“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 ch

“The Great Battle of Hansan Festival 2011”: The Great Battle of Hansan (1592) is one of the four most famous sea battles in the history of Korea. Visitors to the festival, which celebrates the anniversary of the great event, will learn all about the battle while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province. This year, the festival will take place from Aug. 10 to

“The Three Musketeers”: The musical “The Three Musketeers,” for which the tickets were completely sold out in last year’s run, is back this year for only nine days. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel, the musical, set in 17th century France, tells stories about the adventures of D’Artagnan and the three musketeers ― Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Actors of the Korea premiere in 2009, including Yoo Jun-s

“Suspicious Paradise”: The dance show is inspired by the Demilitarized Zone, which looks like a paradise with untouched nature but is also a place deeply scarred by the Korean War. Organized by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, it aims to offer a fresh experience to the younger generation who not know much about the war. It will run from Aug. 5 to 7 at Seoul Arts Center’s Towol Center in

T-Square“Nine Stories”Sony MusicIn any field, being the best is obviously meaningful but being the oldest is also a difficult goal to achieve. In jazz, it is all the more difficult because jazz musicians tend to enjoy improvisations with new artists rather than staying part of the same act. T-Square, one of the oldest fusion jazz bands in Japan, has released its 37th studio album “Nine Stories.” T

Blake Shelton “Red River Blue”Warner Bros.Ten years in, Blake Shelton’s up-and-down career is now skyrocketing, with no dips in sight.His current hit, “Honey Bee,” is his fourth consecutive No. 1, setting records for a male country singer in how fast it reached gold in digital sales. He is the current CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and he starred as a coach in the popular NBC talent show, “The Voi

Ashton Shepherd “Where Country Grows”MCAWith her 2008 debut, “Sounds So Good,” Ashton Shepherd offered a down-home contrast to contemporary country music. Like a Loretta Lynn for modern times, she flashed a feisty attitude and an unfiltered country twang that made Miranda Lambert sound uptown. The album drew critical praise, but little radio attention and disappointing sales.With her second album,

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill offers the “Urban Vacation Package” during the Walkerhill Riverpark’s Gold season from July 23 to Aug. 15 and Blue Season from Aug. 16-28. 15. The “Love 2gether” package includes two night stay at the deluxe room, buffet breakfast at the View restaurant, two free passes to the Riverpark with poolside buffet and a restaurant gift certificate of 50,000 won. Prices for the

Malaysia Tourism Board said the country is having annual “Mega Sale Carnival” in Kuala Lumpur through Aug. 31, offering up to 70 percent discount on a variety of products including fashion brands, performs, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, electronic goods and Malaysia’s traditional products. Discounts will be available not only in shopping districts of Kuala Lumpur but on airplanes and at night m

 

The Silent Girl: A Rizzoli & Isles BookBy Tess Gerritsen(Ballantine Books)Tess Gerritsen’s latest novel featuring homicide Detective Jane Rizzoli and coroner Maura Isles gives readers another great thrill ride with her two popular characters.A woman’s hand is found near a trash bin and the rest of her remains are up on a roof in a building in Boston’s Chinatown. The evidence at the scene stumps Ri

South Korea ranked 56th in terms of gold holdings, one notch higher from a year earlier, but its reserves remained relatively small compared with other nations, data showed Thursday.Korea’s gold holdings came to 14.4 tons as of July this year, the 56th largest among 113 countries and organizations surveyed by the World Gold Council, an international body that offers key information about gold.Kore

 

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP) ― Tiger Woods fired caddie Steve Williams on Wednesday, ending a 12-year relationship in which he won 72 times worldwide and 13 majors.This March 13 file photo shows Tiger Woods (right) and caddie Steve Williams. (AP-Yonhap News)“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it’s time for a change,” Woods said on his website. “Stevie is a

Defending champ looks to capture first title of yearEVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) ― Defending champion Shin Ji-yai is still looking for her best form and first title of the year entering the Evian Masters.Shin birdied the 18th hole to win in dramatic style last year, becoming the first South Korean to capture the event.The 23-year-old Shin maintains she will be confident when play starts Thursday.“

The Korean Medicine Service Team Abroad, a group of young Oriental medical doctors, will be providing free medical examinations for children of multiethnic families through Sunday at the Seoul Character/Licensing Fair in Coex, Seoul. At the festival dedicated to children’s welfare and fun, the doctors will provide free examinations on atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and various allergic reactions. The

Ewha Womans University Medical Center earned accreditation from Joint Commission International on Monday. The hospital said it was tested on a total of 1,221 factors and passed. The JCI evaluation categories range from price to safety, hygiene, technology, facilities and more.The approval from the internationally acclaimed medical facility evaluation organization will allow the hospital to expand

Two half-Korean basketball players playing in Korea’s top division basketball league have acquired Korean citizenship, the Justice Ministry announced on Thursday.Moon Tae-young and his elder brother Tae-jong, who were born to an American farther and a Korean mother, received dual citizenship status in accordance with the revised immigration law, the ministry said.Moon Tae-young (left) and his brot

He’s back. Former national team midfielder Yoo Sang-chul returned to top-flight football after being appointed as the new manager of Daejeon Citizen FC last week.Speaking at his first news conference Wednesday, Yoo said he was ready for a new challenge. Yoo Sang-chulBut the 39-year-old admitted that he has a huge task to rebuild and reshape the team. He knew that his appointment came at a difficul

Korean banks’ foreign currency deposits rose in the first half on solid exports and prospects that the local currency’s sharp ascent may ease soon, industry data showed Wednesday.Foreign currency-denominated deposits at five major banks amounted to $14.56 billion as of end-June, up $2.27 billion from the end of last year, according to industry data.The rise came even as the local currency apprecia