Photo of the Day

Korean Wave Hits Global Catwalks

The Korean Wave seems to have lapped over onto the global catwalk, where models from the peninsula, in the words of one magazine, are making strides "armed with a killer walk, crescent-shaped eyes, and stunning bone structure."

Korean models have been cast in the shows of luxury brands such as Alexander Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Miu Miu, Prada, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, and some of them have even become the "face" of some well-known brands.

From left, Yoo Jae, Park Ji-hye and Park Sung-jin 

 

 

Park Ji-hye (24) made her debut abroad in June, and has taken part in over 30 shows in the world's four major fashion weeks in London, Milan, New York and Paris. Models.com, which ranks models around the world, listed her as one of the "Top 10 Newcomers."

Kim Sung-hee (26) had her first fashion show abroad this spring and made a lasting impression. She became the first Asian to advertise Miu Miu. She also modeled for Italy's Benetton and French cosmetics chain Sephora.

Lee Kyung-eon at model agency ESteem, said, "Kim's unique Asian look and adroitness and her versatile expressions on stage make her a magnet to the eye."

Among male models, Kim Won became the first Asian male model to be featured in the 2013 Spring/Summer Prada fashion show in Milan in June. The 25-year-old also did shows for Costume National, Etro and Perry Ellis,.

Park Sung-jin (22) took part in shows for Marc by Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger. Yoo Jae (23), who was the first Asian male model on Calvin Klein's fashion show in February last year, had a prolific year with shows for Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana.

 

Kim Won (left) and Kim Sung-hee

What is it about Korean fashion models that has captured the industry? Dongduk Women's University professor and sometime model Kim Dong-soo said, "When I talk with foreign model agencies, the feedback I get is that Korean models are more active and lively than Japanese and more sophisticated than Chinese. Another strength lies in walking. Korean models go abroad after very rigorous training in Korea, so it makes them stand out."

Aile Model Company CEO Jeong Jin-hee said, "Korean models know how to make up for their lack of linguistic proficiency with their expressiveness. Their greatest strength is that they know how to express the feel of the clothes with their body." Choi Joo-soo of Choi Entertainment said, "These models who lead the Korean Wave in the modeling industry, are not popular just because they are Asian but because of their unique character and charm."

Top International News of 2012

The year 2012 was more than usually full of ups and downs around the world. Major world powers elected new leaders, and while in some countries the new faces were no different from the old, in others the results signaled important shifts. The global economic crisis showed no signs of abating and cast especially dark clouds over southern Europe. Civil wars and conflicts plagued the Middle East, killing tens of thousands of innocent people.

◆ Obama Re-Elected

Pitching a slogan of "forward," U.S. President Barack Obama was re-elected for another four-year term. Obama beat off a challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, who sought to judge the administration for failing to deliver on its economic pledges. He won the support of a wide variety of voters but faces a Senate dominated by Republicans.

 

U.S. President Barack Obama

◆ China, Japan Have New Leaders




The Chinese Communist Party elected Xi Jinping as the country’s new leader in mid-November, the first change in leadership in a decade there. The fourth generation of China's leaders headed by Hu Jintao will step down in March of 2013. China is expected to emerge as one of two global superpowers along with the U.S. over the next 10 years. But the new Chinese leader faces formidable tasks, including the huge gap between rich and poor and social unrest in China.


 Conservative Shinzo Abe, the chairman of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and proponent of strengthening Japanese military power, won by a landslide in general elections to return as prime minister. Abe briefly served five years ago but has since drifted significantly to the right. Pundits say Japanese voters shifted with him because they face a drawn-out recession and territorial disputes with neighboring countries.

Abe's election win is expected to dampen relations with Korea, since he is trying to justify the country's World War II atrocities. He has proposed scrapping past official apologies including one by former Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993 which acknowledged the existence of sex slaves from Asia and to a certain extent the role the Imperial Army played in their enslavement.




◆ Territorial Disputes Flare Up in Asia

After Japan announced in September it had bought the disputed islands in the East China Sea known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China from a private owner, bilateral relations chilled and even veered close to armed confrontation.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the Nanking Massacre on Dec. 13, when Japanese soldiers entered China and embarked on a vicious campaign that included mass rapes and killings of thousands of Chinese, a Chinese plane entered disputed airspace near the contested islands. And when China bolstered its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines turned to the U.S. and Japan for support, while Vietnam turned to India.



 ◆ Fiscal Crisis in Southern Europe Worsens

The fiscal crisis in southern Europe that began in 2009 continued to sap global economic growth this year. In June, Spain applied for 100 billion euros in emergency aid for its troubled banks, and the European Central Bank sought to put out the fire through outright purchases of risky sovereign bonds issued by troubled governments in the region.

The crisis also caused a political turbulence in the region. In France, the Socialists under Francois Hollande regained power for the first time in 17 years. More worryingly, in Greece parties of the extreme right gained a significant foothold. But the region has yet to see the end of the dark tunnel, with unemployment among young people soaring to 55 percent in countries like Spain and Greece.



