FLAGSTAFF, Arizona (AP) ― The sometimes plain, sometimes heavily decorated bolo neckties are a symbol of the West, worn with everything from blue jeans to tuxedos.Texas links the bolo to the romanticism of the pioneer era and suggests that anyone who wears one refuses to be bound by convention. New Mexico says they reflect the state’s tri-cultural heritage ― a mix of Hispanic, American Indian and Anglo influences.In Arizona, where the bolo tie was declared the official state neckwear in 1971, an

Culture Nov. 27, 2011

Classical Music“Chung Kyung-wha: ‘She is Back’”: Violinist Chung will perform on Dec. 19, 21, 25 and 26 in Seoul and other Korean cities for her first solo recitals in the country in nine years. Suffering a finger injury five years ago, Chung has been unable to hold a solo performance for years, focusing on teaching at the Juilliard School in New York. Chung will be performing with American pianist Kevin Kenner, whom she calls “a great partner,” playing Mozart’s “Violin Sonata No. 21 in E Minor

Performance Nov. 25, 2011

Lyrics shine in Sheeran’s debutEd Sheeran“+”(Atlantic Records)The album that sold more than 58,000 copies in the first week of its release in Britain, becoming the highest-selling and highest-charting debut single of 2011 is finally on sale in Korea. British singer Ed Sheeran is indebted to artists such as Jamie T and Damien Rice, as evidenced by a debut that hops between bullish mockney rap and quavering sentimentality. Surprisingly, there’s also a Justin Bieber-like quality to Sheeran’s appeal

Culture Nov. 25, 2011

It’s finally that time of the year when cozying up with a cup of hot chocolate and a stack of movies seems the best way to spend time off. In winter, warm, inviting hotels can become destinations in themselves. Arumjigi Hamyang HanokArumjigi Hamyang Hanok, located in South Gyeongsang Province, offers visitors a chance to spend a winter’s night in the Korean traditional style. Donated by the 150-year-old Jeongseon Jeon clan’s head family in 2003, the traditional house was restored with westernize

Travel Nov. 25, 2011

Actor Jang Keun-suk made a donation of 1.2 billion won to his university this week without telling the school or the media, Hanyang University said Thursday.Jang, who majors in theater and film at the school, made the deposit without notifying the school, but students found his name among the list of scholarship fund donators on the school’s website. Jang is considered one of the newest Korean Wave stars with his TV dramas and movies becoming hits across Asia. The 24-year-old actor was named the

People Nov. 24, 2011

A 2012 calendar featuring photos of Korea’s landscape, people and culture will be sent to tourism-related agencies and diplomatic missions for overseas distribution to attract more tourists, the Korea Tourism Organization said.Starting in December, the KTO will send 185,000 calendars printed in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. The calendar, titled “The Story of Korea,” carries work by four Korean photographers who traveled around the country to capture the depth of Korean traditional cultu

Culture Nov. 23, 2011

Tightrope walking and martial art Taekkyon are likely to join UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, Seoul officials said this week, as the U.N. cultural agency begins deliberating on 84 traditions.Delegates of UNESCO are meeting in Bali Nov. 22-29, where they will discuss which local traditions should be protected and nurtured for future generations under the list of practices with world cultural importance.Korea is promoting six of its traditions, which also include the Joseon Dynasty

Culture Nov. 22, 2011

Korea’s largest broadcaster KBS is considering whether to take legal action against a lawmaker’s controversial lawsuit against one of its entertainers. Rep. Kang Yong-seok, who was expelled from the ruling party last year for making sexist remarks to female college students, sued comedian Choi Hyo-jong last week, claiming the KBS entertainer insulted legislators during his weekend TV gig. On the Nov. 2 episode of “The Wart’s Kindergarten” segment of the popular “Gag Concert,” a comedy show, Choi

Television Nov. 22, 2011

Having lost three of her most precious people, including her mother and eldest sister, during the past five years, violinist Chung Kyung-wha feels she has now stepped into “the third stage” of life. As the first task in this new stage, the world-class musician will hold a solo recital in Korea playing her “beloved” Bach and Brahms. “This feels like a dream,” the 63-year-old said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. “I’d been given a chance to look back and reorganize my life,” Chung said,

Culture Nov. 21, 2011