SAN JOSE, California (AP) ― In 1968, Dionne Warwick had never been to San Jose and didn’t think much of the song. But after the iconic singer recorded “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and the song became a huge hit, the 73-year-old singer says with a laugh that she “cried all the way to the bank.” The catchy tune penned by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David would become her biggest international seller and won Warwick her first Grammy Award in 1968. This week, Warwick is head

Aug. 3, 2014

Block B may lose identity with new conceptBlock B“Her”(CJ E&M)The seven members of Block B have returned with the love-themed EP “Her,” which moves away from their typical quirky and upbeat style and instead features cutesy tunes best described as “less macho.”Though the boy band understandably steers in this new direction in a bid to show off its wider musicality and boyish charm, it seems that the new EP potentially tarnishes the group’s established style and core identity ― being silly, energ

Aug. 1, 2014

The pure simplicity of moon jars from the Joseon period (1392-1910) has inspired generations of Korean artists, including pioneer of abstract art Kim Whanki. Three exhibitions this summer highlight the beauty and value of white porcelain together with the modern artwork inspired by them. Gana Art Center displays seven of 20 remaining moon jars in the world. Moon jars are a type of white porcelain that is more than 40 centimeters tall, and made between the late 17th and 18th centuries. Their simp

July 31, 2014

This is the 10th article in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.When composer Miho first started making music around 17 years ago, she said she was just one of a few women doing so. At times it was difficult. When she would go to a recording studio, no one truly saw her as a composer. But, she said, she didn’t let it get to her.“As a woman composer, it wasn’t difficult to do my job, but it was difficult because of other people. But bac

July 31, 2014

The state-run National Theater of Korea introduced its repertory system in 2012. It was not an easy process. The theater company put together an entire program of performances in advance, then presented premieres and restaged shows alternately. The system required the theater to increase the number of programs and plan early. It had to give up revenue from lending out the theater space, while taking on the burden of added costs.Despite initial concerns, this innovative approach has started to br

July 30, 2014

Last year’s inaugural European Jazz Festival in Korea showcased diverse jazz musicians and unique jazz styles from eight European nations.This year, 13 acts from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Italy, Germany and Norway will once again bring a fresh array of European jazz to Seoul audiences.European Jazz Festival 2014 will take place over three days from Sept. 19-21 at the BBCH Hall at Kwanglim Arts Center in Seoul. Unlike most other music festivals, EJF will be held in

July 30, 2014

Acclaimed photographer Kim Jung-man has returned with an exhibition portraying the beauty of Dokdo, the easternmost islets of the Korean Peninsula.He is presenting 55 Dokdo photographs he took from 2012 to 2013 with cooperation and support from the Northeast Asian History Foundation and the Korea Coast Guard. Kim has donated the copyrights of the photographs to the foundation, which will use his works to promote Dokdo as a Korean territory. Kim is well-known for his fashion photography, photos o

July 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― Lady Gaga is a bonafide pop star, but the singer says recording jazz music was easier than pop. Gaga has spent two years recording an album of jazz standards with Tony Bennett called “Cheek to Cheek,” to be released this fall. “You know, it’s funny, but jazz comes a little more comfortable for me than pop music, than R&B music,” Gaga said in an interview Monday. “I’ve sang jazz since I was 13 years old, which is kind of like my little secret that Tony found out. So this is almost

July 29, 2014

Artist Oh In-hwan asked a security guard at the Samsung Museum of Art, Plateau, to become part of his art project for the museum’s then upcoming exhibition. His project was to build a personal relationship with him, document when they hang out and present the final proof of their friendship ― dancing together at the exhibition opening. After the guard finished work, they went for dinner and drinks. As they got closer, they even went hiking together.But they never got to the level of dancing toge

July 28, 2014

A display in New York’s Times Square features Chuck Close’s “Phil” (top) and Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” (AP-Yonhap)NEW YORK (AP) ― Famous artwork is about to hit America’s streets and public places. “Art Everywhere US” is billed as the world’s largest outdoor art show. Images of American artworks will appear on billboards, bus stops, digital display boards and subway platforms. The kickoff is in New York’s Times Square on Aug. 4. The project runs through Aug. 31. The 58 works were selected af

July 27, 2014

It is early afternoon on July 14, one of the hottest days of the year so far, and I am panicked at the thought of having to ask singer Shin Hae-chul to pose in the white-hot heat in a tiny park where there would surely be gawkers. Arranging the interview, I had insisted on a photo shoot and Shin’s manager only reluctantly agreed, politely explaining that Shin usually does not do photo shoots. But Shin is cool about it. As we wait at the crosswalk opposite the park, a young female assistant holds

July 25, 2014

Sistar brings summer sounds on new EPSistar“Touch & Move” (LOEN Entertainment)Known for their sexy dance moves and powerful vocals, K-pop girl group Sistar has returned with the new summertime-inspired EP “Touch & Move.”The lead single “Touch My Body,” a dance-pop track, features a catchy and repetitive chorus, during which the four girls continuously sing “touch my body, touch my body, touch my body.” Though its cool, summery tones are at times reminiscent of Sistar’s past hit “Loving U,” “Touc

July 25, 2014

After falling on harsh public and media criticism, the country’s premiere of the much-anticipated and widely publicized ballet production of “Madama Butterfly” has been removed from the Korean National Ballet’s 2015 season lineup. On Wednesday representatives of KNB released its final lineup for next year, which does not include its originally scheduled season opener “Madama Butterfly.” A scene from Innsbruck Dance Company’s production of “Madama Butterfly.” (Credia)The Austria-based Innsbruck D

July 24, 2014

More than 30 years have passed since first-generation dancers Lee Jung-hee, Nam Jung-ho and Ahn Shin-hee performed the then post-modern interpretive dance production of “Love of Space” for the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company. Now decades later, the company is revisiting its past choreography and has invited the three original dancers to retrace their movements in their latest production “Roundabout Space,” which will be staged at the Korea Performing Arts Center on July 25 and 26.Altho

July 23, 2014

Artist Kim Ku-lim has been at the forefront of contemporary art in Korea. He has taken on unprecedented, experimental artistic practices in the conservative world of Korean art. He is the first to have tried many of the independent genres of avant-garde art. His 1970 performance in which he set fire to a vast lawn and then watched the grass grow again is the first example of land art ever practiced in Korea. His 1969 film “1/24 Seconds,” which consisted of 24 still images shown in a one-second t

July 23, 2014