Global leadership of World Vision Korea Area Development Program (ADP) managers from 15 developing countries pose during the Canaan Community Leadership Development Training Program organized by World Vision Korea in Wonju, Gangwon Province on June 13. / Courtesy of World Vision KoreaDeveloping nations find inspiration from Korean model By Chung Ah-youngWONJU, Gangwon Province ― “We can transform. We are pioneers! We can do it!” Nineteen Area Development Program (ADP) managers from 15 developing countries shouted the phrases every 5 a.m. for three weeks at Canaan Farmers School in Wonju, Gangwon Province. They gathered here from their regional offices of World Vision around the world to learn how the Korean office successfully switched from a recipient to a donor in 1991. Currently, World Vision Korea is supporting 46 underdeveloped countries to improve their quality of health, hygiene and education as it had received foreign assistance in the past. Managers from the regional offices of 15 developing countries make eco-friendly fertilizers in Wonju, Gangwon Province.World Vision, an internationaJun 20, 2013
Nonghyup supports multiracial families' hometown visits By Park Jin-hai Choi Won-byungNonghyup Foundation will pay for the flights and expenses for selected multiethnic families to visit the home countries of the foreign spouse.Under the Home Country Visit Project, 629 people from 162 multiracial families, all living in rural areas, will receive round trip tickets and additional expenses including travel insurance. “We will spare no effort to assist multiracial families settle here as responsible members of society,” said Choi Won-byung, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors.By home country, Vietnam accounts for the most with 287 people from 77 families followed by China with 106 from 29 families; the Philippines with 89 from 29 families; and Cambodia with 60 from 15 families.Nonghyup’ welfare unit, founded in 2004 to support farming families, started the project in 2007 and about 4,100 family members have benefited so far.The number of beneficiaries has risen over recent years. In 2010, Korean Air joined the program, helping expand the numbers further.The candidate families are recommendJun 20, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Park Ji-sung linked to Kim Min-ji English Premier Leaguer Park Ji-sung, 32, is reportedly dating Kim Min-ji, 28, an announcer for the broadcaster SBS.A local sports daily, Sports Seoul reported that the two were sighted together on Tuesday in a park near the Han River and cheering for the Korean squad in its match against Iran.Park had been of rumors that he and actress Kim Sa-rang would marry soon. Kim’s talent agency officially denied that rumor.The footballer who spent one of the worst seasons of his career with Queens Park Rangers is expected to speak on the dating rumors today. Park is scheduled to present a scholarship in his name via his foundation at 11 a.m., and a press conference is to precede that.Meanwhile, SBS officials said that they were not aware of whether Kim in-ji was dating Park. She joined SBS in 2010, after graduating from Ewha Womans University as a painting major. Jun 19, 2013
Kangta to appear on TV program Kangta, a former member of K-pop group H.O.T, will appear as a fixed character in an entertainment program titled “Living Alone” airing on MBC.Kangta, whose real name is Ahn Chil-hyeon, will join fellow characters such as Noh Hong-chul and musician Kim Tae-won. The show about men living alone airs at 11: 30 p.m. on Friday. Producers of “Living Alone” said that they had been thinking of injecting the former H.O.T member since the beginning of the program.Fans will be glad to know that Kangta will reveal his residence in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.The 33-year-old has remained active with solo activities including serving as a judge for “Voice Korea” season 2. But his appearance on “Living Alone” will be the first on the entertainment program for 17 years after debuting with the first-generation K-pop group H.O.T. The group debuted in 1996, and produced numerous hits such as “Candy” and “We are the Future” before disbanding in 2000.Jun 19, 2013
Korean stars faring well in China Choo Ja-hyun acts in the Chinese drama “Wood House Storm,” aired in 2012. / Courtesy of Zhonghua TVEffective localization leads to success despite ebbing hallyuChae Yeon left Korean entertainment business in 2007 to explore the Chinese market./ Korea Times fileSuper Junior M, a sub-group of the popular Korean boy band Super Junior, was formed targeting Chinese audiences. / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Park Jin-haiKorean culture, including its catchy pop music videos, is gaining popularity across the globe, especially in China. This phenomenon, called “hallyu,” has introduced many people to Korean culture, but a recent poll predicts the popularity of K-culture could lose steam within five years.A survey conducted