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Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.

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Arts & Theater

SeMA contextualizes its collection

Yun Ai-young's "Unknown Planet 3." / Courtesy of SeMABy Kwon Mee-yooSeoul Museum of Art (SeMA) has accumulated 5,173 works in its collection since opening in 1985. It is not a very large collection compared to other big museums, but SeMA tries to reinterpret and contextualize its works as a public museum. A new exhibition "Collecting for All" features 131 works ― 86 from the museum's collection and an additional 45 pieces from artists with works belonging to the museum ― with the aim of exploring the significance of the museum's collection and its openness to the public. SeMA is an affiliate of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and thus the museum's collection is bought with Seoul residents' tax money. "Collecting for All" focuses the common-pool resource nature of the museum's collection and tries to connect the artworks with daily life."Most of the museum's collection spends time in storage, but they should be shared by all citizens,” said SeMA director Beck Jee-sook. “The value of a museum's collection can be rediscovered in these rapidly changing times and we want to

Apr 21, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
SeMA contextualizes its collection
Arts & Theater

Rock musical 'Lizzie' stands up to suppression

From left, Emma Borden (Kim Ryeo-won), Bridget Sullivan (Lee Young-mi), Lizzie Borden (Na Ha-na) and Alice Russell (Choi Soo-jin) perform in a scene from the rock musical "Lizzie" at Dream Art Center in downtown Seoul. Courtesy of ShownoteBy Kwon Mee-yooThe tale of Lizzie Borden, one of the most notorious cold cases in American criminal history, arrived in Seoul with ferocious rock music in the musical "Lizzie," staged at Dream Art Center in Daehangno, central Seoul."Lizzie" is one of the few all-women rock musicals, but it explodes with energy coming from punk music and the power of sisterhood.With music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and book by Maner, “Lizzie” was initiated from a four-song experimental rock cycle in 1990 and premiered in a musical format on Off-Off-Broadway in 2009.The musical centers around Lizzie Borden, the second daughter of the Borden family and prime suspect in double axe murders of her stepmother Abby and father Andrew. Her elder sister Emma Borden, the Bordens' maid Bridget Sullivan a

Apr 19, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Rock musical 'Lizzie' stands up to suppression
Arts & Theater

'Axis of Horizon' exhibit previews on Instagram Live

Eija-Liisa Ahtila's "Horizontal ― Vaakasuora" (2011) is on display at "Axis of Horizon" at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul. Courtesy of MMCABy Kwon Mee-yooThe National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) will unveil newly acquired pieces that fall under the theme of nature, initially through an online preview amid the museum's closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled "Axis of Horizon," the exhibition examines the relationship between nature and people in different social and historical contexts. MMCA director Youn Bum-mo said, "Axis of Horizon introduces notable art pieces by 17 international artists who propose new perspectives on nature. With COVID-19 taking a toll in Korea and other parts of the world, I hope the art in this exhibition offers consolation, a sense of healing and new artistic discourse for audiences to find hope."The exhibition, which was originally slated to open April 6, will be shown to art fans through an online viewing first. The MMCA will livestream this exhibition on Instagram at instagram.com/mmcakorea on

Apr 15, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Axis of Horizon' exhibit previews on Instagram Live
Travel & Food

Endangered Callipogon relictus larva hatched through artificial breeding

The Callipogon relictus, right, an endangered species of longhorn beetle, was given another chance to escape extinction as two beetles from different habitats produced viable larvae. Designated as Natural Monument No. 218, it is a rare species of longhorn beetle found in Korea, China, Russia and Japan and is one of the largest species of beetle. Courtesy of NRICHBy Kwon Mee-yooCallipogon relictus, an endangered species of longhorn beetle, has been given another chance to escape extinction, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Monday. Two beetles from different habitats were able to produce viable larvae for the very first time, improving genetic diversity of the species.The Natural Heritage division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH), an affiliate of the CHA, said it succeeded in producing the first filial generation in 46 years of the rare beetle from Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on April 3, after discovering and preserving five larvae there in August 2019. Callipogon relictus, designated as Natural Monument No. 218, is a rare species of l

Apr 14, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Endangered Callipogon relictus larva hatched through artificial breeding
Arts & Theater

'Korean monotone painting is about process'

Kim Tschang-yeul's “Waterdrops” (2015) is on view at “Empty Fullness: Materiality and Spirituality in Contemporary Korean Art” exhibit organized by Chung Joon-mo at Park Ryu Sook Gallery in central Seoul through May 10. Courtesy of the artist and Park Ryu Sook GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yoo"Empty Fullness: Materiality and Spirituality in Contemporary Korean Art," an exhibition at Park Ryu Sook Gallery in Itaewon, Seoul, redefines and broadens aspects of Korean monotone painting.Chung Joon-mo, former curatorial director at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, organized this exhibition which has been traveling across the globe since 2014. "Everyone talks about Dansaekhwa, but it was more brainwashing without properly studying what Dansaekhwa is. Korean monotone painting represents the sentiment of Korean art the best by far and I wanted to reshape the aesthetic framing on Korean monotone painting," Chung said. "Many art exhibits in Korea are like select shops, featuring popular or famous artists. A good art exhibition needs to be set in a context.”T

