Curtain comes down on disgraced 'Again 2024 Turandot'

Troubled run ends in refunds, canceled finale, ongoing disputes Once a highly anticipated opera, "Again 2024 Turandot" will conclude its turbulent run at Coex Monday night, one day earlier than scheduled, marred by controversy, confusion, and criticism. The production company, Again 2024 Turandot, said on Monday that the final performance, originally scheduled for Tuesday, had been canceled due to poor ticket sales. Refunds were issued to ticket holders. Tuesday's show had been planned as a New

Dec. 30, 2024

Opera ‘Again 2024 Turandot' conductor steps down following director's departure

-Conductor Carignani says he was ‘left idle for 10 days without fixed schedule’ -Production claims $13.8 million in budget marred by chain of departures Paolo Carignani, one of the three conductors for the grand opera “Again 2024 Turandot,” has withdrawn from the production. This marks the second official withdrawal from the production. On Dec. 21, just nine hours before its opening, Italian opera director Davide Livermore withdrew from the production, citing a dispute over creative direction an

Dec. 29, 2024

2025: Another rich year of world-class orchestras in Korea

A lineup of star conductors and orchestras raises expectations for classical music fans Korea will be hosting an impressive lineup of world-renowned orchestras next year, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Acclaimed maestros Klaus Makela, Gustavo Dudamel and Chung Myung-whun will take the podium with orchestras they share deep artistic ties with, delivering performances brimming with intensity and brilliance. Audiences can also look forward

Dec. 29, 2024

Korean Musicology Series explores contemporary gugak in English

National Gugak Center releases English-language guide to traditional music The National Gugak Center has published the 11th volume of its English-language booklet the Korean Musicology Series, which focuses on the rich tradition of Korean music, known as "gugak." The Korean Musicology Series, launched in 2007, is a collection of books that introduces traditional Korean music to foreign-language audiences, offering accurate and in-depth information. Beginning with its first volume "Music of Korea

Dec. 27, 2024

Top ballet stars to grace Seoul stage in gala performance this January

Some of South Korea’s brightest ballet stars who have captivated audiences on the world’s top stages are set to unite for a special gala performance in Seoul in January. The Global Ballet Star Gala, organized by the K-Global Ballet Institute, will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 11 and 12, bringing together a constellation of top-tier dancers who have risen to prominence in the world’s leading ballet companies. At the forefront of the lineup is Park Sae-eun, an eto

Dec. 27, 2024

'Again Turandot,' never again?

Italian director's departure, frequent cast changes raise questions and audiences demand refunds, but ambitious W20B production continues amid turmoil Despite the sudden departure of its director and ongoing tensions between the creative team and the Korean production company, the ambitious opera project "Again 2024 Turandot" pushes forward. However, frequent cast changes and growing audience dissatisfaction continue to overshadow the production's progress. An avid classical concertgoer, surname

Dec. 26, 2024

With Gumi concert canceled, singer Lee Seung-hwan mulls playing Gwangju

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung suggests Lee hold concert in Gwangju instead Days after Gumi City Hall canceled singer Lee Seung-hwan's Christmas Day concert in the city, prompting criticism that the decision was politically motivated, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung stepped in to suggest Lee hold a gig in his city. In response, Lee said he "looks forward to performing in Gwangju," referring to the city as a "holy land of democracy." This comes after Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho on Monday announced that the sin

Dec. 25, 2024

Opera in turmoil: Director Davide Livermore withdraws from 'Turandot' hours before premiere

In a dramatic turn of events, Italian opera director Davide Livermore withdrew from the production of “Again 2024 Turandot” just nine hours before its opening Sunday night in Seoul, citing creative and contractual disputes with the production team.

Dec. 23, 2024

‘Stage Fighter’ champion Choi Ho-jong says best is yet to come

In Korea’s dance scene, the name Choi Ho-jong is already one to reckon with. Recently, he added another jewel to his crown by claiming the top spot in Mnet’s dance survival program “Stage Fighter,” the fourth installment of the popular Street Fighter TV franchise. However, Choi said that he doesn’t yet feel he’s reached his prime. In fact, he described himself as being in a slump.

Dec. 21, 2024

Wrap up 2024 with annual year-end K-pop festivals

K-pop fans worldwide are gearing up for the grand spectacle of Korea's major year-end music shows — "KBS Song Festival," "SBS Gayo Daejeon" and "MBC Gayo Daejejeon." Each festival has a unique concept and star-studded lineup, offering a glimpse into the past, present and future of K-pop. From legendary reunions to first-time collaborations, these year-end stages promise unforgettable moments to close out 2024 and welcome 2025 in style. Cross-generatio

Dec. 19, 2024

World-class opera stars including Placido Domingo, unite for ‘Turandot’

World-renowned opera singers and artists are coming together to revive the grandeur of large-scale opera productions in Korea, a rarity outside dedicated opera theaters. Park Hyun-joon, artistic director of the “Again 2024 Turandot project,” aims to deliver a production that echoes the success of it

Dec. 17, 2024

K-pop stars to broaden spectrum with world tours in 2025

As 2025 approaches, K-pop artists are setting their sights on global stages. SHINee’s Taemin will continue the momentum of his first solo world tour, “Ephemeral Gaze,” which began on Dec. 15 with sold-out shows, into early next year. According to his agency Big Planet Made Entertainment tickets for the US leg of the “Ephemeral Gaze” tour — covering New York, Chicago, Houston, Oakland and Los Angeles — sold out immediately. This follows previous sellouts

Dec. 17, 2024

[Herald Review] BoyNextDoor launches first tour with refreshing energy

BoyNextDoor held the group's first stand-alone concert “Knock On Vol.1” and announced a January comeback. The two shows at Inspire Arena in Incheon on Dec. 14-15 mark the group’s first solo concert since debuting in May 2023. The six members, dressed in blue jeans and black jackets, made a dramatic entrance by leaping up from the stage floor amid fireworks. They kicked off the show with “Earth, Wind and Fire,” followed by “Dangerous,” where the stag

Dec. 16, 2024

Deaf trio Big Ocean to hold first solo concert next year

Big Ocean, the world's first idol group composed of members with hearing impairments, is set to hold its first solo concert. The trio -- Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- announced via the group's official social media channels that they will hold the first solo concert under the banner of “Follow” on March 9, 2025, at the Toyota City Cultural Hall in Nagoya, Japan. “Follow” is also the name of Big Ocean’s first mini album. The group is preparing not only to

Dec. 12, 2024

Ahn Eun-jin returns to stage as astronomer in ‘Silent Sky’

Trust in director Kim Min-jung, the Myeongdong Theater, the single-cast format and the compelling script were actor Ahn Eun-jin‘s key reasons for choosing “Silent Sky” for her long-awaited return to the stage. “I was nervous about getting back on stage after so long, unsure how I would even manage r

Dec. 10, 2024