African and Korean beats collide and connect

A cultural crossover that wove the percussive heartbeats of Korea and Africa into a single performance brought together the unifying theme of Africa Day 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. Directed by Seodo, the leader of Korean fusion group Seodo Band, the program traced an arc from awakening to communion, framing the evening as a meeting of two traditions rather than a side-by-side showcase. The first half, "Awakening," opened with Kulekan, a Seoul-based troupe led by Burkina Faso-born

2026-05-25 13:51:47:00

Can art heal the brain?

Kim Bung-nyun has spent more than a decade trying to answer one question: What does art actually do for the brain and body? The child and adolescent psychiatrist at Seoul National University Hospital began his work in 2014, when his team put 600 adolescents referred from the juvenile justice system through a six-month program combining cognitive behavioral therapy with art therapy: emotional literacy exercises, music therapy, and picture book bibliotherapy. About 100 of the participants — perpet

2026-05-24 16:00:00:00

'I've never heard my songs in Korean before — this is a gift.' Alicia Keys brings 'Hell's Kitchen' to Korea

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys is about to meet Korean audiences in an unfamiliar role — not as the voice behind "Fallin'" or "If I Ain't Got You," but as the lead producer of "Hell's Kitchen." She spent 13 years developing the semi-autobiographical Broadway jukebox musical. On July 24, the show will open its first non-English-language licensed production at Seoul's GS Arts Center. Keys, who has 17 Grammy wins to her name, has been intimately involved in the Korean production — dir

2026-05-20 14:48:06:00

Korea marks 15 years of UNESCO arts education week with debate, dance and Dream Orchestra

South Korea opened its 15th UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week on Tuesday, kicking off two weeks of forums, concerts, workshops and one ambitious international symposium on what arts education actually does. The observance, running through May 31, is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service. Korea proposed the international observance in November 2011, and the UNESCO General Conference declared the fourth week of May as the annua

2026-05-19 14:31:32:00

Park Chan-wook receives France's top cultural honor at Cannes

Director Park Chan-wook was awarded France's highest cultural distinction on Sunday in Cannes, becoming the fourth Korean to receive the rank of Commandeur in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. French Minister of Culture Catherine Pegard personally presented the medal to Park during a ceremony held at the Salon des Ambassadeurs inside the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, where Park is currently serving as president of the competition jury at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Established by the Frenc

2026-05-18 15:28:08:00

TV star Lee Kyoo-hyung makes his case for K-musicals

A lot has changed for actor Lee Kyoo-hyung over the past decade. Once known primarily for his stage work, he has built a screen career alongside it — the prison dramedy "Prison Playbook," the crime thriller "Stranger" and the zombie hit "All of Us Are Dead" among his credits, all of which have helped make him a familiar face to international audiences as well. One thing has not changed. Every time the musical "Fan Letter" — a fictionalized story inspired by the literary circles of 1930s colonial

2026-05-18 14:26:30:00

Choir meets ballet: Seoul Metropolitan Chorus pairs with Yun Byul for 'Carmina Burana'

If the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus' choice of dance partner for "Carmina Burana" is any indication of what — and who — is hot in Korean dance, then the answer this time is Yun Byul Ballet Company. Fifteen years ago, when the chorus last staged Carl Orff's secular cantata, it worked with b-boys; back then, Korean crews were sweeping the international breaking circuit. This time, the chorus has turned to a young ballet troupe whose debut work, "Gat," named after the traditional Korean horsehair hat,

2026-05-17 17:23:58:00

Pianist brothers Lee Hyuk, Lee Hyo bring solo and two-piano works to Seoul recital

Pianist brothers Lee Hyuk and Lee Hyo will take the stage together in Seoul next week, presenting a duo recital that brings together solo works and repertoire for two pianos. The recital, to be held May 24 at 5 p.m. at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall, follows the brothers' recent appearance at the 2025 International Chopin Piano Competition, where both advanced to the semifinal round. The Seoul recital opens with solo Chopin works: Lee Hyuk will perform the Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49, while L

2026-05-14 11:40:09:00

Chin Unsuk named grand prize winner of 14th Daewon Music Awards

Composer Chin Unsuk has been named the grand prize winner of the 14th Daewon Music Awards, the Daewon Cultural Foundation said Wednesday. Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon received the performance prize, while violinist Kim Seohyun was selected for the rookie award. Established in 2006 by the Daewon Cultural Foundation, the Daewon Music Awards recognize Korean musicians and classical music organizations that have made significant contributions to the field. The grand prize winner receives 100 million won ($

2026-05-13 17:33:47:00

What is 'our' music? One answer in 40 minutes

An established conductor, a string ensemble approaching its 30th anniversary led by a renowned violinist and educator and a longtime patron have come together to commission a new work built on a 600-year-old cornerstone of Korean court music. For the conductor, it is the vindication of decades of advocacy. For the ensemble, it is a mission to define its next 30 years. And for the patron, an answer to a question he has long been asking: What, exactly, is our music? The new work, titled "Metamorph

2026-05-13 14:34:53:00