HONG KONG (AP) ― Jiang Wen’s latest film has earned rare box-office success in the sensitive genre of Chinese political satire, but theories are flying that it accomplishes much more: eluding strict censorship to criticize China’s current government.Set in the chaotic years after the collapse of imperial rule, “Let the Bullets Fly” tells the story of a Robin Hood-like bandit who kidnaps a con man

Top South Korean actor Hyun Bin has announced that he aims to join the Marines in March to serve his mandatory military duty. Hyun Bin’s agency, AM Entertainment, said on Wednesday that the actor took a physical test and an interview for the Marines last year. He will join in March if he passes the screening.  Actor Hyun Bin. (SBS)“Hyun Bin has so far focused on his sound image as an actor and als

Korean actor Hyun Bin, who is one of Asia’s top stars, said on Wednesday he would join the Marines in March to serve the mandatory military duty.　AM Entertainment, an agency representing Hyun, said the actor took a test for the Marines last year and, if he passes the screening, will join the Marines in March. 　“Hyun Bin has so far focused on his image as an actor and also has had a good impression

Jealous husband kills 3, then himselfA 74-year-old Italian man went on a shooting spree -- killing two neighbors, his wife and finally himself -- apparently motivated by jealousy. Carlo Trabona suspected his 72-year-old wife had been having an affair with one of the neighbors, who were brothers, and shot them both, the Telegraph reported Monday. The Telegraph quoted an Italian media outlet as repo

From visual voicemail to a portable media player and an Internet client, the iPhone has been serving the international public as a great multi-tasker with its revolutionary, diverse functionalities.The small handheld device has now arguably made another step, as Korea’s highly acclaimed director Park Chan-wook and his brother Park Chan-kyong ― a renowned media artist ― revealed their latest collab

Major dance and ballet companies are expected to showcase a broad spectrum of dances and ballets in 2011, ranging from Korean classical ballet to French classical romantic ballet to Korean contemporary dance and original Spanish flamenco.The first to kick-start the local dance scene in January is “The Song of Mermaid,” created and showcased by veteran choreographer Kim Sun-hee 10 years ago.Kim, pr

LAS VEGAS ― At the International Consumer Electronics Show, the massive annual expo in Las Vegas devoted to the hard sell of high tech, it’s just assumed that the next big thing is always better than what came before. That’s why director Oliver Stone managed to sound lonely in a crowded room Saturday when he suggested that, for cinema, the future just doesn’t look so bright.“Watching my children a

A growing number of netizens are protesting against a new girl group who appear to be using the title of a children’s book for their name. The book’s author is none too pleased with the new six-member group that has begun appearing in magazines and on national TV this month.Baek Hee-na, author of the book “Dal Sherbet” has been highly praised for her creative storyline and pictures. “Dal Sherbet”

Kwon tells about life of stunt performersLess than a week remains until the final episode of SBS’ smash hit series “Secret Garden” airs. For the past 18 episodes, the weekend drama has amassed a broad fan base and more buzz than it can handle. Everything from the sequin encrusted track suits worn by heartthrob Hyun Bin’s winsome hero to co-star Ha Ji-won’s enthralling portrayal of stuntwoman Gil R

Expect a fierce rivalry on the Korean music scene this year, as top boy bands are ready to make a comeback.Until now, the Korean music channels were mostly dominated by popular girl groups or singers like the Girls Generation, but this year the boys are expected to take the lead. Even before the release of their albums, the long-waited returns of TVXQ and Big Bang have generated heat among K-Pop f

Having a stable job for eight years ― two years as a researcher at the National Museum of Korea and six as a professor at Seoul National University ― was enough for Chang Ucchin. Without much hesitation, the freewheeling artist resigned from the respected position and wandered off to the countryside to devote the rest of his life entirely to painting. He drifted from atelier to atelier that he bui

People who become euphoric over music unleash dopamine, a brain chemical that also induces the sense of reward that comes from food, psychoactive drugs and money, an unusual study says.   McGill University researchers in Montreal, Canada, recruited eight volunteers aged 19-24 among 217 people who responded to advertisements requesting people who experienced "chills" -- a marker of extreme pleasure