foreigners on K-tv

More Foreign Faces in Korean Dramas

Japanese-British woman Eva Popiel will make her acting debut in the KBS1 daily series “I Hate You, But It’s Fine,” which will start airing on Sept. 3. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Perhaps a reflection of the growing awareness of an increasingly multiracial Korea, a growing number of foreign faces are appearing on Korean television. More and more Korean dramas are casting foreign-born actors and actresses, although in supporting roles. In recent years, hunky actors like Daniel Henney and Dennis Oh, who are partly Korean, have won the hearts of fans, even though they can barely speak Korean. Now, it's the turn of good-looking and fluent Korean speakers like exotic British-Japanese Eva Popiel and blonde Belgian Julian Quintart to make a splash on the entertainment scene. Foreign Beauties Eva Popiel, a young Japanese-British woman who attracted attention after appearing in the hit KBS talk show ``Beauties Chatterbox,'' is now parlaying her popularity into an acting career. At the press conference for the KBS1 daily series ``I Hate You, But It's Fine,'' Popiel attracted media attention because this is her first acting role, though she may have even overshadowed the drama's lead stars Han Ji-hye, Kim Ji-suk and Cho Dong-hyuk. Popiel admitted it was hard at first, but she received a lot of support and help from her co-stars. When asked if she made a lot of mistakes when acting, she replied ``only a little.'' Her co-star Kim Chan-woo had nothing but praise for Popiel, saying she is very beautiful and hard-working. Popiel plays the role of Sonia, a young woman from Kazakhstan who has come to Korea to work at an events company. She has been working in Korea for three years, sending money back to her family in Kazakhstan. The show will air on KBS1 at 8:25 p.m. from Monday to Friday, starting Sept. 3. Other foreign women who have appeared in ``Beauties Chatterbox'' are also branching out into the entertainment industry. Japanese woman Saori Chang has signed up with an entertainment agency and appeared in other variety shows, while Canadian Luvada Dunford has been seen in television commercials Meanwhile, Cambodian beauty contest winner Ka Cho had a minor role in the drama series ``How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor,'' which starred Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doo-na. The drama was filmed on location in Cambodia. Ka Cho, whose real name is Pov Theavy, won the Beautiful Woman and Handsome Man 2006 competition in Phnom Phen last year. The presence of foreign faces in Korean television is a welcome trend. However, it remains to be seen whether foreign actors and actresses can go beyond the stereotype and create more meaningful characters. Julian Quintart, a 20-year old from Belgium, is appearing in the SBS Friday drama ``Sky High,'' which started airing Aug. 24. Belgian Cutie Quintart never imagined he would have ended up as a celebrity when he first came to Korea as an exchange student in late 2004. He first gained attention appearing in the SBS Saturday morning show ``A Way to Live Well and Eat Well.'' Since then, he has appeared in numerous shows on MBC, SBS and Mnet. Quintart is making his acting debut in the SBS Friday drama ``Sky High,'' which started airing Aug. 24. He plays a supporting role as Daniel, an American who grew up in New York and can speak a little Korean. In an interview with The Korea Times on Sunday, Quintart said he does not want to make his role a stereotype of foreigners living in Korean. ``He (Daniel) is not typical because he can speak some Korean. I think most foreigners' roles in the dramas are like Dennis Oh and Daniel Henney, who seem very cold. But my character shows another image of foreigners, as cute and cheerful,'' he said. Quintart, who turned 20 last Friday, plays a character similar to his own. He said the hardest part about acting in the drama is pretending that he doesn't speak much Korean. In reality, he is already quite fluent in conversational Korean, having learned through self-study and practicing speaking with Koreans. Even though he is already fluent himself, he is still working hard to improve. He is also taking acting lessons to improve his craft. ``I won't say I'm an actor yet. I can't speak Korean well. But I really like it and I want to become an actor. I am not satisfied, so I am always trying to act better and work hard,'' Quintart said. His clean-cut good looks, friendly demeanor and youthful enthusiasm for Korean culture have earned him many fans. His first reaction when he found out he had a fan club on the Internet? ``Whoa,'' he recalled, with a laugh. ``This is so much fun for me to meet a lot of new people. It is a good experience to go abroad like this. I'm very thankful for Korea. I am happy to see Korea is becoming more and more open.'' cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

fallin'

