Comedian-turned-professional singer Kim Na-hee to release mini-album Kim Na-hee debuted as a KBS comedian in 2013 and became well-known for her singing on TV Chosun's audition program “Miss Trot.” Capture from Instagram @naheevvBy Lee Han-naComedian-turned-trot singer Kim Na-hee will release her first mini-album on Sept. 7, officially beginning her career as a singer. Kim debuted as a KBS comedian in 2013 and became well-known for her singing talent on TV Chosun's audition program “Miss Trot.” As a comedian, she usually presented creative and cheerful performances that viewers enjoyed. She made into top five, gaining support and fame as a singer. She has been performing on a Miss Trot nationwide concert tour since May.Details on her album and teaser music videos and photos are yet to be announced. Aug 19, 2019
Chung Kyung-wha to present complete Brahms violin sonatas in autumn Violinist Chung Kyung-wha and pianist Kevin Kenner will hold three concerts featuring the complete Brahms violin sonatas. Courtesy of Kang Tae-wookBy Anna J. ParkLegendary Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha will hold a series of concerts in September with pianist Kevin Kenner featuring the complete Brahms violin sonatas. The duo of many years will present three repertoires: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in G Major, “Regen,” Op. 78; Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, “Thun,” Op. 100; and Sonata for Violin and Piano No.3 in D minor, Op. 108 ― all three violin sonatas by the German composer. It will be the first time in 24 years that Chung, 71, presents the complete Brahms violin sonatas in cities across Korea. In 1998, she released a recording of the sonatas on EMI Classics with pianist Peter Frankl. The album was awarded the Diapason d'Or, the highest recommendation of outstanding classical recordings by France-based Diapason Magazine.Chung and Kenner, the top prize winner in the 1990 International Chopin Piano Competition in Poland, have been presAug 18, 2019By Anna J. Park
LA Opera declines details on Placido Domingo investigation on sexual harassment In this file photo taken on July 25, 2015 Spanish singer Placido Domingo performs on stage during a concert at the Starlite in Marbella. AFP-YonhapThe Los Angeles Opera has declined to release any details of its promised investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against opera legend Placido Domingo, the company's longtime general director, including whether it has already started. The union that represents opera singers said Friday that it plans a meeting in Los Angeles next week to address its members' concerns ahead of the LA company's season opener Sept. 14. Len Egert, the executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, told The Associated Press that the union has been receiving its own reports from members since an AP story earlier this week detailing accusations against the 78-year-old singing star. Hours after the AP story was released Tuesday detailing the allegations, the LA Opera announced it would engage outside counsel to investigate the ``concerning allegations.'' Three of the nine women who accused the singer of harassment and abuse of power descrAug 17, 2019
Comedian dance band Celeb Five returns with ballad Life's a laugh for Celeb Five. Capture from Instagram @celebfive.officialBy Lee Han-naFemale comedian band Celeb Five will return with a ballad on Aug. 19. The band is well-known for cheerful up-tempo dance songs, so fans are excited about the change in direction.The four female comedians ― Song Eun-yi, Shin Bong-sun, Ahn Young-mi, and Kim Shin-young ― debuted as a band in January last year, with the single “I Wanna Be a Celeb.” Their dancing became famous for its complicated and quick movements. It is inspired by TBC, a dance club at Tomioka high school in Japan.The new ballad will be released online on Monday evening and the music video will be revealed the next day.Aug 16, 2019
INTERVIEW SPO's Associate Conductor Wilson Ng recounts musical journey from flutist to conductor Wilson Ng has been serving as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's associate conductor since January. Courtesy of Seoul Philharmonic OrchestraBy Anna J. ParkSince Wilson Ng assumed the role of associate conductor at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) in January, he has led about seven concerts and built favorable reputations inside and outside the orchestra.Ng, 29, was selected from more than 100 contenders for the position, in a unanimous decision by the selection committee. During a recent interview with The Korea Times, the young maestro from Hong Kong said he is very much enjoying and grateful for his job at the Seoul Philharmonic. “It is really a dream come true,” Ng said. “You know, I do conduct sometimes abroad. I have some guest conducting, but I must admit that I am always looking forward to coming back with this orchestra. This really is an orchestra of world class,” he said. “When you have the orchestra of this level, an orchestra without limits, I really can think about what I should do to make good use of these beautiful people and musiciaAug 16, 2019By Anna J. Park
