Following last year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival, which paid homage to the 20th anniversary of late composer Isang Yun’s death through the theme of “Voyage,” this year’s theme of “Sounds of Tomorrow” is all about looking forward. “The meaning behind this year’s theme is that it is all about new music, new compositions, pieces that have never been or are rarely heard these days,” said TIMF CEO Florian Riem, in a phone interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday. The Tongyeong Internati

PerformanceMarch 1, 2016

In the Netflix sci-fi series “Sense 8,” actress Bae Doo-na plays Sun Bak, vice president of a Seoul-based firm by day and an underground kickboxer by night. Bak is one of the toughest characters Bae has played in her prolific 17-year acting career. This is also the most widely watched series she has been in. “I heard season one ranked as the most popular show in every region from North and South Americas to Europe. I was thrilled to learn that,” said Bae, who was speaking to The Korea Herald whi

FilmMarch 1, 2016

Hip-hop and rap showed their strength at the 13th Korean Music Awards held Monday at the Guro Arts Valley Theatre in Seoul.Rapper E Sens was the most surprising win of the night, grabbing album of the year for last year‘s “The Anecdote.” The largely autobiographical 10-track album was received with enthusiasm by both rap fans and critics alike, despite the artist being imprisoned for illegal drug use. E Sens is due to be released in October. “The Anecdote” also won best rap and hip-hop album hon

PerformanceMarch 1, 2016

The film “Twinsters,” which made its world premiere at the SXSW festival in 2015, is a documentary about two twins who were separated soon after birth in Busan and adopted by families in the U.S. and France. After 25 years unaware of each other’s existence, they find each other through social media. The story of the vivacious twins Samantha Futerman and Anais Bordier is interspersed with quick cuts, cute graphics, happy music and pastel colors. The twins’ online and offline conversions also appe

FilmMarch 1, 2016

Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based Chinese dance company that was scheduled to perform at Seoul‘s KBS Hall from May 6-8, claims that the Chinese government had a hand in the cancellation of its upcoming Seoul show.  “KBS canceled the rental contract (with us), citing an illogical reason, and we soon found out it was not its voluntary decision, but because of pressure from the Chinese Embassy,” said Lee Chang-sik, head of New Cosmos Media, in charge of promoting and marketing Shen Yun Per

PerformanceMarch 1, 2016

Kim Gyu-ri and An Nae-sang were appointed as honorary labor attorneys by the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association on Saturday. The two actors were given certificates by the president of the association, Chae Ho-il, to both stars during an official conference held at Sejong University convention hall.  Actress Kim Gyu-ri with KCPLAA President Chae Ho-il (Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association)The two stars have both played labor attorneys in past works. Kim played a publ

PeopleMarch 1, 2016

In an underdog win for a movie about an underdog profession, the newspaper drama “Spotlight” took best picture at the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday, where remarks on lack of diversity in Hollywood dominated proceedings.Tom McCarthy‘s film about the Boston Globe’s investigative reporting on sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests won over the favored frontier epic “The Revenant.” The well-crafted procedural, led by a strong ensemble cast, had lagged in the lead-up to the Oscars, losing ground to t

FilmFeb. 29, 2016

Jung Kwan-joo, the new first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, will officially begin his new job at the ministry Wednesday, according to the Culture Ministry on Monday.　Jung was previously a presidential secretary for public communications. He is succeeding Park Min-kwon, who was appointed first vice culture minister in February last year. 　As the first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, Jung will oversee culture and arts policymaking, as well as the development of the cul

CultureFeb. 29, 2016

The Korea Galleries Art Fair, an annual local art fair is set to begin Wednesday, bringing together major art galleries in Korea.　The 34th art fair will start Wednesday with a VIP preview event open exclusively to selected clients of participating galleries. It will be open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, showcasing some 2,500 works of art by 500 local and international artists represented by 89 major Korean galleries, including Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Hakgojae and Arario Gallery.

PerformanceFeb. 29, 2016

Actor Lee Byung-hun and soprano Sumi Jo attended the 88th Academy Awards, with Lee becoming the first Korean actor to present an award at the Oscars.　Lee, a widely recognized star in Korea, has appeared in a number of Hollywood movies, including the “G.I. Joe” series, “RED 2” and “Terminator Genisys.” 　Standing next to Lee at the award presentation for the category of foreign language films was Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, best known for her role in the sitcom “Modern Family.” Lee Byung-hun

FilmFeb. 29, 2016

Mexico's Emmanuel Lubezki on Sunday made history with his third consecutive Oscar for cinematography, for his dramatic work in tough conditions on survival epic "The Revenant."Without his keen eye, his mastery of natural light and his ability to produce gorgeous long takes, Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu may not have been able to realize his vision for the film, a tale of revenge shot mainly in Canada's wilderness. Emmanuel Lubezki (AP)"To my parents, my friends and to all the cine

FilmFeb. 29, 2016