Popular animation series 'Larva' turns into musical By Chung Ah-youngA popular Korean animation series “Larva” which features a pair of slugs ― Red and Yellow ― will be made into a stage musical, according to Tuba N, its production company.The musical version will be produced in cooperation with DS Musical Company and Daegyo TV, a children’s cable channel.The company said the musical will upgrade the storyline of the animation series combining comical elements and reflect more interactions with children.First appearing in 2011 on national network KBS and cable, the short, slapstick episodes have become one of the most popular cartoons on television. They are refreshing the Korean animation scene, which has been overflowing with children’s cartoons without works adults too could find funny. In its episodes ― only a couple of minutes long ― two slugs engage in a series of comedic fights, with other creatures such as flies, mosquitoes, dung beetles and snails making cameo appearances.The animation has been broadcast in 97 countries and made into merchandise products in 20 countries.The performaFeb 24, 2014
'JSA' leads German student to Korea “Joint Security Area (JSA)” directed by Park Chan-wookPleyer seeks to introduce Korean history and culture in EuropeBenedikt Aegidius Pleyer, a German graduate from the Graduate School of Korean StudiesBy Chung Ah-youngIn 2005, Benedikt Aegidius Pleyer happened to watch the Korean film “Joint Security Area (JSA)” directed by Park Chan-wook. He didn’t expect the film to change his life from being an ordinary chemistry student to an avid fan of Korean culture.The 29-year-old German found a strong connection between his native country and (South) Korea through the movie that recounts an incident that happened in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas. Before watching the film, he didn’t know about Korea which remains divided since the Korean War (1950-53).“Although I was born in the divided Germany in 1985, I was too young to remember the bitter memory of the division or historical moments of unification. But after watching JSA, I felt a sense of connection with Korea and developed an interest in this country,” he said.OuFeb 24, 2014
Super Junior ends world tour in Beijing Super JuniorBy Kim Ji-sooK-pop group Super Junior wrapped up its world tour with a performance in Beijing, Saturday.The group sang about 28 songs, including popular numbers such as “Sorry Sorry,” “Mr. Simple” and “Free & Single,” as well as presenting “character” shows where themembers transformed into characters from the movie “The Avengers.”With that performance, Super Junior wrapped up its world tour titled “Super Show 5” which took it through 20 cities around the world. Among the cities they toured were Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima and Manila, with an estimated audience of some 450,000 fans.Members of the group have been holding the “Super Show” since 2008, with a total of 97 performances in front of 1.35 million fans.Feb 23, 2014
Folk museum to offer free program The National Folk Museum of Korea will offer a new program to teach foreigners traditional dances and martial arts.The “Traditional Yeon-hee (festival) Foreigners Class,” running from March until May, aims to give expatriates a chance to learn more about Korea. The 10-week program will offer free classes in three areas of “samulnori,” or a traditional percussion ensemble mask dance, and “taekgyeon,” a form of Korean martial arts, once a week. Upon the request of related organizations such as Korean language schools, lecturers will be dispatched to provide hands-on experiences. The museum also runs a year-round program for foreigners, giving them a chance to learn traditional household crafts on Mondays and traditional dances every Wednesday. For more information visit the museum’s website at www.nfm.go.kr.Feb 23, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Max Changmin stars in drama 'Mimi' This is a scene from Mnet’s ghost romance drama “Mimi,” starring K-pop idol Max Changmin. / Courtesy of Mnet26-year-old TVXQ star returns to small screen TVXQ’s U-know Yunho, left, and Max Changmin pose in this promotional photo./ Korea Times fileBy Park Jin-haiPopular K-pop duo TVXQ’s Max Changmin (Shim Chang-min) has always been a sweetheart for K-pop fans. With his charismatic performance on stage, the baby-faced star has shown enough charm to make his fans’ hearts race.Not only has the title song of TVXQ’s recent album “Something” topped many local on-line music charts, he also bagged the emcee role in KBS’s variety show, “Cool Kiz On The Block,” winning the Best Entertainer Award last year.Despite being in the showbiz industry for almost a decade, the 26-year-old idol says he still has more to show. This time, the multi-talented star returns to the small screen as webtoonist Han Min-woo in the “ghost” romance story, “Mimi.” The four-part mini- series drama staFeb 23, 2014By Park Jin-hai