Fall For Fashion

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Autumn is definitely in the air. If you haven't started fall and winter shopping yet, now is the time to hit the shops. For this fall season, fashion has taken a more ladylike turn with simple yet sophisticated silhouettes. Chanel, Christian Dior, Burberry Prorsum, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci are leading the way in trends for this fall and winter. Designers have created a more polished, grown-up look for women, compared to the previous season's young and girlish style. Fall's color palette is predominantly dark, but gray is this season's "it" color. However, there are flashes of jewel tones such as royal blue and purple and touches of metallic that brighten up an otherwise dark look. Grown-up suits are back in fashion. Designers Bill Blass, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein reinterpreted the classic skirt suit. Think suits worn by Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca" and many of Hollywood's stars in the 1940s and 1950s. The prim and proper suits feature nipped-in jacket waists and skirts that stop just above or on the knees. Elegance is back as seen with Chanel's impeccable dresses and Dior's stunning evening gowns. Dolce and Gabbana's models wore tight corset-like belts to emphasize tiny waists. On the other end of the fashion spectrum, a trend towards a masculine look for women is emerging. Tuxedos and other men's wear-inspired suits are characterized by fitted jackets and tops paired with wide-leg pants. What to Wear The runways may dictate the trends, but not everyone can afford to stock up on fall must-haves from the top designer brands. Fortunately, many clothing brands have adopted these trends and turned them into affordable, yet still fashionable, items. Before you start shopping, remember to choose one or two trends to follow. Start off with last season's clothes, and update your look with key pieces. For example, flirty shift dresses can transition in fall, when paired with dark tights and ankle boots. The swingy dress look can be updated with platform shoes. Top Korean designer Im Seon-oc has created fluid one-piece dresses worn with bright tights. For example, her fall collection featured a model wearing a tulip-shaped dress and navy tights. One of the key items is the pencil skirt, which is in tune with the overall ladylike trend this fall. Wear these knee-length skirts with long, lean sweaters and thin belts, similar to the style spotted on Louis Vuitton's runways. Calvin Klein's fall collection features clean, pared-down silhouettes, with classic pencil skirts, asymmetrical tops and sculptured dresses. For example, the pencil skirt, made of fine wool, is paired with an oversized hooded lacquered nylon bomber. Korean designer Gee Choon-hee's Miss Gee Collection features crisp suits with feminine details. For a glamorous look, try sexy satin dresses in gray or jewel tones. Silky tops are an easy way to inject a bit of sexiness in one's wardrobe. Anything satin can turn an outfit into something more sophisticated. The verdict is still out on whether skinny jeans will remain a wardrobe staple for this season. Some fashion magazines are already urging women to throw out their skinny jeans, and replace them with the more figure-friendly wide-leg versions. You can still get some mileage out of skinny jeans if you pair them with knee-high boots or ankle boots. Wide-leg pants and jeans are popping up in many stores. These wide leg styles have higher waistlines. The style looks good with fitted, silky tops and cropped jackets. Be careful with the wide leg styles, because you can end up looking chunky with the wrong style. Korean designer Jain Song's fall collection balances masculinity with femininity, with straight loose pants matched with a flirty ruffled top. It also included a lacy mini-dress worn with a hooded jacket, as well as a plaid gray tailored mini-dress worn with dark green leggings and boots. Banana Republic's trousers can be worn with cropped swing jackets. Banana Republic's black skirt can be paired with white button-down shirt and black croc belt and lace-up booties for a sophisticated urban look. Knits are always a staple for fall and winter. Knit dresses are another figure-friendly option this season. Slouchy sweaters are a fashionable way to keep warm. Pair oversized sweaters with straight cut pants or tights to keep with the trend. You can also pile on the knits for a layered look. John Smedley's knitwear for fall features light and comfortable sweaters and dresses in tawny neutrals, black and gray, with vibrant red and pink. It offers sweaters in solid colors, stripes and plaids for a preppy look. For the sexy, confident lady, Korean casual clothing brand GGPX New York is sticking with mini-skirts, vests and funky tops. GGPX's fall collection looked sexy on supermodel Kate Moss. Moss modeled shiny tights with a tough-looking cropped leather jacket and studded ankle boots, in a GGPX ad. For coats and jackets this fall, it is a return to minimalism. Black tailored jackets are always a good investment, and can be used for several seasons. If you're looking for something different, there are other styles, from military to biker jackets, cocoon style to capes. Belts are key accessories this season. Burberry Prorsum belts added a feminine touch to otherwise tough-looking jackets and coats. Thick belts were spotted on Dolce and Gabbana's runways, while thinner belts were worn at Celine. Fall's coats and dresses seem more ladylike when worn with wide belts to cinch the waist. Thin belts can be worn around lean sweaters to create a sleeker look. Must-Have Accessories No outfit will be complete this season without the trendiest shoes: platform heels and ankle boots. Ankle boots returned to the scene last year, but it's finally catching on this season. These ankle boots are everywhere, in a wide variety of styles, colors and prices. There are patent leather booties, lace-up ankle boots, zippered ankle boots, bootie pumps and platform boots. Don't forget the season's "it" bags. Chanel introduced Coco's Croco bag, a luxe quilted satin bag with a chain handle. It is not actually made out of crocodile skin. The satin material is quilted to resemble crocodile skin. This updated version of the classic Chanel purse has already been spotted on the arms of Nicole Richie and other Hollywood celebrities. Not surprisingly, cheap versions and imitations of this bag are already out on the streets. Bags made out of exotic skin like crocodile and alligator, are among the season's most expensive items. If you're looking for real crocodile skin bags, you can choose from those by Dior and Bottega Veneta. Even more expensive are the alligator skin bags by Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Oversized bags are still hot, but this time in shiny patent leather and more structured shapes such as those by Miu Miu, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Black patent leather is always a good choice, but bold colors like red and blue will help you stand out from the crowd. For party girls, the colorful and embellished clutch bag is a must-have. Louis Vuitton's monogrammed clutch in metallic shades is perfect for a night out The most important thing to remember is to carefully pick which trend will suit your style and body type. Also remember to follow the trends in moderation. Don't pile them on, but try to balance them with classic pieces. There's nothing worse than being a fashion victim. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

