Most Popular
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
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[Graphic News] How much do Korean adults read?
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Korean firms target EV charging market in US
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[Herald Review] ‘La Bayadere’ starts slow, ends strong
Set against the imaginative backdrop of exotic India, the Universal Ballet’s latest production of “La Bayadere” pays homage to the 19th-century tale of two people’s eternal vows that ends in tragedy. The nearly three-hour-long “La Bayadere,” or the “The Temple Dancer,” follows the story of the alluring lower caste temple dancer Nikiya and her unflinching love for a young, royal warrior named Solor. Sharing her deep love and affection, Solor vows to the gods his eternal devotion to her. Scene fr
Oct. 29, 2015
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‘Ars Nova’ to feature Wu Wei on the sheng
Wu Wei, a renowned soloist of the traditional Chinese mouth-organ sheng, will hit the stage Friday night as part of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s two-day “Ars Nova” contemporary music concert series. The 4,000-year-old woodwind folk instrument is a rare sight in today’s music scene, with an equally rare-sounding instrumental pitch to match. “The sounds of the sheng are very mysterious and the skills it takes to play this instrument are not something that can easily be explained,” said SPO compo
Oct. 28, 2015
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German orchestras to usher in the autumn
Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra’s guest conductor Chung Myung-whun (Matthias Creutziger)Following a number of world-class ensembles that have graced the Seoul stage this year, the month of November promises to be a much-welcomed continuation of some of the classical music world’s best. The Seoul Arts Center is gearing up to play host to three of Germany’s oldest and celebrated orchestras -- the Staatskapelle Dresden, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
Oct. 28, 2015
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[Newmaker] Cho Seong-jin, Korea’s new classical music icon
Pianist Cho Seong-jin (EPA-Yonhap)Cho Seong-jin, the winner of the Chopin piano competition, is a new classical music icon in Korea, setting recording history even before the release of his first solo album. The 21-year-old pianist’s upcoming album – a live recording of his performances at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Poland – was the top seller across all music genres at Kyobo Bookstore, the country’s largest book seller, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday -- a feat that no oth
Oct. 27, 2015
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Chun Kyung-ja’s death reveals bizarre family feud
Family members of artist Chun Kyung-ja, whose death this past summer was revealed by media last week, said Tuesday they learned about her death from a Korean bank only a few days before the news broke. “I learned on Oct. 19 about my mother’s passing from a staff member of a Korean bank, who called to ask for the approval (from a family member) required to close my mother’s bank account,” said Sumita Kim, the third of Chun’s four children at a press conference in Seoul. Kim is an artist herself
Oct. 27, 2015
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Can you trust the K-pop charts?
This is the first in a two-part series examining issues pertaining to Korea’s digital music industry. – Ed. Ever wondered why K-pop has so many chart-topping debuts or new releases? How trustworthy do you think the K-pop charts are? According to some industry insiders and experts, the online charts are prone to manipulation. Melon charts (Melon official website screenshot)A major issue with the charts today is “hoarding,” efforts allegedly coordinated by fans or brokers to push certain songs up
Oct. 27, 2015
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Spaniard makes national museum chief short list
A former Spanish museum director is among the three contenders short-listed to head the state-run National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, a local daily reported Monday.Chosun Ilbo revealed that Bartomeu Mari, former director of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, has made it to the final list along with two other Koreans.If selected, Mari will be the first foreigner to be director of the public art museum in Korea. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (
Oct. 26, 2015
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[Herald Review] Well-deserved standing ovation for ‘Notre Dame de Paris’
Celebrating a decade since its first Korean premiere in 2005, the French cast of the famed novel-turned-musical, “Notre Dame de Paris,” has returned to Seoul, doling out unforgettably stellar performances of song, dance and even some acrobatics. Not to be confused with the Disney remake, the musical production is based on the eponymous novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Riccardo Cocciante. Without delving too much into spoiler territory, the musical’s storyline is actual
Oct. 25, 2015
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[Newsmaker]Artist Chun's life, death shrouded in mystery
Artist Chun Kyung-ja, whose death in the past summer was revealed to the public Thursday, was a female cultural icon in Korea’s male-dominated art society. According to the Seoul Museum of Art, Chun died on Aug. 6 in New York, where she had lived since 1998. The artist, who was 91, reportedly had a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003 and had suffered from poor health since then. “It was reported to me that Chun’s daughter visited the museum on Aug. 20, carrying the remains of her mother,” Kim Hong-hee,
Oct. 22, 2015
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[Herald Review] Mullova captivates Sibelius in BBC Philharmonic’s Seoul concert
Recognized as one of Spain’s most distinguished international conductors, maestro Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra took to the stage Wednesday night at the Seoul Arts Center bringing to life the sounds of Britten, Sibelius and Schubert, while also delighting the audience with the evening’s highlight: special guest soloist Viktoria Mullova. Opening up its return performance in Korea after more than seven years, the orchestra performed Benjamin Britten’s buoyant Simple Symphony, Op.
