Art struggles to find space in Ulsan

ULSAN ― Every summer for the past eight years, art sculptures and installations popped up along the Taehwa River that cuts through this port city, home to the world’s largest automobile assembly plant and its largest shipyard. But the Taehwa River Eco Art Festival seems to have had little impression on citizens of Ulsan, despite its stated aim of stimulating public interest in art. “We’ve met opposition and complaints from citizens and local businesses in organizing the art festival. Even though

June 15, 2014

Eyelike: Taeyang returns as R&B vocalist on ‘Rise’

Taeyang returns as R&B vocalist on ‘Rise’Taeyang“Rise”(KT Music)Nearly four years after the release of his debut solo album “Solar,” Taeyang from the popular K-pop boy group Big Bang has returned with his second full studio album, “Rise.”While Taeyang’s past releases have been characterized by flashy performances and catchy electronic and hip-hop sounds, his new nine-track album is geared more toward showcasing his soulful vocals and colors.The hit lead single “Eyes, Nose, Lips” is a bare, slow

June 13, 2014

Placido Domingo to sing before World Cup final

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) ― Placido Domingo will sing before a World Cup final for the sixth time, announcing Wednesday he will perform at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena on July 11. The concert featuring the 73-year-old classic musical star will take place two days before the final at Maracana Stadium. The show also is scheduled to include pianist Lang Lang, soprano Ana Maria Martinez, conductor Eugene Kohn and the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasileira. Domingo has attended every World Cup final since 1970 w

June 12, 2014

Following the beat of her own drum

This is the fourth in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.For salon owner Bang Ji-young, who also goes by Sarah, styling hair is not just a job ― it’s her life’s passion and an avenue for her to express herself. She considers herself an artist and often collaborates with other artists outside of her salon’s doors.Her salon, There’s Salon in Gyeongnidan, is a physical expression of her passion for all things art an

June 12, 2014

Traditional Korean music with a modern twist

More often than not, long-held stereotypes about traditional Korean music have positioned the art form as difficult and boring, with some dismissing it as “old” under the assumption that what is traditional must remain preserved in its purest form.This summer, however, the National Theater of Korea is providing a rare opportunity to enjoy a special blend of gugak, traditional Korean music, at its annual Yeowoorak Festival scheduled to take place throughout the month of July.The Yeowoorak ― an ac

June 10, 2014

‘Korea’s Picasso’ Kim dies at 95

Artist Kim Heung-sou died of complications from old age on Monday, his family said. He was 95. Dubbed the “Picasso of Korea,” the painter pioneered a painting style called “Harmonism,” which signifies a balance of the opposite elements of abstraction and figuration.  Kim Heung-sou. (Yonhap)Born in the North Korean province of South Hamgyeong, he studied painting at Tokyo University of the Arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1944. He briefly served as an art teacher at Seoul Art High School and

June 9, 2014

Singing nun wins Italian TV talent show

MILAN (AFP) ― A singing nun clinched the final of The Voice of Italy television talent show contest on Friday after winning millions of followers with her lively dance act and soulful renditions of lusty pop classics.Wearing her black habit and a crucifix around her neck, Suor Cristina punched the air and thanked God for her victory, reciting an “Our Father” prayer to the puzzlement of organizers and audience.“I want Jesus to come in here!” said the wholesome 25-year-old with a self-effacing man

June 8, 2014

Tony Awards to be a knockout ― literally

NEW YORK (AP) ― The competition at the Tony Awards is fierce every year, but this time promises to be positively brutal: A fight will actually break out onstage. Sunday’s telecast will feature the usual black ties, soaring songs and gentle jokes ― and an eye-popping boxing match between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in a regulation-size ring on the Radio City Music Hall stage. It’s part of an attempt to highlight as many Broadway musicals as possible and promises to be a boon to the backers of t

June 8, 2014

Oscar winner Nyong’o bags MTV Africa personality award

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) ― Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o won the personality of the year award at the 2014 MTV African Music Awards held in South Africa’s southeastern city of Durban on Saturday. The 31-year-old, who won the best supporting actress Academy Award in March for her role in historical drama “12 Years a Slave,” was not present to receive her award. She became the first winner of the newly introduced lifestyle non-music personality of the year award.  Actress Lupita Ny

