‘The Nutcracker’-inspired jewelry to go on show at 10 Corso Como

A group of six jewelry designers will present a collection inspired by the Christmas ritual ballet performance “The Nutcracker” for the coming Christmas season. The jewels are made in collaboration with the Korea National Ballet and The Showcase Lab, which consists of leading jewelry designers in Korea. They will be on exhibit at the trendy shopping spot 10 Corso Como in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, from Dec. 11-25. The collection features 50 jewelry pieces with five Nutcracker characters adorned with

Arts & DesignDec. 3, 2014

Concert to support Butterfly Fund

Charity rock and hip-hop concert series CLASH is returning Saturday with a concert featuring top hip-hop acts Garion and Insane Deegie to benefit the Butterfly Fund, which helps women across the world affected by wartime sexual violence.The Butterfly Fund was started by Kim Bok-dong and Gil Won-ok, two victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II, in coordination with the Korean Council for the Women Drafted into Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. The money from the fund

Expat LivingDec. 2, 2014

Kenyans, Tanzanians unite for friendship party

The Tanzanians in Korea and the Kenya Community in Korea held their first East African Urafiki Party in Seoul on Saturday. The party, named after the word for “friendship” in the two countries’ common language of Swahili, was a chance for people from both nations to sample some traditional cooking, while members also shared some cultural performances.The performances included dancing by a group of Daejeon-based students from across Africa, a performance poem and a Tanzanian song and dance. One m

Expat LivingDec. 2, 2014

Opera ‘Eugene Onegin’ to be performed as concert

In Seoul’s small but vibrant operatic scene, opera is virtually synonymous with a thrilling drama, spectacle and over-the-top singing. In surveys, “Carmen,” “La Traviata” or “Aida” come out as some of Koreans’ all-time favorites. To add the spice of diversity to the scene, Seoul Arts Center is offering local fans a chance to uncover a hidden gem in the operatic repertory ― one that is loved by fans around the world, but is rarely performed in Korea. For just one night on Dec. 6, it will present

CultureDec. 2, 2014

[Herald Interview] Song Sae-byeok’s career enjoys late dawn

Actor Song Sae-byeok is not the most well-known actor in Korea, but he has infused his characters with an intensity and unique likability that makes people remember him. Following a brief appearance in Bong Joon-ho’s “Mother” (2009), his supporting role as the perverted, corrupt official Byeon Hak-do in the period film “The Servant” (2010) drew laughter on account of his nonchalant, comic poise and earned him a best new actor award. Recently, he played the part of a violent stepfather in “A Girl

FilmDec. 2, 2014

Secrets galore in ‘Imitation Game’

World War II, for those a little rusty on their history, wasn’t won by Brad Pitt or General Patton or Captain America. It was won by a bunch of nerds led by a socially inept, puzzle-obsessed mathematical genius who also happened to be homosexual at a time when homosexuality was illegal in Great Britain.Their work, breaking enemy codes, was “Ultra” secret, the ultimate secret of the war. Ironically, it was entrusted to a man who was already quite accomplished at keeping secrets in his personal li

FilmDec. 2, 2014

First boyfriend for singing star Susan Boyle at 53

LONDON (AP) ― The magnificent and shy singer Susan Boyle has her first boyfriend at age 53 ― a Connecticut doctor she met on her recent U.S. tour who may soon visit her in Scotland.“That’s the plan,” Boyle’s spokeswoman, Nicola Phillips, said Monday. “She met someone when she was in America and the idea is that he can come here.” Boyle and the doctor met at a hotel in Clearwater, Florida, Phillips said, adding that Boyle is “definitely” happy to have met someone.  The church volunteer from a sma

PerformanceDec. 2, 2014

Hard rock meets soul as YB, Bobby Kim team up

Members of the rock band YB, led by Yoon Do-hyun on vocals, are dipping their toes into a unique collaboration project with one of the nation’s leading R&B and ballad front men, Bobby Kim. In an effort to end the year on a high note, the musicians of YB and Kim have decided to host a special series of collaborative concerts at the end of the month to give fans a taste of music that they would otherwise not be able to hear from either of the artists. “We decided to come together because we wanted

PerformanceDec. 2, 2014

Stars of Broadway’s ‘Doctor Zhivago’ revealed

NEW YORK (AP) ― The upcoming Broadway musical “Doctor Zhivago” will star a Broadway newbie, two Broadway veterans who were in “Jesus Christ Superstar” together and an actress from “Wicked” who just got married. Producers said Monday that Tam Mutu will make his Broadway debut as the passionate doctor and poet, Yurii Zhivago, played in the classic movie by Omar Sharif. Mutu’s theater credits in London include Javert in “Les Miserables” and “Love Never Dies.” Kelli Barrett will play his paramour, L

PerformanceDec. 2, 2014

Nostalgia-infused brushstrokes

The Korean woman in a traditional white dress with delicately pulled-back hair is seen through a long ramie veil with ripples created by wooden sticks. Viewers can’t get a firm grasp of the mysterious figure behind the veil, but those familiar with traditional Korean life would start to feel the nostalgia of the old lifestyle through simple objects such as a laundry paddle used to wash clothes and fabrics made at home. This painting symbolizing traditional rural life in Korea was made by artist

PerformanceDec. 1, 2014

‘Comfort women’ stories rekindled on stage

“Bongsunhwa (Garden Balsam)” is not being staged to criticize the Japanese people because they were also victims of the war. It artistically accuses the Japanese government of refusing to offer a heartfelt apology for its imperialistic deeds, says its artistic director Kim Hye-ryun.The play, which deals with the issue of victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, euphemistically called “comfort women,” will be restaged in Korea this month. Premiered here last year, “Bongsunhwa” received wide acc

CultureDec. 1, 2014

Shannon releases debut solo single

Shannon. ( YouTube screen capture)Almost five years since making her local TV debut, Shannon Williams, a U.K.-born British-Korean singer, finally released her debut solo single, “Daybreak Rain,” on Monday. To commemorate her official solo debut, Williams unveiled two music videos for her new single: the original version and the “black edition.” The second version of her music video is the same as the original, but is in black and white to give the song a darker and more mournful feel. The 16-yea

Dec. 1, 2014