The Korea Times

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This exhibition will be held at The Seouliteum until April 26. Courtesy of Bon Davinci MuseumTraditionalSaturday Performances National Gugak CenterThroughout 2019 Every Saturday at 3 p.m., the National Gugak Center holds a performance showcasing traditional Korean music and dance. This series will take place all throughout 2018. Each week the series will exhibit the works of various gugak artists. Various performances throughout the month of March will include the piri, pansori and sanjo. There will also be a traditional fan dance at the end of the month. Tickets cost 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02) 580-3300.Tune into the Court Music National Gugak Center March 15-16 The National Gugak Center will be putting on a performance to bring audiences traditional court music. At the performance, the Court Music Orchestra will play Sujecheon, which is made of four movements and is performed by mainly wind instruments such as the piri and daegeum. Another work performed will be Suryongeum, which translates to “a song of a dragon in water.&rd

Mar 7, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

INTERVIEW GOT7's second sub-unit Jus2 comes into 'Focus'

A teaser image of Jus2's first mini-album “Focus” Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooJus2, the second sub-unit of GOT7 comprised of JB and Yugyeom, released their first mini-album Tuesday. “Focus,” a six track R&B pop album was composed and written by the two members in collaboration with other songwriters. Each of the six tracks on the album touches on the human senses.The title track “Focus on Me” embodies sight with lyrics such as, “Just let me love you. Now focus on me,” and speaks of the thrill of being drawn to each other. The second track “Drunk on You,” written by JB, is urban, groovy R&B pop and the third, “Touch,” deals with the tactile effects of love. The fourth, “Senses,” which is JB's favorite, encompasses all the senses that love stimulates; while the fifth, “Love Talk,” written by Yugyeom, is a deep house piece that focuses on hearing. The last track “Long Black,” also penned by Yugyeom, compares love to the varying tastes of coffee.GOT7 was or

Mar 6, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] GOT7's second sub-unit Jus2 comes into 'Focus'

K-pop

Super Junior throws special edition encore 'Super Show 7S'

Super Junior performs during a “Super Show 7S” concert at KSPO Dome in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of Label SJBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop group Super Junior staged two three-hour special encore concerts of its “Super Show 7” for 15,000 fans at the KSPO Dome in southeastern Seoul, March 2 and 3.Dressed in flashy suits, Super Junior powered through hits “Black Suit,” “MAMACITA,” “Super Man” and “Don't Don” following member Ryeowook's opening piano performance. Ryeowook, who missed the previous shows due to mandatory military duty, joined the encore sets to perform the latest song from his second solo mini-album “Drunk on Love” released in January.After performing four songs, the members talked to their fans, who go by the name Everlasting Friends (ELFs). Eunhyuk, who took part in directing the show, said “Shindong, who took part in directing the video clips shown during the concert, and I have worked hard to alternate some elements for the special edition encore concert. So please stay with us until the end

Mar 4, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Super Junior throws special edition encore 'Super Show 7S'

K-pop

BigBang's G-Dragon embroiled in military controversy

Big Bang's G-Dragon Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooG-Dragon, leader of K-pop group BigBang, will resume military service as an active duty soldier after facing allegations of triggering re-examination to get discharged from military duty.“Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon's real name) will have to serve on active duty as he was rated 'appropriate' during the re-evaluation,” an army representative said.Local media outlet Enewstoday reported on Saturday that G-Dragon may be disqualified from active duty because he was denied a promotion. The outlet reported that an investigation committee reviewed G-Dragon's status to determine whether he should be discharged or not. He is scheduled to be discharged in November 2019.According to local media outlets, G-Dragon is still a private while others who enlisted at the same time have moved up to corporal in January. The Big Bang member's failure to advance was reportedly due to “excessive use of vacations.” Korean news agency Dispatch claimed that he had spent nearly 100 days off military duty since enlisting in February 2018. Howe

Mar 3, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

BigBang's G-Dragon embroiled in military controversy

K-pop

INTERVIEW Rising Thai pop star holds solo concert in Seoul

Rising Thai pop star The Toys poses after a media interview with The Korea Times to promote his first solo concert in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of SNP Media Hub KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooBudding Thai pop star Thanwa Boonsoongnern, who goes by the stage name The Toys, said he was pleasantly surprised by his Korean fans and audience at his first Seoul performance last December. “When I was performing at the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), I wasn't sure if the audience would know me or my music,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times, recalling the last time he came here for MAMA. “But it turned out pretty amazing. Thanks to a few K-pop artists like BLACKPINK's Lisa and GOT7's BamBam who have mentioned my name or covered my songs, I gained a lot of attention.”Two months after taking home the Best New Asian Artist Thailand Award at 2018 MAMA, the 24-year-old musician visited Seoul again ― this time to hold his first solo concert at SM Town Theater at COEX Artium in Seoul, Sunday.The young Thai pop star debuted in 2016 with the single “The Light&rd

Feb 26, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Rising Thai pop star holds solo concert in Seoul

