‘11 Minutes’: A whimsical study of the human body, desire

By Claire LeeThe title of Paulo Coelho’s popular 2003 novel “11 Minutes” refers to the duration of sex.Being a story of a young Brazilian prostitute and her adventurous journey to find true love, the novel is an entertaining and almost-spiritual exploration of self-discovery, sexual awakening and personal growth.“No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone,” Maria, the novel’s protagonist, says in the book.“That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world

Sept. 8, 2013

Zizo adjusts to life in the limelight

This is the fifth in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Rapper Zizo said he walked away from Mnet’s hip-hop audition program “Show Me the Money” with many things besides coming second, one of the most important being the support his family began to show him. “My mother doesn’t really know about hip-hop, but by appearing on TV, I was able to get her support. She is proud of her son,” he said. On top of that, he said the show was a lea

Sept. 8, 2013

Eyelike: Kara fails to impress on ‘Full Bloom’

Kara fails to impress on ‘Full Bloom’Kara“Full Bloom”(LOEN Entertainment)Kara has made a comeback with a completely new look, shedding its cutesy concept for an edgier look. Despite the new, exciting look, however, the group’s fourth studio album “Full Bloom” is standard pop affair. Title track “Damaged Lady” is about a woman bitter about a break-up and features the sound of French pop with a touch of rock. The melody is catchy enough, but the voice of each member is difficult to discern through

Sept. 6, 2013

Crayon Pop to release ‘Bar Bar Bar 2.0’

Following the surprising late surge in popularity of Crayon Pop’s “Bar Bar Bar” music video with its comical “Straight-Five Engine Dance” choreography, it has been announced that the five ladies are strapping on their signature helmets once again for a soon-to-be released revamped music video titled “Bar Bar Bar 2.0.” Officials from Sony Music Korea announced that the new version of the ladies’ hit music video had already completed the filming and would be released worldwide on Sept. 9. It was a

Sept. 6, 2013

Kara’s Goo Hara breaks down on ‘Radio Star’

K-pop star Goo Hara has become the subject of much netizen talk after throwing a fit, and a beverage bottle, on a recent episode of the popular talk show “Radio Star.” During an interview alongside fellow Kara members Kang Ji-young and Han Seung-yeon and JYP Entertainment mogul Park Jin-young, Goo became very sensitive and defensive while discussing the topic of dating and ended up breaking into tears and throwing her bottled drink across the table. During the episode, Super Junior’s Kyu-hyun, o

Sept. 6, 2013

Temple project promises journey of self-exploration

Haeinsa Temple is hosting “Haein Art Project 2013 MAUM” from Sept. 27 to Nov. 10 as a part of the 2013 Tripitaka Koreana Festival, an event that introduces the 800-year-old example of cultural heritage of the Goryeo. A total of 30 teams of artists, including artists from India, Hong Kong, Spain, Italy, and the United States, are participating in the project. The artists’ pieces will be displayed in and around Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon-gun, South Gyeongsang Province. Artwork will also be exhibit

Sept. 5, 2013

Sumi Jo shares talent, life and love with younger fans

Twenty-seven years ago, fledgling soprano Sumi Jo auditioned in front of the legendary maestro Herbert von Karajan, who called her “the voice from heaven.” Her career skyrocketed from then on, and Jo won competition after competition, sang on the stages of world-famous opera halls, and collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists and orchestras. The soprano has a huge following in Korea where people have called her the “People’s Soprano.” Now, Jo is determined to share the love and respec

Sept. 4, 2013

Oak Ju-hyun to play green-skinned witch

After playing the unhappy Austrian empress (Elisabeth) and the mysterious, obsessive housekeeper (Rebecca), musical actress Oak Ju-hyun has now been cast to play the famous green-skinned witch.The highly anticipated cast of the upcoming musical “Wicked” was finally announced on Monday. The upcoming run is the first Korean-language edition of the popular Broadway musical, also featuring an all-local cast. Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the