June 8, 2014

Teaser of Psy’s new song ‘Hangover’ tops 1m views on YouTube

A snippet of Psy’s new music video “Hangover.” (Yonhap)A snippet of the music video for Psy’s new song “Hangover” surpassed 1 million views on YouTube on Sunday, just two days after its release, his agency said.The new hip-pop song had a 10-second preview on U.S. network ABC’s talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night,” where Psy and American hip-hop star Snoop Dogg were to appear, inviting 1.18 million views on YouTube, according to YG Entertainment.The full music video will be released Sunday (

June 8, 2014

Art confronts ‘information overload’

With the click of a mouse, one can access a sea of information that was unimaginable before the advent of the World Wide Web. But more often than not a flood of information causes frustration when one is searching for a single piece of information. In this era when one can access information instantly, choosing the right information can be a daunting challenge. The confusion and irritation caused by what futurologist Alvin Toffler calls “information overload” in his 1970 bestselling book “Future

June 5, 2014

[Herald Interview] A feline state of mind

Even if you never saw “Cats,” you would probably recognize the musical if you saw the actors, with their facial paint, furry tails and unitards, or heard “Memory,” one of the most popular songs from any musical. Staged numerous times in numerous cities, including Seoul, for more than 30 years since its London premiere, the Andrew Lloyd Webber show has become something of a musical milestone.The original production first came to Korea in 1994, and returned in 2003, 2007 and 2008, drawing some 1.2

June 4, 2014

[Herald Review] Exemplifying poetry in motion, ‘Scent of Ink’ explores harmony, heritage

Inspired by the works of celebrated choreographer Choi Hyeon, “The Scent of Ink,” in which stunningly lavish Korean costuming clashes with chic and contemporary choreography in a modernized dance production, is a much-needed homage to time-honored traditions. In an hour-long performance that is as aesthetically pleasing as is it moving, the National Dance Company of Korea’s latest rendition of “The Scent of Ink” attempts to approach the framework of Korean philosophy via nonverbal yet expressive

June 4, 2014

Three decades at the top

Soprano Hong Hei-kyung vividly remembers the night she debuted at the New York Metropolitan Opera. It was ten years after she flew to the U.S. all by herself at the tender age of 15 to study at the Juilliard School. “It was December of 1984. My (first) daughter was just a little baby,” she recalled. “I remember the dress, the hair and everything of that evening. I remember the stage ... how I sang an aria at one corner, moved to another and did the recitative there.” Playing the role of Servilia

June 3, 2014

Girls’ Generation makes TIME’s Best 25 Songs of 2014

“Mr. Mr.,” the latest single by K-pop group Girls’ Generation, has been chosen as one of TIME’s best 25 songs of this year, according to the U.S. weekly news magazine.Girls’ Generation was the only Asian artist on the list released by the magazine on Monday in New York.TIME described “Mr. Mr.” as a “dance-friendly” track with “a scratchy electronic base line” and “a hint of darkness.” Girls’ Generation“Fans of K-pop juggernaut Girls’ Generation won’t be disappointed by their latest dance-friendl

June 3, 2014

Papercraft workshops for children

Poster for “Paper Playground,” a paper craft workshop for kids to be held at Topgol Museum. (Topgol Museum)Used paper boxes will be recycled into playthings in a papercraft workshop for kids at Topgol Museum in Seoul. The museum holds the workshop entitled “Paper Playground” from June 10-July 13. The museum is located on the first floor of Seoul Senior Welfare Center in Jongno. Children will make lamps, frames, chairs and other pieces of furniture with used paper boxes in different classes. Othe

June 3, 2014

Jazz pianist Corea, vibraphonist Burton to stage live concerts

Legendary American jazz pianist Chick Corea and renowned vibraphonist Gary Burton will together make their way to Korea to stage two live concerts next week. The jazz musicians will perform at the Suseong Artpia Yongji Hall in Daegu on June 13 and at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall in Seoul on June 14. The upcoming concerts will mark the duo’s first visit to Korea since 2007.Chick Corea, 73, is considered one of the greatest living jazz pianists, alongside some of the biggest names in the fiel

June 3, 2014

Universal Ballet celebrates 30th anniversary with ‘Giselle’

One of the most dramatic and classic tales of passion, betrayal and heartbreak is returning to the stage as Korea’s Universal Ballet celebrates 30 years with its adapted rendition of “Giselle.” Regarded as one of the most well-known and widely performed ballet works of the Romantic era, “Giselle” is the tale of a young peasant girl. After learning that the man she loves has betrayed her, Giselle is hit with a sudden jolt of heart-wrenching grief and dies; yet instead of exacting revenge from the

June 2, 2014