summer treats

Beat the Heat With Refreshing Summer Treats

Samgyetang or chicken ginseng soup is served at To Sok Chon. The savory dish is supposed to help fight fatigue during summer. / Korea Times Photo by Lee Jae-moon. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The unbearably hot days of summer are here once again. As temperatures rise, everyone is scrambling to find ways to escape the heat and cool off. One of the easiest ways to forget about the weather and stay cool is trying out some of the summer's most popular and delicious food that Korea has to offer. Sizzling Hot What do you eat when you're trying to stay cool? In many countries, the obvious answer would be ice cream, frozen yogurt and other ice-cold treats. It's always a surprise for many foreigners to find out one of the most popular dishes during summer is a piping hot bowl of samgyetang or chicken ginseng soup. ``Fighting fire with fire'' may be the philosophy behind eating this hot soup during summer. Back in historical times, it was customary to eat samgyetang, a soup with chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng and jujubes, during the three hottest days of summer or ``sambok.'' Eating samgyetang, which is rich in protein and vitamins, is supposed to help keep one healthy to fight off fatigue in the hot summer. ``Consuming this spicy soup on a hot summer day caused one to perspire heavily, much like a sand sauna, but also served to bolster the bodily constitution and ward off illness,'' David E. Shaffer wrote in ``Seasonal Customs of Korea.'' To Sok Chon is one of the best-known samgyetang restaurants in Seoul. President Roh Moo-hyun himself is said to be a big fan of the restaurant, which is located in Cheboo-dong, near Cheong Wa Dae. Jung Sung-hoon, To Sok Chon's owner, said the restaurant has been operating for 25 years and is a favorite among politicians because of its proximity to Cheong Wa Dae. ``We serve thousands of bowls of samgyetang every day during summer. There are always twice as many customers during summer,'' Jung told The Korea Times. Due to its popularity, you might find yourself lining up under the sun for around 10 to 15 minutes before you can get a table during lunch and dinner times. However, most customers say it is well worth the wait. Jung said the samgyetang's distinctive taste comes from the combination of herbs, jujube dates, ginseng, glutinous rice, gingko, pumpkin seeds, grains and special secret ingredients. The chicken itself is tender and flavorful. It costs 12,000 won. To get to To Sok Chon, get off at Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3, Exit 2) and walk 120 meters, turn left at the GS 25 convenience store and you'll find the restaurant on the left. You won't miss the line of people waiting for a table at the restaurant. Spicy Cold Noodles Another distinctly Korean summer dish is naengmyeon or cold noodles. Eating naengmyeon on a sultry humid day is always a refreshing treat. Naengmyeon originated in North Korea, hence the popular dishes Pyeongyang naengmyeon and Hamheung naengmyeon are named after two cities. Pyeongyang naengmyeon, also known as mul (water) naengmyeon, features an icy, watery broth and uses buckwheat flour for its noodles. Hamheung naengmyeon, or bibim naengmyeon, is not served with broth, but is spiced with red-pepper paste. It also uses noodles made of sweet potato starch. Both dishes are served with sliced beef, boiled egg, cucumbers and pears. While you can find naengmyeon almost anywhere in the city, Ojang-dong is known for its so-called naengmyeon street, with some of the oldest restaurants in the city. Heungnam House is the oldest naengmyeon restaurant in the area, having opened in 1953 by Noh Yong-won, after