Will ‘Death’ bring rebirth to Se7en?

Se7en, a K-pop star whose fortunes seem to have faded recently, hopes to turn things around when he makes a debut in a stage musical production later this month. Using his real name Choi Dong-wook for the first time since his debut as a singer in 2003, the 30-year-old will star in a highly anticipated rerun of “Elisabeth,” slated to open on June 13 at Blue Square in Itaewon, Seoul. Choi’s role, Der Tod, or Death, is not a lead character, but its sexy, mysterious appeal, rock numbers and powerful

PerformanceJune 1, 2015

Violinist Lim Ji-young wins Queen Elisabeth competition

A young Korean violinist with no overseas training has won top honors at a prestigious music competition in Belgium, largely regarded as a launchpad for an international career. Lim Ji-young, 20, took home the grand prize of the 2015 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition, which comes with a cash prize of 25,000 euros ($27,300) and a four-year loan of the “Huggins” Stradivarius violin, made in 1708 by the master craftsman Antonio Stradivari, the organizers said Saturday. A student at the Korea Nation

PerformanceMay 31, 2015

‘Music is energy’

For Lee Sae-rom, the lead clarinetist of the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, music equals energy. “My definition of music is that it equals energy,” said Lee, 30, in an interview. “Playing the clarinet has given me the energy. It can also give the audience ― the listeners ― the energy and the comfort they need.”This is what the young artist constantly keeps in mind when planning for her recitals or practicing and performing with the Incheon Philharmonic. Music ― whether classical or non-classica

PerformanceMay 31, 2015

[Markets & Merchants] Reasonable retail therapy at Yeongdeungpo Market

Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the seventh installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.A short stroll from the hustle and bustle of the glitzy mega shopping mall of Yeongdeungpo Times Square is a retail relief that couldn’t be more opposite of modern-day purchasing. Despite the vast number of traditional m

TravelMay 31, 2015

Actor Won Bin ties knot with actress Lee Na-young

Well-known Hallyu or Korean Wave star Won Bin who gained popularity for his role in the popular TV series "Autumn in My Heart," married actress Lee Na-young on Saturday, their agency said.The wedding was held in Won Bin's hometown of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, with only select family members and close friends invited, Eden9 Entertainment Co. Ltd. said in a news release.(Yonhap)The two have been in a relationship for years which was first officially confirmed by the agency in 2013."It was a sma

FilmMay 31, 2015

[Weekender] The ascent of one-person media

The media is evolving and diversifying into forms unimagined only a few years ago aided by digital and information communication technologies. Information in Korea was controlled by the few and distributed to the masses, even after literacy became the norm.Those working at newspapers and broadcasting stations effectively chose what information their readers and viewers had access to. In many cases, such dynamics allowed the governments of various countries to pull the wool over the public’s eyes

TelevisionMay 29, 2015

[Weekender] Korea’s biggest Instagram users

The Korean Instagram users with the most number of followers are, rather unsurprisingly, K-pop stars. The following are the top Instagram users with their accounts and the number of followers each one has.1. G-Dragon @xxxibgdrgn (Big Bang) 4.4MLeader of YG Entertainment boy band Big Bang, G-Dragon, also a solo artist, is drawing a growing number of followers with photos reflecting his fashion sense.2. Chanyeol @real__pcy (EXO) and Taeyeon @taeyeon_ss (SNSD) 4M   EXO’s Chanyeol and Girls’ Generat

TelevisionMay 29, 2015

[Weekender] Top Korean YouTuber shares secrets to his celebrity

South Korean YouTube star Na Dong-hyun ― better known by his alias “Great Library” ― says anyone can be a celebrity on the global video-sharing platform if they can stay consistent and unique. “Some beginners think they should be more outstanding or brilliant than the current hit YouTubers. What you need, however, is sustainable content and a unique character,” Na said in an interview with The Korea Herald.The 37-year-old has garnered 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel by playing onlin

TelevisionMay 29, 2015

‘A room of her own’

The high-ceilinged studio of artist Yun Suk-nam is filled with images of women. Her signature paintings of women painted on wood blocks occupy one side of her spacious studio in a scenic, rural village in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. “I’m making new pieces for a very nice exhibit at Baengnyeonsa Temple in Haenam,” the 76-year-old artist said enthusiastically. “I’m going to surround the walls of the temple with these wood paintings.” Yun Suk-nam (Yoon Byung-chan/The Korea Herald)Yun is a pioneer

PerformanceMay 29, 2015

Box Office

Perfect Proposal (Korea)Opening June 4Romance. Directed by Yoon Jae-guJi-yeon (Lim Soo-jung) is a woman at the end of her rope. After being betrayed by her friend, she is being chased down by loan sharks when she meets Seong-yeol (Yoo Yeon-seok), an assistant to the head of a powerful casino group. Seong-yeol suggests that Ji-yeon captivate the group’s president and become a real-life Cinderella, offering her help in exchange for half her inheritance if she succeeds. Ji-yeon is drawn to Seong-ye

