A stage production of Haydn’s 1798 oratorio “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus, an experimental theater group from Spain, will have its Korean premiere at the Art Center Incheon on March 1 and 2 at 5 p.m. The production will kick off the center’s 2019 season. The Barcelona-based theater troupe is known for its innovative performances that mix modern technology with classical music.  Haydn’s “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus (Art Center Incheon) Art Center Incheon (Art Center Incheon)For Haydn

Performance Feb. 14, 2019

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is holding an exhibition that looks into traditional Korean culture, in conjunction with designer Teo Yang. Yang is a celebrated interior designer who creates modern space designs based on inspiration from traditional Korean culture. Furniture designed by Teo Yang (Yeol) Pieces of furniture designed by Teo Yang are displayed at Yeol Bukchonga in central Seoul. (Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)For the exhibition, Yang reinterpreted the concept of “sa

Arts & Design Feb. 13, 2019

Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz and Korean violinist Kim Bomsori are to set off on a worldwide tour with a recently released album. 　The album, released under the Deutsche Grammophon label in January, has a French and Polish flair. The track list includes Faure’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G Minor, Szymanowski’s Violin Sonata in D Minor and Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor, arranged by Nathan Milstein. 　 Violinist Kim Bomsori (left) and pianist Rafal Blecha

Performance Feb. 12, 2019

Two different concerts highlighting the violin will take place in the next two weeks -- a chamber orchestra concert and a recital by a seasoned duo. Violinist Yang In-mo will take the stage Thursday and Friday with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. He will perform Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor, the only violin concerto piece written by the musician, one of the greatest composers from northern Europe.  Violinist Yang In-mo (Yonhap)In 2015, Yang, 24, became the

Performance Feb. 11, 2019

“Music in PyeongChang - Winter Festival” has begun its 10-day run, introducing classical music to local audiences in celebration of the first anniversary of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.On Friday, the first part of the main concert series, “NOwhere: NOWhere” took place at the Seoul Arts Center to a fully packed house. One highlight from Friday’s performance was “Suite in Jazz Style” by Maxim Rysanov (viola) and Park Jong-hai (piano). Composed by Bulgaria’s Dobrinka Tabakova, the piece consist

Performance Feb. 10, 2019

Stepping inside chocolate shop Piaf, the aroma of chocolate fills the nose. The smell is captivating, exciting even those who are not sweet-toothed. The floor plan of the chocolate paradise is relatively simple, without chairs or tables. The furnished atmosphere resembles that of a fine jewelry boutique. A lone refrigerated showcase stands at the center, open without a glass cover on top. Inside, the stainless steel case is jeweled with a variety of chocolate confections. A chocolatier picks up

Food Feb. 7, 2019

Romantic night at Grand Hilton SeoulGrand Hilton Seoul presents its Valentine’s Day package. The package includes one night’s stay at the hotel, a 30 percent discount for a breakfast buffet for two, a 20 percent discount for a cake at the Alpine deli and white wine. Gift sets from women’s lingerie brand Vivian will also be offered. For the Deluxe Room, the gift will be a set of lingerie valued at 120,000 won. For the Executive Room, a set of sleepwear and lingerie valued at 200,000 won will be i

Food Feb. 7, 2019

Last year, there was an unexpected buzz on TV about several people who were not big-name actors, singers or TV personalities. They were non-celebrities who had not been exposed to media before. From matchmaking to restaurant mentorship, reality programs featuring non-celebrities have risen in popularity, with viewers seemingly tired of celebrity-centric reality show formats.Viewers say they like watching non-celebrities for their natural behavior. Though the outlines of the shows are laid out, t

Television Feb. 5, 2019

Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner. While the word “holiday” may cheer some up, there are also those who don’t welcome the season. The two big traditional holidays in Korea, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (fall harvest holiday), mean days of kitchen labor for many Koreans, particularly married women, to prepare food for their families and their ancestors.But with the popularity of ready-to-eat meals increasing steadily, food companies are looking to Seollal dinner tables as t

Food Feb. 1, 2019

Designer Song Zio plans to go international this year, promoting his flagship brand Songzio Homme in and out of Korea.　Songzio Homme -- a contemporary menswear collection brand -- is currently looking into distribution channels, aiming to supply its products to the Chinese market by the second half of this year. The specific details have not been set yet. Photo from Songzio Homme’s 2019 spring-summer collection (Songzio) Designer Song Zio (left) with model-actor Bae Jung-nam at backstage of Seou

Arts & Design Jan. 31, 2019

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra announced Wednesday that it has appointed Wilson Ng from Hong Kong as its new associate conductor.Ng was selected via a competition last year, beating out 112 other contenders, according to the orchestra. He has been hired as an associate conductor, a title given to those with a wide range of musical abilities who do more than just assist.  Conductor Wilson Ng (SPO)Ng started out as a flutist and went on to study conducting at the Berlin University of the Arts. H

Performance Jan. 31, 2019

Strawberry-filled afternoon at Novotel Ambassador DongdaemunNovotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residence presents the Strawberry Afternoon Tea promotion.The set menu will be available until the end of March from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Gourmet Bar on the 20th floor of the hotel. It includes desserts such as eclairs, financiers, mille-feuille and creme brulee. Diners can choose two drinks from the options of coffee, tea and strawberry coconut smoothie. Those who make reservations in advance

Food Jan. 31, 2019

Beef jerky is a very basic form of preserving meat, needing just sun, wind and time. Depending on the regional characteristics, the details may vary, resulting in different flavors and textures. The most well-known products are probably strong-flavored Singaporean and American beef jerky.But although it is not widely known to younger people, Korea has its own kind of beef jerky, yukpo, that was served at important events in the past. Even these days, it is offered at traditional wedding ceremoni

Food Jan. 31, 2019

From home interior design to baby care, mobile apps cater to users’ interests and lend a hand in their daily lives. After all, an average of three hours is spent on mobile apps daily, according to global app intelligence platform App Annie. During a press event Wednesday at Google Campus Seoul, Google Play introduced four app developers catering to the lifestyles of millennials: Bucket Place, Simfler, Culture Hero and Home Story. From left: App developers Lee Seung-jae of Bucket Place, Yang Duck

Culture Jan. 30, 2019

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will kick off its yearlong exploration of space with “Rush Hour Concert I: Cosmos on Music Paper” on Thursday.  Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra)The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea in central Seoul, as part of SPO’s “Rush Hour Concert” series that connects classical music with the humanities. Launched in 2016, the series aims to allow Seoul residents to conveniently enjoy classical music a

Performance Jan. 29, 2019