she fled from her hometown Heungnam to South Korea during the Korean War. Heungnam House has a decidedly low-key and unpretentious atmosphere that has kept a steady stream of customers coming through its doors for more than 50 years. Its naengmyeon dishes use thin, soft noodles, and its bibim naengmyeon, 7,000 won, is not too spicy. Other well-known restaurants in Ojang-dong are Hamheung Naengmyeon, which opened in 1955; and Shingchang Myeonok, which opened in 1981. To find Ojang-dong naengmyeon Street, get off at Euljiro 4-ga (Subway Line 2, Exit 8) and go straight to the direction of the Jung-gu Office. At the intersection, turn left and go straight for 50 meters and you'll find the naengmyeon restaurants. If you go during lunchtime, just follow the people lining up at the restaurants. Ice-cold Sweets Summer heat always seems to intensify a craving for something sweet and cold. In Korea, summer is almost synonymous with patbingsu, or shaved ice served with sweet red beans and fresh fruits. It is so popular that even fast-food chains like Lotteria and Burger King came with their version of patbingsu. One of the famous patbingsu restaurants is Mealtop, located at the fifth floor of Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong. While some may initially balk at paying 6,000 won for a bowl of shaved ice and red beans, its patbingsu has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best in the city. Mealtop's patbingsu features snowy shaved ice with milk and is topped with creamy, sweet red beans and fresh fruits. It also offers variations with strawberry ice, coffee ice and even one for dieters. With the well-being craze, there are several places serving healthier versions of patbingsu. O'Sulloc Tea House serves green tea patbingsu. It may seem like an odd combination _ shaved ice with red beans and green tea ice cream, but it is surprisingly tasty. Scream for Ice Cream Ice cream is always everyone's favorite summer treat. Aside from the usual Korean popsicles available at every convenience store, foreign ice cream chains like Cold Stone Creamery and Baskin Robbins offer fresh, new flavors to suit everyone's taste. Cold Stone Creamery is relatively new to Korea, having opened only in June 2006, but it is rapidly expanding throughout Seoul. Here, you can choose your favorite ice cream flavor to be mixed with a variety of fruits, nuts, chocolate bits, brownies and candy on a frozen granite stone counter. This is one place where you can have your ice cream treat exactly the way you want it. The ice cream chain is fast becoming popular for its signature creations with enticing names such as Cheesecake Fantasy, Strawberry Shortcake Serenade and Strawberry Banana Rendezvous. Kwon Yu-mi, in charge of marketing and public relations at Cold Stone Creamery Korea, said the company makes sure the ice cream it serves in Korea is exactly the same in the U.S. All the ice cream bases, mix-ins and waffle mixes are imported from the U.S. However, Cold Stone Creamery is adapting to the tastes of Koreans by introducing "well-being" flavors such as Yogurt and Green Tea. Baskin Robbins is also popular, with branches almost everywhere in Seoul. Baskin Robbins introduced fruity flavors perfect for the summer, such as Aloe Pineapple Yogurt. Their ice cream fondue, featuring scoops of ice cream to be dipped in hot chocolate, is popular among groups of friends. Health buffs flock to Red Mango for its low-fat yogurt topped with an assortment of fruits and cereals, and fruity yogurt drinks. American chain Smoothie King also offers nutritious, creamy smoothies that combine fruits, natural juices and vitamins as a healthy alternative. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

