Moleskine evolves from simple notebook maker into platform for imagination

Samsung C&T, the construction and trading arm of Samsung Group, has been receiving fresh attention for pulling itself out of the rut that the construction sector has been in and reestablishing itself as one of the most powerful and sustainable builders worldwide. And the numbers are there to prove it.In the first quarter of 2014, Samsung C&T earned roughly 3.36 trillion won ($3.29 billion) in sales and raised about 110.3 billion won in business profits for its construction sector ― an increase o

Best Auto has released the “Best Seat,” which flaunts an auto-flush function that could dramatically cut electricity use. The company said the product weighs the human body and senses absence of human touch on the seats instantly without using electricity. When one gets off the seat, it flushes automatically without the user having to use a button or lever. The product also consumes up to 50 percent less water than others, the company said. The Best Seat won the Eco Design Award from the Korea E

Pfizer Korea has released a calcium supplement with copper, iron, manganese and magnesium.According to the drugmaker, one pill of Caltrate Plus D500 contains 600 milligrams of calcium, 500 IU of vitamin D and four kinds of minerals that strengthen the bones and help collagen formation, which could eventually reduce the risk of injury from a fall. Pfizer recommended that adults take one or two pills a day. (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)

Fashion brand MCM has opened a flagship store in Ginza, an affluent district of Tokyo. The 300-square-meter store will feature quintessential MCM products including the Heritage and Gold lines, as well as limited-edition products tailored to Japanese customers. The store also features a VIP room with agents from the Bespokes accessory line providing special services. An exclusive entrance has been set up for pet owners to visit the store with their pets to avoid bothering other customers.“It is

CJ Foodville has opened a Bibigo flagship store in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, presenting high-end Korean food with a global twist. The fine-dining restaurant Bibigo Dadam will be led by celebrity chefs Kwon Woo-jung and Chung Jae-duk, who will present seasonal dishes with local ingredients. Chung, a Buddhist food specialist, will serve seasoned vegetables according to Buddhist recipes. Sommeliers will recommended alcohol pairings for all dishes. Bibigo Dadam will be the 11th Bibigo restaura

Samsung Medical Center said Sunday that it was considering moving Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee to a general ward from an intensive care unit as his health appeared to be improving. The hospital also said in a statement that the cardiac procedure for Lee went very well, and that he is currently stable.  A hallway in the VIP ward on the 20th floor at Samsung Medical Center. (Kim Young-won)　The statement came after rumors went viral last Friday that the chairman had passed away after an online medi

Galleria MD director spills beans about surprise renovation that drove 33% sales jump

Baesangmyun Brewery’s Sansachun, rice wine, brewed with cornus fruits and hawthorn berries, won the silver prize in the San Diego International Wine Competition’s Rice Wine category, the brewery said Tuesday. Sansachun, with an alcoholic strength of 14 percent, is said to have smooth yet fragrant flavors due to its raw-rice fermentation technology. This is the second time the drink has won in an international competition this year, following the silver award at the 2014 Monde Selection.(baejisoo

Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee was taken off life support Monday, as the business mogul recovered from heart surgery.Samsung Medical Center said that Lee had begun breathing normally without life support.“Lee was taken off of ECMO at 8:30 a.m. as his heart function has been restored. He has been in stable condition so far since the removal,” the hospital said in a statement. ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, provides oxygen to patients whose heart or lungs have failed to work. Pe

SPC Group’s Italian Grill Restaurant Lagrillia opened a branch at the New Coex shopping mall in southern Seoul. The Italian grill and dessert restaurant has 122 seats with an open kitchen and an oven. According to SPC, the diner will serve 10 kinds of homemade dessert at the “dessert bar,” including tiramisu made with 100 percent mascarpone cheese, pana cota with Earl Grey tea, a grapefruit jelly made from freshly squeezed fruit and others. It will also feature gourmet burgers, steak and pasta a

Dalgona Music Institute has the rare success story of finding a business opportunity in the 28.7 trillion won ($27.9 billion) private education market that is rapidly saturating. What started out as a small musical institute for kids two years ago is now looking to become a nationwide franchise that “helps children find their talents in music.” Its Banpo-dong headquarters in southern Seoul has 10 teachers, who are music majors, for around 70 students. “We don’t teach children to love music nor m

Korean chain Mr. Pizza opened a restaurant on the eighth floor of the GE Department Store in Nanjing, China, on April 26. The store has 120 seats and an open kitchen, in which pizza chefs can be seen spinning pizza bases from dough, the company said. The store is the first restaurant to open through a joint venture set up in September 2013 between Mr. Pizza Korea Group and China’s Golden Eagle Group. The company is planning to open 10 more restaurants in China by the end of the year. (baejisook@

Aircraft maker seeking more contracts with Boeing and Airbus amid global aviation boom

McDonald’s Korea has released McWings, composed of fried chicken wings and a sweet chili sauce. The McWings are sold in two, four, or eight pieces for 2,000 won, 3,900 won, or 7,600 won, respectively. McDonald’s also released a Chicken Snack Pack, and a Double Chicken Box, in which the McWings are served alongside McNuggets or McSpicy Chicken Tenders. The McWing set, comprising four fried chicken wings, french fries and a soda, is priced at 4,900 won. (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)