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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

Hit hard by pandemic, Korean theaters look outward

A screen capture from Broadway on Demand announces online streaming of the Korean version of the musical “Xcalibur” in June. The streaming of the musical, composed by Frank Wildhorn, by Broadway on Demand, offers a new outlet for theater producers stifled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of EMK Musical CompanyBy Kwon Mee-yooWhile the world's theaters are grappling with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea is one of the few countries where live performances are still being presented although extra safety measures are enforced. Producers are also seeking to reach a wider audience by streaming shows online.K-Performance On Air, co-hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Korea Performing Arts Tourism Association, attracted over 1 million viewers during its 22-day online streaming showcase from Oct. 19 to Nov. 9. It featured some of the classics of the Korean contemporary performing arts such as non-verbal performances “Cookin' Nanta," "Sachum (Dance If You Love)" and "Jump," as well as small theater hits such as "Finding Kim Jong-wook" and "Cats

Nov 19, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Hit hard by pandemic, Korean theaters look outward
Arts & Theater

'Angbuilgu' sundial from Joseon era returns from US

An official of the Cultural Heritage Administration holds “Angbuilgu” metal sundial returned from the United States at the National Palace Museum of Korea, Tuesday. The sundial, estimated to be produced in the 18th century, is on public view through Dec. 20. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yoo"Angbuilgu," a hemispherical metal sundial from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom era, has been returned from the United States, becoming the eighth remaining antique time-keeping device in Korea. The sundial was put up for auction in the U.S. earlier this year and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), purchased it in June, bringing it to Korea in August.The foundation collected information about the sundial in January and conducted research on it, including a scientific analysis and comparison with other metal sundials in Korea. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the auction, originally scheduled for March, was postponed a few times to June, but the foundation was able to purchase it. According to U.S. auction house Skinner, the silver

Nov 17, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Angbuilgu' sundial from Joseon era returns from US
Arts & Theater

Kim Tschang-yeul finds peace of mind in water drops, text

Kim Tschang-yeul's "Recurrence" (1987) / Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai By Kwon Mee-yooKim Tschang-yeul is well-known for his water drop paintings, which he has produced for over 48 years. “The Path,” a new exhibition at Gallery Hyundai, sheds light on the 91-year-old artist's pursuit of purity and serenity within droplets with an accent on text appearing in his works. Born in Maengsan in modern-day North Korea's South Pyongan Province in 1929, Kim moved to the South at the age of 16. He entered the art school of Seoul National University via a qualification exam in 1948, but could not continue his studies after he was ostracized for learning from Lee Que-de, who defected to North Korea. The 1950 outbreak of the Korean War further interrupted his academic career. Kim studied print in the United States and settled in Paris in 1969, where he first embarked on his monumental water drop painting titled "Evenement de la Nuit," a single magnified drop of water

Nov 17, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Kim Tschang-yeul finds peace of mind in water drops, text
Arts & Theater

'Apple artist' Yoon Byung-rock finds universe in fruit

Yoon Byung-rock's “Green Apple” (2020) Courtesy of the artistBy Kwon Mee-yooAutumn is the season for artist Yoon Byung-rock, who paints realistic apples on shaped canvas. "I usually have exhibitions in autumn as curators think my works suit the seasonal atmosphere," Yoon said at an interview with The Korea Times last week. The "apple artist" recently wrapped up his solo exhibition "Space of Yoon ByungRock" at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center in Seoul. The exhibit was originally scheduled to take place in the auction company's Hong Kong space, but was moved to Seoul due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.Hong Kong is where Yoon came into the spotlight back in 2008 when his "Autumn Fragrance" apple box painting garnered HK$487,500 at a Christie's sale."It's a pity that I could not present my works in Hong Kong where a diversity of art connoisseurs gather," Yoon said. "Online viewings have replaced international exhibitions, but my works look really different when seen in person as you cannot get a sense of the size when seen online."Apples are a popular and familiar subject

Nov 15, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Apple artist' Yoon Byung-rock finds universe in fruit
People & Events

Korea Times translation award recognizes budding talents

The participants of the 51st Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards pose after the awards ceremony at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. From left in second row are Sung Chai-hyun, senior executive vice president of Retail Customer Group at KB Kookmin Bank: novelists Kim You-myung and Ko Kwang-yule; judges Min Eun-kyung, professor at Seoul National University, and Jung Ha-yun, Ewha Womans University; Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin; judge Brother Anthony; former Korea Times editorial writer Hong Soon-il; Chun Byong-keuk, deputy minister for culture and art policy; Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa and his daughter Aura Figueroa. From left in first row are Choi Ja-in, receiving the prize for Poetry Commendation Award winner Hedgie Choi; Fiction Grand Prize Winner Hannah Quinn Hertzog; Poetry Grand Prize winner Mattho Mandersloot and poet Kim Yi-deum. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Kwon Mee-yooThe 51st Korea Times Modern Korean Literature Translation Award commemorated the winners' affection and passion for literature translation at an awards c

Nov 12, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Korea Times translation award recognizes budding talents
  • Poet shares thought-provoking backstory
Arts & Theater

