Most Popular
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Koreans, Americans differ on prestigious jobs: lawmakers vs. firefighters
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Only half of S. Koreans willing to marry: data
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Disgraced ex-minister rises as major threat to ruling party
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Yoon calls for dialogue, trust from medical community
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Summit for Democracy opens in Seoul in mega-election year
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Med professors to resign starting March 25
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Dyson founder visits Seoul for global debut of new hair dryer
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Leaders call for action against threats to democracy posed by AI
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Ryu Joon-yeol, Han So-hee confirm dating since early 2024
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NK leader guides firing drills involving super-large multiple rocket launchers
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ARKO Selection introduces 3 meditative music concerts, 2 plays, 1 opera
ARKO Selection's first set of six productions scheduled for early to mid-January include three meditative music concerts, two plays highlighting female independence fighters's activities, and one darkly reimagined opera. The productions are among the 28 new repertoires supported by Arts Council Korea, an organization committed to fostering diverse arts and cultural activities in the country. "Minyo Cello" will take place Saturday at the ARKO Arts Theater in Daehakro, Seoul, p
Jan. 4, 2024
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DJ DOC to release new album for 30th anniversary
A legendary first-generation hip-hop group from the 1990s, DJ DOC, marks the 30th anniversary of its debut this year with a plan to release a new album, the first in 14 years. According to the group's agency Funky Town, DJ DOC unveiled a new song titled "Cheers," at a year-end party concert held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Dec. 30. The new song, which is a hip-hop song based on "newtro" funk and trot, will be included on the 30th anniversary album. The group released its
Jan. 4, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Kim Jun-su performs last 'Dracula' with signature red hair
For a decade, whenever Kim Jun-su, the singer-turned-musical actor, has taken the stage as Dracula in the eponymous musical, it has been with his distinctive red hair. Now his trademark, the red hair was initially a serendipitous decision. Just a few days before its Korean premiere in 2014, he wanted to depict visually the white-haired Dracula who, drinking blood, became rejuvenated, so he proposed the idea of red hair to the director. "When I started in musicals, I was focused on faithfull
Jan. 3, 2024
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Korean National Ballet, Universal Ballet unveil new season lineups
As the curtains rise on a new season, South Korea's two major ballet companies -- the Korean National Ballet and Universal Ballet -- have unveiled captivating lineups to enthrall audiences. From the highly anticipated Korean premiere of John Neumeier’s “The Little Mermaid” to distinct Korean and beloved classics, both companies are set to unleash the magic of ballet with a compelling blend of movement and emotion. KNB premieres ‘Little Mermaid’ in Korea The K
Jan. 2, 2024
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Interpark’s annual ticket sales surpass W1tr
South Korea’s major performance ticketing platform Interpark Ticket has set a historic milestone in annual ticket transactions in 2023. The ticket sales from Jan. 1 to Dec. 17 reached an unprecedented 1 trillion won ($772 million), according to data provided by Interpark, the country's first-generation e-commerce platform, Friday. The figure represents an 18-percent increase compared to the previous record of 845.9 billion won set in 2022. The number of productions also saw a signific
Jan. 1, 2024
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[Herald Review] Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon rings in New Year with fans
Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon bid farewell to 2023 and rang in the New Year with fans in his three-day concert, reminiscing that the past year has been "the peak of his life." Lee's solo concert, "Duikket," took place at the Blue Square MasterCard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Dec. 29-31, with its final performance ending after midnight to welcome New Year's Day. "Duikket," a Korean word that refers to feelings that remain even after something is done, ref
Jan. 1, 2024
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Celebrate year-end and welcome New Year with traditional concerts
As the year draws to a close, the cultural tapestry of traditional performances comes alive across national venues, offering a rich and diverse celebration through the year-end and New Year concerts to usher in the upcoming year. National Gugak Center revives traditional ‘Narye’ To ward off evil spirits on the eve of the year's end and welcome a peaceful new year, the traditional palace ritual known as "narye" has been reimagined as a grand-scale performance. Wrappin
Dec. 27, 2023
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Will “Miss Trot 3” continue trot fever?
