Suffering, transformation and redemption

Renowned video artist Bill Viola opened his third exhibition in Seoul last week with an unusual introduction. Against a slow-motion video, he stood and read his journal dated Feb. 4, 1999, about his encounter with an old man at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The man, whom he saw as he was entering the gallery, was lying unconscious on the cold museum floor with paramedics pumping his chest. The background video, meanwhile, showed five people changing their facial emotions so slowly that it alm

PerformanceMarch 10, 2015

Venice Biennale invites three rising Korean artists

Three emerging Korean artists have been invited to the upcoming main exhibition at the Venice Biennale in May, Arts Council Korea said Monday. The state arts agency said three artists ― Kim Ayoung, Nam Hwa-yeon and Im Heung-soon ― have been selected to showcase their works at the international exhibition where 136 artists from 53 countries will be presenting their art. The three Koreans are among the 88 who will be introduced to the global audience in Venice for the first time.  Kim Ayoung (Arts

PerformanceMarch 9, 2015

[Markets & Merchants] A taste of the sea at Noryangjin fish 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 second installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.The sheer chaos, yet utterly delectable sights and sounds of catcalling, haggling, crowds and occasional Dungeness crab or live octopus attempting its escape is merely a fleeting descriptive taste of Seoul’s largest tradi

TravelMarch 9, 2015

EXO sings new songs, but still quiet about album’s release

The 10 mega idols of EXO offered a glimpse into their much-anticipated new single “Call Me Baby,” showcasing nine new songs at a concert in Seoul on Sunday. During a news conference before the concert performance at the Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium, the members revealed that while no exact date had been set, they are hoping to release the upcoming album’s title track “Call Me Baby” shortly after the conclusion of the five-day local concert series ― The EXO’luXion.“I can’t give away to

March 9, 2015

Korean musical creators aim big

Buoyed by success at home and hungry for recognition overseas, Korean producers and creators of musicals have for years harbored ambitions for their own shows.Many of their works will unveil in the coming months in what many observers see as a test of their creativity, musicality and a knack for appeasing the audience. Like in previous years, the Korean market is set for an ample supply of foreign imports, namely from Broadway or West End, potentially making their box-office battle a pretty hard

CultureMarch 8, 2015

Super Junior’s Dong-hae, Eun-hyuk talk ‘growing pains’

Leaving their comical antics behind, Dong-hae and Eun-hyuk of monster K-pop idol group Super Junior have finally taken their duo ballad efforts to new beginnings with the unveiling of Super Junior D&E’s first domestic full-length album, “The Beat Goes On.”After debuting back in 2011 with the hit electro pop-dance single “Oppa, Oppa,” D&E has been sparse in its musical releases with the last locally released digital single being “Still You” in 2013. Following its release, D&E went on to produce a

March 8, 2015

Florian Riem helps put Tongyeong on music map

Looking at some artwork on display at the lobby of Ilshin Hall in Hannam-dong while waiting for Florian Riem, CEO of Tongyeong International Music Festival Foundation, to arrive for our interview, I heard a couple of voices speaking in Japanese. Turning around, much to my surprise, I saw Riem, a German, talking in fluent Japanese with his assistant. Perhaps I should not have been so surprised ― his curriculum vitae had said he spent eight years as the assistant principal cellist of Orchestral En

PerformanceMarch 6, 2015

Box Office

Whiplash (U.S.)Opening March. 12Drama. Directed by Damien ChazelleBased on the director’s real experience in his high school band, “Whiplash” is a story of a promising young drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), who enrolls at a prestigious music conservatory, aspiring to become one of the greatest drummer in the country. It is at the school where he meets the tyrannical jazz band conductor Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons who won the Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Oscars for his r

