Stars' 3D images to be produced Two entertainment agencies have joined hands with KT to produce holographic images of their stars.SM Entertainment and KT announced Monday that they signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect. Under the MOU, SM will develop content, while KT will provide theaters customized for holographic movies.SM has been showcasing virtual-reality concerts, using holographic technology, since last August.Another big-name agency YG, which has also joined the move will open a K-pop Park within the Everland amusement park in July.Before the official opening, 3D music videos of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” will be showcased at an IT show to be held on May 21 at the COEX in Seoul.The company will also develop 3D content featuring 2NE1 and Big Bang by September. May 20, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Celebrities born with silver spoons Singer Eun Ji-won, left, applauds along with President Park Geun-hye, his aunt, during a street campaign last December. / Korea Times fileChildren of elite families become entertainers amid fading Confucian values Choi Si-won of K-pop group Super JuniorActor Yun Tae-youngMiss Korea-turned-actress Lee Honey Top entertainers are currently being treated as “national heroes.” President Park Geun-hye recently touted Psy’s rise in the global arena as a model case to explain her economic growth policies centered on creativity.Yet it was only two or so decades ago when regardless of their popularity they were treated like “clowns” and called “ttan-tta-ra,” a Korean term poking fun at entertainers.Such a sentiment stemmed from the now faltering Confucianism which perceived jobs entertaining people as indecent. The philosophy imported from China killed the dream of many children who wished to grow up as musicians, dancers or actors. There are some entertainers who pursued their dream despite family opposition, but most of them kept theirMay 19, 2013By Kim Ji-soo
Celebrities born with silver spoons Singer Eun Ji-won, left, applauds along with President Park Geun-hye, his aunt, during a street campaign last December. Korea Times fileActor Kim Jong-min, left, whose stage name is Go Yoon, casts a ballot with his father Kim Moo-sung, a five-term lawmaker and right-hand man of President Park Geun -hye, at a polling station last month.Choi Si-won of K-pop group Super JuniorActor Yun Tae-youngMiss Korea-turned-actress Lee HoneyChildren of elite families become entertainers amid fading Confucian values By Park Si-sooTop entertainers are currently being treated as “national heroes.” President Park Geun-hye recently touted Psy’s rise in the global arena as a model case to explain her economic growth policies centered on creativity. Yet it was only two or so decades ago when regardless of their popularity they were treated like “clowns” and called “ttan-tta-ra,” a Korean term poking fun at entertainers.Such a sentiment stemmed from the now faltering Confucianism which perceived jobs entertaining people as indecent. The philosophy imported frMay 19, 2013
Hollys opens 3rd franchise in China Hollys Coffee announced Sunday it has opened its third franchise in Shenzhen, China.Following the previous ones in Beijing and Shenzhen, the Korean coffee chain opened another franchise in the commercial district of Haiyan, Shenzhen.“Haiyan franchise is our strategic point to launch the massive marketing in China,” said an official of the coffee chain.Two more shops will soon be opening in Shenzen within July, while five more will be launched in other locations in China by August.“Starting from Haiyan franchise, we plan to open as many as 100 franchises by 2014,” said Shin Sang-chul, CEO of Hollys Coffee, unveiling his ambitious marketing blueprint for China.Hollys Coffee has opened two shops in Peru and three in the Philippines. It is planning to open in 15 more nations.May 19, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Nescafe to hold events celebrating 75th anniversary A sales woman holds up promotional items to mark the 75th anniversary of Nescafe in Seoul. Korea Times fileNescafe is holding nationwide events to mark its 75th anniversary.The coffee brand will offer “1938 special edition” coffees throughout nine retail stores of E-mart and Hanaro Club Mart to 750 customers through May 22.The special edition coffee will be packaged in replicas of the original coffee cans developed and sold in 1938.People with a purchase of over 20,000 won at the stores can scan the event QR code and participate in the instant lottery to win the limited edition coffees along with mugs.Through its official Facebook page, people can also own the limited edition coffees, by posting their comments on the ongoing “7.5 day global coffee road” event, where five teams who won the event in March will launch a global tour from May 28. The 75 successful winners will be announced on June 20. Nestle’s coffee brand Nescafe has become a global name since its launch in 1938, selling 5,500 cans per second. May 19, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Food industry exchange with Manila gets boost Chung Hae-mun, secretarygeneral of ASEAN-Korea CenterThe ASEAN-Korea Center has dispatched a trade mission composing of 30 experts and buyers in the Korean food industry to Manila, the