Undeniably the entertainment world’s most recognized tale of torrid love and romance, the epic war tale from the 1930s, “Gone with the Wind,” is one of the most beloved and enduring classics. The Korean-language musical rendition of this literary and cinematic masterpiece has made its way back to the Seoul stage, only this time, without the lure of flashy K-pop idols in starring roles. Although nowhere near the historic caliber of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel turned 10-time A

Performance Nov. 26, 2015

Pianist Cho Seong-jin will join the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Chung Myung-whun to perform Chopin in a Seoul concert next year in a widely anticipated union of Korea’s classical music icons. At the concert, to be held at Seoul Arts Center on July 15, the pianist who shot to local fame after being crowned as the first Korean to win the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition will be performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. The performance

Performance Nov. 23, 2015

This year saw worldwide accolades of unprecedented proportions for classical music artists from Korea.From the first Koreans to win the top prizes at the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition and Queen Elisabeth Music Competition, to the first Asian to take home the crown at the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, 2015 has cast a light on local classical scene talent like never before. Cho Seong-jinAs the newest classical music icon in Korea, Cho Seong-jin has forever cem

Performance Nov. 23, 2015

A self-admitted die-hard K-pop fan, Zhang Yu Ting of China was already wandering around the five-story complex of SMTOWN@coexartium just minutes after its doors opened Wednesday morning. Sitting at the “LIVErary Cafe,” Zhang kept close guard of one particular white cafe table, constantly caressing and photographing the tabletop religiously with her phone. Upon closer look, one can see the table was autographed by mega K-pop idol duo TVXQ.  SMTOWN@coexartium in Gangnam, Seoul. (Julie Jackson/The

Nov. 18, 2015

When it comes to curbing climate change, Norwegian scientist Jorgen Randers is a disbeliever. “I’m a pessimist because I do not think humanity will go the extra lengths to stop the earth from degenerating,” the coauthor of influential book “The Limits to Growth” (1972) told The Korea Herald on Thursday. “But I’m working hard and hoping that it will. Humanity is capable of preventing such scenarios. The question is whether they will decide to do so.”The 70-year-old professor at the BI Norwegian B

Technology Nov. 13, 2015

Critically acclaimed Chinese classical guitarist Xuefei Yang wants her presence to become more known to Korean audiences with her latest album, “Heartstrings.”  A big-time classical music icon across Asia and parts of Europe, Yang is considered one of the classical guitar world’s leading musicians, having been acclaimed as among the “most extraordinary instrumentalists in the world” and the “most impressive advocate for her instrument.” Yet, in Korea, the 38-year-old guitarist has yet to establi

Performance Nov. 9, 2015

A scene from Kang Sue-jin’s final ballet production, “Onegin.” (Credia)As the tragedy-plagued Tatiana, local prima donna Kang Sue-jin has cemented her rightful ranking as one of the country’s most coveted ballerina figures with her final dance production, “Onegin.”Kang performed three shows at the Seoul Arts Center over the weekend along with the Stuttgart Ballet, capping off a perfect ending to her illustrious, three-decade ballet career. Bidding farewell to the local audience, Sunday’s perform

Performance Nov. 8, 2015

Inarguably one of Korea’s most adorned artistic treasures, ballerina Kang Sue-jin will soon hang up her ballet slippers after her final production of “Onegin” with the Stuttgart Ballet.“This will be my last performance in Korea,” said Kang, 48, in a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.“Following the shows in Korea, I will take the stage again next year to perform ‘Onegin’ once more in Stuttgart and then I will retire,” she added.   Stuttgart Ballet artistic director Reid Anderson (from left t

Performance Nov. 5, 2015

It has been seven years since local piano phenom Lim Dong-hyek has released an album. Dubbed one of today’s most acclaimed Chopin interpreters, the 31-year-old pianist has eagerly returned to his Chopin roots in unveiling his new album, which was released Monday, dedicated to the 19th-century virtuoso’s later, more somber works.“With this music, I hope that people will listen and actually be saddened,” said Lim during a press conference at the Stradeum concert hall in Seoul on Tuesday. “If your

Performance Nov. 4, 2015

Chinese piano prodigy Yundi Li’s recent Seoul performance has been making headlines -- not for an outstanding performance, but because of his tempo blunders and seemingly shameless attitude afterward. The 33-year-old pianist returned to Korea to play alongside the renowned Sydney Orchestra, which performed two shows on Oct. 30 and 31 at the Seoul Arts Center -- with Li performing as a soloist with the orchestra Friday and violinist Vadim Repin performing Saturday. Despite being referred to as a

Performance Nov. 2, 2015