[Herald Review] BTS continues to ‘Run’ forward with new concert, album

BTS performs their concert “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage” at the SK Handball Gymnasium in Seoul. (Big Hit Entertainment)The arena at boy band BTS’ concert “BTS Live: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage” was lit more brightly than most K-pop concerts, and it was clear why.At their first concert in Korea in 11 months, the members of BTS gleefully ran around the main stage and the protruding T-shaped stage as well as the aisles between the audience floors, making it impossible

PerformanceNov. 29, 2015

[Herald Interview] Pianist Barakatt to present ‘visual’ symphony

Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt and the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra are combing forces once again in performance of the musician’s new visually revamped 16-movement symphony “Ad Vitam Aeternam” in January. 　Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt poses during an interview with The Korea Herald at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald)Barakatt’s upcoming concert follows the pianist’s previous concert in March, in which he celebrated 20 years since his debut

PerformanceNov. 29, 2015

Rediscovering the beauty of Korean architecture

The snowy scenery of Buyongji viewed from Yeonghwadang in Changdeokgung Palace by Bae Bein-u (Leeum)A step inside Changdeokgung Palace at the heart of Seoul after sunset and the city of skyscrapers just seems to disappear. Moonlight illuminates Joseon era royal buildings standing harmoniously with the surrounding green and natural formations of gardens that reflect its original terrain. Subtle rays from lamps inside the buildings reveal details in geometric window bar patterns and the balanced b

PerformanceNov. 29, 2015

Artist Kim Chang-bae exhibits traditional Korean paintings

Artist Kim Chang-bae, this year’s recipient of the Korea Art Award, is holding an exhibition of his traditional Korean paintings at the Korea Art Center in Seoul from Nov. 26-Dec. 5.  “Kim has embraced the spiritual scent of tea in his work,” said Lee Il-young, director of the Korea Art Center, in a statement. “(His work) also highlights ... the destruction of nature and loss of humanity today, and the importance of a life in harmony with nature.” Kim’s work, painted with ink on traditional Kore

PerformanceNov. 29, 2015

Kim Whan-ki's painting auctioned at 2.3 billion won

An oil painting of pioneering abstract artist Kim Whan-ki was auctioned at 2.35 billion won ($2 million) in Hong Kong, a related firm said Sunday. "On the Way Back” by Kim Whan-kiThe artwork, titled “On the Way Back,” was the biggest hit at the Hong Kong sale organized by K Auction, a major South Korean auction house, a day earlier, according to the company.The painting on canvas created in the 1950s shows a woman carrying a jar on her head. Its price had been estimated at 1.8 billion won-4 bill

CultureNov. 29, 2015

Weekend Box Office Guide: Nov. 28-29

Headed to the movies this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to what's playing in theaters.The Sound of a Flower (Korea)Opened Nov. 25Historical drama. Directed by Lee Jong-pil　In ancient Korea, women were not allowed to perform pansori – Korea’s traditional musical theater. But that doesn’t stop Jin Chae-seon (Bae Suzy) from chasing her dreams. With training and guidance from pansori veteran Shin Jae-hyo (Ryu Seung-ryong), Chae-seon beats the odds and becomes the first woman to publicly p

FilmNov. 28, 2015

Hwang Sun-mi, deconstructed

An 11-year-old Hwang Sun-mi was a petite, bony girl prone to coughs, far from the kind of kid to get attention from teachers or fellow classmates at school. At her dilapidated, one-bedroom home near a U.S. army base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, she was not very important either. The second of five children in a poor family, she had to do chores around the house and look after three younger siblings as her parents toiled day and night to barely feed them. Hwang Sun-mi (Seoul International Bo

CultureNov. 27, 2015

Around the hotels

‘Year-end Getaway’ at Conrad Seoul Don’t miss Conrad Seoul’s specially priced “Year-end Getaway” promotion. This offer features a wonderful night at Conrad Seoul, with the best views and most spacious rooms in the city. Celebrate your New Year with a getaway vacation with family, friends and loved ones. Conrad Seoul has the most spacious rooms among all five-star hotels in Seoul and is the only hotel that features two queen beds in a twin room. This package is available through March 31 next yea

