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  ‘Do You Like Brahms?’Olympus HallThrough Apr. 21Following the success from Olympus Lecture Concert Season 1,a second season is being performed with the music of Brahms. The Musikamia ensemble will lead all the performances until the last one on April, featuring its vocalists and piano section. The ensemble aims to express the sense of purity in their performance, which Brahms always pursued within his music.Brahms composed a number of pieces for piano, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestra, and for vocal and chorus ― many of his works have become staples of modern repertoires. Though his usic is firmly rooted in the structures of the Baroque and classical masters, Brahms created a new approach to harmony.The ‘Do You Like Brahms’ concert will alternate themes each week, presenting a wide variety of his works.Admission is 33,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6255-3270. ‘SAC 11am Concert’Seoul Arts CenterThrough Dec. 8“SAC 11am Concert” will be held once a month throughout 2016 at Seoul Arts Center./ Court

Jan 7, 2016

Monkey represents success, motherhood

Monkey mask used for Gangnyeong Talchum (mask dance)By Kwon Mee-yooThe year 2016 is the Year of the Monkey and a special exhibition at the National Folk Museum (NFM) in downtown Seoul sheds light on the familiar animal representing cleverness and playfulness.The NFM's "Monkey" exhibit celebrates the Year of the Red Monkey, exploring various aspects of the animal reflected in Korean culture. The Korean title of the exhibit, "Monkey's Butt Is Red," comes from a Korean children's song of the same name.Museum director Cheon Jin-gi said the expression originated from a folk tale. "In a Korean fable, a crab and a monkey tussle over a piece of tteok (rice cake). The crab pinches the monkey's butt with its claws and the monkey ends up with red butt and the crab with hairy claws," Cheon said.A monkey statue, which was installed on corners of eaves to prevent evil spirits, dating back to the late Joseon eraKorea historically was not a habitat of monkeys, but the monkey was one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, and was considered a good auspice. The monkey seen in Korean traditio

Jan 3, 2016

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‘Sejong Center New Year's Concert'‘Sejong Center New Year’s Concert’ will be held on Jan. 7 at Sejong Center for Performing Arts. / Courtesy of SejongCenterSejong Center for the Performing ArtsJan. 7, 2016"Sejong Center New Year's Concert" will be held on Jan. 7, 2016 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.The center has hosted the New Year's Concert since 2013. This concert is a crossover of traditional-contemporary, and Korean-world music. Lee Ja-ram, a female Pansori artist; Harim, whose work embraces diverse traditional world music; and Min Yeong-chi, a renowned "janggu" (Korean traditional drum) performer will appear at the concert.Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1000. ‘A New Name in a Digital World, Code-Named Hangeul: D55C AE00'National Hangeul MuseumThrough Jan. 31, 2016The National Hangeul Museum hosts the special exhibition "A New Name in a Digital World, Code-Named Hangeul: D55C AE00" until Jan 31, 2016 to celebrate its first anniversary.This exhibition wi

Dec 31, 2015

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‘Do You Like Brahms?’Olympus HallThrough Apr. 21, 2016Following the success of Olympus Lecture Concert Season 1, a second season is being performed with the music of Brahms. The Musikamia Ensemble will lead all the performances until the last one in April, featuring its vocalists and piano section. The ensemble aims to express the sense of purity in their performance, which Brahms always pursued within his music.Brahms composed a number of pieces for piano, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, and for vocal and chorus ― many of his works have become staples of modern repertoires. Though his music is firmly rooted in the structures of the Baroque and classical masters, Brahms created a new approach to harmony.The ‘Do You Like Brahms’ concerts will alternate themes each week, presenting a wide variety of his works.Admission is 33,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6255-3270. ‘SAC 11am Concert’“SAC 11am Concert” will be held once a month throughout 2016 at Seoul Arts Center./ Courtesy of Seoul Arts CenterSeoul Arts

Dec 31, 2015

Art world marked by ups and downs in 2015

By Kwon Mee-yooAs 2015 draws to a close, the Korean art scene wraps up an eventful year ― both for better and worse. Korean artists achieved recognition internationally, proving their potential. The death of renowned artist Chun Kyung-ja was made public belatedly in October, reigniting controversy over a forgery scandal regarding one of her major works, "Beautiful Woman." The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) finally welcomed its new director Bartomeu Mari from Spain, who became the first foreign head of the nation's flagship art museum, ending a 14-month leadership vacuum. Silver Lion at Venice BiennaleIm Heung-soon holds the Silver Lion at the 56th Venice Biennale for his documentary film "Factory Complex" in Venice, Italy on May 9. / Korea Times file  Video artist Im Heung-soon, 46, won the Silver Lion at the 56th Venice Biennale 2015 for his documentary film "Factory Complex" in May. It was the highest award ever received by an individual Korean artist at the world's most influential art event.Im's video installation blurs the border b