◆ 'Arab Spring' Turns Bloody

Democracy movements in Middle Eastern countries either faced crises or escalated conflicts between rival groups, demonstrating just how difficult the political transition process can be.

The Islamist Mohamed Morsi was sworn in as Egypt's fifth president, but clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of a referendum proposed to revise the constitution. Meanwhile, civil war in Syria intensified leading to the death of more than 40,000 people. The "Arab spring" that saw falls of many autocratic governments in the region has turned into an "Arab winter."

Top 12 tourism spots of the past 50 years

Korea’s top twelve record-setting tourism destinations were revealed by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) at a celebration held on December 11 to mark the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

Out of 28 candidates with a significant record in the tourism sector during the KTO’s tenure, twelve tourism destinations were selected via online and mobile surveys conducted by the KTO.

 The Metasequoia Trail in Nami Island, the symbolic backdrop of Winter Sonata, is still a hot spot drawing fans of the drama all year round. It’s a wonderful place to take a stroll with loved ones (photo: Yonhap News).

[Memories of Winter Sonata remain in place]
Nami Island in the Bukhangang is famously known to Korean and non-Korean tourists alike as the filming location of Korean hit drama Winter Sonata. True to its nickname ”Republic of Trees,” Nami Island leads visitors down endless woodland paths. The Metasequoia Trail, in particular, has gained unprecedented popularity since actor Bae Yong-jun and actress Choi Ji-wu were featured walking together here in the popular drama. In addition, a collection of galleries, museums, exhibitions, and craft workshops are prepared with diverse cultural offerings to welcome the inflow of visitors.

[Korea’s first non-verbal musical Nanta]
Korea’s first non-verbal musical performance Nanta, incorporating free rhythmical movements with unique traditional drumbeats, brought fresh attention to domestic and international performing stages. Since its debut in 1997, Nanta has drawn the largest audiences in the history of performing arts in Korea and made its way further into off Broadway in 2004, a first for Asian countries.

 The Korean non-verbal musical Nanta was first highlighted on the global stage in 1999 at the Edinburgh Festival and now it has reached audiences in 37 nations including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, France, Spain, Turkey, Australia, and Japan (photo: Yonhap News).

[Jeju’s infinite charms]
Seongsan Ilchulbong and Olle Trail also made their way onto the list. Both are on Jeju Island which was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007 and the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. Seongsan Ilchulbong has long won international acclaim. Located at the eastern tip of the island, Seongsan Ilchulbong preserves Korea’s unique marine life including topographic and geographic features and also its scenic landscape draws millions of visitors.

Jeju Olle Trail is 200 kilometers of walking paths, connecting each ten- to 20-kilometer course and leading travelers all along the south coast of Jeju Island. This November, the final track was completed, opening up a total of 430 kilometers on 21 courses. Seongsan Ilchulbong and Jeju Olle Trail have been recognized for their contribution to drawing in the one millionth visitor to Jeju Island this year.

 Cheonwangbong is one of mountain peaks in Jirisan National Park, covered in a blanket of snow. Jirisan changes each season, offering something for hikers who seek various aspects of the mountain’s terrain (photo: Yonhap News).

[First national park of Korea]
Registered in 1967, Jirisan National Park is Korea’s first national park. The mountain has the largest footprint in Korea, spanning an area of 471,758 square kilometers and incorporating one city, four counties, and three provinces -- Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang Province), Jeonnam (South Jeolla Province), and Jeonbuk (North Jeolla Province).

With more than 4,000 rare species of flora and fauna inhabiting the park alongside national treasures such as Waun Cheonyeongsong (Millennium Pine Tree), Jirisan has raised the profile of biodiversity conservation. In addition, the full scenic view from each mountaintop has captured the hearts of millions of visitors.

Seven more tourism spots were included on the list for their outstanding features. Geumgangsan offered the first chance for South Koreans to visit North Korea in 50 years of division. The sea fountain of Mokpo was recognized for its dazzling water show interplayed by more than 292 LED lights, 73 multidirectional nozzles, and 203 airjets, while Mireuksan Ropeway was recognized for having the longest cable car ropeway in Korea offering a grand view of the whole Hallyeosudo Marine Park.

The list also includes Busan International Film Festival, Busan Songdo Beach, Everland Theme Park, and Incheon Bridge. For more details about each location, click the name to follow the link.



Source: http://www.korea.net

Red Carpet and Riches Still Await Three Heartthrobs on Return from Army

The entertainment world is buzzing as three leading celebrities -- Zo In-sung, Kang Dong-won and Hyun Bin -- have all just returned from their mandatory military service. Movie, drama and commercial film producers are already competing fiercely to get hold of them, and consequently their value is rising even further.

The stars reportedly received scripts for movies or TV dramas three to six months before each of them were discharged. Hyun Bin is said to have received dozens of movie and drama offers, and rumors are circulating that he has already signed five to six advertising deals, with more under discussion.

