Yun Ho-gen, director of National Opera, steps down Reinstated artistic director bids normalization in farewellBy Kwon Mee-yooYun Ho-gen / Korea Times fileYun Ho-gen, one of the Korea National Opera (KNO)'s artistic directors who recently returned to his post upon a court's order, voluntarily resigned to prevent further confusion within the organization. Yun had a farewell ceremony Tuesday and said he would return to the life of an artist. "I am very sorry that the status of the opera is damaged by conflicts of interest. I sincerely hope that the KNO can return to normalcy soon and strive only for presenting the best performance for audiences," Yun said at the ceremony.Yun, former artistic director of KNO, was dismissed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in May 2019 over allegations of unfair hiring practices in 2018. However, Yun denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit against the ministry.The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of Yun on March 6, which nullified the culture ministry's dismissal and returned Yun to his position as the KNO's head. The court's decision put the KNO in an awkward situation as Park HyMar 25, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo tests positive for coronavirus Placido Domingo. AFP-YonhapSpanish opera singer Placido Domingo said on Sunday he had tested positive for coronavirus and had gone into self isolation with his family. "We are currently all in good health but I developed a cough and a fever and decided to get tested, and the result came back positive," Domingo wrote on Facebook. Spain is struggling to contain Europe's second worst outbreak of the coronavirus after Italy, with over 28,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths, according to the Health Ministry. Previously one of the opera world's most feted artists, Domingo's reputation is now in tatters after an investigation by the American Guild of Musical Artists concluded he had behaved inappropriately with female performers. The singer has publicly apologised to the women who accused him of sexual harassment. (Reuters)Mar 23, 2020
US rapper Lil Uzi Vert suspected of plagiarizing Korean illustrator's artwork Seen is a screen capture from an Instagram post of Korean illustrator Tae Tae claiming potential infringement by U.S. rapper Lil Uzi Vert who allegedly copied the illustrator's artwork to use it for his new single “That Way,” in this photo uploaded Sunday. The left is the 6-year-old art work of Tae Tae and the right is the newly released album cover of the rapper in March. Screen capture from InstagramBy Park Ji-wonAmerican rapper Lil Uzi Vert is accused of plagiarizing an artwork of a Korean illustrator for his latest album's cover art, who could be sued for violating the original artist's intellectual property. Korean illustrator Tae Tae raised the allegation that the U.S. rapper copied his six-year-old artwork without consulting him in advance for the rapper's new single “That Way,” pledging to file a suit in case things get worse. The rapper's single was released on March 1.“My picture was posted on my blog six years ago, and it is possible to use it for personal profile pictures or non-commercial purposes. But it is not allowed to be used for anythiMar 17, 2020By Park Ji-won
Late Goo Ha-ra's family in legal battle over her estate Late K-pop artist Goo Ha-ra / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooLate K-pop artist Goo Ha-ra's brother is currently in a legal battle with their estranged mother over the singer's estate. Her elder brother Goo Ho-in has filed a legal suit against their mother seeking a ruling on the division of the K-pop star's inheritance.Their mother, who abandoned them as children, has appointed legal representatives to acquire 50 percent of the inheritance on the basis that she is Ha-ra's biological mother. Under Korea's current law, even parents who have not taken care of or lost contact with their children have the right to inherit half of the deceased child's estate. Goo, the former member of K-pop girl group KARA, was found dead in her home in Seoul in last November at the age of 28. She had suffered from depression due to excessive online bullying and a legal battle with her ex-boyfriend, who threatened to leak sex tapes he recorded without her consent.Goo Ha-ra's brother camMar 12, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Pop star Anne-Marie apologizes over Rising Sun flag controversy British singer Anne-Marie took a picture with English celebrities Ant and Dec, who wore the bandanas with a Rising Sun flag. Capture from Twitter (@itvtakeaway)By Dong Sun-hwaBritish pop star Anne-Marie apologized Sunday (local time) on behalf of two English celebrities who wore bandanas with a Rising Sun flag, an emblem of Japan's wartime colonization and aggression. The Japanese imperial military used the flag during World War II (1939-45). British pop star Anne-Marie. Courtesy of Warner Music KoreaThe singer, who boasts a solid fan following in Korea thanks to her hit “2002,” appeared on ITV's variety show “Saturday Night Takeaway” hosted by Ant and Dec on Saturday. On the program, the hosts staged a martial arts performance wearing the controversial headbands and took a photo with Anne-Marie after the show. After the picture went viral, some online users asked her for feedback, although many claim the hosts ― not the singer ― should be blamed. Nevertheless, the British star apologized on Twitter. “I sincerely apologize to all those who were affeMar 2, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
