Sex, truth, honesty in Scissor Sisters’ returnBy Ines Min The flashing lights in a club stream over the throbbing crowds as bodies mash together in rhythmic dance. The beating speakers overwhelm all sound, rendering conversation useless ― not that you’d be talking anyway. Everyone is singing along to the music, the lyrics of which speak both to the poetics and harsh reality of life and sex. The song selection of choice: the Scissor Sisters. Chances are if you haven’t heard of the Scissor Sisters, you’ve heard at least one of their tunes on the radio, a TV commercial or in a film. This U.S. band, whose hits include ``I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’’’ and ``Take Your Mama,’’ became synonymous with a blend of homage to ‘70s, ‘80s dance music that is impossible to ignore the beat of. Four years after their sophomore release, the group has returned with their third album ``Night Work.’’ Released in late June, the album has had a chance to make its rounds with the critics and sink in with the masses. The verdict? The Scissor Sisters have found their home, revealing a more realistic ― and party-loving ― side to them that was bounAug 10, 2010
Star couple seeks to lure more fans with new soapBy Han Sang-hee Television fans all recognize singer and actor Lee Seung-gi for his perfect guy-next-door image with a sweet smile and attractive personality but can he pull off a stuntman wannabe university student who has a thing for mysterious creatures? The makers of the new drama ``My Girlfriend is a Gumiho’’ (working title) would want a yes for an answer, as he is matching up with actress Synn Min-a and aiming to create yet another successful romantic drama series for television viewers. ```My Girlfriend is a Gumiho’ is like a gift box: It has funny, heartwarming and even heartbreaking elements all in one shot. We are all sure the series will be able to offer a bit of happiness to viewers,’’ Bu Seong-cheol, the producer, said during a press conference last week at SBS headquarters, in Mok-dong, northern Seoul. The storyline is simple: Cha Dae-wung, played by Lee, accidently wakes up the legendary gumiho, or the nine-tailed fox, that seeks revenge and lives on human flesh and livers. Surprisingly, the fox/human is nothing like the legendary character that appearAug 10, 2010
Show brings shopping, traveling to small screenBy Han Sang-hee Traveling around the world and searching for old and new curio is one of the biggest excitements in life, but for Keith Johnson, buyer for lifestyle store Anthropologie and host of reality show ``Man Shops Globe,’’ it’s his job and passion. ``The buyers are essential in our business. In the end it all comes down to the buyers finding inspiring merchandise,’’ he told The Korea Times in an email interview. The show is currently in its second season and although it seems to the viewer that Johnson has everything that would make a great show ―traveling around the world and shopping ― he didn’t imagine working on a television program at all. ``There are so many things that I see in my travels that I want to share. I never, for a moment, thought I would do a TV show. I know how much people love to shop, though, so I believed that if the filmmakers could get across just some of that experience, the show would find an audience,’’ he said. The camera literally follows Johnson as he works, present when he meets artists, fellow buyers and practically the world.Aug 8, 2010
Actress Kim to reclaim glory daysBy Han Sang-hee Among the many actresses in Korea, Kim Jung-eun certainly stands out from the crowd. Starting her acting career at the age of 20, she has earned a reputation of being a friendly and familiar star, in contrast to her peers who tend to hide from the public spotlight and only appear at a handful of promotional events. Rather than hiding her behind-the-scenes personality from the public, Kim, 34, has managed to steal the hearts of fans with her down-to-earth demeanor and natural smile, and she is aiming once again to bring back her glory days through the new drama ``I’m Legend’’ (SBS). Kim’s recent career moves have been somewhat under-the-radar compared to the past. ``General Hospital 2’’ (2008, MBC) failed to grab much attention, while ``Lovers’’ (2006, MBC) just stirred more interest in her relationship with then-boyfriend and co-star Lee Seo-jin. It seemed the actress could not move past her character from the hit series ``Lovers in Paris’’ (2004, SBS), and her image as the bubbly and likable Kang Tae-young just overshadowed whatever role she played. Aug 4, 2010
Docu-fest touches universal issuesBy Han Sang-hee The 7th EBS International Documentary Festival (EIDF) is kicking off this month amid high expectations for a bigger and better event than previous years. A total of 536 works from 83 countries will compete for the grand prize of 10 million won and also be screened for local audiences at various venues and channels including on television. Launched in 2004, the EIDF started with 115 works and gradually grew to become one of Asia’s favorite docu-fests. Along with top documentary events, including Canadian international documentary festival Hot Docs and Sunnyside of the Doc held in France, the festival is aiming to present more interesting and creative works and also invite and learn from top documentary experts through master classes. Under the theme ``Flying Over,’’ the festival will have docu-fans tuning their channels to EBS and checking the schedules for screenings at EBS Space, Arthouse Momo and the Korea Foundation Culture Center this month. The films The Festival Choice, the official competitive section, will have 12 works from around tAug 3, 2010
