Eyelike: The Last Five Years, Love You, Honeybear, 'Fifty Shades of Grey’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Songs tell story of emotions in a relationship“The Last Five Years”Various Artists(Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight)Hollywood went to two actors with Broadway backgrounds to star in the film version of the musical “The Last Five Years” -- and it paid off.Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan star as a young New York couple who fall in, and then out, of love. She’s a struggling actress. He’s a writer who finds success. Both Kendrick and Jordan have Tony Award nominations on their resumes, and they have perfect voi

Feb. 13, 2015

Amber unveils first solo album

Amber, a member of K-pop girl group f(x), released her debut solo album on Friday.The album “Beautiful” was revealed at midnight online before its physical release on Feb. 16, along with the music video for her title track “Shake That Brass,” featuring fellow singers including Taeyeon and Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation, Joon Park of g.o.d, Jackson of GOT7 and comedian Ahn Young-mi.  A scene from the music video “Shake That Brass” for Amber’s title track. (SM Entertainment)Her debut song, featuri

Feb. 13, 2015

‘Discordant harmony’ of Asian art

Contemporary art has become borderless, with visual presentations coming to focus less on national identity and more on individuality. In what appears to be an attempt to go against this trend, Art Sonje Center is seeking to explore the national identities of Asian artists whose works deal with historical, social or ideological issues of their countries. The broad theme of national identity is explored in the exhibition of 12 artists from China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Put together by curators

Feb. 11, 2015

Ready to rock

When people around the world think about music and Korea, one word immediately springs from their lips: “K-pop!” What’s known to some in Korea, but very few outside, is that there is a rich stream of creative talent that bubbles below the surface of mainstream music. Several of such musicians will be making a pilgrimage to the U.S. to play at the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas, one of the few events in the world that properly celebrates the indie underside of the gl

Feb. 11, 2015

[Up & Coming] Novus Quartet: A jolly foursome in music

The four young lads, waiting for an interview with this reporter in the lobby of Seoul Arts Center one recent afternoon, might have been mistaken by passersby as classmates. The jolly foursome emits such energy and warmth, and a shared and inexhaustible sense of humor. What binds them, however, is much more than friendship. From left: Kim Jae-young (violin), Lee Seung-won (viola), Kim Young-uk (violin) and Moon Woong-whee (cello).They are Novus Quartet, Korea’s only string quartet that has won i

Feb. 9, 2015

Foo Fighters, Idina Menzel hit Korea this summer

This summer already has all the makings of an epic concert season as two more big-name acts have announced their plans to perform in Korea. As part of its first-string lineups, CJ Entertainment announced the Foo Fighters as one of the Ansan M Valley Rock Festival’s headlining acts, with the news of more big-time headliners to be revealed soon. Iconic American rock band Foo Fighters will be hitting the stage at the upcoming three-day festival, which is scheduled to be held from July 24-26 in Ansa

Feb. 8, 2015

Eyelike: Johnny Marr, Bob Dylan, Ne-Yo

Johnny Marr is on his game with ‘Playland’Johnny Marr“Playland”(Warner)When Johnny Marr completed his first solo album, “The Messenger,” in 2013, the man behind the beautifully maudlin rhythms of The Smiths didn’t rest on his laurels. He continued to write, and his sophomore effort, “Playland,” is the pleasant result of that work ethic.“Playland” is strong with guitar certainly, but is also rich with hooks and a decidedly energetic pace. If you’re waiting for sad Smith-ian sand kickers, you won’

Feb. 6, 2015

Foreign views of Korea in early 1900s

A woman carrying a baby on her back and balancing a huge bucket on her head must have left a strong impression on American artist Lilian May Miller, who was born in Tokyo and briefly lived in Seoul after her father was appointed consul in 1918. She made a woodprint of the woman and titled it “A Strange Scene in Korea.”  “Korean Farm House under the Moonlight” by Lilian May Miller (Gana Foundation for Arts and Culture)Korea had remained an unknown land to most of the world until the early 1900s w

