[Herald Review] ‘Savaha’ has clever buildup, relevant message, insufficient payoff

In only his second feature-length film, director Jang Jae-hyun cleverly builds up suspense while mixing it up with mystery and a message about religion in “Savaha: The Sixth Finger.” But it takes a U-turn toward the end, which I thought was a strange move.While it is not a bad film, I did not think the payoff was satisfying at the end of such a heart-pumping journey.The film starts with the backstory of Geum-hwa (Lee Jae-in) who was born with a twin sister she, and every member of the family, th

FilmFeb. 14, 2019

Re-creating Haydn’s ‘Creation’ with stunning visual effects

A stage production of Haydn’s 1798 oratorio “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus, an experimental theater group from Spain, will have its Korean premiere at the Art Center Incheon on March 1 and 2 at 5 p.m. The production will kick off the center’s 2019 season. The Barcelona-based theater troupe is known for its innovative performances that mix modern technology with classical music.  Haydn’s “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus (Art Center Incheon) Art Center Incheon (Art Center Incheon)For Haydn

PerformanceFeb. 14, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Creed 2,’ recipe for a classic

What sets a classic apart from a cliche? Both involve a deep sense of deja vu, a time-tested formula, yet the former is like wine that ripens with age while the latter feels repetitive and irrelevant.This is the case with Steven Caple Jr.’s “Creed 2,” which has no real surprises around the corner but manages to create a drama that tugs at the heartstrings with the classic narrative of the “Rocky” franchise.The film begins a few years after the action in “Creed,” with Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jor

FilmFeb. 13, 2019

Reinterpreting tradition with new furniture for modern lifestyle

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is holding an exhibition that looks into traditional Korean culture, in conjunction with designer Teo Yang. Yang is a celebrated interior designer who creates modern space designs based on inspiration from traditional Korean culture. Furniture designed by Teo Yang (Yeol) Pieces of furniture designed by Teo Yang are displayed at Yeol Bukchonga in central Seoul. (Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)For the exhibition, Yang reinterpreted the concept of “sa

Arts & DesignFeb. 13, 2019

Park Chan-Kyong selected for MMCA’s Hyundai Motor Series 2019

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has selected Park Chan-Kyong as its sixth artist for the MMCA Hyundai Motor Series, the museum announced Wednesday. A special exhibition of Park’s works will take place from Oct. 26 this year to Feb. 23 next year at the MMCA’s Seoul branch, introducing new video works that are two years in the making. Artist Park Chan-kyong (MMCA)Park is a media artist, film director and art critic who has focused on delving into Korea’s sociopolitical hi

Arts & DesignFeb. 13, 2019

BTS album charts on Billboard 200 for 24th week in row

K-pop sensation BTS' latest album has remained on the Billboard main album chart for the sixth month in a row, chart results showed Wednesday."Love Yourself: Answer," the finale of BTS' "Love Yourself" trilogy, came to 91st for the week of Feb. 16, the album's 24th week on the chart since it landed atop it in early September.  (Yonhap)It ranked 77th a week earlier.The trilogy monopolized the Billboard World Albums chart, with "Answer" topping the list, while two others -- "Love Yourself: Her" an

PerformanceFeb. 13, 2019

When Polish pianist meets Korean violinist

Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz and Korean violinist Kim Bomsori are to set off on a worldwide tour with a recently released album. 　The album, released under the Deutsche Grammophon label in January, has a French and Polish flair. The track list includes Faure’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G Minor, Szymanowski’s Violin Sonata in D Minor and Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor, arranged by Nathan Milstein. 　 Violinist Kim Bomsori (left) and pianist Rafal Blecha

PerformanceFeb. 12, 2019

BLACKPINK debuts on American TV with CBS talk show appearance

Sensational K-pop girl band BLACKPINK has debuted on US television, performing live on CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," the band's management agency said Tuesday.The four-piece girl band staged live their latest, wildly successful song, "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" on the late night CBS show on Monday (US time) at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York.(YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk Instagram @fromyg)The show host introduced the girl band as "a wildly popular K-pop group who announced their first

PerformanceFeb. 12, 2019

Mezzotint artist Hwang Kyu-baik’s oil paintings on show in Seoul

Artist Hwang Kyu-baik’s solo exhibition featuring some 20 recent oil paintings opened Tuesday at the Gana Art Center in Pyeongchang-dong, Seoul. Born in 1932, Hwang has earned international recognition for his mezzotint technique. Combining the 17th century European engraving method with elements of traditional Korean culture, Hwang has developed his own lyrical surrealism.  “Moon and Swan” (2016) by artist Hwang Kyu-baik (Gana Art Center) “An Umbrella” (2018) by artist Hwang Kyu-baik (Gana Art

Arts & DesignFeb. 12, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘I have fans in their 20s now’: ‘SKY Castle’ star Yum Jung-ah

JTBC hit show “SKY Castle” came to an end earlier this month, but the buzz around the show lingers on, as impressed viewers and late-comers continue to discuss the series online, amid a torrent of tweets, TV commercials and comedy skits. At the center of the discussion is Yum Jung-ah, who plays the disciplinarian mother Han Seo-jin. She takes strict parenting and education craze to a level not seen on Korean TV before, but as extreme as she may be, her character proved to be a ratings success.“I

