Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Fans of SF9 already knew all about Kim Seok-woo and his extra-ordinary talent. But it wasn’t until recently that television viewers took notice. Thanks to the popularity of the MBC series “Extra-ordinary You,” the idol — who goes by Rowoon — has become a bonafide leading man.
Jazz vocalist Diana Panton says that when people ask her for travel tips, she recommends visiting Portugal. “I was impressed with the affordability (there),” says the Canadian musician. “It’s a great place to go on a budget. There’s lots of interesting architecture, history, tasty food and natural landscapes at a fraction of the price of most other European countries.”
Siobhan Fahey played her first overseas concert in 1983, when she was part of the trio Bananarama. “It was a weird, impromptu appearance by Bananarama in New York supporting Steel Pulse,” says the Irish-born musician. “(It was) the wrong audience for us — irreverent punky club kids that we were. It utterly confused the crowd — and us. (It was) one of many surreal situations I’ve found myself in my life.”
The Lotte Hotel Busan is a 15-minute cab ride from the train terminal. We drove past the famous Haeundae Beach, where they were setting up for some of the Busan International Film Festival events. It was too cold to go swimming when we were there, but it’s a gorgeous spot to take a walk.
“Parasite” currently is one of the most-talked about films at the box office. Directed by Bong Joon-ho (“Snowpiercer,” “The Host, “Okja”), the international hit has already won the coveted Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. There’s a strong Oscar buzz, too, with industry experts predicting that the movie may bypass a nomination for the Best Foreign Film for more prestigious nominations (Best Picture, Best Director etc.) at the 2020 Academy Awards.
A Korean journalist, Australian woman and a French man run into each other on Twitter. Mayhem ensues.
Advocates for promoting the awareness of mental health – especially in young people – BTS obliquely addresses this issue with the music video for their reworked version of “Make It Right.” It includes concert footage along with an animated story line. The animation gives off a strong “Le Petit Prince” vibe. Like the imagery depicted in the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry novel, the video delves into the delicate nature of human behavior.
There’s never a guarantee that a successful child actor will grow up to be a famous leading man or leading woman. For every Natalie Portman who matures into an Academy Award-winning actress, you have a slew of performers like Macaulay Culkin, who were beloved as children, but didn’t fare as well in their 20s and 30s.
“Signal” makes you ponder the consequences of altering life. Is it fate for a person to die at a certain time, no matter how horrific that death might be? And knowing that saving someone’s life in the past could create catastrophic results in the future, would you still take that chance?
Like other young female musicians such as H.E.R. and Billie Eilish, mxmtoon is making her mark as a singer-songwriter. Her debut album, “the masquerade,” is out and the 19-year-old artist hosts a podcast called “21 Days,” which gives fans insight into her life and her work process. Based out of Oakland, California, mxmtoon says traveling so much for work can be helpful when it comes to creating new songs. She also says she’s looking forward to seeing more of her colleagues on stage.