The sensational audition program series "Miss Trot" returned with its third season on Thursday. After countless trot music shows that tried to hop on the trot fever train -- started by "Miss Trot 1" (2019) -- "Miss Trot 3" hopes to make another breakthrough to continue the nationwide trot craze without boring viewers. Returning with a wider range of participants, the third season includes teenage contestants and overseas participants, to provide freshness to viewers
Dec. 24, 2023
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[Herald Review] 'Chopin, Blue Note': Lyrical journey through theater, live music
“What color could encapsulate the essence of your enigmatic music?” asks Sand. “I don’t know. It is just faint strokes and shadows,” answers Chopin. Amidst a pivotal moment of emotional revelation between Chopin and Sand, the backdrop of their confession becomes a stage where a pianist, in the quietude of the night, weaves the melodic tapestry of Nocturnes, Op. 9 No. 2. The lyrical notes permeate the small theater, and a warm, cerulean glow blankets the surroundings
Dec. 22, 2023
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K-pop, trot stars to star in 'Sharing & Together Concert' in 2024
From K-pop star to trot singers, various musicians across genres will appear in "Sharing & Together Concert" at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on Jan. 12 and 13, 2024. The charity performance will donate all of its profits, excluding production costs, to help the underprivileged. Popular K-pop idol groups and singers, including Highlight, BamBam, Hwasa, Cravity, Vanner, N.SSign, Zerobaseone and Riize, are scheduled to perform on Jan. 12, the first day of the two-day concert. Korean
Dec. 22, 2023
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Younha to mark 20 years of singing with album, concerts
Singer-songwriter Younha will return with her seventh full-length album and perform multiple solo concerts next year. Celebrating 20 years since her debut, Younha held the online event “Y” to share her plans for a new album and concert schedule on her official YouTube channel on Thursday night. The seventh full-length album will mark the second stage of the "Theory" trilogy, which kicked off with her sixth album, "End Theory," in 2022. Younha is scheduled to hold
Dec. 22, 2023
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‘A Ghost Day’ blends Korean traditions with contemporary circus
The new dance production “A Ghost Day” blends traditional Korean dance with a contemporary circus, featuring the theme of Korean ghosts. Choreographed by artistic director Kim Ju-bin of Jubin Company, "A Ghost Day" is set to be performed at the Arko Arts Theater on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Drawing inspiration from historical accounts found in "Dongguksesigi" -- a book that compiled events and seasonal customs in the late Joseon era, the dance drama
Dec. 22, 2023
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Lucid Fall to hold exhibition for essay book
Singer-songwriter Lucid Fall will hold a special exhibition to share experiences beyond the limits of the senses, commemorating the publication of his book of essays. "Everybody Hears," a collection of prose written during the time Lucid Fall was creating his second ambient album "Being-with," released on Dec. 12. In commemoration of the publication of this essay collection, the exhibition, designed to share Lucid Fall's sensibilities with the audience, offers opportunit
Dec. 20, 2023
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Top musical stars compete for best actor honors at Korea Musical Awards
In a highly competitive selection process this year, musical stars Kim Jun-su, Cho Seung-woo, Choi Jae-rim, Hong Kwang-ho and Park Kang-hyun were nominated for the best actor award at the 8th Korea Musical Awards. The Korea Musical Theatre Association unveiled the final nominees for the awards during a press conference held at Seoul’s Hongik Art Center, on Monday. In the grand prize, "22 Years and 2 Months," "The Devil: Eden,” “The Secret Garden,” “Su
Dec. 19, 2023
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'Silent as the grave' gets new meaning in Korean theaters
Most people can agree that it is ideal for audience members to make as little noise as possible during plays or musicals. But South Korean theater fans have been divided over the widespread policy that takes it to another level: the so-called "siche-gwangeuk," which refer to the practice of watching while being "still as a corpse." Last week, a controversy broke out when a reporter wrote a critical article on a production of the musical "Lee Jin: The Woman of Light.&qu
Dec. 19, 2023
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Hip-hop trio Epik High rides high on 20th anniversary concerts
Legendary hip-hop trio Epik High held three packed, back-to-back concerts marking the group's 20th anniversary, proving that the group is as strong as ever. “Epik High 20th Anniversary Concert,” held at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium, drew a total of 15,000 concertgoers over the three days. Two concerts were originally planned for Friday and Saturday but a third was added for Sunday as all seats sold out immediately upon ticket opening. During the three-hour concert, Epik High pe
Dec. 18, 2023
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Yoasobi's sold-out concerts prove J-pop still strong in Korea
Despite freezing weather, about 4,000 fans gathered at Korea University’s Hwajung Gymnasium on Sunday to see Japanese duo Yoasobi perform. “I am so excited to enjoy Yoasobi’s songs performed live. As a J-pop fan, I hope more singers from abroad would consider visiting Korea,” said Yoon Jin-young, who was waiting in line to get a ticket. Yoasobi, who debuted in 2019, is a duo with a unique concept of reinterpreting novels into music. Producer Ayase is in charge of lyrics a
Dec. 18, 2023
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Legendary singers' idol group comeback as 'Golden Girls' evokes mixed feelings
“Golden Girls” – an entertainment show that features the journey of four legendary female singers from the ’80s and ’90s to transform into a trendy girl group – was a fresh adventure in the Korean music industry. The singers' challenge recorded a 5 percent viewership just after the second episode -- the highest among entertainment programs that KBS has aired on Friday night so far this year. The guerrilla concert held at Coex in southern Seoul on Dec. 5 d
Dec. 17, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Pianist Vikingur Olafsson's dedicated love of Bach's 'Goldberg Variations'
Icelandic pianist Vikingur Olafsson passionately confessed his deep affection for Johann Sebastian Bach and the “Goldberg Variations.” "I have been dreaming about recording the Goldberg Variations for 25 years, so most of my life,” said the 39-year-old musician during a press conference held at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. Reflecting on the moment he first encountered the piece through pianist Glenn Gould's performance at the age of 14, Olafsson r
Dec. 15, 2023
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Musical resurrects tragic love story of Joseon court dancer and French envoy
Inspired by the true story of a Joseon court lady and a French diplomat who fell in love with her, the musical "Lee Jin: The Woman of Light" brings to life the poignant love story set in the dramatic final years of the Korean Empire. Yi Jin (also spelled Lee Jin) is a court dancer who meets a newly arrived French envoy, Victor Collin de Plancy. As they teach each other their languages and waltz together, Yi yearns for freedom and dreams of a new life. Playwright Jung Ho-yoon said he dr
Dec. 13, 2023