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Reality Show Lands Co-ed Dream Job

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Choi Eu-jung, winner of the cable reality show ``Her Beautiful Challenge: Announcer,'' says she has achieved her dream, but admits she didn't know what she was doing. ``I'd always wanted to be an announcer, but frankly, I was scared. I didn't think I had what it took to become one,'' Choi told The Korea Times a few days after her win. News anchors are one of the most desired jobs among young female university students. Requiring looks and brains, the process of becoming an announcer is one of the hardest and most competitive in the country. The cable network Olive, banking on its success with reality shows, teamed up with former news anchor Paek Ji-yeon to launch the program in June. ``During college, I wanted to be a professor but then thought it would be much better if I could share knowledge with viewers by appearing on television,'' Choi said. The program drew more than 2,000 contestants. Now the director of a famous speech and news anchor institute, Paek said she would not let make-up fool her. She had the contestants come to int

Aug 12, 2008

Ballerina Holds Tour for Provincial Areas

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Seoul this year has seen many internationally acclaimed dancers and troupes hold performances, but they have tended to be restricted to the major cities. To bridge this gap, renowned ballerina Kang Sue-jin gathered her friends for the tour ``Kang Sue-jin and Friends'' and performed in Ansan, Incheon, Geoje, Daegu, Gimhae, Pohang and Uijeongbu last month. ``Somebody has to start passing on culture to other provinces. Usually, people come all the way to Seoul to watch me perform. It was meaningful that it was the other way around this time: me visiting them,'' Kang said in an interview with The Korea Times. The youngest ballerina to join Germany's prestigious Stuttgart Ballet in 1986, she won a host of major awards including the Prix de Lausanne and Prix Benois de la Danse. She was also the first Asian honored as a Kammertanzerin, or chamber dancer, by the German government. Kang made headlines with her outstanding performances, but it was a single photo of her practice-worn feet that caught the attention of fans and fellow dancers.

Aug 11, 2008

Silver Medalist Weighs Getting a Boyfriend

By Sunny Lee Korea Times Correspondent BEIJING ― After grabbing an Olympic medal, a big cash reward and international fame and recognition, what more could a female Korean athlete want? Weightlifter Yoon Jin-hee, 22, who claimed the silver medal Sunday, is looking for a boyfriend. "Frankly, I didn't give it much thought before," she told a news conference late Sunday night in Beijing, hinting at her busy training schedule in preparing for the Olympics. But with more time on her hands to think about life in general, she realizes what's missing. "A man with a vision would be great," Yoon said. When asked to elaborate on her romantic ambition, she said, "I hope to meet someone whose character is compatible with mine. I think that's the most important factor." Yoon also dismissed a common perception that female weightlifters, based on their physical appearance, lack femininity. "We are also women. When we have time, we go out shopping and look for new clothes. We are as interested in make-up as other women are," she said. "When I'm on the subway, I don't grab the

Aug 11, 2008

Koreans Advised to Make More Proactive Role for Unification

By Sunny Lee Korea Times Correspondent BEIJING ― American Walter Keats has just returned from Pyongyang. He has been visiting North Korea since 1995. His job is to bring American high-class tourists to North Korea, which it allows only for the two months of the year, August and September, during the famous Arirang performance period. Keats spoke with Korea Times in Beijing about what he saw in North Korea. Korea Times: Did you see the Arirang performance this time again? Keats: Actually, we saw the first Arirang performance of the year. The Arirang was the best ever this year. We sat in the $250 seats ― the second most expensive ones for foreigners. I also noticed that the many of the most expensive $300 seats were empty. KT: A South Korean tourist was shot dead in the Mt. Kumgang tourist area in North Korea. Did you see any change of atmosphere there? Keats: Not really. I think when our group first went to the DMZ from the South Korean side, we saw the South Koreans were nervous. But when we then went to North Korea, the routine was the same. We didn't see anything

Aug 11, 2008

Hyorish Is Sexy, Friendly

By Min Hee-young Korea Times Intern Like her or not, pop icon Lee Hyo-ri has guts. Besides the usual suggestive photos and controversial lyrics, the pop diva's latest display of audacity is the name of her newest album. In typical Hyo-ri demeanor, the artist opted for a new spin on the standard self-titled album, with ``It's Hyorish.'' Rather than using her given name like most artists, she has invented a new word: "Hyorish" which is an adjective that describes all things Hyori. ``We tried to portray Hyo-ri's charms through the word `Hyorish.' There are a lot of celebrities who are sexy and many who are friendly and outgoing, but there are not many stars that can show these characteristics simultaneously. Hyo-ri is capable of both and `Hyorish' explains this,'' Mnet Media, her agency said. If that definition is unsatisfying, that's because the novel word is ambiguous, probably a deliberate marketing move to keep people talking. At age 30, it's been five years since Hyo-ri debuted as a solo artist, but there is no sign of her fame waning. Her third and most recent

