Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its sleek new E-Class Coupe for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday, the company said Tuesday.  　The 2018 model of the two-door luxury Coupe is 123 millimeters longer and 74 millimeters wider than its predecessor, and is equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. According to the German carmaker, the new coupe can reach speeds of up to 209 kilometers per hour. 　Featuring all-new architecture and upgraded electronic

With the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump set for Jan. 20, economic tensions are high in South Korea, as the new administration might make revisions to the current Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. 　During his election campaign, Trump publically criticized the agreement, referring to it as “catastrophic” and “unfair” to the US, and claiming it took away jobs from Americans.　However, US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert said he remains positive about the future prospects of econo

One of the newest cultural trends sweeping the nation is all about the art of being alone. 　From eating, drinking, shopping and living solo, this new trend seems to defy the once cultural norm of “togetherness.”　With the phenomena of “honsul” and “honbap” -- meaning to “drink alone” and “eat alone,” respectively -- there no longer appears to be social stigmas attached to requesting a table for one. Nor is there a corresponding gasp of dismay or pity for one going to a bar solo and enjoying a coc

Kia Motors is gearing up to unveil its latest Smart Compact All New Morning cars, the new third generation line of its Morning compact car series, the company said Wednesday.　The new line marks the first new edition of Kia’s compact series in six years. It will be available to the public starting Jan. 17. 　Emphasizing a sleek new design, color palate and smart internet technology features, the new Kia Morning series couples practicality with lifestyle and comfort, the company said. An exterior v

The New Year means a new season of theater and exhibitions. And with 2016 having come to a close, 2017 promises a new set of unforgettable shows and big-name productions for local theater lovers.　Seoul’s major performing arts centers are already gearing up to play host to a variety of concerts and performances to usher in the New Year.　The LG Arts Center in Gangnam-gu Seoul has announced its new season, featuring 15 international and local productions from jazz to modern dance, classical music a

South Korean action thriller “Master” attracted more than 5 million viewers as of New Year’s Day, industry data showed Sunday.　According to the film‘s distributor CJ E&M, the very strong showing was reached 13 days after its official release. It said the tally was taken at 7 a.m. on Sunday and reflected weekend sales.　The distributor also said that for a film released in December, Master reached the landmark 5 million mark in the shortest period of time, which is a testament to the appeal of the

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- A massive geodesic dome with 61 glass eyes is coming to Arkansas‘ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.　  The structure, called Fly’s Eye Dome, was designed by the late Buckminster Fuller, who was known for his futuristic inventions and who hoped it would revolutionize housing. Museum curators say Fuller was inspired to design the dome after looking at a photo of a fly‘s eye.  　  The dome will join a 1950s home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that became part of the mu

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tyler Perry is known for creating opportunities for black actors. But recently the African-American filmmaker weathered a backlash for assembling an all-white starring cast for the TLC drama series “Too Close to Home.”　  Perry rejects the criticism, much of it on social media. Some questioned his casting choices, with one calling the show an “all time low” for the producer when the series aired this year.　  But by the end of the season, those harsh words turned mostly into praise

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- In 1979, Annette Bening was 21 years old. A year earlier she had moved from San Diego to San Francisco to study classical drama. She remembers it as a time of tremendous change and uncertainty and the big moments like the day Harvey Milk and George Mascone were killed, but, for the most part her head was in Chekov and Shakespeare and Shaw and Arthur Miller. 　  So when she read the script for Mike Mills‘ “20th Century Women,” now in limited release, it caught her of

Double S 301 member Kim Hyung-jun (CI ENT)SS301’s Kim Hyung-jun has passed the conscripted police exam and plans to enlist for his mandatory military service in April, according to his agency CI ENT. 　Kim had initially announced he would enlist in 2014, but his then-budding music and acting career led him to postpone the enlistment.  　Kim joins a number of other celebrities who plan to join the conscripted police force next year, including Big Bang’s T.O.P and JYJ’s Kim Jun-su. 　The artist made

AOA (FNC Entertainment)Girl group AOA will team up with mega K-pop producer Brave Brothers once again for its upcoming album, “Angels Knock.”　The album is slated for release on Jan. 2 and will mark AOA’s first full-length album since debuting in 2012. According to news reports, it will feature two lead singles, one of which was produced by Brave Brothers. 　Often referred to as a “hit maker,” Brave Brothers is one of the most sought after producers in the K-pop industry. It has worked alongside s

