Veteran 1990s musicians sweeping music charts Seo Tai-ji and IU's collaboration "Sogyeokdong"Last year, the tvN drama “Reply 1994” reignited memories, events and songs of the 90s. As the OST swept music charts across Korea, some people were wondering whether a song like Superstar K3 contestant Lim Kim’s “Happy Me” was the pop singer’s latest tune. But those who were old enough to recognize the song knew that it was a remake of the popular song by 90s female group, Eco.Music from the 90s seems to be making a return to mainstream music. Recently, a series of top singers in the 80s and 90s have made a comeback to the music scene, proving that they are just as good now, if not better, than they were many years ago.Seo Tai-ji, a legendary singer and producer from the 90s, whose boy band Seo Tai-ji and Boys arguably gave birth to K-pop, has returned after five years of hiatus with “Sogyeokdong,” a collaboration with IU. IU’s version of the music video was released Oct. 2, a preview for Seo’s own version and upcoming album “Quiet Night,” to be released on Oct. 10 aOct 7, 2014
Israeli musician seeks better world through music Israeli singer-songwriter Idan Raichel holds his autograph for The Korea Times readers during an interview Thursday./ Korea Times photo by Kim Hye-kyungBy Kim Hye-kyungA turbaned man started singing in a soft yet husky voice with piano accompaniment at Hanbit Park, central Seoul, on a rainy Thursday evening. Many wet seats were empty at first, as a few passersby stopped to listen. But soon the square was filled with people listening to the unfamiliar but attractive melody on a chilly autumn night.The singer was Idan Raichel, a musician from Israel. He sang a few songs including his hit “Bo'ee” (Come with Me) and “Im telech” (If You Leave) and collaborated with "geomungo" (Korean six-string zither) player Heo Yoon-jeong, reinterpreting his song "Mi'ma'amakim" (Out of Death). The audiences could not understand his Hebrew lyrics, but Raichel’s music tugged at their heartstrings.The Israeli singer-songwriter, 37, is in Korea for the first time to take part in the Korea Foundation Cheonggyecheon World Music Festival and the Jarasum International JazOct 3, 2014
Defector rapper won't rest until unification Art student Kang Chun-hyuk, a North Korean defector, poses for a photo during an interview at a cafe in Hongdae, western Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Kim Hye-kyungBy Kim Hye-kyungIn many ways, Kang Chun-hyuk is a typical student. He dresses in a T-shirt and baseball cap, loves hip-hop and spends most of his time at Hongik University in western Seoul, where he majors in art.His life, however, has been anything but ordinary.Kang, 28, escaped from North Korea with his family in 1998, making the perilous journey through China and Southeast Asia before arriving in Seoul. Like other young defectors, he faced identity issues in the South, a vastly different world compared to where he grew up.In addition to being a visual artist, Kang is a hip-hop MC. He showcased his rap skills last month on the music competition show “Show Me the Money” ― and wowed the judges with his impassioned, critical lyrics about the Kim Jong-un regime. Kang says he uses his art to tell the world about the difficulties facing the North Korean people, including those who defect.“I will letSep 17, 2014
McCartney cancels Korea show for health reasons Paul McCartney, a former member of legendary British band the Beatles, has canceled his planned first-ever concert in South Korea due to health problems, organizers said Wednesday.The legendary pop star planned to hold a concert at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium on May 28 as part of his "Out There" world tour, which began in Brazil last year and has taken him to 23 big cities around the world.The 71-year-old artist earlier canceled all of his four concerts planned in Japan as he failed to improve after contracting a virus. It has been widely expected that the Seoul show would be affected too, if his conditions do not improve quickly."McCartney canceled his planned concert in Seoul as doctors ordered him to have a complete rest," South Korea's Hyundai Card Co., which organized the show, said in a statement. "We and McCartney's side will discuss later to reschedule the show," it added.McCartney said he is "so disappointed" and "sorry" for letting his Korean fans down, in a message delivered through Hyundai Card. (Yonhap)May 21, 2014
Violin and voice Violinist Maxim Vengerov / Courtesy of CrediaVengerov finds link between Mozart's concertos, operas Mozart wrote five violin concertos between 1773 and 1776 in Salzburg for his own use as concertmaster of the Archbishop of Salzburg’s orchestra.By Do Je-hae A talented violinist, Mozart wrote many works for the violin, many of them intended for his own performances. It is easy to marvel at the exceptional blend of elegance and buoyancy found in his violin compositions.The superstar violinist Maxim Vengerov, who will be in Korea next week with a Mozart program, said he was particularly drawn to Mozart's violin concertos because of their connection to operas. The Russian virtuoso will perform the last two of Mozart's five violin concertos during a two-day Korea tour starting on May 20 at Seoul Arts Center, followed by a performance in Daejeon."Mozart violin cMay 12, 2014
