Giant Chinese zodiac sculptures are turning heads in Boston

BOSTON (AP) -- A dozen giant bronze animal heads representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac are stopping people in their tracks in downtown Boston and sparking conversations.　“Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” by contemporary Chinese artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, is the latest in a series of outdoor public art projects on the Rose Kennedy Greenway intended to delight, awe and educate the thousands of tourists and workers who walk through the park daily.　“The goal of all public art

May 1, 2016

‘Amadeus’ musical stars team up for duo concert series

Two stars of the international-hit rock musical, “Amadeus: Mozart, L’ Opera Rock” are teaming up for a live duo concert series in Korea this summer. 　Italy-native Mikelangelo Loconte and French musical star Laurent Ban recently wrapped up the Seoul run of “Amadeus,” the first time the production was performed by its original French cast here. The duo is scheduled to hold eight shows from June 30 to July 5 at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in Seoul. 　“Korean fans are unlike fans anywhere else in the

May 1, 2016

Eyelike: Beyonce, Rufus Wainwright, Jayhawks

Beyonce again proves to be center of pop universeBeyonce “Lemonade” (Parkwood, Columbia)Beyonce doesn’t simply release albums anymore, she unleashes events. And so it was this weekend, amid deep mourning for a lost icon, music’s queen dropped “Lemonade,” an arresting display of what technically qualifies as videos and singles, but is better described as a work of art that appeared deeply personal, yet is a bold social and political statement as well. 　It contains revenge anthems for scorned wive

April 29, 2016

Pompidou Center to open first Asian branch in Seoul next year

The Pompidou Center in Paris will open an exhibition space in Seoul next year, the museum’s first outpost in Asia. 　“The Centre Pompidou has been for several months in negotiations with a Korean partner, Mr. Sounjou Seo, to open a branch in Seoul for five years, possibly renewable,” Denis Berthomier, executive director of the Centre Pompidou, confirmed in an email to The Korea Herald. 　The location of the Seoul branch hasn’t been decided yet, but Seo, who will serve as the director of the Centre

April 28, 2016

‘Rusalka’ gears up for Korean premiere

Are you willing to become a mute for the one you love? This is one of the many spellbinding love quandaries of Antonin Dvorak’s dramatic opera “Rusalka,” which is making its Korean premiere at the Seoul Arts Center on Thursday evening. 　Begging the eternal question of how far would one go to be with the one they love, the three-act opera tells the tale of Rusalka, a water nymph who falls in love with a human prince. Desperate for his love and affection, she makes a deal with an evil witch. A sce

April 27, 2016

Kim Yun-a to release solo album

Modern rock band Jaurim’s vocalist Kim Yun-a will release the solo digital single “Kyrie” on April 29, said the singer’s agency Interpark.　Jaurim, which means purple rainforest, had performed in the indie scene until its debut in 1997 with its first single, “Hey Hey Hey,” an original sound track of the movie “Man Holding Flowers.”  Singer-songwriter Kim Yun-a of modern rock band Jaurim (Interpark)　Kim’s fans have long been awaiting her comeback, as neither the band nor the singer have released a

April 27, 2016

Epik High to return to Japan

Hip-hop trio Epik High is due to release the Japanese version of “Don’t Hate Me” on April 27, ahead of its planned Japan tour, the group’s agency YG Entertainment announced Tuesday.　“Don’t Hate Me,” a pop punk tune with the catchy refrain “Everybody hates me, but you love me and I love you,” was released in 2012. The Japanese version of the song is a collaboration with Gashima, a Japanese rapper and songwriter from White Jam. Korean hip-hop trio Epik High (YG Entertainment)　The revised version o

April 27, 2016

Calligrapher depicts energy of universe

Calligrapher Sakong Hong-joo is holding a solo exhibition from April 27 to May 3 at Namsan Gallery in Seoul.　His 14th solo exhibition presents 23 ink-and-wash paintings with bold calligraphic strokes through which the artist attempts to portray the “good energy” in the universe. In order to visualize the energy, the artist depicted 64 hexagrams from “I Ching,” or the ancient Chinese “Book of Change.”   “Ji Cheon Tae,” symbolizing harmony in family and work, by Sakong Hong-joo (Courtesy of the ar

