Lifestyle - The Korea Times

'Wicked' casts its green spell on Seoul again

Park Hye-na, left, as Elphaba and Ivy as Glinda in a scene from the musical “Wicked” / Courtesy of Clip ServiceBy Kwon Mee-yooThe witches have returned.The curtain was raised on Broadway’s blockbuster musical “Wicked” at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul for a limited seven-week run last week.This is the third time the mega-hit show has been staged in Seoul, following the 2012 tour of an Australian company and the first Korean language production in 2013. The 2016 Korean production toured Daegu from May to June, before opening the door to the Land of Oz in Seoul.“Wicked” is based on the novel of the same name written by Gregory Maguire, who has a knack for overturning fixed ideas in fairy tales and classics. The musical tells the story of the Wicked Witch in L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz” series in the most unconventional way.There is no Dorothy in “Wicked,” as the show centers on the two witches Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Glinda the Good.The musical starts with Ozians rejoicing over the

Jul 17, 2016

'Wicked' casts its green spell on Seoul again

K-pop star challenges 'Dorian Gray'

Promotional poster of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” featuring Kim Jun-suPromotional poster of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” featuring Hong Seo-youngBy Kwon Mee-yooOscar Wilde's 19th century philosophical novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is being adapted for a musical production starring K-pop’s Kim Jun-su in September.Slated for opening on Sept. 3 at Seongnam Arts Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, the musical "Dorian Gray" is one of the most highly anticipated theatrical works in Korea this year.Scripted by Cho Yong-shin, with music composed by Kim Moon-jeong, the musical is directed by Lee Gi-na, known for mega-productions such as "Seopyeonje" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."This is the first original production by CJeS Culture, a theater-related subsidiary of talent agency CJeS Entertainment. The production was originally developed for a small theater at a workshop in 2013.Cho said the show went through major changes from its initial conception as it grew bigger. "Now the actors have to bring out more depth as new characters have been added, cre

Jul 15, 2016

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[Traditional] ‘Fanta-Stick’Seoul Fanta-Stick TheaterThroughout 2016 “Fanta-Stick” is performed daily at Seoul Fanta-Stick Theater on an open-ended run. The performance presents representative original Korean music, utilizing traditional Korean instruments to create fusion gugak. Park Ji-hoon, Lee Seok-jae, Kwon Hyun-soo and Na Jung-suk play the main roles of Jangdan and Saemachi. The show also features Yang Ye-rim, Kim Jee, Kim Sae-jin, Yoon Sung-hwan, Kim Byung-soo and Shin Kwang-hee.Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit www.fanta-stick.co.kr or call (02) 3143-5959. ‘YOULL’Jeongdong TheaterUntil Dec. 31 “YOULL,” a dance performance mixed with drama, will be staged at Jeongdong Theater until the end of 2016.The performance will bring a wide range of traditional modes of expression together, including Korean dance, theater, music and martial arts. By applying the heroic fantasy genre to this production, Jeongdong Theater hopes to broaden its popular appeal. Actors Jeon Jin-hong, Lee Hyuk, Park

Jul 14, 2016

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[Classical Concerts]‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts Center*Through Dec. 8On every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host the shows with commentary, and coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform at all of the concerts.Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr. ‘Curlew River’Sejong M TheaterJuly 28-31Sejong Center presents world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at Sejong M Theater from July 28 to 31. / Courtesy of Sejong Center for Performing ArtThe Sejong Center for the Performing Arts presents the world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at the Sejong M Theater from July 28 to 31.Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River is the first of his three Church Parables, which was composed after his tour of the Orient in the 1950s. During the trip, he was heavily inspired by different musical and theatrical worlds of Japanese Noh drama an

Jul 14, 2016

Another Chun Kyung-ja painting suspected of forgery

Chung Kyung-ja’s “Honolulu,” left, was offered at the Seoul Auction last month. On the right is Chun’s 1993 painting of a market in Granada, Spain. / YonhapArt market thriving despite series of counterfeit issues By Kwon Mee-yooA series of travel sketches of the late artist Chun Kyung-ja, submitted for Seoul Auction's summer auction on June 29, was suspected of being counterfeit and pulled from the auction soon after. An art critic claimed that the sketches pieced together artworks in Chun's catalogue published in 1995 titled "CHUN, KYUNG JA."Chun’s "Travel sketches" was composed of 16 drawings with an autograph letter. The auction explained that Chun gifted the sketches to an acquaintance named Mr. Park in 1983, in celebration of his 50th birthday.An anonymous art critic told Yonhap News Sunday that the sketches are similar to multiple paintings and sketches in the catalogue, mainly created during Chun's travels.The attorney of Chun's bereaved family is keeping an eye on the issue. "If a major art auction company in Korea puts counterfeit

