For those who have missed the chance to experience Seoul’s royal palaces at night or see a gugak concert in the court garden last year, the year 2012 will come as an exciting one. More cultural events and educational programs will take place in the four royal palaces in Seoul ―Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung ― as well as Jongmyo shrine this year, including court cuisine sessions, gugak concerts, and late-night tours, Cultural Heritage Administration announced during

Feb. 21, 2012

Chung Hyung-Min announces NMOCA will go through overall renovations through 2013Chung Hyung-Min, newly appointed director of National Museum of Contemporary Art, said that she is happy to see that women are taking powerful positions in the art scene and thus generating public interest in it. Now she said she will take this opportunity to prove something“I feel a heavy responsibility for taking the job at a time when the museum is doubling its size. I will put emphasis on expanding the collection

Feb. 21, 2012

Conductor says long-term aim is joint performance by North, South Korean musiciansA world-renowned South Korean conductor said on Tuesday that he would conduct a joint performance of the French and North Korean orchestras in Paris on March 14 and he hopes this will pave the way for musicians from the two Koreas to perform together in the near future.“What I wanted the most was to have musicians from North and South Korea perform together, but (we) decided to stage a joint performance of French a

Feb. 21, 2012

Opera Gallery Seoul offers artworks by contemporary artists influenced by Marcel DuchampHad it not been for Marcel Duchamp, the “anti-artist” who stirred up the 20th century art world with an upside-down urinal, the contemporary art scene would never have become what it is. Opera Gallery Seoul in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, gathered artwork by 19 acclaimed artists after Duchamp’s time who were obviously influenced by the sensational French artist in more than one way. The exhibition, titled

Feb. 20, 2012

Classical musicians enjoy rock star status among groupiesWhen pianist Lim Dong-hyek finished his two-hour-long recital on Feb. 18 at Seoul Arts Center, a venue exclusively for classical music suddenly turned into a pop concert scene with the audience screaming for an encore. The hall with 2,500 seats was completely packed ― mostly with females ― and they didn’t stop shouting, urging the artist to play another piece, and then another.At the end, Lim presented three encores, mostly romantic Chopin

Feb. 20, 2012

University of Edinburgh to commemorate late President Yun Bo-seon in autumnThis is the third of the series introducing cultural centers of different countries in Seoul ― Ed.For anyone interested in studying abroad ― especially in the U.K. ― the British Council office in central Seoul is the place to be next month. The British cultural institution will be holding a special event where representatives from six or seven of the U.K.’s world-class universities will share information on what each scho

Feb. 19, 2012

Month of February packed with performances by renowned orchestrasStar conductors leading world-class orchestras are flocking to Seoul, offering a chance to appreciate their powerful symphonic sounds.The list of prestigious orchestras coming to Korea this year includes the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. And they all are to perform in this month.February’s flock of foreign orchestras has happened as part of several Asia tours that

Feb. 19, 2012

Artist residency program in Sindang Jungang Market offers unusual art sceneFor anyone who has been to Jungang market near Sindang Station in Seoul, it would be hard to imagine that more than 30 artists have their working studios underground. And that some practically live there.The area is known for its merciless traffic and its overcrowded and colorful market. Stepping through the main gate of the market, you are overwhelmed by the aroma of pickled fish and mung bean pancakes, while endless foo

Feb. 17, 2012

Exhibitions“BEING: Debbie Han 1985-2011”: Sungkok Art Museum is holding a large-scale exhibition looking back on Korean-American artist Debbie Han’s art world. It showcases about 60 of Han’s paintings, sculptures and installations through which she pondered identity issues and artistic values. The exhibition runs through March 18 at Sungkok Art Museum in Jongro-gu, central Seoul. Tickets range from 3,000 won to 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 737-7650 or visit www.sungkokmuseum.com. “

Feb. 17, 2012

Ynot delivers passion, energyYnot“Ynot Live Album” Mirrorball musicFunky Korean rock band Ynot released a new live double album on Tuesday containing 23 songs. The album, recorded at an October concert without any sound correction or modification, acts in stark contrast to the industry trend of heavy production and computer programming. In an effort to deliver its energy and passion, this warts-and-all recording leaves in the the audience’s screaming unfiltered ― and the occasional mistake. The

Feb. 17, 2012

K-pop artists recorded their highest sales ever in Japan last year, according to Japan’s Oricon music chart on Friday. According to Oricon’s report, Korean musicians marked 24.47 billion yen ($309.5 million) worth of sales last year in Japan’s soft music market comprised of singles, albums, music DVDs and music Blu-ray disks. It is an increase of 22.3 percent from the previous year. K-pop artists have been seeing an increase in sales since 2008 although Japan’s overall sales have fallen for five

Feb. 17, 2012

‘Swiss Weeks in Seoul’ presents various cultural events throughout AprilThough it is hard to call it a house, the 10-meter-tall disorderly structure made of hundreds of fir planks had an entrance, bedrooms and even a small dining room-like place with a table. “It connects to my childhood nostalgia, it is kind of like a tree house,” Gregory Chapuisat told The Korea Herald on Tuesday. Chapuisat and his brother ― who could not make it to Seoul this time ― is known as the Swedish Chapuisat Brothers

Feb. 16, 2012

Korean wave star Lee Joon-gi, who gained huge popularity in Korea and other Asian countries for his starring role in the hit movie “The King and the Clown” (2005), returned to his fans Thursday morning after completing his two-year military service.“I was able to spend the past two gem-like years in my life. I think I enjoyed my life in the military,” Lee told about 1,000 fans who waited for him in front of the Ministry of Defense in Yongsan, central Seoul. He was there to report his discharge f

Feb. 16, 2012