[Eye Interview] A feast for the eyes, mind

Carrying into the room a large square canvas exploding with bold colors, Fayez Barakat declares, beaming, “This is this morning’s work.” It is 10:30 a.m. on Monday, a public holiday. He started painting at 3:30 in the morning, he explains. “I am very proud of what I accomplished today,” he says and turns around to ask his wife, Hwasun, if she likes it. Painting in the early morning hours is a daily routine for Barakat, an internationally recognized dealer and collector of ancient art. Employing

CultureOct. 7, 2016

10cm to release new album

Korean indie duo 10cm is getting ready for its return to the spotlight. 　Consisting of vocalist Kwon Jeong-yeol and guitarist Yoon Cheol-jong, 10cm will be releasing a new singles album next week, according to its production company Magic Strawberry Sound on Friday morning. 　Named after the two members’ height difference, the duo made its debut with the mini album “10cm The First EP” in 2010. Since then, the group has produced a number of hit tracks, such as “Americano,” “Fine Thank You and You?

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

Sechs Kies releases new single, tops charts

Legendary K-pop group Sechs Kies has returned with a bang. 　After performing the group’s latest single “Three Words” during its two-day sold-out concert last month in Seoul, Sechs Kies released the track on local music platforms on Friday at midnight. 　The boy band’s first release in 16 years, the song topped not only all major local music charts -- MelOn, Mnet, Olleh Music, Soribada, Genie, Bugs, Naver Music and Monkey3 -- but also one of China’s largest music streaming platforms QQ Music and g

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Sober mood dominates new Drive-By Truckers album

Drive-By Truckers“American Band”(ATO Records)The Drive-By Truckers are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year in a grave mood. The cover art of an American flag at half-staff is a tip-off.The liberal-leaning Southern rockers who have long struggled to both celebrate their roots and recognize its bitter past have delivered a sober new album with a withering view of today's South.The often-gloomy but vitally important “American Band” sees the Truckers weigh in strongly on such issues as poli

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Smooth grooves rule on Herb Alpert's 'Human Nature'

“Human Nature”(Herb Alpert Presents)Why mess with success?Pop-jazz trumpeter Herb Alpert has sold records by the truckload since the 1960s, and if his easy-listening style has become a byword for elevator music, that doesn’t make it any less influential.The 81-year-old founder of the Tijuana Brass returns with an album -- his fourth in three years -- featuring original compositions alongside tracks by songwriters including Burt Bacharach, seasoned with a light sprinkling of electronic dance musi

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Bon Iver delivers offbeat, self-conscious art

Bon Iver“22, A Million”(Jagjaguwar)Some weirdness pervades the release of “22, A Million,” the third album by Bon Iver -- symbols, images and liner notes that feel like they're fraught with meaning. Some of it might be nonsense.But then there’s the music.An adventurous journey in sound, “22, A Million” is never dull. Altered voices, the familiar falsetto of Bon Iver's mastermind, Justin Vernon, and acoustic and electronic shape-shifting stretch the conventional boundaries of song.The album “is p

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

The Net(Korea)Opened Oct. 6Drama. Directed by Kim Ki-dukHumble North Korean fisherman Nam Chul-woo (Ryoo Seung-beom) accidentally crosses the maritime border into South Korean waters when his fishing boat is caught in strong tides. Bacchus Lady(Korea)Opened Oct. 6Drama. Directed by E J-Yong Elderly sex worker So-young (Youn Yuh-jung), who frequents parks to pick up old men seeking her services, begins getting requests for a different type of service from her aging clientele. Asura: The City of M

FilmOct. 7, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Dance “Seoul International Dance Festival”: Seoul Selection of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO will be hosting the 19th annual Seoul International Dance Festival until Oct. 15. From the French dance company Carolyn Carlson Company to the Madrid-based Larumbe Danza, contemporary dancers from across the globe will gather for the multi-week festival to showcase modern performances that highlight both Western and Eastern arts. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won, and can be reserv

PerformanceOct. 7, 2016

‘Miss Peregrine’ is familiar, yet fun

The very best Tim Burton films feature a charismatic weirdo at the center of the story who is either preternaturally innocent (Edward Scissorhands, Pee-Wee Herman), or charged with the protection of innocence (Batman). Enter Miss Alma LeFay Peregrine (Eva Green) into the canon of Burton heroes of this type. She’s the headmistress of a Home for Peculiar Children, which is a sort of mashup of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.“Miss Peregrine’s Hom

FilmOct. 7, 2016

[Travel Bits] Travel news from around the world

Jeonju Bibimbap FestivalBibimbap is inarguably one of Korea’s most well-known foods and iconic dishes, while Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is home to the country’s most famous rendition of this classic. Often noted as one of tourists’ favorite Korean dishes, visitors to this festival can discover more about this signature dish by learning to cook traditional bibimbap, including how to make the best bibimbap, participating in cooking competitions as well as sampling other local recipes. This ye

TravelOct. 7, 2016

[Home Cooking] Ojingeochae muchim (dried squid)

