[Herald Review] Senior actors prove age is just a number in sold-out 'Waiting for Godot'

The sepia-toned stage stands vacant except for a leafless tree and a solitary rock. The actors appear equally disheveled in their muted, grubby suits, sporting scruffy grey hair. And nothing dramatic unfolds. The two characters, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), wait and wait for Godot, who never arrives. While one might ask where's the fun in watching someone simply waiting, waiting and waiting, the Korean production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” which kicke

Jan. 28, 2024

ARKO Selection’s February performances offer contemporary twist on classics

ARKO Selection will unveil its third set of productions in early February, offering two traditional performances, one musical, one dance performance and one music concert, which reinterpret classics and transcended traditions. Such works are among the 28 new repertoires funded by Arts Council Korea, an organization committed to fostering diverse arts and cultural activities in the country. The male "changgeuk" performance, "Salome," which is a reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde&

Jan. 26, 2024

How ‘Sing Again’ stays a hit brand in a sea of audition shows

A 27-year-old office worker Choi Ji-yeon recently bought a ticket for a concert of the Top 10 participants of the audition program “Sing Again 3.” Tickets for the concert sold out within 10 minutes of opening, showing the popularity of the program. “I have been a big fan of the program since its first season. In the recent season, I’m obsessed with the voice of So Soo-bin, the runner-up of the show,” said Choi. “Audition program is one of the most common theme

Jan. 25, 2024

[Herald Interview] After dream come true in 'Les Miserables,' Lumina begins real journey

On Tuesday evening, the 112th performance of the third run of the musical “Les Miserables” took place at Blue Square in Seoul. During the intermission, a couple in seats in the 10th row discussed whether Eponine was biracial, while two other women in the same row, seemingly in their 50s, praised her singing. Eponine is a character from Victor Hugo's 1862 novel "Les Miserables." Despite being the daughter of the unscrupulous Thenardiers, she assists her friend Marius, w

Jan. 24, 2024

[Rising Virtuosos] 'Nerd' pianist Kim Jun-hyung unveils artistic vision at Kumho

It was early morning when Munich-based pianist Kim Jun-hyung received a phone call from Kumho Art Hall at Yonsei University. Over the phone, the second-prize winner of the 2022 ARD International Music Competition’s piano category was invited to be Kumho Art Hall’s artist-in-residence for 2024. Kim, a night owl who goes to sleep at 4 or 5 in the morning, couldn’t fall back to sleep. As the artist-in-residence, he would be given a chance to design his own program for four concert

Jan. 23, 2024

[Herald Review] 'Wife': A look at 90 years of shifting notions of marriage

"I am no longer your wife." With these final words, Nora in Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" leaves her home and husband, discarding from her identity as someone's wife and mother, while determined to be just herself. Nora hints at her journey to discover herself as the play concludes. And it is from this point, that the story of the play "Wife" unfolds. Written by British playwright Samuel Adamson, "Wife" draws inspiration from Ibsen's

Jan. 23, 2024

Overseas artists to visit Korean fans

A number of overseas musicians are set to visit South Korea to entertain local fans this year. Canadian punk rock band Sum 41 will visit Korea in February, as part of the group's final world tour before disbanding. The five-member group formed in 1996, rising to global acclaim after the success of its first studio album, "All Killer No Filler," in 2001. The band continued to release several hits, including "Still Waiting," "Make No Difference" and "Undercl

Jan. 22, 2024

[Herald Review] In ‘Nature of Forgetting,’ movements speak louder than words

In the vibrant season of youth, Tom dashes eagerly to catch up with his school crush, who rides ahead on her bicycle. Next moment, he finds himself in the lead, with her at his back, their heartbeats echoing the fluttering memories. Through an ordinary moment, the audience gets a glimpse of Tom’s most cherished memories. But the recollections are gradually slipping away as he grapples with dementia. Maybe it’s the fleeting nature of the memories that renders the beauty, or its poigna

Jan. 21, 2024

Super Junior to meet global fans on Asia tour

Legendary boy band Super Junior will hold an Asia tour. The group, celebrating 19 year since its debut, will hold an Asia concert tour titled "2024 Super Junior Super Show Spin-off: Halftime." The tour begins with a concert in Seoul in June, according to the band's agency SM Entertainment. After the Seoul concert, the group will visit Bangkok and Singapore in July, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Taipei, Taiwan in August, Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia in September. Detailed informat

Jan. 19, 2024

ATBO to hold first Japan fan meeting

ATBO will meet with Japanese fans for the first time in February. According to the group's agency IST Entertainment, ATBO will hold the "2024 ATBO First Japan Fanmeeting Home Party" twice, at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo on Feb. 29 and Oval Hall in Osaka on March 2. As this is the group's first event to be held in Japan since debuting, the bandmates are reportedly making every effort to prepare satisfying performances. The seven-member group will present different shows in each city,

