Youn Yuh-jung, who won the best supporting actress prize at the 93rd Academy Awards for her portrayal of a Korean grandmother in the US film “Minari” earlier this year, will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan on Thursday, in recognition of her contribution to the Korean film scene. The Eungwan Order will be given to legendary folk singer Lee Jang-hee, as well as the late film producer Lee Chun-yeon. Star TV screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung, actor Park In-hwan who starred

People Oct. 28, 2021

Violinist Chung Nu-rie, 16, came in second place at the 56th International Violin Competition Premio Paganini. According to the Korea National University of Arts on Wednesday, Chung won second prize at the latest Paganini Competition held in Genoa, Italy. He also won two other special prizes, including one for the youngest finalist and one for the best performance of a contemporary piece in the semifinal round. The competition, founded in 1954 and named after the legendary Italian violinist a

Performance Oct. 27, 2021

The city of Pohang, a major industrial city in North Gyeongsang Province best known for its steel plants, is launching a classical music festival. The Pohang Cultural Foundation said it will host the Music Festival Pohang 2021, the first edition of the classical music festival from Nov. 5 to 11 for seven days across the port city. “We initially planned to host the festival in 2020, but the plan was postponed for about a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the upcoming festival, th

Performance Oct. 25, 2021

The global content service provider under Apple, Apple TV+ is to begin service in Korea from Nov. 4, further heating up competition in the local streaming service market. Tech giant Apple announced Monday that it will begin service for Apple TV+, Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV app service in Korea starting in November, in partnership with local internet service provider SK Broadband. Apple TV+ is the only subscription streaming service that offers only original content, according to Apple. The

Television Oct. 25, 2021

Pianist Evgeny Kissin is to return to South Korea in November for a recital. On Wednesday, the Lotte Foundation for Arts announced that Kissin will perform at the Lotte Concert Hall in eastern Seoul on Nov. 22. The upcoming recital is part of the Russia-born pianist’s Asia tour, which also encompasses Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He will perform six recitals in Japan from Oct. 28 to Nov. 17 before coming to Korea. After the Seoul recital, he will travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan for more

Performance Oct. 23, 2021

Literary critic Lee O-young, an important figure in the Korean cultural scene, was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit Geumgwan on Friday, alongside artist Park Seo-bo. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selected 17 recipients of the cultural order, recognizing their contribution for the development of arts. Lee and Park recieved the Geumgwan Merit, the highest honor. Lee is a critic, writer and scholar who served as Korea’s first culture minister from 1990-91. He is curre

People Oct. 22, 2021

The Samilro Changgo Theater, which is managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, is to run a three-week program in November for drama creators under the theme “Meetings and Hospitality.” Founded in 1975, the Samilro Changgo Theater in central Seoul was the first private small theater in Korea. Since 2018, it has been managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture under the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The “Changgo Opening” project, which runs Nov. 5

Performance Oct. 22, 2021

Some of the metal type blocks found in Insa-dong, central Seoul in June have been confirmed to be Gapinja, the oldest extant metal types from the Joseon era, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Friday. The National Palace Museum of Korea is to hold a special exhibition, “Encounter With the Brilliant Scientific Technology of Joseon Dynasty,” from Nov. 3, showcasing the metal type blocks to the public for the first time. In June, the Sudo Research Institute of Cult

Culture Oct. 22, 2021

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk failed to win a trophy at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition. Lee, 21, who was one of 12 finalists, did not make the list of awardees announced by the Polish Chopin Institute on Thursday. The competition, held every five years, was postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than 500 pianists signed up for the competition and some 87 contenders made it to the main competition. Lee was the only Korean contender among the 12 finalists

Performance Oct. 21, 2021

The LG Arts Center is gearing up to begin a new chapter in the district of Magok, western Seoul. The art center, managed by LG’s nonprofit organization the LG Yonam Cultural Foundation, is to move to the Magok area in October 2022, joining the LG Group’s R&D complex LG Science Park. In July, the center wrapped up its era in Yeoksam, Gangnam -- where it had been situated for some 20 years since its opening -- with its last production at the theater. “We focused on the p

Performance Oct. 20, 2021

With South Korea soon to embrace a return to normal by “living with COVID-19,” many newlyweds are ready to go abroad for their honeymoons. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began early last year, honeymooners in Korea have been flocking to the southern holiday destination Jeju Island or the southern coastal region of Namhae in South Gyeongsang Province, taking advantage of package deals at luxury hotels. With the global vaccination rate on the rise and with some travel destination countr

Travel Oct. 20, 2021

Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder says he always finds new joy in Beethoven, who is a revolution unto himself. Beethoven specialist Buchbinder, 74, went onstage at the Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday, presenting five beloved Beethoven sonata pieces, including No. 8 “Pathetique,” No. 14 “Moonlight” and No. 21 “Waldstein.” He will have more recitals here throughout the week. “I never get tired of Beethoven. I always find new joy. He has been the center of my life

Performance Oct. 19, 2021

The 24th Seoul International Dance Festival is taking place through Nov. 14 at various venues around Seoul, featuring 77 dance works of diverse genres by choreographers and dance companies from 14 countries. The performances will be held both online and offline. The SIDance festival, organized by the Seoul Section of the UNESCO International Dance Council, kicked off Saturday with dance show “The Object,” presented by the Daegu Arts Center and Gyeonggi Arts Center. This year sees

Performance Oct. 18, 2021

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk, 21, is among the12 finalists of the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition, taking place in Warsaw, Poland. The Chopin Competition, organized by the Polish Chopin Institute, had its first edition in 1927. Previous winners of the prestigious competition for musicians include big names in classical music, such as Martha Argerich and Krystian Zimerman. In 2015, pianist Cho Seong-jin rose became the first Korean winner of the competition and rose to stardom. The co

Performance Oct. 17, 2021

The Korea National Ballet is to present “Jewels,” choreographed by George Balanchine. The state ballet company will take to the stage with the 1967 ballet for the first time at the Seoul Arts Center from Oct. 20-24. Ballet legend Balanchine, recognized for his neoclassical style, created the work for the New York City Ballet of which he was the artistic director, inspired by the artistry of luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels. The three acts of the plotless ballet depict

Performance Oct. 8, 2021