Yoshiki Hayashi says he likes K-pop groups such as Girls’ Generation Heavy metal band X Japan has gone through many painful experiences including the deaths of two former members but its rock ‘n roll spirit will survive, said the group’s leader, drummer and pianist Yoshiki Hayashi. The act has been on a world tour in 2011 and the first leg of its Asia tour will be Seoul on Friday at the Olympic...

Similes, conspiracies, the creative process and ‘Bad as Me’ PETALUMA, California ― Over the course of three hours of conversation at a roadside diner here called Pete’s Henny Penny, Tom Waits, the singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, actor and note taker, will offer the following similes and metaphors, seemingly at random though just as likely cataloged in his memory for future use: an aging m...

Pianist Son Yeol-eum is extremely busy doing concert tours, regularly writing columns and managing her Facebook and Twitter. But such multi-tasking keeps her motivated to play better concerts and communicate well with her fans, said Son. She did 13 concerts in September and plans to perform eight times in October and six in November. “When I’m on a stage, I try my best to enjoy it. I find it r...

Musical ‘Winter Sonata’ brings back Yoon Suk-ho’s famous first-love saga “Is this Joon-sang?” “Is this Yoo-jin?” The famous lines are back, and so is the famous first-love saga. But this time it is on the stage, not the small screen. Few would argue that KBS’2002 mega hit drama “Winter Sonata” was not one of the first examples of hallyu. Thanks to its enormous popularity, the main actor Bae Y...

F(x) opened the stage with “La Cha Ta” and all the artists united for a finale with H.O.T’s hit song “Bit” (Light). The SM Town concert was the first concert at Madison Square Garden since its makeover, the agency said. The SM Town concerts have played a significant role in creating the new Korean Wave around the world, prompting fans of K-pop to request concerts through flash mob protests. Th...

PARIS (AP) -- Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is heading home with her newborn girl Giulia, the first baby born to a sitting French president. Bruni-Sarkozy left a Paris clinic Sunday with her daughter and bodyguards, after giving birth Wednesday. President Nicolas Sarkozy said he and his wife felt a “very profound happiness'' over the birth of their first child together. He has three sons from his two pre...

“I can even say you might not be able to enjoy other concerts.” Now, many audiences know the secret ― leaning on the wall to enjoy the concert. A staff member of the House Concert said it is hard to take a full-angle picture of both the audience and artists because the audience is all seated leaning on the wall. After a concert, the audience can enjoy cheese and wine. Preferred concert venue ...

DJ Cam’s ’Seven’ offers sullen hip-hop DJ Cam “Seven” (Inflamable) There’s something dour about DJ Cam’s new album “Seven,“ with its slow and brooding fusion of hip-hop and jazz. The French mix master has an interesting approach to blending disparate sounds, but seldom do things develop into a full gallop here, leaving the effort feeling a bit unfinished. DJ Cam likes trickles of piano, stre...

The Chung Trio, consisting of siblings Chung Myung-whun on the piano, violinist Chung Kyung-wha and cellist Chung Myung-wha, will hold a concert in December in memory of their late mother Lee Won-sook, CMI Korea said. Myung-whun has repeatedly said in press conferences this year that he would push for a tribute concert for his mother who died in May at the age of 93. The trio will hold the conc...

Janek Ledecky’s musical returns for fourth run in Seoul Clad in blue jeans and wearing his Ray-Bans, Janek Ledecky isn’t used to walking down the street without being recognized. “Here, I feel like I am a secret agent or something (because no one notices me),” the Czech pop superstar told The Korea Herald in Seoul, Wednesday. In his home country, taking public transportation would be unimagina...

The Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the leading orchestras in Korea, will collaborate with Tchaikovsky competition winning pianist Son Yeol-eum to mark the 200th year of Liszt’s birth. Led by pianist and conductor Kim Dae-jin, the Suwon Phil will hold its 211th regular concert on Oct. 25 at the Gyeonggi Arts Center’s Grand Theater with a program of Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1, and Piano Conc...

Nine-girl singing sensation say they can’t wait to meet rival group Wonder Girls at music shows Girls’ Generation, one of the most popular female K-pop groups, has come back to the local K-pop scene after more than a year with their third album “The Boys,” featuring a new style and more powerful music aimed at a broader audience. While the album was released in Asia, including Korea, on Wednesd...