Stay tuned for Kim Dong-ryul Kim Dong-ryulSinger-songwriter Kim Dong-ryul will hold a concert at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena, Seoul in October.The concert will cover various hits, Kim’s agency said.Kim’s last concert at the Arena was seven years ago, drawing a crowd of 20,000.Kim, 41, recently released a live album, “KIMDONGRYUL LIVE 2012 Thanks/ 2014 Accompany.”Aug 12, 2015
Seoul Philharmonic in 'growing pains' Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Choe Heung-sikBy Kwon Ji-younSeoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) CEO Choe Heung-sik said Tuesday he is confident the orchestra will grow into a world-class one once it overcomes the growing pains it is currently experiencing.During a press conference at a restaurant in central Seoul, Choe pledged to mold the orchestra into one that provides people with high quality music and to increase the number of concerts the nation’s top orchestra holds annually. “The SPO is working with a consulting firm and a vision committee to ensure the orchestra emerges from its strife as one that Koreans are proud of, one that we can call Korea’s top orchestra,” Choe said. “As for now, stabilization is most pressing. But I believe we are simply experiencing growing pains, as most organizations do after 10 years. Once we ride this out, the SPO will undoubtedly become one the world’s top ten orchestras within the next 10 years.”Choe refused to blame the orchestra’s stagnancy on a string of recent controversies, includiAug 11, 2015
Sexy Hyuna readies for big return Sexy K-pop star Hyuna is set for a big musical comeback this month.Hyuna, a member of idol group “4minute,” released her new album trailer today.The mini album “A+” is rated “19+,” or “R”. Hyuna has built her sexy image on songs that include “Bubble Pop,” “Ice Cream” and “Red.”People around the world are eagerly awaiting her return. But she has been busy with the album’s production.Hyuna is also starring in reality show “4minute video.”Aug 10, 2015
T-ara is back with 'Totally Crazy' The long waited return of the girl group T-ara has ended.With their new song “Totally Crazy” being showcased in Cheongdam Ilji Art Complex, Monday, the six T-ara members said that they hope the fans enjoy their performance as much as they do, according to a Yonhap report.T-ara made a successful debut in 2009 which, was immediately followed by bestselling songs such as “Bo peep Bo peep” and “Roly-Poly.” The group however, met a speed bump when it was rumored there was dissention inside the group.T-ara members since then have made solo-albums during this time, mostly. Then in October 2013, the group released the mini album “Again T-ara.”The group falls under the “older” K-pop groups, where the members said that they are now avid fans of vitamins and food supplements to keep healthy. “Totally Crazy” was composed by Brave Brothers. It has its T-ara trademark rhythm and beat that made them so popular in the past years.Aug 3, 2015
Festival fever rocks Ansan Valley By David KeelaghanWhen it rains it pours. That certainly appears to be the case in Korea this year, which made for some challenging conditions at the 2015 Ansan Valley M Rock Festival, held this past weekend at the Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park in Gyeonggi Province.There certainly wasn’t much evidence of Korea’s severe drought of the past few months as some of the world’s top live acts arrived on the peninsula.The festival has been running in various forms since 2009, bringing international superstars to Korea each year. Last year was an exception, as the event was cancelled in the aftermath of the Sewol ferry tragedy. In previous years, the likes of Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx, The Pet Shop Boys, The Cure and Radiohead have all preformed, and this year’s lineup was no less stacked, although a little disjointed in trying to provide something for everyone. Korean artists were also well represented by Dynamic Duo, Jang Kiha and the Faces, Daybreak and Idiotape, albeit lower down the card.On Friday, the headliners were electronic dance star deadmau5 and Noel GallJul 29, 2015
Yoon Mi-rae makes music with Boys Noize Singer Yoon Mi-Rae will release a collaboration single with world-famous DJ Boys Noize Friday.The album, “Capture the City,” blends Yoon Mi-Rae’s rap and Boys Noize’s DJ-ing.Debuting with single “Next Order,” Boys Noize won first place in the Beatport Chart and has been an influential DJ since. He also promoted himself to Korean audiences by taking part in Big-Bang’s album “Still Alive”.Yoon Mi-Rae has won high praise from American music website MTV Iggy and was ranked on its top 12 women rappers list.Jul 29, 2015
