A South Carolina man said he and his family approached a roadside box they suspected might contain puppies and instead discovered a trio of bear cubs.Brandon Poole of Long Creek said he and his family were driving in their truck when they spotted the box and decided to investigate, WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, S.C., reported Tuesday."I thought it was little puppies in that little box, so I got closer to it, I noticed I heard squealing so I thought it was baby pigs. I got closer and picked one up. It w

LONDON (AFP) ― British researchers on Saturday unveiled a new theory for the origins of Stonehenge, saying the ancient stone circle was originally a graveyard and venue for mass celebrations.The findings would overturn the long-held belief that Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southwestern England was created as a Stone Age astronomical calendar or observatory.A team led by Professor Mike Parker Pearson of University College London said Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is both older and

The 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony was a new chapter for the so-called creative industry. It was the moment when creativity beat big-scale, blockbuster conventionality.A huge group of dancers performed a running storyline and the Olympic Flame was lit in a flower-shaped cauldron, while everyone sang along to “Hey Jude” with Paul McCartney: It was not as lavish or grand as the Beijing opening ceremony, but more of a condensed, cool and witty celebration.On Monday, Ed Vaizey, U.K. minister

Koreans love to sing, but they hesitate to visit karaoke rooms alone for it is widely known as a place to go with friends or family members. But a growing number of people are venturing to sing by themselves, which is prompting noraebang (Korean karaoke) owners to install one-person rooms to hit the niche market. The single-person singing rooms are for those who want to practice singing without worrying about others. The rental fees are cheaper -- as much as 50 percent lower -- than conventional

Congregations, public frustrated by scandal after scandal

Internet and mobile platforms are facilitating South Korea’s community culture to push its physical limits of time and space.The online community era emerged in the late 1990s when local club-centric portals such as Cyworld and Freechal were introduced. It blossomed as portal sites competed for users with their own services, departing from traditional email and search services. Naver, the nation’s biggest portal service in market share, hosted 9.05 million online communities in 2012, though its

Growing number of Seoul establishments catering to solo diners

Pop Calendar“Shinhwa 15th Anniversary Concert”: The country’s longest-running boy band Shinhwa is celebrating 15 years together with a special anniversary concert. The six-member group first debuted in 1998 and they have since released more than 10 albums and made a name for themselves as one of the nation’s most successful music acts. The group came back to the music scene last year after a four-year hiatus with the album “Return.” “Shinhwa 15th Anniversary Concert” will be held in the Gymnasti

A building by the renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta on Jeju Island is being torn down this week, ending months-long debate on whether to preserve or demolish the building. The building named “Casa del Agua,” meaning the House of Water in Spanish, was originally built in 2009 to function as a temporary model house for a hotel and condominium resort in Jungmun Tourist Complex in Seogwipo, Jeju. Legorreta, who died at 80 in 2011, won several prestigious architecture awards including the

A Seoul court on Thursday declared Shim Hyung-rae bankrupt, saying that the comedian-turned-director will be exempted from his debt if found to have no assets.After receiving a suspended prison term in mid-January for failing to pay wages to former employees at his movie production company, the 55-year-old Shim filed for personal bankruptcy with the Seoul Central District Court on Jan. 30.The court accepted the petition, allowing the former comedian to benefit from the state-run personal credit

The 2013 Family Concert with a renowned orchestra and choir was held at Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday. Sponsored by the United Foundation, the event opened with the World Vision Korea Children’s Choir singing familiar songs such as “Sanduelbaram (Breeze),” “Eolgul (The face),” and “Gohyangeuibom (Spring in my hometown).” The members also presented traditional Korean fan dance and drum dance folk songs such as “Arirang,” “Ongheya,” “Hangangsutaryeong” and “Jindobukchum.” The World Vision choir wa

Nagan Fortress boasts rich culture and natural resources