Cool, frothy 'bingsu' arrives early A “bingsu” or shaved-ice summer dessert available at the Millennium Hilton Seoul. Hotels are frontloading the dessert as hot weather is expected to arrive early. / Courtesy of Millennium Hilton SeoulBy Kim Ji-sooThe nation’s hotels are introducing one of Korea’s favorite summer desserts a little early — shaved iced topped with cooked red beans.The Millennium Seoul Hilton’s Oak Room will start “bingsoo” or shaved ice treats starting May 2 through end of August.The hotel has attempted to add healthy ingredients of ginseng to the aromatic flavor of the Italian coffee Illy.With its unique astringent ginseng flavor and a mixture of sweet fruit blended together, ginseng bingsoo priced at 20,000 won is definitely one of the eye- catching items on the menu.Ginseng bingsoo is served with high quality ginseng grounded with fresh fruit. Other menus include natural Boseong green tea with fresh fruit bingsoo at 22,000 won; fresh fruit with jelly and yoghurt mixed together at 22,000 won and aromatic flavor of Italian coffee “Illy&rdqMay 1, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo opens A view of the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo stands among the edifices housing IT firms in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Seoul PangyoBy Kim Ji-sooPangyo, south of Seoul, is a former laid-back suburb that has been tranforming into a sleek technology zone. Leading gamemaker Nexon moved its company to Pangyo in December 2013 and game developer NCsoft also relocated to Pangyo in September last year. But the community is emerging not only as a host for IT firms but for posh residences and a diverse array of restaurants that attracts even the Seoulites.Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo opened there on April 29, offering 282 rooms, restaurants and meeting rooms.The business hotel brand whose motto is “Refreshing Business” vows to provide the best environment and services to strike a balance between work and rest.Don Cleary, chief operations officer of Marriott International Asia Pacific; Bart Buiring, vice president of the Asia-Pacific region of Marriott International; general manager Paul Cannings of Courtyard by Marriott; and industryMay 1, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Streaming leaves musicians out in cold Shin Dae-chul, center, and other artist unions took part in a cultural and tourism industry forum to examine how to deal with protecting the rights of music creators in this digital industry at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 30. / YonhapHighly digitized market fattens service providers such as MelOn and Bugs MusicGuitarist Shin Dae-chul from rock band Sinawe / YonhapBy Chung Ah-youngThe Korean music industry has scaled unprecedented global heights since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” became an international sensation a couple of years ago.Over the last decade or so, K-pop has been focused on expansion― strong on quantity and quality mostly thanks to the current digital culture, which is crucial for rapidly spreading and sharing music. Korea became the first consumer market for K-pop, which became more than 50 percent digital in 2006 while the global rate was just 38 percent in 2012, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) Recording Industry in Numbers. But if you look closely at numbers and trendMay 1, 2014
Koreans have special feelings for Dokdo A “Visit Korea” ad in Times Square in New York in this 2012 file photo has in the background the Dokdo with yachts sailing nearby. Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University and singer Kim Jang-hoon worked to put the ad in downtown Manhattan. / Courtesy of Seo Kyoung-dukThis is the first of a five-part series on exploring “The Meaning of Dokdo for Koreans” that The Korea Times is carrying out in collaboration with the Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF). — ED.By Kim Ji-sooSinger Kim Jang-hoon held an art show in Shanghai with pictures and art work featuring the eastern Korean islets of Dokdo on April 18. At the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, the show had photographs of the Dokdo, 3D sculptures, and a photo exhibition on “comfort women.”Kim is a well-known advocate for Dokdo.He together with Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor of general education at Sungshin Women’s University and a Korean PRexpert, in 2008 paid for an ad on Dokdo in the New York Times. Since then, they have held numerous aApr 30, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Kim Hyun-joong to release single in Japan By Park Si-soo K-pop singer Kim Hyun-joong will release his fourth album “Hot Sun” in Japan on June 18, his agency Keyeast said on Tuesday.This is his first album release in nearly one year. Kim’s third single “Round 3” was released in July last year. The new album will contain four fast tempo songs. Its lead track “Hot Sun” was created by songwriter Steven Lee, who wrote many of Kim’s hit songs including “Break Down,” “Lucky Guy” and “Unbreakable.”“The rock-style lead track will draw people’s attention with powerful sound and Kim’s sweet voice,” the agency said in a statement. It said Hidaka Mitsuhiro, a member of popular Japanese pop band AAA, featured in the album’s dance song “Timing.” Apr 29, 2014
