K- beauty products hot overseas Cosmetics exports up 32 percent, surpassing imports for 1st timeBy Park Jin-haiFor the first time Korea exported more cosmetics products than were imported – thought to be thanks to the growing popularity of "hallyu" (Korean wave), coupled with efficient marketing strategies.Exports of cosmetic brands stood at $1.1 billion in 2012, up by 32.6 percent from a year earlier, while imports remained at $978 million, according to the Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association (KPTA).Amore Pacific, LG Household and Healthcare and Missha proved especially strong in oversea markets.Amore’s exports grew 35 percent to reach $442.8 million from the previous year, quadruple the domestic sales.LG Household saw its overseas sales grow 31.4 percent, to $232.3 million, while Missha's exports rose 32 percent to the value of 28.3 billion dollars.Market analysts attributed the better-than-expected results to several factors: localization, distribution, brand-image and market diversification strategies.An increasing number of exporting companies, based on the Apr 16, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Psy success hikes brands' image Psy smiles with food company CJ’s company logo as a backdrop during a press conference held ahead of his concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium Saturday. / YonhapBy Park Si-sooIn this time of an economic slowdown, Psy’s release last Saturday of his new single “Gentleman” brought rare good news for companies that have signed up the 36-year-old pop star for their commercials.The stock prices of instant noodle maker Nongshim and alcohol maker Hite-Jinro shot up Monday as Psy’s new music video passed more than 50 million views on YouTube, and may replicate the worldwide sensation of “Gangnam Style.” Buyers expect this will lead to brisker sales in overseas markets.NongsApr 15, 2013
Sexy and sweet, Secret goes global From left, Han Sun-hwa, Jun Hyo-sung, Song Ji-eun and Zinger, four members of the K-pop girl group Secret pose together in this promotional picture. Having wrapped up a successful concert in Singapore in March, the group is working on a new mini-album that is expected to be released late April or May. / Courtesy of TS Entertainment By Kim Ji-sooIt’s been more than two weeks since the four-member K-pop girl group Secret performed in Singapore to rave reviews.Dressed in sexy red jackets and black pants, they took to the stage at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall on March 29. Secret became the fourth K-pop girl group to perform a solo concert in Singapore.Jun Hyo-sung, who graced the stage solo to perform Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” has lasting impressions of Singapore. “I just remember that I was running around on stage because I was so overwhelmedApr 15, 2013By Kim Ji-soo
Ex-culture minister preaches 'Hallyu Road' By Chung Ah-young Choe Kwang-shik, former minister of culture, sports andtourismCover of recent book “Hallyu Road” written by ChoeThe Silk Road was a route to link a historical network across the Afro-Eurasian areas, facilitating not only trade but also exchanges of civilization between the countries on its way. Choe Kwang-shik, a former minister of culture, sports and tourism, says that hallyu, or the Korean Wave, can play an equivalent role to the Silk Road in terms of disseminating culture to other regions.He calls it a new route to spread Korean culture to other countries in his book “Hallyu Road” (Nanam; 236 pp., 15,000 won), which explores the roots of Korean culture and tradition.“We accepted diverse cultures from the Silk Road. Now we are exporting Korean culture through the Hallyu Road,” he wrote.Choe saw remarkable cultural achievements in various sectors during his term in office from September 2011 to February 2013, including Psy’s international superstardom and Kim Ki-duk’s Gold Lion for his movie “Pieta” aApr 14, 2013
'Action, communication hand in hand' President of the Corea Image and Communication Institute (CICI) Choi Jung-wha, center in second row, and first-place winner Mamadjanov Zohid from Uzbekistan, center in first row, pose with other contestants and organizers of the “Communicating for a Brighter Future of Korea” at Seoul Museum in Buam-dong, Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of CICICICI speech contest offers expats with chances to promote Korea's imageBy Park Jin-haiWhen the name of each anxious contestant is called, each scurries to the podium to deliver a speech.It’s a familiar scene to an audience reared on reality audition programs.This time, however, the contestants gathered at the Seoul Museum Saturday were foreigners and Koreans tackling the theme of the future of “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, and the concept of multiculturalism in Korea.Opening the evApr 14, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Ko Hyun-jung to star in new drama Ko Hyun-jungActress-turned emcee Ko Hyun-jung will end her three-year hiatus and return to TV dramas in June.She will star in the new SBS drama tentatively named “Queen of the Class,” her agency IOK Company said Friday.Ko was last seen in the drama “Daemul” in 2010, in which she played a female president. She earned the Grand Prize at the SBS Drama Awards that year for the role.The actress described the new role ― Ma Yeo-jin ― she will play as a “demon-like” teacher who shows no mercy to her students.The story depicts the struggle between the teacher and her class.