KNSO Academy students showcase talent in orchestral debutFor many, the Seoul Arts Center’s prestigious main concert hall feels like a space reserved for world-class musicians and orchestras — from pianist Lim Yun-chan to the Berlin Philharmonic. But that isn’t always the case. The venue also opens its stage to aspiring musicians, as demonstrated by Wednesday night’s "Colorful" concert, presented by students of the Korea National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) Academy, to mark the midpoint of their program and showcase their training. About 50 musicians, dressed in formal wear, delivered a nearly two-hour performance with strong harmonies, demonstrating the discipline and professionalism that orchestral music demands. The program featured Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, and the Asian premiere of Korean composer Kim Eun-sung’s "Kaleidoscope for Orchestra," commissioned by the KNSO. The evening was led by conductor Christoph Poppen, who currently directs the Cologne Chamber Orchestra in Germany and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Chinese American Violinist Kevin Zhu steppAug 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
InterviewCroatia's Jelusick joins forces with rock icon YB for epic 'Odyssey' projectWhen it comes to rock diplomacy, few pairings feel as unexpected and as electric as this one. Croatia's hard rock outfit Jelusick, fronted by powerhouse vocalist and keyboardist Dino Jelusick, has teamed up with Korea's legendary rock band YB, led by singer-songwriter Yoon Do-hyun, for a groundbreaking cross-cultural project. Formed in 2022, Jelusick is a four-piece band known for straddling rock, metal, funk and acoustic blues with equal ease. The band's debut album, "Follow the Blind Man," dropped in September 2023, and a follow-up album is slated for release on Sept. 19. Now, the rising European band is setting its sights on Korea. Its ongoing collaboration with YB, titled the "YB x Jelusick ODYSSEY Project," is more than just a concert series. Backed locally by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the initiative spans six shows across both countries and aims to spark broader cultural exchange through music, tourism and media. Confirmed stops include a recently concluded performance in Jeonju and Seoul, followed by Croatian dates at Spancirfest in Varazdin on Saturday and Valpovo on Aug.Aug 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Veteran pianist Paik Hae-sun reflects on Lim Yun-chan’s rise to stardomRenowned pianist Paik Hae-sun, 60, admitted Monday that sensational young pianist Lim Yun-chan possesses an indescribable energy on stage that captivates audiences and has elevated him to idol status. “Lim Yun-chan is certainly an idol in classical music … Yun-chan is completely crazy about music,” Paik said during a press conference with local journalists in Seoul. “As some jokingly say, it feels like he has a connection with an alien (when he plays the piano).” Lim studies at the New England Conservatory where Paik teaches piano — Lim studies under pianist Sohn Min-soo. Lim rose to international fame in 2022 after winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Texas. A video of his performance in the competition’s final round has since become one of the most-viewed classical music videos on YouTube. The pianist recalled a friend telling her that Lim’s playing was so compelling it made her stop washing dishes while watching him on YouTube. Paik herself attended three of Lim’s recitals, trying to make sense of his energy. Yet, Lim’s popularity reminds PaikAug 18, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Oasis faces backlash in Korea over Rising Sun imagery ahead of Seoul concertBritish rock band Oasis has sparked outrage among Korean fans after releasing a promotional video featuring imagery reminiscent of the Japanese Rising Sun flag, a symbol widely regarded in Asia as representing Japan’s wartime aggression and colonial rule. On Aug. 8, the band posted a short clip on its official social media accounts with the caption, “Check out the brand new visualiser for ‘Morning Glory.’” The video, which visually reinterprets the cover art of their 1995 album, included a segment incorporating a design resembling the Rising Sun flag. The image drew immediate criticism, especially given the proximity to Korea’s Aug. 15 Liberation Day, which marks the end of Japanese colonial rule. The Rising Sun flag was used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and remains a potent reminder of historical trauma for countries that endured Japan’s invasions and occupation, such as Korea and China. Korean fans flooded the comment section with remarks such as, “Do you realize you’re coming to Korea?” and “Take down the video and apologize,” urging the baAug 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
TXT to headline Korea's Liberation Day eve concert at Gyeongbok PalaceK-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) is set to headline a special concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event, held under the theme “We Are Lights,” will begin at 8 p.m. on Aug. 14, the eve of the National Liberation Day holiday, in the square in front of Heungnye Gate at Seoul’s Gyeongbok Palace. Joining TXT on stage are pop icons across generations and genres: powerhouse vocalist Insooni, dance crew BUMSUP, “Joseon pop” fusion band sEODo BAND, show choir group Harmonize and K-pop girl groups fromis_9 and H1-KEY. Adding to the evening’s spectacle are performances by leading national arts institutions, including the National Dance Company of Korea, the National Chorus of Korea and the Seoul Performing Arts Company, bringing together voices rooted in the country’s traditions. The concert will be accompanied by immersive visual effects, combining media facade projections and artificial intelligence-powered lighting to create a fusion of heritage aAug 5, 2025By Park Han-sol
