Olymic fencer Shin in OFFROAD’s M/V

2012 London Olympics silver medalist Shin A-lam appears in new idol group OFFROAD’s music video, according to the band’s agency Inwoo Production on Wednesday. “Shin participated in the music video of OFFROAD’s debut single ‘Bebop,’” said the agency, adding that “she presented fencing moves with elegance and a beautiful smile, which enhanced the quality of the video.” OFFROAD is a five-member boy band. Its members include G.I, KINO, Si-hwan, RIO and Seung-hoon. The band’s song “Bebop” is playful

Sept. 19, 2012

TVXQ set for comeback

Hallyu boy band TVXQ is making a comeback with a new song “Catch Me,” S.M. Entertainment announced Wednesday. The boy band will release its album via online music sharing websites including Genie, Melon and Naver Music on Sept. 24. The album will be released in hard copy on Sept. 26.The album’s title piece, “Catch Me,” has a trendy Dutch electronic sound in harmony with an orchestra, and dubstep beats. The song is about a proud and self-centered man saying good-bye to his lover, but secretly beg

Sept. 19, 2012

R.ef to return after 8 years

One of the most famous K-pop groups of the 1990s, R.ef is making a comeback with a new single “It’s R.ef” on Sept. 25.The newest record will be the band’s first in eight years since the members ― Seong Dae-hyeon, Lee Seong-wook and Park Cheol-wu ― got back together in 2004. Park did not join in for the recording of the new single. “The group put all its effort and worked the hardest for this album, which will be released after an eight-year break. The two will try to show their best for the fans

Sept. 19, 2012

IU on Billboard‘s top 21 list for underage musicians

South Korean singer IU claimed the 15th spot on the U.S. Billboard’s “21 Under 21: Music‘s Hottest Minors 2012” list, according to the magazine. Billboard, an international newsweekly magazine devoted to the music industry, said the 19-year-old singer “affectionately known as the nation’s ‘little sister,’” became a bona fide superstar this year for her “unique charm and undeniable hits.”It said the singer‘s reign began with the release of her comeback single “You and I,” the No. 1 song of Billbo

Sept. 19, 2012

‘Gangnam Style’ offers social commentary

South Korean rapper PSY's ``Gangnam Style'' video has more than 200 million YouTube views and counting, and it's easy to see why. No Korean language skills are needed to enjoy the chubby, massively entertaining performer's crazy horse-riding dance, the song's addictive chorus and the video's exquisitely odd series of misadventures. Beneath the antic, funny surface of his world-conquering song, how

Sept. 19, 2012

Winslow Homer’s Maine studio opening to public

SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) ― The studio where painter Winslow Homer derived inspiration on Maine’s craggy coast and produced some of his most notable seascapes isn’t heated by wood or illuminated by oil lamps the way it was in Homer’s day.But in most other ways, the studio has now been restored to what it was like when Homer lived there, from 1883 until his death in 1910, following a multiyear, $2.8-million restoration by the Portland Museum of Art.With the renovation complete, the museum will begi

Sept. 18, 2012

Royal history revived through art

Deoksugung Project breathes new life into desolate royal bedchamber, garden and buildingsThe turbulent royal history of late Joseon period seemed to have faded in memories of visitors to Deoksugung. But this fall, the royal history is revived by Korean contemporary artists, who shed light on both happy and unfortunate days of the palace. Through the Deoksugung Project, organized by the National Museum of Modern Art, Korea and Deoksugung Office of the Cultural Heritage Administration, 12 artists

Sept. 18, 2012

Keane expects ‘lots of energy’ again from Korean audience

For Keane, an English alternative rock band, the explosive energy from the Korean audience was something that forced them to come back. “The audience was amazing! I don’t know how they survived the heat, but they were singing along and giving us lots of energy, so I hope it will be the same,” said Richard Hughes, drummer of Keane, in an email interview with The Korea Herald. The four-member band holds its first solo concert on Sept. 24 at Handball Stadium at Olympic Park in Seoul.  The band visi

