Based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel “The Three Musketeers,” the musical rendition of the classic tale is returning to the Seoul stage. The story revolves around the adventures of D’Artagnan in his quest to become part of the elite three musketeers -- Athos, Porthos and Aramis -- in the backdrop of early 17th century France.The original Broadway production first opened in 1928 to rave reviews. “The Three Musketeers” musical finally made its local debut in 2009, where it ranked No. 1 in performance ti

Performance April 10, 2016

The Literature Translation Institute Korea’s Translation Academy is recruiting new students for its 2016 semester, which begins this September.The academy offers two-year courses in the translation of Korean literary and cultural texts into English, French, German, Spanish and Russian. The programs feature comprehensive and in-depth training in literary translation, comprising some 9 to 15 hours of classes per week, as well as excursions that provide insight into Korean culture and history, talk

Culture April 10, 2016

President Park Geun-hye pledged Friday to support the development of self-driving cars to ensure local carmakers won't lag behind their global competitors.Park said South Korea can compete with Google and other foreign rivals in developing driverless cars and eco-friendly vehicles, including electric cars, citing the technological prowess of local carmakers and information and technology companies.South Korea is the world's fifth-largest automobile producer and is home to Hyundai Motor Co. and i

Mobility March 18, 2016

Almost everyone is talking about “Descendants of the Sun,” the latest joint Korea-China television drama project.Fans have fallen head over heels into the love story between an Army captain played by Song Joong-ki and a doctor played by Song Hye-kyo in a faraway, natural disaster-hit country. Critics, meanwhile, predict that this blockbuster will boost KBS, a network broadcaster that has been lagging behind MBC, SBS and even cable channels such as tvN in dramas.A scene from “Descendants of the S

Television March 18, 2016

Behind the glory of hallyu dramas are the star-studded casts. After garnering attention abroad in Korean dramas -- mainly other Asian countries including China and Japan -- stars quickly jump into dramas and variety shows thereOverseas endorsements, and fan meetings follow, consolidating their positions, as well as the prominent status of hallyu.Starting with the unexpected success of the KBS2 TV drama series “Winter Sonata” which aired on Japanese satellite channel BS2 in 2003, the drama’s prot

Television March 18, 2016

Without drama, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won won his way back into the boardroom of the group’s holding firm SK Holdings on Friday, a key outcome of the “Super Friday” glut of shareholders meetings in Korea. More than 300 companies, including 10 SK companies, seven LG units and four Lotte affiliates, held their annual congress of shareholders on the day.As in previous years, shareholder debate or a vote battle to turn down a presented agenda item was a rare sight. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won

March 18, 2016

As worldwide interest in Korean entertainment and content continues its global thrust, the city of Seoul is starting to see an influx in “hallyu-based” tourism, leading to the establishment of Korean drama-inspired tourist guides to assist die-hard fans in tracking down the filming locations of their favorite Korean dramas. “Not long ago, something strange happened on a cold winter day in China -- fried chicken and beer starting selling like hotcakes,” reads VisitSeoul’s Hallyu Tourist Guide. “T

Television March 18, 2016

The cast of “Spotlight” accept their best feature award during the 31st Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, Sunday. (Yonhap-Reuters)The 31st Independent Film Spirit Awards provided a clear rebuke to the Oscars, bestowing awards on “Beasts of No Nation” costars Idris Elba and Abraham Attah and “Tangerine” star Mya Taylor, making her the first transgender actress to win at the annual awards.The newsroom drama “Spotlight” was the big winner at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, the d

Film Feb. 28, 2016

The entrance to the Dolby Theatre is shown during preparations for the 88th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, Wednesday. (Yonhap - Reuters)The Oscars has gone disco -- or at least embracing the gilded glamour of the 1970s.A fringe of gold and silver sequins dangle over the final stretch of the red carpet, and the stage for Sunday’s show was inspired by the glittery, glam styles of the disco era.Production designer Derek McLane said the ’70s were on his mind when he was creating the look f

Film Feb. 28, 2016

Conductor Kim Bong-mee leads the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra during its concert performance at the Seoul Arts Center last year. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)Following its win at last year’s 8th Korea Opera Awards, the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra will be taking the stage at the upcoming “Golden Opera Gala Concert” on Feb. 22. The gala concert is being held as part of the Korea Opera Awards and will stage performances by all of last year’s winners. The Herald Phil was honored with an arts a

Performance Feb. 14, 2016

Former Clon member and popular local electronic dance music icon DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup) has been picked as the music director at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games’ second round of test events. “We have selected Koo Jun-yup as the music director at the upcoming ‘2016 FIS Freestyle Ski-Snowboard World Cup’ second test event from the 18th to 28th at the Bokwang Phoenix Park in PyeongChang,” said PyeongChang Organizing Committee President Cho Yang-ho, in a press release Sunday. 

Performance Feb. 14, 2016

A classical music craze has swept over the country ever since young pianist Cho Seong-jin’s historic win at last year’s International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. He is the first Korean ever to win the prestigious title and his win has helped revive classical music here. Costa Pilavachi, senior vice president of classical artists & repertoire for Universal Music International Group, is among those looking to capitalize on the current buzz in the classical music scene. “Korea is a hot place

Performance Feb. 11, 2016