Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Ex-Busan I’Park Boss Dies

By Kang Seung-woo Staff Reporter Former Busan I'Park boss Ian Porterfield of Scotland died of colon cancer Tuesday at the age of 61. According to the English media, the Sunderland legend was diagnosed with the cancer earlier this year and undergoing treatment. The former Black Cat scored the winner on his right-footed volley against then powerhouse Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup final at Wembley, to help the second division team lift the trophy. The Dunfermline native began his playing career with Raith Rovers in 1964 and moved to Sunderland in 1967 where he experienced his career-best moment. Porterfield played 266 games and fired home 19 times with Black Cats. He had also a loan spell with Reading and wrapped up his resume as a player at Sheffield Wednesday in 1979. On his retirement, he took charge of third-tier team Rotherham United and led Sheffield United between 1981 and 1986. In 1986, he succeeded close friend and current Manchester United headman Alex Ferguson as Aberdeen FC manager in the Scottish league. The deceased also coached Reading and

Sep 12, 2007

`Never Limit Your Dreams

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter What would you say if someone told you that you could turn your frustrations into a dream for tens of thousands of people around the world? Some might laugh, however, John Feight, the founder and executive director of the Foundation for Hospital Art says he did just that. Back in 1970s when Feight was a marketing professional, he started painting out of frustration over his daily routine and materialistic lifestyle. He invited one of his friends to paint with him on the wall of his clinic, thinking it might give relief to both himself and his friend. While he was drawing, a little girl came up to him saying she, too, wanted to paint. Seeing her have a great time, he decided to make others happy too. He began touring the hospitals and offered painting events for the patients and other volunteers. Now, with the help of more than 200,000 volunteers, over 30,000 paintings have been completed for more than 1,500 hospitals and nursing homes in 179 countries. He says painting draws attention away from the pains and aches patients suffer. ``Onc

Sep 11, 2007

Leading Violinist Busks `Round the World & Bach’

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter An internationally renowned violinist has cast off his black and white tuxedo to travel ``60,000 miles around the world on an empty wallet.'' All the way across London and Paris to Sydney and Tokyo, David Juritz arrived in Seoul Tuesday to continue ``busking,'' or performing on the streets, to raise funds for Musequality, a charity which supports musical education for children in the developing world. ``As a musician, I find that the moments that last happen outside the concert hall,'' the concertmaster of the London Mozart Players told The Korea Times at a guesthouse near Insa-dong, right after checking in and unpacking his bags. It is the South African native's second time in Seoul since visiting 18 months ago as the lead violinist in a crossover concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Korean rock band N.E.X.T., he said. ``It's a beautifully simple idea, and it took less than two minutes to come up with it,'' explained the lead violinist who plays on the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed film ``The Last King of Scotland'' (2

Sep 10, 2007

Skull and Mariah Carey to Co-star in Hollywood

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Korean reggae artist Skull, who is a member of the reggae duo Stony Skunk, will star in a Hollywood film, along with American pop star Mariah Carey. The film's title has not yet been released, but it will be produced by Morgan Carey, Mariah Carey's brother, who is also a promoter of Skull in the United States. In the film, the 28-year-old reggae artist will play the role of a reggae musician. The artist ranked fourth on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop sales charts with his first single ``Boom Di Boom Di'' in August. Skull is also featured in the Reggae section of iTunes, the biggest online music store in the U.S. His reggae songs gained popularity because of the animated music video. He has also released an animated ring-tone created by 3D animation studio Vision Scape Interactive (VSI). Skull's real name is Cho Sung-jin, and he is currently living in the U.S. He has already participated in several concerts and established ties with various musicians and DJs in the U.S. music industry. chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

Sep 10, 2007

Actor Kwon Alleges Blackmail by Gangster

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Actor Kwon Sang-woo said in a lawsuit filed to a local court Monday that he was blackmailed by a mobster, changing his court testimony made seven months ago. He sued Yuri International, his former agency, for not paying him his proper salary and asked the company to compensate him 1.8 billion won. He said his former agent ignored his being threatened by Kim Tae-chon, former boss of the Kwangju-based Seobangpa crime family. Kwon also said he asked the company several times to change his agent, but it refused to do so. Kwon gained stardom for his role in SBS hit drama `` Stairways to Heaven'' in 2004. He is one of the highest paid actors in the Korean entertainment industry and has a strong fan base in other Asian countries, particularly Japan. In February, the rugged looking actor shocked fans when he revealed having been blackmailed by the mobster trying to force him into attending a promotional event in Tokyo organized by a Japanese friend. According to voice recordings made from his home phone released by prosecutors, Kim warned Kwon tha