Feb. 5, 2015

Art means money

A Venetian waterscape by Claude Monet has sold for more than $35 million at a London auction as the high-end art market shows resilience in a bumpy global economy. “Le Grand Canal” by Claude Monet. (AP-Yonhap) “Vue sur L’Estaque et Le Chateau d’If” by Paul Cezanne. (www.paul-cezanne.org)“Le Grand Canal,” fetched 23.7 million pounds ($35.6 million) at Sotheby’s, though it didn’t reach the top of its pre-sale estimate of 20 million pounds to 30 million pounds.Monet’s “Poplars at Giverny,” sold by

Feb. 5, 2015

[Herald Review] Buble sexy, suave in first Seoul concert

As this generation’s Sinatra, the devilishly charismatic vocal sensation Michael Buble swayed and charmed his way into the hearts of his Korean fans during his first concert in Korea. Michael Buble performs his first concert in Korea at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday. (CJ E&M)Sexy, suave and debonair, Buble took to the stage Wednesday at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in a chic black suit and bowtie, surrounded by flames for his opening numbers, “Fever” and “Just Haven’t Met You Yet.

Feb. 5, 2015

New National Opera director defends qualifications amid intense opposition

The newly appointed Korea National Opera director Han Ye-jin has assumed office under heavy fire, with her appointment being opposed by the opera community following allegations that the 44-year-old former soprano exaggerated her professional qualifications.Han Ye-jin, director of the Korea National Opera group, at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)Han was appointed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in December causing an uproar among members of the local opera communit

Feb. 3, 2015

Exhibit highlights actions that create art

Artist Jeong Ki-hoon spent eight hours a day from 9 to 5 like any other office worker, sitting at a desk doing an assigned job ― he repeatedly ground nails until they were too short to use; broke soju bottles and crushed them until they became fine glass powder. “Wood, Big Nail, Volleyball, Brush, Soju Glass, Spoon, Cloth, Table and Name Tag” by Jeong Ki-hoon. (Kumho Museum of Art)This seemingly pointless act is what the artist committed to do for months for his performance that attempts to port

Feb. 2, 2015

Katy Perry dazzles at Super Bowl halftime show

GLENDALE, Arizona (AFP) ― Singer Katy Perry dazzled at Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show in a dizzying performance that featured dancing land sharks, a prowling metallic lion and a levitating star that shot sparkles into the Arizona night.Perry stalked into the University of Phoenix Stadium field in Glendale, Arizona, riding the huge, fiery-eyed lion as she sang her megahit “Roar” while wearing a flame-festooned dress. Katy Perry performs on stage during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show a

Feb. 2, 2015

Timberlake shares baby news on his 34th birthday

NEW YORK (AP) ― It’s Justin Timberlake’s birthday, but it’s another birth date that’s on his mind ― that of his future son or daughter. Justin Timberlake (left) and Jessica Biel. (AP)The superstar shared a picture of a bulging belly ― presumably belonging to wife Jessica Biel ― on Instagram on Saturday, his 34th birthday. He wrote that he was getting the greatest gift ever this year and added: “CAN’T WAIT.”The sex of the baby is not yet known; the actor-singer joked that the couple is taking bet

Feb. 2, 2015

McCartney likely to perform in Korea this May

Paul McCartney performs in Brazil in July. (Official Website)Paul McCartney may be performing his first in-Korea concert on May 2 at Jamsil Sports Complex, reports said. Though official announcements are yet to be made, according to industry insiders, final negotiations on concert details are well underway. McCartney was originally slated to perform in Seoul last year on May 28 in the Super Concert series organized by Hyundai Card. However, the 73-year-old musician canceled what would have been

Feb. 1, 2015

Jay Z to acquire Wimp music service

OSLO (AFP) ― U.S. rap star Jay Z made a $56 million foray into the music streaming business Friday, buying Norway’s Wimp in a bid to compete with giants like Spotify and Apple.The platinum-selling artist and businessman used his controlling stake in Project Panther Bidco to launch a 464 million-kronor ($56 million) bid for Aspiro, the Swedish-listed company that owns Norwegian streaming service Wimp.Jay Z’s company confirmed the bid in a statement on Friday as competition heats up in the music s

Feb. 1, 2015