EXO honored at Korean Music Awards Members of K-pop group EXO receive the Best Dance & Electronica Song and the Musician (Group) of the Year with “Growl” at the awarding ceremony ofthe Korean Music Awards (KMA) 2014, which was held in Yes24 Muv Hall in Seogyo-dong, western Seoul, Feb. 28. / Courtesy of KMAMar 2, 2014
Hallyu Line RainSinger Rain will be featured in a Chinese variety show “Happy Camp” on March 8.The show is one of many popular TV programs in China which has cast numerous hallyu stars. Cube DC, Rain’s agency, said that boasting of the highest viewer rating in 17 years, the show has extended the regular running time from 60 to 90 minutes to feature Rain. The program will be shot on March 3 and aired on March 8.Rain appeared on the program last September and received rave reactions from viewers. “Rain will promote his 6th album ‘Rain Effect’ on this program in China,” the agency said.He will also hold a concert “2014 Rain Effect Show in Beijing” at the National Gymnasium in China on March 28. The agency said that some 9,000 fans are expected to attend.“Rain Effect” is his first album after his discharge for compulsory national military service last year. The singer and actor, who is dating actress Kim Tae-hee, has beenactively promoting his new album and filMar 2, 2014
'My Love' sparks hallyu sensation “My Love From the Star,” starring hallyu heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun, left, and Jun Ji-hyun, has gained popularity in Korea and China. / Courtesy of SBSDrama fever spills over fashion, foodBy Chung Ah-youngIn December, the SBS television drama series “My Love From the Star” got off to a shaky start amid a heated controversy over plagiarism, as it adopted a concept similar to the comic book series “Seol Hee.” But the drama ended up creating a huge hallyu sensation not only in Korea, but in China as well.When the last episode of “My Love” was aired on Feb. 27, some Chinese fans watched it at the Sheshan Observatory in Shanghai, China, eating chicken and drinking beer. The observatory was a special venue for the grand finale of the drama organized by IQIYI, China’s online television and movie portal site, responding to the soaring popularity there as the drama frequently has with constellation and astrological backgrounds.“My Love from the Star” has created a “chimaek” (eating chicken and drinking beer) craze in CMar 2, 2014
TVXQ poses in this promotional photo TVXQ poses in this promotional photo for its new single “Spellbound.” The choreography for the song’s music video was done by the NappyTabs, who have also worked with Madonna and Jennifer Lopez./ Courtesy of SM EntertainmentFeb 28, 2014
'Larva' stamps to go on sale Korean animation “Larva”Popular animation characters of “Larva” are displayed on stamps.The Korea Post in Busan Thursday unveiled a special set of stamps featuring the pair of red and yellow slugs. It has been introducing a series of stamp sets since 2011 featuring local animation characters.The characters of “Larva” are featured on its fourth, following “Pororo,” “Pucca” and “Robocar Poli.”A total of 10 kinds of stamps have the two main characters Yellow and Red, and their bug friends. Additional stickers for decoration are also included in the set.First appearing in 2011 on national network KBS and cable TV, the short, slapstick episodes have become one of the most popular 3D cartoons on television. They are refreshing the Korean animation scene, which has been overflowing with children’s cartoons without works adults might appreciate.The animation has been broadcast in 97 countries.Feb 28, 2014
'Politicians should change' Former President Lee Myung-bak looks down upon Dokdo during his surprisevisit to the country’s easternmost islets in August, 2012. He was the first Korean president to do so, triggering uproar from Japan, which disputesKorea’s sovereignty over the volcanic outcrops. / Korea Times fileLong-term Japanese residents feel caught in drifting ties By Park Si-sooSome long-term Japanese residents here think that Korea is taking a too emotional approach toward Japan.One said politicians have so mishandled the countries’ relations that it has reached a new low, pointing out that they are doing it for their own political purposes.Another advised that it is important for Koreans to understand one Japanese characteristic ― identifying oneself with the state.“I think former President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to Dokdo badly hurt Japanese people’s feeling toward Korea,” said Kim Junko, 51, a Japanese national who has been living here for 16 years with her Korean husband. She was referring to the former president’s surprise visit to the Feb 28, 2014
Jazz singer with 'thousand voices' Nah Youn-sun, 44, has been gaining worldwide recognition as bold and daring jazz vocalist /Courtesy of Na Seung-yullBy Park Jin-haiKoreans rejoiced as Sochi passed on the Olympic flag to PyeongChang, the host of the next Winter Games in 2018.The celebratory mood that night escalated when Korean artists performed their country’s beloved folk song “Arirang,” against the background of mountain ranges and a flock of cranes flying in the night sky.The first part of the song was sung by the fabulous soprano Jo Su-mi. What came next was jazz singer Nah Youn-sun’s performance of “Arirang,” in a way less mainstream but nevertheless heartwarming.In fact, Nah has a long history with the national folk song. Not only did she sing it for the inauguration ceremony of President Park Geun-hye last year, she also included various regional variations in her global-selling hit albums.“I always thought that the Korean language wasn’t made for jazz,” said Nah during the interview with The Korea Times.“But, when my French friends said their Feb 28, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Economics book for immigrants By Kim Ji-sooOne of the most confounding intricacies for immigrants may well be the economics.To help better understand how the Korean economy works, the Korean Institute for Happy Family in collaboration with the Korea Exchange Bank’s foundation, has published 10,000 guidebooks in five languages. The books are available in Korean, English, Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese.About 70 pages long, the book provides real-life advice about such things as Korean banks’ operating hours, how to open a bank account, using Internet banking and avoiding voice phishing.The books will be distributed to support centers for multicultural families, libraries and other related agencies. There are an estimated 750,000 multicultural families living in Korea.Feb 27, 2014
Seoul plans to create 'global villages' for foreign tourists The Seoul municipal government said Tuesday it plans to develop the city’s multicultural districts into major tourist destinations in an effort to attract more foreign visitors.The plan calls for the integration of unique cultural, historical and life-style features of the current four multicultural neighborhoods to make them more attractive to tourists, and the development of new areas.Among the four districts, the city plans to develop the street in the major shopping district of Myeong-dong where the Chinese Embassy is located into an area showcasing the history of Seoul-Beijing cultural exchange and cooperation.To help Muslims better present their culture to tourists, the city will publish a map of the area surrounding the Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon, downtown Seoul, marking the best restaurants and shops for souvenirs, according to officials.The city is also eyeing Seorae Village in southern Seoul, which is home to about half of the French community in the country, and the Russian and Central Asian neighborhood in Dongdaemun, where many restaurants are located, as candFeb 27, 2014
Actress Choi Ji-woo signs with YG Actress Choi Ji-woo By Kim Ji-sooActress Choi Ji-woo has signed with YG Entertainment, joining such actors as Cha Seung-won and Jang Hyeon-seong.With the recruitment of Choi, YG Entertainment — which is home to acts like Psy, Big Bang and 2NE1 — is expanding its actors’ portfolio.Choi is known also as “Ji-woo Hime” or Princess Ji-woo in Japan for her role in “Winter Sonata” opposite Bae Yong-joon or “Yon-sama.” The drama sparked the Korean wave in Japan.The 38-year-old reportedly joined YG with an eye on its systematic and overseas management.Her most recent work was the drama “The Suspicious Housekeeper,” which ws a remake of the Japanese drama “I am Mita, Your Housekeeper.”Feb 27, 2014
