Years after tragedy, can those left behind finally find peace?

National Changgeuk Company's ‘Boheoja -- The One Who Paces the Void’ walks the path of consolation The story of King Sejo (1417-1468), the 7th king of Joseon, is one of blood, ambition and political intrigue. Ruthless power struggles and their far-reaching consequences inspired many adaptations, including the series “The Princess’ Man” (2011) and the film “The Face Reader” (2013), in which “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae portrayed Grand Prince Suyang before his ascent to the throne. Born the seco

March 5, 2025

National Gugak Center to recreate royal processional music with AI-generated lyrics

Court Music Orchestra uses AI to restore court music's lost lyrics A traditional music performance will recreate the pomp and circumstance of the processions of Joseon-era kings as they departed from and returned to their palaces. The National Gugak Center’s Court Music Orchestra is set to stage a performance centered on haengak, or the music traditionally played during royal processions, as well as for governors and foreign envoys during the Joseon era (1392-1910). Titled “Haengak and Boheoja:

March 4, 2025

Opposition grows against ministry’s plan to integrate national arts organizations

Following the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s announcement of its plan to establish an integrated secretariat to manage five national arts organizations, opposition is growing among cultural civil organizations and national arts institutions. On Friday, Cultural Action, a civic organization dedicated to culture, called for an immediate withdrawal of the plan, stating that it is being unilaterally pushed forward without discussions or public discourse within the arts community, raising

March 3, 2025

Lim Yunchan to perform for young audiences

21-year-old pianist will perform recitals to 'give through music' The last week of March will see internationally acclaimed pianist Lim Yunchan dedicating his performances to young people. From March 23 to 25, Lim, 21, will hold three special recitals in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, with all proceeds donated to pediatric cancer patients. On March 28, as the artist-in-residence for the Tongyeong International Music Festival, he will give an exclusive performance for local students in Tongyeong, Sou

Feb. 27, 2025

Spectacular music shows for the long weekend

Electrifying DJ sets, rock and K-pop performances signal end of long winter As Korea enters the Samiljeol holiday weekend -- commemorating March 1st Independence Movement Day -- music fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of shows from top international and Korean artists. On Friday, Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo will take the stage at Inspire Arena in Incheon’s Yeongjongdo. Kygo debuted in 2013 and rose to global fame with "It Ain’t Me," his 2018 collaboration with Selena Gomez that reac

Feb. 26, 2025

Novus Quartet takes on another challenge with complete works of Brahms

The 19-year-old quartet presents its sixth international album, fourth one dedicated to single composer Now in its 19th year, South Korea’s leading string quartet, Novus Quartet, continues its ambitious musical journey with the release of a new album, "Brahms: The Complete String Quartets." The group’s sixth international release under the French classical label Aparte, and their fourth dedicated to a single composer, debuted digitally on Friday, with a physical release set for Thursday. Violini

Feb. 19, 2025

Inspire Arena reflects on first year, unveils plans for 2025

Inspire Arena aims to improve accessibility to attract more attendees Inspire Arena, South Korea's first arena built for concerts, entered its second year with some successes and some concerns. Since its opening in December 2023, Inspire Arena, located in Yeongjongdo in Incheon, hosted international artists such as Maroon 5, Westlife and Linkin Park, as well as major K-pop acts like Taeyang, SHINee and Day6. In 2024, Inspire Arena hosted 69 events, attracting a total of 519,000 attendees. About

Feb. 18, 2025

Performing arts market sees 14.5% revenue growth in 2024

Revenue growth outpaced increases in performances and tickets sold South Korea’s performing arts market saw a 14.5 percent increase in total ticket sales revenue in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The 2024 Annual Report on Ticket Sales, based on data from the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, revealed that total ticket sales revenue reached 1.45 trillion won ($1 billion). While the number of performances increased b

Feb. 18, 2025

Kakao Entertainment to support indie music

Company to provide support for Live Club Day festival Kakao Entertainment has announced plans to continue supporting indie music culture by hosting an indie music festival. Through the Kakao Creation Foundation, Kakao Entertainment said it will hold the Live Club Day music festival six times this year. The Kakao Creation Foundation is a cultural and sports foundation established by Kakao Entertainment under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, running programs such as an online creative

Feb. 18, 2025

Busan sets eyes on becoming Asia’s classical music hub with new concert hall

Korea's second-largest city has brand new concert hall and maestro Chung Myung-whun BUSAN - Soon, Busan will be known for more than just films -- it’s on track to become a major hub of classical music with the opening of a world-class concert hall in June and an opera house set to debut in 2027. Busan, Korea’s second-largest city with a population of 3.28 million, on Monday unveiled its artistic vision and plans for Busan Concert Hall opening festival set to take place June 20-28 and more. After

Feb. 17, 2025

Stay tuned for upcoming music festivals

From rock music to EDM, festivals are gearing up for warmer weather It's still chilly outside, but music festivals to warm us up in the spring and early summer are being announced one by one. With a lineup centered around popular artists and a variety of travel-themed events, the festival Have a Nice Day is set to delight music fans in April. This year’s Have a Nice Day will take place April 12-13 at Sangsang Platform in Jung-gu, Incheon. A unique space, Sangsang Platform was once Korea's first

Feb. 17, 2025

On board with ‘Manseon’: 5 tons of rain cascading down on stage

National Theater Company of Korea to open season with 'Manseon' in March The National Theater Company of Korea kicks off its 2025 season with “Manseon: The Yearning of a Fisherman,” a landmark work in Korean realism drama, set to run from March 6 to 30 at Myeongdong Theater. First staged in 1964, “Manseon” portrays the struggles of working-class families overshadowed by industrialism, centering on the tragic downfall of a household caught between economic desperation and an unyielding pride in t

Feb. 16, 2025

Korean teen ballerino describes Prix de Lausanne as 'transformative experience'

16-year-old Park Youn-jae becomes first Korean male ballet dancer to win prestigious award Ballet dancer Park Youn-jae described winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne as a precious experience that brought him “closer to ballet.” "Ballet is something you can spend years doing and still struggle to feel connected to," Park said at a press conference held at Arts Center Seoul Doam in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. "Every now and then, a rare opportunity comes along to bridge that gap, and for me,

Feb. 13, 2025

GS Arts Center in Seoul to open April with American Ballet Theatre show

Located in former LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, new performing arts center to focus on interdisciplinary artists “GS Arts Center is looking for its audience,” said Sunny Park, CEO of the soon-to-open GS Arts Center, at a press conference on Tuesday. The new performing arts venue, poised to raise its curtain in April, occupies the former home of LG Arts Center Yeoksam, which relocated to Magok in 2022. It is housed within GS Tower, near Yeoksam Station in Seoul’s Gangnam District. With a remo

Feb. 12, 2025

Libertines to hold first-ever Korean concert

British rock band to play in Seoul in April British rock band The Libertines will hold their first concert in Korea on April 9 at 8 p.m. at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, as announced by event organizer MPMG. Emerging as an influential band in the postpunk revival movement of the early 2000s, The Libertines debuted in 2002 with the single "What a Waster / I Get Along." Their first full-length album, "Up the Bracket," released later that year, earning them recognition for best new band at

Feb. 11, 2025