The World Festival of National Theaters to kick off with Korea’s pansori opera in fall National theaters from nine countries including France, the Czech Republic and China will come to Seoul this fall to participate in the 5th World Festival of National Theaters, the organizer said Tuesday. “Coming into the fifth year, we can say the festival is still at a development stage. But there will be a...

LONDON (AFP) ― The family and close friends of British soul singer Amy Winehouse were Tuesday set to hold a private funeral after a post-mortem failed to establish a cause of the 27-year-old’s death. A family spokesman said the ceremony for the troubled diva, who was found dead at her London home on Saturday, will be confined to family and close friends. He did not disclose the location or the t...

Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin has contributed to a book on his daily life in the marines, according to reports. In the book titled “I am a Marine,” Hyun is one of the eight writers who portrayed their lives as marines and talked about how their duties have changed them. The book is drawing public attention, particularly from Hyun’s fans, as it includes some photos depicting Hyun as a brave marine....

Korean wave star Ryu Si-won and his car racing team won an international race in China on Monday, according to reports. The 39-year-old celebrity won the second round of the Ferrari Challenge Race in Shanghai. Last month, Ryu won the first round of the race at Zhuhai City of Guangdong Province. “I feel so great for winning the first and also the second race. I want to express my gratitude to m...

PARIS (AP) ― Jazz great Herbie Hancock wants his music to build bridges between cultures, a mission that fits perfectly with his new role as a U.N. cultural ambassador promoting peace through culture and education. The 71-year-old ― imbued with boundless energy, curiosity and cool-cat poise ―is a natural for the job. His “The Imagine Project” album is a multicultural potpourri featuring collabor...

When nine-member female pop group Girls’ Generation had their first solo concert in Korea in December 2009, the members on stage felt somewhat nervous and awkward with each other’s moves. A year and a half later, the group’s international fame has helped them learn how to manage a big stage through numerous concerts around the world and members of the group have reached a point where they enjoy ...

LONDON (AP) -- Few artists summed up their own career in a single song _ a single line -- as well as Amy Winehouse. ``They tried to make me go to rehab,'' she sang on her world-conquering 2006 single, ``Rehab.'' ``I said 'No, no no.''' Occasionally, she said yes, but to no avail: repeated stints in hospitals and clinics couldn't stop alcohol and drugs scuttling the career of a singer whose dist...

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Dinosaur fan alert: Steven Spielberg says a fourth "Jurassic Park" film may be only a few years away. Spielberg told an audience at the Comic-Con fan convention Friday that he has a story and a screenwriter for the next installment of his blockbuster franchise about prehistoric reptiles brought into modern times through cloning. The filmmaker directed the first two "Jurassic Pa...

Former S.E.S. member-turned actress Eugene finally tied the knot with TV actor Ki Tae-young Saturday at a church in Gyeonggi Province. Only family members and a small number of close friends were invited. The two showed up at a press conference before heading to the invite-only ceremony. The pair started dating right after starring together in the MBC drama “Seeking Love,” which ended last Jan...

Popularity of talent contests reflects people’s desire for fair competition, fame TV programs searching for talent among the public have always been around. A KBS program called “Jeonguk Norae Jarang” (Korea Local Music Show) has been on air for more than 30 years, giving prizes to the best singers every week. But these programs were never really popular enough to create a major buzz among the ...

Theater buffs can benefit from major discounts for musicals and plays Everyone loves a good deal Sejong Belt ―a gathering of 47 theaters, museums and cultural organizations around Gwanghwamun Square ― provides just that; a great bargain, well, actually, 32 of them to be exact. Combo packages offering up to 60 percent off events are, without a doubt, the main attraction of this cultural hub spea...

“2PM Hands Up Asia Tour”: Six-member idol group 2PM will hold its 2011 Asia Tour, starting from a Seoul concert in September. The upcoming concert in Seoul will be the act’s second solo concert in Korea and it will take place at the Jamsil Gymnasium on Sept. 2-3. The group’s Asia tour will continue through November. Making a comeback with the song “Hands Up,” the group topped online and offline ...