Sept. 18, 2012

Artist Koo Dong-hee awarded Hermes Foundation Art Award

Artist Koo Dong-hee has been chosen the winner of the 13th Hermes Foundation Art Award. The art award, launched in 2000 in Korea, aims to contribute to the development of Korean art by supporting Korean artists. Koo was selected among three finalists including Jackson Hong and Lee Mi-kyung, whose works are also on exhibit at Hermes Atelier inside the Maison Hermes Dosan Park in Seoul. The Hermes Foundation presented Kim with an award of 20 million won ($18,000) and a plaque last Thursday. Koo wo

Sept. 17, 2012

"Gangnam Style" goes viral: A to Z

 ‘Gangnam Style’ offers social commentarySouth Korean rapper PSY's ``Gangnam Style'' video has more than 200 million YouTube views and counting, and it's easy to see why. No Korean language skills are needed to enjoy the chubby, massively entertaining performer's crazy horse-riding dance, the song's addictive chorus and the video's exquisitely odd series of misadventures. Beneath the antic, funny

Sept. 17, 2012

‘Han,’ the origin of Korean dance

Korea’s traditional dance troupe re-stages its 1984 original repertoire ‘Madam Domi’There have been a lot of efforts by local ballet troupes to create and promote original performances, mostly based on Korea’s traditional folktales. The Korean National Ballet’s “The Love of Chunhyang” and Universal Ballet Company’s “Shimchung” are some of the successful examples, blending ballet movements and Korea’s traditional sentiments.Outside the ballet scene, however, developing original repertoire has bee

Sept. 16, 2012

Calendar

Exhibitions“The 2012 Korea International Art Fair”: The 11th art fair highlights Latin American art featuring a total of 84 artists from 14 galleries, offering a glimpse into the Latin American art scene. It also presents a diverse selection of artworks from major art galleries in Korea and overseas. Lectures on Latin American art and Korean contemporary art are open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. VIP lectures on art collaboration, art investment and trends are planned as well

Sept. 14, 2012

Eyelike

Bob Dylan’s ‘Tempest’ one of year’s bestBob Dylan“Tempest” (Columbia)“Tempest” is no doubt the best album you’ll ever hear from a 71-year-old.If that sounds like damning Bob Dylan with faint praise, rest assured this is one of the best discs you’ll hear by anyone this year, at any age. Rather, the point is made to marvel at the vitality of a man who’s been making albums for 50 years and still manages to be relevant.　 Bob Dylan has led his fans, and the entire music community, on many journeys ov

Sept. 14, 2012

Pop legend Elton John to hold concerts in Korea

British singer-songwriter Elton John is coming to Korea in November to hold concerts in Seoul and Busan, promoters in Seoul said Friday.The pop legend will perform at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul on Nov. 27 and at BEXCO in Busan on Nov. 29. The two concerts are a part of his world tour titled “40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man Tour,” Access Entertainment said in a press release. Before coming to Korea, he will perform in Australia, China and Hong Kong. This is his first concert in Seou

Sept. 14, 2012

Unlikely Korean pop star conquers the U.S. -- 'Gangnam Style'

(YouTube)A chubby thirty-something with wacky dance moves, Park Jae-Sang falls far short of the prettified, teenage ideal embodied by the stars of South Korea's phenomenally successful K-pop industry.But Park, known as "Psy," has succeeded where the industry-manufactured girl and boy bands have tried and failed, making a huge splash on the mainstream U.S. music scene thanks to a viral video and a

Sept. 13, 2012

Disabled musicians from Korea, U.K. hold charity concert in London

Musicians with physical disabilities from Korea and the United Kingdom jointly held a series of concerts in London last week to celebrate the 2012 Paralympics, a Korean charity organization said on Wednesday.Under the title “Beautiful Concert, Beautiful World,” artists from the two countries expressed a message of hope for a world free of discrimination, through the universal language of music, it added.The two-day concert was held at different venues ― at London University’s Beveridge Hall on S

Sept. 12, 2012