Oct. 22, 2015
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Park Ki-young leaves ballads for classical crossovers
Korean balladeer Park Ki-young has transitioned into a classical crossover vocalist in her new album “A Primeira Festa.”Included in the album are pop-opera classics such as “Nella Fantasia,” “Caruso” and “Habanera.” The lead track is “One Fine Day,” a remade version of Yoshimata Ryo’s “The Whole Nine Yards.”While classical-based singers like Jo Su-mi have forayed in the pop genre, a pop singer transitioning into crossover -- a genre that combines pop and classical music -- has been unheard of in
Oct. 22, 2015
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[Herald Interview] Click-B aims to solidify musical color
Seven-member boy band Click-B joined the ranks of g.o.d, Fly to the Sky and Buzz on Wednesday, becoming the next group from the first generation of K-pop stars to make a long-awaited comeback. Click-B debuted in 1999 during the height of the first wave of idol groups, which included H.O.T, Sechs Kies, Fin.K.L and S.E.S, and had enjoyed hits like “Undefeatable” and “Cowboy” before breaking apart to pursue other solo and smaller group projects. Their new two-track album “Reborn” would be the first
Oct. 21, 2015
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[Newsmaker] Korean pianist wins Chopin competition
A 21-year-old Korean pianist won Poland’s Chopin competition Tuesday -- one of the most prestigious contests in the piano world and considered a launch pad for an international career. Cho Seong-jin beat 77 other young pianists from 20 countries to take home the gold medal and prize of 30,000 euros ($33,500) at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in the Polish capital Warsaw and named after the 19th century pianist and composer. Cho Seong-jin (AFP-Yon
Oct. 21, 2015
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Handbag-maker Simone launches luxury brand, opens stunning flagship store
While Seoul has in recent years been dubbed a hotbed for luxury brands by various international media outlets, local handbag company Simone -- which for years has manufactured products for global fashion houses like Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Coach -- is now seeking to go beyond supplying to foreign brands to establish a prestigious local label. The lobby of 0914’s flagship store (0914)With 28 years of expertise in leather goods, the company launched 0914, a brand of handbags designed, manufac
Oct. 21, 2015
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Twice’s ‘Story Begins’
K-pop hit-making label JYP Entertainment has unveiled the first album by its new nine-member girl group Twice. The group is the agency’s first new girl group since Miss A debuted five years ago, and has already gained a substantial amount of publicity by choosing its members through an intensely rigorous audition process broadcast by music channel Mnet through the show “Sixteen.” “We were able to do this showcase today because our fans supported us and waited for us through (‘Sixtee
Oct. 20, 2015
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Big Bang likely to extend contract with YG
Big Bang, whose contract with YG Entertainment is set to expire in mid-2016, is highly likely to stay with the agency, a local report said, citing unidentified sources at the music industry. “Since the members have to renew their contract, it has been difficult to arrange their next year’s schedule,” said the source. “However, YG officials have hinted that they will stay with the agency.” (OSEN)Earlier this year, while celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the group’s debut under the label,
Oct. 20, 2015
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Korean design students’ works displayed at Olympic Council of Asia
Two art installations by a handful of Korean college students are on display at the main offices of the Olympic Council of Asia in Kuwait. The students, who all major in design and belong to the design cooperatives Space Bar and Illumination, spent six months creating two pieces ― “10,000 Bolts and Nuts” and “The Spirit of 10,000 Hours” ― which were commissioned by the OCA, the organizer of the Asian Games. Following the students’ wishes, the pieces were donated to the OCA and the students recei
Oct. 19, 2015
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[Herald Review] YB celebrates 20 years
Performing to a sold-out audience at the 1,000-seat LG Arts Center in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, one of Korea’s most iconic rock bands demonstrated the secret to its vibrant two-decade career: its continued evolution in music with its songs growing together with their fans.“Music is made by musicians,” said YB bassist Park Tae-hee on Sunday, the last day of the four-day Seoul concert “20-years.” “But music also matures the musician. It’s right here, when we’re connecting with our fans, that we
Oct. 19, 2015
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Banyan Tree Club, Spa Seoul to hold art fair
Upscale guest rooms and outdoor pools at Banyan Tree Club and Spa Seoul will transform into art gallery space during the four-day BANYAF Art Fair next week. The premiere edition of the art fair, organized by the resort company, presents some 400 works of art selected by 20 art galleries and agencies, including Arario Gallery, Park Ryu Sook Gallery, Gallery Kong and Gallery Koo. The works will be on display in the hotel’s exclusive club rooms from Oct. 22-25. Plate and tea bowl by Kim Nam-hee (Ga
Oct. 19, 2015
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Barakatt, Herald Philharmonic to present encore concert in December
Steve Barakatt (Rainbow Bridge Story)Canadian pianist and composer and the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra are teaming up again for an encore concert in December in Seoul.According to Barakatt’s agency, the New Age musician together with the Seoul-based ensemble will play his symphony “Ad Vitam Aeternam” on Dec. 5 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. It follows the resounding success of a March concert in which he presented his largest and first symphonic composition to the Korean a
Oct. 19, 2015