The Korean Culture and Information Service published “K-Classics: A New Presence on the World’s Musical Stage” on Monday, as the last publication in its English-language book series for foreigners to better understand Korean culture. The fourth book highlights the growing influence of young Korean classical musicians who have been bagging top prizes at international competitions, including the Queen Elisabeth International Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition. The full-color

The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games Organizing Committee has been selected the winner of the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award for enhancing South Korea’s image overseas, the Corea Image Communication Institute announced Monday.Cho Yang-ho, chairman of the bid committee, will receive the prize during a ceremony on Jan. 17 at Grand Intercontinental Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. Willy Bogner, former chairman of the 2018 Munich Winter Olympics Bid Committee, will send a vide

Over the past four decades, the Korea Culture and Information Service has grown into an organization with 24 overseas offices, promoting the nation’s culture and image all over the world.The state-run organization held a festival on Monday to celebrate its 40th anniversary, entertaining some 400 guests from in and out of the country with photographs of Korea’s past and present, performances by K-pop stars and Korean modern dancers, and a fashion show of Korea’s traditional hanbok. The Monday’s f

The Seoul Global Business Support Center has become a beacon of hope for international entrepreneurs by helping them do business in Korea.“I believe that what we do here will help their businesses grow, it could take them two years or more but someday, if we continue to help them, their business will grow,” said Simon Hong, director of the COEX Seoul Global Business Support Center.After its establishment in 2010, the center has been supporting entrepreneurs by providing free, one-stop business s

Actress Lee Yoon-mi speaks on joys of sharingOf the 24 children she has all over the world, Lee Yoon-mi gave birth to only one. But to this actress, who says she has experienced the miracle of sharing many times, all 24 children are equally precious.Lee, currently the leading character in the musical “The Golden Days,” has been sponsoring the children via Compassion Korea, where she has been especially active in helping newborns to 3-year-olds. “It’s no longer an issue of me helping them. I’m th

Consumers search for natural, organic cosmetics and some make their ownFed up with factory-made cosmetics that seemed to cause skin problems, housewife Lee Yu-mi signed up for classes at a natural cosmetics workshop two months ago. “I have been free of skin troubles ever since I started using the products I made myself,” said Lee at Jullie’s Aroma, a natural cosmetics workshop in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. She and another student were busy making lavender toner and avocado emulsion at the worksh

Theater“Guess How Much I Love You”: Korean adaptation of “Guess How Much I Love You,” a musical based on children’s book of the same title by British writer Sam McBratney, is being staged once again in Seoul. The show premiered in Korea in January at Wonderspace Triangle Theater in Daehangno, Seoul, and was staged in more than eight venues nationwide, including KBS Ulsan Hall and MBC Art Hall in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. A story of two hares telling how much they love each other, the

‘Audition prince’ releases first albumShayne “The Gift” (Sony Music) The 19-year-old singer’s angelic voice and imperfect pronunciation might satisfy females who can’t resist younger men with a cute voice, but general music fans may be in for some disappointment with Shayne Orok’s first album. The third prize winner of MBC’s “Star Audition: Season 1” has unveiled five songs that include one composed by Yoo Hae-joon, widely known for his participation in the original soundtracks of popular TV dra