Bowie the eclectic celebrated in star tribute

 NEW YORK (AFP) - David Bowie had many faces -- the attention-grabbing glam rocker, the inward-looking experimentalist -- and for a tribute to his life, leading names in music celebrated him by embracing his eclectic spirit.　Nearly three months after the shock of Bowie's death from an undisclosed battle with cancer, some of the many musicians influenced by the rock legend honored him with two sold-out nights in New York.　Yet the concerts were not about dutiful covers of Bowie’s hits, many of whi

April 3, 2016

[Weekender] Auctioneers make a difference in sales

With art auctions booming in South Korea, auctioneers are increasingly a crucial factor in boosting sales at such events. “Auctioneers play a key role in setting market prices during art auctions,” Kim Hyun-hee, an experienced auctioneer for Seoul Auction, said in an interview with The Korea Herald.“They need extensive understanding and knowledge of art to induce participants to compete for the best prices,” she said. Kim, who studied history in college and art history in graduate school, starte

April 1, 2016

[Weekender] Arts emerging as alternative investment

Given the current low interest rates, negative rates, low inflation and slow growth, investors are in search of alternative investment products that offer higher returns than savings.Stocks and equity funds are ideal during low inflation, but can be volatile when unpredictable forces suddenly catch markets off guard. Gold and U.S. dollars are attractive assets in times of uncertainties, in addition to bonds that can offer steady monthly returns.Bids are placed on “Nu assis sur un divan (La Belle

April 1, 2016

Beyonce jumps into athleisure market with Ivy Park clothing line

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Recording star Beyonce launched a women’s fitness clothing line on Thursday featuring bodysuits, leggings and headbands.　It is named partly after her 4-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy. Called Ivy Park, the 200-piece active wear collection is a joint venture with British businessman Sir Philip Green, who owns the Topshop fashion chain.　The collection will feature leggings, T-shirts, crop-tops and jackets all designed for fitness and leisure wear. It will go on sale at selected To

April 1, 2016

[Album Review] Beautiful harmonies from Teddy Thompson, Kelly Jones

Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones　“Little Windows” 　(Cooking Vinyl)　Teddy Thompson’s musical influences come from this side of the Atlantic, so his first duets album sounds nothing like the British folk rock produced more than 30 years ago by his parents, Richard and Linda.　“Little Windows” does share one thing with Richard and Linda’s music: It’s terrific.　Teddy meshes beautifully with singing partner Kelly Jones, whose background is in California power pop. Their two-part harmony is the lead instru

April 1, 2016

[Album Review] Cool rockin’ granddaddy Willie Nile glorifies untamed aging

Willie Nile　“World War Willie” 　(River House Records) 　Willie Nile is loud and proud. While other rockers merely strut around leathered and weathered, Nile takes one giant leap for mankind, glorifying the aging process with the party-hearty song “Grandpa Rocks.” Its featured character depicted in a Clash T-shirt and dirty combat boots. 　Soul mates, seekers -- even seductive sociopaths -- populate the storytelling in Nile’s robust new album, “World War Willie,” coproduced with Grammy winner Stewa

April 1, 2016

[Album Review] Cheap Trick still wants you to want them -- and you will

Cheap Trick　"Bang Zoom Crazy... Hello" 　(Big Machine)　Some classic rock bands limp into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the basis of past reputation. On the other hand, Cheap Trick -- the hard-charging, melodic rockers from Rockford, Illinois -- is racing full speed ahead into the Rock Hall, fueled by its best album in decades.　“Bang Zoom Crazy... Hello” kicks off with a blast of feedback and a classic guitar-bass-and-drum roar on “Heart on the Line,” which would make a great concert opener if

April 1, 2016

[Weekender] Dansaekhwa, force behind globalization of Korean art

At K Auction’s Hong Kong sale on March 25, Korean monochrome paintings, dubbed Dansaekhwa, led strong sales, proving its steady popularity among international collectors. 　A 1975 abstract painting by Kim Whan-ki fetched 2.2 billion won ($1.8 million). All six paintings of Park Seo-bo were sold. A white monochrome painting by Chung Sang-hwa sold for 710 million won, higher than its highest estimate of 473 million won. 　“We could see that the Dansaekhwa boom was continuing. They attracted attentio

April 1, 2016

Why we can’t stop talking about ‘Produce 101’

A total of 101 girls claw their way to the top, but in the sweetest way possible -- smiling, singing “pick me” and gesturing imploringly into the camera toward an unidentified mass. At home, the viewers, or “producers,” vote for contestants they deem most worthy of becoming actual K-pop girl group members.　Titled “Produce 101,” the popular music audition reality program is coming to a close, with its final episode set to air Friday night on Mnet, wrapping up 11 weeks of buzz. Promotional image f

March 31, 2016

Girls' Generation Taeyeon delays first solo concert

Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation has postponed her first solo concert to spend more time preparing for it, her agency said Thursday.　“We decided to delay the concert to the second half of this year to increase its level of perfection,” SM Entertainment said. Taeyeon (SM Entertainment)　“We’ll announce the rescheduled date as early as possible.”　Taeyeon had initially planned to hold the concert “Taeyeon, Butterfly Kiss” at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul from April 23-24.　Girls’ Generation, includi

March 31, 2016

Must-see arts performances this summer

With summer just around the corner, Seoulites may be looking for the best ways to escape the scorching heat and bask in the sights and sounds of riveting performances. 　Luckily for them, there are many events in store for them this summer – from vocal to dance and classical. 　Andrea Bocelli　Returning for his first concert in Korea in six years, the internationally praised blind Italian classical crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a solo show in Seoul on May 1.  Italian opera tenor Andre

March 30, 2016

Weezer, Panic! at the Disco to headline Pentaport fest

American bands Weezer and Panic! at the Disco will be headline acts at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival this year, performing alongside big names in the Korean indie scene such as the Koxx and Peppertones. 　On Tuesday, the festival’s website announced the first lineup of bands slated to appear at the event, which is one of Korea’s largest annual rock festivals. It will take place from Aug. 12-14. 　The first lineup features six bands, including Korean indie band We Are The Night and rising Eng

March 30, 2016

[Hallyu power] Getting to know Dean: Musician, storyteller, rebel at heart

When asked what kind of music he wants to make, instead of naming a genre, Dean described how he hopes people feel when they hear his songs.　“When you listen to Amy Winehouse, you feel like you’re getting to know her,” he said, referring to the late British soul singer who lived an infamously turbulent life before her early death in 2011. Dean talks to reporters before the showcase for his album “130 mood: TRBL” on March 23 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. (Yoon Byung-chan/The Korea Herald)　“Her life, that

March 29, 2016

Plateau Museum to close in August

Plateau Museum, one of the three art museums run by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, will shut down permanently when its upcoming exhibition by Chinese artist Liu Wei closes in August. 　The museum has to vacate the space, located on the first floor of the Samsung Life Insurance Co. headquarters, as the building was sold to local construction company Booyoung in January. 　Samsung sold the 25-story, 87,000-square-meter building to the construction firm for some 500 billion won ($430 million) in

March 29, 2016

Boy band BTOB returns with ballad, is eager to sing

Seven-member boy band BTOB has returned once more with a collection of mellow ballads in the group’s eighth mini-album, released Monday, treading a path slightly different from that of your average, dance-focused K-pop boy band.The title track “Remember That” seeks to bring calmness and solace to listeners in light of the upcoming spring season, the BTOB members told reporters in a group interview Monday. A promotional photo for boy band BTOB’s “Remember That” (Cube Entertainment)“(The title tra

March 29, 2016