Lifestyle - The Korea Times

HS Seoul Mayor Wins UN Public Service Awards

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon received United Nations Public Service Awards at the UN Public Service Day Celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York, Tuesday, on behalf of the capital. Seoul won two awards. Arisu, the bottled tap water brand initiated by Seoul City, won for improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness; and Oasis, the online proposal system, won for fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanisms. Established in 2003, the awards are given to public organizations and agencies showing excellence and professionalism in the public sector ``In essence, Creative Governance _ our modus operandi _ is about improving our work processes with creativity and imagination to ultimately enrich the quality of life for our citizens and to enhance city competitiveness.'' Oh said. ``The Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to work hard with the aim to transform Seoul into a more attractive city through this.'' The water system allows Seoulites to access up-to-date information on the quality

Jun 24, 2009

Korean Ballet Duo Wins Second Prize in Moscow Competition

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter South Korean ballet dancers Lee Dong-hun and Kim Ri-hoe won second prize in the duet division at the Moscow International Ballet Competition, according to the Korea National Ballet Company, Friday. This marks the highest honor and the third time for Korean dancers from the KNBC to be given an award. Kim Yong-gul won third prize in the male's solo category in 1997, while ballerina Kim Joo-won took home the same prize in the female solo category in 2001. ``It was so difficult to perform here where I don't understand the language. I only had Lee's support and we told ourselves before standing on stage to do our best. I'm so happy for both of us,'' Kim was quoted as saying by the KNBC after her win. Lee, 23, who entered the local troupe in 2008, is one of the KNBC's up-and-coming dancers. First garnering the main role in ``The Nutcracker'' the same year, he received critical acclaim for his performance as the prince in French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot's ``Cinderella'' early this year. The 22-year-old Kim joined KNBC in 2006

Jun 19, 2009

Rocker Kim Jong-seo to Perform at UN Stage

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Korean rocker Kim Jong-seo will perform at the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) ceremony June 23. It is the first time for a Korean singer to perform at an official event held by the United Nations. "Kim is thrilled as he will have the chance to introduce Korean pop culture where diplomats, political leaders and other government officials will be present,'' his agency said through a statement, adding that he will join other artists from around the world at the event. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will also be present. Kim, who made his debut in 1987, is one of Korea's most famous rockers with songs like "Winter Rain'' and "Beautiful Restrain.'' Known for his powerful voice and vocal range, he has also been recently appearing in dramas and sitcoms. Kim left the spotlight eight months ago to work on his new mini album and will return to fans this July. The UNPSA is the most prestigious recognition of excellence in public service. Held every year, UNPSA aims to recognize the institutional contribution made by public serv

Jun 19, 2009

Lee Se-dol Fails to Attend Game Due to Flu Test

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Lee Se-dol, the 26-year-old top Korean baduk player, failed to participate in a Chinese league held in Hangzhou _ because he was included in the list of passengers who needed to take an influenza A test. According to the Korean Embassy in Shanghai, Lee arrived in China Wednesday and underwent the influenza test until 1:30 a.m. Thursday. He was forced to undergo the examination because his body temperature was 37 degrees Celsius, a little bit higher than average of 36.7. He was not diagnosed with the virus but it was too late. Lee could have participated in the game if the test was done by 10 p.m. Wednesday. ``We explained the situation to the Chinese authorities but it was not accepted,'' said an official representing Lee. ``He felt unfairly treated and doesn't want to participate in the next Hangzhou game in the coming week.'' Lee has reportedly been in a ``sour relationship'' with the Korea Baduk Association because he declined to participate in the 2009 Korean Baduk League. Lee has also been at loggerheads with the association for

Jun 18, 2009

Former Lawmaker Cho Se-hyung Dies

Cho Se-hyung, an advisor to the main opposition Democratic Party, and a former journalist and ambassador to Japan, died at the Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul, Wednesday. He was 78. According to an aide, he suffered a stroke on June 1 and underwent surgery, but failed to regain consciousness. The stroke occurred only two days after the funeral of the late President Roh Moo-hyun. “He seemed to have been affected hard by Roh’s death,” the aide was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency. A former managing editor of the Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times, Cho was a key founder of the Kwanhun Club, a fraternity of senior journalists. Born in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, Cho began his political career in 1979 when he was elected to the National Assembly on the ticket of a now-defunct opposition party. A funeral service will be held at the medical center Saturday before his burial in his hometown of Gimje. Cho is survived by two sons, Sung-hun and Sung-ju, and one daughter. jckim@koreatimes.co.kr

