Exhibition shows art of Joseon’s middle class

 Cultural and political legacy of Joseon’s bureaucrats and other skilled workers showcased in SeoulTogether they watched the moon, composed poems, and practiced political activities surrounded by the beautiful nature of Inwangsan in Seoul. The “Jungin” of the Joseon Dynasty, who belonged to the

Aug. 8, 2011

How a ‘mad monk’ captured Zen

Exhibition looks back on Jung Kwang’s works 10 years after his deathIf he were not a monk, one might have easily mistaken him for a madman. Or perhaps it was because he was a monk that his behavior was considered even more idiosyncratic. The late Jung Kwang, better remembered as the “mad monk,” was

Aug. 7, 2011

Soviet era returns to life in N.Y. art exhibit

NEW YORK (AFP) ― Nostalgia for a lost world and the nightmarish aspects of that world come to life in an exhibit in New York of art from Eastern Europe and the ex-Soviet Union.The exhibit at the New Museum is called “Ostalgia,” referring to the term “ostalgie” that emerged in the post-Soviet 1990s i

Aug. 7, 2011

Yoko Ono says Japan should look to Iceland

TOKYO (AFP) ― Yoko Ono has an idea for her disaster-scarred country Japan ― abandon nuclear energy for renewables and tap the geothermal energy beneath the unstable ground of the volcanic island nation.The artist and widow of John Lennon is in Japan for the first time since the March 11 quake and ts

Aug. 7, 2011

Amy Winehouse’s goddaughter performs at U.K. fest

EASTNOR CASTLE DEER PARK (AP) ― Amy Winehouse’s 15-year-old goddaughter performed an outstanding set at the Big Chill music festival, mirroring her late mentor by closing her show with a cover of Winehouse’s “Love Is a Losing Game.”Dionne Bromfield got teary-eyed when she performed the song, barely

Aug. 7, 2011

Pop Music

“2011 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival”: Famous bands ranging from The Ting Tings to Korn, as well as singer-songwriters such as B.o.B are to perform in the 6th Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival from Aug. 5-7 at Incheon Dream Park. Popular Korean rock bands including Boohwal and No Brain will also hit

Aug. 5, 2011

Dance

“Suspicious Paradise”: The dance show is inspired by the Demilitarized Zone, which looks like a paradise with untouched nature but is also a place deeply scarred by the Korean War. Organized by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, it aims to offer a fresh experience to the younger generation w

Aug. 5, 2011

Festival

Po s t e r o f t h e 7 t h J e ch e o n International Music & Film Festival (Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Executive Committee)“The 7th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival”: As the first festival in Korea to celebrate films with the theme of music, Jecheon International Music &

Aug. 5, 2011

Classical Music

“Summer Classics”: The Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is to present educational performances for students to help them understand classical music and learn classical music concert etiquette. The orchestra consists of university students majoring in classical music and has been holding annual sum

Aug. 5, 2011

Exhibitions

“French Art Today: Marcel Duchamp Prize”: Latest trends in the French contemporary art world can be spotted at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. About 100 artworks by 16 artists who either won or were nominated for the prestigious Marcel Duchamp Prize, like Phil

Aug. 5, 2011

Theater

“Temptation of Wolf”: Based on Guiyeoni’s 2004 novel of the same title, the musical “Temptation of Wolf” spiced up the story about high school students’ love and friendship with today’s hit songs by top idol groups like Girls’ Generation, TVXQ, SHINee, and also ‘90s K-pop groups like S.E.S. and GOD.

Aug. 5, 2011

Rowland mixes R&B, Euro sound

Kelly Rowland“Here I Am” Universal MotownEver since her heyday with Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland has struggled to define her solo singing career, unlike former bandmate Beyonce, arguably pop’s ultimate superstar.Rowland’s first two albums showed promise, but were subpar on the whole. Now with her

Aug. 5, 2011

Ok Ju-hyun ‘dolls’ up after singing contest

Star-studded musical ‘Guys and Dolls’ promises charmShe was not all tense as she seemed to be on the recent MBC TV show “I Am a Singer,” better known as “Nagasu,” which had her mired in controversies until she was finally eliminated last week. Instead, Ok Ju-hyun seemed to be right at home on Wednes

Aug. 4, 2011

[Photo] Super Junior promises to meet more international fans with ‘Mr.Simple’

  Super Junior members pose for photo at a hotel in Seoul (Yonhap)Super Junior announced their comeback with a fifth album on Thursday to some 200 international press members gathered at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul. The new album, containing the track “M

Aug. 4, 2011

Artist reminds viewers of basic human values

 South Korean artist Yang Soon-yeol has long pondered the question of what basic values human beings should pursue. Her solo exhibition, “Leaning against a gatepost in the world of imagination,” currently underway at Inter-Burgo Gallery in Manchon-dong, Daegu, is a roundup of her thoughts so fa

Aug. 3, 2011

Find youth, rock spirit in Incheon this weekend

Incheon Dream Park’s outdoor pool, indoor club to stay open 24 hoursThe upcoming weekend in Incheon will be filled with the energy of youth and rock spirit, as leading bands from overseas and Korea power up the stage of the 6th Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival from Friday to Sunday.While the rock fes

Aug. 3, 2011

The Black Skirts hopes to get rid of ‘American’ label

While idol-centered K-pop has been heavily covered by the media, the Korean indie scene has received relatively little attention. This is the fifth installment of a series of interviews shedding light on the scene. ― Ed.The Black Skirts, a one-man indie band run by vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist a

Aug. 3, 2011

Enjoy and learn: shows offer more than fun

Performances in Seoul based on classics target vacationing kids and teensMusicals and plays can do more than just entertain when they target a special audience like children and teenagers. Here are four educational shows that both parents and kids would enjoy dedicating a day of their summer vacatio

Aug. 2, 2011

Asia Phil offers brilliant, beautiful concert in Seoul

While the Seoul Arts Center was still drenched with rain, its concert hall on Sunday was fully packed with people waiting for the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Chung Myung-whun’s 8 p.m. concert.Chung founded the APO 15 years ago by gathering young musicians from across Asia to narrow dif

Aug. 1, 2011