Korea Times readers enjoy night of jazz, classical music Guests read the program in their seats before the start of the Korea Times' Spring Music Festival at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Baek Byung-yeulPerformances by jazz singer Woong San and the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra highlighted the Korea Times’ Spring Music Festival held Tuesday night at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.More than 2,000 people attended the annual concert, a group that included the newspapers’ readers and also government officials, diplomats, business leaders and cultural figures.The orchestra, led by conductor Park Sang-hyun, opened the concert with Franz von Suppe’s ``Light Cavalry Overture’’ and Saint-Saens’ ``Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, OP 28’’ with violinist Lee Moon-kyung.Soprano Kim Soo-yeon was then introduced and sang Johan Strauss’ ``Voice of Spring Waltz’’ and Lim Geung-soo’s ``Spring Approaches from Across the River.’’Tenor Ryu Jung-phil got thunderous applause for his peApr 1, 2014
'Run River North' flows to new territory Run River North is finding an increasing following for its sound, which ranges from melancholic to huge wall-of-sound choruses backed by propulsive drums and bass. / Courtesy of Run River NorthBy Kim Young-jinRun River North’s 2012 performance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show lit up the Internet, and not just because of the circumstances by which the southern Californian band ended up there.The group, then an obscure indie folk-rock outfit called Monsters Calling Home, had learned they’d be playing the show only hours prior. Honda, the carmaker, had organized the surprise gig ― but more on that later.As the band kicked into their bluegrassy anthem “Fight to Keep,” there was another element at play ― something obvious to see but more complicated to discuss. The musicians were all Asian-Americans of Korean decent.It was a rare, if not unprecedented sight: a group of talented young Asian-Americans emoting on national television with great verve.Several months earlier, a basketball player named Jeremy Lin turned the world on its head with an inspired stretcApr 1, 2014
Beautiful, brooding sound Woong San will perform at the The Korea Times Spring Music Festival held on April 1 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts./ Courtesy of Pony Canyon KoreaJazz songstress Woong San talks about upcoming performance at Sejong Center By Baek Byung-yeul Woong San is a jazz singer who sounds more like a blues singer. Her deep, husky voice and brooding delivery offers a striking contrast to Na Yoon-sun, the country’s other famous jazz vocalist who is precise and flamboyant like an opera diva.At the age of 42, she sings with the vulnerability of the delicate teenager who nearly became a Buddhist monk instead of a recording artist.Woong San highlights a lineup of musicians who will perform at The Korea Times Spring Music Festival to be held on April 1 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. She has previously performed at the annual event in 2007 and last year.“I am looking forward to performing before my fans. I have performed at the concert before, so I believe there will be a lot of people returning to hear me sing. That’s special to me,” WoongMar 19, 2014
Blunt and brilliant Punk rockers No Brain perform as part of Hongdaefest at Soundholic City in western Seoul, Sunday. / Courtesy of SoundholicHongdae festival showcases hottest ‘indie’ bandsBy Kim Young-jinIn the Korean music scene, it’s slickly-produced “K-pop” bands that draw the most attention. But beyond the hit factories there’s a vibrant scene of independent-minded musicians who are raising eyebrows.Many such performers are converging this month in western Seoul for “Hongdaefest,” an ongoing event in the university enclave of Hongdae.Showcasing well-known bands such as acoustic crooners 10cm and garage-rockers Galaxy Express, as well as up-and-coming acts, the festival finds a niche between the K-pop doldrums and blockbuster summer festival season.Now in its second year, it seeks to draw attention to the area surrounding the artsy Hongdae University. Once known as an incubator for indie bands such as Crying Nut and Rumblefish, the district has gentrified in recent years and become better known for nightclubs than rock shows.Galaxy Express wMar 10, 2014
McCartney may come to Seoul By Baek Byung-yeulA Korean entertainment company said Friday it was seeing progress in talks with Sir Paul McCartney for a concert in Seoul in May. The former Beatles member performing here would mark a major event as the band, which never played in the country before it folded, continues to be arguably the country’s favorite foreign music group.Organizers at 9 Entertainment have already filed papers to the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the manager of state-built sporting facilities, to rent the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul on May 28 for the potential concert.``Renting the venue is a process we have to go through when preparing for the performance of any artist. We are in talks to land (McCartney’s) concert here, although the agreement isn’t finalized yet,’’ said an official from 9 Entertainment.A representative from the Korean unit of the Universal Music International Group, McCartney’s label, said he had received no information from headquarters about a potential performance here.``The talks for setting up concerts usually take pMar 7, 2014