Cast, crew join hands to support depressed theater industry

From left, Korea Arts Management Service President Kim Do-il, actress Kim So-hyun, music director Kim Moon-jeong and pansori performer Kim Jun-su pose for a photo after a press conference encouraging safe theater experiences at Dalgaebi in central Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of PRMBy Kwon Mee-yoo"This year we've been unable to see any further than our own nose," Kim Jun-su, a pansori performer and member of the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, said about 2020, which has been difficult for many people including performing artists."Some of my friends (in the performing arts industry) work for delivery companies to make a living while rehearsing for performances," he said. Kim played Grand Prince Suyang in the recently finished changgeuk "A Father's Path," which was originally scheduled for February but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "When we stage a performance, we prepare and rehearse for months. Earlier this year, we faced cancellations just ahead of the opening, throwing both performers and audiences who anticipated the show into despair. Months have passed and we still

Nov 11, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Cast, crew join hands to support depressed theater industry
Arts & Theater

Rhii Jew-yo suggests new ways of storing art in London

Rhii Jew-yo's solo exhibition "Love Your Depot_London" is held at the Korean Cultural Centre UK. / Courtesy of the Korean Cultural Centre UKBy Kwon Mee-yooArtist Rhii Jew-yo presents "Love Your Depot_London" at the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), expanding her ongoing project to the British capital.The "Love Your Depot" project earned Rhii the 2019 Korea Artist Prize from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) for her exploration on the cycle of artworks.The project was inspired by her personal nomadic experience. Rhii earned two master's degrees ― one from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and the other from Chelsea College of Arts in London. She also was an artist in residency at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in 2014. While she moved around the world, some of her works traveled with her, while others were left in warehouses. As an established artist, Rhii has taken part in numerous group and solo exhibitions, but after the shows end, many of the art pieces have no place to go, unless they are sold to a collector or an institution. Those un

Nov 9, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Rhii Jew-yo suggests new ways of storing art in London
Arts & Theater

Development of Chinese modern art on view at Busan Museum of Art

Chinese artist Song Dong's installation “The Scar,” inspired by Chinese chess game, is on display at the Busan Museum of Art through Feb. 28, 2021. Courtesy of Busan Museum of ArtBy Kwon Mee-yooBUSAN ― Art is in close relationship with social and political situations and Chinese modern art is no exception. The Chinese Economic Reform started in the 1980s influenced Chinese art and "The Scar" exhibition at the Busan Museum Art looks into the diversity of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibit features three Chinese artists in different generations ― Zhu Jinshi, a first-generation artist after the beginning of the Chinese Economic Reform; Song Dong, a leading proponent of the resistance art movement of the 1990s known as "Apartment Art"; and Liu Wei, who is known for his inter-media approaches."These artists reflect the trauma that has stemmed from the struggle for freedom, from capitalism and from the urbanization that resulted from China's reform and opening up ― the three keywords essential for understanding contemporary Chinese art," curator Yang En-jin said.Zhu, Song an

Nov 8, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Development of Chinese modern art on view at Busan Museum of Art
Arts & Theater

Video artist Bill Viola's relation to Lee U-fan unraveled

"The Quintet of the Astonished" (2000) by Bill Viola / Courtesy of Busan Museum of ArtBy Kwon Mee-yooBill ViolaBUSAN ― Video art pioneer Bill Viola is selected to be the second artist in “Lee Ufan and His Friends,” a new exhibition series at the Busan Museum of Art launched in 2019, and presents 16 video installations that share similar themes of spirituality and existential introspection with Lee. The museum interprets the shared theme between the two as the "relatum" that enables viewers to encounter an alternative, transcendental world."Bill Viola and Lee U-fan convey the Oriental spirit and sensibility intrinsic to the philosophy behind their work. Both artists transcend the contradictions of modernity by combining the methodological thinking of Western modernism with Eastern philosophy," curator Hwang Seo-mi said.The exhibition consists of two parts. Displayed at the venue, Space Lee Ufan, are Viola's early works experimenting with the characteristics of the medium, while his later works exploring perception and cognition through slow-motion techniques are on view at

Nov 8, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Video artist Bill Viola's relation to Lee U-fan unraveled
Arts & Theater

Artist Ham, critic Seo discusses modern society in 'Title Match'

"The International of Memories" by Seo Dong-jin is on view at the "2020 Title Match Yang Ah Ham vs. Dongjin Seo ― To the Wavering,” held at the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art. / Courtesy of Seoul Museum of ArtBy Kwon Mee-yooArtist Ham Yang-ah and critic Seo Dong-jin discuss how to interpret modern society and the common denominator of temporality in a video on show at the new exhibition "2020 Title Match Yang Ah Ham vs. Dongjin Seo ― To the Wavering" at Buk-Seoul Museum of Art in northern Seoul.The "Title Match" series is an annual project at the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, for which two artists are invited to experiment on the possibilities for competition, conversation, and collaboration. For the first five years, it matched veteran artists with aspiring artists, but and let down the age barrier last year, opening up more possibilities. This year's Title Match took a step further and sought change by inviting a theorist for the first time, bringing a new depth of discussion to the exhibition.Instead of competing against each other under the same theme, Ham and Seo chose to converse wit

Nov 4, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Artist Ham, critic Seo discusses modern society in 'Title Match'
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