Actor Ha Jung-woo showcases ‘faces’ at fifth solo art exhibitionSouth Korean actor Ha Jung-woo can not only make faces, but also paint them. The versatile man loved for his impressive filmography, made up of mostly thrillers and action flicks like “The Chaser,” “Take-off,” “War against Crime” and also the latest mega-hit romantic comedy “Love Fiction,” is gaining reputation as a talented artist among art insiders. And his popularity as an artist was evidenced by the many who gathered Tuesday at

The 14th International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul will kick off on Thursday for an eight-day run until April 26 with an opening ceremony at Welch-Ryang Auditorium of Ewha Womans University, organizers said Tuesday.Mexican director Paula Markovitch’s “The Prize” will raise the curtain for the festival that is held under the slogan “see the world through women’s eyes.” A total of 120 films presented from 30 countries will be screened at nine theaters in Seoul, including Arteon Theater, CGV Son

Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz will bring his musical charms to Busan on June 8, said Hyundai Card, which organized the concert. The American artist will take the stage at BEXCO on Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m. Titled “Hyundai Card Culture Project 06 Jason Mraz in BUSAN,” the event will kick off Mraz’s first world tour since the release of his fourth regular album, “Love is a Four Letter Word,” on Tuesday. Mraz debuted in 2002 with his first album, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come

Lead singer of Boney M. to protest Beijing’s forcible repatriation of North Korean defectors Just a year after the box office triumph of Korea’s retro flick “Sunny,” the legendary European disco band behind the movie’s title track made its second visit to Seoul ― this time for the serious cause of protecting the human rights of North Korean refugees. Liz Mitchell, one of the original members and lead singer of Boney M. ― the German-based vocal group that dominated the 1970s disco era ― is in Seo

Former Finance Minister Jin Nyum has been appointed the new director of the Academy of Korean Studies, the state-run research and educational institute announced Monday.Jin, who served as the deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance from 2001 to 2002, worked as one of the senior advisers to Samjong KPMG — one of the country’s largest accounting firms — and a chair professor at Chonbuk National University, prior to being appointed as the new director of the AKS. A graduate of Seo

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha to hold  recitals of J.S. Bach’s sonatas and partitasViolinist Chung Kyung-wha, one of the most beloved Korean musicians, returns to her loyal fans in a series of solo recitals of Bach’s sonatas and partitas in May and in June.Calling herself “Bach’s messenger,” the 65-year-old violinist said the upcoming recital has been her dream for a long time.“I feel like I’m dreaming because I dreamed of this moment for a long time. I feel really honored to perform Bach’s sonatas

Show host and comedian Kim Gu-ra, 41, announced Monday night that he would step down from all television programs to atone for his derogatory remarks about military sex slaves during World War II. In 2002, Kim, on his Internet radio show “Kim Gu-ra and Hwang Bong-al’s Current Affairs Talk,” made jokes about prostitutes who had protested against a police crackdown to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. “We haven’t seen prostitutes sharing a bus ride for a while, like the comfort women

EAST HAMPTON, New York (AP) ― Out behind a small farmhouse on a Long Island country road sits an old gray barn where a tormented artist dripped paint off brushes, sticks ― even turkey basters ― onto canvasses spread out on a wooden floor. Besides making quite a mess of things, leaving splash marks everywhere, Jackson Pollock also created some of the 20th century’s greatest masterpieces.Pollock, who would have turned 100 this year, is being remembered at a New York City fundraiser later this mont

Syrian play ‘Can  You Please Look  at the Camera’  premieres in SeoulAside from producing the show in secret in Damascus, Syrian director Omar Abu Saada and his six-member troupe had to fly to the other side of the world to showcase their politically-conscious play for the first time.The troupe’s piece, “Can You Please Look at the Camera?” deals with the ongoing Syrian uprising against current President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, and the real-life case of protestors who were imprisoned whil

Busker Busker, Sistar, Tiger JK to perform in SaitamaKorean pop music TV program M Countdown will shoot its third Japan show on May 25 at Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan. The show, titled “M Countdown Hello Japan” showcases 16 artists from Korea and Japan, and is scheduled to be aired on May 26. Korean artists performing in M Countdown Hello Japan include: Korean hip-pop artists Yoon Mi-rae, Tiger JK and Dynamic Duo; singer John Park; Korean boy bands Supernova, F.T. Island, MBLAQ, U-Kiss; i

Korean singer Se7en won the Best Overseas Performer Award at the China Music Award and Asian Influential Awards in Macau on April 13, YG Entertainment said.The 27-year-old K-pop artist was the only Korean singer invited to the event, the agency added.“I feel really grateful for receiving such a great award. I will do my best to meet my fans from China,” he said.  The awards show, in its 16th year, took place at CotaiArena in The Venetian Macao and was attended by many internationally known celeb