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Seoul theater to celebrate Ken Loach

“The Wind That Shakes the Barley’’ (2006). / Korea Times fileBy Kim Tong-hyungThe Cinematheque Seoul Art Cinema will hold a special screening of the works of British auteur Ken Loach from May 20 to June 1.The program, titled “Ken Loach and the Spirit of the Times ― Red & Blue,’’ will revisit 10 of Loach’s definitive works, including “Kes’’ (1969), “Riff-Raff’’ (1991), “Raining Stones’’ (1993), “Land and Freedom’’ (1995) and “The Wind That Shakes the Barley’’ (2006).Throughout his career as a director, the left-leaning Loach has become known for his commitment to dealing with issues of working class struggles and lower-class realities.For more information, visit www.cinematheque.seoul.kr.

May 13, 2014

Looking for missing Danwon couple at memorial altar

 By Joel LeeThe owner of a street food vendor selling ``tteokbokki,’’ or rice cake in red pepper sauce, in front of Danwon High School said he has been devastated by the last month’s ferry disaster that killed the school's hundreds of students.Lee Jong-deuk, 56, said he has visited the joint memorial alter for the late students and particularly remembers a student couple who bought from him frequently. Both are believed to be dead.``They frequently ordered a single portion of tteokbokki but I gave them more,’’ Lee told vernacular daily Hankyoreh.Lee remembers their last visit three days prior to the disaster on April 13. They seemed silent and sullen perhaps after a fight. “Did you two fight? Be good to each other!” he said.“Ajeossi (mister), it’s our 100th day anniversary next month!” the girl replied, brightening up after eating the extra tteokbokki Lee offered.When Lee told them to visit his stand on their anniversary for free tteokbokki, they promised to bring him a gift from their trip to J

May 12, 2014

Returned royal seals to go on display

The National Palace Museum will exhibit from May 18 to Aug. 8 the nine Korean royal seals that were returned from the United States last month, six decades after they were taken during the Korean War (1950-1953). By Kim Tong-hyungAn exhibition at the National Palace Museum will highlight the royal seals of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) that were returned from the United States last month, six decades after they were taken during the Korean War (1950-53).The exhibition will open on Tuesday and continue through Aug. 3. The nine royal seals brought back from the U.S. include three seals of the Korean Empire and five signets of the Joseon royal court.Among them is the Hwangjejibo (Seal of the Emperor), a national seal made upon the establishment of the Korean Empire in 1897 by King Gojong of the Joseon Kingdom. The seal is deemed highly significant historically as it symbolizes King Gojong's will for independence.“They are previous Korean cultural assets that symbolize the king's efforts to demonstrate worldwide the dignity of an empire and build an independent state,’&

May 12, 2014
Returned royal seals to go on display

Tilting hotel scares area residents

Construction workers believe that this unfinished hotel in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, which was expected to be completed within this month before it tilted to one side on Monday, is in danger of collapsing. / Yonhap By Kim Tong-hyungFuture travelers were saved from a possible disaster on Monday when an unfinished hotel in Asan, Chungcheong Province, abruptly titled to one side, just two weeks before the building’s scheduled completion.Construction workers say that the seven-story building, which was to combine hotel accommodation with office spaces, is in danger of collapsing at any time. No injuries were reported as no one was inside the building when it began to tilt.  “I suddenly heard a loud noise, like a mountain of bricks was coming down,’’ said a worker who was at the construction site of another building adjacent to the hotel.“I looked in that direction and the building seemed to be falling down. I got further away from it as I could.’’Police have been restricting access near the site and cut off electricity to the bu

May 12, 2014
Tilting hotel scares area residents

Is 'bat flipping' getting out of control?

 Let it fly, Choi Jun-seokBy Kim Young-jinSome call it entertaining bravado. Others say it’s disrespectful.Whichever way you see it, Korean baseball players are building a reputation for their epic “bat flips.”If you’ve never encountered this act, it’s pretty much what it sounds like: After making contact with the ball, a batter flips the bat away, often sending it spinning several meters through the air.This is often accompanied by some serious preening as the batter watches the ball as it travels.Certain Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) players are among the world’s best _ or worst, depending on how you see it _ bat flippers.Here’s a montage of six bat flips that occurred on a single night, May 10, complied and uploaded to YouTube by MyKBO.net, an essential English language site about the league. We’ll leave up to you to decide how such moves would fare across the pond in Major League Baseball.Of course, batters in Korea aren’t the only ones sending the bats flying. Remember this flip by Los Angeles Dodgers sparkplug

May 12, 2014
Is 'bat flipping' getting out of control?

Comedian debuts as UFC round girl

By Ko Dong-hwanMaeng Seung-jiComedian Maeng Seung-ji, who is equally popular for jokes and movie-star looks, is preparing to debut as a ring girl for Road FC, the country’s largest combat sports promotion.The 29-year-old will circle the canvas holding numbers at Road FC 015 at Wonju Gymnasium in Gangwon Province on May 31, Road FC said.Maeng, a self-confessed fight fanatic, has also been cast for the upcoming reality television show “Crying Fist-Tokyo Express,’’ which will pit together amateur mixed-martial arts (MMA) enthusiasts. The show will air its first episode on May 25.

May 12, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan
Comedian debuts as UFC round girl

KARA to pick new member through reality show

KARA / Courtesy of DSP MediaBy Kim Tong-hyungKARA, the sexy K-pop girl group, will hold a television contest to pick its fourth member, according to their management agency DSP Media on Monday. KARA had been a four-member unit before Nicole Jung left the group in January.``After a long discussion, the KARA singers agreed it would be best for them to welcome a new member,’’ DSP Media said in a statement.``We have discussed various possibilities on the ways to pick the new members. Holding a contest among our trainees will help us generate excitement and invite fans to the process.’’The first episode of the contest, titled ``KARA Project,’’ will be aired on cable channel MBC Music on May 27.Since their debut in 2007, KARA ― currently composed of Park Gyu-ri, Han Seung-yeon and Goo Ha-ra ― has gained immense popularity in Korea and Japan with their hit songs such as ``Honey’’ and ``Mister.’’

May 12, 2014
KARA to pick new member through reality show
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