The Korea Herald

In New York festival, opera shows diverse incarnations

NEW YORK (AFP) – New York is famous for the Metropolitan Opera but the city is home to more than 50 smaller opera companies that perform everywhere from parks to bars to private homes.　In a first-of-a-kind festival, an alliance of the small companies is putting on performances across New York, hoping to reach new audiences but also to cross-pollinate by showing opera aficionados the breadth of offerings across the metropolis.　The New York Opera Alliance chooses not to define “opera” or to set qu

PerformanceMay 12, 2016

'The Wailing' tops box office

“The Wailing” by filmmaker Na Hong-jin topped the Korean box office on Thursday, bumping “Captain America: Civil War” to second place after two weekends in first. 　The thriller has attracted more than 170,000 audiences since its preopening on Wednesday night, according to the Korean Film Council. The movie, starring actors Hwang Jung-min, Kwank Do-won, Jun Kunimura and actress Chun Woo-hee, is about a series of mysterious deaths in a rural village upon the arrival of a stranger. A scene from “T

FilmMay 12, 2016

Akdong Musician stays shrewdly innocent

In 2013, two young siblings wowed television viewers when they came on the singing audition program “K-pop Star.” The pair had been homeschooled in Mongolia while living with their missionary parents. Nothing was particularly flashy about their acoustic guitar-based tunes, but their ingenuity was refreshing to audiences. 　Since then, Akdong Musician has infused the K-pop scene with their own brand of whimsical music about ordinary things in life such as ramen noodles and people crossing their le

PerformanceMay 12, 2016

[Herald Interview] Uijeongbu Music Theater Fest to open with tales of ‘The War’

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I, the Chekhov International Theatre Festival unveiled in 2014 the dramatic Russian play “The War,” which pays homage to the devastation caused by combat. 　The play premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival and has since toured to countries including Russia, Poland, Romania, France and Portugal.　Now gearing up for its Asia debut, “The War” is set to open this year’s 15th annual Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival with performances on May 12

PerformanceMay 12, 2016

[Herald Interview] Uijeongbu Music Theater Fest to open with tales of ‘The War’

Office drama 'Misaeng' to be remade in Japan

South Korean office drama "Misaeng" will be remade in Japan for a premiere date in July, its original production company said Thursday.A social commentary on elitism and sexism in South Korean companies, the tvN series captured some 8 percent of TV viewers in South Korea, a remarkable feat for a cable channel.CJ E&M, which owns the channel, said it officially signed a deal with Japan's Fuji TV on Wednesday to allow a local remake of the series.Keita Kono, who directed popular Fuji TV series "Shi

TelevisionMay 12, 2016

Woody Allen opens Cannes; son resurrects sex abuse questions

CANNES, France (AP) – The 69th Cannes Film Festival opened Wednesday with stormy skies, heightened security, the premiere of a new Woody Allen film and resurrected sex abuse allegations against the 80-year-old director regarding his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow. 　Allen brought his 1930s Hollywood romance “Cafe Society,” along with stars Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg, to Cannes to kick off the French Riviera festival. But just minutes before their press conference, a column by Allen’s so

FilmMay 12, 2016

Woody Allen opens Cannes; son resurrects sex abuse questions

SNSD 's Taeyeon to hold solo concert

Taeyeon of K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation will kick off her first solo concert tour in July. 　She will begin the tour with performances at the Olympic Park Stadium in Seoul from July 9-10, and in Busan in August, according to local news reports. 　In April, the singer had canceled her solo concert “Taeyeon, Butterfly Kiss” which had been scheduled to take place at the Olympic Park Stadium. In March, the singer’s agency SM Entertainment had announced the delay, saying, “We’ve postponed the con

PerformanceMay 12, 2016

Actor Jang Keun-suk to attend int'l film festival as director

South Korean actor Jang Keun-suk has directed a film that will be featured in an international film festival opening in July, his publicist said Thursday."The Great Legacy" has been chosen as one of the short films to be showcased at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Ytree Company said.The festival was launched in 1997 to promote fantasy, horror and sci-fi flicks and put Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on the global film festival map.Jang has already made his directorial debut wi

FilmMay 12, 2016

‘Big Data’ audio drama probes Web's weak point

Serial drama to bring together expat, international talent for global audienceA new audio drama is set to start this month, bringing a host of expat actors together with international performers in a nine-part podcast about criminals trying to take over the Internet.“Big Data,” which features guest spots from the likes of Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show), and Amy Stoch (Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure), is the brainchild of Busan writer Ryan Estrada.The p

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

‘Big Data’ audio drama probes Web's weak point

Jjimjilbang the most exotic experience for foreigners

Cosmojin Tour, specializing in catering to foreign tourists, announced Wednesday that majority of its clients picked jjimjilbang as their most exotic experience in Korea. Jjimjilbang is a type of an indoor leisure complex that combines sauna, karaoke and restaurant. Even the U.S. ambassador to Korea, Mark Lippert, tried jjimjilbang while meeting with university students.According to Cosmojin Tour, it surveyed 926 tourists who visited Korea in March and April for their most memorable experience.

