Art blossoms in heavily fortified area

CHEORWON, Gangwon Province ― Mount Soisan, a lowly hill just tens of meters across from a three-story building constructed by North Korea in 1946 as the Communist Party Headquarters, had a U.S. Army barrack and several secret bunkers that were used during the Korean War (1950-1953). Until 2001, civilians were prohibited from climbing the mountain as it was in the civilian control area adjacent to the demilitarized zone. “Underneath where you stand are bunkers used during the war. This mountain i

Aug. 28, 2014

Megan Fox returns to Korea in a turtle franchise

Hollywood actress Megan Fox arrived in Seoul on Tuesday to promote the Korean release of action comedy film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Fox was joined by director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller at the press conference on Wednesday at a hotel in Seoul. The 28-year-old actress plays April O’Neil in the film, an intrepid reporter in New York City who teams up with four teenage anthropomorphic turtles to fight against the evil villain Shredder and his organized crim

Aug. 28, 2014

Prince to release new albums after record label bust-up

PARIS (AFP) ― U.S. pop star Prince will release two new albums at the end of September, his record label said on Tuesday, marking the end of one of the longest-running employment disputes in musical history.Prince ― whose 1984 album “Purple Rain” sold over 13 million copies in the U.S. ― fell out with Warner Bros. Records in the early 1990s, prompting him to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol and appear in public with the word “slave” daubed across his face.The name change bewildered f

Aug. 27, 2014

From rough granite to cute animals

Stone sculptor Han Jin-sub strikes a lump of granite with a hammer and chisel. A chunk breaks off with a spark and thud that echoes through the space for his solo exhibition. Part of his art studio has moved to Gana Art Center. Some of the tools and plaster miniature models he has used in stone sculpting for the last 40 years offer a window to an unfamiliar world of stone sculpture. “It’s like having a conversation with the rock. If I understand the layer and break it, a big chunk cracks off. Bu

Aug. 26, 2014

Chung Myung-whun traces his musical roots

Maestro Chung Myung-whun will hold his first-ever solo recitals as a pianist this fall, playing the complete Chopin ballades and other short piano pieces. The five-city concert tour, which includes a stop at Seoul Art Center on Oct. 16, will mark the celebrated conductor’s return to his musical roots after a nearly four-decade career at the podium. “I always dreamed of doing my own music when I turn 60 ― real music, not music as work,” he said of the upcoming recitals. “Piano is, for me, real mu

Aug. 25, 2014

Korea’s top collector unveils art trove

The historic former Space group building will open again as a museum in September with an extensive exhibition of the contemporary art collection of Kim Chang-il, chairman of Arario Group. The ivy-covered, black brick building, built by the first generation Korean modern architect Kim Swoo-geun in 1977, has undergone a transformation since November last year. Following the bankruptcy of the architecture company, the building was put on auction and purchased by Kim, the only Korean art collector

Aug. 24, 2014

Forum exhibits Korean wrapping cloths

“Bojagi.” (The Museum of Korean Embroidery)Traditional Korean wrapping cloths, or “bojagi,” and modern interpretations of them are being showcased on Jejudo Island until Aug. 28. Artists from more than 10 countries, including Korea, the U.S., Australia, Canada, France and Japan, present their interpretations of bojagi and what the craft means to them in the context of today’s culture. The exhibitions as part of the Korea Bojagi Forum are being held at five galleries, in the Jeoji Artist Village

Aug. 24, 2014

Stardium: One night, one venue, five different stages

Heineken Korea, the organizers that brought the Amsterdam-born annual house music festival Sensation to Korea for the first time in 2012, is gearing up to present its latest EDM production ― Stardium. Much implied by its name, the upcoming one-day electronic music festival next month will feature a unique star-shaped stadium that allows for five separate DJ sets to be performed simultaneously without music clashing in between stages. This presents a festival where “everyone’s attention is not re

Aug. 24, 2014

Eyelike: Amy Grant shows another side with remixes

Amy Grant shows another side with remixesAmy Grant“In Motion -- The Remixes”(Sparrow/Capitol)Amy Grant never has shied away from experimentation and change. Having transformed herself from devout singer-songwriter to upbeat pop star more than 20 years ago, she now leaps from the reflective tone of recent work to the electronic dance music beat of “In Motion -- The Remixes,” which gives a glow-stick tweak to her catalog of hits. A Christian music star who balances sensitive reflection with positi

