The Korea Times

Gwangju Pro-democracy Movement remembered through immersive theater

A scene from immersive play "I Was Not in Gwangju" staged at the Asia Culture Center / Courtesy of Asia Culture CenterBy Kwon Mee-yooForty years ago today, residents of Gwangju gathered and protested against martial law imposed by Chun Doo-hwan's military junta. The 10-day Gwangju Uprising played a significant role in helping move forward the democratization in Korea.The Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Gwangju offers a variety of events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the pivotal moment in modern history as Korea made its way to true democracy.The immersive play "I Was Not in Gwangju,” which runs from May 12 to 18, literally invites audiences to the historic 10 days from the front gate of the Chonnam National University and Gwangju Station to the South Jeolla Provincial Office building, which is now part of the ACC.Award-winning director Koh Sun-woong of Playfactory Mabangzen helmed the production. As the title hints, the play is for those who weren't part of the Gwangju Pro-democracy Movement. Koh aims to give the audience an experience of the atmosphere in a grass roots'

May 17, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Gwangju Pro-democracy Movement remembered through immersive theater

Moon calls for truth finding of massacre during Gwangju movement

Arts & Theater

Museum shares ancestors' insights into epidemics

A visitor takes a picture at the “Fighting Epidemics in Joseon Dynasty” exhibit at the National Museum of Korea, Monday. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooThe world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is not the first time humanity has suffered from an infectious disease. The National Museum of Korea (NMK) seeks to find wisdom about the epidemic by looking back on infectious diseases that hit the nation in the past and exploring how our ancestors dealt with contagious diseases."As we go through these hard times, we decided to have a look back on how our ancestors dealt with plagues. We hope this exhibit would shed light on how to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and find hope from the past," said Bae Ki-dong, director general of NMK.Titled "Fighting Epidemics in Joseon Dynasty," the special exhibit at the Joseon Gallery features a handful of artifacts related to epidemics during the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom era. Curator Yu Sae-rom said the most common infectious disease in Joseon was smallpox."There are many portraits from Joseon era with visible marks of smallpox. Dongjunsi

May 11, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Museum shares ancestors' insights into epidemics

Films

Cult film 'Save the Green Planet' slated for Hollywood remake

Shin Ha-Kyun as Byung-gu in the 2003 film "Save the Green Planet," which will become a Hollywood remake by original director Jang Joon-hwa / Korea Times fileOriginal director Jang to helm US productionBy Kwon Mee-yooKorean sci-fi black comedy "Save the Green Planet" will become a Hollywood remake with original director Jang Joon-hwan to once again direct the cult hit. CJ ENM, which is behind the multiple Oscar wins of "Parasite," announced Saturday that it will remake the 2003 film in the United States. Will Tracy, who wrote HBO's "Succession," will adapt the screenplay for Hollywood.The offbeat cult film revolves around Byung-gu, a paranoid man who believes that Earth is on the brink of alien invasion. Byung-gu tries to stop the aliens by kidnapping a powerful businessman Man-sik, suspecting him to be the leader of aliens from Andromeda.Jang made his debut with "Save the Green Planet" and continued to direct thrillers "Hwayi: A Monster Boy" (2013) and "1987: When the Day Comes" (2017).CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi-kyung said in a statement, “One thing we learned from our suc

May 10, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Cult film 'Save the Green Planet' slated for Hollywood remake

Arts & Theater

Mother-of-pearl master craftsman adds modern twist

Mother-of-pearl craftsperson Lee Young-ok poses in front of her mother-of-pearl partition featuring cranes at her studio in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulLee Young-ok pursues innovation in traditional craftBy Kwon Mee-yooLee Young-ok has been fascinated by the iridescent beauty of mother-of-pearl ever since she was young. Now a traditional mother-of-pearl master craftsperson and CEO of Jinjooshell, she dedicated her life to the mother-of-pearl craft in her family's business."My father and mother both worked in the mother-of-pearl industry. My maternal uncles still process shells for mother-of-pearl the southern port city of Busan," Lee said in an interview with The Korea Times at her studio in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. As her family also processed abalone shells for mother-of-pearl, Lee marveled at the lustrous glow of their nacre since her youth."Among six siblings, I was the only one who helped my parents working with mother-of-pearl. Back then, it was strenuous to repeat sandpapering and varnishing with lacquer, but I was fa

May 7, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Mother-of-pearl master craftsman adds modern twist

Arts & Theater

Gallery Hyundai: 50 years bridging artists and collectors

A visitor to the "HYUNDAI 50" exhibition looks at Kim Whan-ki's "Universe 05-IV-71 #200," the most expensive Korean painting ever auctioned, at Gallery Hyundai in central Seoul. Courtesy of Gallery HyundaiKim Whan-ki's 13.2 billion-won 'Universe' on viewBy Kwon Mee-yooGallery Hyundai founder Park Myung-ja / Courtesy of Gallery HyundaiDo Hyung-teh, president of Gallery Hyundai, said a good gallery liaises between artwork and collectors. Do, son of the gallery's founder Park Myung-ja who is considered Korea's first modern gallerist, said, "What I learnt from my mother is that the relationship between gallery and artist, collectors and artwork is as important as the ties between people. The HYUNDAI 50 exhibition is the sum of Gallery Hyundai's relationships."Gallery Hyundai celebrates its 50th anniversary with a two-part exhibition titled "HYUNDAI 50" and a few other projects aiming to take a leap forward in gaining a bigger international presence as well as promoting Korean art abroad.Part I of the "HYUNDAI 50" exhibition runs from April 17 to May 31 and Part II from June 12 through Ju