April 26, 2016

AOA meets Japanese fans

Following the release of its Japanese single “Give Me the Love” on April 20, K-pop girl group AOA has been holding events to promote the new song.　The group visited Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka from April 21-24, attracting thousands of Japanese fans. The promotion included a mini live concert and events that allowed fans to get close to AOA. The group also performed its other hits “Heart Attack” and “Oh Boy,” along with “Give Me the Love.” K-pop girl group AOA poses at an event promoting their new Ja

April 26, 2016

SM’s EDM label to drop first track

ScreaM Records, entertainment giant SM Entertainment’s electronic dance music label, will release its first song “Wave” at midnight on May 5.　The label, one of the agency’s new projects announced at the presentation show “SMTOWN: New Culture Technology, 2016,” was launched to expand the K-pop experience from just appreciating music to actively participating, said the agency. 　It aims to present quality music by collaborating with world-famous EDM DJs and producers, as well as with various artist

April 26, 2016

Prince’s lawyer: Singer led clean lifestyle

Prince’s longtime lawyer called the death of the superstar a complete shock and said Monday that the singer lived a clean and healthy lifestyle, disputing suggestions that he had a drug addiction.　Prince was found dead in Paisley Park, his home and vast recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on Thursday at the age of 57. An autopsy was conducted, but complete results won’t be in for weeks. Police have said there was no indication of suicide.　Lawyer L. Londell McMillan had known Prince for 25

April 26, 2016

Chung Myung-whun to conduct SPO for Lotte Concert Hall opening

Former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Chung Myung-whun is tentatively slated to lead the SPO in the orchestra’s performance marking the opening of the Lotte Concert Hall.　The concerts, scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19, would be the first time Chung is leading the orchestra since resigning last December amid a whirlwind of controversy.　“Having former conductor Chung conduct the Lotte Concert Hall’s upcoming opening concerts has actually been in the making for the past three years,” an SPO spo

April 25, 2016

[Herald Review] ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase’ musical gives food for thought

Recognized as one of the U.K.’s most exciting and innovative touring theater companies, Kneehigh came to Korea for the first time with “Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs),” which features its latest avant-garde choreography and a compelling narrative.　Written by Carl Grose and directed by Mike Shepherd, and with a new score of live music written by Charles Hazelwood, “Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs)” was performed at the LG Arts Center last Thursday to Sunday.    A scene

April 25, 2016

Sechs Kies to make comeback after 16 years

Legendary idol boy band Sechs Kies may release a new album, 16 years after the six-member group disbanded in May 2000.　Sechs Kies, a first-generation K-pop boy band which debuted in 1997, held a reunion concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 14, as part of a project for MBC’s reality show “Infinite Challenge.”　The reunion concert was held one day before the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut. Despite the short notice, more than 5,000 fans gathered to see the group, with many showing u

April 25, 2016

[Herald Review] Ok Joo-hyun dazzles as seductress Mata Hari

Tackling the highly-anticipated role of the world’s most notorious female spies, Ok Joo-hyun is simply unforgettable as leading lady in the new musical, “Mata Hari at the Moulin Rouge.”　　In a world premiere production brought to us by the collective the minds of Tony Award-winning Broadway megastars – director-choreographer Jeff Calhoun, with music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy and writer Ivan Menchell – all eyes were on the former K-pop star-turned-musical actress as the sinfully all

April 24, 2016

Lee Seung-hwan showcases ‘Signal of One Billion Light-years’

Rock singer Lee Seung-hwan showcased his new song “The Signal of One Billion Light-years" at a concert held at Ewha Womans University Samsung Hall on Thursday.　The song is a slow-tempo modern rock tune featuring the dramatic sound of an orchestra. The track will be included in his upcoming 11th full studio album, “Fall to Fly - Latter.” 　The song has garnered attention with its chorus line “Let’s go home now, don’t stay alone in the cold,” which seems to console the victims of the Sewol ferry di

April 22, 2016

[Album Review] Ace Frehley still has what it takes on 'Origins'

Ace Frehley　“Origins Vol. 1” 　(Entertainment One)　The twice (and future?) Kiss guitarist has put his other-worldly spin on classic rock anthems he grew up on, including legendary tracks from Creem (“White Room”); Steppenwolf (“Magic Carpet Ride”); the Rolling Stones (“Street Fighting Man”); and Jimi Hendrix (“Spanish Castle Magic”).　The idea was just to let Ace rip on songs he’s loved since he was a little alien on Planet Jendell. But the result might just indicate he’s ready for a third incarna

April 22, 2016