Latest news with #Coex
The Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
As a form of bold self-expression, nail art makes a powerful style statement
Nail art is no longer just about adding a little colour to one's life. As tastes and cultural perceptions of expressing one's self shift, nails have become a bold canvas for individuality. In recent years, celebrity nail art has also been on the rise. Rapper Cardi B's signature stiletto jewelled nails show off her glitz and glamour and help build her bold image. Challenging outmoded gender norms, singer Lee Hong-ki of boy band FT Island is also famous for showcasing his unique sense of style through intricate patterns. On social media, people around the globe share the latest in nail designs, trends and tips. A new class of nail artists and influencers has emerged, grabbing the spotlight for their creative patterns and designs – while also enjoying a large fan base. Read more: Ask The Expert: Making your manicure last, and other nailcare doubts cleared The growing interest was on full display at Nailcon Korea and the Konail Expo, focused entirely on nail art. Jointly held from April 25-27 at Coex in southeastern Seoul, the two fingernail-focused fiestas showcased everything to do with nail art, from the simple and minimal to tiny, shiny accents at the tip of the nail. The Konail Expo dates to 2008, while Nailcon Korea was just inaugurated last year. Held jointly this time around, the two served as a vibrant preview of nail trends for the spring and upcoming summer season. With spring the season of new beginnings that shines best in light, refreshing colours, many of the colours on display were pastel-tone shades. A long line of visitors formed in front of Amingo, a Korean nail beauty brand, to receive nail art and personal consulting on the shade guests should use this spring to highlight their style and add a certain charm at finger length. The staff typically recommended pastels – such as baby pink, lavender and baby blue – for those who prefer a light, creamy look. They suggested colours like cobalt blue and peach for those seeking deeper, yet still soft shades. "Light mint is a colour that suits the airy and spring styling, while butter yellow is a bright, bleached colour that could give freshness, and pastel pink goes perfectly for romantic occasions," the nail expert at the booth explained. Waiting in line, Andrea, a 20-something exchange student from the US who only gave her first name, said she was mesmerised by how nail art brands offered high-quality textures, colours, shape, designs and equipment. "The demonstrator looked at my skin tone to recommend which colours would suit me best and which ones to avoid, as well as which nail designs would complement my nails," she said. "And on a personal note, I think Korean nails show off a more edgy look." Kim Sun-young, who heads nail art brand Diami, offered a session on achieving a juicy glow gradient on the nails – due to be the next big thing this summer. Her step-by-step guide began with applying a base coat to protect the nails. Next, choose glossy colours that give a "juicy" look. Read more: Is nail polish bad for your nails? Here's what you need to know about nailcare Apply a sheer base colour, then dip a makeup sponge into a slightly darker shade of a chosen colour and gently press it onto the lower half of the nails. Gradually blend it upwards to create an ombre effect. Once the gradient is dry, finish with a glossy top coat. Apart from pastel shades, syrup nails are also set to make big waves this year, according to Jung Myung-hwa, marketing director at nail art brand Sweet Candy. Jung said syrup nails are all about the sheer, glossy finish with a syruplike ombre effect reminiscent of shiny lip gloss. "Syrup nails are perfect for those looking for a toned-down styling on their nails without relying on neutral colours. It's also something you can easily do at home by yourself," Jung said. "Just apply a specific nail polish and finish it off with a glossy top coat, starting from the base of the nail and working your way to the tip." – The Korea Herald/ANN
Korea Herald
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Clash of stars: 61st Baeksang Arts Awards delivers shake-up in Korean entertainment
Auteur Park Chan-wook speaks about similarity between his film 'Uprising' and current political landscape Amid a banner year for Korean entertainment propelled by breakout hits such as "When Life Gives You Tangerines," "Culinary Class Wars" and "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," this year's Baeksang Arts Awards delivered one of the most hotly contested races in the award ceremony's history. Held Monday night at Coex in Seoul's Gangnam-gu, the Baeksangs, widely regarded as one of Korea's most prestigious awards spanning film, television and theater, were closely watched as globally beloved Korean titles battled it out for top accolades. In a historic twist, the grand prize in the television category went not to a drama, but to a variety program, marking the first time in the ceremony's history that an entertainment show took home the top honor. In the TV category, Netflix's culinary competition juggernaut "Culinary Class Wars" emerged victorious, clinching the grand prize. 'This feels especially meaningful to receive the grand prize for a variety show,' said Yoon Hyun-joon, CEO of Studio Slam, the production company behind the series. 'The stature of Korean variety shows is rising.' Director Kim Hak-min reflected on the journey to the win: 'Ten years ago, I watched producer Na Young-seok receive the grand prize backstage at the Baeksang Arts Awards and wondered what it would feel like to win such an award as a producer. And now, something that felt impossible has actually happened.' Meanwhile, Netflix's hit human drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" secured four major honors, including best drama, best screenplay and both best supporting actor and actress awards. Director Kim Won-seok emphasized the show's central message of empathy in his acceptance speech. 