Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Around Town 1

 ‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts Center*Through Dec. 8On every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host performances 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. ‘Wicked’Seoul Arts CenterJuly 12 ― August 28“Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” returns to the stage with a new cast in July, following its 2013 Korean premiere.Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” it tells the story of two witches_ Elphaba and Glinda. Elphaba is a green-skinned witch who is often alienated and Glinda is a popular blonde witch. Veteran actress Cha Ji-yeon is sharing the role of Elphaba with actress Park Hye-na, while Jeong Sun-ah will share the role of Glinda with Ivy. With it

May 5, 2016

Commemorative exhibits in S. Korea celebrate French artists

South Korea celebrates the art world of French artists to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, museums and art galleries here said Monday.At the Art Wall Gallery inside the Shinsege Department Store in downtown Seoul, a photo exhibition of Maia Flore is on display. The exhibit, which runs until June 27, shows 33 photos taken in 25 historic places by the popular photographer who is known for her work to describe French heritage through those dreamy eyes of hers.  "Maia Flore throws a curious eye on things around her and captures dramatic moments from ordinary life," the gallery said. "The photo will take visitors on a tour to France."The Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art features Gilles Barbier, an artist based in Marseille, France.The solo exhibition that runs until July 31 shows some 100 works of art including "selective painting, drawing, sculpture, installation and more with the artist's unique artistic rule and peculiar sense of humor, constructed over several years of repetitive transformations," the museu

May 2, 2016

Around Town II

‘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.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 Haneul will play the main roles.Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-1500 or visit www.jeongdong.or.kr. Three Jewels: Buddhist Art of KoreaHoam Art MuseumUntil November 6Hoam Art Museum

Apr 28, 2016

Around Town I

‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts Center*Through Dec. 8On every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host performances 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. ‘Decade’Sejong Center for the Performing ArtsUntil May 3The “Sejong Chamber Hall 10th Anniversary Performance: Decade” will be held from April 28 to May 3.The program includes Kodaly’s sonatas, Mozart’s concertos, Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet, as well as Schumann and Vivaldi’s famous works. The performances will feature maestro Lim Heon-jung, cellist Yang Seong-won, the Baroque Orchestra, the Ensemble Opus and chamber orchestra members from the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1000 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr

Apr 28, 2016

'Game' questions privacy and voyeurism

A scene from the play “Game” / Courtesy of Doosan Art CenterBy Kwon Mee-yooTicketholders of the new play “Game” at Doosan Art Center’s Space 111 do not enter the theater through the usual entrance. Instead, they are ushered to a door in the back of the theater used by cast and staffers.The black box theater is transformed into a slick model home, complete with a flat screen television, a kitchen sink and even a fancy bath tub. Audiences are seated around the small home to observe the new residents ― newlyweds Ashley and Carly ― as they move into the house. Their life seems normal and happy, until a gunshot rings out and Ashley collapses while the two bathe together.The second of Doosan Humanities Theater Series 2016, “Game” is a 2015 play by British playwright Mike Bartlett.The play offers a voyeuristic look at a couple's relationship in a reality television setting during the era of "house poor," which describes those who spend large amounts of their income on trying to achieve home ownership through mortgage payments but who canno

Apr 27, 2016

Forum highlights contemporary art

Kate Lim, director of Art Platform AsiaBy Kwon Mee-yoo Art Platform Asia (APA) will hold its first international forum centering on Asian contemporary art trends at the JCC Culture Center, in downtown Seoul, April 29."APA aims to generate insightful discussions essential to understanding the evolving course of Asian contemporary art and its inherent attributes," said Kate Lim, founder and director of APA.Lim said the forum is part of APA's effort to formulate a persuasive explanation of Asian artists and their works for the global audience.Titled "Fracturing Conceptual Art: The Asian Turn," the forum will offer a persuasive explanation of Dansaekhwa, an artistic movement that emerged in Korea in the 1970s focusing on monochrome non-figurative paintings.Charles Merewether, former director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Singapore, will talk about “Culture of Materials: Recasting Modernism,” while Berlin-based artist and theorist Fre Ilgen will discuss “Art: For the Professionals or For the Art Viewers? Necessary Involvement of the Mind/Body.”

