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

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

S.E.S. hints at comeback

Another first-generation K-pop group is gearing up for a comeback. 　On Monday, Choi Sung-hee -- better known by her stage name Bada -- of girl group trio S.E.S. revealed the group’s plan to make their return next year. 　“S.E.S. will be celebrating its 20th debut anniversary next year,” Bada wrote via her personal social media page, with a recent picture of the group. “To commemorate our 20th year, we are planning on creating meaningful experiences to spend it together with ‘Friends.’” The trio’s

Oct. 4, 2016

Soyul of Crayon Pop to halt group activities

K-pop girl group Crayon Pop member Park Hye-kyeong -- better known by her stage name Soyul -- will be suspending all group activities for the foreseeable future. 　“Soyul was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder,” the group’s management agency Chrome Entertainment announced on Tuesday. “As her conditions are worse than expected, she will not be participating in upcoming promotional activities for a while.”The company added that she does not require hospitalization, and that Crayon Pop will

Oct. 4, 2016

Pianist Paik gives back to fans through ‘Gift’ concert

Renowned for his gracefully fleeting fingers, Paris-based Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo made his much-welcomed return to the local stage last week in a concert program that was all about paying tribute to his loyal fans. While the pianist breathed new life into Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 and Brahms’ “Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24” in the first half of his concert, last week’s performance was really all about the second half.  Pianist Paik Kun-woo performs dur

Oct. 3, 2016

Placido Domingo returns to Korea

With nearly six decades of expertise under his belt, legendary opera singer Placido Domingo feels like he has only recently reached his life’s goal.“Even in my 30s, I had always said that I dream of having a place where young artists can learn and grow one day,” said the maestro at a press conference held at the W Seoul-Walkerhill in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul on Friday. 　Now the 12-time Grammy-Award winner has brought his dream to Seoul. 　Recognized as the “King of Opera,” Domingo -- best known as a

Sept. 30, 2016

Mary J. Blige explains why she sang to Clinton during talk

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mary J. Blige said she decided to sing Bruce Springsteen's “American Skin (41 Shots)” to Hillary Clinton during her recent interview because she was trying to get the Democratic presidential nominee to feel and understand the widening frustration among blacks in America over police brutality and similar topics.A pair of clips teasing Blige’s interview with Clinton was roundly mocked Tuesday, including a brief video of Blige singing to Clinton, leaving some confused. But on Wedne

Sept. 30, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Exhibitions“Gathering Clouds”: Kukje Gallery is holding a solo exhibition of renowned artist Anish Kapoor until Oct. 30. The exhibition presents sculptures that are results of his exploration of materials and abstraction. On display are twisted rectangle stainless steel blocks with polished surfaces, and sculptural voids in fiberglass and steel at the K1 and K3 exhibition spaces. For more information, visit www.kukjegallery.com.“Traces of Life and Death”: Arario Gallery is holding a solo exhibit

Sept. 30, 2016

[Album Review] Jake Shimabukuro takes roaming ukulele to Nashville

Jake Shimabukuro“Nashville Sessions”(JS Records)Jake Shimabukuro draws sounds both traditional and innovative from his ukulele on “Nashville Sessions,” an adventurous, dazzling album.Using the instrument from his native Hawaii to explore a variety of styles in the company of drummer Evan Hutchings and bassist Nolan Verner, Shimabukuro broadens his sonic palette on 11 original compositions stretching from jazz fusion to rock and beyond.The 39-year-old virtuoso sticks to the instrument’s natural v

Sept. 30, 2016

[Album Review] Beyonce tour programmer Kwiz brilliantly explores blackness

Kwiz“The Black Light Chronicles”(Rhythm Lab Music)It seems odd to describe the discussion of the black experience in America a “hot topic” -- after all, the examination of the African-American experience has been explored for hundreds of years in some fashion, even before black people were considered Americans and were just considered property.But with all the focus on the Black Lives Matter movement, the killings of black men at the hands of police, political rhetoric and the waning days of the

Sept. 30, 2016

[Album Review] Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir delivers earthy solo effort

Bob Weir“Blue Mountain”(Columbia/Legacy and ROAR)The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, showing more than a little touch of grey at age 68, delivers a heartfelt and earthy solo record with “Blue Mountain.”It’s Weir’s first solo effort in a decade and the first of entirely original material in 30 years.Weir, who sang with the Dead that he may be going to hell in a bucket but at least he’s enjoying the ride, strikes a more reflective pose on “Blue Mountain.” It’s a deeply personal collection of cowboy song

Sept. 30, 2016

Big Bang to release new album

Global K-pop icon Big Bang is gearing up for a new album.　“Big Bang’s new release will be unveiled shortly,” member Seungri announced on his live-broadcasting channel “Hello Seungri” on Naver V Live + on Wednesday. “I can’t disclose the specific details of the schedule, but we plan on sharing a very good new track with everyone.”　The group’s management agency YG Entertainment also confirmed the news Thursday.　“Despite their hectic schedules, Big Bang members have been preparing for a new album,”

Sept. 29, 2016

Se7en gearing up for return

Singer Se7en has finally revealed details about his return to the spotlight. 　“Se7en will be releasing a new album ‘I am Se7en’ on Oct. 14,” according to the singer’s management agency Eleven9 Entertainment on Thursday morning. This is the singer’s first album in over four years, since the release of his mini album “Se7en New Mini Album” in 2012. 　Written and produced in part by the artist himself, the album will boast a wide array of genres, including dance and funk. 　 Most recently, the 31-yea

Sept. 29, 2016

Twice gearing up for return

K-pop girl group Twice is getting ready for its return to the spotlight.　The nine-member act is currently working on a new release, scheduled to be unveiled sometime next month, according to the group’s management agency JYP Entertainment on Wednesday. 　Although the date and the concept behind the upcoming release is as of yet undecided, the girl group is reportedly collaborating with Black-eyed Pilseung, the leading producer and songwriting duo behind the group’s hit tracks “Like Ooh-Aah” and “

Sept. 28, 2016