[Band Uprising] The undone story of 3rd Line Butterfly

As the Korean music market is beginning 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 first installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.There is nothing garish about the members of 3rd Line Butterfly. No frantic gallivanting across the stage, no smashing guitars, no outlandish stage outfits; just their music coupled with a very mystical voice. Na

March 2, 2014

Eyelike: Girls’ Generation returns with ‘Mr. Mr.’

 Girls’ Generation returns with ‘Mr. Mr.’Girls’ Generation “Mr. Mr.” (KT Music)Iconic K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation made a much-anticipated return to the music scene on Monday with their fourth EP “Mr. Mr.” Given the group’s popularity and news that renowned producers and songwriters The Underdogs and Lindy Robbins participated in the production of the six-track album, many had high hopes for the return of the nine girls.Unfortunately, though it definitely has a few strong tracks, the group

Feb. 28, 2014

Rachael Yamagata, Emi Meyer to stage concert in Hongdae

Rachael Yamagata(left), Emi MeyerNew York-based singer-songwriters Rachael Yamagata and Emi Meyer will perform together in Seoul in March.Yamagata and Meyer will give their collaborative performance on March 12 at the YES24 Move Hall in Hongdae, northwest Seoul. Concert organizer Southern Star Entertainment said the concert would allow them to perform in a more intimate atmosphere than usual. Pop-jazz artist Emi Meyer ― who is half-American and half-Japanese ― is a highly acclaimed artist in the

Feb. 28, 2014

Gum Nanse hopes to be remembered as public conductor

Classical musicians often yearn to conduct a big-name orchestra to become a maestro. But that was not goal of renowned Korean conductor Gum Nanse.“My philosophy is to become a conductor for the public rather than one who conducted a great orchestra or conducted it in a great concert hall,” Gum said in a recent interview with The Herald Business, the sister paper of The Korea Herald. Gum, 67, is currently the CEO and artistic director of Euro-Asian Corp., which owns the Eurasian Philharmonic Orch

Feb. 28, 2014

U.S. DJ hopes to bring more rappers to Korea

This may have been DJ Phalse ID’s first time in Korea, but he assured it wouldn’t be his last. The 25-year-old performed at Club Circle in Songtan, Gyeonggi Province, and Lucidream in Itaewon over the weekend and said he already had plans to return next month.“We’re already working on it,” he said.Growing up in Washington, D.C., DJ Phalse ID played multiple instruments, would make mixtapes for friends for $5 each in middle school, and in high school helped out his aunt at the radio station where

Feb. 28, 2014

Paintings reflect childhood experiences

Paintings by French American artist Jean-Marie Haessle are often compared to those by abstract expressionists Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Haessle’s all-over paintings, which spread colors over the whole canvas without emphasizing a certain point, exude spontaneity, rapidness and primitive energy that his contemporaries strive to express. “I am me. I have both French and American side in me. I try to be both. Certainly my central color is French,” said Haessle during an interview with

Feb. 27, 2014

2NE1 tops major music charts with new album ‘Crush’

Popular K-pop girl group 2NE1 has returned to the music scene ― and with a powerful force.The four-member hip-hop-infused girl group released their sophomore studio album “Crush” on Thursday, immediately sweeping all local real-time music charts.The title track “Come Back Home” topped the music charts of major online music services such as Melon, Bugs Music, Naver Music, Daum Music, Cyworld Music, Soribada and Monkey3. “Gotta Be You,” another title track, trailed behind closely at second place.

Feb. 27, 2014

JYP Entertainment launching auditions only for teens

Representatives at JYP Entertainment, one of the country’s leading talent agencies, have announced plans to hold an audition session this year exclusively for teenagers. JYP is home to a number of popular K-pop idol groups and is looking for young hopefuls to fill the shoes of these successful acts and ensure the future of the agency. “2PM, 2AM, Wonder Girls, miss A, GOT7 and others are all K-pop stars who are not only popular in Korea but are loved internationally as well and we are looking to

Feb. 26, 2014

Discover up-and-coming artists at art fairs

With spring just around the corner, the Korean art market is welcoming the new season with the opening of art fairs, offering both novice and seasoned collectors a chance to discover latest emerging artists or add to their existing collections. The Korea Galleries Art Fair, hosted by the Galleries Association of Korea, which was founded in 1976, will be held from March 6-9 at Coex, presenting artworks of both emerging and established artists that each gallery represents. The art fair showcases m

Feb. 26, 2014

KNCDC opens season with ‘Bul-Ssang’

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is opening its 2014 season with “Bul-Ssang,” a 2009 piece choreographed by the troupe’s artistic director Ahn Ae-soon. The dance is known for its use of pop art Buddha statues and choreography that combines traditional dance and martial arts from different Asian countries including China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia.It premiered at Seoul’s LG Arts Center in 2009, and was staged again at Hoam Art Hall in 2010. The piece was also featured at last year’s

Feb. 25, 2014

Jung Mina looks to usher in modernized sounds of the gayageum

Ever since musician Jung Mina started learning to play the gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument, at 12 years old, she knew then it would play a significant role in her life and career. With the aspiration of using the sounds of the gayageum with a modern-day twist, Jung differentiates herself from other classical gayageum players as well as solo folk singers by pairing her voice with the non-traditional techniques of playing while singing contemporary music. “I think it’s obvious tha

Feb. 25, 2014

Roy Kim to release sophomore album under CJ E&M

Singer-songwriter and “Superstar K4” winner Roy Kim has signed with CJ E&M and will release his sophomore studio album this fall, according to the company.Roy Kim, currently a student at Georgetown University in the United States, is in the process of preparing his upcoming album while pursuing his studies. Kim is slated to return to the Korean music scene later this year equipped with a new album and concert schedule, said CJ E&M.“We understand and respect Kim’s situation. We will support him t

Feb. 25, 2014

‘Tick Tick Boom’: The Hives to perform first concert in Korea

Popular Swedish rock band The Hives, credited for being a driving force in re-introducing garage rock to the 21st century music scene, will perform a live concert for the first time in Korea in April. The Hives ― with band members Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous ― first formed more than 20 years ago in the small town of Fagersta, Sweden. In 1994 the bandmates, eager to revitalize the garage band movement, released their firs

Feb. 24, 2014

More rumors regarding g.o.d.’s comeback

Veteran K-pop boy group g.o.d is gearing up for a return to the music scene, as fresh rumors circulate about a potential reunion.Amid talks that all of the g.o.d members have agreed to reunite and some have finished recording a new song by renowned Korean producer duo Double Kick, news outlets recently reported that g.o.d is slated to make an official comeback in March.In response, officials close to the members have denied claims of an official return so soon, saying that nothing has been carve

Feb. 24, 2014

Girls’ Generation unveils new album on iTunes

South Korean pop group Girls’ Generation released its long-awaited new album on online music services worldwide on Tuesday.“Mr.Mr.,” the fourth EP album from the group, was put on iTunes and local music services such as Melon and Naver Music at 5 p.m. The six tracks include the title track by famous American music production duo “The Underdogs.” After officially releasing the album in record stores on Thursday, the band plans to resume local broadcasting activities with cable TV network Mnet’s m

Feb. 24, 2014

Witnessing modern Korea through a lens

When photographer Kim Nyung-man was standing in the photo line, watching President Bill Clinton greeting media artist Nam June Paik, he sensed something was going to happen and pressed the shutter-release button instinctively. Paik’s pants fell down, and the people around him failed to notice for a brief second. What Kim captured shows former President Clinton maintaining a smile at Paik, whose pants are down around his ankles, while two guards in the background look unmoved by what has just hap

Feb. 23, 2014