Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Obama's Christmas in Hawaii

U.S. President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, greets troops and their families on Christmas Day, Thursday, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, during the Obama family vacation. / AP-Yonhap

Dec 26, 2014

Plastic surgeon honored for serving children

Baek Rong-min, right, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, poses with Luca Dotti, co-chairman of the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund, after receving a plaque of the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Nov. 27. / YonhapProfessor Baek wins Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award By Jhoo Dong-chanBaek Rong-min, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, has won this year’s Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award for his 25 years of volunteer medical services to children at home and abroad.He received a plaque from Luca Dotti, co-chairman of the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund, at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Nov. 27.The 56-year-old surgeon is the first Korean to win the award.“It is glorious but I only did what I had to do,” Baek told The Korea Times.In 1989, Baek organized a small charity group and started the service with his elder brother Se-min, a pioneer figure in craniofacial surgery, to help children.“I a

Dec 26, 2014By Jhoo Dong-chan

Plastic surgeon honored for serving children

Maryland nominates first Korean-American secretary

Jimmy RheeBy Park Jin-haiJimmy Rhee, 58, has been proposed as Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs in the U.S. state of Maryland.Rhee’s appointment still requires confirmation by the state Senate, but if confirmed, he will be the first Korean-American to hold the position.The office is in charge of connecting small businesses as well as those owned by minorities and women to state contracts and procurement opportunities.“Without help and sacrifice of the first generation immigrants, I would not have had this opportunity. I will work hard to make minority- and women-owned businesses get a fair chance in the government procurement market,” he said.Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan, who takes office Jan. 21, named Rhee as a cabinet member nominee.Rhee, whose Korean first name is Hyung-mo, immigrated to America in 1971 and attended the University of Maryland before completing an M.B.A. at Johns Hopkins University and graduating from the law school at Georgetown University.He headed a government consulting firm, GTSC, as CEO and was appointed assi

Dec 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Maryland nominates first Korean-American secretary

Firefighters take semi-nude pictures to raise money for burned children

A firefighter models for the 2015 calendar made and distributed by the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters. He and 12 other firefighters posed for the photos to raise money for children suffering from burn injuries. / Courtesy of SMFDHBy Park Jin-haiA group of firefighters stripped off their uniforms to become semi-naked calendar models.Thirteen firefighters, who took part in a bodybuilding competition organized by Seoul Metropolitan Government to select the most physically-fit firefighters in May, decided to have their photos taken to raise money for the parents of burned children having financial difficulties for treatment.The Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters, which made and distributed the 2015 calendar, said that it adopted the idea from the United States and Japan where calendars featuring firefighters as models are hugely popular.The shooting took place over the past three months in Seoul.Two photographers, Kim Dae-hyung and Lee Jeong-bum, donated their talent for the goodwill mission.For each 10,000 won donated to the Hallym Burn Fo

Dec 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Firefighters take semi-nude pictures to raise money for burned children

Merry Christmas with McDonald's

Park Ji-han, center, a sophomore at Daekyeong Commercial High School in Seoul, holds a McDonald’s burger set, along with his homeroom teacher KimSeung-hwan, right, and a McDonald’s employee at his classroom, Wednesday. McDonald’s Korea donated 100 Bulgogi burgers and soft drinks to the school as part of its corporate social responsibility activities. Park won the top prize in the 3rd Korea Multicultural Youth Awards, hosted early thismonth by The Korea Times. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Dec 24, 2014

Ex-USFK commander awarded for enhancing S. Korea-US alliance

Former commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Burwell BellBy Jun Ji-hyeThe former commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Burwell Bell was conferred with the ICAS Annual Liberty Award earlier this month for his contributions to enhancing the Seoul-Washington alliance, according to ICAS, a non-profit international research organization. ICAS stands for the Institute for Corean-American Studies.Kim Sang-joo, senior fellow and vice president of the organization, said, “The ICAS Liberty Foundation conferred General Bell the award and the title of ICAS Liberty Foundation Distinguished Fellow at a celebration dinner held on Dec. 5 in honor of him at the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C.”Bell was recognized for his distinguished military service to the nation and the people, and making significant contributions to elevating the quality of humanity, said ICAS.During his acceptance remarks, the retired United States Army general said, “I accept the award on behalf of all the military personnel with whom I have soldiered over my 39 years of service in the U.S. Army.”He