Aug 10, 2008

Super Juniors Han Carries Olympic Torch

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Chinese member of the Korean pop group Super Junior has helped carry the Beijing Olympics torch. Han Geng, 24, completed his job as the torchbearer in the northeast area of Beijing, surrounded and cheered by spectators who lined the streets. ``It was the most special moment of my life. I am so honored and happy for the experience. I thank my Korean and Chinese fans for cheering me on,'' he was quoted saying. Other top stars who joined the torch relay include Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, China's first astronaut Yang Liwei and top actor Chen Baoguo. Beijing TV aired the torch relay live worldwide and introduced the singer as a member of one of Asia's top pop groups. Han was chosen via a Chinese online competition held by Coca Cola, the official sponsor of the Olympics, in March. He topped the Beijing vote as number one and was chosen as the torchbearer for his contribution in sharing Chinese culture with other Asian countries, including South Korea. The Olympic torch was lit March 24 in Olympia, Greece, and arrived in

Aug 8, 2008

Philathropist Singer to Hold Dokdo Essay Contest

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Philanthropist pop singer Kim Jang-hoon will hold an international essay contest on the Dokdo islets. Having run an ad in The New York Times to highlight Korean sovereignty over Dokdo, he said the winning essays will be translated into several languages for distribution to libraries and academic institutes worldwide. Kim said he would be the first sponsor of the event, urging companies and individuals to join later. The event needs estimated funding of $1 million. The rock star has taken part in a number of charity causes. He participated heavily in a campaign to stimulate the economy of Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, where a massive oil spill nearly destroyed the local eco system and farms. He has also helped Korean women forced to work as sex slaves for Japan during World War II. Last year, he donated more than $4 million to charity, though he lives in a simple leased apartment. bjs@koreatimes.co.kr

Aug 8, 2008

Koreans Love to Criticize Themselves

By Sunny Lee Korea Times Correspondent BEIJING ― One year ago, Beijing-based Al Jazeera reporter Melissa Chan had to pack her belongings at two hours notice, and fly to Seoul to interview the family members of the Korean hostages who had been kidnapped by the Taliban. Once in Korea, Chan became confused when she realized that she herself became the intense interest of the Korean media. Also, what she had originally thought a three-day assignment in Korea ended up extending into a month-long stay. As Koreans reflect on the Afghan hostage crisis that happened one year go, Chan has also offered her own perspective to The Korea Times on her experience of covering the news in Seoul. Korea Times: What was it like to be in Korea as an Al Jazeera reporter? Chan: To be perfectly honest, I was confused. We showed up, and very quickly, quite a large number of Korean media was following us everywhere. I was also surprised that within the 24 hours of our arrival, we were able to secure interviews with two family members who had had their children held hostages in Afghanistan. I sho

Aug 5, 2008

Philosopher Tim Scanlon Touches on Beef Protest, Dokdo

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The World Congress of Philosophy ― or what many call ``the Olympics'' of philosophy ― ended Tuesday after a week-long run. The event's 22nd edition, held for the first time outside of Europe and North America, attracted some 2,600 thinkers including renowned Harvard professor Tim Scanlon. The congress was an opportunity for both veteran and the rising generation of philosophers from all over the world to congregate, and be inspired by the non-Western backdrop. ``I'll be going home with more to think about,'' the 68-year-old Indianapolis native told The Korea Times. ``I was really struck by this sense of common history, which seems to be an important element in holding Korean society together.'' Scanlon's belief comes despite experiencing firsthand a candlelit vigil opposing American beef imports and bringing to light a clash between liberals and conservatives. As a ``zealot'' supporting freedom of speech, he said he wasn't bothered by the ``peaceful demonstration.'' But if rioters start attacking police, then it is not freedom of speech, he

Aug 5, 2008

Saju Expert Sheds Light on Life

Shin Hopes Korean Saju Will Become Popular Around the World By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Fortunetelling is booming throughout Seoul. Walk around the downtown area and you'll find many fortune tellers who claim to read your future using tarot cards or analyzing your palm. Korea has its own fortunetelling tradition called saju, or four pillars. Saju is a study of life by looking at one's four pillars: month, day, year and time of birth. It is based on Chinese astrology. Unlike Chinese fortune telling which is famous around the world, saju is hardly known outside Korea. Janet Shin, a saju expert, says that while Korean and Chinese saju are similar, she wants to make Korean saju more widely known and appreciated around the world. ``Chinese and Korean fortune telling are both based on Chinese astrology, so there's not much difference. The Chinese four pillars are a little more orthodox than Korean saju. Korean saju may be more real and practical. But the Chinese four pillars are well known because there are many scholars who have published books in English,

Aug 5, 2008
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