'These days, people call this an era of hate, but while working on this drama, I found myself thinking, 'Let's not hate, let's try living well together.' I believe this award recognizes that sentiment.' The race for best actress in television was especially competitive, with nominees including Jang Na-ra from "Good Partner," Lee Ji-eun (IU) from "When Life Gives You Tangerines," Kim Hye-yoon from "Lovely Runner," and Go Min-si from "The Frog." Ultimately, Kim Tae-ri triumphed for her portrayal in "Jeong-nyeon: The Star is Born." Meanwhile, Ju Ji-hoon took home best actor for his performance in "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call." On the film side, the grand prize was awarded to the historical film "Harbin," headlined by Hyun Bin and Park Jung-min. Veteran actor Jeon Do-yeon earned best actress for her role in the thriller "Revolver," while Cho Jung-seok picked up best actor honors for his comedic turn in "Pilot." Auteur Park Chan-wook, previously honored at the Oscars for "Decision to Leave," won best screenplay alongside co-writer Shin Cheol for Netflix's period film "Uprising." The film tells the story of Jong-ryeo, the son of Joseon's most elite military family, and his servant Cheon-yeong, as they reunite as enemies amid the turmoil of the Japanese invasions. 'Looking at the current political situation in our country, I often thought about this film. I believe there are strong similarities. Just like in the past, it's the brave and wise citizens who save a nation in crisis,' said Park during his acceptance. He added a pointed political message: 'The time is coming when we must elect leaders who match the greatness of our people,' adding, 'Instead of someone like Cha Seung-won's character, King Seonjo, who is cruel and foolish, we must choose a leader who knows to fear the people,' referencing the upcoming June 3 elections following the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. This year's Baeksang Awards ceremony, hosted by Bae Suzy, Park Bo-gum and comedian Shin Dong-yeob, honored excellence across content released between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Eligible works included Korean feature films, television series, variety shows and streaming platform originals.
Korea Herald
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Be bold, be you, be colorful with nail art
Pastel colors, syrup nails lead hot trends as season heats up Nail art is no longer just about adding a little color to one's life. As tastes and cultural perceptions of expressing one's self shift, nails have become a bold canvas for individuality. In recent years, celebrity nail art has also been on the rise. Rapper Cardi B's signature stiletto jeweled nails show off her glitz and glamour and help build her bold image. Challenging outmoded gender norms, singer Lee Hong-ki of boy band FT Island is also famous for showcasing his unique sense of style through intricate patterns. On social media, people around the globe share the latest in nail designs, trends and tips. A new class of nail artists and influencers has emerged, grabbing the spotlight for their creative patterns and designs — while also enjoying a large fan base. The growing interest was on full display at Nailcon Korea and the Konail Expo, focused entirely on nail art. Jointly held from April 25-27 at Coex in southeastern Seoul, the two fingernail-focused fiestas showcased everything to do with nail art, from the simple and minimal to tiny, shiny accents at the tip of the nail. The Konail Expo dates to 2008, while Nailcon Korea was just inaugurated last year. Held jointly this time around, the two served as a vibrant preview of nail trends for the spring and upcoming summer season. With spring the season of new beginnings that shines best in light, refreshing colors, many of the colors on display were pastel-tone shades. A long line of visitors formed in front of Amingo, a Korean nail beauty brand, to receive nail art and personal consulting on the shade guests should use this spring to highlight their style and add a certain charm at finger length. The staff typically recommended pastels — such as baby pink, lavender and baby blue — for those who prefer a light, creamy look. They suggested colors like cobalt blue and peach for those seeking deeper, yet still soft shades. "Light mint is a color that suits the airy and spring styling, while butter yellow is a bright, bleached color that could give freshness, and pastel pink goes perfectly for romantic occasions," the nail expert at the booth explained. Waiting in line, Andrea, a 20-something exchange student from the US who only gave her first name, said she was mesmerized by how Korean nail art brands offered high-quality textures, colors, shape, designs and equipment. "The demonstrator looked at my skin tone to recommend which colors would suit me best and which ones to avoid, as well as which nail designs would complement my nails," she told The Korea Herald on April 25. "And on a personal note, I think Korean nails show off a more edgy look." Kim Sun-young, who heads nail art brand Diami, offered a session on achieving a juicy glow gradient on the nails — due to be the next big thing this summer. Her step-by-step guide began with applying a base coat to protect the nails. Next, choose glossy colors that give a "juicy" look. Apply a sheer base color, then dip a makeup sponge into a slightly darker shade of a chosen color and gently press it onto the lower half of the nails. Gradually blend it upwards to create an ombre effect. Once the gradient is dry, finish with a glossy top coat. Apart from pastel shades, syrup nails are also set to make big waves this year, according to Jung Myung-hwa, marketing director at nail art brand Sweet Candy. Jung said syrup nails are all about the sheer, glossy finish with a syruplike ombre effect reminiscent of shiny lip gloss. "Syrup nails are perfect for those looking for a toned-down styling on their nails without relying on neutral colors. It's also something you can easily do at home by yourself," Jung told The Korea Herald. "Just apply a specific nail polish and finish it off with a glossy top coat, starting from the base of the nail and working your way to the tip."