ReviewSweat, sound and 20 years of Pentaport: Why rock still mattersThe 20th Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival provided a revealing glimpse of how outdoor music events in Korea are evolving — not only in sound, but in spirit, structure and even scent. Arriving shortly after 7 p.m. on the first day of the festival on Friday Aug. 1, I stepped into Songdo Moonlight Festival Park just as Chang Ki-ha took the stage. Everything felt immediate — not just the music, but the heat, the crowd and the mist of citrus spray in the air. Unlike many festivals that unfold slowly, Pentaport hurled attendees into a fully activated space — one where preparation, participation and a surprising degree of personal care seemed to converge. New kind of preparedness Despite the blistering August heat wave, festivalgoers had claimed spots hours in advance, their picnic mats arranged in tight formations across the grass. Many came dressed not for style, but for survival — or, more accurately, for both. Outfits followed an unspoken code: lightweight cotton, hiking-grade sneakers and water bottles clipped to utility backpacks. It wasn’t fashion for show but fashion with a functAug 3, 2025By Kim Min-ji
How Bae Chul-soo broadcasts iconic radio show from Lollapalooza ChicagoCHICAGO — Inside a white container studio in Grant Park, tucked just steps from the thundering stages of Lollapalooza Chicago, Korea’s most iconic radio voice leans into the mic — not in Seoul, but in the middle of America’s wildest summer music festival. What’s Bae Chul-soo, the legendary host of Korea's longest-running radio program, "Bae Chul-soo's Music Camp," doing 10,000 kilometers away from his familiar Seoul studio, where he has helmed Korea’s most beloved pop music show for over three decades? To celebrate the 35th anniversary of his program, Bae and his team flew across the globe for a first-of-its-kind recording project, bringing "Bae Camp" to life from the heart of the Windy City. Surrounded by festival frenzy, the crew set up a makeshift studio in Grant Park, determined to capture the global pulse of pop music in real time. This milestone moment of Korea's most enduring radio show promised something historic for fans and industry insiders alike, but its journey was far from seamless. After a grueling 12-hour flight, even catching an Uber into downtown proved chalAug 2, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival marks 20th year with global acts, strong attendanceThe Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, one of Korea’s most iconic music events, kicked off its 20th edition, Friday, at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, drawing thousands of fans despite high temperatures and weather concerns. Running through Sunday, the three-day festival features 58 artists from around the world, including Britpop legends Pulp, marking their first-ever performance in Korea since their formation in 1978, and Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter Beck, performing here for the first time in nine years. Opening day highlights included Korea’s punk pioneers Crying Nut, who were celebrating their 30th anniversary, and Japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation closing out the show. Rising hip-hop artist Audrey Nuna, known for her work in Netflix’s "KPop Demon Hunters," will perform Sunday. With heat wave alerts issued around the country, the city of Incheon expanded medical cooling zones to 2,225 square meters and distributed 35,000 free water bottles to prepare for high temperatures. Incheon officials also said safety consultations and contingency plans were in plaAug 2, 2025By Kim Min-ji
Xdinary Heroes light up Lollapalooza ChicagoCHICAGO — The sun blazed down on Grant Park as waves of music lovers flooded through the gates Thursday, the opening day of Lollapalooza Chicago 2025. Under the sweltering heat, festivalgoers embraced the vibrant atmosphere, dressed in lightweight, expressive fashion — cowboy hats, bikini tops and jean cutoffs were common, while some attendees even braved the summer heat shirtless. Cans of beer and guava margaritas in hand, the crowd floated between stages at the park, most of them drenched in sweat while diving into equally filthy beats. One of the most influential music festivals in the world, Lollapalooza offers a strikingly different landscape from its Korean counterparts, not just in its massive scale, but in its overall vibes, genre diversity and sheer cultural breadth. Held annually at Chicago's Grant Park, the four-day festival draws nearly 400,000 attendees and continues to serve as a global touchpoint for contemporary music. This year's edition, running from Thursday to Sunday (local time), showcases more than 170 acts across eight stages, spanning pop, hip-hop, rock, EDMAug 1, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
20th Incheon Pentaport Festival to bring rock to summer nightsThe annual Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, one of Korea's largest summer music events, will kick off Friday for a three-day run. Hosted by the Incheon metropolitan government, the festival has been held every year in the Songdo district of Incheon, about 30 kilometers west of Seoul, since 2006. Now in its 20th edition, the festival will feature 58 teams of musicians from home and abroad, including iconic Britpop band Pulp, American alternative star Beck, Korean American R&B singer and rapper Audrey Nuna, and Korean rock mainstays Crying Nut and Jaurim. Drawing the most attention among them is Pulp, who will be making its first-ever appearance in Korea since its formation in 1978. Known for its hits like "Common People" and "Babies" and its distinctive, straightforward lyrics, the band will headline the second day of the festival. It is expected to showcase its new album, "More," its first in 24 years, along with its classic hits. Audrey Nuna will take the stage on the final day. She recently gained attention for performing songs as Mira, a member of the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/xAug 1, 2025By Yonhap