Dec 30, 2015

Art world marked by ups and downs in 2015

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‘The Complete Performance of Pansori'National Theater of KoreaDec. 31"The Complete Performance of Pansori" will be staged on Dec. 31 at the National Theater of Korea. The performance is a monthly one that has been continued since December 1984. AhnSook-seon, a master Pansori singer, will perform "Jeokbyeok-ga" this time.Ahn is registered as the 23rd Important Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea, and has directed multiple traditional Korean performances. Jeokbyeok-ga is considered to be the most difficult and elegant sound among five surviving Pansori stories.Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ntok.go.kr or call (02) 2280-4114. ‘Sejong Center New Year's Concert'Sejong Center for the Performing ArtsJan. 7, 2016"Sejong Center New Year's Concert" will be held on Jan. 7, 2016 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.The center has hosted the New Year's Concert since 2013. This concert is a crossover of traditional-contemporary, and Korean-world music. Lee Ja-ram, a female Pansori artist; Harim, whose work embraces diverse traditional world music; a

Dec 24, 2015

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‘Beethoven's Choral Symphony'Seoul Arts CenterDec. 27Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27.The orchestra will play Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 "Choral" by Beethoven, based on the poem by Friedrich Schiller that prays for the harmony of people around the world. The score of ‘Choral' has been recorded in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.Chung Myung-whun will conduct the orchestra. Soprano Hong Ju-young, mezzo soprano Paik Jae-eun, tenor Kim Charles and bass Park Jong-min will perform.Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1588-1210. ‘Richard Yongjae O'Neill Viola Recital'Jaeneung Culture CenterDec. 30Grammy-nominated violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill will stage a concert at Jaeneung Culture Center on Dec. 30.O'Neill has accompanied orchestras around the world, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, LA Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Seven solo albums and one best of album have been released. O'Neill appeared on TV for founding and conducting an orchestra comprised o

Dec 24, 2015

Artist's fine brushstrokes simple but profound

Installation view of Kim Hong-joo's solo exhibit at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul/ Courtesy of Kukje GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yoo Artist Kim Hong-joo, who uses ultra-fine brushstrokes to depict abstract figures, is holding a solo exhibit at Kukje Gallery in downtown Seoul.At first glance, Kim's works look like random-shaped figures, but when examined closely, the paintings are filled with numerous fine brushstrokes.The exhibit features 12 of his latest works painted after 2010. The 70-year-old artist left them all "Untitled," as he didn't want to bound the viewers in the frame of the title."I painted in a trivial, private manner. There is nothing difficult or abstruse in them," the artist said during a press preview on Dec. 17. "There is no theory or ideology behind my paintings, so please enjoy as they are."Kim is an artist who believes that the artist's intentions should not interfere with the appreciation of spectators. There is no right side up for his paintings, as he thinks it is meaningless to sort out directions in abstract paintings.Kim Hong-joo “Untitled” (2015)

Dec 21, 2015

Artist's fine brushstrokes simple but profound

Museum revisits Heungnam Evacuation

This December 1950 file photo shows the United States SS Meredith Victory anchored in the port of Busan after transporting more than 14,000 refugees from Heungnam in North Korea to Geoje Island in South Gyeongsang Province on Christmas Eve during the 1950-53 Korean War.  / Courtesy of National Museum of Korean Contemporary HistoryBy Baek Byung-yeulIn “Ode to My Father,” this year’s smash-hit film portraying modern Korean history, there is a tragic scene showing the protagonist’s family being broken apart during the evacuation at the port city of Heungnam, North Korea, on a cold winter day in 1950.The largest rescue operation in the 1950-53 Korean War, the “Heungnam Evacuation” began when the South Korean and United Nations military were cornered by the North Korean and Chinese military. During the evacuation, some 105,000 U.N. and South Korean troops and 91,000 refugees were transported from Heungnam to South Korean ports including Geoje Island and Busan between Dec. 15 and 24, just before Chinese troops took over the area.To commemorate

Dec 20, 2015

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‘Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra'Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*Dec. 22Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a joint concert on Dec. 22 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.Celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the two celebrated orchestras will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, ‘Choral' op. 125 under the baton of Jung Myeong-hoon.The hall is close to exit 1 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.‘Beethoven's Choral Symphony'Seoul Arts CenterDec. 27Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27.The orchestra will play Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 “Choral” by Beethoven, based on the poem by Friedrich Schiller that prays for the harmony of people around the world. The score of ‘Choral' has been recorded in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.Chung Myung-whun will conduct the orchestra. Soprano Hong J

Dec 17, 2015

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

Monkey represents success, motherhood

Around Town 2

Around Town 1

Art world marked by ups and downs in 2015

AROUND TOWN 2

AROUND TOWN 1

Artist's fine brushstrokes simple but profound

Museum revisits Heungnam Evacuation

AROUND TOWN 1

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