Jeff Bridges is country solid

Jeff Bridges“Jeff Bridges” Blue NoteIf Bad Blake, the boozy country singer Jeff Bridges played in 2009’s “Crazy Heart,” could make albums, he may have made something like “Jeff Bridges.” The actor’s self-titled album is decidedly country, at once sad and hopeful, laced with heartfelt harmonies and s

Aug. 19, 2011

Dipping into India’s divine

The National Folk Museum of Korea showcases Indian deities and spiritsFrom Bollywood to its rich religious customs, India is the place to visit for anyone who wants to experience both cultural heritage and entertainment in South Asia.And its Hindu religion, among many other faiths, attracts countles

Aug. 18, 2011

Veteran photographer’s tender glance at his motherland

Finale of Daelim Contemporary Art Museum’s four-year-long project on Joo Myung-duck showcases over 830 photos A photo shows an empty room in a Gyeongju “hanok,” or Korean traditional house, where everything, even time, seems to be still. In another photo, a wooden gate is left open, as if someo

Aug. 17, 2011

U.S. authorities recover stolen Rembrandt

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― U.S. authorities have recovered a 17th century sketch by Dutch master Rembrandt, snatched over the weekend from a private art display at a luxury California hotel while a curator was momentarily distracted by someone who seemed interested in buying another piece.The Los Angeles Co

Aug. 17, 2011

Every Single Day draw hallyu fans through drama tunes

While idol-centered K-pop has been heavily covered by the media, the Korean indie scene has received relatively little attention. This is the seventh installment of a series of interviews shedding light on the scene. ― Ed.Rock trio Every Single Day is one of the first-generation Hongdae indie bands

Aug. 17, 2011

K-pop group B2ST denied entry in Japan on visa issue

K-pop group B2ST returned to Seoul Tuesday after the band was denied entry at Haneda International Airport in Japan because of visa problems, according to reports.The South Korean boy band couldn’t pass through immigration desks and were put on standby for over eight hours. They were denied entry fo

Aug. 17, 2011

Asian Culture Week to connect artists and people in region

Asian Culture Week, which kicks off on Aug. 22 in Gwangju, will celebrate diverse Asian culture by bringing artists and people of Asia together for a seven-day cultural bash, the Culture Ministry announced on Tuesday.The festival is a part of the government’s “Hub City of Asian Culture” project, whi

Aug. 16, 2011

Move over Santa, Gaga is taking over the workshop

NEW YORK (AP) ― Christmas is getting a makeover ― Lady Gaga style: The singer and her team are going to reinterpret Santa’s workshop and put it on display at Barneys. She’ll get an entire floor and take over the coveted windows starting in mid-November at the retailer’s flagship Madison Avenue

Aug. 16, 2011

Hunt for good stuff at ‘Good Market in Songdo’

 A market where visitors can enjoy shopping, a charity auction and concert will be held this weekend at Songdo International Business District in Incheon Free Economic Zone, Gyeonggi Province. Titled “Good Market in Songdo,” the major community festival is designed to encourage both locals and

Aug. 16, 2011

During ‘Elvis Week,’ fans remember pivotal year

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) ― Elvis Presley fans love an anniversary.Every year, thousands of Elvis devotees flock to Memphis to remember the singer’s death on Aug. 16, 1977. The main event of “Elvis Week” is the solemn candlelight vigil at Graceland, his longtime home, at midnight Tuesday.This year, fa

Aug. 15, 2011

Help kids find values in music: El Sistema teacher

Susan Siman, a Venezuelan violinist, conductor and teacher of “El Sistema” said orchestral music can teach children important values that are quickly disappearing in modern society. El Sistema, or The System, is a music education program in Venezuela dedicated to teaching juvenile delinquents and ch

Aug. 14, 2011

The exquisite torture of playing King Lear

NEW YORK (AP) ― On a “King Lear” day, the torture starts early in the morning for Greg Hicks.Even before the actor opens his eyes in his hotel room, the lines of Shakespeare’s great play come coursing through his brain like some dastardly internal alarm clock, more fiendish than any real one. And th

Aug. 14, 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. 12, 2011

Theater

“Temptation of Wolf”: Based on Guiyeoni’s 2004 novel of the same title, the musical “Temptation of Wolf” spiced up the story about high school students’ love and friendship with today’s hit songs by top idol groups like Girls’ Generation, TVXQ, SHINee, and also ‘90s K-pop groups like S.E.S. and GOD.

Aug. 12, 2011

Pop Music

“Lee Seung-hwan, The Regrets”: Pop and rock singer-songwriter Lee Seung-hwan will hold solo concert ”The Regrets” on Sept. 18 at Olympic Park’s Subyeon outdoor stage. The 46-year-old has released more than 10 different studio albums and extended plays since his debut in 1996. in He will be collabora

Aug. 12, 2011

Festivals

“The 14th Bucheon International Comics Festival”: The 14th Bucheon International Comics Festival will take place from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Established in 1998, the festival has been aiming to discover and support new talents in the Korean cartoon industry. This year, the

Aug. 12, 2011

Classical Music

“Hyundai Capital Invitational Jo Su-mi Park Concert”: Hyundai Capital is to hold an Invitational Jo Su-mi Park Concert on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at an outdoor stage of the Olympic Park’s 88 Jandi Madang. Since 2007, the financial company has been holding its Invitational performance series. Last year, B

Aug. 12, 2011

Cellist Chang aims to ‘share’ music by conducting

Dressed in a formal ensemble with her signature short hair, world-renowned cellist Chang Han-na looked more than enthusiastic to share her music for her upcoming musical bash.“When I played cello, I practiced alone and performed alone. It’s a lonely job,” Chang told reporters during a press conferen

Aug. 11, 2011