May 3, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Gallery Hyundai: 50 years bridging artists and collectors

Arts & Theater

National Theater of Korea celebrates 70th anniversary

The National Theater of Korea (NTOK) celebrates its 70th anniversary Wednesday. Courtesy of NTOKBy Kwon Mee-yooThe National Theater of Korea published a two-volume book on its 70-year history. Courtesy of NTOKThe National Theater of Korea (NTOK) celebrates its 70th anniversary Wednesday, but the ceremony and all other events have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The theater announced ambitious projects including a ceremony, an international symposium and a series of performances by national troupes during the first half of the year. Despite all the preparations, the state-run theater has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and has been shut down since late February to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.With the events canceled, the theater published a commemorative book on its 70-year history as well. The 1,510-page book covers the history of the theater from the perspective of art history and sheds light on each national troupe which is currently, or has previously been, affiliated with the NTOK.NTOK CEO Kim Cheol-ho said the book focuses on stories

Apr 28, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

National Theater of Korea celebrates 70th anniversary

Arts & Theater

British artist Billy Childish's 'radical traditional' paintings on view in Seoul

Installation view of Billy Childish's exhibition “wolves, sunsets and the self” at Lehmann Maupin Seoul / Courtesy the artist and Lehmann MaupinBy Kwon Mee-yooBilly Childish / Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann MaupinAs social distancing eases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lehmann Maupin Seoul unveils multi-faceted artist Billy Childish's latest pieces in new exhibition "wolves, sunsets and the self" which will run through June 27.Multi-talented Childish is a painter, poet, author, filmmaker, musician and record producer. Known for his introspective and confessional writing, Childish is a cult figure in many fields.The exhibit features seven paintings, shedding light on the artist's "radical traditionalist" approach."I make a picture in the same way a child does ― something 'out there' interests me. Making a painting of that 'something' then joins me with the universal creator/creation in a more intent way than just being an observer," Childish once stated.Childish does not follow a specific artistic trend, though he founded the Stuckist art movement back in 1999. The Stuck

Apr 28, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Arts & Theater

'Korean art evolved through collision'

Pages from “Korean Art from 1953: Collision, Innovation, Interaction” featuring works of Oh Yoon and Kim Jeong-heon / Courtesy of PhaidonBook on Korean contemporary art published internationallyBy Kwon Mee-yooChung Yeon-shim, professor of Contemporary Art History and Theory at Hongik University Courtesy of Chung Yeon-shimInterest on Korean contemporary art is heightened in the international art world across art museums, galleries and auction houses, but there are few books giving a comprehensive analysis on the complex history of Korean modern art.Chung Yeon-shim of Hongik University released "Korean Art from 1953: Collision, Innovation, Interaction" with the top art book publisher Phaidon last month. This is one of the first books in English to explore the complex history of Korean contemporary art.The book highlights artistic movements that appeared and evolved over the past seven decades ― from the 1950s avant-garde and the feminist scene in the 1970s to the birth of the Gwangju Biennale in the 1990s and the lesser known North Korean art scene.Chung organized the proje

Apr 26, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Arts & Theater

Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

Life Theater Tree & Water / Courtesy of Moonhwa IconSmall theaters suffer zero incomeBy Kwon Mee-yooTree & Water, a small theater in Seoul's theater district Daehangno, has closed down due to financial difficulties as the nation's theater industry continues to suffer from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeong You-rhan, CEO of Moonhwa Icon which operates the theater, posted the news on Facebook, Monday. "Due to COVID-19, the theater has been temporarily shut down since February. Without any income, it is difficult for us to pay the monthly rent," Jeong said. Established in 2013, the 100-seat theater has been home to Korean musical "Love in the Rain" and children's show "Cloud Bread."Most small theaters in Daehangno area are operated by proprietors who rent the venues and sublease them to production companies and troupes."The landlord said the space will not be used as a theater anymore, so we have to pull down all theatrical facilities," Jeong said. "The theater will be demolished from May 1." Jeong said the government's support system on private small theaters needs to

Apr 22, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

Films

'Parasite' subtitle translator becomes Busan honorary citizen

Darcy Paquet, left, subtitle translator of the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," poses for a photo after receiving a certificate of honorary citizenship from Busan Vice Mayor Byun Seong-wan at Busan City Hall, Monday. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooDarcy Paquet, American film critic and subtitle translator of the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," became an honorary citizen of Busan for his contributions to the city's film education.Paquet, 48, has been lecturing at the International Film Business Academy of the Busan Asian Film School as an adjunct professor since 2017. He teaches courses such as Asian Film Industry and Cinema Genres and guides student's films, discovering and educating budding film students in Asia."I am honored to be appointed as an honorary citizen of Busan. Busan is a great city to work on films. We will see Busan more often in international films when our students, who are the future of their country's movie industry, return to the city as producers," Paquet was quoted saying after receiving the honorary citizen certificate.Established in 2016, the Busan Asian Film School aims

Apr 21, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Kwon Mee-yoo

Read more

Gwangju Pro-democracy Movement remembered through immersive theater

Museum shares ancestors' insights into epidemics

Cult film 'Save the Green Planet' slated for Hollywood remake

Mother-of-pearl master craftsman adds modern twist

Gallery Hyundai: 50 years bridging artists and collectors

National Theater of Korea celebrates 70th anniversary

British artist Billy Childish's 'radical traditional' paintings on view in Seoul

'Korean art evolved through collision'

Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

'Parasite' subtitle translator becomes Busan honorary citizen

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