Most Popular
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Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
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[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
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1 in 5 households to have breadwinner over 80 in 30 years
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Assembly to review disputed appointment of national soccer team coach
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New Fifty Fifty off to strong start
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Arrival of fall calls for more outdoor festivals
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Evicted guest burns down inn; 3 killed
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[Online Predators] Online reviews of sex tourism in Southeast Asia proliferate
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[Herald Interview] US election may unleash growth for Korea: Laffer
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Yoon's Prague visit sets stage for W24tr nuclear power plant deal
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‘Wicked’ remade with all-Korean cast
This year the global hit “Wicked” celebrates its 10th anniversary, a milestone achieved by only 10 other Broadway musicals in history. In Seoul, the milestone is being celebrated by the premiere of its Korean production, performed in Korean by an all-Korean cast. The upcoming run, opening at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul on Nov. 22, is the fifth foreign-language production of the Broadway show. “I think people respond to Wicked globally because they all have a bit of Elphaba and a bit of Glinda
Nov. 3, 2013
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Ewan McGregor to star on Broadway next year
“Trainspotting” star Ewan McGregor will make his Broadway debut next year in a revival of Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing.”Roundabout Theatre Company said Thursday that McGregor will play the unhappily married Henry in the play under the direction of Sam Gold. Previews begin next October at the American Airlines Theatre.McGregor was last seen on the stage in 2008 in London starring as Iago opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Othello at the Donmar Warehouse. He also starred alongside Jane Krakowski, Dougl
Nov. 3, 2013
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Breaking out on his own
This is the 13th in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. Translator Ary Kim contributed to this article. ― Ed.After 13 years in the underground hip-hop scene, rapper Vasco is looking for something bigger. In the next year he hopes to sign with a big label, put out a big album and be No. 1 on the Melon chart.His goal is to be successful as a mainstream artist.“Thirteen years in the underground, I’ve done it, I’ve seen it. I did everything. N
Nov. 3, 2013
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Actor breaks ground with nonverbal plays
It’s been more than 15 years since actor and theater producer Song Seung-whan’s famed nonverbal play “Nanta” premiered in Seoul in 1997, becoming a megahit over the years. Song, now 56, has put together another foreigner-friendly, nonverbal show. And it deals with, in Song’s own words, “one of the most universal events in human life” ― a wedding.The show, titled “Music Show Wedding,” premiered in Seoul last year, and went through a major revision for its second run this year. The latest version,
Nov. 1, 2013
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Nonverbal performances transcend language through acoustic innovation
Who needs drumsticks when an entire kitchen full of utensils can be used make a dynamic and creative percussion ensemble? A group of chefs grab whatever they can get their hands on ― spatulas, chopsticks, ladles, brooms and even knives ― and chop, shuck and dice out sounds in a lively musical preparation of Korean food. This is “Nanta.” The nonverbal live musical “Nanta,” the creation of famed local actor and theater producer Song Seung-whan, has set a record as Korea’s longest-running performa
Nov. 1, 2013
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When you are feeling blue
When Lee Mi-na opened her spa, “SPA THE EL” in southern Seoul in 2011, she had one goal. On top of facials and body massages, the former TV personality wanted to offer treatments for the mind. The spa specializes in special services such as color therapy and counseling, which aid in improving mood and reducing the risk of depression. Lee, who spent many years in the television industry, says she was severely depressed in high school. “I am the kind of person who cares about what others think abo
Nov. 1, 2013
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Calendar
Theater“Bungee Jumping in Their Own”: A musical adaptation of filmmaker Kim Dai-seung’s 2001 unusual romance “Bungee Jumping of Their Own” is currently being performed in Seoul. The 2001 film featured late actress Lee Eun-joo and hallyu heartthrob Lee Byung-hun, and deftly linked the themes of magic and curse of first love, reincarnation and even homosexuality. The show tells the story of a man who lost his first love to a car accident in the 1980s. The show runs until Nov. 17 at Doosan Art Cent
Nov. 1, 2013
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Eyelike: Troublemaker makes risque return
Troublemaker makes risque returnTroublemaker “Chemistry”(Universal Music) The duo that made a sensation with risque dance moves on the hit single “Troublemaker” is back with another scandalous concept, but this time in the form of an EP, “Chemistry.” The 5-track EP starts surprisingly strong with “Turn Up the Volume,” featuring a refreshing acoustic sound. Hyuna’s vocals aren’t striking, but her unique tone works well with Hyunseong’s clear voice. “There is No Tomorrow” portrays the listless l
Nov. 1, 2013
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EXO to launch exclusive TV variety show
Despite being relatively new faces in the K-pop scene, EXO has managed to expand their fan base throughout Asia and is quickly growing into one of the country’s most popular boy bands. At the height of their popularity, the 12 members will be launching their first TV variety program called “EXO’s Showtime” on MBC Every 1, the network announced on Thursday.The premise of the weekly show will be simply following the everyday lives of the young boys, who claim that for the most part, they are just
Nov. 1, 2013
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Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic to bring 21st-century dynamic to orchestral music