Jun 17, 2009

Korean Woman Breaks Longest Singing Record

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Kim Seok-ok, a 54-year-old singer and poetess, has set the world record for the longest singing marathon by a single person, gaining approval from Guinness World Records. According to the Korea Record Institute (KRI), Kim sang for 76 hours and 7 minutes in February at a karaoke room in Seoul. ``I am glad, as I showed off Korean women's power and challenging sprit to the world,'' Kim said. ``I wish this would give hope and courage to people in these hard times.'' The previous record of 75 hours was set by American Marcus Lapratt in August 2007. Kim set the record in the same category in February 2002, reaching 59 hours, but Lapratt then surpassed her achievement after just four months. In her bid to regain the title, Kim sang 1283 songs from 11:14 a.m. on Feb. 18 to 3:21 p.m. on Feb. 21. According to Guinness World Records rules, she was allowed to take 30-second breaks between songs and five minutes every hour, with the same song not to be repeated within four hours. The KRI videotaped her challenge and sent it to the world r

Jun 17, 2009

Rhie Gets Air Force Academy Diploma After 54 Years

By Park Si-soo Staff Reporter A retired professor has received an honorary graduation certificate from the Korea Air Force Academy 54 years after dropping out. Rhie Joo-sung, 73, was granted the honorary graduate status on the occasion of the school's 60th anniversary. He was the oldest among 24 unsuccessful trainees who received the honorary graduate certificates on June 10 for their contribution to the school and society. ``I have missed this school for the past five decades. I would like to express my gratitude to the school authorities,'' Rhie said. He entered the academy in 1955, but had to leave in 1957 after failing to meet basic academic requirements. Rhie transferred to Chung-Ang University to major in economics and earned a masters degree in the same subject from Seoul National University. After studying in Germany and Switzerland, he earned a doctorate in economics from Korea University in 1980. Rhie worked as professor for 18 years at Sungshin Women's University in Seoul. pss@koreatimes.co.kr

Jun 16, 2009

Transformers Director Apologizes for Delay

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Director Michael Bay, who recently visited Seoul with actors Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf to promote ``Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’’ (Transformers 2), issued a formal letter of apology for the delayed premiere and press conference. The Hollywood stars flew in through Gimpo International Airport on the evening of June 8. Their delayed flight, poor road conditions due to heavy rain and rush hour traffic meant the red carpet event in downtown Seoul started an hour and a half late. More than 2,000 fans and press waited while local organizers provided no coherent explanation. While the holdup for the premiere was not unreasonable given the circumstances, nevertheless, when the press conference the following morning was also postponed for almost 30 minutes, criticism mounted and some reporters were seen leaving. ``The cause of my being 30 minutes late to the press conference the following day was singularly due to me,’’ wrote the 44-year-old director in a letter released by CJ Entertainment, the domestic distributor of Transformers 2. The ev

Jun 15, 2009

Two Members of Wonder Girls Quit School for US Debut

By Han Sang-hee, Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporters So-hee and Sun-mi (or Mimi), the two youngest members of the five-member K-pop group Wonder Girls, have withdrawn from high school to pursue the group’s American debut this summer, their management agency confirmed Monday. Sun-mi, 17, and So-hee who turns 17 on June 27, decided earlier this month to leave Cheongdam High School and Changmun Girls’ High School, respectively, after discussions with their parents, Han Soo-jung, PR manager of JYP Entertainment, told The Korea Times. ``They found it difficult to balance their careers and schoolwork, so they discussed (the prospects of leaving school) with their parents. It isn’t unexpected news,’’ she said. Han said the girls will consider the possibility of home schooling and taking ``geomjeonggosi’’ or a qualification exam that would be the equivalent of a high school degree as they pursue their careers in the United States. The Wonder Girls’ U.S. album will be released around September or October, she said. The group will appear June 27-Aug. 29 across the U.S. as the opening

Jun 15, 2009

Yang Becomes Vice President of Intl Ombudsman Institute

By Kim Jong-chan Yang Kun, chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), was elected vice president of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) on June 11. During the IOI general assembly session held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 8 to 12, Yang won overall support from member countries in the election, according to ACRC officials. Participants in the meeting voted to elect members of the IOI board of directors, who then elected the vice president. The IOI general assembly is held every four years, with this year marking the 200th anniversary of the creation of the ombudsman. Established in 1978, the IOI is an organization of 138 ombudsman offices worldwide. jckim@koreatimes.co.kr

Jun 14, 2009

People & Events

People & Events

HS Seoul Mayor Wins UN Public Service Awards

Korean Ballet Duo Wins Second Prize in Moscow Competition

Rocker Kim Jong-seo to Perform at UN Stage

Lee Se-dol Fails to Attend Game Due to Flu Test

Former Lawmaker Cho Se-hyung Dies

Korean Woman Breaks Longest Singing Record

Rhie Gets Air Force Academy Diploma After 54 Years

Transformers Director Apologizes for Delay

Two Members of Wonder Girls Quit School for US Debut

Yang Becomes Vice President of Intl Ombudsman Institute

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