Lifestyle - The Korea Times

'Nanta' gets blow by THAAD retaliation

A scene from the non-verbal performance "Nanta" / Courtesy of PMC ProductionKorean gallery withdraws from Shanghai By Kwon Mee-yooThe cultural exchanges between Korea and China face an uncertain future, after launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) arrived in Korea Tuesday amid controversy.China is retaliating against Korea, including ordering a ban on group tours to Korea, passed down earlier this month.Non-verbal performances, relying highly on Chinese tourists, are taking a direct hit. "Nanta," one of the most popular Korean non-verbal performances, will close down its 600-seat theater in Chungjeongno, Seoul, in April for a few months. The theater mainly targets Chinese tour groups. The number of visitors has been on the decrease since last summer, reaching almost zero following the recent ban, according to PMC Production."Nanta," premiered in 1997, is a non-verbal performance based on the rhythms of samul nori, a form of Korean percussion music. It attracted 10 million viewers as of 2014 and runs four theaters in Korea as well as one in Guangzhou, China

Mar 7, 2017

US starts THAAD deployment in S. Korea

Hong Ra-hee steps down from Leeum director post

By Kwon Mee-yooHong Ra-heeHong Ra-hee, wife of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee, resigned as director of the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Monday.The Samsung Foundation of Culture, which operates Leeum and the Ho-Am Art Museum, also headed by Hong, issued a statement that Hong will step down from both posts for personal reasons.The museum did not give further details of Hong's sudden resignation. Hong's successor hasn't been named yet.Insiders speculate that her sudden resignation is related to the arrest of Lee Jae-yong, son of Hong and vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, in February. Hong's husband Lee Kun-hee is sick abed, and has been unconscious since 2014, and Lee Jae-yong has been acting as the de facto leader of the Samsung Group.Lee Jae-yong was arrested on charges of bribery and other offenses in the Choi Soon-sil scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her close confidant.It is said that Hong has often expressed her frustration over recent developments concerning her son's imprisonment on Feb. 17 and hinted at stepping down, Yonhap News reported.Hong majore

Mar 6, 2017

Hong Ra-hee steps down from Leeum director post

Shin Saimdang, artist who was ahead of her time

An installation view of "Saimdang, Her Garden" exhibition held at the Seoul Museum in Buam-dong, central Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul MuseumBy Kwon Mee-yooShin Saimdang’s “Mukrando” (Ink Orchid painting)Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) is one of the best-known women in Korean history. She was an artist, writer, calligraphist and poet of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).She became the first woman to appear on a Korean banknote and she has been the face everyone sees on the 50,000 won note since 2009.Despite her splendid talents, the Joseon era was male-dominated under the influence of Confucianism and even Shin's real name is unknown. She is only known as the second daughter of Shin Myeong-hwa, wife of Yi Won-su and mother of Confucian scholar Yi I."She is often called Shin In-seon, but there is no evidence,” Ahn Jin-woo of Seoul Museum said. “Her name did not make history because she was a woman. While researching for this exhibition, we could speculate that the name In-seon came from a modern biography of Shin for children and became known as her real name. However

Mar 5, 2017

Shin Saimdang, artist who was ahead of her time

Relics reveal Korea's last king enjoyed waffles, coffee

/ YonhapBy Park Si-sooNewly displayed relics from the late 19th century have revealed a surprise: the last king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) loved eating crispy waffles and sipping coffee. A waffle tray used in the 19th century. / Courtesy of  the National Palace Museum of Korea This was disclosed after the National Palace Museum of Korea opened a chamber dedicated to items from the last years of the dynasty, especially those used by King Gojong (1863-1907) and the royal family. A steel waffle tray, made in the United Kingdom, and ceramic coffee cups are among nearly 100 relics on display.The round waffle tray -- found at Seoul’s Changdeokgung Palace -- has its maker’s name, “Benham & Froud,” inscribed on its side. The relics also include dozens of luxury necessities such as dishes, cups and kettles imported from the United States, France and Japan, reflecting the royal family’s affluent lifestyle.“The waffle tray was thought to be imported between the late 19th and early 20th century given that the inscribed name was u

Mar 1, 2017

Relics reveal Korea's last king enjoyed waffles, coffee

'Behemoth' reveals monster lurking in our society

A scene from the play "Behemoth" / Courtesy of PMC ProductionBy Kwon Mee-yooBehemoth refers to a mythical beast mentioned in the Bible, often described as enormous and undefeatable. In the new play "Behemoth," a case of murder reveals the beasts living in our society, driven by different reasons.The play begins with Jae-seok, son of a rich businessman running for election, and a woman at a hotel room. They break into a quarrel and the woman collapses, spilling blood all over the room.Attorney Lee is called to the scene by Jae-seok's father and defends Jae-seok, while prosecutor Oh, known for his uprightness, is assigned to the case. Lee is nicknamed Behemoth, as he never loses a trial on the back of his connection with high-ranking officials and executives.The lawyer tells Tae-seok to turn himself in in order to gain an acquittal and insists Tae-seok was feeble-minded due to his claustrophobia. As the investigation goes on, Jae-seok finds something bizarre in his attorney's instructions and starts to doubt Lee’s intention.However, prosecutor Oh is not just a man of judgment. He