FilmMay 29, 2015

Eyelike: Whitesnake, Chris Connelly, Boosie Badazz

Whitesnake delves deep into Purple past on new albumWhitesnake“The Purple Album”(Frontiers)Who says you can‘t go home?David Coverdale delves deep into his Deep Purple background on the new Whitesnake album, which redoes songs from his tenure fronting the legendary classic rock outfit.“The Purple Album” begins with a more bottom-heavy version of the classic rock anthem “Burn,” on which Coverdale previously shared lead vocals with Glenn Hughes on the original track. And while the remake misses Hug

PerformanceMay 29, 2015

Travel Bits

Rail cruise in KoreaKorail Tourism Development is gearing up to promote its nationwide rail cruise called Haerang in an effort to attract more foreign tourists during the summer.The Haerang cruise express offers three-day and two-day tourism programs enabling travelers to see Korea’s beautiful landscapes while staying overnight in the train’s hotel-style rooms.It travels as far as Jeonju City in North Jeolla Province, where travelers can visit its famous hanok villages of traditional Korean home

TravelMay 29, 2015

‘The valley of water’

GEIRANGER, Norway ― The moment you step on a ferry and travel on the waters of Geirangerfjord, surrounded by snow-peaked mountains and glittering waterfalls, all you can say about the place is: It’s mesmerizing.Feeling the cool, fresh sea breeze hitting your face on the top deck of the ferry, and watching the fjord’s incredible nature, the trip is an instant tonic for all the stress, anxiety and burdens you may have bought from the office.The fjord’s waterfront landscape is indescribable. Geiran

TravelMay 29, 2015

Around the Hotels

Ladies’ luxuries at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul is offering the “Women’s Experience Package” for female guests on vacation or business trips seeking to enjoy more personalized, exclusive services during their stay. The package includes a one-night stay in a luxurious guest room; one bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne; a special gift set of Aesop hand cream, rose bubble bath, Evian mineral water and seasonal fruit; a late check-out time of 2 p.m.; a 30 percent discount on any spa treatment at

CultureMay 29, 2015

Mini gimbap

This mini gimbap uses minimal ingredients, which takes no effort to roll up. I used three ingredients here ― pickled radish, carrot and spinach. This gimbap is called ggoma gimbap because of its small size. Ggoma means a little one or little kid in Korean. It’s also known as mayak gimbap. Mayak means narcotics, so the name comes from this gimbap’s reputation for being addictive. It’s a specialty of Gwangjang Market, a bustling, crowded market in the center city of Seoul, where the merchants came

FoodMay 29, 2015

Korean dance production ‘Les Noces-Mae’ to premiere in Austria

Local choreographer Lee Hye-kyung and composer Choi Myung-hoon’s upcoming contemporary Korean dance production “Les Noces-Mae” will premier this month at the historic Landestheater Linz in Linz, Austria.“Les Noces-Mae,” which was also directed by Taiwanese artist Lin Mei-hong ― widely praised as one of the world’s top contemporary choreographers ― will have its first showing on May 30, marking the first time a Korean contemporary dance program has ever been slated to feature as part of a Europea

PerformanceMay 28, 2015

Everything from opera, folk, jazz to classical with Herald Philharmonic

Rhythmical orchestral tunes reverberated throughout the Seoul Arts Center concert hall Wednesday evening as the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra delivered a dynamic performance ― featuring everything from Russian opera, staple Korean folk songs and classical string symphonies to a jazz-infused New York rhapsody ― in celebration of May, the month of family.Filled with cheerful melodies, theatrical entertainment and informative narrations in between pieces, the concert provided a night of lighthearte

PerformanceMay 28, 2015

[Up & Coming] The art of hand stitching

Up & Coming is a series of interviews with emerging artists in various fields of arts and entertainment. ― Ed.Threads and needles were playthings for artist Jo Ha-na during her childhood. She grew up stitching leftover pieces of fabric her grandmother gave her after making hanbok, or traditional Korean dress, outfits at home. She stitched the fabrics together to make miniature hanbok or clothing for her dolls.  Bags created by artist Jo Ha-na. (Yeol)Sewing is now her secret weapon to make unique

CultureMay 28, 2015

Jung Joon-young goes back to musical roots with new band

Singer Jung Joon-young, known for his rise to widespread fame through the audition program “Superstar K” and his more recent work as an MC and actor, is returning to the stage as the frontman for the new quartet Jung Joon-young Band.“When I first signed with my company, it was agreed that I would eventually work with a band,” Jung said at a media showcase held at the MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. “Since I started music with a band, it was actually hard for me to bring out my true style

PerformanceMay 28, 2015

‘From A to B’ to open Arab film fest in June

The Arab Film Festival is set to open on June 4 under the slogan of “Journey Through the Arab.”The festival, now in its fourth year, has announced a lineup of 10 films to be screened through June 10 at the Arthouse MOMO at Ewha Womans University and the Busan Cinema Center. The list includes films from both established, award-winning Arab directors and up-and-coming new faces which show various sides of Arab society.“Since the Arab Spring, Arab films have undergone a dramatic change,” noted Kim

FilmMay 28, 2015