AKS seeks to expand horizon of Korean studies Chung Chung-kil, president of the AKSBy Chung Ah-youngFor sustainable development, the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) seeks to expand the academic boundary of Korean studies to encompass ancient history and present-day needs of social valuesThe institute said it will strike a balance through diverse research fields such as ancient history, community spirits and social awareness, to reestablish Korean values.The institute emphasized that national, social and public calls are rising for the nation to leap forward as an advanced country in cultural, moral and welfare aspects, which are proper for its economic standards. So it needs to research spiritual and social values as well as materialistic achievements. However, Chung Chung-kil, president of the AKS, said the recent academic situation can be a stumbling block in the further development of Korean studies, at a recent press conference. He said that over the last 10 years, young scholars of Korean studies have shown strong preference for the academic fields of the modern era, in which they can easily earn a degree.He said the institMar 17, 2013
Japan's nationalism targets hallyu stars A scene from “Gaksital” (Bridal Mask), a 2012 television drama, which is set during the Japanese colonial period in the 1930s. Courtesy of KBS Top photos are Joo Won, Song Il-kook, Kim Tae-heeand Song Joong-ki, who are finding themselvesavoided by Japanese producers and distributorsdue to their comments or activities related to Dokdo,Korea’s easternmost islets Japan argues it hasa historical claim to.By Chung Ah-youngThe continuing diplomatic tension between Korea and Japan has spilled over to the world of entertainment where some Korean stars are finding themselves shunned by Japanese producers and distributors. Actors Song Joong-ki, Joo Won, Song Il-kook and Kim Tae-hee are among the top Korean entertainers being ignored by Japanese television stations. Their comments or activities related to Dokdo, Korea’s easternmost islets that Japan argues it has a historical claim to, ruffled the feathers of right-wing groups in the neighboring country.Officials from the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) said that Japanese producers and broadcasters Mar 17, 2013
Funny or offensive? This screen capture shows comedian Lee Young-ja holding a human-shaped “husband chocolate” on “Saturday Night Live (SNL) Korea.” / Korea TimesCable shows push envelope with sexual contentBy Jung Min-ho Cable television comedy shows such as “Saturday Night Live (SNL) Korea” are blazing a trail — at least in Korea’s mostly family-friendly television scene — with their sexually provocative content. The country’s heavy-handed censorship authorities aren’t too pleased, saying the shows push the limits of acceptability.SNL Korea, which airs on cable network tvN, set a personal best in viewership for its March 9 episode when comic Lee Young-ja was seen lustily licking a human-shaped “husband” chocolate. According to Nielsen Company Korea, the episode scored a 2.78 rating, peaking at 3.9 percent, to lead all cable programs in the time format from 11 p.m. to midnight.KBS W, a cable channel associated with the state-run broadcaster, is also pushing the envelope. Its show, “The Restaurant for Women with WorMar 13, 2013
Group protests IU's TV drama Singer IU speaks to reporters during a press event for KBS television drama “You’re the Best, Yi Sun-sin” at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul earlier this month. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Kim Tong-hyungIU, the latest K-pop star to try her hand at acting, probably didn’t anticipate her new TV show becoming fodder for the odd news section right away.A nationalist youth group called DN filed for an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court against KBS television to stop it from using the name of 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) in its weekend drama starring the singer.In ``You’re the Best, Yi Sun-sin,’’ which premiered Saturday, IU plays the role of bubbly protagonist Yi Sun-sin, an unemployed slacker who daydreams of finding fame as a television star.DN was offended the shoMar 12, 2013
Midweek roundup: In case you missed it By Kim Tong-hyungHere’s your midweek update on the stories in entertainment and media you might have missed while reading about North Korea’s war-mongering, the Vatican’s Pope-pondering, or because your life is probably a lot more fulfilling than ours. Participants in a ‘Slut Walk’ protest had better carry full wallets from now. / YonhapDress sexily at your own perilLadies and gentlemen, you’ve been warned: Stroll around the streets dressed like a K-pop singer and you could be tagged with a fine of 50,000 won (about $46).The Cabinet on Monday approved a number of changes on penalties for minor offenses, which will become effective from March 22. These start with fines for anyone wearing overly-revealing clothes in public. Meanwhile the fine for stalking was set at 80,000 won. At least in the eyes of policymakers, neither of these actions is considered to be worse than ticket scalping, wMar 12, 2013
