Filmmaker Anja Marquardt speaks about her film ‘She’s Lost Control,’ screened in competition at JIFF

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) ― The Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won the 59th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a James Bond-inspired power ballad that had unleashed a wave of protests in eastern Europe before the competition. The song, “Rise Like a Phoenix,” helped Wurst ― the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth ― secure Austria’s second victory in the competition with 290 points. The country also won in 1966. “This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a

NEW YORK (AP) ― They truly are marching to the beat of their own drum.It’s as though anything Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre touches turns to gold: The dynamic duo marked epic-level success when they introduced Eminem to the music world 15 years ago, and their lucrative Beats by Dre business reached blockbuster heights following reports that Apple plans to buy the headphones’ parent company, Beats Electronics, for $3.2 billion.But the music industry veterans have had a string of triumphs, and we take

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 11th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.Six strangers from different walks of life, hailing from across the globe and all with different occupational backgrounds, found themselves in Korea on a temporary void-filling search for something new and exciting. Lit

The period blockbuster “The Fatal Encounter” sold over 3 million tickets in just 11 days since its release, according to official data provided by the Korean Film Council. Starring Hyun Bin, Jeong Jae-young, Jo Jung-suk and Han Ji-min, the 10 billion won ($9.8 million) project is inspired by Jeongyuyeokbyeon, the assassination attempt on the Joseon era King Jeongjo by his political opponents in 1777, his first year as the nation’s ruler.Fatal EncounterThe movie is also the film debut for promine

EXO-M tops the music chart in China. (CCTV)EXO-M, the Chinese unit of K-pop boy band EXO, topped the music chart on Chinese state-run media outlet CCTV, SM Entertainment said Sunday.“Overdose,” the title track of the boy band’s latest EP, won the most votes on “CCTV Global Chinese Music Bang Shang Bang,” which aired live in China on Saturday 7:30 p.m. local time. The music program is the first of its kind to have the audience vote via telephone, Internet and SNS, according to SM Entertainment.EX

Actress Kim Sung-ryeong (Issue Daily)Kim Sung-ryeong said actor Hyun Bin was part of the reason she joined the cast of historical epic film “Fatal Encounter” on KBS 2tv “Entertainment News” Saturday.The comment came as Kim, 47, was asked about a past statement she made, calling Lee Min-ho her ideal date and Hyun Bin her ideal husband. When she was asked again if she took up her part because of Hyun Bin, she jovially said “partially.”The actress won public envy as she played the beloved mother of

Jung Henin says foreign adoptions of Korean children must stop

(from left) g.o.d.’s “The Lone Duckling” (IHQ), Baek Ji-young’s “Bulggot” (WS Entertainment)Singers are resuming releases stalled after the Sewol ferry disaster in April.They have delayed their releases amid national grief over the ferry sinking off the southern coast on April 16, which killed 269 passengers and left 35 people still missing. EXO released their second EP “Overdose” on Wednesday, followed by single “Bulggot” by Baek Ji-young. K-pop group g.o.d. reunited and made a full comeback on

Folding fans flutter, bosoms heave above Empire-waisted dresses and class distinctions get in the way of true love.But in the 18th-century romance “Belle,” the young British aristocrat trying to find her place, in society, and in love, is black, the daughter of a black woman and a white sea captain of noble birth. Still, try to find a review of the new costume romance that doesn’t mention “Jane Austen.”The comparison to the works of the author of “Emma” and “Pride & Prejudice” may be too obvious

EXO makes listeners ‘Overdose’EXO-K “Overdose” (KT Music)EXO has made its return to the K-pop scene in Korea, as the music industry slowly picks up its activities since coming to a virtual standstill after the Sewol ferry accident in late April.EXO-K, the South Korean unit of the 12-member group EXO, released a Korean version of the group’s new EP “Overdose” on Wednesday. The album features five tracks, including the lead single “Overdose,” which immediately climbed to the top of major local mus

Mad Sad Bad (Korea)Opening May 15Fantasy, drama, horror. A collaboration between three renowned Korean directors, “Mad Sad Bad” consists of three short films, each telling a different story. It starts off with “Ghost” by Ryu Seung-wan, which deals with a senseless murder by reckless teenagers based on a real-life case. The second is Han Ji-seung’s “I Saw You,” a romance between a zombie and a human. The last film, “Picnic” by Kim Tae-yong, is about a child and her relationship with her autistic

Psy arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. (Psy Facebook)K-pop sensation Psy has been featured in a new single by the Cuban-American Latin pop musician Jencarlos Canela. Psy raps in Korean during “Give It Up Tonight (feat. Psy & KC of KC and the Sunshine Band),” one of the tracks from Canela’s new album “Jen” released Tuesday.The Hispanic star stated in an interview released by Billboard Wednesday that his collaboration with the Korean rapper is a notable surprise included on his new album.

Bernar Venet talks about artistic inspiration from mathematics at his solo exhibition in Seoul

Super Junior singer stars in tvN’s ‘Flower Grandpas Investigators’