K-POP girl group EXID taking on 2018!

EXID is a girl group that got their start in February 2012 with the single “Whoz that Girl.” However, they did not gain popularity until a live recording of their single “Up&Down” went viral in 2014. They went on to release their first album, Street, in 2016. Following the album’s release, it was announced that one of the members, Solji, had to go on hiatus after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Yet, with the release of the mini album, Full Moon, on November 7th, 2017, Solji was able to start helping with the recording process again. EXID currently monthly releases remastered versions of b-side tracks from their old albums as a part of their “Re:Flower” project. Their latest installment was a remake of the track “Will You Take Me” from the album Street, which was released on February 12th, 2018.

Boy Group with Limitless Potential Debuts

BLACK6IX debuted with the song “Please” in April 2017 with their first teasers dropping in March, 2017. Seoul Journal interview the six members of the boy group, formed under Black Hole Entertainment: TaeYoung, The King, Yey, YongSeok, Jong-woon, and Ziki.

A special screening of the Korean film Operation Chromite, hosted by CJ Entertainment, the Korean Cultural Center, and the American Legion Hollywood, was held on August 4th before its American box office release. People poured into the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, including many veterans who had served in the Korean war and their companions. Though the Korean War is quite memorable for the Korean people, it is often called the Forgotten War by Americans, as many veterans who served are unrecognized for their part in defending the South Korea that exists today. The night served as an opportunity to remember and commemorate their sacrifices.

Master of Fashion

What do Korea’s First Lady, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Rihanna have in common? They have all worn Lie Sang Bong’s designs. One of Korea’s most prominent fashion designers, he established the LIE SANGBONG brand in 1985. Mr. Lie blends traditional influences and innovative techniques, combining such diverse influences as Korean poetry, calligraphy and architecture, 1930’s Film Noir heroines, Bauhaus design, Cubism, and the natural world. Mr. Lie produces unique fabrics for his collections by applying such techniques to natural fabrics as laser cutting, embroidery and digital printing. In 1993 at Seoul Fashion Week, he debuted his first ready-to-wear collection, “The Reincarnation,” and quickly gained recognition among Korean celebrities and the press. He received the Designer of the Year Award from the mayor of Seoul in 1999 and he began expanding his brand’s business into Europe in 2002 at Paris Fashion Week. In 2007, LG Electronics launched the Cyon Shine Mobile Phone designed by LIE SANGBONG. This was one of the first limited-edition cell phones to be designed by a fashion designer. He has also created uniforms for the A1 Grand Prix Korean national team (2008) and designed an exhibit to celebrate the first anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in London, which was later displayed in Trafalgar Square (2009). He currently acts as the president of Council of Fashion Designers of KOREA (CFDK) and a cultural Ambassador for the City of Seoul. Lie Sang Bong shared his experience in the world of fashion with Seoul Journal's Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie.

Crossing Cultural and Artistic Borders

Rose Jang is an award-winning New York-based Korean-America pop opera artist, crossing musical genres and bridging cultures. Known for her operatic arias as well as musical and classic pop songs, she has performed for world leaders including the inaugural ceremony of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and an event celebrating U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Legendary R&B vocalist Patti Labelle said that Rose has, "an absolutely beautiful voice and is an amazing performer” after the two performed together. Jang’s recording of “You Raise Me Up” broke the record for the most weeks at #1 on the Korean classical chart, and her cover of “Memory” from the musical “Cats” topped versions by Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion on the domestic and international music charts. In addition to her spectacular musical career, she has served as a PR ambassador for many organizations, including the Korean Tourism Office, UNESCO of Korea, and for the National Committee for Jeju-do Island, being credited as one of the reasons why Jeju Island was voted to be a “New7Wonders of Nature.” Korea's Cosmopolitan Magazine featured Rose Jang as one of the “10 Most Powerful Korean Women in New York” in September 2012. Seoul Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Rose Jang about her remarkable rise in the music world.

Complete Guide to Korean Street Food

Korean street food is part of the adventure when traveling in Korea. However, some people are like two-year-old children — they’ll just put anything in their mouths! If you’re a little more concerned about what it is you’re actually eating, check out this complete guide to Korean street food!