[Band Uprising] Music for after lights out

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 17th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.Attempting to capture nocturnal sounds with a new identity, the former teen punk rock band Rocket Diary reintroduced itself as We Are The Night.After debuting as the punk band Rocket Diary in 2005 and performing togethe

June 22, 2014

[Weekender] Calendar

Dance“Don Quixote”: Following the Korean National Ballet’s staging of Swan Lake this past April, the company is gearing up to present it latest production, a resurrection of Marius Petipa’s classical tale of humor, “Don Quixote.” Based on the eponymous novel by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, the ballet version first made its premiere more than 260 years ago in the 18th century and has since become one of the ballet world’s most beloved comical productions. “Don Quixote” will run from June 2

June 20, 2014

Eyelike: Lena Park fuses fresh sounds on new EP

Lena Park fuses fresh sounds on new EPLena Park“Syncrofusion”(Loen Entertainment)Female vocalist Lena Park, best known for her powerful and moving ballads, has returned with the upbeat three-track EP “Syncrofusion,” featuring a fresh style and sounds that fuse electronic and pop-rock melodies with Park’s distinctive vocals.The lead single “Double Kiss,” an energetic and exuberant dance track, deviates drastically from Park’s usual musical style. Decorated by funky guitar riffs played by Paul Jac

June 20, 2014

When a play transcends the theater

A Japanese play that evoked sympathy from spectators in Japan by probing the distrust and injustice revealed in the wake of the 2011 tsunami and the resulting Fukushima nuclear disaster will be staged until July 5 at the Doosan Art Center’s Space 111 in Seoul.“Haisui no Koto (Remote Backwater Island),” which opened last week and is directed by Kim Jae-yeop, is set in the aftermath of the disaster, which claimed over 16,000 lives.The play was originally written and directed by Tokyo-based Akhito

June 19, 2014

Combining head and heart

This is the fifth in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.For Oh Yeri, music was a calling she just couldn’t ignore. She grew up in the church and was in her church band, but she never really thought of it as a career she could pursue. However, it was more than just a hobby.“It’s more of a way of life. A natural medium for me to really express who I am. And my thoughts and feelings,” the 27-year-old singer said. So

June 19, 2014

Korea seen through eyes of foreign artists

Czech artist Klega noticed vegetables growing in every available plot of land in Seoul ― even in the narrow space between the old royal palace property and sidewalks. The sight piqued his interest, and he photographed vegetable gardens scattered across two bustling cities, Seoul and Incheon. Titled “Allotments,” the 15-photograph series on the petite gardens is one of the works by foreign artists living and working in Korea currently on display at Seoul Museum of Art.The works expose those aspec

June 19, 2014

Psy lights up Gangnam with World Cup street cheering concert

International K-pop sensation Psy helped cheer on South Korea in its first World Cup match against Russia with a concert in Gangnam, Seoul, on Wednesday morning. On a special stage set up in front of the Coex convention center, Psy put on a heated performance starting at 6 a.m. for some 20,000 people who had gathered to root for South Korea, which drew 1-1.“I will cheer with the loudest voice in the world. ... If we get tired, we lose. If we go crazy, we win!” said Psy as he took the stage decke

June 18, 2014

Chin Un-suk’s concertos available on CD

Three concertos of composer Chin Un-suk, played by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with maestro Chung Myung-hwun, are now available on CD. The Deutsche Grammophon album, which was globally released Tuesday, features the Korean artist’s compositions for three different instruments ― piano, cello and the Chinese mouth organ or “sheng.” It is the world’s first recording of the works. The featured soloists are Kim Sun-wook on piano, Alban Gerhardt on cello and Wu Wie on sheng. Composer Chin Un-suk (rig

