[Eye] Inferiority complex drives my art: Ci Kim

CHEONAN, South Chungcheong Province -- The gritty music of Deulgukhwa, an iconic ‘80s Korean rock band, fills the air at Ci Kim’s fifth floor studio in Arario Gallery Cheonan on a recent Monday where I find the artist spraying water on a piece of old carpeting.I am deeply apologetic for being very late for our interview -- there was construction work on the highway on the way to Cheonan -- but Kim beams a big smile. “You actually gave me time to finish what I thought I didn’t have time for,” he

June 30, 2017

'2017 Gracias Concert' to be held in Haeundae, Busan

A concert of various genres, ranging from classical music, opera and musicals, will be hosted at Haeundae beach in Busan this weekendThe ’2017 World Culture Camp Opening Ceremony and Gracias Concert‘ will take place at a special stage set on Korea’s southern coastal beach on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m.This concert, hosted by the International Youth Fellowship and Kookje Daily News and supported by Busan Metropolitan City, will carry out performances free of charge over the two days.(IYF)It

June 30, 2017

[Herald Review] Music, lust, betrayal swirls around female spy in ‘Mata Hari’

Europe, in 1917, is torn apart by a raging World War I, but exotic dancer Mata Hari remains glamorous as ever, jumping between countries and captivating imaginations -- and sometimes more -- of high-profile personnel struggling with the battles at hand.The dancer’s world is abruptly interrupted by a French intelligence official Col. George Ladoux, who forces her to become a spy by using her intimacy with high-ranking German military officials. Young pilot Armand Gilot enters the mix, and a plot

June 29, 2017

Musical ‘Napoleon’ looks at human behind the hero

A war hero, a leader, a dictator, a tactical genius; many words describe the French titan known as Napoleon Bonaparte, but one thing that is certain is that he was a human being with many different -- sometimes conflicting -- aspects. “I feel he is a perfect choice for a musical. He was admired, he was feared, he was revered, and he was loved. These are all the kind of emotions that we like to feel when we go to a musical,” said Richard Ouzounian, who directed several versions of the musical “Na

June 28, 2017

[Seoul Saunter] Something old, something new, something exotic, something cool

Seoul is a vibrant megalopolis with modern high-rises crowding the city’s major arteries. Nestled among the gleaming buildings are maze-like alleys that appear to have escaped the passage of time. The Korea Herald explores the many nooks and crannies of Seoul, proclaimed the capital of Joseon in 1392, that reveal a multifaceted city. -- Ed.Step into the Itaewon-dong, Seoul, and you will find culture: a melting pot of different people, eateries, shops and bars roll out before the eyes of a bewild

June 26, 2017

Hilarity of ‘Spamalot’ kicks off DIMF

The 11th Daegu International Musical Festival commenced Friday with a bang and thunderous laughter, as UK-produced musical comedy “Spamalot” kicked off the annual event.“Spamalot,” based very loosely on the King Arthur legend, was adapted from the 1975 cult classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It follows a reimagined version of the famous figure and his “Kinghts of the Round Table” as their adventure jumps in and out of fantasy and reality, shattering the fourth wall to a million pieces of

June 25, 2017

[Herald Interview] ‘Creative industries spur cycle of innovation’

The National Theatre of Great Britain in London -- one of the United Kingdom’s most prominent, publicly funded performing arts venues -- is a seedbed of artistic expression and commercial innovation producing world-class plays.Established in 1963 as the National Theatre Company, the organization has thrust Britain’s cultural prowess onto the world stage with imaginative interpretation of classical and contemporary performances. Some of its finest productions have been played in London’s West End

June 22, 2017

Up-close with rare animals at cafes in Seoul

In recent years, a host of cafes with furry creatures rarely seen in the city have popped up around Seoul.　Most of the cafes are owned by enthusiasts who began raising the animals at home as pets, but decided to open a shop when their numbers got out of hand. 　Dozens of local visitors and foreign tourists were spotted in such cafes, concentrated in the Hongdae area, on a Tuesday afternoon. Some cuddled the animals, while others observed with curiosity. There were also those who just sat and sipp

June 22, 2017

Culture Minister promises film industry ‘no more blacklist’

Do Jong-hwan, the newly appointed minister of culture, sports and tourism, was to meet with figures from the independent and art film circles Wednesday evening to pledge more support. The move was intended to bring some form of consolation to those ailed by the previous Park Geun-hye administration’s blacklist of cultural figures thought by the authorities to be anti-government.“Independent and art films are the foundation of the movie industry, and carry out a very important role in people enjo