by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange shows about 71 percent of Chinese respondents believe hallyu’s popularity will dissipate in their country within the next five years. About 24 percent of them said Korean products are no longer considered cool.However, while many pop stars got their start as a result of hallyu, they arJun 19, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Police blaming sex crimes on scantily clad women By Kim Tong-hyungHere’s your midweek update on stories in entertainment and media that you might have missed while reading about how the spy agency attempted to influence the presidential elections, ended up trolling the Internet lumpen instead, Iran’s new president, or because your life is undoubtedly a lot more fulfilling than ours.According to the logic of some Korean police, this woman is inviting trouble. / Korea Times fileSo, it’s her faultThe government is vowing stronger punishment on sex offenses. As a start, the Justice Ministry has rewritten the law to allow law enforcement authorities to investigate and prosecute sex criminals without a complaint filed from the victim.But were loose laws ever much of a problem because the majority of our obtuse police officers are regressive enough to claim that some female victims simply had it coming?The Korea Women’s Development Institute recently quizzed some 200 police officers in South Gyeongsang Province cities over their thoughts on sex crimes against women and the results were disturbing.About 54 percent oJun 18, 2013
Kooksoondang earns two stars Kooksoondang, a traditional beverage maker, announced Tuesday that its canned makgeolli brand earned two stars at a tasting event in Belgium.It’s rice wine brand “Icing” was given two stars ― with three stars being the best quality ― at the “Superior Taste Award,” where famous brewers and sommeliers sample beverages and grade them according to taste and quality.This year, some 1,300 drinks competed and 150 received three stars, while some 400 including Icing gained two.“Due to the low brand recognition, it scored low in the beginning. But its taste and fragrance were regarded highly,” said a marketing manager of the firm.Icing gained silver awards in the San Diego International Wine Competition and Consumer Wine Awards, held in the United States this year. Jun 18, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Sexy or obscene? After School members perform using the pole with their latest single “First Love.” / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Kim Ji-sooPole dancing has made inroads as a fitness trend, but there is still a whiff of a strip club to it.Taking advantage of this duality, K-pop girl group After School has introduced pole dancing into center stage of K-pop with their latest single “First Love.” Seven girls on stage perform in harmony to their latest song about the pains and memories of first love.The K-pop girl group landscape has largely been bifurcated into the sweet and cute groups versus the sexy groups. After School has always stood out for its sexy image and powerful performance on stage, where the members once strutted around playing drums.The latest pole dancing move however raises the “sexy” gauge higher for both the group and the K-pop scene.The group appeared on the weekend entertainment program “Star King,” along with two professional pole dance lecturers to drive home the point that it is much a fitness trend nowadays.The fourJun 18, 2013By Kim Ji-soo
Jang to come back with new drama Jang Keun-sukTentatively titled “Pretty Man,” the drama gained attention as Yoo Young-ah, the star-screen writer of the movie “A Gift from Room Seven,” wrote the script.Jang decided to act in the drama, after reading the script.Already industry experts cautiously predict that the series will repeat the success of the last TV drama he starred in and be the next hallyu production. In the drama, based on a cartoon of the same name, Jang will play the role of a man with perfect looks but a cold heart. He gets the attention of many women, but ignores them. However, as the series progresses he eventually finds his true love.Pretty Man will air in the latter half of the year. Jun 18, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Super Junior wows Hong Kong fans Super JuniorK-pop sensation Super Junior successfully completed its “Super Show5” dates, from June 15-16 at Hong Kong’s World Expo Arena, the band’s agency SM Entertainment said Monday. The group dazzled 24,000 fans that ranged from teens to those in their 30s and 40s, performing some 25 songs including “Sorry Sorry,” “Mr. Simple” and the most recent single “Sexy, Free & Single.” It was the group’s first visit to Hong Kong, following the “Super Show2” held in 2009 in Hong Kong. Fans held up “Thank You for Coming” placards written in Korean, said SM Entertainment. From Hong Kong, Super Junior will move on to Singapore for their “Super Show5,” where the members will perform on July 5 at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium.Jun 17, 2013