TelevisionFeb. 11, 2019

From Sibelius to Brahms, upcoming violin performances in Seoul

Two different concerts highlighting the violin will take place in the next two weeks -- a chamber orchestra concert and a recital by a seasoned duo. Violinist Yang In-mo will take the stage Thursday and Friday with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. He will perform Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor, the only violin concerto piece written by the musician, one of the greatest composers from northern Europe.  Violinist Yang In-mo (Yonhap)In 2015, Yang, 24, became the

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2019

Crime drama to delve into Janus-faced ‘Money’

Finance is one of the most crucial elements of today’s capitalist society -- it can mean salvation for some and suffering for others. The upcoming film “Money” will look into this paradox.“Money is a very simple and basic word that has a different meaning for everyone. ... Each person has a different philosophy about it, and their way of life is affected by how they perceive it,” said Park Noo-ri on her directorial debut. “(Money) is the main subject matter of the film, while simultaneously the

FilmFeb. 11, 2019

BTS makes historic Grammys debut

BTS appeared at the Grammy Awards for the first time as award presenters and a nominee band on Sunday (Los Angeles time), a distinction no other K-pop band had achieved. The seven bandmates of BTS -- Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook -- marched to the stage of music’s biggest night as their song “Fake Love” played. They delivered the best R&B Album of the Year to H.E.R., whom BTS named as one of the artists they were excited to meet at the Grammys. (AFP-Yonhap)“Growing up in South Kor

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2019

BTS' 'Fire' tops 500 mln YouTube views

The video for BTS' 2016 song "Fire" topped the YouTube milestone of 500 million views, the septet's second music video to pass that mark, its management agency said Monday.The music video of the main song off BTS' 2016 album, "The Most Beautiful Moment In Life: Young Forever," surpassed the 500 million-threshold in the early hours of Monday, according to Big Hit Entertainment. (Big Hit Entertainment)It is the boy band's second music video to surpass the YouTube mark, along with "DNA," a 2018 son

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2019

[Newsmaker] Ultimate beginner’s guide to BTS

Have you recently developed a liking for the K-pop sensation BTS? Catching up with the breakneck speed of the band’s career can feel overwhelming, but you have to start somewhere. Here is a complete guide to the seven bandmates. From its advent to its meteoric rise, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about BTS. Or if you are simply wondering about the hype around the band, allow us to enlighten you about BTS’ catchy songs, heart-pumping dance moves and colorful personalities th

PerformanceFeb. 11, 2019

Louvre Abu Dhabi introduces Rembrandt, Vermeer

ABU DHABI -- The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum to carry the famed name outside of France, announced Sunday it will roll out works by Dutch masters Rembrandt and Vermeer this month.Works by the two artists are part of the gallery‘s first exhibition this year, entitled “Rembrandt, Vermeer and the Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from The Leiden collection and the Musee du Louvre”.The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum to carry the famed name outside of France, announced Sunday it would roll out

Arts & DesignFeb. 10, 2019

Indonesian artist asks ‘What Would You Do if These Crackers Were Real Pistols?’

Asked “What Would You Do if These Crackers Were Real Pistols?” Indonesian artist FX Harsono replied, “I wanted to shoot my teacher. He was the director of my art school and kicked me out from the school. He was financially corrupted and also part of many scandals associated with women.”The question forms the title of the artist’s 1977 work on display at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Gwacheon branch as part of the exhibition “Awakenings: Art in Society in Asia 1960s-1990s.”

Arts & DesignFeb. 10, 2019

'Music in PyeongChang’ begins with bow-breaking performance

“Music in PyeongChang - Winter Festival” has begun its 10-day run, introducing classical music to local audiences in celebration of the first anniversary of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.On Friday, the first part of the main concert series, “NOwhere: NOWhere” took place at the Seoul Arts Center to a fully packed house. One highlight from Friday’s performance was “Suite in Jazz Style” by Maxim Rysanov (viola) and Park Jong-hai (piano). Composed by Bulgaria’s Dobrinka Tabakova, the piece consist

PerformanceFeb. 10, 2019

Nichkhun’s 1st solo record in Korea to be released on Feb. 18

K-pop star Nichkhun is releasing an EP titled “ME” on Feb.18, his first record as a solo artist since his debut as a member of the boyband 2PM in 2008.The singer’s agency JYP Entertainment announced Sunday that the upcoming EP will be released at 6 p.m. on that day, after having released a teaser image for the record at midnight through its social media pages.The upcoming release comes after Nichkhun released his first solo record of the same name in Japan in December. He expanded upon his newf

PerformanceFeb. 10, 2019

'Extreme Job' a step away from becoming No. 1 Korean comedy film

Having drawn more than 12 million moviegoers so far, "Extreme Job" is just a step away from becoming the Korean box-office's No. 1 comedy film in history, data showed Sunday.The film has attracted 12.18 million moviegoers since its release on Jan. 23, after adding 776,162 on Saturday, according to the data from the Korean Film Council. (Yonhap)The record is close to the performance of the box-office No. 1 comedy, "Miracle in Cell No. 7," which drew 12.81 million moviegoers in 2012. The movie was

FilmFeb. 10, 2019