"Hyun Bin has very short hair now, so he needs some time to let it grow out," his agency said. "He is likely to appear in a drama or film in the latter half of next year at the earliest. For now, he'll just start off by holding an Asian fan meeting prior to his drama 'Secret Garden' being aired in Japan early next year."

Kang Dong-won completed his military service in November and chose "Nameless Gangster" director Yoon Jong-bin's new film as his comeback project. The movie, which still lacks an official title, revolves around a gang of bandits in the Chosun Dynasty and is due to begin shooting early next year.

Kang's agency said he has decided to appear in two movies and is discussing other projects. "Given that a movie takes about a year from shooting to release, his schedule for the next two years is set," it said.

 

From left, Hyun Bin, Kang Dong-won and Zo In-sung

Zo In-sung, who has only appeared in TV commercials since he was released from his military duty in May last year, will return to TV screens with a drama that is scheduled to air in February.

Industry insiders say that actors generally get paid less after they return from the army, but the three heartthrobs are expected to command their previous fees or even higher.

They are known to get W500 million (US$1=W1,075) per film, W80 million per episode of a TV drama and W800 million for a bundle of two TV commercials on a one-year contract.

"As far as I know, Zo is getting W100 million per episode for his new drama, which is W20 million more than before," a drama production CEO said. Meanwhile, a staffer at advertising agency Cheil Worldwide said the three are being offered W50 million to W100 million more than before they entered the army for some TV commercials.

But it remains to be seen whether they will be as competitive as they were in their heydays as they have left show business for two years and are now in their 30s.

"I think their star power has waned while they were in the military. These days, Kim Soo-hyun, Song Joong-ki, Yu A-in and Park Yoo-chun are rising stars, and people regard the quality of a film or drama as more important than a star's popularity," a production CEO pointed out.

However, Oh Se-kang, deputy director of SBS' drama department, said, "As TV commercials in which they appeared were aired for more than a year, even after they joined the army, viewers haven't lost touch with them. There are not many A-list actors in their early 30s, so they're still very valuable."

Popular culture critic Jeong Duk-hyun said, "Returning from military service can give actors a good chance to change their personas and take on different roles."

History museum to open Dec. 26

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History will open on Dec. 26.                                                 / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, will finally open next week, after four years of construction.

Located right next to the U.S. embassy, it is one of the major cultural projects of the Lee Myung-bak administration.

The purpose of the $41.3 million museum to open Wednesday is to honor the modern economic and social achievements of Korea.

The glass-walled seven-story museum houses about 43,000 items in a collection covering the period from 1876, when the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) opened its doors to the outer world. It also touches on Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula, the 1950-53 Korean War and the economic growth of the 1970s and 80s.

 

The seven-story museum houses about 43,000 items in a collection that represents Korea’s economic and social transformations since 1876.

There has been criticism that the museum is devoted to honoring certain leaders, namely the military dictator Park Chung-hee, who is widely recognized as the president that led Korea’s economic miracle after the Korean War.

But the director of the museum refuted such views during a press conference Thursday.

“We tried to show the economic and political advancements of our country with a balanced viewpoint,” Kim Wang-sik, director of the museum said. “This museum is not dedicated to a certain leader by any means.”

The 6,445-square-meter museum was formerly home to the culture ministry.

Visitors will see Korea’s first mass-produced “Pony” car and “GoldStar” radio. The Pony was a small rear-wheel drive automobile produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 1975 to 1990. The museum purchased the car from a collector in New Zealand.

Visitors can also view a photo slideshow capturing the historic meeting in June 2000 at a Pyongyang airport between the late former President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il for the first inter-Korean summit since the Korean War.

For foreigners who follows news on Korea, there are editions of U.S. weekly TIME and Newsweek magazines from the 1980s with cover stories on Korea’s economic growth and the 1980 Gwangju democracy uprising.

The museum also shows belongings of all presidents of the Republic of Korea, starting with Syngman Rhee.

The museum will officially open on Dec. 26. Admission is free and it is closed on Mondays. For more information, call 02-3703-9200.

 

 

Red Bean Porridge Warms Longest Night of the Year

Red Bean Porridge Warms Longest Night of the Year

Friday marks the winter solstice, or dongji in Korean, the shortest day of the year. Koreans traditionally celebrate this day by sharing a steaming bowl of red bean porridge with their family and neighbors.

In the past, the red color of the porridge was thought to dispel evil spirits, so it became a tradition to eat it on the winter solstice when the night is long. The dish is made by slowly boiling the red beans and adding round dumplings made of glutinous rice flour.

On other occasions, red beans were eaten in the form of porridge, cake, and steamed rice. When an epidemic broke out, red beans were placed in wells in the belief that they would clean the water and dispel the disease. When a neighbor lost a family member, red bean porridge was offered to dispel evil spirits from the household in mourning.

One of the customs still observed is handing out red bean cake to coworkers or neighbors when launching a new business or project or moving into a new place.

At the winter solstice, people clear their debts to make a fresh start for the New Year, so why not invite close relatives or friends and spend time together to look back on the passing year?