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
ASEAN-Korea Center to host knowledge workshop The ASEAN-Korea Center will host the “2014 Knowledge Sharing and Benchmarking Workshop” for government officials of the ASEAN member States April 22-26 at the center in Seoul.The workshop has been organized to strengthen the ICT capacity of the ASEAN Member States and will be participated in by 18 related ministry government officials from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.The workshop will be composed of lectures by Korean information communication technology (ICT) experts on topics such as “Korea’s ICT Application” and “Digital Economy Policy in Korea” to share Korea’s experience of an innovation-led rapid growth in the sector. Participants will also visit related organizations such as SK T.um, Korea Development Institute in Sejong City and Daedeok Innopolis (Daedeok Science Town) in Daejeon, to provide access to the latest industrial trends and an opportunity for networking with the sector’s professionals. Apr 20, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
AKMU's album ranks second on Billboard Akdong Musician’s “Play”By Chung Ah-youngK-pop duo Akdong Musician’s debut album placed second on Billboard’s World Albums Chart. Consisting of siblings Lee Chan-hyuk, 17, and Soo-hyun, 14, Akdong Musician, also known as AKMU, released its album, “PLAY” on April 7. The album landed on the week’s top-selling world music albums behind Irish band Celtic Woman’s “Emerald,” which captured the top spot. The album’s lead track, “200%,” ranked fifth on the World Digital Song chart. It has a total of 11 songs all written and produced by Chan-hyuk.After the release, the album’s songs have swept major music charts in Korea, as well as iTunes album charts in five countries. The duo has garnered huge popularity with its creative and unique style while appearing on “K-pop Star 2.” The duo’s signature playful songs, such as “Don’t Cross Your Legs,” “A Foreigner’s Confession,” “Crescendo” and “It is Ramen,” were among the duo’s Apr 18, 2014
'Let Me Out' wins gold medal in NYF awards The poster of “Let Me Out”By Chung Ah-youngThe Korean low-budget film “Let Me Out” won the Gold Medal Award at the 57th New York Festivals (NYF) International Television & Film Awards, the Baekdu Daegan Film Company said Friday. It became the first Korean film to win the top prize in the film category at this festival, after competing with more than 50 international films. The event, which took place on April 8, is one of the world’s top three international advertising fests, along with Clio Awards and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (Cannes International Advertising Festival.)“Let Me Out” was released back to back in both Korea and the United States last year, receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences. The movie is a hilarious indie meta-film about the coming of age of an amateur student director from a film school making his first zombie melodrama. Written and directed by Jae Soh and Kim Chang-rae from the Seoul Institute of the Arts, and produced by Irene Cho and Min Soh, the film starring Kwon Hyun-sang, the Apr 18, 2014
Drama sets becoming 'ghost towns' The Park Southern Land on Jeju Island, which was built as the filming site for the 2007 blockbuster TV series “Taewangsasingi,” was torn down last year after being deserted for a few years. / YonhapBy Chung Ah-youngThe sensational drama series “My Love From the Star” is elevating “hallyu” or the Korean wave to new levels. It has created a positive overflow, particularly in the tourism sector as the locations where the drama was shot have become tourist hot spots. But how long will they continue to draw tourists?Years after they were utilized, several filming locations are becoming abandoned as repairs or maintenance are no longer conducted.The Park Southern Land on Jeju Island was the nation’s major filming site for the 2007 blockbuster TV series “Taewangsasingi” (“The Four Guardian Gods of the King”) starring iconic hallyu star Bae Yong-joon and actress Moon So-ri.The drama portrays the life of King Gwanggaeto of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668). Along with an ancient Goguryeo castle from 1,500 yearsApr 18, 2014
K-pop stars cancel events By Kim Ji-sooK-pop stars have decided to delay new album releases or cancel promotional events in the wake of the sinking of the ferry Seowol.EXO postponed a group interview planned for Thursday, and their appearance on KBS’s Music Bank scheduled for today was cancelled.Major music programs usually aired on the weekend ― Music Bank, Show Music Core (MBC), Inkigayo (SBS) and M! Countdown (CJ E&M) ― have been put on hold.Singer Junggigo delayed the release of his new single originally planned for Thursday.Another K-pop group Block B, which was supposed to release its new single “Jackpot,” Wednesday, also postponed it. Singer Lena Park also put back the release of her new album, for which she was to introduce the single “Synchrofusion” today. Singer G.NA said she will also delay the April 21 release of her new album.The girl group A-Pink cancelled a fan meeting slated for Saturday.Korean film sector also joined in. The makers of the movie “The Fatal Encounter” starring actor Hyun Bin cancelled a Wednesday event, and promoApr 17, 2014
