Artists show cherished furniture

Gallery Hyundai showcases 60 pieces of Joseon Dynasty wooden furniture, including renowned artists’ possessionsThe wooden surface was smoothened over time until it shone like glass. The 18th-century book chest owned by Lee U-fan is among the 60 pieces of Joseon-period furniture on display at Dugahun

Aug. 25, 2011

Korean nationalism put to song in lavish ‘Hero’

NEW YORK (AP) ― Non-Korean-speaking theatergoers attending Lincoln Center’s production of “Hero: The Musical” might find themselves occasionally skipping some of the English supertitles projected high above the stage to devote more visual attention to the exorbitant onstage attractions in this lavis

Aug. 25, 2011

10 Koreans nominated for Signature Art Prize

South Korea has more entries nominated for this year’s Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize than any other nation. This is the first time Korean artists are participating in the award. Founded in 2008, the prize identifies artists for outstanding work, recognizes significant recent

Aug. 24, 2011

Seoul International Typography Biennale back after 10 years

TYPOJANCHI 2011 introduces typefaces and book designs by Korean, Chinese and Japanese artistsA biennale which explores Asian fonts and book designs has been saved at the verge of disappearing into history. “TYPOJANCHI 2011: Seoul International Typography Biennale” will be held at Seoul Arts Center’s

Aug. 23, 2011

Ceramic artist dishes out a new genre of work

Jang Lee-soo, a potter who has never made dishes before, is holding her first dish exhibition at Gallery White Birch in Suyu-dong, northern Seoul. After receiving BFA and MFA in Ceramic Art in Hongik University, the artist made creative installation works out of ceramics. It was only recently, when

Aug. 22, 2011

Questions remain over young K-pop idols’ conditions

 Sexual overtones, lack of diversity among challenges to overcomeSince the Korean pop music idol group’ concerts in June in Paris, the K-pop industry is leading a second Korean Wave around the globe. This is the last installment of the two-part series of articles looks at the bright and dark si

Aug. 22, 2011

Ex-’Gossip Girl’ star ‘too busy to shower’

Taylor Momsen, a Hollywood star from popular U.S. TV drama “Gossip Girl,” admitted that she does not wash often.Also being a singer, Momsen told the magazine Elle that she was too busy to shower due to busy schedule from her concerts. She is now on the world tour with her band “Pretty Reckless” unti

Aug. 22, 2011

Mona Lisa vanished 100 years ago

PARIS (AFP) ― It was an art heist for the ages: On Aug. 1911, the Mona Lisa vanished from the main gallery of the Louvre museum, lifted by an Italian laborer who later claimed patriotism as his only motivation.That Monday morning, at the crack of dawn, 30-year-old house painter Vincenzo Peruggia wor

Aug. 21, 2011

High wire artist Freddy Nock walked on rope

High wire artist Freddy Nock balances as he walks up on the rope of a Zugspitze cable car in Grainau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011. (AP-Yonhap News) 

Aug. 21, 2011

Is b-boying past its pinnacle?

 Lack of new b-boy generation, fewer shows signal uncertain future for break-dancingBreak-dancing has pretty much infiltrated every aspect of popular culture in Korea. People can catch breakers showcasing their hip moves on television, in musicals, competitions and ads. The arresting visual all

Aug. 19, 2011

Exhibitions

“My Motherland”: Veteran photographer Joo Myung-duck is showcasing around 130 serene black-and-white photos of Korea’s traditional houses, relics and landscapes taken in different provinces of South Korea from the 1960s to the present. It is the third and final exhibition of the Daelim Contemporary

Aug. 19, 2011

Dance

“New Concept Performing Arts Festival”: Hanguk Performing Arts Center will be staging 12 performances from Aug. 19 to Oct. 2 at Arko Arts Theater and Daehangno Arts Theater in Hyehwa-dong, central Seoul. Under the slogan “Make the Difference,” the festival aims to showcase experimental and original

Aug. 19, 2011

Festivals

“2011 Hyoseok Culture Festival”: The festival will be held from Sept. 9-18 in Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang County in Gangwon Province, to commemorate modern Korean writer Yi Hyo-seok and his popular novel “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom.” The novel depicts the connection between human life and beauty

Aug. 19, 2011

Classical Music

“TIMF Ensemble Sound on the Edge 2 - Oboe +”: Ensemble TIMF said it will showcase modern classical music featuring the oboe as part of its “Sound on the Edge” project on Sept. 7 at Ilsin Hall in Hannam-dong in Seoul. It is the second of the three-phased “Sound on the Edge” project. The performance w

Aug. 19, 2011

Pop music

“Koichi Domoto 2011 BPM in Seoul”: Koichi Domoto, a member of Japanese idol group duo Kinki Kids, will hold his first concert in Korea on Sept. 10 at the Olympic Hall. Since debut in 1997, the idol group has been actively engaging in various entertainment areas in Japan, ranging from singing to acti

Aug. 19, 2011

Theater

“Seoul Arts Center “Young Artists Opera Festival”: aspiring theater students from three universities ― Chugye University for the Arts, Dankook University, and Kyunghee University ― are to perform three well known operas for this year’s “Seoul Arts Center Young Artists Opera Festival.” While students

Aug. 19, 2011

Luke Bryan keeps party going

Luke Bryan“Tailgates & Tanlines” Capitol Records NashvilleNearly every photo of Luke Bryan shows him flashing a bright smile, and at his best, his music captures the easy-going personality that makes the Georgia native as appealing as the sing-along party songs he favors.Recently voted top new artis

Aug. 19, 2011

Two rappers’ luxury rap

Jay-Z and Kanye West, “Watch The Throne” Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Recordings/Roc NationReleased online as financial markets took a historic plunge, the full-length collaboration between Jay-Z and Kanye West revels in self-described “luxury rap.” Two of hip-hop’s biggest stars tell us in rhyme form that e

Aug. 19, 2011