Chun Kyung-ja’s death reveals bizarre family feud

Family members of artist Chun Kyung-ja, whose death this past summer was revealed by media last week, said Tuesday they learned about her death from a Korean bank only a few days before the news broke.  “I learned on Oct. 19 about my mother’s passing from a staff member of a Korean bank, who called to ask for the approval (from a family member) required to close my mother’s bank account,” said Sumita Kim, the third of Chun’s four children at a press conference in Seoul. Kim is an artist herself

Oct. 27, 2015

Can you trust the K-pop charts?

This is the first in a two-part series examining issues pertaining to Korea’s digital music industry. – Ed. 　Ever wondered why K-pop has so many chart-topping debuts or new releases? How trustworthy do you think the K-pop charts are? According to some industry insiders and experts, the online charts are prone to manipulation. Melon charts (Melon official website screenshot)A major issue with the charts today is “hoarding,” efforts allegedly coordinated by fans or brokers to push certain songs up

Oct. 27, 2015

Spaniard makes national museum chief short list

A former Spanish museum director is among the three contenders short-listed to head the state-run National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, a local daily reported Monday.Chosun Ilbo revealed that Bartomeu Mari, former director of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, has made it to the final list along with two other Koreans.If selected, Mari will be the first foreigner to be director of the public art museum in Korea.  The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (

Oct. 26, 2015

[Herald Review] Well-deserved standing ovation for ‘Notre Dame de Paris’

Celebrating a decade since its first Korean premiere in 2005, the French cast of the famed novel-turned-musical, “Notre Dame de Paris,” has returned to Seoul, doling out unforgettably stellar performances of song, dance and even some acrobatics. Not to be confused with the Disney remake, the musical production is based on the eponymous novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Riccardo Cocciante. Without delving too much into spoiler territory, the musical’s storyline is actual

Oct. 25, 2015

[Newsmaker]Artist Chun's life, death shrouded in mystery

Artist Chun Kyung-ja, whose death in the past summer was revealed to the public Thursday, was a female cultural icon in Korea’s male-dominated art society. According to the Seoul Museum of Art, Chun died on Aug. 6 in New York, where she had lived since 1998. The artist, who was 91, reportedly had a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003 and had suffered from poor health since then. “It was reported to me that Chun’s daughter visited the museum on Aug. 20, carrying the remains of her mother,” Kim Hong-hee,

Oct. 22, 2015

[Herald Review] Mullova captivates Sibelius in BBC Philharmonic’s Seoul concert

Recognized as one of Spain’s most distinguished international conductors, maestro Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra took to the stage Wednesday night at the Seoul Arts Center bringing to life the sounds of Britten, Sibelius and Schubert, while also delighting the audience with the evening’s highlight: special guest soloist Viktoria Mullova.  Opening up its return performance in Korea after more than seven years, the orchestra performed Benjamin Britten’s buoyant Simple Symphony, Op.

Oct. 22, 2015

Park Ki-young leaves ballads for classical crossovers

Korean balladeer Park Ki-young has transitioned into a classical crossover vocalist in her new album “A Primeira Festa.”Included in the album are pop-opera classics such as “Nella Fantasia,” “Caruso” and “Habanera.” The lead track is “One Fine Day,” a remade version of Yoshimata Ryo’s “The Whole Nine Yards.”While classical-based singers like Jo Su-mi have forayed in the pop genre, a pop singer transitioning into crossover -- a genre that combines pop and classical music -- has been unheard of in

Oct. 22, 2015

[Herald Interview] Click-B aims to solidify musical color

Seven-member boy band Click-B joined the ranks of g.o.d, Fly to the Sky and Buzz on Wednesday, becoming the next group from the first generation of K-pop stars to make a long-awaited comeback. Click-B debuted in 1999 during the height of the first wave of idol groups, which included H.O.T, Sechs Kies, Fin.K.L and S.E.S, and had enjoyed hits like “Undefeatable” and “Cowboy” before breaking apart to pursue other solo and smaller group projects. Their new two-track album “Reborn” would be the first

Oct. 21, 2015

[Newsmaker] Korean pianist wins Chopin competition

A 21-year-old Korean pianist won Poland’s Chopin competition Tuesday -- one of the most prestigious contests in the piano world and considered a launch pad for an international career. Cho Seong-jin beat 77 other young pianists from 20 countries to take home the gold medal and prize of 30,000 euros ($33,500) at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in the Polish capital Warsaw and named after the 19th century pianist and composer.  Cho Seong-jin (AFP-Yon

Oct. 21, 2015

Handbag-maker Simone launches luxury brand, opens stunning flagship store

While Seoul has in recent years been dubbed a hotbed for luxury brands by various international media outlets, local handbag company Simone -- which for years has manufactured products for global fashion houses like Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Coach -- is now seeking to go beyond supplying to foreign brands to establish a prestigious local label. The lobby of 0914’s flagship store (0914)With 28 years of expertise in leather goods, the company launched 0914, a brand of handbags designed, manufac

Oct. 21, 2015

Twice’s ‘Story Begins’

