Most Popular
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40% of Korea's workers who reported bullying faced retaliation: survey
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Over 82,000 Korean young people unemployed, not searching for job long-term
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600 evacuated as heavy rain floods roads, homes in southern regions
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[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
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Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
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[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products
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1 in 5 households to have breadwinner over 80 in 30 years
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New Fifty Fifty off to strong start
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Jeju's solo traveler-friendly spots offer solitude as well as camaraderie
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Doctors defend colleague accused of blacklisting non-strikers
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Sistar to roll out new EP next week
South Korean girl group Sistar is set to release a new summer EP, the band's agency said on Monday.The four-member act will release its fourth EP, tentatively titled "Mol-a-ae," or blinding love, on June 21, Starship Entertainment said in a press release.The album showcase will be broadcast live simultaneously at home and overseas, according to the agency.The girl group released their previous album "Shake It" one year ago, earning them the nickname "seasonal best."In the final sprint to the EP
June 13, 2016
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Bangtan Boys just ahead of first million sell since debut
South Korean boy group Bangtan Boys, also known by the abbreviated name BTS, is about to reach 1 million albums sold for the first time since its debut, the band's management said on Monday.The seven-member act has sold a total of 936,007 copies of its three-volume album "Hwayangyeonhwa," meaning "the most beautiful moments of life," according to data compiled by Big Hit Entertainment.The number is a combined tally of 274,351 copies from "Hwayangyeonhwa Part 1," 351,413 copies from "Hwayangyeonh
June 13, 2016
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Ditto Festival to push the limits with homage to Beethoven
The annual Ditto Festival is returning for its 10th season backed by its founder and music director, violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, who says this year’s festivities are all about paying homage to one of the heroes of humanity with its theme “Beethoven: Beyond the Limits.” The Ditto Festival officially opened its curtains on Sunday with a special performance by Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer and French pianist Lucas Debargue during the duo’s Asia Tour, marking the first recital program Kremer h
June 13, 2016
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Street music, K-pop and programmed busking
While the tradition of busking -- performing music outdoors for passersby -- is appreciated as a spontaneous display of creativity unique to indie musicians, a growing number of K-pop groups are straying from the confines of their scrupulously set stages to roam the streets. Live outdoor performances allow management-led singers to show off their talents, display a more carefree side, stripped of K-pop’s notoriously choreographed stage sequences, and bond with the crowd. In addition, with live
June 13, 2016
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Broadway best honor Orlando victims at Tony Awards
NEW YORK (AFP) -- The Tony Awards, the biggest night in Broadway, dedicated its star-studded ceremony to the victims of the Orlando massacre, the deadliest terror attack in America since Sept. 11, 2001.Fifty people died when a heavily-armed gunman opened fire and seized hostages at a popular gay nightclub in the Florida city before the attacker was shot dead by a police SWAT team.“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by that atrocity,” said host James Corden in his opening monologue, weari
June 13, 2016
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Piano star Tharaud finds freedom in saying no
NEW YORK (AFP) - What makes a great musician? Passion and practice, most would agree. Acclaimed French pianist Alexandre Tharaud would add another vital trait -- knowing when to take a break.Tharaud took a rare step for a top-level classical musician of stepping away from concerts for nearly a year as he devoted himself to Bach’s famously challenging Goldberg Variations.“It is very important to be able to say no. In this profession you can easily perform constantly. But what would be the point?”
June 13, 2016
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Russia showcases flamboyant Ballets Russes designer Leon Bakst
MOSCOW (AFP) - The exotic stage and costume designs of Russian-born designer Leon Bakst, made famous at the Ballets Russes, are on display in a major retrospective in Moscow which examines his shock impact on fashion and theatre.The exhibition which opened last week at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts features around 250 works by the designer, born 150 years ago.“This exhibition is unprecedented, with works from around 30 Russian and Western collections -- both private and public,” said Marina Lo
June 13, 2016
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4Minute disbands after 7 years
K-pop girl group 4Minute may not stay together when the members’ contracts with agency Cube Entertainment end around mid-June, local media reported Monday, quoting industry insiders.Only Kim Hyun-a, better known by her stage name HyunA, has renewed her contract, as the other bandmates are still discussing whether to renew or leave the agency.“Each member has a different career goal in mind and it was considered difficult to remain a team,” said the industry insider.News of the group’s possible d
June 13, 2016
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‘Hamilton’ musical tickets going for jaw-dropping $6,000
NEW YORK (AFP) - Tickets to the smash-hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” are going for record-breaking prices -- skyrocketing to more than $6,000 apiece.Fans are shelling out to see the July 9 final performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show‘s creator and current leading actor. Since debuting in July 2015, the musical focused on America’s founding fathers has won fans as high-profile as U.S. President Barack Obama and swiftly become Broadway's most popular.“We’re calling ‘Hamilton’ the cultural eq