Jul 11, 2016

Another Chun Kyung-ja painting suspected of forgery

AROUND TOWN 2

‘Fanta-Stick’Seoul Fanta-Stick TheaterThroughout 2016 “Fanta-Stick” is performed daily at Seoul Fanta-Stick Theater on an open-ended run. The performance presents representative original Korean music, utilizing traditional Korean instruments to create fusion gugak. Park Ji-hoon, Lee Seok-jae, Kwon Hyun-soo and Na Jung-suk play the main roles of Jangdan and Saemachi. The show also features Yang Ye-rim, Kim Jee, Kim Sae-jin, Yoon Sung-hwan, Kim Byung-soo and Shin Kwang-hee.Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit www.fanta-stick.co.kr or call (02) 3143-5959. ‘YOULL’Jeongdong TheaterUntil Dec. 31 “YOULL,” a dance performance mixed with drama, will be staged at Jeongdong Theater until the end of 2016.The performance will bring a wide range of traditional modes of expression together, including Korean dance, theater, music and martial arts. By applying the heroic fantasy genre to this production, Jeongdong Theater hopes to broaden its popular appeal. Actors Jeon Jin-hong, Lee Hyuk, Park Ji-yeon and Cho Ha

Jul 7, 2016

AROUND TOWN 1

‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts Center*Through Dec. 8On every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host the shows with commentary, and coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform at all of the concerts.Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr. ‘Curlew River’Sejong M TheaterJuly 28-31The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts presents the world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at the Sejong M Theater from July 28 to 31.  / Courtesy of Sejong Center for Performing ArtsThe Sejong Center for the Performing Arts presents the world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at the Sejong M Theater from July 28 to 31.Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River is the first of his three Church Parables, which was composed after his tour of the Orient in the 1950s. During the trip, he was heavily inspired by different musical and thea

Jul 7, 2016

Next season at the National Theater full of surprises

“The Scent of Ink” by the National Dance Company of Korea  / Courtesy of NTOKBy Kwon Mee-yooNot many years ago, the National Theater of Korea (NTOK) faced an existential crisis. Nestled on Namsan in Seoul, the 66-year-old theater was criticized for being nearly useless as well as being affiliated with stagnant arts companies. However, the nation's flagship theater turned over a new leaf when it launched the annual repertory season five years ago, successfully developing its own productions combining traditional and contemporary culture.Now the NTOK's yearly program is one of the most anticipated theatrical programs in Korea and the lineup of the National Repertory Season 2016-2017 announced last week lived up to expectations.Adventures of changgeukThe 2016-2017 season will open with the National Changgeuk Company of Korea (NCCK)'s "L'Orfeo" on Sept. 23 to 28. Directed by Lee So-young, who also helmed the highly acclaimed changgeuk "Song of the Red Cliff" last year, the newly commissioned work will adapt one of the earliest operas into changgeuk, a traditional Korean

Jul 6, 2016

Next season at the National Theater full of surprises

'Creative Korea' slogan lacks creativity, consistency

By Kwon Mee-yoo“Creative Korea,” the latest in a series of slogans adopted by the government, has drawn skeptical responses from PR experts and expatriates.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ambitiously announced Korea’s new national brand “Creative Korea” and a logo inspired by the national flag, Monday.However, some PR experts question whether the new slogan properly represents Korea.The alliterative phrase was welcomed linguistically compared to the previous national brands, but the link between Korea and creativity seems weak.The country has had a few earlier slogans including the most notable “Dynamic Korea” dating back to 2002, and tourism brands “Korea Sparkling” (2007), “Korea Be Inspired” (2010) and “Imagine Your Korea” (2014).Michael Breen, a longtime resident in Korea and CEO of Insight Communications Consultants, said the slogan lacks creativity and does not represent the nation’s core strategy.“Just as a brand, it is okay and better than the previous Dynamic Korea. However,

Jul 5, 2016

'Creative Korea' slogan lacks creativity, consistency

Korean rockabilly dominates global music competition

Korean rockabilly band Streetguns performs at Ruailrock in Seoul on Dec. 15, 2015. The band was named the Global Winner in the 2016 Hard Rock Rising “Rock Local / Win Global” showcase in June./ Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarBy Jon Dunbar The Korean rockabilly band Streetguns beat out almost 10,000 other unsigned musical acts around the world to be named Global Winner in the 2016 Hard Rock Rising “Rock Local / Win Global” showcase, on June 20.The contest, sponsored by Hard Rock International and Reverb Nation, was held at 100 global Hard Rock locations around the world. At Hard Rock Cafe Seoul in Lotte World Mall, Streetguns squared off against streetpunk band Rux, nu metal band Tempermount and alt-rockers Coincide.The five-member band won top accolades that night, and their name was passed on to a panel of music industry experts who named them not only Region 4 Winner, but also the overall Global Winner. They’ve earned $50,000 and a gig at the new Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, plus the chance to record a music video, get 1,000 CDs or DVDs made and a

Jul 3, 2016

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

'Wicked' casts its green spell on Seoul again

K-pop star challenges 'Dorian Gray'

AROUND TOWN 2

AROUND TOWN 1

Another Chun Kyung-ja painting suspected of forgery

AROUND TOWN 2

AROUND TOWN 1

Next season at the National Theater full of surprises

'Creative Korea' slogan lacks creativity, consistency

Korean rockabilly dominates global music competition

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