K-pop hit-making label JYP Entertainment has unveiled the first album by its new nine-member girl group Twice. 　 The group is the agency’s first new girl group since Miss A debuted five years ago, and has already gained a substantial amount of publicity by choosing its members through an intensely rigorous audition process broadcast by music channel Mnet through the show “Sixteen.” 　 “We were able to do this showcase today because our fans supported us and waited for us through (‘Sixtee

Oct. 20, 2015

Big Bang likely to extend contract with YG

Big Bang, whose contract with YG Entertainment is set to expire in mid-2016, is highly likely to stay with the agency, a local report said, citing unidentified sources at the music industry. “Since the members have to renew their contract, it has been difficult to arrange their next year’s schedule,” said the source. “However, YG officials have hinted that they will stay with the agency.”  (OSEN)Earlier this year, while celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the group’s debut under the label,

Oct. 20, 2015

Korean design students’ works displayed at Olympic Council of Asia

Two art installations by a handful of Korean college students are on display at the main offices of the Olympic Council of Asia in Kuwait. The students, who all major in design and belong to the design cooperatives Space Bar and Illumination, spent six months creating two pieces ― “10,000 Bolts and Nuts” and “The Spirit of 10,000 Hours” ― which were commissioned by the OCA, the organizer of the Asian Games. Following the students’ wishes, the pieces were donated to the OCA and the students recei

Oct. 19, 2015

[Herald Review] YB celebrates 20 years

Performing to a sold-out audience at the 1,000-seat LG Arts Center in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, one of Korea’s most iconic rock bands demonstrated the secret to its vibrant two-decade career: its continued evolution in music with its songs growing together with their fans.“Music is made by musicians,” said YB bassist Park Tae-hee on Sunday, the last day of the four-day Seoul concert “20-years.” “But music also matures the musician. It’s right here, when we’re connecting with our fans, that we

Oct. 19, 2015

Banyan Tree Club, Spa Seoul to hold art fair

Upscale guest rooms and outdoor pools at Banyan Tree Club and Spa Seoul will transform into art gallery space during the four-day BANYAF Art Fair next week. The premiere edition of the art fair, organized by the resort company, presents some 400 works of art selected by 20 art galleries and agencies, including Arario Gallery, Park Ryu Sook Gallery, Gallery Kong and Gallery Koo. The works will be on display in the hotel’s exclusive club rooms from Oct. 22-25. Plate and tea bowl by Kim Nam-hee (Ga

Oct. 19, 2015

Barakatt, Herald Philharmonic to present encore concert in December

 Steve Barakatt (Rainbow Bridge Story)Canadian pianist and composer and the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra are teaming up again for an encore concert in December in Seoul.According to Barakatt’s agency, the New Age musician together with the Seoul-based ensemble will play his symphony “Ad Vitam Aeternam” on Dec. 5 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. It follows the resounding success of a March concert in which he presented his largest and first symphonic composition to the Korean a

Oct. 19, 2015

ZE:A’s Lim Si-wan confirms role in crime-action flick

Actor and idol singer Lim Si-wan of ZE:A has confirmed his role in a new crime-action film titled “One Line.”Lim’s agency, Star Empire, said on Sunday that Lim mulled over the offer for a while and has decided to play the lead character in the move.The upcoming film is based on a large-scale insurance fraud, according to the agency. (OSEN)The production company will reportedly begin shooting in December once it finishes casting smaller roles. Lim started his career as a K-pop singer in 2010 and

Oct. 18, 2015

CJ E&M takes over Paloalto’s hip-hop label

CJ E&M, one of Korea’s leading entertainment firms, has acquired hip-hop label Hi-Lite Records, the conglomerate said on Friday.Founded by popular Korean rapper Paloalto in 2010, Hi-Lite Records is home to some of the influential rappers of the country’s underground scene -- including Huckleberry P, Reddy, Okasian, B-Free and Evo. The takeover comes amid the broadcaster gaining more viewers through hip-hop audition programs such as “Show Me the Money” and “Unpretty Rapstar.”(Hi-Lite Records)CJ o

Oct. 18, 2015

Artist breathes new life into classic masterpieces

The image of Van Gogh comes alive in his signature self-portrait with a pipe. The legendary painter blows a puff of smoke, from which an image of him peacefully resting in a field emerges. The digitally rendered image of Van Gogh was made by Korean artist Lee Lee-nam, who has been digitally transforming masterpieces of Western and Eastern art into an animated video art form. Lee, a widely loved media artist in the Korean art scene, has been invited to give a lecture on his art world at the Heral

Oct. 15, 2015

Two More Super Junior members head to military

Another member of Super Junior is to begin his mandatory military service on Thursday, becoming the eighth member of the all-boy group to do so. Donghae, 30, will enlist on Thursday, following Eunhyuk who joined the army on Tuesday.  (SM Entertainment)Donghae will serve as a conscripted policeman, a substitute to active duty in armed forces, after the completion of four weeks of basic training at a boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. Siwon, another member, is scheduled to follow sui

Oct. 14, 2015