Shows & Dramas

'High School Rapper' returns for 3rd season

Judges and the host of “High School Rapper” pose at a press conference for the show's third season held at CJ ENM Center in western Seoul, Friday. From left are rappers Giriboy, Kid Milli, The Quiett, CODE KUNST, Nucksal, Boi B, Hangzoo, and producer duo Groovyroom. Courtesy of MnetBy Kwak Yeon-soo“High School Rapper,” Mnet's hip-hop audition program that showcases talented teenage rappers, has returned for a third season.High school students, dropouts and third-year middle school students who will be entering high school this year applied for season 3, with the aim to appear on the show and sign with Korea's top hip-hop labels, according to Mnet.Contestants from the previous season of “High School Rapper,” including HAON, Webster B and Ash Island, have signed with major hip-hop labels. The judges for season 3 are The Quiett, CODE KUNST, Hangzoo, Boi B, producer duo Groovyroom, Giriboy and Kid Milli. These eight rappers and producers will be serving as contestants' mentors. Rapper Nucksal, who hosted the second season, reprises his role this season

Feb 22, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

'High School Rapper' returns for 3rd season

Arts & Theater

Korea Times hosts star-studded spring concert

Audience members take their seats in the Grand Hall of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Thursday, prior to the start of the 14th annual spring concert hosted by The Korea Times. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe Korea Times presented its spring concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul, Thursday, to celebrate the newspaper's 69th anniversary. Its readers were invited to the show as a token of gratitude for their support.The concert, conducted by the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra's Park Sang-hyun, a regular contributor to the event, featured a wide range of musical genres, from classical and musical theater to popular songs from some of Korea's top musicians. This year's lineup included K-pop singer Ali, musical singer Park So-yeon, tenors Ryu Jung-phil and Chung Joong-soon, chanson singer Monsieur Ko, soprano Kim Jee-hyun and dancer Seo Jae-won.Nearly 2,000 guests including readers, government officials, diplomats posted to Seoul, business leaders, Miss Korea pageant queens and runners-up, and other cultur

Feb 21, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea Times hosts star-studded spring concert

Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

Violinist Kim Dong-hyun will be the next performer featured in this series. Courtesy of Kumho Art HallClassical ConcertsBeautiful Thursday Concert Series: Kim Dong-hyun Kumho Art Hall Feb. 28In 2019, Kumho Art Hall will be featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. One of the upcoming performers is violinist Kim Dong-hyun, who was born in 1999 and made his first debut performance as a solo artist in 2012. He has worn several domestic competitions and even an nternational competition at the young age of 16 in 2016 in Romania. At the concert, he will perform works by Debussy, Chausson, Ysaye, and Prokofiev. He will be accompanied on the piano by Kang Hyung-eun. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.Murray Perahia will perform at Seoul Arts Center on March 3. Courtesy of Credia and Deutsche GrammophonMurray Perahia Piano Recital Seoul Arts CenterMarch 3Murray Perahia is an American pianist who has been performing for over four decades. He attended Mannes College where he studied conducting a

Feb 21, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Arts & Theater

Around Town 2

The National Gugak Center will be holding traditional Korean dance and music performances throughout 2019. Courtesy of the National Gugak CenterTraditionalSaturday Performances National Gugak CenterThroughout 2019 Every Saturday at 3 p.m., the National Gugak Center holds a performance showcasing traditional Korean music and dance. This series will take place all throughout 2018. Each week the series will exhibit the works of various gugak artists. Various performances throughout the month of February will include the piri, pansori and sanjo. There will also be a traditional fan dance at the end of the month. Tickets cost 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02) 580-3300.Gugak Concert DaDam National Gugak CenterFeb. 27In 2019, National Gugak Center will continue its DaDam concert series in which members of the public can come in to discuss various aspects of traditional Korean music and culture with experts as well as enjoy performances by professional gugak musicians. On Feb. 27, reporter Kim Hwan-young will give a talk on the topic of love in Ko

Feb 21, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

Boy band SF9 aims higher with 'NARCISSUS'

Boy band SF9 perform songs from their new album “NARCISSUS” during a press showcase held at the K-Art Hall in southeastern Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooBoy band SF9 dropped its sixth mini-album “NARCISSUS,” Wednesday, and may have unveiled their best, most solid work to date. The album title, inspired from Narcissus in Greek mythology who is notable for his beauty, reflects the band's narrative of self-love. The nine members that make up SF9 ― Young-bin, In-seong, Jae-yoon, Da-won, Ro-woon, Zu-ho, Tae-yang, Hwi-young, and Cha-ni ― vowed to show off “mirror sexiness” with their latest release.Earlier this year, member Cha-ni won the hearts of viewers after appearing in JTBC's hit drama “Sky Castle.” The singer-actor expressed his desire to show off even more new hit content as a singer. “Honestly, I didn't have much time to practice because I was filming the drama series, but I tried my best to learn the choreography and songs quickly,” Cha-ni said during a press showcase held at K-Art Hall in southeastern Seoul, W

Feb 20, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

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Around Town 2

INTERVIEW GOT7's second sub-unit Jus2 comes into 'Focus'

Super Junior throws special edition encore 'Super Show 7S'

BigBang's G-Dragon embroiled in military controversy

INTERVIEW Rising Thai pop star holds solo concert in Seoul

'High School Rapper' returns for 3rd season

Korea Times hosts star-studded spring concert

Around Town 1

Around Town 2

Boy band SF9 aims higher with 'NARCISSUS'

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