Some blockbuster musicals and theatrical plays, which have been on hold for weeks due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, have resumed onstage performances as social distancing guidelines were eased in South Korea. The musical "The Phantom of the Opera," which has been suspended since April 1 as two of its cast members were confirmed with COVID-19, will reopen its Seoul run from Thursday at Blue ...

K-pop stars often make the most of their fame by venturing into a diverse range of second careers, such as acting or business. In recent years, more and more K-pop stars’ names are appearing on the cast lists of major musical productions as idols establish themselves in the highly popular musical scene. Initially, K-pop stars who landed major roles in musicals were met with hostility, as it was ...

The Seoul run of the musical “The Phantom of the Opera,” which was suspended after its cast members were confirmed with COVID-19, will resume on April 23. On March 31, a Canadian ensemble cast member was confirmed with the virus infection. Two days later, her colleague, an American actor, also tested positive. The production initially decided to halt the musical shows until April 14 but delayed ...

Small theaters struggle to survive amid COVID-19 pandemic

The 20th Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival is to take place this month, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, as a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus, the festival’s performances and workshops will be held separately. Shows will be staged April 21-26 at the Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno, central Seoul. Workshops will take place June 28-30 at the Dancers’ C...

The Seoul run of the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” will be suspended until April 22. After a Canadian female ensemble cast member was confirmed with COVID-19 infection on March 31, the show was halted through Tuesday. Another COVID-19 case involving a male cast member led to the organizers putting the show on hold until April 22. The rest of the 128-member team tested negative for COVID-19...

Keeping up with the trend of online streaming for art performances amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the National Gugak Center plans to support traditional art performers by streaming their performance videos online. The center will offer performance opportunities for 61 artist individuals and teams. Though the center is currently conducting its “Daily Gugak” series -- releasing a video clip th...

While two cast members of the international tour of musical “The Phantom of the Opera” have been confirmed with COVID-19 infection, the rest have tested negative. A Canadian ensemble cast member was confirmed with the virus infection on March 31. Two days later, her colleague, an American actor, was also confirmed. The final test results came Monday, confirming the rest of the 128-member team h...

Jeongdong Theater in central Seoul is to stream its signature show “Red Cliff” through YouTube on Wednesday. The show, originally slated to run from Feb. 14 to Sunday, has been on hold to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 since Feb. 24 after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ordered all national theaters and art troupes to cancel their performances. Instead, for patrons who had b...

The Seoul City government on Friday announced that it will monitor all the 8,578 people who watched “The Phantom of the Opera” at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. On Tuesday, a Canadian female ballet dancer of the show was confirmed with novel coronavirus infection and another American actor in the ensemble was tested positive on Thursday. “We have the list of all the audiences and will send o...

A second cast member of international tour production of “The Phantom of the Opera” has tested positive for COVID-19, organizers said Thursday. After the first cast member was confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, all 128 members of the production team were tested. On Thursday, another ensemble cast member was confirmed with the infection. Another 80 members of the team tested ...

The international tour production of “The Phantom of the Opera” has decided to temporarily halt its Seoul run after one of its ensemble cast members tested positive for the new coronavirus. The cast member was confirmed with COVID-19 infection Tuesday and the show decided to cancel shows from Wednesday. According to the organizers, the cast member was in self-quarantine with some symptoms of CO...

While Monday marks a month since the COVID-19 alert level was raised to “red,” the national health crisis is pushing the local performing arts scene to the edge. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, managed by the Korea Arts Management Service affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, roughly 70 productions opened in March as of Sunday. In Febr...

Two members who held private lessons suspended

"We reflect upon our conduct in the time of emergency as the whole country is struggling with COVID-19," the KNB said. "We will overhaul the organization and beef up the discipline of our members." The KNB also punished two other members for engaging in private lessons during the self-quarantine period. The company has canceled its scheduled performances in March due to the nationwide efforts t...