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
K-literature reaches more readers From top left in a clockwise fashion, the translations of “The Investigation” by Lee Jung-myung; “Secrets” by Eun Hee-kyung; The German version “Geheimnisse und Lugen” by Eun Hee-Kyung; “The Unforgotten War” by Bok Geo-il: “orrowtoothpaste Mirrorcream” by Kim Hye-soon; and “The Jovian Sayings” also by Bok Geo-il. / Korea Times fileTranslations become available throughout worldBy Chung Ah-youngFollowing international exposure at the London Book Fair on April 8-10, worldwide interest in Korean literature is gaining momentum.A slew of translated versions of Korean novels and poems have been published in various countries from the United States to Singapore in an effort to attract a broader readership.Supported by the Daesan Foundation, poet Kim Hye-soon’s “Sorrowtoothpaste Mirrorcream,” “The Investigation” by novelist Lee Jung-myung and “Secrets and Lies” by Eun Hee-kyung, are all available as translations in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. ThApr 27, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
GB9 releases new song K-pop duo Gil9Bong9By Park Si-sooK-pop duo Gil9Bong9 (GB9) released a new song, “You Are Pretty No Matter What You Do,” on Friday.It was the first K-pop song released since the deadly sinking of ferry Sewol on April 16. Dozens of musicians have canceled or postponed the release of new albums or concerts amid nationwide mourning.“We released the song as scheduled because it was a promise with our fans,” the band’s management agency WS Entertainment said in a statement. “We feel uncomfortable (releasing the song), but we had to move forward as scheduled.”The new song, created by songwriter Lee Sang-in, rhythmically tells about the feelings of a man who just fell in love, according to the agency.GB9 made its debut in April of last year with the album “Going Crazy” Apr 25, 2014
Song Yoon-ah to return in six years Actress Song Yoon-ahBy Park Si-sooActress Song Yoon-ah will return to the small screen for the first time in six years in an MBC TV drama that will air in August. She has maintained a low profile after appearing in SBS TV’s drama “On Air” in 2008.In the upcoming drama, Song will portray a single mother with a terminal illness who manages to make a living by drawing cartoons, according to her agency, Snowball Entertainment.“We searched hard to select the best person for the role. Song was the actress by all accounts,” a production staffer was quoted as saying. Apr 25, 2014
K-pop stars are no longer 'puppets' Singer Lee Jung, from left, actor Jeong Man-sik and Chansung of popular K-pop boy band 2PM are among entertainers who strongly condemned the government’s lax approach to public safety following the deadly sinking of ferry Sewol./ Korea Times filesStars unleash harsh criticism of shipwreck disasterBy Park Si-sooGone are the days when entertainers mostly made sweet-sounding public relations comments and watched their backs because of political pressure.Following the deadly sinking of the ferry Sewol, many K-pop stars and actors have unleashed a verbal onslaught on the country’s chronic insensitivity to public safety, relevant countermeasures hibernating in the government’s dusty cabinets and a lack of effort to check and fix these loopholes proactively.Among the determined “attackers” are singers Lee Jung, Park Ki-young, Chansung and Taecyeon of 2PM, Jo Kwon of 2AM, and actors Seo Joon-myung and Jeong Man-sik.They have openly condemned some politicians and their supporters who made a perfunctory visit to the disaster site as part of efforts to pApr 25, 2014
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
