Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Jesse Jae Hoon's ‘Saved’ explores political roots, emotional aftermath of adoption

Though it had its premiere reading on the opposite side of the world from Korea, on a stage in New York City, Jesse Jae Hoon’s "Saved" spoke directly to the hearts of many in both countries. Divided into two parts, the first part of "Saved," titled "The Girl and the Sky," debuted at The Public Theater in New York on April 21 as part of its Emerging Writers Group Spotlight Series. The one-night-only event offered audiences a glimpse into a bold new voice in American theater — one shaped by lived experience and a fierce commitment to truth-telling. With nuance and emotional depth, the play explored the complexities of adoption — not merely as a legal process or an act of “saving” a child, but as a personal journey shaped by love, loss, identity and history. It served as a reminder that questions of origin and belonging are deeply human — and often entangled in geopolitical forces far beyond an individual’s control. The story unfolds across three interwoven timelines. In the present-day (2014), Peggy Mortimer, a Korean adoptee, grapples with personal tragedy and a painful rift

Apr 29, 2025By Antonia Giordano

Jesse Jae Hoon's ‘Saved’ explores political roots, emotional aftermath of adoption

‘The Great Gatsby’ dazzles London with Korean-led production

LONDON — A dazzling Broadway success crossed the Atlantic, as the musical "The Great Gatsby" made its West End debut at the London Coliseum, Thursday. Led by Korean producer Shin Chun-soo, the musical reimagines F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless tale of ambition, illusion and desire through a contemporary lens, set against the glittering backdrop of the 1920s jazz age. With Jamie Muscato as the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and Frances Mayli McCann as the luminous Daisy Buchanan, the production invites audiences into a world of opulence, longing and heartbreak. Shin — the first Korean and Asian producer to lead a Broadway and West End production independently — described the opening night as “a night where a long-held dream finally came true, filled with mixed emotions of excitement and tension,” during a press conference at the Korean Cultural Center UK in central London, Friday. “I hope West End audiences enjoy our show and take a moment to reflect on how we live,” he added. Formidable cast The West End production opened about a year after its Broadway debut in April 2024. While the

Apr 26, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

‘The Great Gatsby’ dazzles London with Korean-led production

Gwangju Biennale taps Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen to lead 2026 edition

The Gwangju Biennale has appointed Singaporean artist and filmmaker Ho Tzu Nyen as the artistic director of its 16th edition, slated for September 2026. Ho is best known for his multidisciplinary practice, which incisively probes the layered histories, mythologies and philosophical undercurrents shaping postcolonial Asia. His distinctive voice has taken him to major biennales and exhibitions around the world, including Gwangju’s 2018 edition “Imagined Borders” and its 2021 iteration “Minds Rising, Spirits Tuning,” as well as the 2014 Shanghai Biennale and the 2019 Sharjah Biennial. He also represented the Singapore Pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale. As a curator, he co-led the 2019 Asian Art Biennale in Taiwan under the theme “The Strangers from Beyond the Mountain and the Sea.” In Seoul, the artist’s mid-career survey, “Time & the Cloud,” was staged at Art Sonje Center in 2024. “It’s a dream come true to return to Gwangju, not as an artist but as artistic director,” Ho remarked in a statement. “The [upcoming] edition will bring together the energies, proposi

Apr 23, 2025By Park Han-sol

Gwangju Biennale taps Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen to lead 2026 edition

A dive into 55 years of Korean modern art at Gallery Hyundai

On April 4, 1970, in the heart of Seoul’s Insa-dong, a neighborhood of winding alleys then lined with antique shops, a new kind of space quietly opened its doors — an art gallery under the name Hyundai Hwarang. In a country still finding its footing after the 1950-53 Korean War, the idea of selling and buying contemporary paintings felt unfamiliar, even indulgent, to many people. A commercial gallery was a rarity that turned more than a few heads. At its helm stood an unexpected figure: a 27-year-old woman named Park Myung-ja. Park first stepped into the art world fresh out of high school through a job at Bando Art Gallery, a now-vanished space that opened in 1956 in the lobby of the Bando Hotel, catering to diplomats and foreign travelers. After more than seven years there she felt an idea start to take root, with the desire to create a space more focused and more her own. Her gallery turned toward the homegrown and the overlooked — Korean artists charting new paths with brush and canvas, many of them oil painters working far away from mainstream recognition. Fifty-five years on,

Apr 22, 2025By Park Han-sol

A dive into 55 years of Korean modern art at Gallery Hyundai

InterviewARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event

"Look! The protest is just as peaceful as a K-pop concert," said Choung Byoung-gug, chairperson of the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), recalling how he reassured international officials worried about political unrest in Korea after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. For Choung, the short-lived martial law and the nationwide rallies that followed were not just political headlines — they reflected Korea’s deeply rooted culture of nonviolence and democratic expression. Choung and ARKO are currently preparing to host the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture next month — a major international gathering of arts councils, organizations and policymakers from some 70 countries with around 500 international visitors expected. It is a rare opportunity for ARKO, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dedicated to supporting artists and fostering cultural exchange, to host such a large-scale global event. For Choung, a seasoned politician and expert in arts policy, the pressure is on to ensure everything unfolds seamlessly. “Immediately after Dec

