UMF Korea proves best against oddsBy Kwaak Je-yup When the first announcements were made earlier this year, there was no shortage of skeptics. Hosting the world’s largest electronic dance music festival at Seoul’s Olympic Stadium seemed to them too ambitious a project, especially given the overcrowded season of music festivals this summer. Especially after the event’s previous Warsaw stop was abruptly cancelled last month — a week before the scheduled date — many started questioning the possibility of recreating the magic of Miami’s iconic annual festival held in March in other parts of the world. Boy, were they wrong. Even though nothing could match the original Miami Music Week experience, the Friday and Saturday’s UMF, or Ultra Music Festival, was Korea’s best weekend in recent memory, with an atmosphere so special that words could not properly describe. Beat the heat with more heat, so the local proverb goes: the saying was shown in true form as more than 50,000 people danced their socks off in the 37-degree weather from 4 p.m. to midnight on both days. The sweat that interminably tricklAug 6, 2012
Pianist Zhang to make local debutBy Do Je-hae Early 20th-century Hungarian composer Bela Bartok once said, “Competitions are for horses, not artists.” However, it is undeniable that contests have launched the careers of a number of aspiring artists, such as Zhang Haochen, the 2009 co-winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition in Texas. Immediately after his gold medal win, Zhang embarked on an extensive three-year international tour. He will make his Korean debut in Seoul next month, performing with the China National Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 23 at Seoul Arts Center. Orgazined by the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation, the concert marks the 20th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations. For Korean piano fans, he has been known more as the pianist who beat Korean Son Yeol-eum, who took the silver medal in the same competition. Since the Van Cliburn Competition, Zhang has been working with the world’s foremost orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the London Philharmonic. “Zhang combines extraordinary technique and sensitivity. He is one of the star pianists to emerge from CAug 1, 2012By Do Je-hae
Bullying scandals hit K-pop groupsBy Rachel Lee Hwayoung’s recent departure from T-ara, allegedly due to bullying by the group’s other members, shows a dark side to the booming K-pop industry. The group’s agency, Core Contents Media announced Tuesday that the contract with the 19-year-old member has been cancelled. And agency CEO Kim Kwang-soo has denied the widespread rumors of bullying within T-ara, saying in a statement that the company has made the decision for better teamwork. This is not the only bullying claim to surface. Other popular idol girl groups such as Girls’ Generation, Kara, Wonder Girls and Afterschool were all once embroiled in similar scandals. After Tuesday’s announcement, both Korean and overseas fans have expressed their anger and disappointment in the misbehavior of some singers. “I cannot believe such thing really happened to my favorite Korean girl group,” said a 25-year-old Chinese woman, who wished to remain anonymous, Wednesday. “I am not sure if I will remain a K-pop admirer like I used to be because this whole childish behavior has kind of disillusioned me and other biAug 1, 2012By Do Je-hae
2NE1 triumph in year's most thrilling concertBy Kwaak Je-yup The K-pop girl group 2NE1 are often called Korea’s TLC. In Sunday’s concert, however, the four Korean girls showed not only can they match America’s hottest female act of the ’90s but even better them onstage. They aptly began the show with the thrilling club-banger “I Am the Best,” which the group sang again as the final encore of the two-hour set. And what came in between proved that bold claim. Though they made their debut in the summer of 2009 as the “female Bigbang” their show was superior to their label-mates’ performance earlier this year. Seoul’s Olympic Gymnastics Stadium, the city’s largest indoor arena, was slightly below full capacity, with some of the most affordable seats empty but that did not deter 2NE1 from bringing their best. The choreography, upgraded by one of the industry’s best, Travis Payne, was flawless and their pipes were in top shape despite the intricate dance moves. More often than not, the strength of their voices made pre-recorded tracks meaningless, at times even overpowering the back-up band. The level of energy, Jul 30, 2012
Infinite, lean and hungryThis is the eighth in a 15-part series on the stars and trends of “hallyu” or the Korean wave, which is gaining popularity in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The Korea Times is producing this special project in cooperation with the Korea Foundation and CJ E&M. — ED. By Kim Ji-soo when someone is in hot-pursuit of their dream, the hunger, the ardor, the positive energy of pursuit they emanate are undeniable. These qualities can work like magnets for success — and that’s what is happening for the relatively new K-pop group Infinite. The seven members — Lee Sung-jong, 19, Hoya, 21, Lee Sung-yeol, 20, Nam Woo-hyun, 21, L, 20, Kim Sung-kyu, 23, and Chang Dong-woo, 21, — are feeling their popularity rise. Having debuted in 2010, Infinite have hit the ground running. Mixing a strategy of releasing songs both in Japan and in Korea, they hit No. 1 with “Be Mine” in 2011, which was part of their first full-length album “Over the Top.” The song “Be Mine” has hints of European pop that used to prevail in dance houses in the late 1980s. Then this year, “TheJul 24, 2012
