Lee Young-ae promotes traditional Korean dishes in TV documentary

South Korean actress Lee Young-ae has returned to the small screen with a special documentary program dedicated to traditional Korean food and dining culture.Lee, who became a pan-Asia star after appearing in the hit drama “Daejanggeum,” is hosting the SBS documentary “Lee Young-ae’s Dinner” to explore the identity of the Korean people through their diverse food traditions and dishes such as the royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty.In the first episode, which aired on Sunday, the 43-year-old actr

TelevisionFeb. 3, 2014

Country with world’s heaviest drinkers: Korea

South Korea has the heaviest drinkers in the world, with its people downing 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average, according to a study by market research firm Euromonitor. (123RF)Russia followed Korea with 6.3 shots per week. Filipinos drink roughly 5.4 shots per week and Americans consume only 3.3 shots.The hard alcohol crown can be problematic at times. South Korea’s alarming alcohol consumption has led to outbreaks of drunken violence.A different study by medical journal The Lancet found

Life&CultureFeb. 3, 2014

Song Ji-hyo and Gary make a good couple, fortune-teller says

Actress Song Ji-hyo and hip-hop artist Gary, who co-star in SBS variety show “Running Man,” appear to be the best match in the program. In the latest episode that aired on Sunday, the stars carried out a special mission to find their “soul mates.” Song and Gary were found to make the best couple, according to a fortune-teller. 　“We were also very surprised. Experts found that the two stars have good chemistry,” said the show’s production team. 　The fortune-teller also raised the possibility of t

TelevisionFeb. 3, 2014

Heavyweight actresses gather for ‘Venus Talk’

Major local film house Myung Films’ latest project offers a rare opportunity to watch three of Korea’s most prominent actresses on the silver screen all at once: Uhm Jung-hwa (“Montage,” “Dancing Queen”), Moon So-ri (“HaHaHa,” “Oasis”) and Jo Min-soo (“Pieta”).Titled “Venus Talk,” (a literal English translation of the Korean title is the Law of Sensuality) the film is a screen version of the grand prize winner of the 1st Lotte Entertainment Screenplay Contest. It deals with the love, sex and wor

FilmFeb. 2, 2014

Worth more than the paper they’re drawn on

An extensive collection of paintings and drawings on paper by acclaimed modern Korean artists is on view at Gallery Hyundai, shedding light on one of the oldest and most common art mediums ― paper. The showcase of 132 works by 30 artists explores the significance of paper in the history of Korean art. The exhibits were created using diverse media including pencils, inks, watercolors and painting markers throughout modern Korean art. The modern art period in Korea encompasses the Japanese colonia

PerformanceFeb. 2, 2014

Crushed hopes in Egypt become art in New York

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The brutal aftermath of the once euphoric Egyptian revolution is on stark display in a powerful New York exhibition that lays bare grief, death and shattered hopes.Three years after protests first erupted across the Arab world, ultimately deposing autocratic rulers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, the hopes of millions now lie stagnant or in tatters.In Egypt, Iranian-American artist Shirin Neshat witnessed firsthand the evolution as she traveled between New York and Cairo mak

PerformanceFeb. 2, 2014

g.o.d comeback rumors continue

Nothing could bring back more nostalgic memories of the beginning heyday of K-pop boy bands than the news of the possible return of popular idol group g.o.d. It was previously revealed late last year that the stars of g.o.d. would be reuniting this year in honor of the group’s 15th anniversary. The rumor mill is continuing to circulate with the most recent claims that the members are already gearing up for a comeback and that they have already completed recording one track from their upcoming al

PerformanceFeb. 2, 2014

Oscar-winning actor Maximilian Schell dies

VIENNA (AP) ― Austrian-born actor Maximilian Schell, a fugitive from Adolf Hitler who became a Hollywood favorite and won an Oscar for his role as a defense attorney in “Judgment at Nuremberg,” has died. He was 83. Schell’s agent, Patricia Baumbauer, said Saturday he died overnight at a hospital in the Austrian city of Innsbruck following a “sudden illness.” It was only his second Hollywood role, as defense attorney Hans Rolfe in Stanley Kramer’s classic “Judgment at Nuremberg,” that earned him

FilmFeb. 2, 2014

Dylan Farrow breaks silence on Woody Allen abuse allegation

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The adopted daughter of Woody Allen has spoken for the first time about the alleged sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of the legendary Hollywood director during her childhood.In an open letter published on a New York Times blog, Dylan Farrow, adopted by Allen during his relationship with actress Mia Farrow, detailed being abused by the director when she was seven years old.“He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother’s electric train set. Then he sexually assau

FilmFeb. 2, 2014

Foreign interns face office culture shock

For foreigners joining the Korean workforce for the first time, addressing seniors and coworkers properly can be a major challenge. That is how Liu Jing, 24, from China and Mary Tarakey, 24, from Switzerland felt when they started interning at the Seoul Museum of Art headquarters.“It was really difficult to adjust to this kind of working atmosphere. There is a strict hierarchy between seonbaes (seniors) and hubaes (juniors), so you have to make sure to adjust properly to those who are above your

PeopleFeb. 2, 2014

Korea expects over 80,000 Chinese to visit for Seollal

Korea will see a large influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday starting this weekend.According to the Korea Tourism Organization, more than 80,000 Chinese tourists will visit Korea from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, up 12 percent from the holiday period last year, when 71,000 Chinese tourists came to Korea.Throughout last year, about 4 million Chinese travelers visited Korea, making up 35.5 percent of the total foreign tourist arrivals. The state organization anticipates the number wil

TravelJan. 28, 2014

Life devoted to photographing Mount Baekdusan

Mountain photographer Ahn Seung-il has always believed Mount Baekdusan holds the soul of Korean people. The mountain, straddling North Korea and China, is the starting point of the backbone of the Korean mountains. It has been regarded as a sacred place for many Koreans as legends surrounding national foundation originate from the mountain and the surrounding area. Ahn also believes he deserves the rank of best photographer when it comes to the mountain.With many years of experience photographin

PerformanceJan. 28, 2014

N’Dour ready to be flag-bearer for peace in Central Africa

DAKAR (AFP) ― Senegalese music icon Youssou N’Dour has told AFP he is ready to travel to the Central African Republic to spread his message of peace amid inter-religious violence which has torn the country apart.Speaking late Sunday at the recording of a single dedicated to reconciliation in Central Africa, N’Dour said artists had a role in talking about world events such as the CAR crisis and that music “allows us to take shortcuts” to speak to a wider audience.“We can participate in bringing p

PerformanceJan. 28, 2014

10 Korean authors heading to London Book Fair

A total of 10 Korean authors will be participating in the upcoming London Book Fair Korea Market Focus, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea said.The writers are Hwang Sok-young, Shin Kyung-sook, Kim Young-ha, Yi Mun-yol, Kim In-sook, Han Kang, Lee Seung-woo, Kim Hye-soon, Hwang Sun-mi and Yoon Tae-ho. Kim Hye-soon is a poet, while Hwang Sun-mi is a children’s writer and Yoon is a webtoon writer. The cultural program was jointly organized by the London Book Fair, the Literature Translat

BooksJan. 28, 2014