Most Popular
-
1
Yoon, Fiala seek wider range of cooperation beyond nuclear energy
-
2
40% of Korea's workers who reported bullying faced retaliation: survey
-
3
Over 82,000 Korean young people unemployed, not searching for job long-term
-
4
600 evacuated as heavy rain floods roads, homes in southern regions
-
5
[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
-
6
Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
-
7
S. Korea, Czech Republic to increase direct flights
-
8
[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products
-
9
S. Korea to inject $37m in joint R&D projects with Czech Republic
-
10
Jeju's solo traveler-friendly spots offer solitude as well as camaraderie
-
BTS makes splash with new album
K-pop boy band Bangtan Boys, or BTS, had a strong first day back in the spotlight. Returning with its second full-length album, “Wings,” this week, the group has already topped charts at home and abroad. Released Monday morning, the 15-track album soon dominated eight major local music charts -- MelOn, Mnet, Olleh Music, Soribada, Genie, Bugs, Naver Music and Monkey3 -- according to BTS’ management agency Big Hit Entertainment on Monday.Garnering the attention of international fans, “Wings” also
Oct. 10, 2016
-
As China rises, top-selling painter looks to his roots
BEIJING (AFP) -- Blue-chip Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi built up a lucrative career by looking to the West for inspiration and buyers, but a new retrospective in Beijing reveals an unlikely turn back toward China’s own aesthetics and traditions.It is a story increasingly common in the world’s second largest economy, where and growing disillusionment with material wealth has sent a generation in search of a heritage lost. Zeng is China’s second best-selling living artist, according to wealth publis
Oct. 10, 2016
-
Korean film directors, critics say BIFF's fight for artistic freedom will go on
The standoff over the Busan film festival's "artistic freedom" may appear to have ended with the opening of this year's festival but what lies beneath is film groups' fiercer fight for the freedom, film critics and directors said Sunday. The 21st edition of the festival kicked off in Busan on Thursday featuring 299 films from 69 countries around the world, a scale that is not conspicuously smaller than past events. It, however, became a lackluster festival without the presence of stellar Korean
Oct. 9, 2016
-
[Herald Interview] American concert booker Tom Windish talks finding talent in Korean music scene
The annual MU:CON Seoul is an internationally collaborated music marketing event consisting of showcasing and expanding the networking systems of up-and-coming local Korean artists. Inviting along some of the global music world’s most influential figures in the field of recording, producing and promoting, this year’s conference may have held the key for a select few Korean artists to make their big break overseas. Looking to network and find standout local talents was none other than Tom Windis
Oct. 9, 2016
-
10cm to release new album
Korean indie duo 10cm is getting ready for its return to the spotlight. Consisting of vocalist Kwon Jeong-yeol and guitarist Yoon Cheol-jong, 10cm will be releasing a new singles album next week, according to its production company Magic Strawberry Sound on Friday morning. Named after the two members’ height difference, the duo made its debut with the mini album “10cm The First EP” in 2010. Since then, the group has produced a number of hit tracks, such as “Americano,” “Fine Thank You and You?
Oct. 7, 2016
-
Sechs Kies releases new single, tops charts
Legendary K-pop group Sechs Kies has returned with a bang. After performing the group’s latest single “Three Words” during its two-day sold-out concert last month in Seoul, Sechs Kies released the track on local music platforms on Friday at midnight. The boy band’s first release in 16 years, the song topped not only all major local music charts -- MelOn, Mnet, Olleh Music, Soribada, Genie, Bugs, Naver Music and Monkey3 -- but also one of China’s largest music streaming platforms QQ Music and g
Oct. 7, 2016
-
[Album Review] Sober mood dominates new Drive-By Truckers album
Drive-By Truckers“American Band”(ATO Records)The Drive-By Truckers are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year in a grave mood. The cover art of an American flag at half-staff is a tip-off.The liberal-leaning Southern rockers who have long struggled to both celebrate their roots and recognize its bitter past have delivered a sober new album with a withering view of today's South.The often-gloomy but vitally important “American Band” sees the Truckers weigh in strongly on such issues as poli
Oct. 7, 2016
-
[Album Review] Smooth grooves rule on Herb Alpert's 'Human Nature'
“Human Nature”(Herb Alpert Presents)Why mess with success?Pop-jazz trumpeter Herb Alpert has sold records by the truckload since the 1960s, and if his easy-listening style has become a byword for elevator music, that doesn’t make it any less influential.The 81-year-old founder of the Tijuana Brass returns with an album -- his fourth in three years -- featuring original compositions alongside tracks by songwriters including Burt Bacharach, seasoned with a light sprinkling of electronic dance musi
Oct. 7, 2016
-
[Album Review] Bon Iver delivers offbeat, self-conscious art
Bon Iver“22, A Million”(Jagjaguwar)Some weirdness pervades the release of “22, A Million,” the third album by Bon Iver -- symbols, images and liner notes that feel like they're fraught with meaning. Some of it might be nonsense.But then there’s the music.An adventurous journey in sound, “22, A Million” is never dull. Altered voices, the familiar falsetto of Bon Iver's mastermind, Justin Vernon, and acoustic and electronic shape-shifting stretch the conventional boundaries of song.The album “is p
Oct. 7, 2016
-
[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar
