Eyelike:Soaring solos from Thompson on ‘Electric’

Soaring solos from Thompson on ‘Electric’Richard Thompson“Electric”(New West Records)On “Electric,” Richard Thompson plugs in and delivers his most generous helping of guitar solos in many years, perhaps ever. The fretwork is marvelous even by his lofty standards, and some credit for inspiration probably goes to producer Buddy Miller, a fair picker himself.While Thompson‘s notes come in a flurry, he has always been prolific as a composer, too, and here he serves up another solid batch of songs.

April 5, 2013

[Photo News] Jeon Hyo-sung of Secret shows off her moves

 Jeon Hyo-sung of K-pop girl group Secret performs at the group’s first concert in Singapore last Friday.(Photos: TS Entertainment) <관련 한글 기사>전효성의 폭발적인 솔로무대, 영상 공개시크릿의 소속사 TS 엔터테인먼트는 5일, 지난달 29일 싱가포르에서 열렸던 첫 단독 콘서트 영상을 공개했다.이날 시크릿 멤버들은 솔로무대와 히트곡들을 선보였으며, 리더 전효성은 비욘세의 ‘Crazy in Love’를 라이브로 선보였다.  

April 5, 2013

JYJ wrapped up Tokyo Dome concert

JYJ, South Korea’s three-member boy band, successfully wrapped up a series of massive concerts called “The Return of the JYJ” at Tokyo Dome, drawing in a huge number of Japanese fans. The concert series started on Tuesday and went through Thursday, sparking keen interest among the group’s fans in Korea and Japan. Fans expressed excitement over the media attention to the performances because JYJ hasn’t appeared in the media for about three years due to a legal battle with Japanese management agen

April 5, 2013

Ozawa says he has time ‘given by God’

TOKYO (AFP) ― Acclaimed Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa said Wednesday he wants to use the time he “has been given by God” after surviving cancer to teach the next generation of musicians.The 77-year-old, who underwent surgery for cancer of the oesophagus in 2010 and was treated for a hernia in 2011, said he will invite 24 of Asia’s most talented young string players to attend his chamber music academy in Japan.Ahead of his full-scale comeback planned in August, he will conduct Tchaikovsky’s “Ser

April 4, 2013

Ballerina beguiling as Hindu temple dancer

Ballet dancer Lee Eun-won achieved a lot of things early in her life. Undoubtedly one of the most stellar dancers in the local ballet scene, Lee was only 18 when she joined the Korean National Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. She made her lead debut as Marie in the “Nutcracker” in the same year, and was promoted to prima ballerina in 2012 ― just two years after her debut. In spite of her principal dancer title, the 21-year-old is still the youngest member of the company. Her talent was obvious t

April 4, 2013

Digital music fees daze and confuse

May 1 will be a pivotal day for the music industry, the day a pay-per-stream fee system will replace the current flat-rate program for online music streaming services. While online music distributors fear that the government-led change will dry out the industry, customers are anxious about whether it will result in a price hike.According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s March 19 blueprint, online music streaming service providers such as Melon, Mnet and Bugs Music should pay 3.6

April 4, 2013

Herald Webtoon Contest announces winners

A webtoon about a young woman and her domestic helper has won the top prize at the first Herald Webtoon Contest, organized by the Herald Corporation. The winner, Seung Jeong-yeon, will receive 15 million won ($13,000) in prize money.Titled “Your House Helper,” Seung’s piece tells the story of Mi-rae, who lives in her boyfriend’s house while he’s on a long-term business trip to New York. She is insecure about their relationship and is afraid that he’ll leave her for his attractive ex. The story d

April 3, 2013

Webtoons in process of evolution

Aspiring webtoon artists should be conscious of future smart devices and how they work, famed cartoonist Lee Doo-ho said. The artist, best known for his 1984 iconic work “Taoist Mutul,” was the chief judge of the first Herald Webtoon Contest, organized by the Herald Corporation. He selected a total of 14 winners among the 160 contestants.“I’ve been working with hard copies and books for most of my life,” Lee said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “But those who are working in today’s cartoo

April 3, 2013

Splendor of royals, aristocrats seen through artifacts

Korean crafts have largely been associated with modesty and purity as seen in white porcelain and costumes dating mostly from the Joseon era (1392-1897). But extravagance and glamour were dominant aesthetics of many crafts made before Confucianism became the ruling ideology. Jewelry boasted delicate and refined designs in gold and silver, and various precious materials such as amber, mother-of-pearl and turquoise were used extensively. Some of the opulent artifacts of ancient Korea are on displa

April 3, 2013

G-Dragon, Lee Hi to perform at Psy concert

Big Bang leader G-Dragon and super rookie singer Lee Hi are scheduled to perform as guest acts for Psy’s upcoming “Happening” concert on April 13, according to news reports. Psy’s concert promises to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year with the unveiling of “Gentleman,” the superstar Korean rapper’s follow-up single to “Gangnam Style.”G-Dragon, who recently kicked off his first worldwide solo concert tour, “G-Dragon 2013 1st World Tour: One of a Kind” on March 30 at the Olympic Gymn

April 3, 2013

Julio Iglesias: ‘I’m not in vogue, but I’m in demand’

BEIJING (AFP) ― Ageing Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias Monday said he may never be “in” but at least he can still draw a crowd, as he was given an award in Beijing as the world’s best-selling male Latin artist.The 69-year-old, who has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, was in China ahead of a three-show tour of the country, where he remains hugely popular due to his inoffensive, idealistic brand of singing.“Maybe I am not ‘in’ in your country, maybe I am not ‘in’ anywhere in the world.

April 2, 2013

G-Dragon to release debut Japanese solo album

G-Dragon, superstar leader of K-pop idol group Big Bang, has announced his plan to release his first solo Japanese album. The singer announced that he will be making his solo debut in Japan with the release of his yet-to-be-titled upcoming album on Aug. 14.G-Dragon will become the second member of Big Bang to make a solo debut in the country after Daesung’s D-Lite solo concert tour in February. The leader is currently on his first worldwide tour as a solo artist, which includes a four-dome tour

April 2, 2013

From stage to the world

Carrying a pack of Dunhills and pink lip gloss, actress, producer and publisher Yoon Suk-hwa steps into her Seoul office. “Do you mind if I smoke?” she asks, her voice and gesture almost theatrical. The iconic stage actress, who just launched the first European edition of her monthly performing arts magazine, Gaeksuk, has been living in London for the last few years. She is the first Korean to break into the West End, co-producing “Top Hat,” “Wonderful Town” and “Journey’s End.” She does not hid

April 2, 2013

Slash and Deftones to throw-down at Metal Fest

Legendary rock ’n’ roll guitarist Slash, along with metal veterans Deftones will hit the stage at this year’s 2013 Metal Fest concert, to be held in the Olympic Hall at Olympic Park on May 9. Saul Hudson, best known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter who rose to rock ’n’ roll superstardom as the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses. Slash first joined Guns N’ Roses in 1985 after being approached by band leader Axel Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin. Two years later

April 1, 2013

SHINee’s Jong-hyun crashes car in Seoul

Member Jong-hyun of the K-pop boy band SHINee was in a minor car accident early Monday morning, according to S.M. Entertainment. The member was driving his own car on his way back to his dorm when he struck a guardrail on the Dongho Bridge in Seoul. The star did not sustain any major injuries. Jong-hyun was taken to the emergency room at a general hospital in Gangnam where it was reported that the star was receiving treatment for some minor injuries that he suffered around his nose area. The mem

April 1, 2013