pea please

Black Eyed Peas in Seoul

The Black Eyed Peas attend a press conference at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul, Monday. The group, composed of, from left Taboo, apl.d.ap, Fergie and will.i.am, are scheduled to hold a concert at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Superstar hip-hop group, the Black Eyed Peas promises to give an exciting and rambunctious concert for Korean fans on Wednesday evening. The Grammy Award-winning group, composed of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie, have fond memories of performing at last year's Pentaport Rock Festival. ``At last year's concert, it was amazing that even in the worst weather, we had one of the best shows we have had. The people and the energy were amazing. Korea is by far one of our favorite places to perform,'' will.i.am said, during a press conference at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in southern Seoul on Monday. For Wednesday's concert at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, will.i.am said the group is preparing some surprises but jokingly assured fans that ``I know it won't rain, so it will be a dry show.'' Fergie, the group's lead singer and only female member, said each of the members will give solo performances during the concert. She said she is excited to perform songs from her first album ``The Dutchess.'' ``The energy of the show would be like as if kimchi is falling from the sky,'' Fergie said, eliciting laughter. The Peas arrived in Seoul on Monday, after having performed at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan over the weekend. ``We just came from Japan, where we had a show. It was kind of like a warm up show. We haven't performed together in a long time, so we were on stage working out the kinks. But we saved the best for last for Korea,'' will.i.am said The past year saw the Peas concentrate on their solo activities. Fergie released her solo album. Will.i.am prepared for his album ``Songs About Girls'' to be released in September. Apl.de.ap and Taboo are also preparing for their solo albums. ``The cool thing about being in the Black Eyed Peas is that we're kind of like solo artists in a group. Apl can sing a song in Tagalog by himself. Fergie's got her solo album. Taboo can rap in Spanish. … It's a good experience to be able to be in the Black Eyed Peas and still do side solo projects. Its good to have the support of friends, still go on tour and rock the stage. It's not strange at all. You actually benefit from it,'' will.i.am said. Will.i.am described his upcoming album as a mix of ``dance, electro, funk, and soul fusion music from a hip-hop perspective.'' Apl.de.ap, who is Filipino-American, said his solo album would contain more Tagalog language songs to show Philippine culture. As for the next Black Eyed Peas album, the group said they haven't decided on a title yet. Apl.de.ap said the tentative title ``From Roots to Fruits'' was a result of joking around, reminiscing about the group's evolution. ``We want to come back in 2008 with a new album, which will be a fulfillment of everything that everybody wants to express as an individual and as a group,'' Taboo said. During their stay in Seoul, the Peas said they are planning to visit Bongeunsa temple, Coex Mall, night clubs and even a recording studio. Will.i.am said he is composing music for the film ``Madagascar 2,'' and Fergie's song for a Japanese drama. Fergie is collaborating with J-pop singer Koda Kumi. Tickets for the Black Eyed Peas concert are priced between 121,000 won to 66,000 won. For more information, check out http://ticket.interpark.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

shopaholic's seoul

Gap, Banana Republic to Open Shops

Actress Lucy Liu is wearing Gap's little black sweater dress in this photo taken by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz. / Courtesy of Gap By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Shopaholics get ready, as well-known fashion brands are finally coming to Seoul. American retailing giant Gap and its more upscale sister company Banana Republic are opening shops in Seoul on Aug. 24. Shinsegae International, a unit of Shinsegae Co., is bringing in Gap and Banana Republic through a franchise agreement with Gap. Inc. The Gap brand is known for its classic designs and comfortable basics such as T-shirts and jeans, while Banana Republic is described as an ``accessible luxury brand offering high-quality apparel and accessories.'' As part of the agreement, Shinsegae will have exclusive rights to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in Korea. Both brands will be available at the Shinsegae Main Department Store. Gap will have its flagship store in Myeong-dong and will also be available at the Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam, while Banana Republic will have its flagship store in Apgujeong-dong. Japanese actor Ken Watanabe is wearing a classic tailored white shirt from Gap. A spokesman for Shinsegae International said Gap will carry the adult, kids and baby line of clothes and accessories. Gap and Banana Republic will be offering their fall collection at the stores. This fall, Gap's women's collection features men's wear inspired clothing with feminine details, such as striped shirtdresses, tailored blazers and cute vests. The spokesman also said the Banana Republic line features items, described as luxurious both in materials and design, which will cater to the discerning Korean customer. This includes sophisticated suits, quality leather bags and stylish shoes. The buzzword is ``urban elegance'' for Banana Republic's fall collection. Classic American sportswear is given a modern twist, with inspiration from 80's fashion. Key pieces include shimmering cocktail dresses, oversized hounds tooth jackets, as well as wide-leg trousers and cropped trapeze jackets. Gap Inc. is a leading specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Piperlime brands. Gap Inc. operates more than 3,100 stores, of which 1, 199 stores are in the United States alone. In Asia, there are Gap stores in Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. Meanwhile, Spanish clothing brand Zara is also reportedly planning to open its first store in Seoul. A spokesman for Lotte Group said there are on-going talks with Zara, but there is no confirmation yet. However, Industria de Diseno Textil SA (Inditex), parent company of Zara, announced in March 2006 that it had already signed a joint venture agreement with the Lotte Shopping Company Ltd. to launch Zara in the country. At that time, Inditex said the first Zara store will be opened in Seoul by the end of 2006. The fashionable Spanish brand is known for its chic but affordable line of trendy clothes for women and men. It usually takes inspiration from the hottest runway looks and translates it to wearable items for a wider audience. Zara is Europe's largest fashion retailer, followed by Sweden's Hennes & Mauritz also known as H&M. Zara has already made inroads around Asia, opening stores in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in recent years. The Gap, Banana Republic and Zara would have to compete with homegrown brands, as well as other foreign retailers such as Spain's Mango, Hong Kong's Giordano and Japan's Uniqlo which have already established their presence in Korea. Fierce competition is expected among these retailers. Hopefully, the Korean consumers will benefit with better quality products and competitive prices.

