Liz Mitchell to sing in support of N.K. refugees

Lead singer of Boney M. to protest Beijing’s forcible repatriation of North Korean defectors Just a year after the box office triumph of Korea’s retro flick “Sunny,” the legendary European disco band behind the movie’s title track made its second visit to Seoul ― this time for the serious cause of protecting the human rights of North Korean refugees. Liz Mitchell, one of the original members and lead singer of Boney M. ― the German-based vocal group that dominated the 1970s disco era ― is in Seo

April 17, 2012

Jin to head Academy of Korean Studies

Former Finance Minister Jin Nyum has been appointed the new director of the Academy of Korean Studies, the state-run research and educational institute announced Monday.Jin, who served as the deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance from 2001 to 2002, worked as one of the senior advisers to Samjong KPMG — one of the country’s largest accounting firms — and a chair professor at Chonbuk National University, prior to being appointed as the new director of the AKS. A graduate of Seo

April 17, 2012

Bach’s ‘messenger’

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha to hold  recitals of J.S. Bach’s sonatas and partitasViolinist Chung Kyung-wha, one of the most beloved Korean musicians, returns to her loyal fans in a series of solo recitals of Bach’s sonatas and partitas in May and in June.Calling herself “Bach’s messenger,” the 65-year-old violinist said the upcoming recital has been her dream for a long time.“I feel like I’m dreaming because I dreamed of this moment for a long time. I feel really honored to perform Bach’s sonatas

April 17, 2012

Fans recall Jackson Pollock at 100

EAST HAMPTON, New York (AP) ― Out behind a small farmhouse on a Long Island country road sits an old gray barn where a tormented artist dripped paint off brushes, sticks ― even turkey basters ― onto canvasses spread out on a wooden floor. Besides making quite a mess of things, leaving splash marks everywhere, Jackson Pollock also created some of the 20th century’s greatest masterpieces.Pollock, who would have turned 100 this year, is being remembered at a New York City fundraiser later this mont

April 16, 2012

Syrian drama sheds light on uprising in the country

Syrian play ‘Can  You Please Look  at the Camera’  premieres in SeoulAside from producing the show in secret in Damascus, Syrian director Omar Abu Saada and his six-member troupe had to fly to the other side of the world to showcase their politically-conscious play for the first time.The troupe’s piece, “Can You Please Look at the Camera?” deals with the ongoing Syrian uprising against current President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, and the real-life case of protestors who were imprisoned whil

April 16, 2012

M Countdown to present Japan show

Busker Busker, Sistar, Tiger JK to perform in SaitamaKorean pop music TV program M Countdown will shoot its third Japan show on May 25 at Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan. The show, titled “M Countdown Hello Japan” showcases 16 artists from Korea and Japan, and is scheduled to be aired on May 26. Korean artists performing in M Countdown Hello Japan include: Korean hip-pop artists Yoon Mi-rae, Tiger JK and Dynamic Duo; singer John Park; Korean boy bands Supernova, F.T. Island, MBLAQ, U-Kiss; i

April 16, 2012

‘Music comes before politics’

Chung Myung-whun continues efforts to hold a joint performance by South-North Korean musiciansConductor Chung Myung-whun has high hopes of having musicians from South and North Korea perform classical music together this summer, despite intensifying political tension between the two Koreas.Chung, an internationally renowned conductor, said on Thursday that he has suggested that the North join the annual performance by the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra that he founded 16 years ago to bridge Asian m

April 15, 2012

Art of restoration

National Museum  restores two Joseon paintings owned by  the British MuseumIt’s a sunny Wednesday afternoon, and the office of the National Museum of Korea’s conservation team is busy. Located on the first floor of the National Museum, the high-ceiling office specializes in restoring damaged paintings and prints.The process is arduous. A large painting from the late Joseon period is on the table, and two scholars, dressed in doctor-like gowns, are leaning over the piece. Using their tweezers and

April 13, 2012

Calendar

Theater“Catch Me If You Can”: “Catch Me If You Can,”a successful 2002 U.S. comedy-drama movie is being staged as a musical in Seoul. The plot is based on the real-life story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., one of the most famous impostors of the modern times. The movie’s Broadway musical adaptation was made in 2011, and its Seoul run features some of the most celebrated Korean musical stars as well as K-pop idols. Musical and TV actor Um Ki-joon shares his role as Abagnale with singer Kim Jeong-hoon, po

April 13, 2012

Eyelike

Paul van Dyk evolves little on ‘Evolution’”Evolution” Paul van Dyk(Vandit)German trance music titan Paul van Dyk treats us to his musical evolution with an album aptly titled “Evolution,” a light listen that features his signature synth-soaked approach. The good news for van Dyk fans is that he hasn’t lost his touch.The bad news is it’s the same old touch, delivered at the same old pace and does little to show that van Dyk has truly evolved since five years ago, when he last delivered similar st

April 13, 2012

Artday auction offers artistic feast

Artday, a subsidiary of the Herald Media group, is opening its fourth art auction next week.It will roll out a total of 105 art works by acclaimed Korean artists, ranging from up-and-coming figures such as Mari Kim to renowned artists like Hwang Yeom-soo, Kim Chang-yeol and Cheon Gyeong-ja. Celebrated Chinese artists Chen Ruo Bing and Yin Jun’s works are also on the block.This year’s notable items include artist Kim Whan-ki’s 1968 abstract painting, which was created during his stay in New York.

April 12, 2012

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Black Keys headline Lollapalooza 2012

CHICAGO ― The 2012 Lollapalooza lineup announced Wednesday reaffirms that the culture of DJs and electronic artists is catching up with rock as a live attraction on the lucrative summer festival circuit.Two of the rock headliners for the Aug. 3-5 festival in Chicago’s Grant Park ― the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a reunited Black Sabbath ― have a retro feel. Also playing closing slots on the main stages will be the Black Keys and Jack White, two acts that update classic, guitar-based blues and rock

April 12, 2012