Apr 12, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Korean monotone painting is about process'
Arts & Theater

Korean calligraphy takes center stage in art museum

Kwon Chang-ryun's calligraphy work is on display at “The Modern and Contemporary Korean Writing” exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Deoksugung. This is the first calligraphy exhibition at the national museum and is part of MMCA director Youn Bum-mo's effort to bring neglected art genres to the museum. / Courtesy of MMCACoronavirus pandemic pushes exhibition to onlineBy Kwon Mee-yooIn East Asia, there is a long-standing theory that calligraphy and painting have the same origins. However, calligraphy in Korea failed to keep up with the times as the country went through Japanese colonization, became independent and achieved rapid economic growth, and is now considered a stuffy, old-fashioned hobby."The Modern and Contemporary Korean Writing," a new exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, sheds light on the development of modern calligraphy and the significance of calligraphy in fine art.This is the first calligraphy exhibition at the national museum and is part of MMCA dir

Apr 9, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Korean calligraphy takes center stage in art museum
Arts & Theater

David Ostrowski rejects perfectionism

Installation view of David Ostrowski's solo exhibition "Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen" at Leeahn Gallery Seoul / Courtesy of Leeahn GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yooGerman artist David Ostrowski pursues “meaninglessness” and “worthlessness” in his abstract paintings, denying perfectionism in conventional oil painting.Ostrowski's first exhibition in Korea, titled "Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen" (People, Pictures, Emotions) is being held at the Leeahn Gallery Seoul in downtown Seoul through May 18. "The artist wanted to go by this exhibition title as he wants viewers to get into communications through his works," the exhibit's curator Sung Shin-young said. Studied at Kunstakademie Dusseldorf, Ostrowski's early works were figurative paintings, but his style diverted drastically in 2014.“Ideas are completely overrated,” Ostrowski is quoted saying. “I try to get to ground zero ― to start at the beginning. Knowledge can be annoying and has to be suppressed sometimes."Traditionally, figurative oil painting pursues perfection and artists paint over to remedy mistak

Apr 7, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
David Ostrowski rejects perfectionism
Arts & Theater

Kim Myong-hi's chalkboard paintings capture sense of displacement

Kim Myong-hi's "Drinking Tea" (2004) / Courtesy of artist and Art Projects International, New YorkBy Kwon Mee-yooArtist Kim Myong-hi lives a modern nomadic life, but in an extreme way. She divides her time between an abandoned school-turned-house in the remote countryside in Gangwon Province and fancy loft in SoHo, New York. Such an experience has led her to explore contemporary themes of territorial division, rural exodus, migration and displacement in her signature oil pastels on chalkboard. "Myong Hi Kim: Portraits," an exhibition at Art Projects International in New York, revisits her oeuvre centering on figure paintings. "I am showing earlier works this time. Figure was my major subject when I started to work on chalkboards from 1993. The protagonist in the story I tell in my paintings are myself. Imagining myself as a girl who missed a school excursion or wondering what the future will bring ("The Girl") or fashioning as a spiritual being ("Dongja with Peach"). And the women ironing and serving tea is an actual self-portrait," Kim said at an e-mail interview with The Korea Time

Apr 5, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Kim Myong-hi's chalkboard paintings capture sense of displacement
Arts & Theater

'Phantom of the Opera' temporarily suspended after actor infected with COVID-19

Poster for "The Phantom of the Opera" / Courtesy of S&COBy Kwon Mee-yooThe international touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera” halted performances Wednesday for two weeks after one of its ensemble actors was found to have contracted COVID-19.According to S&CO, the Korean production company, the ensemble actor was confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus Tuesday. The actor had a normal temperature, but showed other symptoms and was tested Tuesday morning. The infection was confirmed later that night. The actor, who took part in the Busan leg of the tour from December to February, left the country in early February and returned three weeks ago for the Seoul show, which opened March 14. After the coronavirus infection was confirmed, the 120 people in the touring production, including actors and crew, all went into self-quarantine. About 20 of them are considered to have had close contact with the actor.The theater, Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, was also shut down as of Wednesday for disinfection."The theater is repeatedly disinfecte

Apr 1, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Phantom of the Opera' temporarily suspended after actor infected with COVID-19
Arts & Theater

Ballet dancer appeals against firing

Na Dae-han / Courtesy of Korean National BalletBy Kwon Mee-yooFormer Korean National Ballet (KNB) dancer Na Dae-han, who was fired for violating self-isolation rules March 16, appealed last week, claiming that his actions were are not a valid reason for dismissal.According to the KNB, Na, 28, filed an appeal against his dismissal through his attorney March 27, and a Disciplinary Appeals Committee meeting will be held April 10.The committee, including artistic director Kang Sue-jin and other officials at the national ballet who were involved in the decision to fire Na, will conduct the review. If the committee rejects his appeal, Na can then file an administrative action against the KNB. The KNB took disciplinary action against three members including Na, March 16. He traveled to Japan during a self-quarantine period and the committee concluded that his action grievously harmed the national ballet's status and gave him the harshest punishment possible. It was the first time for the KNB to fire a member in its 58 year history.The troupe performed "Swan Lake" in the southeastern city of

Mar 31, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Ballet dancer appeals against firing
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