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
Korean fairytale selected as Best Book of Year in Poland Granice.pl, a renowned Polish online literary organization, has selected, a renowned Korean fairytale book, “Leafie, A Hen Into the Wild” by Hwang Sun-mi, which was translated into Polish, as the Best Book of the Year 2012. / Courtesy of Literature Translation Institute of KoreaBy Chung Ah-youngA renowned Korean fairytale book, "Leafie, A Hen Into the Wild" by Hwang Sun-mi has been selected as the Best Book of the Year 2012 by the online literary community in Poland. Granice.pl, a renowned Polish online literary organization, selected the book as the year's best work based on votes from readers and literary critics in the children and young adult literature sector. The novel was chosen as the Best Book of Spring 2012 in the same category. With the support of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea last year, it was published in Polish by Kwiaty Orientu, a publisher keen on introducing Korean books, in February 2012 there. The publisMar 7, 2013
'Larva' embraces all ages Korean cartoon dreams about success of Angry Birds scaleBy Chung Ah-youngOn the one side there is Pororo the penguin, a cartoon character, as popular as air among children in their preschool years. On the other side there is Larva, which could be loosely described as an edgier version of Tom and Jerry with the cat and mouse replaced by a pair of slugs.After first appearing in 2011 on national network KBS and cable, the short, slapstick episodes of Larva have become firmly established as one of the most popular cartoons on television. They are a refreshing addition to the Korean animation scene, which has been overflowing with children’s cartoons but lacking smart and witty work that adults could find funny too.Although the immensely popular Pororo triggered the explosive growth of the Korean cartoon industry, the creators of Larva believe the next phase of growth will be driven by works like their own. Various characters appearing in “Larva,” a popular animation created by Tuba Entertainment“We were thinking about adult viewers from the start anMar 7, 2013
Master calligrapher seeks ultimate spirit of lines Calligrapher Jung Do-jun checks brushes at his work room in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on Mt. Nam during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chulBy Shim Jae-yunAn artist in the truest sense may pursue an essential masterpiece that can be seen as a result of his or her total dedication throughout life. That may be the reason master ceramic artists, for instance, without hesitation break seemingly flawless artworks with which they are personally dissatisfied.As music is the art of sound, brush calligraphy is the art of lines. As a singer of traditional Korean pansori usually has a dream of “deugeum” (obtaining sound), so do most calligraphers seek “deugseon” (obtaining lines).For Jung Do-jun, 65, who uses the penname So Hun, deugseon has been the ultimate goal throughout his life. “It Mar 6, 2013
'Little Psy' debuts as singer "Little Psy" Hwang Min-woo poses during the launching ceremony for his debut album in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, Wednesday.By Park Si-soo A nine-year-old boy known as “Little Psy” who leaped into stardom when he featured in the rapper’s “Gangnam Style” music video, has debuted as a singer himself with the release of his first album.Hwang Min-woo hosted the launch ceremony for his debut, “Show+Time,” which features mostly upbeat songs with catchy tunes, at a convention center in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. “I want to be a singer who is internationally-recognized like Psy,” said Hwang, wearing a blue suit, black bow tie and familiar sunglasses, and seeming nervous of performing before a roomful of reporters and photographers. “I will do my best to join the U.S. Billboard charts top 10 with this album.” The album was produced under the guidance of executive producer Lee Jung-min and a team of composers, called G-Bro. Hwang’s management agency, Star Zone Entertainment, said the album has already caught Mar 6, 2013
CNBLUE to perform June 1 in SydneyThe dates for pop rock band CNBLUE’s overseas concerts are out, where the foursome will become the first Korean group to perform solo in Sydney Australia on June 1, FNC Entertainment announced Monday.The stop in Sydney is part of CNBLUE’s maiden overseas tour dubbed “Blue Moon.”The group will start their overseas schedule April 6 in Taipei Arena, Taiwan, followed by an April 13 performance in Singapore, May 4 show in Thailand, May 11 in Hong Kong and June 15 in the Philippines.The FNC Entertainment official said that they were also in the process of setting the schedule for concerts in Europe and the Americas.Since debuting in 2010, the group has gained instant attention. Its recent fourth mini-album “Re:Blue” and its single “I’m Sorry” remains in the top 30 after its release on Jan. 14.Mar 5, 2013
Lee Hi to release new albumTeen sensation Lee Hi, 16, whose debut single “1,2,3,4” was a big hit last year, will release a new mini album, “First Love,” Thursday, and a second on March 21 her agency YG Entertainment said Monday. Each will consist of five songs.The first single from the album titled “It’s Over,” which is the work of duo composers Lydia Paek and Robin and written by Masta Wu, will be made public Thursday. For the set of songs that will be released later, YG’s producers Teddy and others have had their input. YG has put up the list of the songs from the album on its blog at www.yg-life.com, raising anticipation for their release. The singer, whose soulful husky voice commands wide range of fans, was the runner up at the first Audition K-pop Star in 2012, an audition program hosted by SBS. After winning second place, Lee signed up with YG Entertainment, which is also home to world star Psy. Park Ji-min, who won first place, has signed up with JYP Entertainment. Mar 5, 2013
International Textile Fair to open in DaeguBy Shim Jae-yun A global fair for the textile industry will take place at EXCO in Daegu from today for a three-day run. The International Textile Fair 2013 will attract some 20,000 participants including foreign businesses from 20 countries. The event, also called Preview in Daegu (PID), the 12th of its kind, is being hosted by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Textile Industries. It will be the largest ever in size with the participation of 337 companies with 638 booths, compared to 322 firms and 600 booths last year. Of particular note, the number of foreign companies coming to the fair rose to 90, from 66 last year. Boosted by the recovery in textile markets and economic stimulus measures in China, an increasing number of foreign firms from Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India and Thailand have been applying for participation. The brisk participation from the foreign businesses has also been prompted by the Chinese government designation of PID as Asia’s influential overseas exhibition, helping induce companies in Beijing and Shanghai to attend. An organMar 5, 2013
Young talents strive to break into JYPTrainees work up a sweat at the JYP Entertainment building in this undated file photo. Thousands apply to get into the training program at leading entertainment agencies, as“ hallyu”or Korean wave remains popular throughout the world. / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment Park Ye-rin, winner of JYP’s 10th open auditionBy Kim Ji-sooAt the Seoul Arts College (SAC) in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul on Feb. 17, JYP Entertainment was holding its 10th open audition to recruit trainees to pursue the “hallyu dream.”Jang Yeo-hun was sitting there with his younger daughter to watch his eldest Jang Jong-soon, 15, audition in the women’s dance division.“Initially, I was worried about her hope to pursue an entertainment career, but now I fully support her,” Jang said, as he readied his camera to take pictures. His daughter was among the 25 finalists from 1,000 that originally applied for the audition.The AriranMar 5, 2013By Kim Ji-soo
