From Japan, Super Junior heads to Manila for Super Show 3

Super Junior (Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment)

Movie made on iPhone bags Berlin film award

Park Chan-wook, the film director known for his work on Korean hits like “Oldboy,” proved last month when he released “Night Fishing” - a 30-minute film shot entirely on an iPhone over 10 days - that all you need to make a good movie is a smartphone.

Korean teas, not just green

Light sends soft rays through the floor-length windows of Ga Hwa Dang, a traditional Korean hanok-turned-teahouse located in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
Behind the counter, manager Kim Yu-ri painstakingly prepares the establishment’s brews.
Surprisingly enough, less than half the 19 teas on the menu are leaf-based. Instead, a majority are made with fruit, roots and seeds.

Ga Hwa Dang’s nutty and rich wild sesame tea comes with a dish of artistically presented Korean sweets. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald) 

Announcing the 3rd Annual Shorty Awards Finalists!

Korean singers JYJ (Junsu, Micky Yoochun and Jaejoong), Jay Park and Heechul are finalists. Congratulations!
From www.theshortyawards.com
We are delighted to announce the Shorty Awards finalists in the main categories after receiving over 750,000 tweeted nominations.
The Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences will determine the winners from among these finalists. The announcement will be made at the Shorty Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 28th, 2011 at The TimesCenter in New York City. Tickets are on sale now. Are you a finalist? Register here to let us know if you can attend the ceremony.

Heechul, Jay Park and JYJ are finalists in the 3rd Annual Shorty Awards

(Feature) Berlinale spotlight on Asia as Lee Yoon-Ki's film debuts

Berlin - Korean director Lee Yoon-Ki's Saranghanda, Saranghaji Anneunda (Come Rain, Come Shine) premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, with the Berlinale directing its spotlight on relationships under pressure.

My Korea at home

From my travels to different countries,  I always get mementos including fridge magnets. Here are the fridge magnets on my cork board in my house in the Philippines  showing the cities and countries that I've visited including South Korea.

[caption id="attachment_173" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="My fridge magnets showing the Gyeongbokgung Palace and N Seoul Tower in South Korea and other places that I've visited. (Photo by sangchusan)"][/caption]

A warm congratulations to Korea.net for the opening of its blog! Cheers!

Incheon International Airport bags Best Airport Worldwide award

I wrote earlier that Incheon International Airport is one of the best airports in the world.
Now here's the additional and most important proof. The Airports Council International (ACI) has announced that Incheon International Airport is the No. 1 Best Airport Worldwide.

Korean recipe: Japchae (stir-fried noodles with vegetables)

Recipes with noodles are a staple in many Asian countries including South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

I first tasted japchae (stir-fried noodles with vegetables) at a Korean restaurant in Malate in Manila, Philippines and since then, I always order it. I think the appeal of japchae lies in the taste. It has a sweet flavor. In addition, it has many wonderful ingredients including beef and spinach.

[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Japchae (Photo courtesy of www.maangchi.com)"][/caption]

Spreadin' the Korean Wave: JYJ to hold concert in Thailand in April

Thai fans, get ready for JYJ.

Thai company 411 Entertainment has announced that popular K-pop trio JYJ, composed of Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun and Youngwoong Jaejoong, will be holding a two-day concert in Bangkok, Thailand in April.

Busan International Music Festival kicks off

If you are going to South Korea this week, you might want to go to the 6th Busan International Music Festival that will run until February 20.

[caption id="attachment_141" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="(Photo courtesy of festival organizers)"][/caption]