Fed up with hectic city life, but cannot spare more than a day off work? Put on a holiday outfit and head to Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province. If a timely break in peaceful traditional sites is what you need, this is a perfect place to cool off in the spring breeze. Hikers who initially come for Mount Naejang soon discover that this beautiful city, about 230 kilometers south of Seoul, has much more to offer. Naejang TempleFounded in 660 A.D. under the name Yeongeun Temple, Naejang Temple has a 1,

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 girl group Afterschool introduced Tuesday its newest member, Ga-eun.The 17-year-old will make her official debut on the group’s upcoming album, which will be released June 21.Ga-eun has the Afterschool “vibe” with a baby-face and a model-like figure, Afterschool’s management agency Pledis said. The company pointed out that Ga-eun demonstrated the most powerful vocal and dancing abilities among the candidates who vied to become the ninth member of the group. “Ga-eun went to junior high in

Former TV celebrity Kang Ho-dong announced Tuesday that he would donate all profits from his shares of 678 Corporation. Once a leading show host, Kang is the largest shareholder of the company, which operates seven restaurant brands specializing in pork, chicken and beef dishes, including 678 Chicken and Baekjeong. Kang became the company’s largest shareholder in 2005 and currently holds a 33.3 percent stake worth more than 15 billion won ($13 million). 678 Corporation has not disclosed the deta

Korean entertainer and race car driver Ryu Si-won is reported to be in divorce proceedings. Local dailies reported Monday that Ryu’s wife had filed for divorce on March 22, seeking to end the couple’s 18-month marriage. The reasons for the split have not been disclosed. On Monday, Ryu canceled the annual pre-race event for his team, EXR Team 106, scheduled for April 17. R’s Company, Ryu’s entertainment firm, explained that the cancellation was due to personal matters. R’s Company said through a

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency named financial expert Han Ki-won on Monday, commissioner of Invest Korea, the agency’s foreign investment promotion arm. The 53-year-old is highly experienced in the investment field, and is proficient in Korean, English and Japanese, KOTRA said. “We rarely get a candidate who suits the post better than he does,” a KOTRA spokesperson said. “He had a 10-year investment banking career in Japan and another 15 years in Europe and Asia. Han is a top-notch