M

Singer M Rises to New Heights

Lee Min-woo, also known as M, has released his third album ``Explore,'' which shows a more mature musical sound. / Courtesy of Open World Entertainment By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter When you've been a member of one of the country's longest-running boy bands for nearly a decade, it would be tempting to sit back and enjoy your success. But not if you're Lee Min-woo who is not just known as member of the popular group Shinhwa, but also a solo singer, music producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. This year, Lee started his own company M Rising Entertainment, released a third solo album, held successful solo concerts in Korea and Japan and produced songs for several artists. In an interview with The Korea Times at his office in southern Seoul, Lee said he established his own company so he can produce the music that he wants to do and develop new talent. ``It was a kind of independence for me. I wanted to do more music and have more concerts, and produce (music) for other singers,'' he said. Lee appears to be following in the footsteps of former pop-stars-turned-entertainment-moguls such as Park Jin-young and Yang Hyun-suk (a member of popular Seo Taiji and Boys) who have built their own companies JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment, respectively. ``I used to envy Rain and Se7en because they had Park Jin-young and Yang Hyun-suk, who are both great music producers. They both had great musical influences behind them. But later, I changed my mind. Now I want to raise another artist like them (Rain and Se7en). I am now a producer and I want to produce another good singer,'' he said. Lee is also involved in producing songs for other artists such as fellow Shinhwa member Jun Jin and Wonder Girls. The song he wrote for Wonder Girls impressed Park Jin-young so much that he asked Lee to write and produce a track for his upcoming solo album. In the future, Lee would want to try and make it in the American music industry, not as a solo singer but as a music producer. ``I want to produce songs for American artists. The U.S. is the biggest market now. All the music I like is coming from the U.S. I would like to take part in the American music scene but there are still a lot of prejudices that exist. Someday I would like to break in the U.S. Maybe not next year but in the future,'' he said. M the Singer Lee, who is more popularly known as M, showed a mature, sophisticated sound in his third album ``Explore.'' He produced nine out of the 12 tracks on the album, including collaborations with hip-hop stars Tablo of Epik High (they acted together in the MBC sitcom ``New Non-Stop 5'') and Drunken Tiger's Tiger JK. The charismatic 28-year old singer said he tried to make ``Explore'' different from Shinhwa's albums, and the solo albums by fellow Shinhwa members Shin Hye-sung and Kim Dong-wan, which were released almost at the same time. ``I tried really hard for this album. I was excited to finally do the music that I wanted to do,'' he said. ``I tried to make it different from Shinhwa. When I write songs, I focus on the trends and try to make it catchy so many people will like my songs.'' His album will be released in Japan in November. Lee said he will re-record two or three songs in Japanese. Lee is quite proud of the quality of his solo concerts, especially since he gives particular attention to every detail. He is planning to hold concerts around Korea later this year, and around Asia next year. ``Come to my concert and your thoughts about me will totally change. I'm very confident about my concerts. It is worth the price of the ticket,'' he said. Shinhwa Activities Despite his busy solo activities, Lee does not forget about Shinhwa. It has been nine years since Shinhwa made their debut with SM Entertainment. When asked what he thinks is the reason for Shinhwa's continued popularity, Lee believes it is the group's charisma and personality both on and off-stage. ``When all six members go on stage, I feel like we all have the same objective and we are working toward the same goal. Shinhwa means `myth' and as we get older, we want to really become a legend," Lee said. Just how strong is Lee's love for Shinhwa? ``If I have to choose between Shinhwa and the woman I love, I would choose Shinhwa. Shinhwa is the biggest part of my life,'' he smiled. Shinhwa is scheduled to release a single in December, and to hold a concert in Shanghai, China on Dec. 15. The group is also planning to release a new album in March, to coincide with Shinhwa's 10th anniversary.

belgian food!

Mignon Terrace Serves Belgian Cuisine

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The first thing that comes to mind when you hear of Belgian cuisine is probably those yummy Belgian waffles and chocolates. Mignon Terrace, located in Itaewon, is a quaint restaurant serving dishes from Belgium and Southern France. The menu, which is written in English and French, features a fairly extensive array of Belgian and French dishes to choose from. The appetizer menu included goat cheese salad, smoked salmon salad, and several dishes featuring mussels. We opted for the mussels in Provencal sauce (14,000 won). While waiting for the dishes, we were served French fries and a basket of bread. When the pot of steaming hot mussels arrived at our table, we were surprised at how big the serving was. The mussels were fresh, and cooked in a light but flavorful tomato-based sauce. While we really liked the mussels, the serving seemed a bit too much for two people. As for the main dish, we decided to go with the house recommendations, Waterzooi of chicken with cream sauce and potatoes (19,000 won) and grilled scallops with garlic served with saffron risotto (24,000 won). Waterzooi, a creamy chicken stew, is a popular dish in Belgium. The chicken is cooked to tender perfection, as the meat easily falls off the bone. Unlike most cream sauce dishes, the cream sauce does not overpower the chicken's flavor in this tasty dish. On the other hand, the scallops dish was cooked well with the garlicky sauce. There was a small portion of saffron risotto, which unfortunately was quite dry. To end our meal, we chose the iced souffle with Grand Marnier (6,000 won) as dessert. Other desserts include cream caramel, dark chocolate mousse, crepes Normandy (flambeed apple crepe with ice cream) and Belgian waffles. Belgian waffles can be served plain; with fruits or with ice cream. Overall, Mignon has a stylish atmosphere, but still remains warm and cozy. Kitschy art prints adorn the walls, while tea lights add glow to the restaurant. There is an outdoor terrace area with plants and even a cozy corner with large pillows where you can chill out with a cup of coffee. Mignon also has a brunch menu, featuring omelets, sandwiches and eggs benedict. Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. From Itaewon Station (Subway Line 6) Exit 1, turn right at the first alley. Then, turn left and walk all the way to the end of the street. At your left, you'll find stairs leading up to Mignon Terrace. For reservations, call (02) 793-3070