June 21, 2017

Musicals that focus on identity fill summer musical calendar

Popular musicals are returning this year, treating fans to locally produced shows ranging from a home-borne story of Korea to a legend about a supposed female super-spy.“Mata Hari” is already being staged at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Continuing on until Aug. 6, the production is based on the true story of the Dutch dancer who was accused of being a double agent and a spy during the World War II and was executed.  A promotional image for “Mata Hari” shows Ock Ju-hyun

June 20, 2017

Over 70% of Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs

More than 7 out of 10 South Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs as consumers increasingly turn to smartphones and computers, a poll showed Sunday.The Korea Creative Content Agency released the results of its 2016 survey of 1,200 Koreans aged between 10 and 59 on their music listening habits, which allowed multiple responses.According to the survey, included in the "2016 Music Industry White Paper," 91 percent of the people listen to music on their smartphones, followed by television (78.8 p

June 18, 2017

Shoes for Hope project connects Korean and Sri Lankan youth

Hundreds gathered in Gwanghwamun Square earlier this week to paint sneakers with colorful messages of hope in an effort to connect with Sri Lankan youth. The “Shoes for Hope” initiative is a worldwide sharing project, where shoes are painted with messages of peace and love in one country and distributed to people elsewhere who may not otherwise have the ability to purchase them.  Shoes on display included ones designed by President Moon Jae-in and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon  (MIZY: Seoul Youth Ce

June 16, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

 Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korean,

June 16, 2017

‘No look pass’ and Korea’s culture of excessive protocols

Korea’s culture of upholding meticulous protocol has come into the spotlight since a video featuring a Korean lawmaker’s “authoritarian no-look pass” went viral last month.　In the clip, Rep. Kim Moo-sung is seen nonchalantly passing his suitcase to an assistant waiting at the airport arrival gate, without even looking to see where the bag will roll. The assistant receives the suitcase and hurriedly removes himself from the camera frame.(Yonhap)The internet buzzed with criticism of Kim, noting hi

June 15, 2017

Blacklisted artists banned from state support in over 440 cases: state auditors

South Korea's state audit agency demanded disciplinary actions against 28 officials from the government and public organizations on Tuesday for irregularities related to the so-called artists blacklist under the ousted President Park Geun-hye. The Board of Audit and Inspection confirmed more than 440 cases in which the blacklisted artists and other figures were denied state support or other opportunities under the direction of the presidential secretariat.The BAI announced the results of its mon

June 13, 2017

‘Chicago’ brings vanity, crime and cynicism to Seoul

The musical ”Chicago“ needs no introduction: from being the second-longest running show in Broadway history after “Phantom of the Opera,” to its six Tony Awards with its 1996 revival. The song and style feels as modern now as it did upon its unveiling, with its clever cynicism and winks at the audience standing out today as it did in 1975.The US production of the musical -- running in Seoul until July 23 -- seeks to capture the magic of the original show through Broadway casting and staff. Hoste

June 13, 2017

[Seoul Saunter] Art brings life into historic Ihwa Mural Village

Perched at the top of Naksan is an old hillside community filled with steep stairways and narrow backstreets that are reminiscent of 1980s Korea. Known as Ihwa Mural Village, the mountainside village offers visitors fresh air, expansive views of the city, and most importantly, an array of colorful paintings and sculptures that are hidden behind every corner. The mural village, which is a 10-minute uphill walk from the bustling student district of Daehangno, has become one of the most frequented

June 12, 2017

Korean pianist wins top prize at Van Cliburn competition

Sunwoo Yekwon has won the top prize at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, marking the first time a South Korean pianist has won at the prestigious event.Sunwoo, a 28-year-old graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, was announced the gold medalist at the quadrennial event held at Fort Worth, Texas, from May 25 to June 10. He played a competition repertoire that included the Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81 and Rachmanioff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 to cap

June 11, 2017

[EYE PLUS] Rediscovering inner self

In pitch-black darkness before dawn, a group of foreigners walk up the stone steps of Daewoongjeon, the main hall of Geumsunsa Buddhist temple. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)With shoes left at the door, they kneel on pillows and clasp hands. At the sound of a gong, they bow their foreheads to the floor, stand upright and then bow again. Only the crickets outside provide a dawn soundtrack. With that, another day at a Korean temple stay has begun. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)Here at Geumsunsa,

June 9, 2017

Cho Na-yon to join SICAF with ‘Susurrus’

US-based Korean animator Cho Na-yon’s “Susurrus” has been selected for the upcoming 21st Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival slated for July 26-30. “Susurrus” was the 23-year-old artist’s thesis work for her bachelor’s degree in film and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design where she graduated with honors.  Cho Na-yonThe film, which is less than five minutes in length, is one of Cho’s most representative works. “I once came across a dead man lying in his own pool of bloo

June 8, 2017