Hallyu Line POSCO to hold concert for interracial families POSCO, the nation’s top steel maker, will hold a concert for interracial families at its headquarters in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, on March 16. According to the Korean Institute for Healthy Family, the company will invite around 140 members of such families to the concert which will feature acclaimed violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill and the KBS Symphony Orchestra. This will be the second such concert after the company hosted the first event in July 2011.POSCO is at the forefront of supporting interracial families, organizing a variety of social initiatives and cultural events. Among these are Cafe Oasia, where immigrant women work as baristas, opened last month at the company’s headquarters in Seoul. It has also supported the Danuri Call Center, which has provided information about Korean life for immigrant wives since 2010. ‘Noodle Fish’ wins prize at int’l festival A Korean entry, “Noodle Fish,” by Kim Jin-man has won the gold prize in the category of short animated films at the 8th TMar 12, 2013
'Serious game' helps interracial children learn Korean By Chung Ah-youngMany interracial children living here whose mothers are from overseas have problems communicating in Korean at school. The number of such children here aged 6 or below reached 93,537 last year, an increase of more than 40 percent from 2009. Although they have access to textbooks, these are not helping them communicate on every day matters.To help them, a newly-developed online game for Korean language has been launched. “Hangeul Detective ― Hana and Duri” was developed by T3 Entertainment, a sister company of Hanbitsoft, a game publishing and development company, in association with Seoul National University’s language institute and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). It is a game with a serious purpose, focused on providing a mixture of Korean language education and entertainment. “There are many language learning games out there. But there is no other game like ours which encompasses listening, speaking, writing and reading. In that sense, it’s the first of its kind,” said Kim Seok-min, general manager of T3 EntertainMar 12, 2013
'Silver cafe' takes elderly back to old era A man eats from a lunch box at “Adding to Memories” a silver cafe mainly for elderly citizens in Nagwon-dong, Seoul, on Feb. 28. / Korea Times photo by Kim Ji-sooBy Kim Ji-soo“Silver Cinema” in Nagwon-dong, downtown Seoul, offers an oasis for the elderly in this district for young people.This cinema used to house Hollywood, one of the top movie houses in the capital before the multiplexes moved in.A ticket sells for 2,000 won for those 55 and older. The going price for a ticket in a “first-run” theater is 8,000 won.“Adding to Memories” is a café about 10 meters away from the theater’s entrance. From 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., the venue on the second floor plays music from the 1960s-1970s.“I feel very familiar with the music,” saiMar 11, 2013
Hallyu boosts cosmetics sales overseas market Cosmetics merchants tout their products in front of their shops in Myeon-dong, Seoul. / Korea Times fileActress Song Hye-gyo appears in a commercial for a new product of Amore Pacific’s LaneigeBy Shim Jae-yunApparently boosted by the growing popularity of “hallyu” (the Korean wave), the sales of domestically made cosmetics products in overseas markets have been increasing rapidly. Cosmetics makers are making the most of the popularity of the so-called K-beauty, launching new products with brisk marketing tactics in overseas markets. Industry sources say the “export effect” is all the more significant given that foreign tourists visiting here choose cosmetics on their preferred shopping list, mainly shopping at Myeongdong, the No. 1 destMar 11, 2013
Hollywood producer says 'dream big' Teddy Zee, Hollywood producer, talks about how Korean start-up companies shouldn’t be afraid to “dream big,” in an interview held in Gaheo-dong, Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Kim Ji-soo Chow Yun-fat stars in a scene in “The Replacement Killers.”Teddy Zee, a Chinese-American producer in Hollywood, knows how hard it is to break into mainstream. He spent his life and career learning how to do so.The 55-year-old has spent 25 years in Tinsel Town including as an executive vice president for Columbia Pictures and is known for championing Asian talent in Hollywood.The producer advised Korean start-up companies hesitant about going global to “dream big” and to “think big.”“When I was starting out, it took lots of money to make a movie or TV show. But technology has democratized the content business capital to do producing and writing,” said Teddy Zee, 55, who has produced such films as “Pursuit of Happiness,” and “Hitch.”He has brought Asian talent to Hollywood notably Hong Kong acMar 8, 2013