asf

Asian Stars Shine at Music Festival in Seoul

Left: Taiwanese pop group F4 attend the press conference for the 4th Asia Song Festival at Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Friday. The group are special guests at the event on Saturday evening. Center: Chinese singer/ actress Vicky Zhao will perform with singers from Korea, Japan and other Asian countries at the 4th Asia Song Festival. Right: Thai pop duo Golf & Mike will sing their first Korean single " Fight for You" at the 4th Asia Song Festival. / Yonhap

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Top stars from around Asia are kicking off the Chuseok holiday with exciting pop performances at the 4th Asia Song Festival, Saturday evening.

Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the Sangam World Cup Stadium to see Taiwan's F4 and A-mei, China's Vicky Zhao, Hong Kong's Gigi Leung, Japan's Kuraki Mai, Thailand's Golf & Mike, Philippines' Barbie Almalbis, Vietnam's Lam Truong, and Indonesia's Peter Pan. Korean pop stars TVXQ, Lee Hyo-ri, Super Junior and SG Wannabe will also perform.

With 13 performers from nine countries, this is the largest Asia Song Festival since it started in 2004.

``This year is going to be bigger than ever, as many countries around the region will broadcast the concert. With the theme 'We Are One,' we believe the Korean artists are not just for Korea and the same with Japanese artists and Asian artists. We believe culture is for exchange. We hope through the festival, this would be fulfilled,'' said Shin Hyun-taek, chairman of Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). KOFICE is the organizer of the Asia Song Festival.

Many young female fans are eagerly awaiting the performances of TVXQ, who have lately focused their activities in Japan; Super Junior, who have released a new album; and F4 or JKVK, a Taiwanese pop group who gained popularity through the drama ``'Meteor Garden.'' Composed of Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Vic Zhou, F4 are also in Seoul to promote tourism to Taiwan.

Many of the festival's performers expressed their interest in Korean pop culture. Zhou said he liked the music of Korean singer Rain, while Leung said she admired actresses Lee Young-ae and Jun Ji-hyun.

Golf & Mike, who said they enjoyed watching dramas such as ``Goong'' and ``Full House,'' will perform their upcoming Korean single ``Fight for You'' for the first time during the festival.

``We love Korea. We like the language and music style. I hope Koreans will like our songs,'' Golf said.

Lam Truong, who was given the nickname the Kim Jong-kuk (a Korean R&B singer) of Vietnam, will also perform his version of ``Forever,'' a song originally recorded by Ahn Jae-wook.

Since the Asia Song Festival will feature performances in Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese and other languages, KOFICE believes this is a good opportunity to promote different cultures.

``Language cannot be a barrier when it comes to music. I believe Asians have something in common when it comes to music. So we would like to take this opportunity to share the music,'' KOFICE's Shin said.

An indication of the growing cultural exchanges, many of the festival's performers have collaborated with stars from other Asian countries.

Wu, who collaborated with Korean singer Kang-Ta, said: ``To be able to work in so many different places is a blessing and to have this mixture of cultures, and learning and understanding of new cultures is another gift that everybody should receive,'' he said.

Zhao, who appeared in a Hong Kong-produced movie ``So Close'' with Korean actor Song Seung-heon, said she would like to work with other Korean stars such as Choi Min-sik.

F4's Chu said he is in negotiations to star in an independent film to be directed by a Filipino director and shot in the Philippines. ``Right now, we are still dealing with the contract. It is an independent movie that will be shot in the Philippines. We might finish it by end of October. If the contract goes well, I will do it,'' he said.

Aside from the Asian stars, the festival also gives a chance for new performers to show their talent. Korean pop group FT Island and Thai singer James will receive New Singer awards, while new girl group Kara and singer Whee will also perform.

Organizers said there was a huge demand for tickets for the Asia Song Festival, not just in Korea but also overseas. Around 3,000 foreigners had applied to get free tickets to the event. The organizers' server crashed due to the rush to download the free tickets.

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