BESTie to release digital single K-pop girl group BESTie will release its third digital single titled “Thank U Very Much” on Feb. 28.YNB Entertainment, the group’s agency, said that the new single highlights the cheerful images of the members by focusing on the group’s stage performance, unlike other girl groups’ emphasis on sexiness.The members released a photo with a “Thank U Very Much” message for Korean athletes participating in the Sochi Olympics on their SNS.Consisting of UJi, Hyeyeon, Haeryung and Dahye, the group will appear in major music shows and other promotional events.Feb 21, 2014
G-Dragon appears on fashion magazine G-Dragon By Park Si-sooK-pop star G-Dragon has been featured on Hypebeast, a popular English-language online fashion magazine.The magazine ran a lengthy article about the 26-year-old member of K-pop boy band BIGBANG, which focuses on how he creates dynamic synergy in two areas of art: music and fashion.Hypebeast wrote, “The rising influence of G-Dragon encapsulates the current state of affairs in popular culture and the South Korean pop star epitomizes the synonymy that fashion and music share.”It went on, “For this reason, G-Dragon, a.k.a. Kwon Ji-Yong, stands as the face of the cover feature ㅡ an in-depth look at the synergy between his music and fashion, the interesting partnership that he has with his stylist and what the future holds for the talented artist.”In an interview with the magazine, G-Dragon confessed that fashion has played a big part in the building of his image so far, and that his goal is for his fans to understand the artistic side of his music by focusing more on the music itself.Feb 21, 2014
Anti-hallyu voices growing in Japan Anti-hallyu protesters march through the Shin-Okubo district in Tokyo, waving Japanese flags and holding signs with offensive messages against Korea in the left photo taken on May 19, 2013. / Korea Times files‘Hostility will continue while Japan’s economy in bad shape’By Park Si-sooFrom Bae Yong-joon to Ryu Si-won and Jang Keun-suk, many Korean stars have enjoyed heartthrob status in Japan for nearly a decade.K-pop musicians have swept major charts and their concerts there always burst at the seams with local fans. In addition, several Korean TV dramas and entertainment shows are broadcast in primetime with high ratings.Yet all of these seem to face grave challenges sparked by chauvinistic right-wing politicians and activists in Japan whose voices against the boom, known as the Korean wave or “hallyu,” resonate widely amid a sluggish economy.The anti-hallyu sentiment is said to be fueled by Tokyo’s diplomatic friction with Seoul over Dokdo and World War II legacy issues, including “comfort women.”Dozens of anti-Korean rallies are Feb 21, 2014
Oakwood Premier Incheon to open in July This is a view of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower, where the Oakwood Premier Incheon is located in Songdo, Incheon. / Courtesy of Oakwood Premier IncheonBy Kim Ji-sooIncheon is a city with increasing global appeal, offering an airport, the Songdo international business district and the 2014 Asian Games.Oakwood Premier will add its name to this list of assets when it opens the Oakwood Premier Incheon in July.The premier serviced residence will move into the soaring Northeast Asia Trade Tower (NEATT) skyscraper in Songdo.Standing 68 stories, NEATT is currently the tallest building in the nation. The Oakwood Premier Incheon will occupy the upper part of the edifice built by POSCO E&C.Oakwood Premier Incheon will offer a total of 423 suite-grade residences placed from the floors 36 through 64, and boasting of unbeatable panoramic views. A penthouse will be located on the 64th floor. Oakwood Premier boasts of providing luxurious hotel services with the spaciousness of a private home, and the Incheon branch will not be an exception. Oakwood Premier Incheon will be the only luxury resideFeb 20, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Hallyu Lines TVXQTVXQ to release repackage albumK-pop group TVXQ consisting of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin will release a repackage album titled “Spellbound” on Feb. 27, according to SM Entertainment.The album includes 12 tracks from its seventh full-length album and three new songs.“Spellbound” is a new song featuring heavy brass sounds and orchestra samples. As shown at the unique stage performance of “Something,” the title track of the seventh album,” the group will reveal its new dances for Spellbound,” the agency said.The group’s “Something” has swept major music charts and won seven trophies in various music shows.Yang Dong-geunYang returns with digital singleSinger and actor Yang Dong-geun will release a digital single more than a year after his previous song “Father.”Polaris Entertainment, his agency, said that his new single “Jajaja” will be available through various online music sites from Feb. 25.“Yang produced the album and its music video. He is looking forward to releasing his digital sFeb 20, 2014
