More stream-of-consciousness than circus

For audience expecting a circus, ‘Rain’ leaves something to be desiredIf hair-raising acrobatics, lions jumping through hoops on fire and ultra-flexible girls folding themselves like paperclips is your idea of a good show, “Rain” is not what you are looking for. Canadian troupe Cirque Eloize’s “Rain” is such a new type of show that calling it a circus would be to ignore most of its essence. Though

June 27, 2011

Jackson ‘Thriller’ jacket sells for $1.8m

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― The red and black leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson in his “Thriller” video went under the hammer for $1.8 million on Sunday, a day after the second anniversary of the pop icon’s death.The jacket, which fetched several times its estimate of between $200,000 and $400,000, has “Love Michael Jackson” written on the sleeve, and a dedication in the lining to his long-time costu

June 27, 2011

[Photo] JYJ World Tour wrapped up

 JYJ, a Korean boy group formed by Junsu, Jejung and Yuchun of the disbanded TVXQ, has successfully wrapped up their world tour concert, its agency CJes Entertainment said on Monday.The 2011 JYJ World Tour Concert started on April 2 in Bangkok, Thailand, and the members went on to showcase their talent in Taiwan, China, Japan, four cities in the U.S. before coming back to Korea’s Busan in mid-June

June 27, 2011

Peaceful and ordinary: Busan in 1952

Color photographs donated by former U.S. dental officer show unknown side of Korean WarKids are playing with water, men and women sing and dance, and markets are filled with people and energy.These color photographs, taken by former U.S. dental officer Charles J. Burstone in Busan during the Korean War, are rather hard to believe. Filled with ordinary joys and peaceful moments, these photographs s

June 26, 2011

[Herald Interview] Suede’s ‘Beautiful Ones’ to rock final stage at Jisan

British alternative rock band to play for first tims in Korea since reunionAs the U.K. rock group Suede had a strong presence in the Britpop movement in the 1990s, the disbanding of the act in 2003 was quite disappointing to alternative rock fans around the world.However, the band was reunited last year and is coming to Korea to hold their first here since the reunion. The act is to be on the fina

June 26, 2011

Calendar

Exhibitions“The American Art: Masterpieces of Everyday Life from the Whitney Museum of American Art”: To present an overall view of U.S. contemporary art of the early 20th century, the National Museum of Contemporary Art is exhibiting 87 artworks from the Whitney Museum of American Art’s major collections. It will feature diverse media, from paintings, photos to installations by 47 U.S. artists in

June 24, 2011

Eye-like

Eliane Elias “Light My Fire”Concord PicanteEliane Elias stands out from other Brazilian singers because she has not only a deep-rooted feel for the rhythms of her native land but also is fluent in the American jazz idiom after spending some 30 years in the United States. “Light My Fire” showcases her talents as a four-tool player -- singer, pianist, arranger and songwriter -- with a romantic colle

June 24, 2011

Police confirm Daesung’s car killed motorcyclist

Police concluded Friday that the death of a motorcyclist was caused by a car driven by Big Bang member Daesung. They said Daesung would be booked without detention. The police made a briefing Friday morning based on the autopsy result of the motorist, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle driven by the 22-year-old singer, hit both a motorcyclist who was lying in the road and a taxi dri

June 24, 2011

Guggenheim Museum introduces Lee U-fan

Installation view of Lee U-fan’s “Dialogue” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (Kukje Gallery/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation)The first retrospective exhibition in the U.S. on South Korean artist Lee U-fan opened on Friday at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Titled “Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity,” the exhibition looks back on the artist’s career of almost half a century by presenting 9

June 23, 2011

Beat of ancient Korea lives on

Non-verbal performance Dulsori to stage three-day celebration in SeoulWild ancient revelry moves to the resounding beat of Korea’s past in “Dulsori,” roughly translated as “heartbeat of the land,” which since 1984 has brought the rhythm of Korean festivals to audiences in 50 countries. To mark this journey, which has taken the show’s performers to destinations as diverse as Belgium, Cambodia and P

June 23, 2011

Van Gogh painting of brother found

AMSTERDAM (AP) ― The Van Gogh Museum said Tuesday its experts now believe one of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings previously thought to be a self-portrait actually depicts his brother, Theo.If true, it would be the only known painting of Theo, although Vincent made several sketches of his brother, who supported him financially and was his lifelong confidant and friend.“People have often thought it was

June 22, 2011

2011 Ditto Festival to showcase French works

Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet to join ensemble Ditto in SeoulNow in its fifth season, the 2011 Ditto Festival’s theme will be French classical music including Debussy, Ravel and Faure. The audience will be able to enjoy a special duo recital by ensemble Ditto and another ensemble Parker Quartet, the festival’s artistic director said on Wednesday.All-male chamber ensemble Ditto, led by violis

June 22, 2011

Broccoli, You Too toys with unconventionality

Indie band hopes to start working on third album after summer concertsWhile idol group-centered K-pop has been heavily covered by the media, the Korean indie music scene has received relatively little attention. Seeking diversity of Korean music, The Korea Herald is running a series of interview articles shedding light on the Korean indie music scene. This is the second installment of the series.

June 22, 2011

Former art gallery put up for auction

The former Korean Fine Art Gallery building in Gahoe-dong, central Seoul, has been put up for auction. Seoul Auction announced on Tuesday that it would mediate the sale of the building designed by architect Kim Jung-up in 1967. The sale will be held through the “Real Estate Private Sale” special section of Seoul Auction’s 120th auction which will be held next week. It is the first time that an art

June 21, 2011

Liszt comes to life at fingertips of Paik Kun-woo

Franz Liszt, a Hungarian gipsy, Catholic and true virtuoso open to improvisation, came to life at the fingertips of veteran pianist Paik Kun-woo in Seoul on Sunday evening. The 64-year-old’s program on Sunday was the first part of the “Paik Kun-woo, and Liszt” recital celebrating the 200th year of the composer’s birth, covering almost all of Liszt’s pieces in two concert programs at the Seoul Arts

June 20, 2011

Summer fests to enthrall Gwangju, Daegu

‘Festival O! Gwangju’ and ‘Daegu International Musical Festival’ present local and international performancesGwangju Metropolitan City and Daegu Metropolitan City are each holding a festival showcasing performances ranging from percussion acts and dance to plays and musicals this summer. “Festival O! Gwangju,” hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gwangju Cultural Foundation, kicks off on June 2

June 20, 2011

K-pop heat moves to London, Jakarta

It has been only 10 days since Korean pop stars attracted 14,000 European fans in two K-pop concerts in Paris. On Sunday, more than 800 European fans gathered in front of Abbey Road Studios in London to catch a glimpse of Korean boyband SHINee.The five-member group performed at Abbey Road Studios in a closed reception where local media and European music industry experts were invited, SM Entertain

June 20, 2011