my timesThe Korea Times
Lifestyle

Arts & Theater

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Museum shares ancestors' insights into epidemics

A visitor takes a picture at the “Fighting Epidemics in Joseon Dynasty” exhibit at the National Museum of Korea, Monday. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooThe world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is not the first time humanity has suffered from an infectious disease. The National Museum of Korea (NMK) seeks to find wisdom about the epidemic by looking back on infectious diseases that hit the nation in the past and exploring how our ancestors dealt with contagious diseases."As we go through these hard times, we decided to have a look back on how our ancestors dealt with plagues. We hope this exhibit would shed light on how to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and find hope from the past," said Bae Ki-dong, director general of NMK.Titled "Fighting Epidemics in Joseon Dynasty," the special exhibit at the Joseon Gallery features a handful of artifacts related to epidemics during the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom era. Curator Yu Sae-rom said the most common infectious disease in Joseon was smallpox."There are many portraits from Joseon era with visible marks of smallpox. Dongjunsi

May 11, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Museum shares ancestors' insights into epidemics

Actress Lee El appointed goodwill ambassador for int'l contemporary dance fest

Actress Lee El, right, poses with Lee Hae-jun, chairman of the organization committee of the 39th International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE), pose after he appointed her as goodwill ambassador for the festival in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of MODAFE by HanfilmBy Park Ji-wonActress Lee El was appointed as goodwill ambassador for the 39th International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) to be held at ARKO Arts Theater in Seoul between May 14 and 29.Lee, who became famous thanks to her roles in the films and dramas like “The Yellow Sea,” “Inside Men” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” stressed that contemporary dance has been her sources of motivation for her acting since the early 2000s when she was a student aspiring to be an actress.“As a long-time fan of the festival, it has been an honor for me to become the ambassador to promote the event… I have been mindful of body movements in acting for nearly 10 years of my career as an actress. I was a student paying attention to body training to express feelings naturally while acting. Th

May 10, 2020By Park Ji-won
Actress Lee El appointed goodwill ambassador for int'l contemporary dance fest

Onstage shows set to resume as quarantine rules ease

The Korean performing arts scene is joining the nationwide return to normal life after a monthslong battle with the coronavirus. Korea Times fileThe South Korean performing arts scene is joining the nationwide return to normal life after a monthslong battle with the novel coronavirus.Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul said it will stage the special concert "Dear My Parents" at its main Concert Hall on Saturday to celebrate Parents' Day, which falls on Friday, and to express gratitude to those who have dedicated themselves to the fight against COVID-19.The center said it will invite medical workers and their families to the concert.It will be the first onstage music performance arranged by the state-run Seoul Arts Center since February, when the South Korean government raised the nation's virus alert to the highest level amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus.All public institutions, including arts theaters and museums, had been asked to suspend operations.More than two months later, the country saw its virus curve flatten dramatically, with new daily infections staying around 10 f

May 8, 2020
Onstage shows set to resume as quarantine rules ease

Mother-of-pearl master craftsman adds modern twist

Mother-of-pearl craftsperson Lee Young-ok poses in front of her mother-of-pearl partition featuring cranes at her studio in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulLee Young-ok pursues innovation in traditional craftBy Kwon Mee-yooLee Young-ok has been fascinated by the iridescent beauty of mother-of-pearl ever since she was young. Now a traditional mother-of-pearl master craftsperson and CEO of Jinjooshell, she dedicated her life to the mother-of-pearl craft in her family's business."My father and mother both worked in the mother-of-pearl industry. My maternal uncles still process shells for mother-of-pearl the southern port city of Busan," Lee said in an interview with The Korea Times at her studio in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. As her family also processed abalone shells for mother-of-pearl, Lee marveled at the lustrous glow of their nacre since her youth."Among six siblings, I was the only one who helped my parents working with mother-of-pearl. Back then, it was strenuous to repeat sandpapering and varnishing with lacquer, but I was fa

May 7, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Mother-of-pearl master craftsman adds modern twist

Korean performing arts hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in April

Lee Ja-ram performs in "The Old Man and the Sea." Courtesy of Doosan Art CenterThe South Korean performing arts scene saw a sharp drop in revenues last month in the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Friday. Aggregate ticket sales of musicals, plays, classical concerts and other performances reached 4.68 billion won (US$3.84 million) in April, according to the data from the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS).The monthly revenues have been on a steady decline from 38.6 billion won in January, 20.9 billion won in February and 9.1 billion won in March.The musical sector posted 4 billion won in sales, accounting for 85 percent of the industry's total revenues, while theatrical plays earned 642 million won in sales.The KOPIS data also showed that the number of concerts and shows staged last month fell to 2,151 from 2,325 for March and 5,087 for February.The downside trend came as the COVID-19 pandemic has kept people at home for months. South Korea has reported nearly 11,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus since its first case on Jan. 20.L

May 3, 2020
Korean performing arts hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in April

