B.A.P hints at comeback

K-pop boy band B.A.P may be gearing up for a return to the spotlight.　The group released a cryptic teaser image asking the question “Who is X?” via its official social media channels Tuesday morning. At the bottom of the poster is the word “Noir,” which may be hinting at the title of the boy band’s upcoming album or track. Additionally, given the dark concept behind the image, the six-member group -- best known for its upbeat dance tracks “Feel So Good” and “That’s My Jam” -- may be returning wi

Oct. 18, 2016

Kim Jun-su receives best musical actor nod for 5th annual Yegreen Awards

The nominations are in and Kim Jun-su in his leading role as the devilishly handsome Dorian Gray in the eponymous new original musical has earned him a bid for best musical actor of the year at the upcoming fifth annual Yegreen Musical Awards. Last month, K-pop mega star Kim and his management agency CJeS Culture unveiled their first original production, “Dorian Gray,” which has also earned itself a Yegreen nomination for “Best Musical of the Year.”The production is a musical adaptation of Oscar

Oct. 18, 2016

New light shines on Botticelli masterpieces

FLORENCE, Italy (AFP) -- Two of the most famous works of Sandro Botticelli, “Spring” and the “Birth of Venus,” were unveiled in a new setting Monday, following extensive renovation work at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery.Rooms nine and 15, two of the most visited in a celebrated museum that pulls in 2 million guests per year, have been closed for enlargement and modernization since July 2015.As well as the Botticelli masterpieces, the rooms are also home to major works by Pollaiolo, Hugo van der Goes

Oct. 18, 2016

Hyolyn to release new album, collaborate with Dok2, Jay Park

Lead singer Hyolyn of girl group Sistar is set to release a new solo album next month, which includes collaborations with rappers Dok2 and Jay Park.Hyolyn will be releasing two new tracks in the coming weeks, one featuring rapper Dok2 on Oct. 26 and another featuring rapper-producer Jay Park -- whose new album is out Thursday -- on Nov. 1, according to the singer’s management agency Starship Entertainment.The new album, Hyolyn’s second solo project after “Love & Hate” in 2013, will launch on Nov

Oct. 17, 2016

Celebrated Monet ‘haystack’ painting to be auctioned in NY

Christie’s auction house in New York will offer for sale one of Claude Monet’s celebrated “haystack” paintings, valued at an estimated $45 million, which should reconfirm collectors’ appetite for Impressionist art.With wealthy Chinese collectors expressing keen interest in such works, the painting -- part of a series of haystack pictures painted by Monet during the winter of 1890-1891 from his French home in Giverny -- will first be presented next week in Hong Kong. It will then be shown in Lond

Oct. 16, 2016

Korean critics weigh in on Dylan’s Nobel Prize win

Bob Dylan spent his earlier years not-so-carefully treading the restless social climates of America in the 1960s, belting out subtle, yet politically-charged songs that became anthems for the baby boomer generation. He was behind era-defining songs such as “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Now, more than five decades later, the American folk singer’s poetic lyrics won him this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday, for having “created new poetic expressions within the grea

Oct. 14, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Dance“Tropical”: Dance Theater Tic will be presenting the group’s 2016 piece “Tropical” at Guerilla Theatre in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul from Oct. 21-23. Chronicling the story of six men stuck in the tropics after the Earth’s axis mysteriously shifts, the performance conveys the contradicting forces of life and death, and hope and desperation. “Tropical” will begin at 8 p.m. on the Friday and at 4 p.m. on the weekend. Tickets are from 20,000 won, and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiri

Oct. 14, 2016

[Album Review] JONES’ debut a delicious slice of electro-pop

JONES“New Skin”(37 Adventures)The music business is littered with folks named Jones -- there’s Tom Jones, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones and Howard Jones, for starters. So make room for another, the all-capital JONES.That’s the stage name of London-bred singer-songwriter Cherie Jones-Mattis, whose super debut album “New Skin” is a delicious slice of smooth electro-pop warmed by her inviting voice. It’s the perfect CD to fire up for late-night chilling, rainy-day walks and late-night rainy day wal

