Inaugural exhibition focuses on artistic efforts to create renaissance of Korean artAn art exhibition has unveiled the famous bull painting by Korean modern artist Lee Jung-seob to the public this week after it made brief public appearance at an auction two years ago. The painting, purchased by a pharmaceutical company CEO and art collector Ahn Byung-gwang, is the highlight of the inaugural exhibition of Seoul Museum, which was founded by Ahn. About 70 other paintings by modern Korean artists, w

Aug. 29, 2012

Big Bang leader G-Dragon will make a comeback on Sept. 1 with a new single “That XX.” YG Entertainment’s official blog posted a teaser photo of G-Dragon’s new single on Aug. 29, formally announcing his return.The 24-year-old singer released the music video of another new song “One of a Kind” which received more than 3 million views and 3,000 comments on the day of its release on Aug. 25. G-Dragon’s teaser photo is also getting much attention from his fans for its “19 and over” sign, indicating t

Aug. 29, 2012

Over 120 works by established Korean and foreign artists on the blockArtday, a subsidiary of the Herald Corporation, presents a special selection of modern and contemporary art this week, aimed at both novice and seasoned collectors. It features about 120 paintings by Korea’s modern and contemporary artists ― from established figures such as Kim Hwan-ki, Sa Suk-won, Lee Sook-ja and Kang Ik-joong to young artists Kim Dong-yoo, Lee Gil-woo and Bae Yoon-hwan. Japanese contemporary artists Yayoi Kus

Aug. 28, 2012

Veteran actress Son Sook stars in monodrama ‘What I keep till the Very End’Among the many short stories late author Park Wan-suh wrote, her 1994 piece “What I Keep till the Very End” is considered as one of her most personal works.The story was written largely based on the author’s painful loss of her son in a car accident in 1988, just three months after his father’s death. He was 26 years old at the time and was attending a prestigious medical school in Seoul.The novella is now being staged as

Aug. 28, 2012

Girl group T-ara has recently been surrounded by a bullying scandal, as speculations ran rampant that one member, Ryu Hwa-young, 19, was bullied by her groupmates.On Tuesday, she confirmed on Twitter that there was, in fact, a dispute between the members and herself over differences of opinion, but also expressed that she wants to move on. Hwa-young wrote she did not feel good reading that fellow member Eun-jung’s was abruptly cut from the drama “Five Fingers.” Hwa-young also said her heart brok

Aug. 28, 2012

The first show of the upcoming outdoor opera “La Boheme,” initially scheduled to be performed at the Amphitheater at Yonsei University tonight, has been moved to Thursday due to Typhoon Bolaven, which is expected to reach Seoul today, its local production company ADL said Monday. The second show of the run, which is slated to be held at the same venue on Sept. 1, will be held as scheduled. The powerful typhoon could be the strongest storm to hit Korea in a decade, according to Korea Meteorologic

Aug. 27, 2012

Revamped award offers assistance to selected artistsThe National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea is holding its artists-of-the year exhibition as part of its efforts to discover and promote contemporary artists. The recipients of the 2012 Korea Artist Prize are Gim Hong-sok; Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho as a team; Yee Soo-kyung; and Lim Min-ouk. The artists will showcase their new artwork at the exhibition from Aug. 31 to Nov. 11 at the Gwacheon branch of the museum. The museum will select

Aug. 27, 2012

SIBF’s third edition more accessible, features contemporary balletThe venue has been changed, so have the repertoire and programs. This year’s edition of the Seoul International Ballet Festival kicked off on Thursday, with many contemporary performances from diverse troupes added to its usual classical repertoire.During its last edition in 2010, the festival took place at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater, which is considered the best and one of the most expensive dance venues in Korea. This yea

Aug. 26, 2012

 Lee Sea-hyun presents his interpretation of Korean landscape and modern history in vivid colorsKorean artist Lee Sea-hyun, once acclaimed as the artist who can best portray his country by the famous Swiss art collector Uli Sigg, has brought new interpretation of Korean society and landscape to the Korean audience. Well-known for the red landscape painting series “Between Red,” Lee took his artistic endeavor to the next level with his new “Rainbow” series along with four sculptures for an upcomi

Aug. 26, 2012

Going viral brings new fans of Korean pop across the worldK-pop used to have a certain formula to be successful overseas. Korean pop artists had to be armed with youth, good looks and cool dance moves, and have plenty of TV exposure through variety shows. Not anymore. Going viral is the new rule.Not-so-young, not-so-good-looking Korean rapper and singer Psy, whose horse-riding dance is more hilarious than cool, earned instant international fame when his latest music video went viral in recent we

Aug. 24, 2012

Five-member boy band Big Bang swept the YouTube K-pop music video scene in the first half of the year, a report by Google Korea showed.Google Korea, which operates the YouTube video-sharing site in the Korean language, said Big Bang led the popularity of K-pop, as their four music videos were the top K-pop music videos on YouTube, by international views.The No. 1 spot went to “Fantastic Baby,” the lead single from latest album “Alive” (2012), followed by “Blue.” The boy group’s two other songs “

Aug. 24, 2012

 Amateur but powerful social media users boost global buzz over Korean WaveThe local social media market in Korea is relatively closed off from the outside world, making it difficult for non-Korean Internet or mobile users to search for anything related to K-pop in the English language.Using local social media services ― such as Cyworld, the Korean version of Facebook, or Me2day, the Korean version of Twitter ― it is almost impossible to search for English content on K-pop or hallyu.However, as

Aug. 24, 2012

Pop Music“Mingus Big Band”: The Mingus Big Band, a group of musicians from New York famous for their exciting jazz ensemble performances, is coming to Korea for the first time. The group, consisting of 14 acclaimed artists, celebrates the music of the composer and bassist, Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, widow of the late Mingus, the band has been touring U.S. cities and abroad, and has been nominated for a number of Grammy Awards. The band will perf

Aug. 24, 2012

Terrific debut by World Famous HeadlinersWorld Famous Headliners “World Famous Headliners” (Big Yellow Dog Music) Three singers. Three songwriters. Three guitarists. That should be three strikes against the World Famous Headliners.Instead, the chemistry created in this collaboration is captivating. Big Al Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin -- with plenty of help from bassist Michael Rhodes and drummer Greg Morrow -- have made an album that justifies the band‘s hyperbolic, tongue-in-cheek na

Aug. 24, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Korean rapper Psy ― who is having a pop culture moment with his viral music video for “Gangnam Style” ― says he’s been doing funky choreography for a decade in his native Korea. But he’s excited his colorful style is being celebrated in the United States, and around the world.“I did a lot of strange dance moves for 12 years in Korea,” Psy said in an interview Wednesday, adding that the reaction today reminds him of his musical debut back home. “This is kind of (the) same story.”T

Aug. 24, 2012

The Yanghyun Foundation announced on Thursday the selection of Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas as the winner of the 5th Yanghyun Prize. Cruzvillegas, 44, received recognition in the international art scene with his installation and video works that reflect the unique social and economic circumstances in Mexico. “Cruzvillegas explores the social, historical meaning of an object and expresses the meanings through an artwork in different forms,” said the judges.  The Mexican artist has been act

Aug. 23, 2012

Actor Lee Je-hoon, 28, will join Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Oct. 25 to complete his 21-month military service. “Lee was planning to enlist in the military right after shooting his movie,” said Saram Entertainment, Lee’s agency. “Lee himself volunteered, so there will be no postponing.” The actor is now filming “My Paparoti” and “Ethics of Anger.” Filming for the movies began in August and July, respectively. Lee will visit China on Aug. 29 for Korean Film Festival that marks the 20th an

Aug. 23, 2012