Dance “Seoul International Dance Festival”: Seoul Selection of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO will be hosting the 19th annual Seoul International Dance Festival until Oct. 15. From the French dance company Carolyn Carlson Company to the Madrid-based Larumbe Danza, contemporary dancers from across the globe will gather for the multi-week festival to showcase modern performances that highlight both Western and Eastern arts. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won, and can be reserv
Oct. 7, 2016
-
Anti-graft law expected to restrict culture industry
With the recent introduction of a new anti-corruption law, countless questions loom as to the extent of its impact on Korean society as well as certain industries.The “Kim Young-ran law” restricts public officials, private school faculty and journalists from receiving certain amounts of gifts or paid-for entertainment, with the definition of “gifts” including gift certificates and accommodation vouchers as well as complimentary tickets for performances. YonhapHowever, journalists and industry of
Oct. 6, 2016
-
[Herald Interview] Glass artist Kim Ki-ra looks back on life
During the creation of her latest collection “Dear Life,” glass artist Kim Ki-ra went to hell and back, and lived to tell the tale. “While I was working on the series, I hit the lowest point of my life (due to personal issues),” the artist told The Korea Herald Tuesday at Gallery Sklo, where her solo exhibition is currently being held. “But during this time, I also realized that I can truly rely on myself as an artist, even in desperate situations.” In those trying times, Kim found inspiration i
Oct. 6, 2016
-
New hip-hop festival coming to Seoul next month
Some of the biggest names in Korea’s hip-hop scene are getting together for one night at Olympic Park in Seoul next month. Opening with a performance from up-and-coming female hip-hop artist Ilya, the concert “No Sleep ‘Til...” will star Mnet’s hip-hop competition show “Show Me the Money” season five winner BewhY, rapper-producer Paloalto, K-pop boy group Block B’s lead member Zico and singer-songwriter Dean. Additionally, newly formed hip-hop duo MOBB -- consisting of boy band Winner’s Mino an
Oct. 6, 2016
-
Pianist Lang Lang steps out of comfort zone with new CD
NEW YORK (AP) -- During his musical career, classical pianist Lang Lang has tackled some musical titans like Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Now he's gleefully taking on Jay Z.The Chinese superstar has recorded a new crossover album in which he tries to capture the spirit of New York, including doing a cover of the rapper’s “Empire State of Mind,” with its lyrics “Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rock.”“I'm really always curious to hear different kinds
Oct. 6, 2016
-
Big Bang to release anniversary vinyl
Global K-pop icon Big Bang is looking back at the group’s 10-year career in an old-fashioned way. In partnership with Hyundai Card, the boy band will release 5,000 copies of limited-edition vinyl containing some of their greatest hits, including “La La La,” “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang” and more, next week, according to the group’s management agency YG Entertainment on Thursday. The vinyl package will also include five posters, a ticket to Big Bang’s multimedia exhibition “Big Bang 10 the
Oct. 6, 2016
-
Park Kyung of Block B invited to join Mensa
Park Kyung of K-pop group Block B has a lot to celebrate this week. On Tuesday, coinciding with the boy band’s 2,000th day since their debut, Park received the invitation to join Mensa International, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. “Park Kyung was recommended to take the Mensa test on tvN’s ‘Problematic Men,’” said Block B’s management agency Seven Seasons on Tuesday. Since joining the variety show last year, the 24-year-old singer has showcased his talents beyond music-mak
Oct. 5, 2016
-
Violinist Chung Kyung-wha tackles Bach in first album release in 15 years
Doyenne of classical music Chung Kyung-wha has made a return to the recording studio, releasing her first album in 15 years. Released Wednesday, the world-acclaimed violinist’s new album, “Sonatas & Partitas Bach,” features unaccompanied renditions of Bach’s solo sonatas and partitas repertoires for violin in a two-hour-plus, two-disc album compilation.“I consider this a project that I have been working toward since 1961, the year when I first starting learning the works of Bach,” said the 68-ye
Oct. 5, 2016
-
Rolling Stones tease new blues album
NEW YORK (AFP) - The Rolling Stones on Tuesday hinted that they are about to release their first album in more than a decade, apparently a collection of covers of Chicago blues classics.The English mega-rockers took to Twitter to tease the line “Coming October 6” along with a snippet of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the band jamming out a hard blues song with harmonica.The band did not offer further details but Don Was, the US producer who has overseen the Stones’ studio sessions o
Oct. 5, 2016
-
Singer finds universality by learning world's lullabies
NEW YORK (AFP) -- The songs’ lyrics are as basic as they get, but also the most universal. Singer Sophia Brous is weaving together lullabies from some 25 cultures, exploring the deeper meaning in how to communicate with infants through music.“In a funny way, lullabies are the most successful pop songs ever to have existed,” the Melbourne-born musician said.“They perpetuate themselves through generations because they’re infinitely repeatable, memorable and you absorb them.”To create “Lullaby Move
Oct. 5, 2016
-
SHINee returns with modern retro vibe
K-pop boy band SHINee has come back with its fifth album “1 of 1” which, both visually and musically, spins a hyper-modernized twist on the retro genre, according to its members. The band appeared onstage in full embodiments of the new concept -- sporting multicolored bell bottoms, golden neck chains and slicked back hairstyles at the press showcase. Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation served as the MC for the event marking the release of the latest album held at SMTOWN Coex Artium theater in southeas
Oct. 4, 2016