June 18, 2014

2NE1’s ‘Crush’ makes U.S. TV’s best albums list

The latest album by South Korean girl group 2NE1 was among the world’s top 25 albums selected by an American cable music channel, according to the television’s website.Fuse TV said Monday the band’s second full-length album “Crush” was included in its best albums of 2014 together with such big-name artists as Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Pharrell Williams and Michael Jackson.The channel cited “Come Back Home,” “Baby I Miss You” and “Gotta Be You” as major tracks on the album.Released in February, the

June 18, 2014

[Herald Interview] Rapper San E living his dream

It appears that the sky is the limit for rapper San E, who is still scoring hit after hit despite his decision last year to leave JYP Entertainment, one of the nation’s top management agencies.After joining popular hip-hop label Brand New Music shortly after his departure from JYPE, the artist released a single “Story of Someone I Know,” which topped local music charts. His newest single “A Midsummer Night’s Sweetness,” a duet with After School’s Raina, also claimed the No. 1 spot upon its relea

June 18, 2014

‘Star Wars’ droid builders bring galaxy down to earth

Most people just have cars, bikes and lawn mowers in their garage. George Westwater has a droid.As in R2-D2. As in “Star Wars.” As in ...“Whoa! Where’d you get that thing?”With “Star Wars: Episode VII” now shooting, every tidbit of news about the iconic franchise flies across social media and the Internet at light speed.Fan-built droids are part of the frenzy. Costing more than $16,000, the Lenexa, Kansas, man’s R2 is no dime-store copy. Though you could believe he got it at a George Lucas estat

June 18, 2014

A ballet to tickle the funny bone

Though it was written during the time of Shakespeare, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” is still considered one of the greatest literary works ever written. The Korean National Ballet is following up its April staging of “Swan Lake” with its latest production of “Don Quixote” ― a resurrection of Marius Petipa’s choreographed classic tale of adventure and humor based on the eponymous novel.The ballet made its premiere more than 260 years ago and has since become one of the ballet

June 17, 2014

Portraying ‘life and time’ for 30 years

Zhang Xiaogang is one of the most successful living Chinese artists, with his works setting records at international auctions. His famous “Bloodline ― Big Family” sold for HK$94.2 million ($12 million) at the Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in April last year. The artist, who led the unprecedented growth of the Chinese art market in the 2000s, is now looking back on his 30-year art career. “It’s hard to sum up my 30-year art career in one word. But if I have to explain, the retrospective is about

June 17, 2014

Korea’s World Cup chant owned by Shin Hae-chul, singer’s agency claims

South Koreans are known for their immense zeal for soccer. And come every World Cup season, the nation unites to cheer for the national team together, shouting the now-familiar chant: “Dae-Han-Min-Guk (Republic of Korea)!” followed by five claps. For those wondering how the cheer came into existence, it has been disclosed that the signature chant was taken from a song titled “Into the Arena” by singer Shin Hae-chul. Shin wrote the song at the request of the nation’s official soccer fan club Red

June 17, 2014

[Herald Review] Kim Joo-won reprises role of Giselle in compelling performance

Encompassing nearly every aspect of human emotion ― love, joy, agony and tortuous regret leading to an ultimate scene of forgiveness ― it’s no wonder why “Giselle” is one of the most popularly reprised and haunting ballet masterpieces of the Romantic era. A young peasant girl with a weak heart, both figuratively and literally, is caught in a love triangle between fellow villager Hilarion and the handsome Albrecht. Yet, even with Hilarion’s full-hearted confession of love to Giselle, the emotiona

June 16, 2014

[Herald Review] Fiery performances electrify Ultra Music Festival

Over 100,000 EDM fans and music lovers came out to Olympic Stadium at Sports Complex in Seoul last weekend for the heart-thumping beats produced by the world’s top DJs at this year’s Ultra Music Festival Korea.On Friday and Saturday, the entire ground floor of the Olympic arena was transformed into the nation’s largest outdoor club. Spread out over four stages, thousands of festival attendees enjoyed an array of electronica music delivered by big-name DJs including Steve Angello, Above & Beyond,

June 16, 2014