Aretha Franklin's cancer doctors recall her grace, grit This July 26, 2010 file photo shows performer Aretha Franklin in Philadelphia. As the anniversary of her death approaches, two of her doctors tell The Associated Press that the Queen of Soul handled the diagnosis and treatment with grace and the grit to keep performing for years with a rare type of cancer. AP-YonhapRegardless of her reputation as a performer, Aretha Franklin's cancer doctors say she was no diva as a patient. Two doctors who treated the Queen of Soul say she handled her diagnosis and treatment with grace ― and the grit to keep performing for years. Franklin, who died in Detroit on Aug. 16, 2018, at 76, had pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. It's a rare disease that differs from the more common, aggressive type of pancreatic cancer known as adenocarcinoma. Dr. Philip Philip and Dr. Manisha Shah say she didn't demand star treatment and was keen on doing whatever needed to be done. She also wanted to keep her music going as long as possible, which also impressed them. (AP)Aug 15, 2019
Inje fest aims to revive 'real' rock festivals in Korea Yoon Do-hyun, center, and his YB bandmates / Korea Times fileBy Jon DunbarA new rock festival aims to restore the country's waning rock festival industry.Starting this Friday, Gangwon Rock Festival will provide three full days of live music in Inje County, Gangwon Province, east of Seoul.Like most other music festivals, it mixes local and international acts, but the lineup of Koreans is outstanding, with the three days headlined by Pia, Jeon In-kwon and YB, respectively. Of the 20 other domestic bands, some standout names include Crying Nut, Wiretap in My Ear and Vassline. All these bands have been active since the 1990s, with the 64-year-old Jeon debuting in the 1970s, showing this festival is aiming for heavy hitters who have witnessed and been part of better days for Korea's rock scene in the past. “We believe these 1990s bands have strong power,” Oh Byung-chul, a PR representative for the festival, told The Korea Times. “Music has power: that's the strong belief of our planners.”According to Oh, the chairman of the festival Kim Seung-han has been planning Aug 15, 2019By Jon Dunbar
Japanese band criticized for rising sun video image Japanese band "Cornelius" said the video was a sample of U.S. pop art from the 1960s. From Instagram@corneliusofficialBy Lee Han-naJapanese band “Cornelius” is under fire for using a background video similar to a rising sun flag during a performance at Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2019, Saturday.Because Japanese imperial forces used the flag during World War II, there has been campaign among Koreans to raise awareness of the flag, almost equating it with the Nazi swastika.The band explained that the video had nothing to do with the flag, but was a sample of pop art from an American educational movie in the 1960s. Band members explained that there was no political intention. On the other hand, the festival officials faced criticism for letting a Japanese band perform on the main stage, without considering the deteriorating relationship between Korea and Japan. An online user commented, “You should have paid more attention when you invited a Japanese band. I am afraid you didn't give much consideration to our current situation.”Meanwhile, other netizens showeAug 12, 2019
Teen prodigy Kim Doo-min releases debut recording on Mendelssohn Pianist Kim Doo-min plays Mendelssohn's “Rondo Capriccioso in E Op.14” during a press conference held at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Warner ClassicsBy Anna J. ParkPianist Kim Doo-min, 16, is one of a few Korean pianists whose debut album has been released by a major international music label. Kim released his debut recording of Mendelssohn's various piano works earlier this month internationally on Warner Classics. The story of how this young Korean pianist got to release his debut album in his teens goes back three years ago. Precocious and gifted, Kim was admitted to France's Ecole Normale de Musique at age 13, the youngest Asian student ever in the institution's history, with a full scholarship. Kim was selected and auditioned by Warner Classics in February 2017 at the school in Paris, without Kim realizing for whom he was playing the piano. A month later, he found out that Warner Classics suggested a debut recording, and recorded the album at the age of 14. “As I was only 14 when I recorded this album, I tried to express as much as whatAug 9, 2019By Anna J. Park
Singer-songwriter Shaun excites fans with new EP album Shaun's new EP album, "36.5," will be released on August 15. Capture from Instagram @password0123456789aBy Lee Han-naSinger-songwriter Shaun, who is doing military service, will release his new EP album, “36.5,” eight months after “Annyeong.” All three tracks will be released online on Aug. 15.The long-awaited songs are a gift to fans. He prepared the album before his enlistment on April 1. Shaun announced the album on his social media and uploaded a preview. A watery blue teaser image raised expectations of tracks containing vibrant summer electronic dance music.Fans were surprised and happy at the sudden news.Shaun is known for various hit songs including “Way Back Home” and “Bad Habits.” Aug 8, 2019
