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(1709) Cutest, handsomest in the world

(1708) Prettiest in the world

(1707) Steamed buns

72 countries to host TOPIK Korean proficiency test in 2018

Students take the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) at the University of Humanities in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, on April 20, 2008. / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooThe Korean proficiency test, which is necessary for foreigners seeking a job or education in South Korea, will be held at 223 locations in 72 countries next year, the test’s operator said on Friday.Each location will host five rounds of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) during the year –- the 57th test (April-14-15), 58th test (May 19-20), 59th test (July 15), 60th test (Oct. 20-21) and 61st test (Nov. 17-18), according to the National Institute for International Education.The 59th test will be held only in Vietnam, Iran, Japan, Cambodia and Thailand. Detailed information is available at TOPIK’s official website (www.topik.go.kr).The TOPIK score is essential for foreign nationals to enter a Korean university or apply for a job here.Free online TOPIK coursesThe Korea Times is running high-quality, free online Korean courses. The service primarily targets people looking for jobs at Korean companies&

(1706) Chemistry between two people

(1705) Drawn to attractive people

(1704) Brunch

AMCHAM to host special speech night in Seoul Nov. 22

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) will present a special “30 years of trade” speech night at Millennium Seoul Hilton, Nov. 22.Themed “30 Years of Korean Consumer Insights: the Tale of One Foreigner in Korea,” speaker David Richardson will examine Korea’s growth from a closed nation that opened up in the late 1980s to embrace consumer choice.“The conversation will touch upon Korea’s evolution from a closed, nationalistic nation that opened up in the late 1980s and embraced consumer choice to become today's fiercely competitive, world-class Korea, which still retains its Korean uniqueness even as diets, lifestyles and aspirations have changed with greater wealth and global exposure,” the event organizer said.Richardson has lived in Korea since 1985 and helped pioneer the development of the Korean market research industry.As an early provider of market research, he had a chance to do market entry research for most major marketing companies as they entered Korea after the market opened in the late 1980s.Since 2002 Richardso

Mike Park comes back with Bruce Lee Band

Korean-American musician upholds DIY musicBy Jon DunbarMike Park, a Korean-American musician and founder of the Bruce Lee BandKorean-American DIY music legend Mike Park is coming to Seoul to perform Friday and Saturday with his Bruce Lee Band on their fourth visit to Korea. This marks the band’s first live performances in over two years.Park made a name for himself performing in several ska-punk bands in the 1980s and 1990s, including Skankin’ Pickle and the Chinkees, before founding the Bruce Lee Band in 1995.In 1996 he started Asian Man Records, an indie label specializing in punk and ska. Through it, Park upheld the spirit of DIY music, releasing his own recordings as well as helping younger bands, including Less Than Jake and Alkaline Trio.“I've always done my own thing in terms of music and that keeps me quite sheltered in terms of popularity,” he said.As should be apparent in his choice of names, his Asian-American identity ― and the baggage it carries ― has been a big influence on his work.Prior to Park’s career, Asians were rarely visib

Burlesque show highlights body image

WhiteLies perform at this year’s Comic Con at COEX in southern Seoul. / Courtesy of WhiteLiesBy John RedmondExpat performance troupe WhiteLies BurlesqueRevue will present a new show at Bedrock in Haebangchon, Seoul, Saturday.Titled “Candy Shop Show,” the evening will see dancers Nell Fox, Bijou Bisou, Lottie Nik and Sapphire Rain perform with special guests from Daegu in a show typical of its “art through performance” philosophy.“WhiteLies BurlesqueRevue focuses on building a body- and sex-positive, inclusive community through unique and original works of self-expression performance art,” the group states on its Facebook page.Founded in 2011, WhiteLies is Korea’s oldest and longest-lasting expat neo-burlesque troupe.Each month the group puts on a unique show made up of a medley of original acts to match up with a theme.Performers come from different walks of life.“WhiteLies works to create safe spaces for all people to perform, regardless of gender, body type, or level of experience _ so long as you’re dedicated to performin