Oct. 14, 2016

[Album Review] Last surviving Bee Gee comes back for more

Barry Gibb“In the Now”(Columbia Records)If anyone had said the Bee Gees’ music would stand the test of time, most serious music people would have scoffed.Rulers of the disco era, the fraternal purveyors of nine (hash)1 hits, including “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever,” seemed destined to have their songs trotted out for nostalgic purposes only -- on Oldies Night, say, in the lounge of the airport Holiday Inn.But then Al Green covered “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” so well no one else had to s

Oct. 14, 2016

[Album Review] Green Day gets back on straight and narrow

Green Day“Revolution Radio”(Reprise Records)“Revolution Radio” sees Green Day back on the straight and narrow, a dozen potent tunes encasing the punk attitude with plenty of pop hooks. The band shakes off a few years in the wilderness, including personal crises and artistic diversions, with a no-frills collection in which they work from a clean slate without losing their collective memory. There’s no overall concept, nothing really innovative, but there’s room for the topical and ample rawness i

Oct. 14, 2016

Singer Se7en drops new album after scandal, five-year hiatus

After a scandal involving an adult massage parlor, a public breakup and another very public relationship, singer Se7en has returned after nearly five years with a new, self-produced album.Titled “I Am Se7en,” the retro-funk album reflects who he is now, the 31-year-old singer told reporters at a press interview at his entertainment agency, Eleven 9, Thursday.“I’m particularly fond of this album because I participated in making the melodies, writing the lyrics and the production of every song,” h

Oct. 13, 2016

Sechs Kies to launch official fan club

First-generation K-pop idol group Sechs Kies is giving back to the fans who have excitedly embraced the band’s recent comeback.To create a more personalized and intimate experience for the fans, the group will be launching its official fan club “Yellowkies,” YG Entertainment announced on social media channels Thursday. Membership sign-up will begin on Monday at 11 a.m., and close on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. 　Additionally, Sechs Kies will be hosting a pop-up store “Yellow Space,” where fans can find a s

Oct. 13, 2016

Violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo to be laid to rest Saturday

The funeral for the late violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo will be held on Saturday following a wake at the SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center in Seoul. 　The 31-year-old violinist was found dead inside a taxi in Busan in the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to police statements, following a rehearsal on Tuesday night for the following day’s concert, the violinist went to a friend’s house where he and his companions drank alcohol. Kwun reportedly got into a taxi shortly after midnight on Wednesday,

Oct. 13, 2016

Park Hyo-shin’s concert to be live broadcast at theaters

Singer-songwriter Park Hyo-shin is coming to the big screen. 　The artist’s sold-out concert -- scheduled to take place on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul -- will be broadcast in real-time at CGV theaters in Ilsan, Yeongdeungpo, East Suwon, Sopung, Ori, Incheon, Cheonan Pentaport, Gwangju Terminal, Daegu, Daejeon and Seomyeon, said the multiplex cinema chain Wednesday. 　 The event was designed to provide fans with the experience of being at the concert titled “I am a Dreamer,” which

Oct. 12, 2016

Skull & Haha to appear on Jamaican talk show

Korean reggae duo Skull & Haha is heading to the home of reggae: Jamaica. 　The group will be making an appearance on Jamaica’s popular TV program “Smile Jamaica,” according to its management company Quan Entertainment on Wednesday. 　“Smile Jamaica,” a daytime talk show, is currently the highest rated program in the country. 　“Through this visit, Haha and Skull hope to create more opportunities for cultural exchanges and collaborations with Jamaica,” Quan Entertainment said in a statement. 　This

Oct. 12, 2016

KNO opens 2016-2017 season with ‘Tosca’

Kicking off its 2016-2017 season, the Korea National Opera is gearing up to present its latest rendition of one of the operatic world’s most tragic love stories -- Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca.” The Italian libretto will be staged from Oct. 13 to 16 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater.In this production, the KNO has brought together world-renowned international singers and creators on one stage for a fresh, collaborative performance. Bringing to life some of the most heart-wrenching vocal melod

Oct. 12, 2016