Korea Herald
25-04-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Coex fire contained, no casualties reported
Main fire contained some 30 minutes after breaking out, flames completely extinguished at 11:14 p.m. The fire at Seoul's Coex convention center Friday morning has been completely extinguished, a little over two hours after it broke out at 11:06 a.m., with no reported casualties. According to the rescue authorities, the fire was brought under complete control at around 1:14 p.m., after 121 firefighters and 33 fire engines contained the main flames at around 11:40 p.m. Events, including the World IT show 2025, inside the center resumed at around 1:20 p.m. The fire is suspected to have originated from a restaurant inside the convention center, located in the Gangnam district of southern Seoul. Preliminary investigation suggests cooking oil inside the kitchen to be a probable culprit; authorities are conducting further investigations into the exact cause. Testimonies suggest possible lax instructions about fire While some Coex visitors and employees present at the time of the fire were instructed by authorities to evacuate as a precaution, others were left waiting for directions. attested to possibly insufficient communication by the convention center's operators. "From around 11 a.m., I suddenly smelled something burning. I was working on the sub-basement floor and I went outside alone," said Uhm So-jeong, a 23-year-old part-time worker of a Skinband store at Coex. "There hasn't been proper notification about the fire, and I wasn't told about the follow-up measures (on the fire), so I'm waiting outside for now and will go in when it quiets down." Inga, a 40-something tourist from Lithuania, said she arrived at the compound at around 11:30 a.m. to shop. "We didn't know what happened, so I had to ask other people about the situation and why people were outside the building. And then I found out about the fire. Since there is no direction, I don't know if I should wait or go to another place to tour," she said. A Korea Herald reporter present at Hall B of the convention center at the time of the fire said she did not hear the fire alarm go off, and there were no specific instructions about what to do. jychoi@ junheee@
Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Reporter's Notebook: Which art fairs will survive these challenging times?
Uncertain futures for three art fairs in first half of year: Galleries Art Fair, Art OnO and Art Busan The Korean art market is struggling amid adverse economic conditions. The harsh atmosphere was palpable at the past two art fairs in April -- Galleries Art Fair and Art OnO -- and similar concerns loom over the upcoming Art Busan. A gallerist I met at Galleries Art Fair, which ended on Sunday, said people seem to believe the price of art 'will be cheaper tomorrow than it is today,' a sentiment also seen regarding the stock market. Galleries Art Fair is the oldest fair in the Korean art market, launched in 1979 and open only to homegrown galleries that are members of the Galleries Association of Korea. The organizers prioritize fairness for the member galleries, offering booths at reasonable prices. All booth sizes are the same, and they are allocated through a lottery system. Until last year, Galleries Art Fair was the first such event on the calendar each year, and it has been considered a barometer for the art market in the months to come. For this year, 168 galleries participated in the fair, which ran from Thursday to Sunday at Coex in Seoul. Some participants in the Galleries Art Fair, however, said their sales seem to have been affected by the newcomer to the local art fair scene, Art OnO, which was launched last year and held its second edition from April 11 to 13 at Setec in Seoul. 'People didn't buy much this year, and I heard some people already made their purchases at Art OnO,' said a gallerist on Sunday. Art OnO, another homegrown art fair, founded by collector Noh Jae-myung, was a fresh addition to the art fair calendar last year with a motto to break away from standardized art fairs in terms of the presentation of works and showing artists who are promising or established, yet not familiar to collectors here. Still relatively small, it attracted around 40 high-quality galleries from home and abroad and turned out to engage more with collectors than general audiences. The fare for one-time general admission was higher than that of the other two fairs, priced at 50,000 won ($35). 'During the art fair, we met some good collectors. It is important to know about tastes and trends among local collectors,' said Hanna Yun, Seoul director of the Portuguese gallery Duarte Sequeira. Whether the founder's intention for the fair and its quality are sustained, however, will be seen over the next couple of years: For now, it could be seen as being popular simply for being new to the scene. One art fair is still yet to have taken place in the first half of this year: Art Busan. The family-owned, 23-year-old art fair in the port city of Busan used to be the second-largest art fair after the joint Kiaf-Frieze Seoul, which takes place in September. Now, it is at a crossroads over raising its profile in the global art scene. What's more, Busan is seeing a fast decline in its younger population, which may lead to the withdrawal of potential young collectors. Art Busan is scheduled to be held May 9-11. Art fairs are crucial events for the local art market, bringing together numerous galleries to present and sell their artists' works to collectors, art professionals, curators and art lovers. Which ones will be able to endure despite these challenging times, and which ones might need to get more savvy? yunapark@