Gallery Hyundai: 50 years bridging artists and collectors

A visitor to the "HYUNDAI 50" exhibition looks at Kim Whan-ki's "Universe 05-IV-71 #200," the most expensive Korean painting ever auctioned, at Gallery Hyundai in central Seoul. Courtesy of Gallery HyundaiKim Whan-ki's 13.2 billion-won 'Universe' on viewBy Kwon Mee-yooGallery Hyundai founder Park Myung-ja / Courtesy of Gallery HyundaiDo Hyung-teh, president of Gallery Hyundai, said a good gallery liaises between artwork and collectors. Do, son of the gallery's founder Park Myung-ja who is considered Korea's first modern gallerist, said, "What I learnt from my mother is that the relationship between gallery and artist, collectors and artwork is as important as the ties between people. The HYUNDAI 50 exhibition is the sum of Gallery Hyundai's relationships."Gallery Hyundai celebrates its 50th anniversary with a two-part exhibition titled "HYUNDAI 50" and a few other projects aiming to take a leap forward in gaining a bigger international presence as well as promoting Korean art abroad.Part I of the "HYUNDAI 50" exhibition runs from April 17 to May 31 and Part II from June 12 through Ju

May 3, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo
Gallery Hyundai: 50 years bridging artists and collectors

Theaters, concert halls shift to resume operations as infection rate slows

Daegeum and Sogeum players perform during “Midday Concert,” a monthly concert by the National Orchestra of Korea at the National Theater of Korea, Seoul, in this March 6, 2019, photo. Courtesy of National Orchestra of KoreaBy Park Ji-wonMore theaters and concert halls are moving to resume operations following fewer COVID-19 infections in recent weeks. The National Theater of Korea (NTOK), which runs three national performance groups, is planning to offer concerts in May after a two-month hiatus.It said the National Changgeuk Company of Korea (NCCK) will present “Chunhyang,” directed by Kim Myung-gon, from May 14 to 24, to mark the reopening of the theater, with rehearsals already under way. The National Orchestra of Korea will resume its monthly “Midday Concert,” May 20.The NTOK and other state-owned theaters have been closed since February after the government raised the nation's disease alert to its highest level.“The Phantom of the Opera,” a blockbuster musical that was suspended in early April after some cast members tested positive

May 1, 2020By Park Ji-won
Theaters, concert halls shift to resume operations as infection rate slows

Korean performing arts hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in April

Officials disinfect a concert hall at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Courtesy of Sejong Center, YonhapThe South Korean performing arts scene saw a sharp drop in revenues last month in the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, data showed Friday. Aggregate ticket sales of musicals, plays, classical concerts and other performances reached 4.68 billion won (US$3.84 million) in April, according to the data from the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS).The monthly revenues have been on a steady decline from 38.6 billion won in January, 20.9 billion won in February and 9.1 billion won in March.The musical sector posted 4 billion won in sales, accounting for 85 percent of the industry's total revenues, while theatrical plays earned 642 million won in sales.The KOPIS data also showed that the number of concerts and shows staged last month fell to 2,151 from 2,325 for March and 5,087 for February.The downside trend came as the COVID-19 pandemic has kept people at home for months. South Korea has reported nearly 11,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus si

May 1, 2020
Korean performing arts hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in April

Religious groups stress 'unity' before Buddha's Birthday amid COVID-19

Ven. Wonhaeng, right, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, makes a bow at the Memorial Hall of Korean Buddhist History and Culture in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Park Ji-wonLeaders of major religious groups stressed the importance of seeking unity between religions and people amid the COVID-19 pandemic when commemorating Buddha's Birthday, which falls Thursday.Ven. Wonhaeng, leader of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, read the statement of Ven. Jinje, the spiritual leader of the Jogye Order that stated: “To overcome the difficulties we face today, we need to stop confronting each other and pave the way to unify for the new future… By forgiving each other and seeking unification, we can overcome this national disaster wisely… Commemorating Buddha's Birthday, people and Buddhists need to seek world peace by lighting up the lotus lanterns so that the coronavirus can be eradicated.”Emphasizing that Jogye Order's temples are providing space and accommodation for medical staff who have been fighting COVID-19, he urged Buddhists to abide by the spirit of

Apr 29, 2020By Park Ji-won
Religious groups stress 'unity' before Buddha's Birthday amid COVID-19

Contemporary dance festival to be held in May

“Be,” choreographed by Kim Sung-yong, artistic director of the Daegu City Dance Company, will be performed at the 39th International Modern Dance Festival from May 14 to 29. Courtesy of Daegu City Dance CompanyBy Park Ji-wonThe country's longest-running contemporary dance festival will be held in May with a lineup of famous choreographers.The Contemporary Dance Association of Korea, the organizer of the event, announced Tuesday it will hold the 39th International Modern Dance Festival at ARKO Arts Theater in Seoul between May 14 and 29 under the theme “Little Heroes Come Together!” Performers will communicate the life of ordinary individuals facing hardships in society through the medium of dance.Renowned choreographers including Kim Seol-jin and Ahn Ae-soon will choreograph and dance in the performances. People wishing to view the performances at home can enjoy the shows through an online streaming service.“In the era of COVID-19, we faced difficulties and challenges when preparing the festival. We are planning to keep a safe distance between customers

Apr 29, 2020By Park Ji-won
Contemporary dance festival to be held in May
previous page
126127128129130
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle