[Herald Review] Classic play ‘Seagull’ brings authenticity, sincerity to stage

The classic tale of Anton Chekhov’s play “The Seagull” fills the stage for two hours and 10 minutes with sympathetic characters and their presence. Classical plays suffer from the general prejudice that they are boring, but in "The Seagull" directed by 88-year-old actor Lee Soon-jae, the cast of veteran actors delivers Chekhov's message that still resonates with audiences today. Set in a countryside mansion belonging to Sorin, a retired civil servant, the play st

Feb. 3, 2023

Musicians hope to revive love in Itaewon through music

The country's top musicians are coming together to bring hope and revive love in Itaewon through a music festival set to take place Saturday and Sunday. A total of 99 musicians including big-name bands such as Leenalchi and Woongsan Band will perform at 13 venues of concert halls, lounges, pubs and clubs as part of "Let There Be Love, Itaewon." while many concerts and festivals were canceled or suspended to express condolences for the tragic Halloween crowd crush disaster in Itaew

Jan. 30, 2023

[Herald Review] Musicals that are treats for the ears, feasts for the eyes

With production companies and audiences moving past the pandemic, musicals are returning en masse. "West Side Story," the 65-year-old Stephen Sondheim-Leonard Bernstein romp, the Asian premiere of "Moulin Rouge!" and more Sondheim in the dark tale of London's murderous barber, "Sweeney Todd" are among those warming up the cold winter season. There was a time when someone who had watched a musical on Broadway would be excited to see it in South Korea, only to be

Jan. 28, 2023

Ajaeng concert to explore reinterpretations of court, folk music

A concert dedicated to the traditional Korean string instrument ajaeng will be held on Feb. 14, at the Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater, located in Jongno-gu. Titled “Choi Hye-rim’s Ajaeng with Yang Seung-hwan,” the 60-minute performance is part of the traditional music performance hall’s project for this year, the organizer announced in a press release last week. Ajaeng is a horizontal zither mainly played in court music and folk music. The instrument has seven string

Jan. 27, 2023

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek brings back Chopin after seven years

Korean classical pianist Lim Dong-hyek is bringing an all-Chopin program in February. This recital is to celebrate Lim’s first LP version released with Warner Music International and is also the first all-Chopin recital in seven years since 2016. Last year, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut, the pianist focused on Schubert for his recital. Under the title of “Regarding Chopin,” Lim will perform Nocturnes, Op. 27 and Scherzo No. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 2 and No. 3. &quo

Jan. 20, 2023

[Herald Review] Arts on stage: two plays on how music and art shape our lives

Actors on stage do more than just read lines -- they sing songs, appreciate paintings and rekindle inspiration. Two gripping plays currently running in Seoul -- John Marans’ “Old Wicked Songs” and Lee Halls' “The Pitmen Painters” -- bring music and art to the stage, exploring the depth of arts and how they shape our lives. Music school drama in "Old Wicked Songs” Set in the spring of 1986 at a music school in Vienna, the play “Old Wicked Song

Jan. 18, 2023

Bamberg Symphony to perform with pianist Kim Sun-wook

The Bamberg Symphony, a prestigious German orchestra led by rising Czech conductor Jakub Hrusa, will return to South Korea for the first time since 2017. This time, the orchestra will join hands with South Korean pianist Kim Sun-wook. On March 29, the 77-year-old orchestra will perform Bruckner’s Symphonic Prelude, WAB 332 and Schumann's Piano Concerto, Op. 54 with Kim. After intermission, they will return to the stage with Dvorak Symphony No. 8, Op. 88, B. 163. at Seoul Arts Center

Jan. 18, 2023

Korean-language play to be staged at Belgian theater

A Korean play called “Chronicles of Alibis” will be staged at KVS, Brussels, on Wednesday, the first time a Korean-language play is being performed in Belgium. English subtitles will be provided, according to the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, which organized the performance in conjunction with the Korean Culture and Information Service. “Chronicles of Alibis” is an autobiographical narrative of playwright-director Kim Jae-yeop’s father and o

Jan. 18, 2023

Conductor Jaap van Zweden shares his vision for Seoul Philharmonic

Just three days before the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's New Year's Concerts on Jan. 12 and 13, the Seoul city orchestra’s incoming music director Jaap van Zweden arrived in Seoul, some six months earlier than scheduled. Van Zweden stepped in for Osmo Vanska, SPO’s music director until 2022, who was unable to conduct the concerts due to an unexpected fall the previous month. “I pray for Vanska’s fast recovery. For me, I was able to get to know the orchestra m

Jan. 17, 2023

'Showman' takes home best musical of the year

“Showman: A Dictator’s Fourth Body Double,” a black comedy created by a Korean creative team, took home the award for best musical of the year at the 7th Korea Musical Awards ceremony, Monday evening at LG Arts Center in Seoul. “Showman,” a story revolving around Nebula, a mysterious, eccentric old man who insists that he is a body double, and Sua, a fake photographer who tries to prey on Nebula, was created by writer Han Jung-seok, composer Lee Sun Young, and direc