Aug. 22, 2014

Korean minimalism on view in Beijing

“Slow, Same, Slow #2205” by Moon BeomMoon jar by Lee Ki-joKorean minimalist abstract paintings and white porcelain moon jars are on exhibit at the Korean Culture Center in Beijing, offering an insight into the spirit and materials that form the basis of Korean modern art. The exhibition “Empty Fulfillment: Materiality and Spirit of Korean Contemporary Art” showcases 11 Dansaekhwa paintings, minimalist abstract paintings and five moon jars ― white porcelains dubbed as such for resembling a full m

Aug. 21, 2014

[Herald Interview] ‘Do everything to fulfill your passion’

The name Jamal Sims was not familiar to people in Korea until he appeared on “Dancing 9,” a dance survival show on cable channel Mnet, as a judge for the final round.But he is an established choreographer in the United States, where his recent projects include choreographing the “Step Up” film series and “Footloose,” and working with stars like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Usher and the Spice Girls. As a dancer and choreographer for more than 20 years, he knows about maintaining a solid career in a

Aug. 21, 2014

Old and new, East and West pieced together

A 12th-century celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty boasts graceful curves and a delicate jade-green color. Displayed behind the celadon, two 1995-1996 paintings in different shades of celadon green by artist Byron Kim add a modern simplicity to the centuries-old artifact. The two artworks made 800 years apart show a harmony that transcends time in the pursuit of pure elegance. The link between old and new, the East and West runs throughout the 10th anniversary exhibition of Leeum, Samsung Museum of

Aug. 20, 2014

Hip-hop, graffiti in Lebanon tag a nation’s woes

BEIRUT (AP) ― In a red-lit bar in Beirut, Nasser Shorbaji and Marwan Alameh try not to knock the microphones over while laughing during the broadcast of their weekly radio show. Moments later, they turn more somber as they introduce a segment on Palestinian hip-hop, discussing the most recent outbreak of war on Gaza. Heads nod in the packed bar to the rhymes of Sati, a Palestinian rapper. The duo are among a host of Lebanese graffiti artists and rappers trying to re-engage disaffected youth in a

Aug. 18, 2014

Gwangju Biennale marred by politics

President of Gwangju Biennale Foundation Lee Yong-woo announced Monday he would resign over controversy surrounding a political painting rejected for an anniversary exhibition of the biennale. “I am taking full responsibility for what happened regarding the special exhibit that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Gwangju Biennale,” he said during a press conference at his office in Gwangju on Monday. He said he would submit his resignation letter after the 2014 Gwangju Biennale opens on Sept.

Aug. 18, 2014

Michael Cera releases ‘honest’ folk album

NEW YORK (AP) ― Michael Cera released an indie folk album last week ― quietly, in a way almost as unassuming as the actor himself. “I would record a lot of the songs in the middle of the night just at home. I never thought anyone would ever listen to them,” he said in an interview Thursday. “It’s really nice that people are paying any attention to it because there’s a lot of stuff to listen to.” The 26-year-old, whose TV and film credits include “Arrested Development,” “Juno” and “Superbad,” dro

Aug. 17, 2014

Never giving up

This is the 12th in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.While Toy may not yet be a household name, fans of Korean hip-hop have certainly become more curious about her after a recent stint on Mnet’s rap audition program “Show Me the Money 3.” She is the first foreigner to make the last 16 on the show and despite getting a disappointing amount of screen time, she made it to the top 12. After the surge in interest, a

Aug. 14, 2014

Classical music lineup in August

Is August really the low season for classical music in Korea? If one judges it by the number of big-name international orchestras and solo instrumentalists coming here to perform, it may be true. But that opens up the opportunity for Korean orchestras and musicians, which, at other times of the year, struggle to get the chance to perform in the city’s most prestigious concert halls. From the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra giving a preview concert before a European tour, to a brand-new ensemble’s d

Aug. 14, 2014