Koreatoday The next serving of hallyu?By Han Sang-hee Staff reporter The word ``hallyu,’’ or Korean wave, first appeared in the late 1990s, and it has been growing within the local entertainment industry over the years. The word, which referred to the popularity of Korean culture around the world, has now become a representative term when explaining and defining Korean culture. It refers to almost all cultural aspects_ from drama, music, food to fashion_ and as much as Korea would like to see some effects in other parts of the world, it certainly impacts the entire region of Asia. As multi-cultural exchange has been a common global phenomenon, Korea and its people need to keep an open and proactive attitude when examining and dealing with the current state of the hallyu. Is the wave waning? The biggest contributor of hallyu would be dramas, and this has not changed since the first generation of hallyu television series such as ``Winter Sonata’’ (2002, KBS) and ``Jewel in the Palace’’ (2003, MBC). They are still a favorite among fans and buyers, and one of the most important exports Korea must kJul 28, 2010
Chong So-ra crowned Miss Korea 2010By Ines Min Staff reporter After another warm and bright weekend, Korea awoke to a fresh new face Monday morning. Chong So-ra was crowned Miss Korea 2010 Sunday night at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul. Chong valiantly fought back her tears while being crowned by last year’s winner Kim Joo-ri. Dressed in a rich, navy blue dress, the doe-eyed beauty’s surprise and excitement was evident. It was only moments before the announcement came that the humble 19-year-old ― originally representing Seoul ― was asked who she would, in all honesty, like to see be crowned the winner. ``I can be greedy,’’ Chong started sincerely. ``But my heart also knows how to yield. I would like for all of us to win.’’ She will be the representative national face for the coming year, a responsibility she already has an affinity and skill for. Chong, who wants to be a diplomat, already speaks four languages (including English, Chinese and Japanese along with her mother tongue), and is enrolled at the University of California, Riverside. The young scholar is alJul 25, 2010
Top actress Lee Young-ae pregnantBy Ines Min Staff reporter Lee Young-ae, one of Korea’s top acting stars, is pregnant with her first child, management associates said Friday. ``Lee is currently pregnant,’’ representatives of Storm S Company said, adding that further details would be released later so that the excitement won’t distress Lee in her condition. The 39-year-old actress married a Korean-American in August 2009, in a low key wedding kept away from the prying eyes of the public. The sudden marriage in Hawaii came as a surprise to many of her fans. The only information Lee released about her husband was that he had graduated from an engineering college in Illinois and was working at an IT firm. Lee first made her debut on Korean TV as a model before moving on to gain popularity in dramas and films. Her role in ``Dae Jang Geum,’’ or ``Jewel in the Palace,’’ led her to reach a new level of hallyu popularity in Southeast Asian countries and Iran. Her film performances include a role in the 2000 ``Joint Security Area’’ and the lead in Park Chan-wook’s ``Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.’’ Though Jul 23, 2010
Birch, Bailey Rae to rock Jisan festBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter The lineup for the upcoming Jisan Valley Rock Festival is as colorful as a rainbow, but there are two particularly special female artists to watch out for during the event. American singer-songwriter Diane Birch and Corinne Bailey Rae from the U.K. are both coming to Korea for the first time, and local fans will have the chance to listen to their distinctive sounds live at the festival. The doe-eyed Birch was born in Michigan but lived in Zimbabwe and then South Africa with her Seventh-Day Adventist parents. Growing up all over the world may have made her feel lonely, as it was hard for her to make friends every time she moved, but the experience abroad has certainly worked to her advantage, adding a bit of originality and personality to her music and the way she sees the world. ``Because my parents were very conservative, I developed a real curiosity for the world and the exploration of life outside of their religion. Because I spent so much time in church as a child, I am very influenced by the musical structures of hymns. There is also a Jul 21, 2010
Enjoy summer with Pentaport, Jisan rock festsBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter Brush off the summer heat and frustration with two of the biggest rock events in Korea. With the Pentaport Rock Festival and the Jisan Valley Rock Festival just around the corner, music fans are getting ready to experience a rock 'n' roll fiesta with some of the most popular and talented bands from Korea and abroad. Pentaport Rock Festival The Pentaport Rock Festival is offering a lineup of Korean rock history that spans 30 years, from the oldest Wildflowers, to Kang San-eh, Crying Nut, Hot Potato to indie bands including Huckleberry Finn, Lee Jang-hyuk and gukkasten. Along with local sounds, the event has invited numerous foreign artists and bands, including Hoobastank, Stereophonics and Ian Brown. Groups from Taiwan (Wu Bai & China Blue) and China (Yunhoe) will also join the already colorful lineup. Divided into two main stages ― the Pentaport Stage and the Dream Stage ― event organizers are also preparing a sub-stage called Groove Night where DJs will perform for visitors all day and night. The Pentaport Rock Festival will beJul 14, 2010