U.K.-based artist to participate in ‘Mind The Gap’ exhibition through June 27

Broadway actor James Barbour to make directing debut in Korea

With female K-pop singer after singer making their comeback with a “sexy code,” South Korea‘s music scene is bursting with eye-catching performances.Four-member girl group Sistar returned to the stage with their latest single “Give It To Me,” showing off dazzling gold and silver outfits resembling those of the divas of “Moulin Rouge.” The main choreography of the song, dubbed the “touch dance,” where the members tap their own bodies three times, adds to the sexy vibe. After School, often referre

Pop singers in South Korea enjoy taking on new challenges to expand their careers in the entertainment industry into various fields. Musicals are one such avenue. The profession, which requires talent not only in singing but also in acting and dancing, is sometimes considered overly arduous for idols to manage. However, there are a few who overcame these underestimations of idols’ talents and successfully became competent musical actors. 1. Kim Jun-soo (JYJ)A member of K-pop group JYJ and also k

　Rapper Simon D of Supreme Team and his girlfriend and singer Lady Jane have broken up after six years together, Simon D’s agency said. 　“They broke up about a month ago and now they stay as friends and coworkers,” the agency said.  　Sources said the busy schedules of the two musicians were the reason behind the break-up.　They started dating in October 2007 and Simon D revealed their relationship in December 2009 on SBS music program “Kim Jung-eun’s Chocolate.” 　　By Choi In-jeong, Intern reporte

Photographer Song Jung-keun captures intense feeling in nature

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― In the span of American pop music, few performers have gone as unrecognized as the backup vocalists who harmonize and contextualize the songs of many a heralded lead musician. With “20 Feet From Stardom,’’ some of the most notable finally get their due, but more than a tribute, the film is a recognition of the talent and sacrifice that many of these vocalists have invested in often challenging careers.With a documentary career that’s richly profiled the likes of Muddy Waters,

Korea’s showbiz powerhouse S.M. Entertainment’s latest product, 12-member boy band EXO, topped the Billboard World Albums Chart as of June 22, the agency said Friday. The band’s full-length debut album, “XOXO(Kiss&Hug)” with the title track “Wolf,” was released worldwide on June 3 through iTunes and other music file distribution sites. It received 299,280 preorder sales and has become the best-selling album at Hottracks and others, while topping music charts on KBS, MBC and SBS over the weekend.

Inspirational figure Nick Vujicic is back in town to make his guest appearance Monday on a local television talk show, “Healing Camp,” according to the broadcaster SBS.The 30-year-old Australian evangelist who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs, will be the first foreign guest to appear on the show, officials said.Vujicic, who has become an icon of iron will against all odds, has given motivational speeches to some 4 million people

Vampire Weekend turns down tempo on 3rd CDVampire Weekend“Modern Vampires of the City”(XL Recordings)After releasing two bouncy albums of reggae-flavored pop laced with African rhythms, Vampire Weekend turns down the tempo and ups the indie-rock vibe on its third effort. “Modern Vampires of the City,” which the band characterizes as the culmination of a trilogy, puts singer-songwriters Ezra Koenig and Rostam Batmanglij‘s guitars and harmonies front and center. The New York quartet maintains the

White House DownOpening on June 27Action. Drama. Directed by Roland EmmerichCapitol policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied by the Secret Service a job protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Although he was rejected, he takes his young daughter on a tour of the White House to avoid disappointing her. Then the place gets attacked by a heavily armed paramilitary group and Cale faces a situation where he needs to save the president, his daughter and the nation at the same

When most filmmakers in Los Angeles feel frustrated by the movie business, they pick up a pen to write out their anxiety ― or pick up the phone and call their therapist.Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij took a different approach.Upset by a series of Hollywood rejections four years ago, the then-aspiring actress and would-be director decided to spend the summer train-hopping with a group of idealistic drifters they’d never met. For nearly two months, they criss-crossed America, encountering strange

A film directed by Korea’s art house favorite Jeon Soo-il has been invited to the upcoming Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, according to the film’s local production house.The film, titled “El Condor Pasa,” tells the story of a Catholic priest (played by Cho Jae-hyun) who gets involved with a rape and murder case of a teen who used to attend his church. The priest, whose last name is Park, feels extremely bad for the young victim and gradually forms a special bond with her grieving older

Zhang Ziyi arrived in Korea Friday, kicking off her visit to participate in the Chinese Film Festival in Seoul.The actress arrived through Incheon International Airport on Friday afternoon. Zhang is to participate in the opening ceremony of 2013 Chinese Film Festival on Sunday. Chinese actor Tony Leung and acclaimed Chinese director Wong Kar Wai will also take part in the festival.Zhang and Leung are starring in Wong’s martial arts film “The Grandmasters,” which has been selected as the opener o