Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Kyle Dean Massey challenges split personality in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

Kyle Dean Massey, playing the titular role in Frank Wildhorn musical “Jekyll and Hyde” in Seoul, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Bookpark in Blue Square on March 22. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Kwon Mee-yooBroadway actor Kyle Dean Massey wears two faces every night in Seoul, portraying the gentle doctor Jekyll and the aggressive Hyde in the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" staged at Blue Square in Seoul.The musical, with the music of Frank Wildhorn, is enjoying unprecedented popularity in Korea and the producer Shin Chun-soo aims to re-export the Korean production to the world. As a first step, Shin revamped the Korean production with an upgraded set and costumes capturing the sophisticated yet dark atmosphere of the Victorian era.The icing on the cake of the production is Massey, who is known for playing Fiyero in "Wicked," Gabe in "Next to Normal" and Pippin in "Pippin" on Broadway. His boyish charm suited those characters, but the 35-year-old actor wanted to challenge himself.When approached by the production to play the titular dual role, Massey

Mar 26, 2017

Kyle Dean Massey challenges split personality in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

Korean favorite 'Jekyll & Hyde' returns with Broadway cast

Around town 2

Seoul Museum runs a special exhibition, “Saimdang, Her Garden,” which features Shin Saimdang’s paintings of plants and animals. / Courtesy of Seoul MuseumTraditional‘Pre & Free'Donhwamun Traditional TheaterUntil May 27Donhwamun Traditional Theater runs a special traditional Korean music performance program, "Pre & Free," from March 3 to May 27.Donhwamun Traditional Theater has prepared diverse performances that suit the tastes of each of the five different audience groups: children, teenagers, senior citizens, foreigners and the general public. Through "Pre & Free," the theater aims to encourage audiences to have more interest in traditional Korean music. 25 artists and bands will participate in the performances.Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, visit sdtt.or.kr or call (02) 3210-7001. ‘Saturday Performance of Korean Music & Dance'National Gugak CenterThroughout 2017Every Saturday, Korean music and dance performances will be presented at the National Gugak Center.For over 30 years, the National Gugak Center has provided a

Mar 23, 2017

Around town 1

The operas of Verdi will be performed by conductor Riccardo Muti, a Verdi specialist, on April 7 at Lotte Concert Hall. / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Arts Center Classical Concerts‘Music from PyeongChang'Seongnam Arts CenterMarch 30Cellist Chung Myung-Wha, pianist Son Yeol Eum and violinist Shin Zia will have a trio concert at the Seongnam Arts Center on March 30.The three female artists represent Korea's classical music scene, with their outstanding artistry and international concert careers. At the same time, Chung Myung-Wha and Son Yeol Eum represent PyeongChang Music Festival, one of Korea's most renowned international classical music festivals, since they are the artistic director and vice artistic director of the festival. Through this concert, the three artists intend to wish for the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, visit snart.or.kr or call (031) 783-8000. ‘Muti Verdi Concert in Seoul’Lotte Concert HallApril 7Opera songs by Verdi will be performed by conductor Riccardo Muti and Gyeong

Mar 23, 2017

Korean art fascinates Hong Kong

Kim Soo-ja's installation "Deductive Object" will be exhibited at the Encounter sector of Art Basel Hong Kong 2017. / Courtesy of the artist and Kukje GalleryPark Ki-won's "Ruin" (2017) is on display at the Insight section of Art Basel Hong Kong 2017. / Courtesy of 313 Art ProjectBy Kwon Mee-yooSpring has arrived in Hong Kong where the art world's attention is transfixed as the largest art fair in Asia opened for preview Tuesday. Hong Kong has become the third largest art market in the world thanks to its tax benefits and Korean galleries are finding a way out in Hong Kong amid a domestic slump.Over 242 galleries from 34 countries take part in the fifth edition of the largest art fair in Asia held at the Alexandra House. Some 3,000 artworks from A-list artists such as Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon and Cy Twombly to budding young talents will be on display for sale through Saturday. Korean artists in spotlightA handful of top Korean galleries are taking part in the art event, pulling out the cream of the crop to capture the attention of art aficionados, collectors and curators fly

Mar 22, 2017

Two 'verismo' operas merge into one

The cast of “Pagliacci and Il tabarro” rehearses a scene from the opera “Pagliacci,” Tuesday. Soprano Rim Sae-kyung, left, plays Nedda while baritone Park Joung-min plays Tonio.  /  Courtesy of KNOKNO to showcase Pagliacci, Il tabarroBy Yun Suh-youngThe Korea National Opera (KNO) will showcase two "verismo" operas - “Pagliacci” written by Ruggero Leoncavallo and “Il tabarro” by Giacomo Puccini - at Seoul Arts Center from April 6 to 9.A verismo opera refers to an opera based on realism, influenced by the French literary movement of naturalism practiced by writers such as Emile Zola and Alexandre Dumas. Verismo operas realistically portray the tragedies of human society represented by topics such as poverty, love, murder, betrayal and conspiracies. Verismo operas are usually set in remote regions such as islands or impoverished areas.Some representative verismo operas include Bizet's “Carmen” and Puccini's “Tosca” and “La boheme,” other than “Cavalleria Rusticana” by P. Mascagni an