Sep 10, 2007

Jeju Pays Homage to Great Painter

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The artistic spirit of painter Kim Heung-su, whose art provided Korea a foothold in modern art, has found ground on Jeju Island. The 88-year-old has graciously donated 20 works to a special exhibition at the newly opened Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, located on the west side of the island. The artwork will be part of the museum's permanent collection. Born in Hamneung, North Korea in 1919, Kim went on to study fine arts at Tokyo University. Critically acclaimed since a young age, the painter has held exhibitions across the United States and Europe. He is most noted for his ``Harmonism'' between irreconcilable forms of expression such as abstract and concrete art. He transforms darkness into light, capturing repressed feelings with his fresh and creative imagination. This is the artist's first exhibition since a 2003 show held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. It has not been an easy task for Jeju Island, historically and geographically isolated from the mainland, to present a wide array of artwork. The museum, having just opened

Sep 9, 2007

Poet, Democracy Activist Becomes Professor

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Kim Ji-ha, a poet and environmentalist, was appointed chair professor of Dongguk University, the university announced Wednesday. Kim, the chief director of the Life and Peace Foundation, will teach ``life and environment.’’ The University was attracted to Kim’s work, which caused social respect toward life and green environment. ``He will apply Buddhist’s naturalism to his ideas in his lecture,’’ a spokesman of the Buddhist foundation-run school said. Kim graduated from Seoul National University and began his career as poet in 1969. He is known for raising a strong voice against the dictatorial government in 1970s. He was imprisoned after the publication of ``Five Thieves,’’ a parody of corrupt politicians, government officials and businessmen. Nevertheless, he did not stop writing and in 1974, he was court-martialed and sentenced to death. The news spread around the world and both national and international efforts rallied to mitigate his punishment to a life imprisonment. He was pardoned and rehabilitated in 1984. Recently, he

Sep 6, 2007

Legendary Tenor Pavarotti Dies at 71

Legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti died of complications of pancreatic cancer at his home in the northern Italian city of Modena Thursday, news reports said. He was 71. Local news agency ANSA was quoted as saying that he had died overnight and a hearse was in front of his villa in the town. Late Wednesday Italian media said his condition had taken a sharp turn for the worse with news agency AGI saying he was in "very grave condition." Pavarotti was discharged on Aug. 25 after diagnostic tests were completed to convalesce at home, 17 days of treatment at a hospital in Modena due to a fever. He underwent operation for pancreatic cancer in July last year, news reports said. He also had at least five rounds of chemotherapy. Following his surgery Pavarotti cancelled subsequent concerts, sparking fears that he might never perform in public again. He was forced to abandon a 40-concert farewell tour that began in May 2004. As the beloved tenor known for his spectacular voice and larger-than-life personality, the legendary tenor possessed a once-in-several-generations voice

Sep 6, 2007

Seoul National University Ex-President Chung Writes Autobiography

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Chung Un-chan, former Seoul National University president has written a book, titled ``Cool Head, Warm Heart.'' In the partial autobiography, he writes about his life after deciding in April not to run in the presidential race. Chung is one of the country's most respected economists, and political parties tried to lure him to be their candidate. He carefully thought over ways he might run in the election, but decided he preferred to continue to teach, announcing he was not going to run for the presidency. Now, having returned as a humorous but sharp-minded lecturer, he said he is no longer interested in politics. ``Late last year, everyone told me that I should be the president. However, once I announced my decision to quit, they all attacked and backstabbed me, making me out to be a hypocrite,'' Chung said, adding he was afraid of losing himself. ``I wasn't exactly a pro-government person, but I wasn't a conservative person either. The stress overwhelmed me and I suffered many nights from insomnia,'' he said. However, the book isn't

Sep 5, 2007

Independence Fighter Park Shi-chang Honored

By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has designated Park Shi-chang (1903-1986) as the independence fighter of the month in consultation with the Korea Liberation Association and the Independence Hall of Korea. Born in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, in November 1903, Park went to China and devoted himself to the independence movement of Korea with his father Park Eun-shik until his father's death in November 1925. He left National Central University in Nanjing in 1925 to join the army in Nanjing after graduating from Huangpu (Whangpo) Military Academy. He also served for eight years in the Popular Revolutionary Army. When the Shanghai incident, the short war between Japan and China, took place in 1932, he joined the Chinese Army to fight against the Japanese. He helped to recruit cadets of Kim Gu Military Academy in China. He studied military science at the most prestigious military school in China. Park was named as a high ranking officer of the Liberation Army in August 1943 and in October 1944 served as an advisor to the Provi

Sep 5, 2007

People & Events

People & Events

Ex-Busan I’Park Boss Dies

`Never Limit Your Dreams

Leading Violinist Busks `Round the World & Bach’

Skull and Mariah Carey to Co-star in Hollywood

Actor Kwon Alleges Blackmail by Gangster

Jeju Pays Homage to Great Painter

Poet, Democracy Activist Becomes Professor

Legendary Tenor Pavarotti Dies at 71

Seoul National University Ex-President Chung Writes Autobiography

Independence Fighter Park Shi-chang Honored

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