[Herald review] Mozart disappoints in ‘Amadeus’

The one and only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, portrayed as a bleached blonde, sequin-wearing ladies’ man who just happens to be a musical genius -- what more could one ask for?  　Combining the classical hits of Mozart and forging them with modern day rock beats, the smash-hit French musical “Amadeus: Mozart, L’ Opera Rock,” has finally made its way to Seoul and begs the question, what kind of music would the composer have churned out if he were on an acid trip? Musical actor Mikelangelo Loconte take

March 28, 2016

K-pop music producer denies prostitution broker rumors

K-pop music producer Shinsadong Tiger has spoken out against rumors alleging he has been brokering prostitution deals between female celebrities and male clients.　“I have never been investigated regarding the recently circulating rumors and have never even been contacted by prosecutors or police,” said Shinsadong Tiger, whose real name is Lee Ho-yang, in a post on Instagram on Sunday.　Shinsandong Tiger is known for writing hits like T-ara’s “Bo Peep Bo Peep” and APink’s “NoNoNo.” He is also the

March 28, 2016

Se7en teams up with major Japanese label

Singer Se7en has signed on with a major Japanese record label and is set to release a new album in July, three years after his last Japanese single “Arigato.”　The rhythm and blues singer announced that he has partnered with Victor Entertainment at a press conference held in Japan on Sunday, according to Eleven9 Entertainment, the singer’s Korean management agency, on Monday. Singer Se7en (Eleven9 Entertainment)　The deal makes Se7en the first Korean artist to sign up with the Japanese label, whic

March 28, 2016

Sam Kim starts off music career with ‘My Name Is Sam’　

Singer-songwriter Sam Kim, the runner-up in the third season of SBS competition program “K-pop Star” in 2014, will release the first part of his debut album Monday.The album, titled “My Name Is Sam,” contains three tracks, “Mama Don’t Worry,” “Seattle” and “Your Song.”Singer-song writer Sam Kim in a screenshot of the clip (Antenna Music)All the three songs were composed and written by Kim, and feature lyrical melodies along with his stories, according to his management agency Antenna Music.The f

March 27, 2016

[Herald Interview] Korea's first female chief conductor leads Gyeonggi Philharmonic at TIMF

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- This year’s annual Tongyeong International Music Festival opened its curtains Friday, celebrating its new theme, “Sounds of Tomorrow” with a performance by Korea’s first female-led orchestra.　Looking to showcase a mix of classic and modern compositions that are rarely heard nowadays, TIMF is holding performances daily until Thursday at the Tongyeong Concert Hall in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province.　Opening this year’s international festivities was the

March 27, 2016

[Album review] ‘Post Pop Depression’ rocks and shocks

Iggy Pop　“Post Pop Depression” 　(Loma Vista/Concord)　Iggy Pop rocks and shocks on “Post Pop Depression,” evoking his 1977 peak achieved with David Bowie but enhanced by all he’s gone through since.　In Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, Pop has found a congenial songwriting partner and producer, the mature pupil who grasps both the power and subtlety of the master.　QOTSA’s Dean Fertita and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders skillfully complete the band.　There are re

March 25, 2016

[Album review] Gwen Stefani’s solo album is catchy, but basic

Gwen Stefani　“This Is What the Truth Feels Like” 　(Interscope Records)　Gwen Stefani’s new solo album is fun and catchy: the hooks are cute and likable, the beats will make your head bop and her voice is calm and cool.　But after listening to it, you’re on to the next.　“This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” Stefani’s first solo album in 10 years, isn’t memorable or distinctive. It’s not that the songs are bad -- because they aren’t. But they aren’t good either. The 12 tracks are an OK batch of pop t

March 25, 2016

[Album review] Patchwork of the dark and the catchy

Bob Mould　“Patch the Sky” 　(Merge Records)Bob Mould says “Patch the Sky” is the darkest and catchiest album he‘s made recently (“Silver Age” and “Beauty & Ruin” are the others in this cycle) and he’s right on both counts.　“The words make you remember, the music makes you forget,” Mould says about the adversity he’s gone through, including “more death, relationships ending, life getting shorter.”　Without sounding forced, the happy/sad contrast between melodies and lyrics puts a roll cage around t

March 25, 2016

NTCK to stage ‘Rediscovering Modern Korean Dramas’ play series

In its latest “Rediscovering Modern Korean Dramas” series, the National Theater Company of Korea is celebrating the works of powerful plays that are considered theater classics.　Hitting the stage starting next month will be the return of three productions: “A New Common Sense,” “Blood Vessel” and “Sanhuhguri.”  A promotional image for the National Theater Company of Korea‘s upcoming production, “Blood Vessel” (National Theater Company of Korea)　“These modern Korean dramas encompass all the surpr

March 24, 2016

Composer Chin Un-suk talks SPO feud, annual ‘Ars Nova’ series

During a press conference Thursday that was originally organized to introduce the organization’s 10th annual “Ars Nova” contemporary music concert series, longtime Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra composer-in-residence Chin Un-suk appeared determined to call out allegations by former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Park Hyun-jung.　In the midst of a continuing legal debacle, coupled with the recent announcement by police that the allegations by 10 SPO employees of verbal and sexual abuse by the form

March 24, 2016

Eric Nam comes back after three years

Korean-American singer-songwriter Eric Nam released his second mini album “Interview” at midnight on Wednesday, three years after the release of his last mini album.　At the showcase for “Interview” on Wednesday, Nam explained that the word “interview” was used as a metaphor for dating, from the first meeting to getting close to each other. “The last track ‘No Comment’ depicts the end of a relationship using the format of an interview as well,” added Nam. Singer-songwriter Eric Nam performs at th

March 24, 2016

Rolling Stones promise ‘historic’ Cuba concert

HAVANA (AFP) - The Rolling Stones took to Cuban media to promise a “historic” occasion when they give their first Havana concert this Friday in a communist country where rock 'n roll was long considered subversive.　“Hola Cuba!” the elderly but still hugely popular British superstars call out in a short clip posted on the state-run cubainformacion.tv website late Tuesday.　Speaking in Spanish, Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger says: “We've performed in many incredible places, but this concert in Havana

March 24, 2016

Seoul premieres Korea-France dance production ‘Shigane Nai’

The National Theater Company of Korea has unveiled its latest Korea-France joint venture “Shigane Nai,” following the state-run theater company’s recent premiere of the play “The Empire of Light,” which was adapted from Kim Young-ha’s popular novel.　“Shigane Nai,” which translates to “The Age of Time,” is a coproduced contemporary dance performance by the National Theater of Korea and France’s Theatre National de Chaillot in line with the Korea-France Year 2015-2016 that celebrates the 130th ann

March 23, 2016

K-pop girl groups lash out against prostitution rumors

While a list of female celebrities allegedly involved in prostitution has been circulating among the public for the past week, some of those named -- including a number of K-pop girl group singers -- are vehemently protesting the rumors in an unprecedented string of public statements.　(123rf)Last Saturday, Yubin of girl group Wonder Girls issued a statement via her agency, JYP Entertainment, calling the rumors “completely false” and vowing to take legal action against people circulating the list

March 23, 2016