FilmMarch 6, 2015

Eyelike: Jose Gonzalez, Steve Tyrell, Iron & Wine

Jose Gonzalez returns after hiatus with best workJose Gonzalez“Vestiges & Claws”(Mute)The latest album from Swedish-Argentine Jose Gonzalez was partly produced by himself in his kitchen and the intimacy is felt throughout “Vestiges & Claws.” Across 10 arresting tracks, Gonzalez plays his acoustic guitar with a graceful tranquility considering “what it’s all about” in his aching tenor.His voice is at once fervid and fragile, and like Arthur Russell or Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, he often lightens h

PerformanceMarch 6, 2015

Around the Hotels

White Day package at The Ritz-Carlton, SeoulIn celebration of White Day, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul is presenting a romantic overnight package for couples. The “Berry Sweet” package includes a one-night stay in a Premier Suite and admission for two to the Club Lounge. The lounge will serve premium cuisine and a variety of beverages from breakfast and afternoon tea to a selection of evening drinks. Also provided are a bottle of sparkling wine and a dessert plate of fresh strawberries and chocolate s

FoodMarch 6, 2015

R-rated ‘Kingsman’ dominates Korean box office

British spy-thriller “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is dominating the local box office, with more than 3.6 million tickets sold so far, the biggest non-Korean R-rated sales ever in the market. Matthew Vaughn’s film nabbed the top spot on Korea’s box office chart on Thursday for 11-consecutive days, beating out other British flick “Imitation Game” and local comedy flick “Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island.” As of Friday, the title has earned a cumulative 30 billion won ($27 million), since it

FilmMarch 6, 2015

Harrison Ford survives crash-landing on golf course

Harrison Ford crash-landed his vintage plane Thursday after losing engine power, suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries after using his extensive piloting skills to "beautifully" bring down the plane on a golf course and avoid nearby homes. It was the latest and most serious in a series of crashes and close calls for the 72-year-old action-adventure A-lister, who like his "Star Wars" alter-ego Han Solo has a taste for aerial thrills. He was helped by golfers who saw the plane come d

FilmMarch 6, 2015

Director Stefano Poda takes reins of ‘Andrea Chenier’ in KNO season opener

Renowned opera mastermind Stefano Poda is doing almost everything ― directing, producing, stage designing, costuming and lighting ― except for starring in his upcoming production of Umberto Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier,” which is slated as the Korea National Opera’s 2015 season opener next week. “Please, just a tiny, tiny splash of painted highlights on the gown ... so light that I can barely even see it,” he said to one of the costume stylists as he desperately tried to explain how miniscule he w

PerformanceMarch 5, 2015

New journal explores Korea’s modern history

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History has launched a new English-language academic journal to spotlight research and foster the exchange of ideas on contemporary Korean history. The biannual Journal of Contemporary Korean Studies features articles not only on Korean politics and economy but also on contemporary Korean social affairs, culture and the arts. It includes an essay section where contributors offer reflections on their personal experiences of Korean contemporary history, a

CultureMarch 5, 2015

Concert to commemorate late opera patron

Industrial smelting and classical music may seem an unlikely pairing. However, Lee Woon-hyung, the late chairman and CEO of steel conglomerate SeAH Group, spent over a decade of his lifetime promoting the opera and supporting cultural causes. In a tribute to Lee’s efforts, the Woon-Hyung Lee Foundation for culture and arts will host its first opera concert under the theme “spreading beauty in the world,” featuring both world-class and up-and-coming musicians.“This concert aims to uphold the late

PerformanceMarch 5, 2015

St. Patrick’s Day puts music to the fore

Spring may still be around the bend, but one corner of Seoul will be awash with green next weekend in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.The Irish Association of Korea will celebrate its St. Patrick’s Day festival on March 14 at D-Cube City in Sindorim, Seoul.“St. Patrick’s Day is a global festival that celebrates Irish culture. It is an opportunity to experience the music, dance and arts from Ireland,” said Shauna Browne, chairperson of the IAK, which organizes the event. The organizers have put

Expat LivingMarch 4, 2015