Iggy Azalea, Playboi Carti report $366K in stolen jewelry Iggy Azalea. Capture from Instagram (@iggyazaleaempire)Rappers Iggy Azalea and Playboi Carti have told Atlanta police that $366,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from their rental home.The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports a police report filed Nov. 17 lists 19 pieces of jewelry including diamond rings, platinum bracelets and luxury watches.Playboi Carti. Capture from Instagram (@playboicarti)Amethyst Kelly, who performs as Iggy Azalea, told police the theft occurred Nov. 14, when the back door was unlocked so Jordan Carter, known as Playboi Carti, could get in.The report says that at some point, they realized a designer bag in which they keep jewelry was missing from the second-floor dining room of their 6,500-square-foot (600-square-meter) home.It says surveillance video shows a masked gunman wearing gloves coming in the back door just after 9:50 p.m. and leaving within 10 minutes. (AP)Nov 24, 2019
INTERVIEW 'Queen of the Violin' Anne-Sophie Mutter talks about Beethoven's legacy German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will perform Beethoven sonatas for a Korean audience at 8 p.m., on Nov. 29 at the Seoul Arts Center. Courtesy of Bastian AchardBy Anna J. ParkOften dubbed the “Queen of the Violin” for her perfectly balanced musicality of power, sensitivity, versatility and much more, German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished and prominent violinists in the world. She made her public debut at the age of 13 at the Lucerne Festival in 1976, and performed in Salzburg with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan the next year. During her career that has spanned more than four decades, the 56-year-old virtuoso has so far earned four Grammy Awards and numerous other honors, including the International Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 2008, and the Polar Music Prize in 2019.Mutter is currently touring the world with Beethoven's music in celebration of the 250-year anniversary of the German composer's birth. She will perform three Beethoven sonatas, “Violin Sonata NNov 24, 2019By Anna J. Park
Goo Ha-ra makes successful comeback in Japan Korean singer Goo Ha-ra performs in Japan. Captured from Goo's InstagramBy Cho Hae-minK-pop singer Goo Ha-ra, a former member of girl group “Kara,” has successfully made a comeback in Japan. On Nov. 13, Goo released the solo album “Midnight Queen,” which is a dance song with a powerful performance.She uploaded a photo and video of her stage show in Japan to Instagram with the caption, “I had a good memory, thank you all” in Japanese. Goo debuted as a solo artist with the EP “Alohara (Can you feel it?)” on July 21, 2015.She left DSP Media because her contract expired in 2016 and joined KeyEast. Her former group “Kara” disbanded as Goo, Park Gyu-ri and Han Seung-yeon did not renew their contracts. Nov 20, 2019
Chungha song streamed over 100 million times K-pop singer Chungha Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minK-pop singer Chungha's song “Gotta go,” released on Jan. 2, has set a milestone for being streamed over 100 million times.Chungha's agency MNH Entertainment said that according to Gaon Music Chart, one of Korea's official charts, the song reached the mark Wednesday. This is not new to her since the title track of her second album “Offset” ― “Roller Coaster” ― was also listened to over 100 million times.Chungha is best known as a member of girl group I.O.I from Mnet's survival show “Produce 101.” She debuted on June 7, 2017, with the EP “Hands on Me.” Its lead track was “Why Don't You Know.” Her latest album “Flourishing” is her fourth EP. It was released on June 24. Nov 20, 2019
INTERVIEW Clarinetist Han Kim maintains good balance of musician's life with gratitude Clarinetist Han Kim will perform a solo recital on Thursday evening at the Kumho Art Hall Yonsei. Courtesy of Sangwook LeeClarinetist Han Kim presents his first solo recital in Seoul since winning second prize at the ARD competition in September By Anna J. ParkClarinetist Han Kim, 23, is one of many talented young Korean classical musicians who is balancing his musical career as a member of a prestigious European orchestra while performing as a soloist on global stages. Kim has been second solo clarinetist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra since last year. He also is a member of the Kumho Asiana Soloists and a founding member of the Veits Quintet.He is in Korea for a solo recital at the Kumho Art Hall Yonsei Thursday evening. It his first solo performance since taking second prize and the audience award at the ARD music competition in Germany in September. During an interview with The Korea Times on Monday, Kim said the source of his musical energy has partially come from his teenage years as a normal student, putting more focus on studying or playing soccer. He started playingNov 19, 2019By Anna J. Park
