Articles by Im Eun-byel
Im Eun-byel
silverstar@heraldcorp.com-
Performing arts expands beyond stage
With the COVID-19 pandemic requiring a paradigm shift for survival, the local performing arts scene is striving to produce shows fit for the screen beyond just the stage. In the earlier stages of the pandemic, the performing arts scene tried to stay connected with audiences at home by streaming performances online. Limitations existed, however, as the productions were originally created for the stage, not mobile devices or TVs. Nevertheless, as the pandemic has been with us for nearly a year
Performance Jan. 9, 2021
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Song Hye-kyo to make return to TV with ‘Glory’
Actress Song Hye-kyo will return to the small screen in a new drama written by screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, “The Glory.” According to the production company Hwa & Dam Pictures, “The Glory,” an 8-part drama series, tells the story of a person who dreamed of being an architect when she was young but had to quit school due to severe bullying from her classmates. She later becomes a teacher to take revenge on those who bullied her and those who remained silent at the tim
Television Jan. 8, 2021
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Shake Shack launches Korean-inspired chicken burger in the US
American burger franchise Shake Shack has launched new Korean-inspired menu items for its branches across the US. The burger franchise recently announced through its official website that it rolled out its Korean-style Fried Chick’n Sandwich and Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites for all US stores. Inspired by gochujang, traditional Korean red pepper paste, the two items were first introduced in Seoul from September to October. “Our take on the classic was such a hit i
Food Jan. 8, 2021
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Shows go on at Daehangno small theaters
Though 2021 has begun with a gloomy outlook for the theater scene amid prolonged social distancing rules, small musical productions in the theater district of Daehangno are continuing their run, even recording sold-out performances. With the government’s social distancing scheme requiring performing arts venues to leave two-thirds of audience seats empty, several big musical productions have halted their runs, citing financial issues. Some smaller musical productions in Daehangno, cent
Performance Jan. 7, 2021
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Clarinetist Kim Han to go ‘On Air’ at Kumho Art Hall
Clarinetist Kim Han hopes to show off the charms of the clarinet through a series of four recitals slated to take place at the Kumho Art Hall as its artist-in-residence for this year. Each year, the art hall, run by the Kumho Art Cultural Foundation, selects a classical musician under the age of 30 in the early stages of their career to provide an opportunity for the musician to further develop by offering a performance venue. The 25-year-old clarinetist will present four recitals at the con
Performance Jan. 4, 2021
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Performing art scene in hope of 2021
While the year of 2020 was a disastrous year for everyone, the performing arts scene hopes regain its footing this year. Last year, musical productions were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, canceling or postponing shows due to the middle seat vacancy rule according to the authorities’ social distancing scheme. On Dec. 30, the musical scene has launched an association of Korean musical production companies, consisting of major musical production agencies such as Seensee Company, Clip
Performance Jan. 3, 2021
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Online education for adults seeing breakthrough
While students around the world cope with online schooling in the COVID-19 pandemic era, digital learning for adults is having its moment in South Korea. Online learning has been an emerging trend in recent years, but the pandemic has accelerated its growth. Best suited to those already comfortable with the digital world, mostly people in their 20s and 30s, classes normally consist of 20 to 30 lectures under 10 minutes long. “Taking cooking classes after work was a great joy for me. H
Culture Jan. 1, 2021
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[Herald Interview] Opera in times of COVID-19
Like most people now, conductor Sebastian Lang Lessing’s plans for the festive period have been thwarted. The 54-year-old conductor stayed in Korea for more than three months to lead two operas with the Korea National Opera. The German-born conductor, who has led the Hamburg State Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin and other orchestras around the world, has been maintaining a close relationship with Korea‘s state opera company since 2018, taking the baton for operas “Manon&rdq
Performance Dec. 26, 2020
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Golden Globes’ ‘Minari’ snub draws racial discrimination controversy
Voices of criticism rose in Hollywood concerning the Golden Globes refusal to consider “Minari” for the main film categories because of its heavy use of Korean dialogue. The film by Korean-American director Lee Issac Chung depicts a story of a first-generation Korean immigrant family in pursuit of the American dream based in Middle America in the 1980s. “Minari,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, has been seen as a strong contender for the O
Film Dec. 25, 2020
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[Feature] Hot to trot: Singers reign supreme on Korean small screen
The year of 2020 was the year of trot music, especially on the small screen. Trot music, which is thought to have grown out of Japanese Enka in the early 20th century, developed in its own style over the years to become a favorite of older generations. But in recent years, trot has been broadening its fan base, attracting new fans, including those from younger age groups. The latest wave of popularity began with trot singer Song Ga-in, who was crowned “Ms. Trot” in a smash hit T
Performance Dec. 23, 2020
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RM, Henry recognized for art patronage
K-pop singers RM and Henry have been named This Year’s Art Patron by the Arts Council Korea. The state-run Arts Council Korea on Monday announced six firms and four individuals selected for seven awards related to art patronage. The awards highlight supporters of the local arts scene. BTS’ RM, who donated 100 million won ($91,000) to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in September made the individual awardee list. The MMCA used the donation to publish its ou
Arts & Design Dec. 21, 2020
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[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
Wanju Gotgam Fesitval The annual Wanju Gotgam Fesitval is being held virtually this year, due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wanju, a county in North Jeolla Province, is famous for gotgam, or dried persimmon. Wanju gotgam was presented to the royal court during the Joseon era. The county produces about 9,300 tons of gotgam every year. The annual festival draws about 30,000 visitors. This year, it is held online, selling gotgam produced by local farmers. The online festival, whic
Travel Dec. 18, 2020
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When will we travel internationally again?
It is a question that we have been asking ourselves for almost a year now. With the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling overseas has been out of the question for months for most people. So, will we ever travel again? If so, when? Though the authorities are still advising against nonessential international travel, the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines is lifting spirits in the travel industry and among the public. Travel agencies -- already pushed to the brink -- are launching overseas tour package deals
Travel Dec. 16, 2020
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Celebrate New Year with Europe’s finest orchestras at local cinemas
Though the COVID-19 pandemic limits us from going to New Year celebration concerts, local cinema franchise Megabox will screen the recordings of the New Year celebration concerts by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, according to its announcement Tuesday. The 90-minute recording of the Berlin Philarmonicker, one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, holding its New Year’s Eve concert under the baton of chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, will be
Performance Dec. 15, 2020
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SPO comes up with 4-month plan for 2021
Though it is customary for an orchestra to release the upcoming year’s program in December, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra shared its schedule for only the first four months of 2021 in concern of possible interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SPO, which went through a difficult year like many other art troupes and institutions around the world, is looking forward to a better 2021 with a total of 13 performances, consisting of 11 orchestral music presentations and two chamb
Performance Dec. 14, 2020
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