‘Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon’ offers solid music, strong vocal performanceWhen the creators of the hit musical “Hero” announced they would be working together for another piece, and that it was going to be about the late poet Yun Dong-ju (1917-1945), many predicted the emergence of another grim, patriotic piece.What was unveiled on Friday at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater was exactly that, with a number of notable fortes in music, stage design, and vocal performances. The piece’s lack of adeq

Performance Aug. 13, 2012

Singer Psy entertained over 30,000 audience members at his solo concert at the Jamsil Sports Complex Stadium in Seoul on Saturday.The show was Psy’s first concert following the release of his latest album, titled “Gangnam Style,” last month. The album’s title track, as well as its unique “horse riding” dance, has been receiving sensational reviews worldwide. The music video of the song, which has received more than 24 million views on YouTube, was featured on CNN, in the Los Angeles Times, and o

Performance Aug. 12, 2012

‘The Grand Heist’ actor reveals his ambitions, street-smart natureKnown for his looks and nice-guy charm, actor Oh Ji-ho is known by many for his roles in TV romantic comedies. Some of the most memorable roles of his acting career, including that of a smart-but-awkward office worker in KBS’ 2006 drama “My Wife is a Superwoman,” and as a young handyman who takes care of his orphaned nephews in 2006’s romantic comedy “Couple or Trouble,” had that “nice guy” appeal and personality.But behind his be

Film Aug. 12, 2012

Different types of swimming pools offer entertainment, reliefAlthough the record-breaking temperatures that gripped the nation have abated somewhat and the heat wave warning was removed early Friday, the weather is still expected to remain warm. A number of pools in the city offer both cool relief as well as dining and entertainment opportunities for the Seoulites seeking a break from the dog days of summer close to home. There is an “infinity edge” pool, where swimmers cannot see the edges of

Culture Aug. 10, 2012

You’ve never seen Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones quite like this.As old marrieds facing “intensive” couples counseling over their comatose sexual relationship, two of America’s finest screen actors are by turns silly, befuddled, awkward and confused.And “Hope Springs,” the new comedy from the director of “The Devil Wears Prada” and scripted by a “Game of Thrones” writer, is all the more amusing for it. Seeing the best in the business act out the no-eye contact body language, the embarrassment

Film Aug. 10, 2012

The Coldest WarBy Ian Tregillis (Tor)With “The Coldest War,” Ian Tregillis continues an impressive fantasy/alternative-history trilogy he began with “Bitter Seeds.” The first novel, set in Britain’s darkest hours of World War II, pitted British warlocks, calling on dark otherworldly forces, against young Nazi Ubermenschen, whose X-men-like superpowers (invisibility, flamethrowing) are fueled by battery power fed directly into their brains.Now it’s 1963. The Russians rule everything east of Paris

Books Aug. 10, 2012

In the decades since her death on Aug. 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe has been the subject of so many books that the actress practically deserves her own Dewey Decimal classification.And although it seems unlikely that there’s any aspect of her 36 years that hasn’t been adequately dissected, analyzed and scrutinized half a century on, the books keep coming, like the following ― two weighty tomes and two glossy coffee table books ― that have been published in the last few months.“Marilyn: The Passion an

Books Aug. 10, 2012

Wim Wenders’ documentary opens  in Korea a year after its original releaseNot every movie needs 3-D treatment, but Wim Wenders’ cinematic tribute to his friend, the late groundbreaking dancer Pina Bausch, is certainly one of the exceptions. The 3-D documentary, titled “Pina,” is not a biographical film about Bausch. It is about her works, and what the members of her troupe ― the famous Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch ― have to say about her and what they learned from her extraordinary life. 

Film Aug. 8, 2012

Movie screenings to feature lives of ethnic Koreans in JapanLast year, Japanese-Korean director Yang Yong-hi’s personal documentary “Goodbye Pyongyang,” a portrait of her own family, drew attention in Seoul for its complex and painful expose of ethnic Koreans living in Japan. Seoulites will be given a chance to view more films about ethnic Koreans living in Japan this summer and learn about their history. In commemoration of the upcoming Liberation Day on Aug. 15, the Northeast Asian History Fou

Film Aug. 7, 2012

Seoul Musical Festival to hold conferences, workshops for local musical directorsFrom “Gwanghwamun Younga” to “200 Pounds Beauty,” local musicals have been finding their niche in Korea’s performing arts scene in the past few years, in spite of the dominance of big-scale, imported foreign productions, such as “Wicked” and “Elisabeth.”To support local musical productions and boost their ticket sales, the Culture Ministry and Seoul Metropolitan Government together organized an eight-day festival, c

Performance Aug. 6, 2012

National Museum showcases 100 Chinese artifacts wishing good fortuneCount the five Chinese blessings: Happiness, longevity, wealth, joy and professional success.The people’s yearnings for these blessings and fortune were often expressed in works of art, from paintings to sculptures, and even in wedding robes. In these items, auspicious spirits would appear in the form of a dragon or a phoenix, and sometimes a bat. The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition featuring some 100 Ch

Performance Aug. 5, 2012

We Need to Talk about Kevin (U.S.)Opened July 28Drama. Directed by Lynne Ramsay. Eva (Tilda Swinton), who used to be a prominent travel writer, now works for a small travel agency. Her son, Kevin (Ezra Miller) is in prison after committing an ineffable crime at his high school. She looks back at her memories of the difficult relationship she had with her son, who never bonded with her throughout his life. The Thieves (Korea)Opened July 25Crime. Action. Directed by Choi Dong-hun. Anycall (Gianna

Books Aug. 3, 2012

Kids, even the wimpy ones, grow up so fast. It’s hard to finish a film franchise with them before they’re shaving, dating and turning up in the tabloids.Zachary Gordon, the fresh-faced lad who landed the coveted “Wimpy Kid” role in the adaptations of Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” movies, has had a growth spurt. His Greg Heffley is taller than his portly pal, Rowley (Robert Capron), almost tall enough not to have to take any more guff from his bullying older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick

Film Aug. 3, 2012

NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire is so passionate about promoting literacy that he has a tattoo on his forearm that says “Read.” This week, the 29-year-old captain of the New York Knicks is translating that ink to the page with a new book series he’s written for middle-graders called “STAT: Standing Tall and Talented.”Titled after his nickname, “STAT” is based on Stoudemire’s life as a middle schooler. Published by Scholastic, the kickoff title, “Home Court,” is written from his perspective as a 6-f

Books Aug. 3, 2012