mflo is love

M-flo Rocks Seoul Party Scene Despite Delay

Japanese hip-hop superstars m-flo By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Japanese hip-hop superstars m-flo rocked the Seoul party scene with two sold-out concerts on Friday and Saturday, as part of the ``m-flo Tour 2007 Cosmicolor.'' This was the duo's first concert in Korea since their ``Beat Space Nine'' tour in 2005. The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel's Kayagum Hall was packed with fans who were eager to see m-flo perform in Seoul. However, Saturday's concert was marred by a delay that caused fans to wait 2 hours and 45 minutes for m-flo's performance. At a press conference at the W Hotel on Saturday afternoon, m-flo's rapper Verbal and producer Taku Takahashi expressed excitement at performing before Korean fans once again. ``Korean fans are very enthusiastic. We're very pleased to see many Korean fans at our concerts, so we are always coming here. At our concert (on Friday), we saw some Japanese fans, and Korean fans clap their hands. We are pleased to see that Korean fans are welcoming Japanese fans. Through music, I think people can understand each other more deeply,'' Verbal said. When asked how they feel at the popularity of Japanese pop culture in Korea, Taku said he was happy to know that Koreans are appreciating their music. Verbal laughed, saying that he saw many fans at the airport but it turned out they were waiting for Japanese actor Tamaki Hiroshi. M-flo is known for their unique collaborations with top Japanese artists such as Koda Kumi, Amuro Namie and Crystal Kay, as well as Korean artists like Boa, Wheesung and Clazziquai. Taku said they liked working with these Korean singers because they have powerful voices, strong characters and good musical style. On Saturday evening, fans were dismayed at the delay in m-flo's performance. Tickets for the ``club event'' indicated the show would start at 10 p.m., but fans were lining up as early as 7:30 p.m. When the gates opened at 10 p.m., fans were surprised by the announcement that m-flo would perform at 12:45 a.m. This prompted dozens of fans to storm out of the concert to demand a refund from the organizers, 02 Productions and S.M. Entertainment. Fans complained that they had to stand while waiting for m-flo's performance, since guards refused to let them sit on the floor. Perhaps sensing the crowd's growing restlessness, Verbal came out at 12:15 a.m. to appease the fans. He asked the crowd to wait for a few more minutes and enjoy the music by the DJs. A representative from the concert organizers appeared before the crowd to apologize for the delay, attributing it to technical difficulties. When m-flo finally took the stage, fans forgot all about the long wait and greeted them with loud screams. M-flo made up for the delay with an energetic show, performing with Korean singers Wheesung and Alex of Clazziquai. Wheesung, who is recently making a comeback, sang ``I'm Da 1,'' from m-flo's ``Beat Space Nine album.'' Alex performed ``Love Me After 12 a.m.,'' which is included in the ``Cosmicolor'' album. In contrast, m-flo's concert on Friday went off without a hitch. M-flo opened the show with a performance of ``Summer Time Love,'' with J-pop singers Emi Hinouchi and Ryohei. Rapid fire rapping from Verbal, excellent mixing from Takahashi, as well as colorful visuals and thumping dance beats all combined to energize the concert crowd, who kept screaming and jumping throughout the nearly 3-hour show. Most of the songs were from their latest album ``Cosmicolor.'' Verbal, who is ethnically Korean but grew up in Japan, addressed the crowd in a mix of English, Japanese and Korean. M-flo also performed with J-pop singers Yoshika and Emyli, on songs such as ``Loop in my Heart,'' ``Love Song'' and ``Let Go.'' Former m-flo member Lisa also reunited with Verbal and Takahashi on stage, to perform songs from their earlier albums.