TravelMay 11, 2016

Jjimjilbang the most exotic experience for foreigners

British ball to honor Queen’s 90th birthday

The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea is holding the Queen’s Birthday Ball next month in conjunction with the British Association of Seoul (BASS), to celebrate the monarch’s 90th birthday. The BCCK expects more than 500 business and diplomatic guests for the black-tie dinner in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Seoul, which will feature music from bands and DJs and a secret theme to be unveiled on the night.And naturally, the event will provide British food and drinks in a quintessentially Brit

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

New art center in Seoul promotes contemporary art

A new art center dedicated to showcasing contemporary art and fostering young artists opened Thursday in Sinsa-dong, Seoul.　To mark the opening, the Platform-L Contemporary Art Center, founded by Taejin International -- which manufactures and sells leather goods under the brand Louis Quatorze -- is holding two exhibitions that show multimedia works of Korean artist Bae Young-whan and Chinese artist Yang Fudong. Platform-L Contemporary Art Center in Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Platform-L Contemp

PerformanceMay 11, 2016

New art center in Seoul promotes contemporary art

Free TOPIK preparation classes offered in Seoul

The Seoul Global Center will run a set of free preparation classes for the Test of Proficiency in Korean ahead of the next exam on July 17. The classes are open to all foreign residents and run from May 21 to July 13 in three levels.Classes will run Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the beginner and intermediate classes and from 1-3 p.m. for advanced classes. An alternative intermediate course is available on Monday and Wednesday from 7-9 p.m.There are no course fees but a text

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

Yongsan school to hold international bazaar

Yongsan International School of Seoul will hold an international bazaar this Saturday with a wide variety of traditional food and cultural performances.The bazaar will have a market for new or used items as well as a silent auction and prize raffle.The bazaar runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school grounds, which are by Exit 1 of Hangangjin Subway Station. For more information, visit www.yisseoul.org.(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

Gwangju International Center to hold French-themed May concert

Gwangju International Center is holding its annual May concert on Sunday, with a French theme.Twelve different groups and artists will perform popular French songs and classical music, in recognition of the 130th anniversary of relations between Korea and France.Music will include a collection of French children’s songs sung by the Gwangju Orphanage Choir, a medley from “Les Miserables,” operatic pieces from “Carmen” and “Faust,” and songs by composers such as Debussy and Ravel.The concert will

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

Global Center to host Gwanghwamun expat flea market

Expat vendors will set up shop in Gwanghwamun this Saturday to barter and sell at the Seoul Global Center’s flea market.The flea market, which the center has run since 2007, operates five times a year as a way of bringing the city’s foreign and Korean residents together. Stalls at the market sell used goods, handicrafts and other items, though food is not allowed. The flea market runs from 11 .m. to 4 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul. Applications to participate as a vendor in Saturday

Expat LivingMay 11, 2016

Iconic 90s boy band Sechs Kies reunites after 16 years

South Korean idol group Sechs Kies inked an exclusive contract with the country's second largest star agency to make a comeback after 16 years, the agency said on Wednesday. "We expect the new Sechs Kies will make a speedy launch, since YG chief Yang Hyun-suk was directly involved himself in the reunion deal," YG Entertainment said in a press statement.Five of the six-member act, including Eun Ji-won, Lee Jae-jin, Kim Jae-duc, Kang Sung-hoon and Jang Su-won, signed an exclusive contract with YG.

PerformanceMay 11, 2016

Dance or rock: idol survival show to choose one

Idol survival shows may be a dime a dozen in South Korea, but a new reality series is giving it a genre-transcending twist -- what if the judges had to choose between a dance group and a rock band?That is the premise behind cable channel Mnet's upcoming show "d.o.b: Dance or Band" in which one of South Korea's leading management agencies, FNC Entertainment, will evaluate a dance-pop group and an idol rock band to determine which one of the two will debut within the year.FNC CEO Han Sung-ho said

PerformanceMay 11, 2016

tvN's 'New Journey to the West 2' draws 100 mln views in China

The second season of the South Korean reality TV show "New Journey to the West" has raked in over 100 million views with just the first four episodes shown in China, its producer said Wednesday.As of Monday at 9 a.m., tvN's new web-based comedy series "New Journey to the West 2" drew a total of 100.2 million views on Chinese video sharing website Tencent Video.In China, the reality adventure show featuring three South Korean comedy icons and a lone actor on a journey to Chinese provinces premier

TelevisionMay 11, 2016

EXO, VIXX to headline annual K-pop concert in Seoul

An annual K-pop concert will be held in Seoul next month featuring 28 popular singers or groups, such as EXO, SHINee's Taemin, VIXX and B1A4, organizers said Wednesday.The 2016 Dream Concert will take place on June 4 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in the western part of the capital city, the Korea Entertainment Producer's Association said. Also included in this year's lineup are BTOB, T-ara, Red Velvet, Oh My Girl, GFriend and MAMAMOO.Launched in 1995, the Dream Concert has been held annually wi

PerformanceMay 11, 2016