Jan. 17, 2023

Biggest birthday party in Hongdae returns for renaissance of indie scene

Over 120 indie rock acts will participate in one of the biggest ever "Hongdae holidays.” The event, “2023 Kyungrockjeol -- Mapo Renaissance,” kicks off Feb. 8 and runs to Feb. 12 in hopes of reviving the indie, cultural and arts scene in Hongdae. The five-day festival is hosted by Crying Nut bassist Han Kyung-rock, also known as Captain Rock, celebrating the rock band’s 28th anniversary. Captain Rock Company announced on Monday the first lineup for this year’s

Jan. 16, 2023

[Graphic News] S. Korean content industry exports hit all-time high in 2021

South Korea’s exports of cultural content hit an all-time high of $12.4 billion in 2021, boosted by the global boom of Korean pop culture, a government report showed. According to a 2021 research study on the cultural content industry released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the industry’s exports increased 4.4 percent to $12.45 billion in 2021 from $11.92 billion in 2020. The content industry is an umbrella term for organizations that produce copyrighted works availa

Jan. 16, 2023

11-year-old cellist wins 1st prize in junior Tchaikovsky

Eleven-year-old Korean cellist Kim Jung-a won the first prize in the cello section at the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Russia, according to Korea National University of Arts on Thursday. Kim competed against seven other cellists in the final round, which was held at the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic on Monday. A total of 128 contestants from 14 countries participated in the piano, violin and cello categories this year. The finalists performed

Jan. 13, 2023

[Herald Review] Thriller play ‘Misery’ keeps audience on edge of seats

Outside the window, it is raining heavily as lightning cracks. In the dreary atmosphere, Annie Wilkes barges into the room, her face distorted in anger, she screams, “Misery cannot be dead! How could you? You murdered her!” Unable to control her rage, Annie almost swings a chair at Paul Sheldon, unable to move due to leg injuries. Then suddenly in a surprisingly soft voice, she whispers: “Try to experience what pain is. Don’t even dream that someone will come and save you

Jan. 12, 2023

Korean production of 'The Phantom of the Opera' to return after 13 years

The Korean production of the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” is returning for the first time in 13 years. The third Korean-language revival after the 2001 and 2009 runs, the latest production is set to premiere in Busan and will feature headlining actor Cho Seung-woo, musical actor Jeon Dong-suk and baritone Julian Kim as the Phantom. Sohn Ji-soo and Song Eun-hye will take the role of Christine. The Busan performances will kick off at Dream Theatre, a venue dedicated to musicals

Jan. 9, 2023

Woodstock festival to land in Korea for first time

The legendary Woodstock festival is coming to Korea with the theme of "freedom, peace and love." The festival will be held from July 29 to 30, at the Hantangang River Geopark complex, in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province in memory of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement, SGC Entertainment announced Friday. The company said it has signed an official copyright agreement with the Woodstock Music and Art Fair to host the three-day festival in Korea. Launched in 1969 in Bet

Jan. 8, 2023

Musical industry made dramatic comeback in 2022

Rebounding from two years of pandemic-related difficulties, South Korea's performing arts industry came back last year stronger than ever, backed by record ticket sales in musicals. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, which collects and analyzes ticket sales data, the total number of ticket sales for performing arts reached 545.2 billion won ($429 million) as of Dec. 28. Out of 545.2 billion won, 76.2 percent (415.5 billion won) was attributed to ticket sal

Jan. 3, 2023

Korea National Contemporary Dance Company unveils its program for next season

Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will continue to explore the art of dance in 2023 with experimental programs for the next season. “20▲△” (Twenty Triangle Triangle) which premiered in 2021 will return to the stage in February as the first program of the season. Directed by choreographer Song Joo-won, the performance was part of the “Dance and Technology Project” which incorporated VR as well as the audience into a dance. In June, “Cascade Passage” wil

Jan. 1, 2023

Top orchestras with Korean musicians highlight classical music calendar in 2023

As most of the world returns to pre-pandemic normalcy, the coming year is expected to bring in worldwide talents and provide many occasions to showcase collaboration between Korean musicians and renowned orchestras. As early as March, the 475-year-old German orchestra Staatskapelle Dresden, with its principal guest conductor Chung Myung-whun, will hit the stage of the Seoul Art Center. On March 5, featuring Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin, the orchestra will perform a Tchaikovsky piano concerto a

Dec. 29, 2022

New SPO music director will lead opening concert with Brahms

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's incoming music director Jaap van Zweden, will lead the opening concert of 2023 with his signature repertoire, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, at the Lotte Concert Hall, on Jan. 12 and 13. Van Zweden will lead the SPO six months earlier than originally scheduled. The Dutch conductor was scheduled to conduct regular SPO concerts in July, November and December in 2023. The Brahms' masterpiece took the German composer 21 years to complete

Dec. 25, 2022