To all girls, take pride in yourselves Kang Eun-il, artistic director of Seoul Donwhamun Traditional Theater and a traditional string instrument Haegeum player, plays Haegeum during a press conference on Wednesday to announce her upcoming performance on motherhood. YonhapHaegum performance on motherhoodBy Park Ji-wonKang Eun-il, artistic director of Seoul Donwhamun Traditional Theater and the player of the traditional string instrument haegeum, said Wednesday that through her upcoming haegeum performance, she aims to convey a message of empowerment to women and girls.“I would like to tell my daughter, who has been suffering from self-destructive thoughts about her appearance and experiences since her adolescent years, that being a woman is a valuable experience because women are (innately) creative,” Kang said during a press conference Wednesday held before her upcoming concert titled “Ancient futures: Stories of my mother, grandmother and great grandmother” at ARKO Arts Theater on Feb. 22 and 23.Five original songs themed on women will be played on haegeum and a variety of instruments in various mFeb 14, 2020By Park Ji-won
Trot audition shows boom following success of 'Ms. Trot' Official poster of "I am a trot singer" Courtesy of MBC every1By Park Ji-wonThe trot boom is back. TV shows in which trot singers battle for success are growing in number following the mega success of TV Chosun's audition show “Ms. Trot for Tomorrow,” reversing the perception of the genre as music for the elderly.The recently launched TV Chosun's “Mr. Trot for Tomorrow,” the second season of its first hit talent show among professional and amateur male singers, wrapped up its sixth episode on Thursday with a record 27.5 percent viewership, beating the record of cable channel JTBC's phenomenally successful TV series “SKY Castle,” which hit a record 23.8 percent viewership in February last year.The trot boom was created after the successful accomplishments of TV Chosun's “Ms. Trot” last year which had its viewer rating hitting a high of 18.1 percent with its last episode, and trot star Song Ga-in, the winner of the program, who became one of the most in-demand singers in the nation.Trot is an old style of music which was popular in Korea Feb 7, 2020By Park Ji-won
Big Hit to diversify portfolios into design, language education, animation Bang Si-hyuk, CEO of Big Hit Entertainment, BTS's management agency, speaks during a briefing at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentBy Park Ji-wonBig Hit Entertainment, BTS' management agency, unveiled a plan to diversify their business areas, including the launch of a BTS themed drama, graphic books containing the group's song lyrics, new character items and a Korean language education program. The agency also announced that it will launch two boy groups and a girl group by 2022.“Big Hit's business expansion will know no boundaries… For example, we are preparing Korean language education content for our fans… A music video featuring them (BTS characters) will be released in the first half of this year and four short animated episodes in the second half… We are preparing a drama based on the Bangtan Universe,” Bang Si-hyuk, CEO of Big Hit Entertainment, BTS's management agency, said during a briefing held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, Wednesday.The company will launch the language education program “Feb 5, 2020By Park Ji-won
Difficult past, a blessing: Japanese pianist Japanese pianist Yuhki Kuramoto poses in this undated photo. Courtesy of Yuhki KuramotoBy Park Ji-wonJapanese new age pianist and composer Yuhki Kuramoto says his difficult past didn't bring him down, but rather helped him find his passion for music.“When I was a teenager, it was difficult to continue practicing piano as I had no piano at home (because my parents went bankrupt,)” Kuramoto, one of the most renowned pianists, told The Korea Times in a recent email interview.“However, while playing the cello, I was able to play the piano on behalf of harp as a member of school orchestra in my middle and high schools… I learned how to play the piano with other musical instruments there which was lucky for me to learn the ensemble being surrounded by good friends and a teacher.”Kuramoto became famous among Koreans in the 1990s when the Korean government lifted its ban on Japanese cultural content. His music started to be used in various TV commercials and his nature-inspired soft and melodic sound resonated with many Koreans. Since then, he has participated Feb 4, 2020By Park Ji-won
Collaboration with BTS inspired Halsey to seek perfection Halsey Courtesy of Live Nation KoreaBy Park Ji-wonHalsey, the U.S. pop star who is popular among Korean fans for her collaboration with K-pop sensation BTS on the song “Boy With Luv” last year, said that the collaboration with BTS inspired her to seek perfection in her artwork.“I flew to Korea to film the music video for Boy With Luv and got to spend some time there which was amazing, and see how they work and how they make music videos, how dedicated they are to dancing and making sure everything is perfect. It definitely inspired me to maintain that kind of dedication with my art as well,” Halsey said in an email interview before her upcoming concert in Seoul in May, her second concert here.The singer, well known for her smash-hit “Without Me” (2018), released her third studio album “Manic” in January, which includes the ballad “SUGA's Interlude.” Halsey Courtesy of Live Nation KoreaStressing that the collaboration with BTS was one of the best experiences of her life, she said collaboration with other artists makes her expFeb 4, 2020By Park Ji-won