Six kings of TV ads Kim Soo-hyun reaches top with 30 ads Actor Kim Soo-hyun promotes 30 Korean products following hissuper-hit drama “My Love From the Star.” / / Korea Times filesSuzy, the youngest member of K-pop girl band missA, is another coveted-star by Korean manufacturers.Figure skater Kim Yu-na appears in six TV ads. Her popularity is on a downward trend.By Park Si-sooIf some celebrity faces promoting Korean products seem like the same person, they probably are.A total of just six stars — Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, Suzy, Kim Yu-na, Lee Seung-gi and G-Dragon — are promoting a total of 70 products, as of the end of March. And the calls from companies are still coming their way.They advertise anything from confectionary and bakery goods, beverages and casual outfits that normally target media-sensitive young consumers to online shopping malls, cosmetics, air conditioners and mobile communication services that have a wider consumer base.Most sought-after modelYou will see him everywhere. One department store has him on an ad with “I Want That ManApr 29, 2014
CJ E&M, Victor join hands for Asian music market By Kim Ji-sooThe entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M and Victor Entertainment of Japan vowed to jointly pioneer the Asian pop market, establishing CJ Victor Entertainment Inc.“Our goal is to combine the powers of K-pop and J-pop to discover and nurture new artists that will represent Asia,” said Joon Ahn, senior vice president and head of the music business unit at CJ E&M and Nobuhiko Yonemitsu, vice president of Victor.Each company contributed 5 billion won to launch the new joint venture.CJ Victor Entertainment will focus on promoting Korean singers in Japan, promote Japanese artists through the CJ E&M network, and combine the systems and expertise of the two companies. Officials from the two sides are expecting synergy from the joint venture; while the Korean music market thrives on music distribution online, the Japanese market has close to 80 percent of its production dominated by CDs.As one of its first projects, CJ Victor Entertainment will take Korean singers to the Japanese music market and also release albums of famouApr 28, 2014
HarryBigButton ready to unleash K-rock Irish bassist Neil Smith, left, vocalist Lee Sung-soo, center, and drummer Kang Dae-hui, are the members of a post hard rock band HarryBigButton. After releasing their new album “Perfect Storm” on April 2, the band is gearing up to rock more audiences overseas. / Courtesy of HarryBigButtonHongdae band eyes Western rock marketBy Park Jin-haiLee Sung-soo roars through the lyrics with his deep voice and stomps on the stage, his shaggy hair flies rhythmically to the powerful guitar sound.As the performance heats up, his hair clings to his sweaty face and the audience of some 300 as go wild as the band, making it a giant ball of energy and passion. The post-hard rock band HarryBigButton ― comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist Lee Sung-soo, Irish bassist Neil Smith and drummer Kang Dae-hui ― released their new album "Perfect Storm" on April 2. Based on its local popularity, it is expected to rock more audiences overseas. “The biggest asset to our band is Lee’s voice,” said Kang.Just like Kang said, Lee’s vocals, which Apr 28, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Actor Kim returns with a legal drama 'A New Leaf' Actor Kim Myung-minBy Park Jin-haiVeteran actor Kim Myung-min, 41, returns to the small screen in two years as a lawyer in a new MBC TV legal drama, “A New Leaf,” which will go on air from Wednesday.In the 18-part series drama, co-starring with A-list stars such as actress Park Min-young, Kim will portray a cold-hearted hotshot lawyer who suffers an identity crisis after losing his memory in an accident and begins a righteous war against social ills.Kim, who earned his fame through the 2001 horror movie, “Gooseflesh,” has been taking the leading role in many popular dramas such as “The Immortal Yi Soon Shin” (2004), “Beethoven Virus” (2008) and movies including 2010 movie “Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow,” and achieved the nick name, “master of acting.”Apr 27, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Top American game developers to give advice to local companies By Park Jin-hai Most local game firms aspire to make inroads into the North American market but find it challenging due to limited information about the dynamics of that market. Consequently, a team of leading mobile game developers from North America will share their experiences and tips to local developers in a seminar. A marketing strategy seminar, hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and organized by Latis Global Communications, a Korean game localizer, will take place at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Wednesday. Among the speakers are Anna Cho, user interface engineer of Storm8, who will compare the American and Korean game’s user experience; Alexander Wong, Ender’s Fund founder, will explain how they produced their mobile game Deadeye Derby; and Chaynor Hsiao, project manager of Play next, will present how to make a smooth transition from PC to mobile.The North American region has become a new battleground for mobile game firms from all over the world, competing to secure an upper hand in this very lucrative market. According to Newzoo, a markeApr 27, 2014By Park Jin-hai