stargazing with AK in wuxi

Andre Kim Captivates Wuxi 
 

World-renowned Korean fashion designer Andre Kim holds a fashion show under the theme of "Fantasy of Four Seasons" at the Wuxi International Convention Center in China Thursday. / Yonhap

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Wuxi,China _ World-renowned Korean fashion designer Andre Kim captivated Chinese audiences in the small city in southern Jiangsu province Thursday evening with a romantic runway show featuring top hallyu stars wearing his distinctive designs.

All eyes were on TV stars Park Sol-mi, Cho Hyun-jae, and K-pop's hottest singers Ivy and Son Ho-young, who were the main models of the fantasy-filled show held at the Wuxi International Convention Center.

With the theme ``Fantasy of Four Seasons,'' the one and a half hour program featured 170 pieces from Kim's 2008 fashion collection. The audience was mesmerized by the array of exquisite and colorful designs in a show divided into six stages.

The event started with a winter stage ``Festival of White Night,'' as models appeared wearing somber black and white pieces and fur stoles and fake snow swirled around them.

Much attention was given to Ivy's debut as a fashion model, and she charmed the crowd with her angelic smile. Park, co-star of the hit drama ``Winter Sonata,'' had a chance to show off her tan and curves on the runway. Actors Park Jin-woo and Jeong Dong-jin, as well as singer Tim, modeled Kim's designs.

Vibrant splashes of color, coupled with dashes of mystery and romance, punctuated each stage.

In ``Mystery of Oriental Dynasty,'' Kim paid homage to Chinese and Korean culture, history and art. ``I created gowns inspired by ancient Korea and Oriental kingdoms. We created colorful motifs like dragons, taken from the ancient Chinese culture,'' he told The Korea Times before the show.

For ``Fantasy of Immortal Masterpiece,'' Kim created gowns printed with famous works by masters such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Ruben and Raphael. A highlight of the show was Kim's interpretation of the ``Legend of Seven Veils,'' where a model twirled around, peeling off one colorful coat at a time to finally unveil a pale blue gown.

Unlike his previous shows featuring only one main couple for the show's wedding finale, Kim said he decided to have two couples this time. Ivy and Son walked down the runway, looking like a match made in K-pop heaven, while Park and Cho looked like a picture-perfect couple in a TV drama.

Wild applause and cheers showered Kim as he took a bow at the end of the show.

Kim held his fashion show in this city located 128 kilometers from Shanghai, at the invitation of the Wuxi government and the International Textile and Fashion Megamall (ITFM), one of the world's largest fashion market and textile trading centers. Also known as Little Shanghai, Wuxi is the center of China's textile industry.

``This year's fashion show is very important because it is sponsored by the ITFM and Wuxi, which is a rising city for fashion in China. I am very happy that we are having a fashion show in Wuxi,'' he said.

Likewise, Wuxi and ITFM officials expressed their excitement at Kim's fashion show, which is expected to generate more interest in the ITFM and more business opportunities between Korea and China's textile and fashion industries.

Also, the event was meant to celebrate the 15th anniversary of China-Korea diplomatic ties and the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics. Kim said he has been invited to hold another fashion show during the Beijing Olympics next year.

This was Kim's 10th fashion show in China, having held shows in Beijing and Shanghai. Kim is known for staging romantic fashion shows in exotic locales such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia last year and at the pyramids in Egypt in 1996.

``Hallyu,'' a Chinese term coined to describe the popularity of Korean stars, dramas and music, continues to thrive in China. A handful of Son and Cho's fans even sneaked in the press conference to cheer their idols, as they spoke briefly.

On Wednesday, Kang Ta, one of the most popular K-pop stars in China, entertained crowds at the ITFM RNX Hallyu Concert at the Wuxi International Convention Center. Ivy, Son, Tim, Baby Vox Re. V, Mina, Jang Keun-suk, Han Jae-suk, Chae Eun-jung also performed at the event which was meant to generate publicity for the Global Korean Fashion/Beauty Expo on Aug. 8 at the ITFM