Ojingeochae is dried squid that’s shredded and processed with seasoning such as sugar and salt. It’s commonly enjoyed as a snack on its own and also used as an ingredient for a side dish. To make ojingeochae muchim, there are various ways Korean cooks soften this dried squid. I use a little bit of water to wet the squid to rehydrate. The squid will lose its flavor if submerged in water too long. Steaming the squid briefly works well too. For the seasoning, first make chili oil by mixing gochugar

FoodOct. 7, 2016

Beyond sushi, relishing Japan’s cuisine

Sushi is what comes to mind when you think of Japanese food, right? Makes sense, as sushi has long captured the American imagination, is fun to eat and generates billions of dollars in revenue, according to market studies. But what about Japanese food beyond that iconic dish?　Paris-based chef Maori Murota aims to broaden the West’s idea of Japanese cuisine with “Tokyo Cult Recipes” (Harper Design, $35), which offers 100 Japanese recipes from tamago, a rolled omelet, to chicken yakitori to spaghe

FoodOct. 7, 2016

On eve of Route 66’s 90th anniversary, Barstow looks to a brighter, hand-painted future

BARSTOW, California — In the early 20th century, the small desert town of Barstow was a bustling stop on Route 66 between Los Angeles and Chicago, immortalized in a popular 1940s tune as one the places where travelers heading west could get their kicks.Now mostly known for its excessive heat, outlet mall and as home to the nation’s oldest remaining Del Taco, Barstow has struggled in recent years with vacant storefronts and dirt lots dominating an iconic portion of its historic Main Street, which

TravelOct. 7, 2016

[Around the Hotels] Roundup of hotel events and news

Michelin-star chef to visit Park Hyatt Seoul Michelin-star chef Andrea Aprea will be making a special visit to Park Hyatt Seoul’s Italian restaurant Cornerstone next week. Currently the head chef of Park Hyatt Milan’s Michelin-starred VUN Restaurant, Aprea will be presenting a five-course meal that fuses the best flavors from both Italian and Korean cuisine. Guests can enjoy this once in a lifetime gastronomic experience at Cornerstone during the restaurant’s dinner hours from 6-9:30 p.m. from O

TravelOct. 7, 2016

Busan Film Fest opens with muted fanfare

BUSAN -- The opening ceremony of the 21st Busan International Film Festival was held quietly, without its usual display of fireworks, but to enthusiastic applause in a packed outdoor theater at the Busan Cinema Center on Thursday evening.　While some 160 prominent filmmakers and actors graced the red carpet,  including veteran Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki and Japan’s Watanabe Ken, many hard-hitting celebrities were noticeably absent due to a Korean film industry boycott of the event following dispute

FilmOct. 6, 2016

Anti-graft law expected to restrict culture industry

With the recent introduction of a new anti-corruption law, countless questions loom as to the extent of its impact on Korean society as well as certain industries.The “Kim Young-ran law” restricts public officials, private school faculty and journalists from receiving certain amounts of gifts or paid-for entertainment, with the definition of “gifts” including gift certificates and accommodation vouchers as well as complimentary tickets for performances. YonhapHowever, journalists and industry of

PerformanceOct. 6, 2016

Busan Film Fest kicks off amid foreseen, unforeseen complications

BUSAN -- The 21st edition of the Busan International Film Festival, Asia’s largest, kicked off Thursday amid a number of complications both unexpected and long-standing -- outdoor facilities damaged by Wednesday’s Typhoon Chaba and local filmmakers’ ongoing boycott over BIFF’s artistic autonomy.Sets at BIFF Village, the venue on Haeundae Beach which was to host many of the festival’s outdoor events, were almost completely destroyed when the typhoon swept through the southeastern tip of the Korea

FilmOct. 6, 2016

[Herald Interview] Glass artist Kim Ki-ra looks back on life

During the creation of her latest collection “Dear Life,” glass artist Kim Ki-ra went to hell and back, and lived to tell the tale. “While I was working on the series, I hit the lowest point of my life (due to personal issues),” the artist told The Korea Herald Tuesday at Gallery Sklo, where her solo exhibition is currently being held. “But during this time, I also realized that I can truly rely on myself as an artist, even in desperate situations.”　In those trying times, Kim found inspiration i

PerformanceOct. 6, 2016

New hip-hop festival coming to Seoul next month

Some of the biggest names in Korea’s hip-hop scene are getting together for one night at Olympic Park in Seoul next month. 　Opening with a performance from up-and-coming female hip-hop artist Ilya, the concert “No Sleep ‘Til...” will star Mnet’s hip-hop competition show “Show Me the Money” season five winner BewhY, rapper-producer Paloalto, K-pop boy group Block B’s lead member Zico and singer-songwriter Dean.　Additionally, newly formed hip-hop duo MOBB -- consisting of boy band Winner’s Mino an

PerformanceOct. 6, 2016

Pianist Lang Lang steps out of comfort zone with new CD

NEW YORK (AP) -- During his musical career, classical pianist Lang Lang has tackled some musical titans like Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Now he's gleefully taking on Jay Z.The Chinese superstar has recorded a new crossover album in which he tries to capture the spirit of New York, including doing a cover of the rapper’s “Empire State of Mind,” with its lyrics “Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rock.”“I'm really always curious to hear different kinds

PerformanceOct. 6, 2016