Did you ever wonder what that CPP line item on your paycheque is for?
In this case, it's for buying a 50% ($118.5M) stake in a single property retail investment trust. The single investment is the future headquarters of Samsung SDS (the IT services arm of the mobile phone, computer, television, appliance, automotive, construction, engineering, fashion, insurance, financial services, aerospace and defence company).
Most articles related to this project state that the project is in Gangnam, and continue to make comments about a a certain singer and a certain song. All of this is inaccurate, though, as the building is actually in Sincheon-dong in the Jamsil area of Seoul (which is part of Songpa District, and not Gangnam District).
You may know Jamsil as the home of Lotte World and Jamsil Stadium (home field for the Doosan Bears and LG Twins).
While this may not be an exciting deal on its own, the CPP is showing interest in Korea as a future growth leader and place for potential future investments.
Every year, the Toronto International Film Festival gives us amazing opportunities to see Korean films which may never be released in Canadian theatres. In some cases, the films screened at TIFF have not even been released in their native land. Even better, many screenings are followed by Q&A's with some mixture of the director, production staff, and cast. So, while you may be stressed out about returning to school, put off your first assignments just a bit longer and head downtown.
The TIFF website is your best resource for full details about screening times and HanCinema is a decent source of information about the films in English. Getting exact details about who is attending which screening is difficult and sketchy, but when I do find out, I will keep you informed.
We can, however, predict the presence of Cold Eyes' (감시자들) directors Cho Ui-Seok and Kim Byeong-Seo as well as some or all of the main cast (including: Sol Kyung-gu, Jung Woo-sung, Han Hyo-joo and Lee Junho of 2PM fame) at the North American premiere on Friday, September 13th at 9:30PM at Roy Thomson Hall.
Further, given that the World Premieres of both Intruders (조난자들) and The Fake (사이비) will take place in Toronto, we might expect a larger presence from these films' staffs.
Unbeknownst to me, Missha.ca has been providing the Koreaphiles and gyopos of Canada with cosmetics via mail for a little more than a year. Having apparently found enough success to celebrate their first birthday in May, Missha (parent company: Able C&C) has opened their first cosmetics shop in Toronto's largest Chinese / pan-Asian shopping centre, Pacific Mall.
Missha has 1100 stores in 22 countries throughout the Asia Pacific region, and sells products at various Asian specialty stores in the United States. However, the North Toronto store will be the first full-fledged step into the North American cosmetics market.
Further, Missha joins fellow Korean cosmetic chains, Holika Holika and The Face Shop in Pacific Mall.