Jan. 19, 2024

ARKO Selection presents diverse spectrum of works

ARKO Selection's second set of six productions scheduled for mid and late-January includes two family-friendly musicals, two contemporary dance performances and two music concerts. The topics covered in the productions range from borderline personality disorder to the life story of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time. Other themes include human brutality and humanity in the digital age. The works are among the 28 new repertoires funded by Arts Council Korea, an

Jan. 17, 2024

Kyuhyun to embark on first solo Asia tour

Singer Kyuhyun plans to embark on his first solo Asia tour since his debut. His agency, Antenna, released a poster for the "2024 Kyuhyun Asia Tour Restart" on its official social media, announcing the schedule for Kyuhyun's Asia tour. Kyuhyun will kick off the Asia tour with a three-day concert at Blue Square MasterCard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, from March 8-10. The soloist will then meet with fans in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Osaka and Yokohama in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and

Jan. 17, 2024

BTS members RM, V complete basic military training

RM and V of K-pop supergroup BTS completed five weeks of boot camp training Tuesday, the Army said, after enlisting late last year to carry out their mandatory military service. The two members earned the rank of private after undergoing various training, including basic combat and chemical, biological and radiological defense drills, at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan, 152 kilometers south of Seoul. At the boot camp graduation ceremony, the two members received an award as elite trai

Jan. 16, 2024

Golden Girls to tour 12 cities

Golden Girls, a new K-pop group consisting of four legendary female singers Insooni, Park Mi-kyung, Shin Hyo-beom and Lee Eun-mi, will tour 12 cities nationwide starting February. They are also reportedly pushing for overseas concerts as well. The Golden Girls will perform in Daejeon, Cheongju, Busan, Gwangju, Uijeongbu, Incheon and Changwon, starting with a concert at Kyunghee University's Peace Hall in Seoul Feb. 3-4. Golden Girls is a new K-pop group produced by Park Jin-young of JYP Ent

Jan. 16, 2024

Cho Seung-woo, Jeong Sun-ah, 'SheStars!' win at Korea Musical Awards

The creators and actors of “Memphis,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “If, Then” were recognized as the most accredited musicals, while the “failed” “SheStars!” was named best musical of the year at the eighth Korea Musical Awards that took place Monday evening. Co-written by Kolleen Park and Jeon Su-yang and directed by Park, “SheStars!” traces back through various girl K-pop groups from the 1930s to 1970s. “We faile

Jan. 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] Tei hopes to exceed expectations with dream role in 'Rebecca'

South Korean singer and actor Tei embarked on his journey as a ballad singer in 2003, leaving a strong impression on the public with chart-topping hits such as "Love Leaves Its Scent" and "Same Pillow." Transitioning to musicals, Tei made his debut on the stage in 2012's "Sherlock Holmes.” His career has steadily continued with productions like "Gone With the Wind" (2018) and "Gwangju" (2020). Recently, the 40-year-old actor took on the rol

Jan. 15, 2024

[Herald Review] Lee Junho returns as soloist with sold-out concert

While he is known for his multitude of talents, Lee Junho once again proved himself to be a highly skilled singer at his two-day solo concert in Seoul, his first in five years. After completing his mandatory military service in March 2021, Lee focused on his acting career, taking part in projects like the hit TV series “Red Sleeves” and “King The Land,” where he played the charismatic male leads. On Sunday, almost 11,000 fans filled Jamsil Indoor Stadium for Lee’s s

Jan. 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] KCM celebrates 20th anniversary with gratitude for fans

Marking the 20th year of his ballad singer career, KCM returned with a new album, “US,” sending gratitude to his fans on Sunday. The album is the finale of the first chapter of his life, as well as the starting point of his next chapter, according to KCM. From the album title, "US," to the first track "To My Fans," which he wrote and composed himself, KCM's new album is full of his love for his fans. "When I held my 20th anniversary concert in November,

Jan. 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] From Spain to Korea, Grupo Vocal Millennium hopes to rekindle Korean folk music

Dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, Spanish vocalists serenade audiences with the melodic tunes of Korean folk songs and "Arirang "-- not in Korea, but in Spain. Well before the global phenomenon of K-pop took hold, Lim Jae-sik, the artistic director of Spain's Grupo Vocal Millennium, dedicated himself to getting professional singers in Spain to sing Korean songs. In 1999, Lim, a lifelong member and head of tenors at RTVE Choir, the oldest professional choir in Spain, recruited

Jan. 12, 2024

Jeongdong Theater's 2024 vision: Modern culture, traditional acts, second production theater

The 2024 season of the National Jeongdong Theater, a public performance hall in Jung-gu, central Seoul, will center its focus on modern culture, traditional acts and its commitment to revitalizing productions facing challenges, the theater unveiled at a press conference Wednesday. For the upcoming season, 28 productions featuring 448 performances are scheduled for the “Hello Jeongdong” season, including three plays, three musicals, three concerts, one dance and two traditional music

Jan. 10, 2024