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East Asia
Teen girls flock to EXO showcase
If the decibel level from a cheering crowd measures the popularity of a pop band, EXO tops them all. During the one-and-half hour showcase for the K-pop boy-band’s second mini-album, “EXO Comeback Show,” Tuesday night, the non-stop screams from swooning female teenage fans were literally deafening. Yet it was not…
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Court rules men’s sex toys not obscene material
Men’s sex toys are not obscene material, a court said Wednesday, countering a previous top court ruling. The Cheongju District Court acquitted an adult products shop owner, 52, accused of displaying vagina-shaped masturbation devices in an appeals case. She was indicted for displaying 13 men’s sex toys in her shop.…
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East Asia
Park to play in Asian Cup
Park Eun-seon, a footballer who has recently weathered a controversy over her gender, will represent Korea in next month’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women’s Asian Cup. Park, 28, a forward for Seoul City Amazones in the WK-League, was among the 23 players Korea manager Yoon Deok-yeo picked for the tournament…
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Culture
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University student bodies lose reputation, popularity
College student bodies are losing their previous reputation as the champions of students’ rights, suffering from a double whammy of internal problems and students’ indifference. Back in the 1970s and ’80s, when the Korean thirst for democracy was strong, university student councils stood at the forefront, paving the way. Young…
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Autobiography of woman of Joseon literati family
This is the eighth of a 20-part of Jangseogak series in collaboration with the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS). Jangseogak houses Joseon Kingdom’s documents. — ED. In the Confucius Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), life was not easy for women. They were confined to domestic life, with many restrictions placed upon them.…
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Reality programs focus on singles
‘Share House,’ ‘Roommate’ start this week One of the reasons that Korean “reality” programs are enjoying a heyday is that they reflect what’s in demand or what’s lacking in Korean society today. In graying Korea, the television audience is highly attuned to celebrities traveling with their children as in “Where…
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Obama will return royal seals to Korea
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to return nine stolen Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) seals to Korea during his Asian trip next week, a source familiar with the situation said Tuesday. They are three state seals, which kings used on diplomatic and other significant documents, and six ceremonial ones, which royal…
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Who are most charitable stars?
Some celebrities become social inspirations beyond popularity Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, known as one of the most philanthropic celebrities, once said that she “opened her eyes” when she saw people from the war-ravaged region while filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Cambodia in 2001. Since then, she has turned into…
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Enjoying traditional and modern Incheon
A friend who has been to Incheon told me that it was a fascinating city. She said we could travel through time along the Gwandong modern architecture street or experience “Little China” in China Town. She talked about Shinpo Dakgangjeong, a restaurant that serves “dakgangjeong,” a sweet and spicy fried…
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