Sept. 3, 2013

G-Dragon sweeps charts with ‘Coup d’Etat’

K-pop superstar G-Dragon swept all the major music charts with the release of his second studio album “Coup d’Etat.” On Monday, part of the track list of the singer’s new album was released on the official YG Entertainment blog. Five tracks including “Black,” “R.O.D.,” “Niliria,” and “Who You” were released from the 14-track album. Seven tracks are set to be released on Thursday, while the rest of the album is planned for release on Sept. 13. “Black” and “Who You” instantly topped the music char

Sept. 3, 2013

The art of typography

The biggest exhibition of typefaces and texts as visual art is being held at the former Seoul Station, shedding light on the transformation of typography and the act of writing and reading in the digital age. The third Seoul International Typography Biennale, which kicked off Friday, explores the dual role of typography ― as a language and visual art ― through works by 58 international artists.First launched in 2009, the typography biennale is the only biannual exhibition in the world devoted to

Sept. 2, 2013

Seoul to hear ‘The Most Beautiful Sound Next To Silence’

Edition of Contemporary Music, a prominent German-based record label with the motto “The Most Beautiful Sound Next to Silence,” is holding the ECM Music Festival at Seoul Arts Center from Sept. 3 to 7. The performances will feature world-renowned artists including conductor Chung Myung-whun, violist Kim Kashkashian, and the jazz group Norma Winstone Trio. The music festival will host four performances, starting with guitarist Ralph Towner and followed by the Yeahwon Shin Trio, composed of vocali

Sept. 2, 2013

Herbie Hancock to return for another night of funky jazz

Herbie Hancock, a living legend on the black and white keys, is returning to Korea for a live concert performance. The American jazz pianist previously performed in Seoul in May 2011 and is making his way back to his Korean fans with a show at Chungmu Art Hall on Nov. 8.Born in Chicago in 1940, the classically trained pianist was widely considered a child piano prodigy. The young musician’s talents were immediately recognized and he even performed a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphon

Sept. 2, 2013

Lee Hyori officially ties the knot on Jeju

K-pop diva Lee Hyori is now officially off the market as she and longtime boyfriend, jazz guitarist Lee Sang-soon, tied the knot on Sunday. The wedding was held at their country home on the northern part of Jeju Island and was reported to have been a simple and private affair with only family and close friends in attendance. Although there had been rumors circulating about a September wedding, the two had made no official public announcements on the exact date they planned to hold the event. The

Sept. 1, 2013

Rap trio ‘can see the money’

This is the fourth in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Life has certainly gotten busier for the trio of Soul Dive. Since their win of season two of Mnet’s survival hip-hop show “Show Me the Money,” they have been busy with shows and receiving more calls, said member Zito. “(We’re) kind of very thankful, because now we can see the money,” he joked. The group, consisting of rappers Nuck, Zito and D Theo, were members of Meta Crew, he

Sept. 1, 2013

Eye like: Seungri all grown up in ‘Let’s Talk About Love’

Seungri all grown up in ‘Let’s Talk About Love’Seungri“Let’s Talk About Love”(KT Music)Seungri has always been considered the baby of Big Bang, but now he’s come out with the new album “Let’s Talk About Love,” and has gotten rid of his “younger brother” exterior with a more mature look and sound. His title track “Gotta Talk to U” starts with a soft but fast-paced acoustic melody that grows into an electronic house beat in the chorus. The chorus definitely has a catchy hook but by no means is the

Aug. 30, 2013

‘Avenue Q’: A hilarious take on transition to adulthood

One of the most highly anticipated musicals this year finally opened last week, filling the Charlotte Theater in Seoul with lines like “porn!” and “it sucks to be me!” ― received with a great deal of laughter and applause from the audience.The R-rated American adult puppet musical, titled “Avenue Q,” is a hilarious, lighthearted coming-of-age tale highlighting the anxieties and struggles associated with entering adulthood. It premiered on Broadway in 2003 and picked up three Tony awards, includi

Aug. 29, 2013