NY subway inspires Broadway's first a capella musical

NEW YORK (AFP) -- New York's cityscape reverberates with pounding jackhammers and blaring car horns, but it’s the cacophonous subway that perhaps best epitomizes the bustling metropolis.A chorus of voices sans instrumental accompaniment will soon bring the transit system's rhythms to Broadway, the first time the famous theater district will host an a cappella show.“In Transit” brings a rather unconventional touch to the Broadway stage: in a world known for its lively orchestras and consistent vi

Nov. 28, 2016

K-pop video director charged in S. Korea's scandal

SEOUL (AFP) -- A prominent K-pop music video director was charged Sunday as part of a corruption scandal rocking South Korea and engulfing President Park Geun-hye. Cha Eun-taek, who has worked with “Gangnam Style” star Psy and boy band megastars Big Bang, used his ties to a secret confidante of Park to win lucrative projects from state agencies and private firms, prosecutors say.That confidante -- Choi Soon-sil -- has been labelled Park's eminence grise, a shadowy figure who is believed to have

Nov. 28, 2016

Moon Hee-jun, Soyul to tie the knot

Singer and TV celebrity Moon Hee-jun is set to marry Soyul, a member of Crayon Pop. The 38-year-old -- once considered a teen heartthrob in the 1990s -- revealed the news in a handwritten note on his official fan website on Thursday. He did not disclose any information regarding his fiancee at the time. “Following a platonic relationship with Soyul over the last two years, the two began dating in April,” Moon’s entertainment agency KOEN Stars said in a statement released shortly after the singer

Nov. 25, 2016

[Arts calendar] Musicals, exhibitions, concerts and more

Pop Music “Hyundai Card Curated 31 Dean with Club Eskimo”: Rhythm and blues singer-producer Dean is holding a concert with members of music movement Club Eskimo, which include rappers Crush, Punchnello and producer Millic, among others, on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Hyundai Card Understage in Itaewon. Dean has been garnering attention both inside and out of the country for his sophisticated yet soulful hip hop-infused R&B tunes. Tickets are priced at 88,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interp

Nov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Quest still on: Tribe makes prodigious return on final album

A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It from Here. Thank You 4 Your Service” (Epic) On Veteran’s Day, A Tribe Called Quest released their first album in 18 years with all four founding members -- Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi -- taking part. Phife, who called himself the “Funky Diabetic,” passed away in March from the disease. Rallying around his death, “We Got It from Here. Thank You 4 Your Service” caps off one of hip-hop’s most storied runs. The Phifer’s jovial wordplay and the t

Nov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Highly Suspect prove their rock chops on new album

Highly Suspect“The Boy Who Died Wolf” (300 Entertainment) When the rock band Highly Suspect nabbed two Grammy nominations last year, the world collectively went: “Wait, what?” They won’t do that after listening to the band’s stellar sophomore effort.“The Boy Who Died Wolf” is like a victory lap of rock, from the simple, piano-driven “Chicago” that Elton John would be proud to write, to the screaming hardcore punk of “Look Alive, Stay Alive” that might sound fine on a Black Flag greatest hits alb

Nov. 25, 2016

[Album Review] Rumer expertly cuddles Bacharach & David catalog

Rumer“This Girl’s in Love: A Bacharach & David Song Book” (Rhino Records)Rumer sprinkles moon dust over a dozen tunes from the Bacharach/David catalog, putting her smooth imprint on songs of love and heartbreak. Rumer and husband/producer Rob Shirakbari opt mostly for subtle changes in tempo or mood on tunes best known in versions by the likes of Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters and Jackie DeShannon.The album comes with Burt Bacharach’s seal of approval, the master adding piano

Nov. 25, 2016

For Kanye West, a swirling, eventful year ends in a hospital

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's been a hectic year for Kanye West. There was a new album that had a tortured, months-long release. Two fashion shows that were plagued by last-minute changes and long delays. There also was the reopening of a bitter feud with Taylor Swift, an ambitious US concert tour, a newborn son, and a harrowing robbery of his wife.“When was the last time I wasn’t in a hurry,” West asks on the song “Real Friends” from the new CD “The Life of Pablo.” On another track, West admonishes his

Nov. 25, 2016

Hyesang Park returns home to play Juliet

Rising opera star Hyesang Park is returning to South Korea to take on the role of one of the most iconic leading ladies -- Shakespeare’s Juliet. Park will be performing in the Korea National Opera’s upcoming staging of Charles Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” from Dec. 8-11. The Korean opera singer has been making waves in the international opera realm, winning numerous competition titles and even having been praised by the New York Times for her “bright, clear voice and impressive coloratura techniq