Has smartphone ruined disco?Too many standing still at Asia’s 1st Sensation seeking perfect shot By Kwaak Je-yup GOYANG, Gyeonggi Province — Over 20,000 people, each and every one of them dressed entirely in white, filled the KINTEX Saturday night for one of the world’s largest gatherings of house music fans. These attendees of the Asia debut of Sensation, a Dutch party brand best known for its all-white dress code, looked more than ready for some serious fun. As the countdown to 10:30 p.m. began on giant screens hanging from the ceiling, the burst of excitement could have blown the roof off. It seemed as if the people in uniform white were about to kick off one of the best nights of their lives. As pyrotechnics signaled the start and with the first beats reverberating, however, everyone remained standing still. White lights from innumerable smartphone screens dotted the vast space like pseudo stars in the night sky, with most of the supposed fun-seekers too busy taking photos or recording video clips of the elaborately decorated DJbooth and stage. Such killjoy-like behavior was repeated seJul 22, 2012By Do Je-hae
BoA, queen of K-pop, returns with new albumTitle track 'Only One' composed, written by 25-year-old singer By Rachel Lee Trailblazing K-pop singer BoA has been better known in recent months as a sharp-eyed judge following a stint last year on SBS’ “K-pop Star,” a popular audition program. But with a new studio album out next week she will bid to reaffirm her position as the queen of K-pop. Her agency, SM Entertainment, said Sunday that her seventh album titled “Only One” is set to be released through various musical online sites on July 22 and hit the shelves on July 25. It comes two years after “Hurricane Venus” and is drawing high level of expectations from media and fans around the world, as it is the first time that the 25-year-old has composed and written the title track. Having swept to the top of the Japanese and other Asian music markets as a teen, BoA returned to the local limelight on “K-pop Star” last year after establishing herself in Japan. She served as one of the three judges along with Yang Hyun-suk, CEO of YG Entertainment, and Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment. On the prograJul 16, 2012
Album ReviewsSigur Ros Valtari Parlophone For many, the sound of this Icelandic post-rock band is beyond understanding. Their tracks can be slow and unchanging and often last seemingly forever. Like the band’s famous fellow countrywoman Bjork, Icelandic music has a stigma that it can be a little weird. But for Sigur Ros, active since 1994, everything is intentional. A listen through any of their albums is such an intense spellbinding experience, like sitting through an opera by Wagner or Strauss or looking at a surrealist painting. The first album in four years, “Valtari,” is just as wonderful as previous efforts and at the same time proves quite accessible ― if the listener can remain open-minded and let the music happen. (Incidentally, the cover art, created by the sisters of frontman Jonsi follows the surrealist style, with a ship floating far above a vast sea.) Their otherworldly music creeps up and almost consumes the listener. It is a near-religious experience and once you reach that point, it is hard to stop listening to it. The opening track, “Eg anda” is a case in pJul 3, 2012
Great music, lights, yet lacking atmosphereIncoherent setting robs Idiotape, Korea's hot indie act, of another opportunity By Kwaak Je-yup Idiotape, self-described as an “electronic shoegazing band,” are arguably today’s hottest and most creative non-mainstream music act in the country. (Shoegazing refers to virtual non-movement by the band and the likewise effect on the audience.) Having performed in major festivals here and overseas, including the famous South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, they are enjoying unprecedented popularity. The group was even invited to play on a popular network TV show recently, a rarity in the K-pop-focused industry. But the gig Friday at the KT&G Sangsang Madang seemed to suggest room for improvement than celebration of early success — mostly due to the members of the audience. It certainly had several positives. Carefully calibrated color lights swirling around the smallish jam-packed venue and a giant screen behind the band screening intricate computer generated imagery, made the concert an unusual visual thrill. As expected, the band, consisting of DJs Dguru and ZJul 3, 2012
Berlin brass virtuosos to charm local fansBy Rachel Lee The Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble is in Korea for the first time, sharing its distinctive sound and traditions to audiences during a five-city concert tour that began yesterday in Busan. The tour will take them to Goyang, Seoul, Gwangju and Incheon through July 3. “Our first concert here was a great success,” said Sarah Willis, a French horn player in the ensemble, on Thursday. “I have come to Korea with the orchestra a couple of times, but stayed briefly so I didn’t get a chance to get to know it properly. This time, I’ve realized that Korean audiences are absolutely amazing, really fantastic.” Willis is the first female brass musician to be hired by the Berlin Philharmonic. Hosted by Eagon Windows & Doors, this event, designed for the disabled, offers a wide ranging repertoire including “London Miniatures” by Gordon Langford, “Homage to the Noble Grape” by Goff Richards and “Jealousy-Tango” by Jacob Gade. This is the 23rd annual music concert held by the company since 1990. The members will also hold a master class at a special school for vJun 29, 2012