Apr 26, 2016

Royal Culture Festival to bring back living, time-honored culture

An annual royal culture festival is scheduled to open this week to let Koreans and overseas tourists enjoy the essence of the time-honored culture of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), organizers said Monday.The 2nd Royal Culture Festival will run until May 8 under the slogan "Today We Meet the Palace," the Culture Heritage Administration said.Events like concerts, cooking classes and performances by musical groups from overseas will take place at the country's most prominent historic places in Seoul: Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, Changgyeong Palace, Deoksu Palace and Jongmyo Shrine.The opening ceremony will take place at the Heungnyemun Gate of Gyeongbok Palace, ushering in the 10-day festival that allows visitors a peep into the lifestyle of centuries ago.The opening event will be followed by more entertaining activities at the palace.From Saturday, visitors can cook and taste the traditional Joseon foods and stay overnight with family at the palace. Musical performances and "1892, King's Party," the recreation of a royal party (May 5-7), will add sparkle to the festival. A sess

Apr 25, 2016

AROUND TOWN I

 ‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts Center*Through Dec. 8 On every second Thursday of each month, an 11am Concert will be staged at Seoul Arts Center./ Courtesy of Seoul Arts CenterOn every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host performances with commentaries, 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.  ‘Decade’Sejong Center for the Performing ArtsApril 28-May 3The "Sejong Chamber Hall 10th Anniversary Performance: Decade" will be held from April 28 to May 3.The program includes Kodaly's sonatas, Mozart's concertos, Brahms' Clarinet Quintet, as well as works by Schumann and Vivaldi. The performances will feature maestro Lim Heon-jung, cellist Yang Seong-won, the Baroque Orchestra, the Ensemble Opus and members of the Chamber Orchestra from the Seoul Philharmonic Orc

Apr 21, 2016

Kneehigh brings 'Dead Dog' to Seoul

A scene from Kneehigh’s “Dead Dog in a Suitcase,” which will be staged at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from Thursday to Sunday / Courtesy of LG Arts CenterBy Kwon Mee-yooBritish theater company Kneehigh will stage its hit “Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs)” at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul April 21-24.The revolutionary musical is an adaptation of John Gay's 18th century ballad opera "The Beggar's Opera," which also inspired Bertolt Brecht’s 1928 musical "The Threepenny Opera," now considered the beginning of modern musical comedy.In 2014, some 286 years after the premiere of “The Beggar's Opera,” Kneehigh reinvented the show in a contemporary setting, while sticking to the timeless innovative spirit pursued by both Gay and Brecht.The 21th century adaptation revolves around contract killer Macheath, who is hired by entrepreneur Les Peachum to assassinate Mayor Goodman. The story takes a twist when Peachum's daughter Polly falls in love with Macheath and elopes with him.The show offers an interesting comb

Apr 18, 2016

Song Joong-ki meets his fans (photos)

Song Joong-ki greets 4,000 fans at Kyung Hee University Grand Palace in Seoul, Sunday. / Courtesy of Blossom EntertainmentBy Bahk Eun-ji "Descendants of the Sun” heartthrob Song Joong-ki held his first fan meeting in about three years on Sunday.About 4,000 fans gathered at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University in Seoul for the event, titled “The Day We Met Again.”It was his first reunion with his fans since August 2013, just before he began his mandatory two years’ military service.Park Bo-gum, famous for tvN’s drama “Reply 1988” and Lee Kwang-soo were special guests. Song sang two songs, including the drama’s sound track “Always.”The fan meeting was the first of a multi-nation fan-meeting tour, including a meeting on Bangkok.The mega-hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” ended last Thursday with a 38.8 percent rating, according to Nielsen Korea.Park Bo-gum was a guest at Song Joong-ki’s fan meeting. / Courtesy of Blossom Entertainment Lee Kwang-soo was a guest at Song Joong-ki’s