IU's new album dominates charts K-pop singer IU performs in Seoul over the weekend. Captured from IU's InstagramBy Cho Hae-minK-pop singer IU has swept all major music charts ― including Melon, Bugs and Genie ― with her fifth mini-album “Love Poem.”The album's title track “Blueming” dominated the charts within hours of its release on Monday. Besides the title track that IU co-composed and co-wrote the lyrics for, her five other tracks ― “Love Poem,” “Unlucky,” “Above the Time,” “The Visitors” and “Lullaby” ― have also ranked in the top 10 of the charts. IU is now on her “Love, Poem” concert tour and has performed in Busan, Gwangju and Incheon. The tour continues in Seoul at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium on Nov. 23 and 24. Nov 19, 2019
Renowned choirs to present sounds of celestial harmony to Korean audiences The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) will present choral music pieces by Estonian composer Arvo Part at 8 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Seoul Arts Center. Courtesy of EPCCBy Anna J. ParkThe Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC), winner of various prestigious awards including the Gramophone Classical Music Awards in 2018 and the Grammy Awards in 2007 and 2014, will be performing for a Korean audience on Tuesday evening at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. This will be their second performance in Seoul, after their previous visit back in 2009.The choir's program for this performance will be focusing on choral pieces by Arvo Part, one of the most renowned living Estonian composers, including his arrangement of “Te Deum,” which will be the Korea premier of the piece. Kaspars Putnins, the artistic director at the EPCC since 2014, is accompanying the choir to Seoul.Performing about 50-60 concerts a year worldwide, the EPCC's musical repertoire has a wide range from Gregorian chants and polyphony pieces of the Renaissance period, to contemporary clNov 18, 2019By Anna J. Park
GFriend finishes successful Asia Tour K-pop group, GFriend performing Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minK-pop girl group GFriend ended its successful Asian tour, “GO GO GFRIEND!” in Yokohama on Nov. 17.Starting with the Japanese version of the title track of the group's second EP “Me Gustas Tu,” the show continued with a variety of entertaining songs and performances.Their tour began in Seoul on May. 18, taking in nine other regions, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila. The group made its debut on Jan. 15, 2015, with the EP “Season of Glass.” Its most recent album was “Time for us,” released in January 2019. Nov 18, 2019
INTERVIEW Eric Nam brings diversity to K-pop with 1st English album Singer Eric Nam will release his first English-language album “Before We Begin,” Thursday. Courtesy of Stone Music EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeKorean-American solo artist Eric Nam hopes to bring diversity to K-pop with his first full English-language album “Before We Begin.”“When people outside Korea think of 'K-pop', most of them expect 'idols' with several members in a group, dancing in sync," he told The Korea Times. “But there are soloists, duos and many other talented artists in Korea, so I hope to be the bridge to introduce (variety) in the global market.” With this first English album, the singer, 30, is pursuing the dream of his career. “There are two things that I wanted to accomplish when I started my career: making a positive impact on people and becoming a global artist,” he said. He said that with the heightened interest in K-pop in other countries, especially the U.S, it was the right time to set foot in the global market. Born and raised in Atlanta, Nam moved to Korea and made his first media appearance through Nov 18, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra unveils 2020 season with new music director Osmo Vanska Finnish maestro Osmo Vanska will start his first season with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra next year. Courtesy of SPOBy Anna J. Park The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) has announced its 2020 program, which consists of 38 concerts. Next year will be the first season that Seoul Philharmonic's new music director and chief conductor Osmo Vanskagets will lead the orchestra. The Finnish maestro was appointed in May.Often dubbed an orchestra-builder for his inclusive musical leadership, Vanska has successfully led Finland's Lahti Symphony Orchestra, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra, of which he is still music director and chief conductor.“I am incredibly honored and excited to begin my first season as the new music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra,” Vanska wrote for the orchestra's new season book. “I have had such wonderful and fulfilling experiences with the orchestra in my previous visits, and I know that over the next few seasons we will continue to grow together, both personally and artistically.”Vanska is an internaNov 15, 2019By Anna J. Park