Philippines from May 14 to 17, with the goal of strengthening business networks and promoting trade between Korea and the Philippines.The trade mission participated in the “International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2013,” a biennial event for international markets to access Asian ethnic food and ingredients to explore the possibility of sourcing diverse Philippine food products and ingredients to Korea.They also visited major local food makers to get a close look into their manufacturing processes and seek areas of cooperation. In addition, the ASEAN-Korea Center is organizing a “Korean Market Access Seminar” to enhance the understanding of the Korean food market among the local food makers and to create business opportunities. Presentations will be given on food sourcing trends in Korea’s major food enterprises, effective utilization of the AKFTA andMay 17, 2013
K-pop industry seeks leap forward For the “I Got a Boy” album, the Girls’ Generation feature the clothes of designer Kim Ji-hee. / Korea Times fileCollaboration with foreign composers becomes new trendAbove is G-Dragon’s character for the popular mobile game “Wind Runner.” At right below is his the animated character for his dog, Gaho./ Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Ji-sooOnce, “cross-over” attempts dominated the cultural landscape. Replacing that word is “collaboration.” From music to fashion, artists are pairing up to put forth unprecedented styles and items. And such a trend is conspicuous in K-pop.Recently, fans got an opportunity to see G-Dragon and his faithful dog, Gaho, appear as cartoon characters on a popular mobile game in Korea called “Wind Runner.” The animated version of G-Dragon reflects the real-life singer’s stylishness, sporting pink hair and flashy accessories. He is also joined by his companion dog Gaho, dressed up with a red scarf around its collar. Gaho plays a protective role in the game as G-Dragon&rsqMay 17, 2013
Migrant women need more jobs Participants pose at a workshop on multiculturalism, hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Center at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on Thursday. Second from left in the first row and onwards are Lee Chul-hwi, CEO of Seoul Shinmun; Lee Bok-sil, vice minister of gender equality and family; Chung Hae-moon, secretary general of ASEAN-Korea Center; Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Trong Toan; and Jasmine Lee, a lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party./ Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea CenterBy Park Jin-haiRenowned scholars and immigrant representatives say that if Korea is to become a multicultural society in earnest, jobs are needed for migrant women.Participants at a forum also urged Korea to take further measures – both legally and in terms of policies - to promote public understanding of conditions faced by migrant housewives and therefore reduce possible discrimination against multiracial families.The ASEAN-Korea Center hosted a workshop titled "Multiculturalism in Korea and ASEAN's Contribution" on Thursday, at Lotte Hotel in Sogongdong, Seoul."Most Vietnamese brides get married to Korean men to help thMay 16, 2013By Park Jin-hai
'Goryeo Kingdom was truly opened to outer world' “The Great Seer,” an epic drama, which portrayed the Goryeo eraLee Kang-hahn, a professor ofthe Academy of Korean StudiesBy Lee Kang-hahnKorea has a history full of challenges and ordeals. Some of these took place in the 13th-14th centuries. Historians usually call this period the “Yuan Intervention period.” The Mongols started invading Korea in the early 13th century, and slaughtered the Korean people for 40 years. Sometimes this stopped for a period of time, but the Korean peninsula was devastated to say the least, and the government had to relocate itself to a distant island, Ganghwa.Subsequent periods turned out to be a testing time for the Korean people. The Mongol Empire demanded that the Goryeo Kingdom observe protocols laid out by the Mongols. A local government called Jeongdong Haengseong was established right at the side of the Goryeo government, and served as a communication branch between Goryeo and the Mongols, while also overseeing the upcoming Japanese campaign which was executed in 1274 and 1281. The northern territory of the Goryeo KingdoMay 16, 2013
Korean craft rediscovered Clockwise from top left are “Red Capsule,” porcelain, by Kim Myung-sun; “Kettle 2,” silver, by Ahn Min-sik; “Cheomjang,” porcelain, by Yun Ju-cheol; “Rhythm of the Red Luster,” ottchil, by Chung Hae-cho; “Growth II,” silver, by Chung Jeemin Jamie; “MatrixII,” Abaca fiber, by Chang Yeon-soon; “Super Apple,” ceramic, by Kim Mun-kyung; “13rd Camera,” silver, by Sim Hyun-seok ./ Courtesy of Korea Craft & Design FoundationMaster artisans expand presence in world scenesBy Chung Ah-youngDue to the delicate, traditional skills and workmanship that go into them, examples of Korean craftwork are mesmerizing international connoisseurs and consumers. They are also attracted to its unique way of reflecting modernity while preserving national identity. This is the result of strenuous efforts made by Korean contemporary craftsmen who are reinventing art form instead of rigorously sticking to traditional ways and merely replicaMay 16, 2013
