K-pop queen BoA returns to music

[HERALD INTERVIEW]Crossover artist focuses more on vocals, experiments with musical talent with new albumEven among fans, not many know that BoA has a six-letter tattoo on her left wrist. “Chiara, it is my baptismal name, meaning clear,” the singer explained. Now, she might seem a little more transparent than some Korean fans would like, since she has spent most of the last decade away from home to expand her international career. Her dynamic dance moves and heavy stage make-up even on TV often

July 27, 2012

Violinist Lorenzo Gatto to perform in Seoul, Incheon

Belgian violinist Lorenzo Gatto, the second-prize winner at the prestigious 2009 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, holds his first solo recital in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center on Aug. 6. Together with Italian pianist Roberto Giordano, the 26-year-old will perform Paganini’s variations on the G string on a theme from Rossini’s “Moses,” Kreisler’s variation on a theme by Corelli and Ravel’s Tzigane. Gatto will also perform with Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra led by maestro Gum Nan

July 25, 2012

Youn replaces Russian opera star at Bayreuth

SAINT PETERSBURG (AFP) ― Russian opera star Yevgeny Nikitin, who was forced to pull out of the Bayreuth Festival over swastika tattoos, on Tuesday insisted the images were not Nazi and he abhorred National Socialism.The statement by the bass-baritone ― published by his home opera house the Mariinsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg ― was his first reaction released in Russia to a scandal that threatens to overshadow a stellar career.“National Socialism disgusts me, in all its forms,” said the soloist

July 25, 2012

‘Dance Lessons’ breaks stereotypes

Actress Go Doo-shim shows off some fine dancing in her latest playVeteran actress Go Doo-shim’s latest play has been largely promoted as a “healer for women.”The 61-year-old actress, mostly known for her TV roles as self-sacrificing devoted mothers, is depicted as a sultry dancer in the play’s poster. The way the play is marketed, “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” looks like yet another story of an elderly woman finding herself ― in the tradition of Sohn Sook’s “Shirley Valentine” or Noh Sa-yeon’

July 25, 2012

Carnival of animals and music at Hangaram

Seoul Zoo will soon face stiff competition for the best collection of exotic animals in town: A host of new tropical beasts are coming to town for the tenth anniversary of Hangaram Art Museum’s Art & Play exhibition. The annual exhibition is known for its engaging, lively approach to modern art, and this year’s edition, “A Carnival of the Animals,” is no exception with its exploration of the theme with unique contemporary pieces by Korean artists. The art often employs more than just sight, with

July 24, 2012

Classical concerts hit the big screen

Megabox to broadcast Salzburg Festival live in theaters for the first time in AsiaIt is true that live classical music is a luxury to many. Ticket prices have risen dramatically in recent years, making it hard for many to appreciate the emotional sound of a classical music performance.To offer such a chance at modest prices, Megabox will hold a special event starting this Sunday.The local movie theater chain in partnership with Kevin & Company will broadcast five live concerts and operas from Sa

July 24, 2012

Singer Kim receives U.S. Presidential Award

South Korean popular singer Kim Jang-hoon has received the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award, his management company said Monday.Kim was given the award during a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday (local time) through a local concert organizer, the management company said. Kim, known as the “angel of donation,” was selected as the winner of the award by the White House for his contributions to the South Korean community and the United States, according to the organizer. The White House ma

July 23, 2012

Paik’s legacy lives on in ‘final home’

Pioneer of media art remembered as artist who thought one step ahead of the restIt has been six years since Paik Nam June, a pioneer of video art, died from a stroke on Jan. 29, 2006. But the artist, who his wife Shigeko Kubota describes as “the pioneer who opened the door to 21st century art for young generations,” has never really left us. His influence still prevails in the art world, inspiring many artists. “Now many people appreciate his work. His art looked like low art because he broke TV

July 22, 2012

Seo Hee returns home as Giselle

26-year-old recently promoted to principal ballerina shines in second actOne of the most anticipated ballet performances of the year was unveiled last week, featuring Korean-born American Ballet Theatre dancer Seo Hee as the timeless romantic heroine Giselle.The renowned American troupe’s Seoul run created a lot of buzz even before the opening, for its notoriously expensive ticket prices (400,000 won for a VIP seat), as well as Seo’s sudden promotion to principal dancer just weeks before the com

July 22, 2012

Calendar

Classical Music“2012 Aramnuri Symphonic Series Concert 2 -- Choi Soo-yeol & TIMF Ensemble”: The second part of Goyang Aramnuri’s project on Beethoven and Brahms symphonies this year will be held on July 21 with the Tongyeong International Music Festival Ensemble led by conductor Choi Soo-yeol. The TIMF ensemble will perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61 with violinist Kim Jae-young, a member of NOVUS Quartet and emerging solo violinist. The ensemble will also perform Brahm’s Symp

July 20, 2012

Eyelike

Frank Ocean’s bewitching ‘Channel Orange’Frank Ocean"Channel Orange" (Def Jam)In this cynical world, Frank Ocean’s timing in revealing his sexuality seems a bit curious: The Tumblr-page announcement that shook the urban music world came less than two weeks before the release of his sophomore album, "Channel Orange," bringing him an avalanche of publicity and making him the most celebrated figure in music at the moment.It would all seem a bit manufactured -- if we were talking about a lesser arti

July 20, 2012

KORAIL expands cultural services

Korea Railroad Corporation is holding a series of cultural events starting this weekend, as part of efforts to draw the public’s interest on the country’s railroads. Starting today, KORAIL will hold an exhibition on various types of trains at Seoul Culture Station 284 for three days. The exhibition features hundreds of miniature trains ― from early 20th-century steam locomotives to KTX-Sancheon, the latest bullet train developed by homegrown technology. The collection includes a 2.8-meter-long r

July 19, 2012

2NE1 holding world tour

Girl group 2NE1 is to kick off a global tour titled, “New Evolution.” The four-member group is the first girl group to embark on a world tour.   2NE1, which released its single “I love you” on July 5, will kick off the global tour with a concert on July 28 and 29 at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park, Seoul. 2NE1 will then continue its tour at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 17, and at Nokia Theatre Live located in Los Angeles, California, on Aug. 24. The girl gr

July 19, 2012