Paul Potts to hold exclusive ‘99’ concert in Seoul

British tenor Paul Potts is making his way back to Korea, performing an exclusive concert in front of exactly 99 select fans on Jan. 14 at the Stradeum concert hall in Seoul. In keeping with the concert theme of “99,” based on the idea that 99 fans plus Potts equals 100, tickets to the tenor’s upcoming performance will be sold in an auction. The bidding war for the concert tickets opened at m.allwin.co.kr Wednesday morning, with prices capped at 199,000 won ($166).According to concert promoter A

PerformanceJan. 6, 2016

‘Spartacus,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet’ among new season of ballet offerings

With the new year comes new beginnings, and with new beginnings comes a new season of ballet productions.From all-time classics to Korean originals and contemporary pieces, the 2016 season offers an array of revamped choreographies for local dance enthusiasts. Below are this year’s lineups from the country’s two biggest ballet companies. Korean National BalletThe Korean National Ballet company will be kicking off its 2016 season with Marius Petipa’s exotic tale of “La Bayadere,” which will be he

PerformanceJan. 5, 2016

[Herald Interview] Jung Woo-sung encourages budding director in ‘Remember You’

For 42-year-old veteran actor Jung Woo-sung, “Remember You” is more than just another line on his filmography. He took part in the romantce-mystery as both lead actor and producer, taking on the dual role in order to “keep the personality of the director alive” in the work.Speaking at a press conference last Tuesday, Jung explained that he had initially wanted to introduce a producer to director Lee Yun-jeong. “But there were many producers who found the unique feel of this movie uncomfortable.

FilmJan. 5, 2016

Yoon Do-hyun to hold concert in New Zealand

One of Korea’s best known rockers, Yoon Do-hyun of YB band, is holding his first solo acoustic concert in New Zealand with lead guitarist Heo Joon.At the concert Yoon will play old favorites from his career days and relay his story and passion for music, according to a news release put out by G T Entertainment, the concert organizer. Yoon Do-hyun (Official Website)YB toured in New Zealand back in 2004, and the upcoming concert is about the promise to return that he made to the fans there, Yoon s

PerformanceJan. 5, 2016

Vienna Boys Choir holding auditions in Korea

Vienna Boys Choir (Lukas Beck)The Vienna Boys Choir is holding auditions in Korea in search of local talents wishing to join the prestigious and historical ensemble, according to Credia, the choir’s local concert promoter.The announcement comes just a few weeks before the choir’s upcoming concert recitals in Korea, which are slated to be held later this month. Starting Wednesday, the Vienna Boys Choir will be accepting the first round of applications for boys aged 9 and older. Successful applica

PerformanceJan. 5, 2016

Photos capture political upheaval in Korea

Photographers are perhaps the most observant participants of major historical moments. They are at some of the most tumultuous events, capturing in a split second what will become an important new chapter in history. Two dedicated witnesses of Korean history have recently published photo books offering glimpses into Korea’s turbulent moments in history. The Seoul Museum of History published a book, featuring 174 pictures taken by Willard Straight (1880-1918), who lived in Korea for a total of fi

CultureJan. 4, 2016

K-pop groups to watch in January

The world of K-pop is buzzing in the new year, with artists both young and old, working alone and in groups, announcing new upcoming albums. Dalshabet (Happy Face Entertainment)First up is Dalshabet, who downsized to a quartet from a sextet after members Gaeun and Jiyul left upon the end of their contract. The remaining members -- Woohee, Subin, Ahyoung and Serri -- are set to release a new seven-track EP including the lead track “Someone Like U” on Tuesday. “Someone Like U,” which was teased wi

PerformanceJan. 4, 2016

[Herald Interview] Korea aims to keep tourists coming back

At 25 minutes past midnight on Jan. 1, government officials and corporate executives welcomed the country’s first foreign tourists of the year at Incheon International Airport. Gifts including cosmetics kits and beverages were handed out to inbound travelers, with officials wishing them “Happy New Year” while holding placards that read “Korea Smiles on You.”Over the next two years until the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, Korea will hold a series of grand promotional campa

PeopleJan. 3, 2016

Billboard names ‘Reboot’ top K-pop album of 2015

U.S. music magazine Billboard released its list of the “10 Best K-pop Albums of 2015” last Wednesday, giving the top spot to “Reboot,” from the Wonder Girls.The top 10 list showed a mixed bag of established idol groups, including Wonder Girls, 2PM and TVXQ, and newcomers such as Red Velvet, BTS and Seventeen.The chart only included full-length albums, rarities in the current Korean music market that is flooded with singles and EPs, and gave credit to artists who crafted records in 2015 based on

PerformanceJan. 3, 2016

Victoria, Lay join Weibo top 10

Two SM Entertainment artists, Victoria of f(x) and EXO’s Lay, were named among the top 10 artists on Chinese social media network Weibo in 2015. They were the only artists based in Korea to make the top 10.According to Weibo, Lay came in at No. 5 with 90.5 million followers while Victoria came in at No. 10 with over 75 million. Victoria was also the only female star in the top 10.Lay and Victoria are currently supported in their promotions in China by SM Entertainment through a local “workshop”

PerformanceJan. 3, 2016

[Herald Review] ‘Next to Normal’ a must-see musical of ethical quandaries

To some, a night of musical theater could conjure up thoughts of kitsch song and dance numbers and enchanting fairy-tale love stories. Composer Tom Kitt and author Brian Yorkey’s “Next to Normal” has none of that.Brought to life by leading ladies Kolleen Park and Jung Young-ju, who alternately play the role of the struggling mother Diana, “Next to Normal” stretches the scope of musical boundaries by addressing often socially taboo topics such as suicide, substance abuse and questionable moral di

PerformanceJan. 3, 2016

[Herald Interview] 12 years since debut, Go A-ra’s just getting started

Twenty-five-year-old actress Go A-ra has spent over a decade in the public eye, starting with the teen TV drama “Sharp” in 2003. Despite her more than 12 years in the industry and her fame, Go has a relatively short filmography: seven TV shows and six films. Although Go has recently appeared on a number of television shows, most memorably hit drama “Reply 1994,” she had been away from the big screen for four years when she returned in December with Kim Dai-seung‘s romance period piece “The Magic

FilmJan. 3, 2016

Kim Soo-hyun grabs grand prize at KBS drama awards

Actor Kim Soo-hyun attends the KBS Drama Awards 2015 on Friday. (Yonhap)Actor Kim Soo-hyun has received the top prize at the KBS Drama Awards 2015 for his excellent role in "Producers," a workplace drama set in the entertainment department of a fictional KBS.   Kim, who played rookie producer Baek Seung-chan in the 15-part series drama, which ended in June, also grabbed two other awards -- International Netizens' Award and Best Couple Award.   Kim rose to stardom by appearing in the fantasy-roma

TelevisionJan. 1, 2016

JYJ Junsu, EXID member in love

JYJ Junsu(left) and EXID Hani (Yonhap)Kim Jun-su, a member of the popular boy band JYJ, has been dating a member of the South Korean girl group EXID since last summer, their agencies said Friday.   The 28-year-old beloved singer and the 23-year-old Hani began interacting with music and have been in a relationship to date, they said.    JYJ, a K-pop boy band, was formed in 2010 with three members -- Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu.   Hani is a lead vocal of the five-member girl group. (Yonhap)

PerformanceJan. 1, 2016