“The style and concept of the drama was rather fresh, not like other school dramas,” Ko said. “It is a challenge for me, too, to play a role like Ma.” Apr 14, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Psy's 'Gentleman' sweeps iTunes chart South Korean rapper Psy's new single swept the iTunes Chart Saturday, just one day after the much-anticipated release of the strong-beat song.The new single, "Gentleman," entered top 10 iTunes Single Chart in many Asian, European and South American countries, including topping the Vietnamese chart.As the follow-up to the South Korean star's previous global smash hit "Gangnam Style," Gentleman satirizes a tacky man who calls himself a gentleman.The new single is similar to Gangnam Style in its fast tempo and the use of electronic sound as well as its more addictive chorus led by the would-be catchphrase, "I'm a mother, father, gentleman."The new song employed more English words and toned down the Korean-language elements compared with Gangnam Style, in its apparent bid to draw more foreign audiences.Psy plans to hold a concert titled "HAPPENING" at a football stadium in western Seoul later in the day where he will also showcase his new music video, according to Psy's agency YG Entertainment.The music video, along with his new dance moves, then will be unveiled on YouTube, YG EntertainApr 13, 2013
Lotte Chilsung tops Korea brand power ranking Lotte Chilsung’s Del Monte Juice, which has consistently been evaluated as a top brand in the juice sector for the 15th consecutive year, received the “Golden Brand” title for the 15th consecutive year, Wednesday. It has topped the segment in the the Korea - Brand Power Indexes (K-BPI) since they were first published.Lotte Chilsung offers such varieties as “Del Monte Premium,” “Del Monte Original,” and “Squash Plus.”Previously six juices received “Safe food for children” quality certification in 2010 and will seek to expand this sub group of products.It plans to be the unrivaled number one, by beefing up “cold” categories, such as “Del Monte Cold” and “Del Monte Cold Vitamin Plus.” Apr 12, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Psy is now 'Gentleman' Right: Singer Gil Sung-joon, right, whose stage name is Gil, smiles with Psy and comedian Yoo Jae-seok sitting behind. All seven cast members ofthe popular reality TV show “Infinite Challenge,” including Gil and Yoo, and Gain of the girl group Brown-eyed Girls appear in the “Gentleman”music video that will be unveiled during Psy’s concert at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Saturday evening. Left: Psy smiles with YG Entertainment chief Yang Hyun-suk while watching the “Gentleman” music video at Yang’s office. Captured from Psy’s TwitterAnother global hit hinges on dance and music video that will air tonightBy Park Si-soo Psy has released his much-anticipated new song “Gentleman,” infused with his signature self-mocking humor. The 36-year-old rapper and songwriter released the song through major music-trading websites including iTunes, Friday. He will hold a concert Saturday at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, during which he will reveal his dance routine and music video for the new song. The concert willApr 12, 2013
It's 'Gentleman' time! Another global hit hinges on dance and music video that will air Saturday nightBy Park Si-soo Pop star Psy will perform his highly anticipated new song “Gentleman” for the first time during his concert at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Saturday evening.After the techno beat audio was released a day earlier through major music-trading websites such as iTunes, Psy fans around the world are expected to watch the 36-year-old’s unveil the dance moves and music video for the new song during his Happening concert, which will be streamed live on YouTube starting from 6:30 p.m. (Korea time).Gentleman was co-produced by Psy and renowned songwriter Yoo Gun-hyung, who also created “Gangnam Style.” The choreography is by Lee Joo-sun.Music critics and entertainment industry insiders are waiting avidly to first see the dance routines and the music video because they are considered “crucial” to retaining Psy’s international status.“Gangnam Style was a good song by itself. But its popularity wouldn’t have grown that much without the siApr 12, 2013
