The beauty and reality of Kenya is captured in “Stories on Kenya,” an exhibition at Gana Art Space by artist Nam Eun-ju. Nam, a former professor of fine arts at Dong-A University, has long explored the culture and wilderness of Kenya in her oil paintings since her first visit there in 2001.Her work is characterized by the use of warm, vibrant colors that radiate with the region’s vivacity. Nam’s Kenya is one of rich variety and energy, with a pervading sense of harmony among human beings, nature

CultureAug. 12, 2015

Daegu-based art magazine Bracket has reopened six months after stopping production after acquiring a new editor and new funding.The first edition of the relaunched magazine came out in July, featuring work in various genres and media from Anton Maxwell, Mesh Printing, Lee Gyu-ri, Jung So-hyun, Lee Sang-bong and Martyn Thompson.The staff of the magazine, which was started in 2012 by expats Jess Hinshaw and Chris Cote, will remain largely similar, but will be led this time by new editor-in-chief C

Expat LivingAug. 12, 2015

In Park Heung-sik‘s martial arts epic “Memories of the Sword,” the most notable element of Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon’s performance is not her poignant emotion, nor her impressive sword action. It is her ability to do portray both while also playing a blind character -- without ever blinking or focusing her eyes. According to Jeon, it was an obstacle she had failed to foresee. Actress Jeon Do-yeon (Lotte Entertainment)“I actually asked (Park) if we could change the story to let her (Jeo

FilmAug. 12, 2015

(Official website of "The K Festival")The Korean culture festival dubbed “2015 The K Festival” unveiled its lineup of stars on Wednesday. The festival is set to be held at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on Sep. 11-13. According to its official website, the lineup includes EXID, AOA, Lyn, Chaeyeon, Tiger JK, Wonder Girls, Gain, Boyfriend, NC.A, The One, Lee Jung, Bestie, Hong Jin-young, Gummy and Youngji.The festival is set to feature not only K-pop but also other segments such as Korean food, fa

Aug. 12, 2015

A festival celebrating 70 years of Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule will take place at the Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung palaces from Aug. 13-30.From Aug. 13-15, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion inside Gyeonbokgung Palace will see a nighttime performance featuring “seonyurak,” a royal court dance from the Joseon Dynasty; “ohgomu,” a glamorous dance performed with five Korean drums; “buchaechum,” a fan dance; and performances by gugak -- Korean traditional music -- artists. The show will be

CultureAug. 12, 2015

The 10th Seoul International Drama Awards has widened its global reach and incorporated new formats, such as Web series, in this year’s nominations. 　“The past 10 years have seen a big change in world drama,” the awards’ secretary-general, Kim Jong-hwa, said of the efforts for global expansion. “Whereas in the past, only dramas from a handful of countries, such as the U.S. or Japan, were introduced to the world, now, we are seeing work from a wide variety of countries.”　Nominated for the grand p

CultureAug. 12, 2015

K-pop singer Jay Park, a former member of 2PM, will release a hip-hop album in September, local news reported on Tuesday. 　Park’s upcoming album will be composed entirely of rap music, a music industry insider was quoted in the report.　He is currently recording the upcoming EP. After the release, however, he is not planning to perform on TV music programs or do further promotional activities for the album.  Jay Park (Yonhap)The news of Park’s album release has already spurred huge anticipation a

Aug. 11, 2015

In the aftermath of the recent media frenzy and public shock of discovering former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Park Hyun-jung’s alleged mistreatment of her subordinates, new CEO Choe Heung-sik has taken the reigns of the SPO since July 1. Choe, 62, is a former banking executive and former head of Hana Financial Group -- the country’s fourth-largest financial group. After more than a month in office, Choe spoke to members of the media about his plans for the future of the Seoul Phil, emphasi

PerformanceAug. 11, 2015

Korea is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its independence from Japan’s colonial rule with a slew of cultural events this week.Amid the festive mood, museums are presenting exhibitions and special events that provide an understanding of various aspects of the anniversary and how life in Korea has changed over the past seven decades. Museums will also open for free during the three-day weekend starting Friday, as Aug. 14 was designated a special holiday. The turbulent and dynamic lives of Kore

CultureAug. 11, 2015

In Korea’s turbulent path toward independence and nation building, there were foreign nationals who stood steadfastly by the Korean people, although their contributions have been largely overshadowed by those of Korean patriots. The Korea Herald, in partnership with the Independence Hall of Korea, will publish a series of articles shedding light on these foreigners, their life and legacies here. The following is the fourth installment. ― Ed.Japan’s imperialist desires did not stop with the invas

PeopleAug. 10, 2015

Pop-rock band FT Island showcased its first local concert in two years on Sunday, celebrating the release of its March studio album “I Will.” Held at the Olympic Park in Seoul, the 150-minute-long performance featured the band’s signature melancholic rock music alongside a more intimate portion with mellow ballads and a toast of champagne. FT Island performing for its concert "I Will" on Sunday at Seoul's Olympic Park (FNC Entertainment)The show kicked off loudly with the catchy “Love Love Love”

PerformanceAug. 10, 2015

GANGHWADO ISLAND, Incheon -– A special wedding ceremony took place Sunday at Ganghwa Peace Observatory on the border island of Ganghwado, off South Korea’s western coast. 　The island’s residents came out to see the unlikely event, which drew guests from other parts of the country and even from other Asian countries. But the groom was nowhere to be found. In a contingency plan, the bridesmaid and the bride’s father came out to pick a groom candidate from the audience. The ceremony was in fact a s

PerformanceAug. 10, 2015

Explaining the name of their second world tour, Infinite member Sungyeol said: “Bringing everyone together through our music, that’s the ‘Infinite Effect.’” And the seven-member boy group did just that for fans packing Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Arena in Seoul on Aug. 8. Infinite performing at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena (Woollim Entertainment)Throughout the concert kicking off the tour, Infinite tried to bring that “Infinite Effect” to life with a comprehensive 180-minute set that included

PerformanceAug. 10, 2015

Actors Lee Young-ae and Song Seung-heon will play a couple in the upcoming SBS drama “Saimdang, the Herstory,” Group 8, its production company, said Monday.  (OSEN)　The filming of the show began Monday. The production is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016.　The new drama marks Lee’s return to the small screen after an 11-year absence. It also ends a three-year absence for Song.　“Saimdang, the Herstory” is a reinterpreted tale of the life of a renowned female artist from 16th centu

Aug. 10, 2015