[Herald Interview] Jeon Do-yeon embraces complexity of Simon Stone's 'Cherry Orchard'

In a contemporary Korean adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s tragicomedy “The Cherry Orchard,” directed by Simon Stone, Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon takes on the role of Song Do-young, a reinterpretation of Lyuba Ranevsky. Acclaimed Australian director Stone has transported Chekhov’s narrative into 2024 South Korea, mirroring the original’s portrayal of a decaying aristocracy amidst societal upheaval. Clad in a trench coat, pink tracksuit and sneakers, the "tr

June 26, 2024

National Dance Company invites us to dreamlike reveries

The National Dance Company of Korea is set to present alternating performances of "Sinsun" and "Mongyudowonmu" from Thursday to Sunday at the National Theater of Korea's Daloreum Theater. "Sinsun" will be performed on Thursday and Saturday, while "Mongyudowonmu" will be performed on Friday and Sunday. Having originally premiered as a double bill in 2022, both productions have been expanded into 60-minute performances. "Sinsun" portrays the p

June 25, 2024

Westlife concert in Korea postponed to November

Irish pop band Westlife's concert has been postponed to November. According to Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort, Westlife, initially scheduled to perform “The Hits Tour” in Korea at the Incheon Inspire Arena on July 6-7, will now hold one concert, on Nov. 23. The band last performed in Korea in October 2011 as part of its "Gravity Tour." Tickets for Westlife’s concert in Korea, which were sold through pre-booking, will be automatically canceled and full refun

June 25, 2024

Trendy 'gugak' festival 'Yeowoorak' spotlights artists

The iconic summer "gugak," or traditional Korean music, festival "Yeowoorak" is back from July 4 to 27, marking its 15th edition. Derived from the Korean phrase "Here is our music," Yeowoorak is the National Theater of Korea's flagship summer festival, showcasing musicians who explore and experiment with gugak. Since its inception in 2010, the festival has attracted over 77,000 people to the National Theater of Korea on Namsan. In the previous editions, Yeowoor

June 24, 2024

Britpop legends Suede to perform in Seoul

The band Suede, which helped create and lead the Britpop musical movement in the 1990s, will perform in Korea for the first time in eight years. Suede will perform "Suede Live in Seoul" at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu on Aug. 23. This will be the band's first performance in Korea since they played at the 2016 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. Formed in London in 1989, Suede is recognized as a key Britpop band alongside Blur, Pulp and Oasis. Britpop, a type of alternative rock that origi

June 24, 2024

KNCDC's contemporary 'Jungle' to tour Paris, Italy, Austria, Kazakhstan

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is on an international tour with "Jungle," which premiered in October as the curtain raiser at the International Modern Dance Festival. The company is performing "Jungle" at Theatre 13 in Paris on Sunday and Monday, as part of the 2024 Korea Season organized by the Culture Ministry to coincide with the 2024 Paris Olympics, which kicks off July 26. Choreographed by Kim Sung-yong, the company's director and artistic director, &

June 23, 2024

Red Velvet to kick off Asia fan concert tour

Red Velvet is set to connect with fans across Asia with their upcoming fancon tour “Happiness: My Dear, ReVeluv” which will kick off with a two-day event in Seoul at the Olympic Handball Gymnasium, scheduled for Aug. 3-4. The announcement of the tour was marked by the release of a vibrant poster, shared on Red Velvet’s official fan club community and social media platforms Wednesday. The performance holds significance as they will celebrate their 10th anniversary with fans on A

June 21, 2024

Jeonju Intl. Sori Festival moved up to summer for 2024

The 23rd Jeonju International Sori Festival is set to run from Aug. 14 to 18, featuring a rich lineup of 105 performances across 78 programs of different genres including traditional Korean music, or "gugak," classical music and world music. The performances will take place at Sori Arts Center of North Jeolla Province and cities across North Jeolla Province. Opening the festival is "Pungmul Pankut," which transforms "nongak" into a theatrical performance. Nongak tra

June 20, 2024

Musical weeks kick off with international market and festival

Musicals are at the center of attention this week as two major events bring together domestic and international musical production companies, performers, experts and investors in Seoul and Daegu. On Tuesday, the K-Musical Market, an annual event launched in 2021 to promote Korean original musicals internationally, kicked off with a forum on the latest trends in musical markets in Asia. The event serves as a platform for participants to share information on overseas expansion, local developme

June 19, 2024

[Herald Review] Weverse Con Festival captivates audience with music, technology

INCHEON -- The Weverse Con Festival, hosted by K-pop powerhouse Hybe, concluded over the weekend, captivating music fans with performances that spanned generations and genres. Held at the Inspire Entertainment Resort on Incheon's island Yeongjongdo on Sunday, the festival featured outdoor and indoor concerts as well as diverse events over two days. On the stage Sunday were 15 artists, including rising K-pop stars TWS, virtual idol group Plave and globally popular groups Seventeen, Enhypen a