Nov. 24, 2016

Lee Hyori to make comeback next year

Singer Lee Hyori has confirmed her return to the spotlight. After denying speculations around her comeback last month, Lee -- from veteran K-pop girl group Fin K.L. -- is working with composer and producer Kim Hyung-suk on new releases, according to entertainment agency Kiwi Media Group, where Kim serves as chairman, Thursday.“Since signing on with Kiwi Media Group, Lee has begun her album production,” the company announced. “She will be collaborating with composer Kim Do-hyun, behind Lee’s hit

Nov. 24, 2016

Sechs Kies returns with new album in 16 years

First -generation K-pop band Sechs Kies has finally revealed its plans for the group’s upcoming releases. Sechs Kies, consisting of five of its six original members, will unveil its first album in 16 years next week, according to YG Entertainment. The 10-track album, titled “2016 Re-Album” is a compilation of some of Sech Kies’ biggest hits, rearranged and remastered with a fresh and modern twist.  Since appearing on MBC’s popular variety show “Infinite Challenge” earlier this year, the boy band

Nov. 24, 2016

Latin American art sells for nearly $23m at Christie's auction

NEW YORK (AFP) -- Christie’s on Wednesday wrapped up one of its biggest auctions of Latin American art at $22.7 million, with seven Cuban painters drawing record prices as interest in the region's artists climbs.In a two-day sale, Christie’s auctioned nearly 300 lots of five major private collections. Although the total came in below the expected $30 million, it was still one of the auction house's largest takes for Latin American art. “There were strong results for the collection of Cuban works

Nov. 24, 2016

K-pop groups soar on Billboard World Albums Chart

K-pop stars are finishing off the year with strong rankings on global music charts. Boy band BTS and rookie girl group Black Pink have ranked among the top 10 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart for the most recent week, dated Dec. 3, with their latest releases. Since releasing their second full-length album, “Wings,” last month, BTS has garnered wide international attention with the album’s lead track “Blood Sweat & Tears.”Four-member group Black Pink -- the winner of the Best New Artist Award at

Nov. 23, 2016

Kanye West is hospitalized in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kanye West has been hospitalized in Los Angeles after abruptly canceling the last 21 dates of his national tour.E! News, which is part of the E! network that airs the Kardashian family reality show and its spinoffs, reported that West was hospitalized Monday afternoon after his personal doctor called 911. A rep for the E! network said Tuesday that E! cameras were not filming when the 911 call was made and that they are not filming at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where W

Nov. 23, 2016

Artday to hold November auction

Herald Artday, a subsidiary of Herald Corp., is holding an online auction from Nov. 25 to 29, presenting major works of art by contemporary Korean and international artists. The art auction will feature numerous artworks of renowned artists including Lee Wal-jong’s “The Middle of Jeju Life.” The collection also includes Korea’s pioneering abstract artist Ryu Kyung-chai’s paintings, Lim Jik-soon’s European-inspired “Sunrise” and other works by contemporary artists, including Eva Armisen, Takashi

Nov. 23, 2016

[Herald Review] Artist Yoo Young-kuk’s paintings brought to life online

A man of solitude and routine, the late artist Yoo Young-kuk devoted more than seven hours to his art every day. Even at the age of 60, he continued to focus on honing the basic techniques of painting.Celebrating Yoo’s centennial, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung has partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to showcase his paintings in cyberspace as well as the physical museum.Born in 1916 in North Gyeongsang Province and educated in Tokyo, Yoo is best known for

Nov. 22, 2016

YG artists not attending 2016 MAMA

YG Entertainment artists will not be attending the annual Mnet Asian Music Awards next week in Hong Kong.“Since the online vote (for MAMA nominees) is currently open until Dec. 1, there is no way to know the outcome at this moment,” the management agency told local media. “However, even if (YG artists) are among the selected, it will be difficult for them to prepare for performances slated for next weekend.” The company also revealed that its musicians will be focusing on upcoming year-end conce

Nov. 22, 2016

Decline of the pop-star audition program

During its early years, singing audition program “Superstar K” gave birth to a host of pop stars such as Seo In-gook and Park Bo-ram, and the folk rock band Busker Busker, whose songs still top music charts annually.　Now about to wrap up its eighth season, however, the show seems to be flailing amid a sea of music variety shows boasting fresh new formats. Its most recent episode, which aired Thursday on tvN and Mnet, grabbed a meager viewership of 1.5 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. Chief p

Nov. 22, 2016