Dec 24, 2014By Jun Ji-hye

Ex-USFK commander awarded for enhancing S. Korea-US alliance

Park releases essay on working moms

Comedian and show host Park Kyung-limBy Baek Byung-yeulComedian and show host Park Kyung-lim, 35, has recently released her essay book on working mothers.In her book, “Dream of Mom,” she interviewed 18 notable figures in Korea including actresses Hong Eun-hee, Chae Shi-ra, emcee Choi Yoon-young, film creator Shim Jae-myung, hanbok or traditional Korean costume designer Lee Young-hee and Seoul City women’s handball team coach Lim O-kyeong.“This is not just a book written by me. It is a book taking stories of 18 moms as well,” Park said to reporters at a cafe in Donggyo-dong, Seoul, Monday.Park said that she began planning the book two years ago and interviewed them last year.“One day, my son asked me what I wanted to be. At that moment, I realized that I have never wondered what my mother’s dream was. I just thought my mom is just a mom with four kids, not a woman who once had a dream to become someone in her past. So I began planning this project in a bid to ask mothers of today about their knowhow of managing their lives,” she said.The

Dec 23, 2014

'Trust building is key in insurance sales'

Park Sun-nyeo, a financial planner of Hanwha Life Insurance, holds a trophy given at the company’s annual awards in June. / Courtesy of Hanwha Life InsuranceBy Chung Ah-youngPark Sun-nyeo came to Korea from China in 1996, leaving two children and her husband behind, to earn money to repay her father’s debt.As so many other “joseonjok,” which means ethnic Koreans living in China, experience here, she has had to fight against social prejudice while working as a restaurant waitress and a Chinese language instructor over the past 10 years. Her life didn’t seem to be any better in Korea.In 2010, her close friend introduced her to the world of insurance sales. Since joining Hanwha Life Insurance, her life has totally changed. The 51-year-old won an award given to top rookie financial planners (FP) for the company when she first started the job in 2010. She generates insurance premiums worth 1 billion won annually and some 92 percent of her contracts are maintained. She is now in the ACE Club, which means she ranks in the top 3 percent of the company&rsquo

Dec 22, 2014

'Trust building is key in insurance sales'

Former actor seeks global sales of Muglids

 K&Lab CEO Kim Sung-il holds a coffee cup with his invention Muglid. / Korea Times By Jhoo Dong-chan Former actor Kim Sung-il used to enjoy drinking coffee while driving.One day, his tongue and lips were burnt when too much hot coffee poured into his mouth.That is when he decided to invent a silicone lid that can protect the tongue from scalding while not affecting the aroma of fresh coffee.“It’s impossible to taste and smell coffee properly with existing coffee cup lids used in Korea,” Kim said. “It is also sometimes dangerous to use those lids.”His invention, called “Muglid,” is gaining popularity among coffee lovers.His company, K&Lab, has signed contracts with CJ Foodville’s Twosome Place to provide the Muglids. K&Lab is also negotiating with another coffee shop chain, Holly’s Coffee.Kim is also targeting overseas markets.His lid design has been granted patents in about 30 countries including the United States, China and Japan.“I hope I can sign deals with multinational coffee shop franchises,&

Dec 19, 2014By Jhoo Dong-chan

Former actor seeks global sales of Muglids

MS Korea CEO reelected AMCHAM chairman

James KimBy Kim Yoo-chulMicrosoft (MS) Korea CEO James Kim has been reelected as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea)."Kim will lead AMCHAM throughout next year as the MS Korea country manager was reelected in voting by members," AMCHAM said Thursday.Kim has served as AMCHAM chairman since early this year. The extension of his term was decided by over 900 corporate members, with his re-election notified to them via e-mail.Officials say Kim has played a significant role in boosting partnerships between American companies operating here and Korean industry.Kim, a Harvard graduate, is fluent in English and Korean and fully understands the local culture and people."Under his leadership, AMCHAM's role inside Korean industries has grown. He knows how to talk with Korean companies and how to help them strengthen business ties with AMCHAM corporate members," said an official.Since February 2009, James Kim has led Microsoft here. Before moving to the MS Korea CEO position, Kim served as the CEO of Yahoo Korea from 2007. Kim has effectively handled key issues su

Dec 18, 2014By Kim Yoo-chul

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