New K-pop boy band Varsity (CSO Entertainment)As the year comes to a close, 2017 is revving up to welcome a new string of groups hoping to become the industry’s next big thing. 　From the minds of the famed choreography company Yama & Hotchicks, founded by Bae Yoon-jung, new girl group Seeart is set to make its official debut next year.　The first group ever to be debuted by Yama & Hotchicks, the new K-pop act is garnering much attention as its makers are behind some of the industry‘s most famed d

Canadian pianist, composer and producer Steve Barakatt has agreed to compose and record the official anthem for the city of Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province.  　Saemangeum lies at the mouth of the Dongjin and Mangyeong rivers on the coast of the province. The area comprises reclaimed tidal land and is currently being developed as a free economic zone. 　“It is now official, I will compose the Official Anthem of the revolutionary City Project of Saemangeum, South Korea,” the New Age pianist tweete

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - An Argentine court has ruled that pop star Justin Bieber must face trial for allegedly assaulting a photographer outside a nightclub in 2013, according to a decision published Thursday.　Judge Alberto Banos ordered Bieber to go on trial on charges of robbery, attempted robbery and assault with minor injuries, according to the decision.　The case dates to a stop in Buenos Aires on the Canadian heartthrob‘s Believe tour.　According to the complaint, a bodyguard, following Bieber’

REYKJAVIK (AFP) -- Icelandic icon Bjork, who has built one of the boldest careers in pop music, has lashed out at the media for its “sexist” views, saying women are expected to sing about romance, not science.　“Women in music are allowed to be singer-songwriters, singing about their boyfriends,” she wrote in an impassioned Facebook post late Wednesday. 　But, she added, “if they change the subject matter to atoms, galaxies, activism, nerdy math beat editing, or anything else (other) than being pe

Denzel Washington in “Fences.” (MMXVI Paramount Pictures Corporation)LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Denzel Washington is feeling pretty good at the moment. It‘s mid-December in Los Angeles, Washington is a few weeks shy of his 62nd birthday, and the Screen Actors Guild has just recognized his adaptation of the August Wilson play “Fences” for its ensemble cast. He’s also finally getting feedback from audiences as the film trickles out to theaters before opening wide on Christmas Day. 　  The ease around it i

Indie duo Bolbbalgan4 (Shofar Music)Indie duo Bolbbalgan4 has taken over the top of the charts once again with its new single “Say You Like Me,” knocking K-pop powerhouses Big Bang and EXO from the top spots.　A hidden track off the female duo’s first studio album, “Red Planet” was released on Thursday and has claimed the No. 1 spot on seven of the biggest local music charts including MelOn, Genie and Olleh. 　Bolbbalgan4 is considered to be unique in the local music industry, which is largely dom

A promotional image for the TV drama “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.” (KBS2)The new TV drama “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth” is gearing up to hit the musical stage, according to Asia Bridge Contents on Wednesday. 　The period drama’s first of 20 episodes aired Monday, but there are already talks of turning the KBS2 TV series into a live musical. 　A statement by Asia Bridge Contents confirmed that the company, along with Oh Boy Project, already have plans to produce a musical spin-off of “Hwar

Based on the eponymous 1992 American blockbuster film “The Bodyguard,” the iconic movie-turned-musical has made its Asian premiere in Seoul.　A cult classic starring Kevin Costner as Frank Farmer and the late Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron, the film’s soundtrack went certified 17 times platinum and snagged a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, propelling the already popular rhythm and blues diva to superstardom. Having sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, “The Bodyguard” officially becom

AOA (FNC Entertainment)K-pop girl group AOA is hitting the spotlight next month, dropping the group’s first full-length album since debuting in 2012. 　According to an announcement by FNC Entertainment on Tuesday, the girl group will unveil their upcoming album on Jan. 2. The soon-to-be-released new album will also mark AOA’s first promotional activities following the departure of drummer Youkyung.　In October, FNC Entertainment announced that the K-pop starlet had decided to leave the agency afte