FENDI’s fashion show is to go ahead on the Han River next month, following the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s threats to cancel the event for including fur items. The Italian fashion house and Flossom, the Han River Floating Island managing company, announced Monday that they will host the FENDI Fall/Winter 2011 fashion show on June 2 on Floating Island, a man-made islet featuring cultural venues

Contemporary collection of Whitney Museum of American Art to be showcased in Seoul in JuneAndy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons… These names sound familiar now, but there was a time when American art was considered insignificant. Up until several decades ago, U.S. artists mostly relied on realistic paintings inspired by European art, and were overshadowed by the originals. After World War II,

One of Korea’s best-selling artists showcases new works at Gallery Hyundai in SeoulA 3.5-meter-tall installation work that looks like the tip of a giant baseball bat looks down on visitors near the entrance of Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. Sure, there are too many giant installation works nowadays to be impressed by size alone. What is awe-inspiring about this one, h

‘Korean chic’ gains attention overseas via YouTube and makeup brandsWith Girl’s Generation’s bubbly song “Snowy Wish” running in the background, a Thai girl with the YouTube ID onnbaby demonstrates how to pull off the “Korean flawless look.” “I have seen lots of people doing Korean makeup styles and yes, I am now doing one of them too!” she says. The basic steps she points out are ― one, clean and

Dance“2011 International Modern Dance Festival”: Organized by the Contemporary Dance Association of Korea, the 30th International Modern Dance Festival is held under the theme “Beauty Beyond Body.” 24 dance teams from seven different countries will showcase their works, including some which minors are not allowed to see. The dance festival runs through May 29 at Korea Performing Arts Center, Noel

“Bibim-naengmyeon” is a dish of cold buckwheat noodles mixed with spicy and thick red pepper sauce. It may be garnished with raw fish. It is also called “Hamheung-naengmyeon” because it was a regional food of the Hamheung district in South Hamgyeong Province.  Bibim-naengmyeon (KTO)Ingredients ● 600 g buckwheat noodles (dried) ● 100 g minced beef● 100 g radish● 1 cucumber,½ tsp salt● 100 g pear ●

Former K-pop group leader’s first musical ‘Audition’ brings out his witMoon Hee-jun is one of the latest to join the line of idol stars-turned-musical actors. An official from EDA entertainment, producer of musical “Audition” which Moon is currently starring in, however, hinted that the singer does not like being questioned on the matter. Meeting at Art-one Theater in Daehangro, central Seoul, two

Walt Disney’s first Korean character designer talks about realizing his dreamsWearing his hair wavy with hints of gray and silver, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Character Designer Kim Sang-jin bears a similarity to Flynn Rider, the hero in the popular 3-D animation movie “Tangled.” “I have always liked this hairstyle, so I guess it naturally came across my mind as one of the options when I design

South Korean director under spotlight for his bitter reproaches in ‘Arirang,’ attacks his colleaguesKim Ki-duk, one of the best known South Korean auteurs overseas, is causing a stir with his film “Arirang” that was screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s side bar section, the Un Certain Regard, on Friday. Naming actual figures, Kim aggressively poured out his anger and criticism toward his colleag

South Korean realist play to cherish memory of late scriptwriter Cha Beom-seokIn memory of renowned scriptwriter Cha Beom-seok who passed away five years ago, musical and play producer Seensee Company is staging his signature play, “Sanbul” (Forest Fire) next month. Born in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, in 1924, Cha was one of the first generation post-war scriptwriters and wrote original screenpl

Haemul-pajeon is a savory pancake with plenty of green onion and seafood coated with mushy dough and beaten egg on top. It is a well-harmonized dish studded with soft green onions and tasty seafood. Dongnae-pajeon is a famous dish from Busan in South Gyeongsang Province. Dongnae-pajeon (KTO)Ingredients ● 100 g mussel flesh, 70 g clam flesh, 70 g oysters● 200 g small green onions ● 1 green pepper ●

All eyes on Kim during rehearsal for ‘Mozart!’ musical starting its second roundNamsan Creative Center in Yejang-dong, central Seoul, was jammed with about 200 people on Wednesday when musical “Mozart!” opened its practice room to press and fans. Though there were no ardent fans screaming or waving placards, it was obvious by the direction the cameras were flashing in that most were there to see o

Two government ministries and the Seoul local administration agreed Wednesday to join forces to promote Korea’s fashion industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Seoul Metropolitan Government pledged to cooperate on fashion-related projects under the agreement signed at Seoul Palace Hotel. The three governmental organizations will run a Fashion Indust

Former S.E.S. member-turned actress Eugene announced Wednesday that she is marrying actor Ki Tae-young in July. The pair started dating right after starring together in the MBC drama “Seeking Love,” which ended last January. They are known to have become close while attending the same church after Eugene converted Ki to Christianity. They have been dating for about a year and a half. Ki Tae-young

 Former girl group S.E.S. member-turned actress Eugene announced Wednesday that she would marry actor Ki Tae-young in July. The two starred as the main characters in 2009 MBC drama “Seeking Love” and have been dating for about a year and a half. Both made an announcement to their fans first, by writing on their fan club community sites this morning. “There is something that pops up to my mind at t

François Morellet’s neon lines show new side of French art to Korean publicYou would be forgiven if 19th century impressionism and its serene works by Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were the first things to spring to mind at the mention of French art.Overshadowed by the Young British Artists and U.S. pop artists who captured the art world’s attention in the 20th century with their bold and

Rodin Gallery reopens as PLATEAU, kicks off first exhibition in three yearsJust as Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee has started to show up at Samsung offices on a regular basis, the group’s art sector is getting ready to engage more in the local art scene. Rodin Gallery, one of the three art museums run by Samsung, reopened with a new name, PLATEAU, last week in its original place in Taepy

Yachting gaining popularity among urbanites as marinas open along Han RiverLike many other sports fans, Lim Sang-hyun, a 31-year-old office worker living in Seoul, was excited to hear that a new marina had opened on the Han River near the National Assembly last month. Although he spends practically all of his winter vacations skiing, he was looking for a summer water sport to immerse himself in du

An extended fan leaf thought to depict Madame de Montespan in the Trianon de Porcelaine, France, possibly created in 1674. (Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Image)The luxurious treasures enjoyed by the ruling class in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries have been gathered at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-dong, central Seoul. Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the

Korean original non-verbal performances expand stagesBuoyed by a favorable reception from foreign audiences, Korea’s original non-verbal performances are expanding their stages both here and abroad. “Nanta,” the best-known non-verbal performance “made” in Korea, kicked off its two-month-long Chinese tour last month. Visiting 16 cities, it is the longest touring show taken to China by a Korean perf