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Interview: Prince in progress, Jeon Min-chul finds his own Albrecht
Ballerino Jeon Min-chul is on the cusp of a major career leap. In June, he will join the Mariinsky Ballet -- only the second Korean to do so after Kim Ki-min. Before that, he takes the final stage this week in Korea in two sold-out performances of "Giselle" with Universal Ballet's principal dancer Hong Hyang-gee, on Friday and Sunday. This is his second full-length ballet after Solor in "La Bayadere" last September. “Giselle was the very first ballet I ever saw, actually,” Jeon said in a separat
April 17, 2025 -
Interview: Rising ballet stars step into tragedy of 'Giselle'
Few works in the classical ballet canon are as enduring or as emotionally charged as “Giselle.” A quintessential romantic masterpiece, the ballet tells the story of a beautiful peasant girl named Giselle, who falls in love with a nobleman in disguise, Albrecht, only to die of heartbreak upon discovering he is betrothed to another. While the first act is filled with youthful first love, celebration and a radiant atmosphere, the second act marks a dramatic shift, unfolding at Giselle’s grave, stee
April 17, 2025 -
Yang Sung-won reflects on 50 years with cello
Unlike many musicians who celebrate the anniversary of their public debut, South Korean cellist Yang Sung-won is marking something more personal: 50 years since a life-altering performance inspired a 7-year-old to trade the piano for the cello. That moment dates back to March 10, 1975, when Hungarian American cellist Janos Starker gave a performance in Seoul — one that would set the course of Yang’s life. Years later, he became not only his student, but also his assistant, entrusted to teach in
April 16, 2025 -
KNUA Symphony Orchestra to perform at Abu Dhabi Festival
The Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the Middle East’s most prominent performing arts events, according to the country's top art school, also known as K-Arts, Wednesday. The orchestra, composed of students from the university’s School of Music will participate in two concerts: a standalone performance Friday and a collaborative gala Sunday, featuring conductor Toufic Maatouk, tenor Javier Camarena and soprano
April 16, 2025 -
Family-friendly concert presents magical adventure where kids meet traditional Korean instruments
In the enchanted “Forest of Instrument Trees,” a vibrant scene comes to life. As haegeum and piri musicians perform with flair, their puppet counterparts proudly mimic their movements. Yet, off to the side, the daegeum murmurs in low spirits, “Unlike other instruments, I’m hollow inside, so I can’t play a big role." But the young hero Seonyul intervenes. “Because you’re hollow, there’s room for the sound to travel. Song carves a path through the heart." Encouraged, the daegeum steps forward with
April 15, 2025 -
Ahn Eun-me unveils bold interpretation of Asia with ‘Post-Orientalist Express’
Choreographer Ahn Eun-me, long celebrated as a one-of-a-kind force in Korean contemporary dance, will premiere her latest production, "Post-Orientalist Express," at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' M Theater on May 2-4. A vibrant culmination of her yearslong exploration of Asian identities, "Post-Orientalist Express" marks the final chapter in Ahn’s ambitious “Asia Project,” which began in 2018. The 62-year-old choreographer, whose flamboyant style and boundary-pushing vision have defi
April 15, 2025 -
Roberto Abbado appointed next artistic director of National Symphony Orchestra
Italian maestro Roberto Abbado, who has captivated Korean audiences through two previous collaborations with the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, will officially assume the role of KNSO artistic director starting January 2026, the orchestra announced Tuesday. He will succeed Belgian conductor David Reiland, who has held the post since 2020. Abbado, 70, was appointed for a three-year term as the orchestra’s eighth artistic director. He previously led the KNSO in Bellini’s “Norma” in 2023, whic
April 15, 2025 -
Ambassador Al-Hamar on 50 years of Qatar-Korea relations and Qatar’s cultural diplomacy
The recent performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Seoul was more than an evening of music — it was a vivid expression of the deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and Korea. Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the concert struck a symbolic high note in a year filled with cross-cultural engagement. Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Korea, described the event as a bridge between two cultures — one t
April 15, 2025 -
Singapore’s leading dance company blurs borders, boundaries with ‘Infinitely Closer’ in Seoul
As Singapore and South Korea mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Arts Council has turned to the arts to underscore the two countries' enduring ties. On April 24, Singapore’s leading contemporary dance company, T.H.E Dance Company, will bring its groundbreaking production “Infinitely Closer” to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, offering a
April 14, 2025 -
Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival celebrates 20 years of resilience, growth
This spring marks the 20th anniversary of the Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival, known as the SSF, a milestone that reflects not only the event’s resilience despite challenges but its quiet influence on Korea’s chamber music scene. Founded in 2006 by renowned violinist Kang Dong-suk with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the SSF emerged in a musical landscape that lacked long-term, stable platforms for chamber music. Two decades later, it remains Korea’s only enduring chamber mus
April 14, 2025 -
Infinite proves its enduring power with 15th anniversary concert
Veteran boy band Infinite wrapped up its 15th debut anniversary tour with a grand finale, promising an even greater future with its fans. Infinite held encore performances Saturday and Sunday for its 15th debut anniversary concert at the Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, attended by 20,000 fans who, over the two days, braved the stormy weather to see Infinite onstage. After kicking off "Limited Edition" in Seoul last December, Infinite went on to perform 13 shows in eight cities including T
April 14, 2025 -
National Contemporary Dance Company heads to Europe with 'Jungle'
The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will embark on a European tour this May with "Jungle," choreographed by the company’s artistic director, Kim Sung-yong. The first stop is Stockholm, where the piece will be performed May 4 at the Oscar Theater to mark the second anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in Sweden. In London, Jungle will open the 8th edition of A Festival of Korean Dance, taking place May 7-8. The annual event is co-hosted by the Korean Cultural Center UK and contempo
April 13, 2025 -
Actor Chae Si-ra steps on stage as dancer in 'Pure Heart'
Veteran actor Chae Si-ra, celebrating her 40th year in entertainment, is making an unexpected return to the stage -- as a dancer. Chae will appear in a special role in "Pure Heart," a new traditional dance production by the National Jeongdong Theater, running May 8 to June 28 at Jeongdong Theater in central Seoul. "Pure Heart" sheds light on the classic Korean pansori folktale "Simcheong-ga," in which the heroine, Sim Cheong, sacrifices herself so her blind father can see and ventures into the u
April 13, 2025 -
Lee Seung-yoon ready for overseas stages
Iconic singer-songwriter to perform in Taipei, Czech Republic Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon, loved for his electrifying stage presence and philosophical, poetic lyrics, is now venturing beyond Korea to reach a global audience. Having earned a steady following performances at a variety of music festivals, Lee kicked off the 2025 festival season late last month at The Glow 2025 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Lee is set to appear at several major domestic festivals in the coming months, including
April 10, 2025 -
April in Seoul a time for classical music
Two leading spring festivals -- Orchestra Festival and Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music -- shine in the capital Classical music takes center stage in Seoul this month with two standout festivals: the Seoul Arts Center’s Orchestra Festival and the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music. The Orchestra Festival brings together 18 symphony orchestras from across the country in one place while the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music celebrates its 20th anniversary. Seoul Arts Center's Orches
April 9, 2025