June 17, 2024

Kolleen Park to bring healing rites through changgeuk 'Paper Shaman'

Shamanism will be brought to the National Theater of Korea stage for the first time next week when the National Changgeuk Company of Korea performs "Paper Shaman,” a work that blends shamanism and pansori. Renowned musical director Kolleen Park, directing a changgeuk for the first time, aims to deliver a message of comfort and healing. “I'm creating this piece with the hope of soothing all lives and souls across the world that have been hurt and have suffered,” said P

June 17, 2024

[Herald Interview] Ballet choreographer brings Korean romance to stage

A new ballet piece inspired by a Korean bestselling novel will premiere at Seoul Arts Center’s Jayu Theater this Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest creation by choreographer Yang Young-eun of Beyond Ballet, “Chrysanthemum Scent," is the third installment in Yang's "Dancing Literature" series, drawing inspiration from Kim Ha-in's bestselling melodrama romance, which was also adapted into the 2003 film “Scene of Love” and the hit drama series, &ldquo

June 15, 2024

Ensemble to play Schumann at Deoksugung

A local ensemble featuring a violinist, violist, cellist and pianist will present Schumann in Seokjo Hall at Deoksugung, a historic palace in Seoul, on June 26. This free concert is open to all, with registration starting on June 19 for the one-night performance. On June 26, violinist Kim Yong-uck, violist Lee Han-na, cellist Kim Min-ji and pianist Park Jong-hai will present Schumann’s three works -- Op. 15, Op. 47 and Op. 94 -- during the biannual classical music festival at the Joseon-er

June 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Jellyfish' playwright discusses authenticity of disabled portrayals

The preproduction showcase of "Jellyfish," starring actors with disabilities at Seoul's Modu Art Theater in late May, was different in many ways. From the outset, it set itself apart with an unconventional beginning where the cast and creative team gathered on stage in a small circle, introduced themselves and engaged in a quick chanting game to check on each other’s mental and physical states before the performance. The play was presented in a relaxed style, with dim lighti

June 12, 2024

[Herald Review] Propaganda play turns into absurdist black comedy

Playwright Cha Beom-seok's "Hwal Hwa San," which premiered in 1974, was a work of political propaganda inspired by the real-life figure Kim Myung-soon, a model example of the Saemaul Undong movement. In bringing the play back to the stage after almost half a century, director Yoon Han-sol was intrigued by the question of how a 50-year-old propaganda play could resonate with a contemporary audience. Rather than adapt or alter the script, he chose to add twists in directing through

June 11, 2024

National Theater Company revives legendary Cha Beom-seok's 'Hwal Hwa San'

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of renowned playwright Cha Beom-seok's birth, the National Theater Company of Korea is staging "Hwal Hwa San." Directly translated to "active volcano," the play is set in a small rural village in North Gyeongsang Province during the late 1960s. It follows the story of Jeong-sook (played by Kang Min-ji), the daughter-in-law of the Lee family. Despite their noble lineage, the family teeters on the brink of ruin due to mounting debts. Jeong

June 11, 2024

[From the Scene] Rain couldn't dampen spirits at Busan International Dance Festival

BUSAN -- Despite unexpected rain and a shifting schedule, the Busan International Dance Festival wrapped up its vibrant three-day celebration Sunday, showcasing a rich tapestry of performances from around the globe in the southeastern city. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the festival offered a unique experience in seeing dancers perform on an outdoor stage next to the sea. As rain poured on Saturday, the festival’s official program at the Haeundae Beach Special Stage had to be

June 10, 2024

Dream Concert World in Japan to take place in August

Dream Concert, which has been held annually for 30 years, will meet with K-pop fans in Japan this August. Since its inception in South Korea in 1995, Dream Concert has been a significant event in the K-pop calendar, showcasing countless musical artists over the years. Under the theme “With Music We Got a Friend,” concerts will be held over two days, Aug. 10-11, at the Belluna Dome in Saitama, Japan. This will be the second overseas edition of the Dream Concert, with the first taking

June 7, 2024

[Herald Interview] Contemporary dance project 'Init' brings together dancers across Asia

When dancers who appear to be performing without rules suddenly move together in unison, each movement and step falling perfectly into beats, it creates a breathtaking effect. Choreographer Kim Sung-yong of “Init” likened this to an ink-and-wash painting, where different colors blend naturally and unpredictably. The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is set to premiere the DMAU project, "Init," from Friday to Sunday at the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Gr

June 5, 2024

Renowned US, UK artists across genres to perform in Seoul

Several renowned American and British artists of diverse genres will perform in Korea in the latter half of this year. American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly will hold her first concert in Korea, performing at Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on Aug. 27 as part of her Asia tour "Purple Skies," according to Live Nation Korea. Kelly, winner of two Grammy awards in 2019, is best known in Korea for her collaboration with Le Sserafim's Kim Chaewon on her song "Spruce.&

June 5, 2024