The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday unveiled its second five-year plan, which emphasizes Korean language and traditional culture. The announcement of the plan, which follows the first plan, which ended in 2019, had been postponed as the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The new plan includes support for business activities related to traditional culture and Hangeul. To this end, the ministry will conduct research on traditional materials including Hanji, or traditional mulberry

Culture April 12, 2023

The former presidential office Cheong Wa Dae will be a more "dynamic place" in the hands of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the ministry announced on Monday. To promote Cheong Wa Dae as a cultural attraction, the ministry will prepare new exhibitions, performances and exploration programs related to four key areas -- presidential history, culture and arts, cultural heritage and trees -- to offer a unique and interesting experience for visitors, a ministry official said Mon

Culture April 10, 2023

Global fashion brand Fendi has launched a music award to support emerging young Korean musicians, Fendi Korea announced Monday. The award, created in tandem with the string ensemble Sejong Soloists, is to be presented to talented individuals who show excellence in classical music. Candidates are recommended by 15 music experts and the winner is selected by a panel of four judges led by Jaap van Zweden, the current music director of the New York Philharmonic who will lead the Seoul Philharmonic O

Performance April 10, 2023

Leonidas Kavakos, an artist-in-residence along with Korean pianist Kim Sun-wook at this year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival, is a Greek violinist with a special musical connection with Chin Un-suk, the artistic director of the festival. Chin, a multiple award-winning composer, who had vowed to write only one concerto per instrument, decided to make an exception after listening to a performance by Kavakos, a violin virtuoso. Kavakos, 56, has performed Chin’s second violin co

Performance April 7, 2023

South Korea’s leading classical music event, the Tongyeong International Music Festival, kicked off on March 30 with the theme, “Beyond Borders.” The 21st edition of the festival, led by Korean composer Chin Un-suk as the music director for the second year, runs until April 9, and features renowned domestic and international musicians and a unique program. Pianist Kim Sun-wook performs with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson in the packed Tongyeong

Performance April 7, 2023

Japanese architect Tadao Ando's work at Museum SAN Museum SAN, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is nestled in the mountains of Wonju, Gangwon Province and much appreciated for its striking building and beautiful surroundings. In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the museum has opened a solo exhibition on the architect titled, “Tadao Ando – Youth,” the architect’s first show at the museum, shedding light on his artistic career since the 1970s.

Culture April 7, 2023

The story of 18-year-old violinist Gong Min-bae, who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 5, is one of overcoming adversity, as he has managed to turn his diagnosis into an opportunity to excel in music. “Music is everything to me,” Gong told reporters during a press conference held Thursday. "I feel good and comfortable (when playing the violin)," he said, adding that he finds nothing difficult when he is playing his instrument. He spends four to five

Performance April 6, 2023

BUSAN -- While "The Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show on Broadway, is set to say its final goodbyes with its last performance on April 16, South Korea's production of the show made a strong comeback in Busan last week. The local production kept fans waiting for 13 years, while supporters of veteran actor Cho Seung-woo, who has a reputation for creating memorable characters, had been eagerly anticipating his new role for over seven years. Andrew Lloyd Webber's mu

Performance April 5, 2023

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- As the audience awaits the 21st Tongyeong Festival Orchestra’s first performance to kick off Friday evening, a sudden burst of applause erupts from one side of the audience. Stealing the thunder was former President Moon Jae-in, in attendance at the controversial music festival founded to commemorate the late composer Yun I-sang. In his first time visiting the festival, Moon paid respects to Yun at his tomb, located right next to the Tongyeong concer

Performance April 2, 2023

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- South Korea’s leading classical music event, the “Tongyeong International Music Festival,” kicked off Friday with the theme “Beyond Borders.” The festival's 21st installment, led by Korean composer Chin Unsuk as the music director for the second year, runs until April 9, featuring renowned domestic and international musicians and unique programs. “Beyond Borders” embodies Chin’s intentions to transcend

Performance March 31, 2023

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday announced that it has launched a special investigation team that will look into a complaint filed about the contract for the comic and cartoon series “Black Rubber Shoes.” On Wednesday, the Korean Cartoonists Association filed a petition with the ministry to investigate the contract between the original creators of “Black Rubber Shoes” and publishing house Hyungseol that is alleged to have led to the death of Lee

Culture March 30, 2023

A committee set up in the aftermath of the death of cartoonist Lee Yoo-young, the original creator of hit cartoon and animation series “Black Rubber Shoes,” on Monday urged the fair treatment of creators. “It’s not the time to celebrate the popularity of K-culture. The most important thing is to protect the lives of creators and their self-esteem,” the committee said in a statement read during a press conference held at the National Assembly on Monday, adding th

Culture March 27, 2023

Conductor Osmo Vanska, who led the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for three years until last year, is returning to Korea to conclude the Sibelius cycle. Unfortunately, his tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and in early December last year, he suffered a fall that shattered his pelvis and broke his right shoulder. After spending several weeks recovering, the 70-year-old conductor progressed to a wheelchair and by the end of January he was able to conduct while seated. This incident change

Performance March 25, 2023

“Six the Musical” is about the six wives of King Henry VIII, who ruled England from 1509 until his death in 1547. Through the creative process of young playwrights Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the six women have been brought to life, finding their voices to tell “herstory” instead of "history," which portrays them as nothing but the unfortunate wives of the king, only to be remembered by the rhyme -- "divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.&

Performance March 22, 2023

South Korean tenor Ha Man-teak will embark on a recital tour for the first time in 11 years. Starting from Jeonju, North Jeolla Province on Wednesday, the singer-turned-businessman will bring his recital to Daejeon on Thursday and to Seoul on Saturday before bringing the tour to a close at Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday. Under the title “Se Ti Manca,” an Italian phrase meaning “Do you miss it?” in English, Ha will sing various songs like F.P. Tosti’s “

Performance March 22, 2023