posted on his Instagram account Tuesday with a short message, “I love you Korea.” The tattoo was done by famed Toronto-based Korean tattooist Jo Seung-hyun at Bierber’s recording studio, according to British newspaper Daily Mail. Last week Jo shared a photo of him and his high-profile customer through his Instagram account, telling followers, “Thanks @justinbieber for inviting me to your studio! It was a long night of tattooing you but worth it! See you soon brotha you are crazy talented.”Bieber’s arms are already heavily inked, with designs including a Japanese “kanji” symbol for “music,” the word “Trust” and a Koi fish.He is known to have a close relationship with K-pop star G-Dragon (GD). In November, GD surprised hisMar 26, 2014
Jung to release solo album CNBLUE’s leader Jung Yong-hwaCNBLUE’s leader Jung Yong-hwa will release a solo album in the second half of the year, FNC Entertainment said Wednesday.Chung is a singer/songwriter for the group which has been active on the charts with its latest song “Can’t Stop.”The five-member band will perform in Seoul April 19-20, in Busan on April 26 and on May 24 in Daegu.Mar 26, 2014
Emerging stars captivate China Actor Kim Soo-hyun of the drama “My Love From the Star” sings during a fan meeting on March 16 in Seoul. He will tour Asian countries through May to meet his overseas fans. / Korea Times fileRising actors aggressively knock on neighboring market The drama “The Heirs” ended in December, but actor Lee Min-ho’s popularity seemingly knows no bounds in Asia.Actor Park Hae-jin, who had a supporting role in “My Love From the Star,” was popular in China prior to the drama.Actor Kim Woo-bin, whose rebellious role in “The Heirs” put him on a new level of stardomwill meet fans in Shanghai on March 29.Actor Lee Jong-suk is receiving his portion of attention for his upcoming drama “Dr. Stranger”in China.By Kim Ji-sooIn the beginning, there were Bae Yong-joon, 41, Lee Byung-hun, 43, Jang Dong-gun, 42, and Song Seung-heon, 37, the so-called first generation of hallyu actors.Bae is known as Yon-sama in Japan for that milestone drama “Winter Sonata”(2002). Jang reigned in Vietnam, Song alsMar 26, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
TVXQ meets fans on train ride TVXQ meets fans in a special train trip on Monday.By Park Jin-haiThe K-pop duo TVXQ held a special on-train fan meeting, marking its 10th anniversary of debut Monday.During the one-day event, organized jointly by KORAIL and Synnara Media, some 180 lucky winners, out of more than 10,000 people who entered the event online, left for Goseong, South Jeolla Province. Reflecting TVXQ’s global popularity, fans from Japan, China, Thailand and Singapore participated the event.The interior of the “TVXQ Train” was adorned with pictures of Youknow Yunho and Max Changmin. On the train the duo visited each carriage and made on-train announcements. The duo will begin a Japan tour starting in Yokohama on April 22. Mar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Kim's 'Super Brain' posts high ratings The popularity of actor Kim Soo-hyun, who starred the “My Love From the Star,” apparently knows no bounds. The Jiangsu Satellite TV’s entertainment show “Super Brain” that Kim taped earlier in the month, aired Friday and garnered a record high viewership rating among all programs so far this year. The episode ranked 2.65 percent viewership in 48 cities, pushing Hunan TV’s rival program “I am a Singer 2” into second place. Top Chinese stars Jay Chou, Zhang Ziyi and Matilda Tao have already been guests on the popular show. Kim is currently on a tour of 9 cities and 7 Asian countries to meet his fans. Major dailies have competed to report on every move of the new “hallyu” star, with some Taiwanese press reporting it live from his entry into the country. The Chinese satellite TV station reportedly spent 1 billion won for Lim’s one-off appearance on the program. Mar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Designer spreading K-style gospel Designer Jung Du-young, 39, creative director of the Korean brand VanHart di Albazar / Korea Times photo by Park Jin-haiBy Park Jin-haiDuring the 2014 Seoul Fashion Week, one of the most notable trends was the diversity in men’s wear. Among the designers, who showcased their street, military and classic inspired collections, what stole the limelight on the opening day were Jung Du-young's creations. To back ground music that mixed elevating piano sounds and electro house music, the 39-year-old creative director of VanHart di Albazar showcased some 40 pieces, inspired by surrealist Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico. He smartly incorporated the virtuoso's coloring and unbalanced composition in his tailored jackets, suits and coats. The black and grey suits had been pointed with blue, green brown, yellow and red color variations, with tailored layering. "What is important is a designer's reinterpretation ability," Jung said during an interview with The Korea Times prior to the show at the brand's showroom in Gongdeok, centraMar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai
2NE1 in Hong Kong K-Pop girl group 2NE1 perform during its concert as part of the world tour in Hong Kong, Saturday, March 22. The city state was the band’s first leg of its nine-city Asian tour following the release of its new album “Crush.” The tour will continue through July 13. / YonhapMar 24, 2014
Crowd of Chinese fans welcome Kim Soo-hyun By Park Si-sooActor Kim Soo-hyun from “My Love From the Star” smiles during a meeting with fans in Shanghai held on Sunday./ Korea TimesThousands of people flocked to a giant auditorium in Shanghai, Sunday, to see actor Kim Soo-hyun, the star from “My Love from the Star,” promote the hit TV series.Shanghai-Pudong International Airport was crowded with hundreds of fans welcoming Kim’s arrival. Kim is now on a tour of nine cities in seven countries to meet his fans, having started out in Seoul, March 16.Two days earlier, actress Jun Ji-hyun, Kim’s lover in the drama, had a fan meeting at a five-star hotel in the same city. The venue was reportedly packed with fans waiting six hours prior to the event.Nearly 300 Chinese police officers and 50 private security personnel were dispatched to the venue to maintain security.Metal detectors were installed at all the hotel’s entrances to make sure that nothing went wrong during the media-hyped event.Nearly 100 reporters from 60 media outlets also took part in the event, reflecting the drama’s popuMar 24, 2014
Crayon Pop wows Hong Kong fans Crayon PopBy Park Si-sooK-pop girl group Crayon Pop had a fan meeting in Hong Kong on Sunday.More than 1,000 people flocked to an auditorium at the Ha Long Bay International Convention Center, according to its management agency Chrome Entertainment.The event lasted for two hours during which the band’s members sang their hit songs and conducted various performances to entertain their fans.Prior to the fan meeting, Crayon Pop had a press conference and about 70 local media outlets took part, reflecting Crayon Pop’s popularity in Southeast Asia, the agency said.The band will fly to the United States in June to grace concerts of U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga. Last Friday, she announced that the five-member K-pop band will perform as the opening act for her 13 concerts in the U.S. and Canada. Due to this, the band has delayed a new album’s release.Mar 24, 2014