Feb 26, 2017

'Behemoth' reveals monster lurking in our society

Chun Kyung-ja's controversial painting to go on public display for first time in 26 years

A national art museum said Saturday it has decided to put on public display renowned painter Chun Kyung-ja's work that her bereaved family alleges is a fake.This, if realized, would mark the first time that the painting has been shown to the public in 26 years."Beautiful Woman" will be part of the exhibition for works by some 100 painters representing the Korean fine art of the 20th century, set to open in the Gwacheon branch of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in mid-April, according to the MMCA."It is an art museum's duty to show its collection," said Kang Seung-wan, a curator of the MMCA. "We decided to unveil the piece because it has not been shown for more than 20 years and there are many people curious about it."While alive, Chun had strongly denied that she painted the 1971 portrait. However, the MMCA argued it was the authentic work of the artist. Since she died in 2015, the disagreement has intensified and the family sued six officials at the museum on charges of infringement of copyright laws and defamation.But prosecutors in December dismissed the charges a

Feb 25, 2017

Around Town 2

Traditional‘Pre & Free’Donhwamun Traditional TheaterMarch 3 to 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 audiences with traditional music and dance performances every Saturday. This year, the center aims to present a more profound level of tra

Feb 23, 2017

Around town 1

Classical Concerts‘Legendary Tenor Jose Carreras Final World Tour _ A Life in Music'Seoul Arts CenterMarch 4As part of his final world tour, the legendary tenor Jose Carreras will visit Korea for a concert on March 4 at the Seoul Arts Center.Carreras became internationally recognized in 1971 by winning the Verdi International Opera Competition. In 1990, he formed the operatic singing group The Three Tenors, along with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, receiving worldwide acclaim. This tour summarizes his 47-year musical career, as he will perform the songs that he loves and that have special meaning to him.Tickets cost 60,000 to 280,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call 1577-5266. ‘Mendelssohn's 170th Anniversary Concert'Seoul Arts CenterMarch 8Celebrating the 170th anniversary of the death of German composer Mendelssohn, Millennium Symphony Orchestra will have a concert on March 8 at the Seoul Arts Center.Mendelssohn is among the greatest German Romantic composers in musical history. For this concert, the Millennium Symphony Orchestra will perf

Feb 23, 2017

Artist finds meaning in meaningless

Artist Lee Wan speaks at the 313 Art Project in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul on Feb. 15. / YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yoo"A Diligent Attitude Towards a Meaningless Thing 6" by Lee Wan / Courtesy of 313 Art ProjectThe latest works of artist Lee Wan, who will represent the Korean Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennale, looks profound, as if succeeding the spirit of "Dansaekhwa," the Korean monochrome painting. Abstract lines are scribbled on a canvas painted in a single color.However, Lee, 38, said the paintings ― on display at the 313 Art Project in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul ― are simply meaningless to him. The background was colored by day laborers, hired and paid by the artist."I hired the laborers through employment agencies. I gave the tiny size 1 brushes to them and instructed them to fill the whole 162-centimeter-long and 130-centimeter-wide canvas," Lee explained.For “A Diligent Attitude Towards a Meaningless Thing” series, Lee hired eight workers ― four male and four female ― and paid them 8,000 won per hour. The laborers were from Korea, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Cambodia,

Feb 22, 2017

New SeMA director vows to make 'mindful' museum

By Kwon Mee-yooChoi Hyo-junThe Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) will take a step closer to the public with its new director Choi Hyo-jun, 65, who took his post on Feb. 9."I want the museum to be mindful," Choi said at a press conference Monday. "It is about being more considerate about visitors, balancing public character and popularity."Choi, who studied economics at Seoul National University, began his career in the art field as a researcher at the Samsung Foundation of Culture in the 1990s. He built his career at SeMA, the Jeonbuk Museum of Art, the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung.“I worked for SeMA when it moved to its current location and it helped familiarize me with the museum better. SeMA is not limited to contemporary or modern art and that makes us organize the best art exhibits regardless of period or genre.”Coming from the economic background, Choi emphasized the importance of marketing for the museum.“Currently, art museums are centered on supply. What is important is an analysis on demand and t

Feb 21, 2017

Arts & Theater