On Sal Mal LaneBy Ru Freeman (Graywolf Press)In her rewarding new book, novelist Ru Freeman plunks readers “On Sal Mal Lane,” a tropical effusion of foliage and children growing up in Sri Lanka, the island off India’s southern tip. Colonialists once called the place Ceylon and prized its tea; Freeman, who grew up in the capital, Colombo, has something more pointed in mind.Her story moves chronologically toward July 1983, or “Black July,” when riots in Colombo ignited a civil war lasting nearly 2

American art history professor offers fresh insight into Korean dansaekhwa as an alternative to European/American art

GLOUCESTER, Virginia (AP) ― A farm field overlooking the York River in Tidewater Virginia is believed to be where Pocahontas interceded with her powerful father Powhatan to rescue English Capt. John Smith from death.On loan to archaeologists for more than a decade, these 23 privately owned hectares will be preserved forever under an agreement years in the making and to be officially announced Friday. The deal is important for Native Americans because they believe their story has been overshadowe

With webtoons being one of the most popular forms of leisure, authorities seek to support artists, exports

Dozens of lawmakers on Thursday submitted two “Sunfull” bills to punish hateful speech based on race or birthplace. The idea for the bills, which are revisions of related laws, came from Min Byoung-chul, founder of Sunfull and a Konkuk University professor. Lawmaker Ahn Hyo-dae of the ruling Saenuri Party, who is also vice chairman of the Sunfull Politics Committee of the 19th National Assembly, motioned them jointly with about 50 other lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition parties.  The b

Korean football star Park Ji-sung, 32, on Thursday confirmed his relationship with 28-year-old SBS presenter Kim Min-ji. He said at a news conference in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, that he first met Kim in 2011. Another SBS presenter had introduced her to his father, who then encouraged him to meet her, Park added. “It has not been so long since our first meeting. We have dated since May after I returned home from England.” Park plays for Queens Park Rangers in the English league. “In the beginnin

The 19th Seoul International Book Fair kicked off on Wednesday with President Park Geun-hye attending the opening ceremony in a bid to promote reading books on humanities. “I have always relied on wisdom from the teachings of the sages found in these classics,” said Park in her congratulatory speech at the opening. She also mentioned how the books have “helped her endure hard times in the past.”Park stopped by one of the 771 booths from 25 countries and bought five different humanities-related b

B28 to serve aged martinis and Manhattans

Today’s fashion lines are blurry, and it’s not my old 60-plus-year-old eyes that are the problem. No, I see the confusion among many of my fellow baby boomers when it comes to what fashion look is right for our age.Is the line between what is “too young to wear” fading? Have the rules that our moms once held about how to dress for our age group vanished? Are we mystified about how to dress when the media typically only shows fashion ideas more appropriate for a 20-year-old? Yes to all.Blame it o

One-of-a-kind, regionally specific whisky on the rise

Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” is one of the most familiar classical music pieces here ― it is the default ringback tone for mobile phone users and one of the most frequently suggested pieces for novices. As such, it has lost freshness for many people due to its overexposure. But in Tuesday’s Academy of Ancient Music’s concert, the Italian composer’s 292-year-old piece was reincarnated into a more classical yet somehow softer, vibrant, light-hearted and romantic serenade to the changing seasons. T

In paintings by artist Moon Ji-yeon, what you see on the surface of the canvas is not all there is. You will need an LED lighting to bring out the hidden image in the back ― a desolate urban landscape, characterized by a jumble of utility pole cables, transforms into a forest where a deer runs under the shining sun. That’s the complete image when two contrasting scenes merge with the lighting. Behind such exploration of blending painting with other mediums is Moon, 34, who is showcasing 20 of hi