Korea National Opera adopts online payment The Korea National Opera (KNO) opened its renovated website equipped with an online payment system Wednesday. Ticket reservations and payments will be available through the KNO website at www.nationalopera.org. The renewed website offers an exclusive service for online members such as opening the best seats for online members prior to the official ticket opening. It will also deliver monthly newsletters to the online members as well as discount coupons and package product offers. Membership based on paid subscriptions is also an added service. Subscribed members can choose from a 100,000 won membership called "Best Friend" or a 50,000 won membership called "Good Friend." Based on the type of membership, they will receive a membership card, newsletters and direct mail products and services. The paid subscription members will receive a 20 to 30 percent discount per performance held at the KNO, opportunities to view rehearsals, a free program book and discount coupons for food and beverage stores in partnership with the KNO. Jul 1, 2015
Dresden Philharmonic to bring sharp East German sound to Seoul Michael Sanderling / Courtesy of VinceroBy Kwon Ji-younClassical music fans are in for a Beethovenian treat when the Dresden Philharmonic performs at the Seoul Arts Center on Friday and Saturday.For its third concert in Seoul, the Dresden Philharmonic, helmed by German conductor Michael Sanderling, has included in its program the overture to the German composer’s only opera, “Fidelio,” as well as two of his piano concertos. These will build up to thundering finales featuring Brahms’ First Symphony and Beethoven’s seventh.The Dresden Philharmonic, noted for its sharp and textured East German sound, has experienced a musical renaissance under the baton of principal conductor Sanderling, son of esteemed maestro Kurt Sanderling. Though his movements on the podium are restrained and discreet, Sanderling’s prudence is said to bring out a meticulous resonance in the strings, a dynamic ring in the woodwinds and a refined timbre in the brass. The orchestra will be joined by respected pianist Paik Kun-woo for the piano concertos, the musician who in 2007 marJun 24, 2015
Sistar, AOA kicks off girl band battle this summer AOA performs at a press showcase at AX-KOREA, Monday. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunAll-girl bands seem to be at war.Top girl band Sistar, which has dominated K-pop summer charts, earning the nickname “queens of summer,” released a new album “SHAKE IT!” on Monday.But rising-star girl band Ace of Angels (AOA) have challenged Sistar with “Heart Attack.”At a press showcase at the Coexartium, Sistar revealed its third mini-album that has five songs. Music producers Duble Sidekick and HOMEBOY composed the band’s title track, “Shake it,” a funky song with a strong, catchy beat.“’Shake it’ is a song for summer that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or sex,” said Sistar member Dasom. “The melody of the song and choreography are easy to follow.”In a first, the album’s second track, “Don’t act childish,” is co-written by Sistar member Bora. Sistar reveals “Shake it” at Coexartium, Monday. / Yonhap“When I first received the guide song, I knew I would write Jun 23, 2015
Traditional music meets jazz Jazz musician Nah Youn-sun poses in front of the National Theater of Korea on Namsan Mountain in downtown Seoul. Nah is the artistic director of this year’s Yeowoorak Festival held at the theater from July 1 to 26. / Courtesy of Herb MusicNah Youn-sun to lead Yeowoorak Festival By Kwon Mee-yooKorean jazz musician Nah Youn-sun has a large following across the globe. She performs more than 100 times a year in various parts of the world, spending more than half the year on the road. This year, instead of traveling all over the world with her music, Nah took up a new challenge.Nah has been appointed as the artistic director of the Yeowoorak Festival, a Korean music festival at the National Theater of Korea (NTOK) on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul.Running from July 1-26, the series of concerts hosted by the NTOK pushes the boundaries of "gugak" (Korean traditional music). The title of the festival, Yeowoorak, comes from an abbreviation for the Korean sentence, “Yeogi woori eumagi itda” meaning “Here is our music.” Established in 2010, tJun 22, 2015