Mar 22, 2017

W1.3 bil. Kim Whan-ki artwork to enrich museum's collection

A visitor to the "New Acquisitions 2013-6 Samramansang: from Kim Whanki to Yang Fudong" exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA) views Kim Whan-ki’s “Dawn #3,” the most expensive piece at the museum. / YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooDespite its status as the flagship art museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), is relatively scanty in its collection, with only about 8,000 pieces.The museum is working to expand its collection in quantity and quality and 932 new art pieces have been added to the collection over the last four years, including Kim Whan-ki's blue abstract painting "Dawn #3" for 1.3 billion won ($1.16 million) which became MMCA’s most expensive possession ever.The museum showcases “Dawn #3” and other selected works from its recent acquisitions at the exhibition "New Acquisitions 2013~16 Samramansang: from Kim Whanki to Yang Fudong” at its Seoul branch.MMCA curator Park Mi-hwa, who is in charge of procurement for the museum’s collection, said the purchase wa

Mar 20, 2017

W1.3 bil. Kim Whan-ki artwork to enrich museum's collection

Americans flock to 2017 SXSW's K-pop night

From mainstream idol groups to indie acts, South Korean musicians representing today's Korean music scene have thrown a heated gig at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in the United States, according to organizers Monday.Seven South Korean acts -- Red Velvet, Tiger JK, Hyolyn of girl group Sistar, Yoon Mi-rae, No Brain, Galaxy Express and Big Phony -- took part in the "K-pop Night Out" at the 2017 SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 17 local time, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).Launched in 1987, SXSW is an annual collective showcase of film, music and interactive media held in March in Austin. K-Pop Night Out became part of SXSW on the initiative of KOCCA in 2012.The concert kicked off with an opener by Big Phony, followed by energy-filled performances by rock bands No Brain and Galaxy Express. Korea hip-hop guru Tiger JK and his wife and musical partner Yoon Mirae later took stage, followed by Hyolyn and SM Entertainment's girl group Red Velvet.About 2,500 attended the concert, according to KOCCA."We reconfirmed the growing stature of K-pop among glob

Mar 20, 2017

Americans flock to 2017 SXSW's K-pop night

K-pop groups seek to explore non-Chinese markets

Popular K-pop stars held successful concerts in East Asian nations over the weekend, in a positive sign that the region can fill the hole left in the wake of a diplomatic row between Seoul and Beijing over a US anti-missile system.On Saturday, Kim Jae-joong, a member of JYJ, performed in Bangkok, Thailand. It was his first visit to the country since March 2014. Around 5,000 fans, not only from the country but also from neighboring nations including Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, flew in to see the Korean pop idol perform.He received a warm response from Thai fans by wearing a black ribbon in tribute to the late Thai King Bhumibol when he arrived at the airport. During the concert, he performed "Butterfly" for the first time during his Asia tour, as way of expressing his gratitude for Thai fans' unwavering support. Fans responded by holding placards that said "Welcome Back KJJ" and "We will always be by your side."Since he was discharged from the military in December, he's been on an Asia tour. His recent performance in Hong Kong drew thousands of fans, triggering negative online comments

Mar 20, 2017

Kwon Young-woo discovers 'Koreanness' in paper

An installation view of “Various Whites,” a posthumous solo exhibition of Kwon Young-woo (1923-2013), at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul / Courtesy of the artist’s estate and Kukje GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yooKorean artist Kwon Young-woo (1923-2013) spent his entire career pursuing the essence of Oriental painting, but not in the traditional ink-and-wash method. Instead, he devoted his life to exploring the unique properties of paper, especially "hanji" (Korean paper).A posthumous solo exhibition "Various Whites" held at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul sheds light on Kwon's early years when the artist began experimenting the nature of hanji. Title of the exhibit is derived from the 1975 Tokyo Gallery show “Five Korean Artists, Five Kinds of White,” featuring Park Seo-bo, Lee Dong-youb, Heu Hwang, Suh Seung-won and Kwon, which laid groundwork for the Dansaekhwa (Korean monochrome painting) movement.Thirty pieces of art are on display, from an ink-and-wash painting from the 1950s to his monochromatic abstract works using hanji. Most of the works are smaller ones,

Mar 19, 2017

Kwon Young-woo discovers 'Koreanness' in paper

Around town 1

The musical "Oh! Carol" is staged at the D-Cube Arts Center until May 7. / Courtesy of Show Media GroupClassical Concerts‘Liszt vs. Paganini'Lotte Concert HallMarch 25Musical pieces by two legendary virtuosos, Liszt and Paganini, will be performed at the Lotte Concert Hall on March 25.Paganini is an Italian violinist and composer who is famous for his almost inhuman technical ability, and Liszt is a Hungarian pianist and composer known as the "Paganini of piano" due to his prodigious skills as a pianist. For this concert, violinist Filip Pogady and pianist David Aladashvili will perform the works of the two composers.Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, visit lotteconcerthall.com or call 02-2658-3546.  ‘Music from PyeongChang'Seongnam Arts CenterMarch 30Cellist Chung Myung-Wha, pianist Son Yeol Eum and violinist Shin Zia will have a trio concert at the Seongnam Arts Center on March 30.The three female artists represent Korea's classical music scene, with their outstanding artistry and international concert careers. At the same time, Chung Myu

Mar 16, 2017

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

Kyle Dean Massey challenges split personality in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

Around town 2

Around town 1

Korean art fascinates Hong Kong

Two 'verismo' operas merge into one

W1.3 bil. Kim Whan-ki artwork to enrich museum's collection

Americans flock to 2017 SXSW's K-pop night

K-pop groups seek to explore non-Chinese markets

Kwon Young-woo discovers 'Koreanness' in paper

Around town 1

Most Read in Lifestyle