The art collection of Mudam Luxembourg, a contemporary art museum in Luxembourg, is on display in Seoul as part of an exchange exhibition with ArtSonje Center. Mudam Luxembourg, founded in 2006 in Luxembourg City, attracted a record number of visitors in the first year of opening with its extensive collections of contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Bruce Nauman and Julian Schnabel. ArtSonje Center is showcasing 30 works by 19 artists whose works reflect on various aspects of contemporary l

April 15, 2013

Following the towering success of Tom Hooper’s film adaptation in the box office, the musical “Les Miserables” again managed to capture the hearts of Seoulites on stage this weekend.The musical’s culminating number “One Day More” ― delivered in Korean by an all-Korean cast ― was greeted with tumultuous applause and standing ovation at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall Sunday, with members of the 1,700 audience members repeatedly cheering as the actors took their bows. It took 27 years to st

April 15, 2013

One of the biggest questions regarding Psy on everyone’s mind is whether or not his newly released “Gentleman” could be the next “Gangnam Style,” which has surpassed 1.5 billion views on YouTube. The music video for the Korean rap star’s follow-up single has already broken the record for the most views in 24 hours, exceeding 20 million hits, more than double the previous record of 8 million held by Justin Bieber. As of Monday afternoon, the music video for “Gentleman” had reached an unprecedente

April 15, 2013

Los Angeles-based artist Sterling Ruby is one of the hottest artists in the global art market today. His spray painting fetched between $35,000 and $45,000 in 2008 and tripled in price by 2011 to an estimated $100,000 to $150,000 in three years. Kukje Gallery in Seoul has brought major works by the artist ― selected as one of the “50 Next Most Collectible Artists” by the U.S. art magazine Art+Auction last year ― in a solo exhibition in Seoul, following on the heels of another exhibition of works

April 14, 2013

Back on his home turf where the 12-year veteran in the Korean entertainment scene is known for more than just the galloping choreography of “Gangnam Style,” the unexpected global K-pop phenom Psy electrified the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday night, attracting around 45,000 local fans as well as more than 130,000 online viewers. The atmosphere at the World Cup Stadium was filled with intense excitement and anticipation from the tens of thousands roaring out and chanting for Psy during the e

April 14, 2013

Psy’s highly anticipated follow-up single “Gentleman” was first unveiled around the world in 119 countries on midnight on Friday and immediately topped all the local charts upon its release. In the new single, the rapper speaks of being a self-proclaimed “gentleman” attempting to woo women at a party with his charms. The international superstar Psy attended a press conference in Seoul decked out in his signature suit and sunglasses along with his global music manager Scooter Braun hours before h

April 13, 2013

Molly Ringwald brings genuineness on jazz debutMolly Ringwald“Except Sometimes”(Concord Music Group)In her signature roles, she was the ingénue. And while it may not be fair to compare Molly Ringwald the actress with Molly Ringwald the singer, it is hard to ignore the genuineness seen in her characters that also flavors this collection of jazz standards called “Except Sometimes.”Ringwald‘s voice is unaffected, clear and, at moments, vulnerable. She challenges her range, and coaxes complexity fro

April 12, 2013

Psy’s new single “Gentleman” swept the local music charts immediately after it was released in 119 countries at midnight on Thursday.The electro-dance song with more English-language lyrics and a catchy dance tune topped Korean music charts on Friday including Naver Music, Mnet, Soribada, Melon and Bugs.The song, a mocking portrait of a self-proclaimed “gentleman” trying to seduce women at a party, has more English-language lyrics than “Gangnam Style,” with repeated phrases including “I’m a moth

April 12, 2013

“Gangnam Style” star Psy Friday unveiled the highly anticipated follow-up to his global hit with another catchy dance tune infused with his signature self-mocking humor.Even Kim Jong-Un's threats of nuclear war couldn't divert world attention from the main event on the Korean peninsula this week as “Gentleman” hit online music stores in a midnight rolling release across 119 nations.With fans and critics waiting to see whether the “Gangnam Style” star and his invisible horse-riding dance are more

April 12, 2013

K-pop sensation Psy finally unveiled his new song “Gentleman” in 119 countries on Thursday night, at midnight in their respective local times.New Zealand was the first country to listen to the song due to the time difference, three hours before the song was released in Korea.The fast-tempo single, a follow-up to the global megahit “Gangnam Style,” was released via local Korean music sites and iTunes at midnight.According to wire news reports, the techno beat song carried repeated phrases “I am a

April 11, 2013

A Korean scholar has published a book suggesting environmental problems will cause a world food crisis.Titled “Food War 2030,” the book is written by Lee Cherl-ho, who holds a Ph.D. in food science from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Fredericksberg, Denmark. After working as a researcher for four years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he worked for the Korea Food Security Research Foundation for 30 years. “We now know that the world cannot be conquered through m

April 11, 2013

Ceramic pieces made by artist Yi Yoon-shin are among the most sought-after dinnerware among Koreans. Her calm, serene ceramic dinnerware goes well with any kind of food ― whether it be Korean or pasta. Drawn by its beauty, chef Jean-George Vongerichten, who owns a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, bought all of her dinnerware to use to serve his food and other traditional Korean dishes on PBS documentary series on Korean food “The Kimchi Chronicles.”The 55-year-old artist is currently hold

April 11, 2013

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) ― Coachella and Lollapalooza are sold out. Bonnaroo’s nearly there, too. But American fans need only be patient: Wait a few years and chances are they’ll have a star-studded music festival of your own within driving distance.New music festivals are popping up more quickly than you can count in the U.S. As the summer festival season gets under way this week with the sprawling Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival down in the desert in Indio, California, some of the mo

April 11, 2013

With warmer weather just around the corner, Seoul offers music lovers and jazz aficionados a countless number of opportunities to spend the evening basking in the sounds of blues, ragtime and improvisations. Whether it be internationally recognized names in the jazz world, to more low-key local showcases, this spring has a wide variety of lineups and acts that are sure to cater to all one’s jazz needs.Seoul Jazz Festival 2013The Seoul Jazz Festival is a two-day event which will feature more than

April 11, 2013

K-pop icon BoA will be performing a solo concert in Taiwan on May 18, S.M. Entertainment announced on Thursday. This performance will be her first solo concert in the country since she debuted in 2000.  The K-pop veteran will perform fan favorites from all seven of her albums, including songs from the seventh and latest album release, “Only One.” The concert, titled “BoA Special Live 2013 ― Here I Am,” will also feature a live band.In addition to her performance in Taiwan, BoA will also be hosti

April 11, 2013