FoodNov. 27, 2015

Travel bits

Ride on Korail’s Oriental ExpressKorail Tourism Development is launching a package featuring the luxurious “Eastern & Oriental Express,” a train that runs on the 1,943 kilometer-long international railway.The rail ride will pass through Bangkok, Penang and Singapore, boasting a spectacular view of Southeast Asia.Trains will be departing on Dec. 25, Jan. 3 and 26 and Feb 7, 16, and 25. Visitors will depart from the Incheon International Airport via airplane and arrive at the Bangkok International

TravelNov. 27, 2015

[Herald Review] Musical ‘Gone with the Wind’ falls short

Undeniably the entertainment world’s most recognized tale of torrid love and romance, the epic war tale from the 1930s, “Gone with the Wind,” is one of the most beloved and enduring classics. The Korean-language musical rendition of this literary and cinematic masterpiece has made its way back to the Seoul stage, only this time, without the lure of flashy K-pop idols in starring roles. Although nowhere near the historic caliber of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel turned 10-time A

PerformanceNov. 26, 2015

Comprehensive textbook on Korean philosophy

“Korean Philosophy: Sources and Interpretations” Edited by Youn Sa-soon, translated by Sohn Yoo-taek (Korea University Press) “Korean Philosophy: Sources and Interpretations,” edited by professor Youn Sa-soon and translated into English by Sohn Yoo-taek, is a comprehensive, chronological outline of Korean traditional philosophy. Over 39 scholars of Korean and East Asian philosophy have participated, highlighting different theories from ancient to modern periods.This book aims to reveal the orig

BooksNov. 26, 2015

Psy to honor Korean rock legend Shin Hae-chul in new album

Psy will dedicate a song on his upcoming album to the late Korean rock legend Shin Hae-chul, whom the “Gangnam Style” star was particularly close to, and Kim Jun-su of K-pop boy band JYJ will participate in the song. Psy revealed Wednesday night on Naver’s V app that the song was written “in memory of Shin Hae-chul.” Psy (YG Entertainment) “It’s a collection of the many things (Shin) used to tell me when we drank together,” said Psy. “It’s a song with a very sad personal story. It was difficult

PerformanceNov. 26, 2015

Global forum to debate content ratings for children

The protection of young children will be at the forefront of the International Film Classification Forum 2015 on Thursday.Korea is the only nation in Asia hosting an international conference to discuss classification and rating for video content, according to Lee Kyong-sook, chairwoman of the forum’s host Korea Media Rating Board.  (Korea Media Rating Board)The countries participating in this year’s forum all have different types of organizations for doling out the ratings, including government

FilmNov. 25, 2015

Relive Korean dramas at Yongin theme park

YONGIN, Gyeonggi Province – In the middle of nowhere surrounded by hills and fields in Cheoin-gu, the largest district in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, stands a large complex of outdoor sets with replicated royal palaces, houses and castles. The set of Hwagidogam, or the Gunpowder Weapon Center where Joseon King Gwang-hae (played by Cha Seung-won) inspected weapons before delivery in “Hwa Jung,” stands in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. (Park Hyong-ki/The Korea Herald)This was where the Korean Wave, or

TravelNov. 25, 2015

Winter fashion forecast

For those rummaging through their closets for inspiration or hitting the shops for new bits of insulation against the chilly year’s end, The Korea Herald has pinpointed two fashion trends expected to prevail this winter. Left) Model sporting long coat and wide pants from clothing brand 8seconds (Samsung C&T Fashion); (Right) Model sporting khaki jogger pants from Style Men (Lotte.com)Coats, large and leanWith Korea’s coming months forecast to be less frosty than winters past, retail brands are s

Arts & DesignNov. 25, 2015

Lee Min-ho spotted en route to Shanghai

Lee Min-ho (Yonhap)Hallyu star Lee Min-ho departed Incheon International Airport Wednesday morning to Shanghai, in order to attend a promotional event of a Chinese cosmetics brand he endorses.　The 28-year-old appeared in a charcoal gray long coat over a simple white shirt, while covering his face with a mask. 　The star is also scheduled to visit Thailand later this week to shoot his upcoming film.　Lee is currently working on his upcoming film “Bounty Hunters,” a multinational action film that fe

TelevisionNov. 25, 2015