June 13, 2016
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Summer exhibitions highlight 20th century masters
Seoul abounds each summer in exhibitions of work by Western art masters, which often become crowded with not only the usual art lovers but families with children visiting museums and galleries as part of school assignments. This year, key figures of 20th century are highlights of the city’s art calendar. Starting with the ongoing show of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera at the Seoul Arts Center, big names that represent major 20th art movements such as Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, Bernard Buffet and
June 12, 2016
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JYJ's Junsu vows uncompromising album
Junsu of Korean pop trio JYJ said Saturday he is not afraid of going against the seasonal trends of the K-pop market, since making a unique album is the only way he can match his fans’ support.“Every time I release an album, I try to differentiate it from my previous albums, and stay away from putting up similar work with slightly different songs,” he said during a news conference for his fourth and latest full-length album “XIGNATURE.”“Showing different performances in different work is my way
June 12, 2016
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iKON wraps up tour in China
K-pop boy band iKON finished the Chinese leg of its Asia tour with a concert in Shanghai on Saturday. The group kicked off its Asia tour with a concert in Taiwan on April 22, followed by concerts in Hong Kong on May 7, Cheongdu on May 14, Nanjing on May 21, and Shenzhen on June 3. At “iKONCERT 2016 ‘Showtime Tour’ in Shanghai” held at the Grand Stage in Shanghai, the group presented their hit songs, including “Rhythm Ta” and “Dumb&Dumber,” as well as performing “My Type,” “Apology” and “Airplan
June 12, 2016
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Led Zeppelin on trial over ‘Stairway to Heaven’ theft claim
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant will appear in court Tuesday to defend “Stairway to Heaven,” one of the most recognizable songs in rock history, from accusations of plagiarism.Spirit, a psychedelic band from Los Angeles that enjoyed a niche following but never the superstardom of Zeppelin, claim the iconic melancholic guitar that opens the song was lifted from its instrumental track “Taurus.”Spirit’s guitarist Randy Wolfe -- who went by the nickname Randy Californi
June 12, 2016
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Producer Yoo lauds Lee Jin-ah’s ‘genius’
When Lee Jin-ah came on singing audition program “K-pop Star” two years ago, the panel, consisting of famed music producers Yang Hyun-seok, Park Jin-young and Yoo Hee-yeol, unanimously praised the squeaky-voiced, piano-playing contestant as a “genius” so far not seen in the K-pop world. While many viewers agreed, others were baffled: What was so special about the then-23-year-old girl whose self-written tunes resembled children’s songs and whose vocals sounded infantile? Producer Yoo, who heads
June 10, 2016
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[Weekender] Festival fever
The summer has already begun, and the festival season is just around the corner.A host of summer-getaway activities await to help you soak in the sun and cool off from the heat. The festivities range from shooting water guns and throwing mud to enjoying a diverse selection of food or taking part in explosive sing-along music parties.Water festivals Water fights have recently become popular summer festivities in Korea, but those looking for more diverse activities can muddy the waters in Boryeong
June 10, 2016
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[Weekender] Festivals fill summer 2016 with music
The season of festivities has come around once again, with a host of festivals lined up for music lovers. The summer lineup brims with choices, ranging from electronic dance music to rock.Heating up the summer with EDMThe night sky lights up with fireworks as the highlight of Ultra Korea. (Ultra Music Festival Korea)The Ultra Music Festival -- one of the leading EDM festivals worldwide -- has landed in Korea once again, celebrating its fifth anniversary with an exclusive three-day concert instea
June 10, 2016
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[Herald Interview] Jambinai instills 'gugak' with new life
Breaking barriers between the old and new, Jambinai presents innovative sounds with traditional Korean musical instruments piri, haegum and geomungo. Jambinai, an award-winning band inspired by Korean traditional music, or “gugak,” was formed in 2009 by the three members -- Lee Il-woo, Kim Bo-mi, and Sim Eun-yong -- who met as gugak students at Korea National University of Arts. Lee plays the piri, a reed flute, Kim plays the haegum, a bowed instrument with two strings and a hollow wooden sound
June 9, 2016
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Rare Henry Moore could fetch $29m at auction
LONDON (AP) -- One of the most famous sculptures by Henry Moore could sell for almost $30 million, and set a record for the artist at a London auction this month.Christie’s says “Reclining Figure: Festival” could fetch between 15 million pounds ($22 million) and 20 million pounds at a June 30 sale.The sinuous, 2.3 meter-long bronze of a reclining woman was created for the 1951 Festival of Britain, which signaled the country’s cultural resurgence after World War II and its austere aftermath.Moore
June 9, 2016
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Versailles unveils giant waterfall that ‘holds up the sky’
VERSAILLES, France (AFP) - It is so big he claimed it “almost holds up the sky.”But Danish artist Olafur Eliasson refused Monday to reveal just how tall the giant waterfall he has created at France’s Palace of Versailles actually is.“The height is perfect,” he told reporters as he unveiled the spectacular installation which cascades into the Grand Canal of the famous royal gardens outside Paris.“Just as I intended, it will obscure the sun when it sets” on Midsummer’s Day, said the artist, who ha
June 9, 2016
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EXO slays charts at home and abroad
EXO dominated music charts at home and abroad with its third full-length studio album “EX’ACT,” which was released at midnight on Wednesday.The lead song “Monster” immediately topped eight domestic music charts -- MelOn, Genie, Olleh Music, Mnet, Naver Music, Bugs Music, Monkey3 and Soribada.“Monster” tells the story of a man fixated on his lover in the group’s signature dark and intense style. Suho (center), the leader of K-pop boy band EXO, speaks at a press conference Wednesday at SMTOWN at C
June 9, 2016