Sisters’ unique harmony goes out to flood, landslide victims in KoreaFor violinist Chung Kyung-wha, it was almost her first stage performance since she hurt her hand. For her elder sister, cellist Chung Myung-wha, it was the first time performing chamber music with Kyung-wha in six years.On Friday evening, the artists showcased the first concert of Distinguished Artists Series of the 2011 Great Mo

Performance July 31, 2011

Geoje Island, located at the center of southern coast of South Gyeongsang Province, is often called the “paradise of Namhae” because it offers 13 beautiful beaches as well as many historical tourist sites and museums.The country’s second-largest island, after Jeju, has beaches in both northern and southern parts of the island. In general, visitors to southern beaches outnumber those visiting north

Travel July 29, 2011

Conductor determined to prove Koreans’ passion for music at SPO’s second Europe tour in Aug.South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun said he wishes to see South Korean and North Korean musicians interact some day, as music can be used to seek a common goal beyond differences.His comments came as he was talking about his upcoming Asia tour with Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, which he founded 15 years

Performance July 28, 2011

S.M. Entertainment chief suggests using advertising to enable free downloadsLee Soo-man, chairman of S.M. Entertainment, said Wednesday although K-pop is increasingly popular around the world, it needs a strong boost in the local market first, to further advance to the next level.The local music market needs a new digital music distribution platform ― an iTunes-like one or an entirely different on

Performance July 27, 2011

State-run broadcaster KBS said it has recruited Lee Chang-hoon, a disabled man with first-degree visual impairment, as a news anchor. Lee was selected from among 10 final candidates on Monday. A total of 523 people applied for the job. Lee Chang-hoonThe 25-year-old received high scores from all the judges during a news reading test, as he was able to quickly and precisely deliver news while his ha

People July 26, 2011

The World Festival of National Theaters to kick off with Korea’s pansori opera in fallNational theaters from nine countries including France, the Czech Republic and China will come to Seoul this fall to participate in the 5th World Festival of National Theaters, the organizer said Tuesday.“Coming into the fifth year, we can say the festival is still at a development stage. But there will be as man

Performance July 26, 2011

The gold crown of Silla, excavated from the Cheonmachong, or “Heavenly Horse Tomb,” of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.― 935 A.D.), will make its first overseas trip in October. The National Treasure No. 188, currently kept at the Gyeongju National Museum, will be shown at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney as part of an upcoming exhibition on Korea’s metal crafts.Gold crown of Silla, excavated from the Ch

Culture July 25, 2011

PALM DESERT, California (AP) ― Linda Christian, the Hollywood starlet of the 1940s who married heartthrob Tyrone Power and went on to become the first Bond girl, has died.Her daughter, Romina Power, says Christian died Friday in Palm Desert after battling colon cancer. She was 87. A 1948 file photo shows actors Tyrone Power and Linda Christian in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. (AP-Yonhap N

People July 24, 2011

PARIS (AP) ― Jazz great Herbie Hancock wants his music to build bridges between cultures, a mission that fits perfectly with his new role as a U.N. cultural ambassador promoting peace through culture and education.The 71-year-old ― imbued with boundless energy, curiosity and cool-cat poise ―is a natural for the job. His “The Imagine Project” album is a multicultural potpourri featuring collaborati

Performance July 24, 2011

LONDON (AFP) ― Realist painter Lucian Freud, grandson of the inventor of modern psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud and widely seen as Britain’s top contemporary artist, has died in London aged 88, his lawyer said.Freud was known for his signature nudes and self-portraits such as the powerful 1993 work of himself as a naked older man waving his brush like a weapon. A painting entitled “Self Portrait, Ref

People July 24, 2011