It has been two years since the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra visited Korea. But classical music fans here cannot get enough of the orchestra dubbed “the most powerful sound in the world.”On Nov. 11-12, the group led by Sir Simon Rattle will perform at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall staging Schumann’s Symphony No. 1; Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1; Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre du Printemps,” and Boulez’s “Notations Pour Orchestra,” as well as Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7. Celebrated violinist and
Oct. 31, 2013
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Experimental electro artist Blake wins Mercury Prize
LONDON (AFP) ― Electronica singer-songwriter James Blake won Britain’s prestigious Mercury Prize on Wednesday for his second album, “Overgrown.”The 25-year-old art-school graduate beat off competition from bookmaker’s favourite Laura Mvula, legendary singer/songwriter David Bowie and Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys to claim the 20,000 pounds ($32,000) prize at a ceremony in London.The bashful winner thanked his parents ― his father is also a musician ― for teaching him to be “self-sufficient,”
Oct. 31, 2013
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Newer, budding music acts sell out top venues
NEW YORK (AP) ― In just two years, English singer Ed Sheeran has gone from the small stage to the big league.The 22-year-old earned a gold album with his 2011 debut, “+,’’ and his Top 20 hit, “The A Team,’’ was nominated for song of the year at the Grammy Awards, but his biggest achievement comes this week: He is performing three shows at the famed Madison Square Garden. Sheeran is part of a breed of newer and lesser known acts who are able to sell out top venues, even if they aren’t pushing mil
Oct. 31, 2013
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KARA to release two new albums in Japan
Popular K-pop girl group KARA will simultaneously release a new single album and a best-of album next month, the girls' management agency said Thursday.The title of the new single is "French Kiss," a mid-tempo ballad that depicts the romantic atmosphere of a couple spending Christmas Eve together, according to the DSP Media.The best-of album, titled "Best Girls," consists of two CDs, each containing the group's Japanese and Korean-language hits.The Japanese version has 14 titles, including the g
Oct. 31, 2013
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B-boys to battle for world title
By Julie JacksonThe Red Bull BC One is the most highly acclaimed one-on-one b-boy competition in the world. The annual showdown attracts some of the world’s best breakers for a shot at the World Finals Champion title, with this year’s 10th anniversary event being held in Seoul next month. “After years of participating in this event and going all over the world to compete in the battles, finally this time it’s going to be in our country,” said local b-boy Wing at a press conference in Seoul on We
Oct. 30, 2013
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Daniel Barenboim to quit La Scala two years early
ROME (AFP) ― World-famous conductor Daniel Barenboim is to step down as musical director of Milan’s La Scala opera house two years early at the start of 2015, the theater said Monday.Stephane Lissner, superintendent of La Scala, announced Barenboim’s early departure at a meeting with unions, calling it “the end of an era.”Barenboim, who took up the post in December 2011, informed Lissner and Milan Mayor Giuliano Pisapia, who is also president of La Scala, of his intentions in a letter.Italian me
Oct. 29, 2013
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Russia picks Bolshoi star fired in acid row to run top school
MOSCOW (AFP) ― Russia on Monday appointed outspoken ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze to head its top dance school after he was dismissed by the Bolshoi in a row over an acid attack on its artistic director.Tsiskaridze, a former principal dancer at the Bolshoi, will head the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg ― one of the world’s oldest and famed for its impeccable classical technique.The theater dismissed the 39-year-old dancer in June after he gave highly critical i
Oct. 29, 2013
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Jang Kiha, Nell, IDOTAPE to play South by Southwest
Officials of DRDRamc, the talent agency for Jang Kiha and the Faces, confirmed on Tuesday that the band will be joining other local alternative bands Nell and IDOTAPE as part of the Korean artist line-up for the 2014 South By Southwest’s “K-Pop Night Out” showcase. All three bands participated in the recent MU:CON music conference that was held earlier this month and performed during the live showcases in front of fans and perspective scouts from around the globe. James Minor, the director of SX
Oct. 29, 2013
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Life is Beautiful festival takes downtown Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) ― Electric Daisy Carnival it wasn’t.But while the inaugural indie music and food festival Life is Beautiful may not have drawn the massive crowds that the electronic music event attracts to Las Vegas, organizers are still calling it a success.The two-day weekend festival sprawled over 15 blocks, with dozens of bands, including The Killers and Vampire Weekend, playing to crowds that seemed to skew a little older than a typical music festival.Blocks sometimes seemed a bit empty, and
Oct. 29, 2013
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Lang Lang waltzes into U.N. peace job
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) ― Acclaimed Chinese pianist Lang Lang said Monday he is ready to play in a conflict zone as he was named a U.N. messenger of peace.The 31-year-old virtuoso said he was “truly humbled” to become a U.N. messenger alongside the likes of actors George Clooney and Charlize Theron and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel.Lang Lang played Chopin’s Waltz No. 1 for U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon to mark his new job and was then asked whether he would be ready to go to Syria or another danger zone.“Wh
Oct. 29, 2013
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Portraits of change
The Seoul Photo Festival unveils a rare compilation of portraits of Seoul citizens that date back to 1883 as 2013 marks the 130th year since photography was first introduced in Korea. The photo exhibition that opens this Friday will feature more than 600 portraits showing behind the scenes of major historical and social events in Seoul from the Japanese colonial era (1910-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), rapid economic development (1960-1980) and diverse social aspects of today such as the shi
Oct. 28, 2013