Apr 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

ARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event

InterviewClaire meets Claire: Korean American actor finds her moment on Broadway with ‘Maybe Happy Ending’

For Korean American actor Claire Kwon, her journey to her Broadway principal debut as Claire in "Maybe Happy Ending" felt nothing short of destined. The musical, developed concurrently in Korea and the U.S. and set in a near-future Seoul, tells a story of two Helperbots discovering love, life and mortality. And for Kwon, being part of a production that deeply reflects elements of her cultural identity was both a joyful and proud experience. Kwon joined the Broadway cast in January as an understudy for Claire, a cynical Helperbot 5 living in a yard for outdated models, and officially stepped into the role for the first time on March 19. Her first performance as the lead was a night she’ll never forget. “Wow, my debut was everything I could have dreamed of and more. When I first appeared onstage, I was so overwhelmed by how many people I could hear cheering me on from the audience,” Kwon said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times. “From there, I really tried to focus on telling the story and sharing a beautiful experience with everyone in the theatre. The focus on the st

Apr 12, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Claire meets Claire: Korean American actor finds her moment on Broadway with ‘Maybe Happy Ending’

From 'minhwa' to painted fans, echoes of Joseon art resound in museums

In recent seasons, major museums across Korea have turned their gaze to the art of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty. But these exhibitions are far from mere tributes to the past. Rather, they reawaken it, revealing how centuries-old expressions can still stir something present. Some have unearthed long-overlooked genres, while others have expanded the frame of certain traditions, offering fuller, more inclusive narratives in place of narrow selections of prized masterpieces. Both pulse with an equally contemporary rhythm. Among the notable are the Leeum Museum of Art’s “Joseon White Porcelain: Paragon of Virtue,” the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art’s “Worlds Beyond Extraordinary: Minhwa and K-Pop Art” and the newly opened “Gyeomjae Jeong Seon” at the Hoam Museum of Art. To this growing constellation, we can now add two more Seoul exhibits: one unveiling a panoramic survey of “minhwa” (folk art), the other illuminating the underrecognized world of literati fan painting. Sweeping view of Joseon minhwa As its name suggests, minhwa — Korean folk paintings that flourished durin

Apr 10, 2025By Park Han-sol

From 'minhwa' to painted fans, echoes of Joseon art resound in museums

Goguryeo-era golden seal sold for record price in Hong Kong auction

A golden seal, believed to date back to Korea's ancient Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.E.-668 C.E.), fetched an astounding HK$10.8 million (2.04 billion won or $1.39 million) at a major Hong Kong auction. This amount far surpassed its presale estimate by more than nine times, setting a new record for the price of ancient seals. The golden seal with a horse-shaped knob was auctioned at China Guardian's Hong Kong 2025 spring sale, titled Important Private Asian Collection of Ancient Seals and Bronzes, on Sunday. Initially, its estimated price ranged between $153,800 and $282,100, yet it ultimately garnered a much higher final bid. The relic, standing 2.8 centimeters tall and weighing just 88 grams, bears a Chinese inscription that reads, “Marquis of Guiyi of Goguryeo, conferred by the Jin Dynasty." According to Park Dae-jae, a professor of Korean history at Korea University, this wording indicates that the Jin Dynasty of China likely used the bestowal of official seals as a diplomatic strategy to win over or solidify ties with neighboring states such as Goguryeo, offering insight into the pol

Apr 7, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Goguryeo-era golden seal sold for record price in Hong Kong auction

Ancient Goguryeo-era golden seal may fetch 6 figures at Hong Kong auction

Korean screen stars turn to stage amid film industry downturn

This spring, Korea’s theater scene is ablaze with star-studded productions as some of the country’s most celebrated actors step back onto the stage in long-awaited returns and high-profile debuts. At the center of the buzz is "Hedda Gabler," Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, which will be staged simultaneously in May by two different companies, featuring two iconic Korean actors. Lee Young-ae, globally renowned for her role in the 2003 drama "Jewel in the Palace," will make a comeback to the stage after 32 years, starring in a production by LG Arts Center from May 7 to June 8. At the same time, veteran actor Lee Hye-young reprises her performance as Hedda Gabler after a 13-year hiatus in a separate production by the National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK) from May 8 to June 1. "Hedda Gabler" is a play widely regarded as a profound exploration of a woman's psyche as she yearns for freedom amid social constraints and oppression. The distinct interpretations and styles of the two contrasting renditions of the Ibsen classic stirred excitement among Korean audiences. "I had many doubts about

Apr 5, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Korean screen stars turn to stage amid film industry downturn

'Ballet Dream' to reveal magic behind curtain to deepen appreciation for dance

In an effort to deepen audiences' appreciation for ballet, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is bringing together active ballet dancers, a choreographer and a costume designer to share their artistry both on and off the stage. "Ballet Dream," directed by Choi Tae-ji, a legendary figure in Korean ballet, will showcase highlights from famous ballet works such as "The Nutcracker," "La Bayadère" and "La Esmeralda." Choi, who served as a former artistic director of the Korea National Ballet, has significantly bridged the gap between ballet and the public by staging narrated ballet performances, which included friendly explanations to enhance audience understanding. In the upcoming "Ballet Dream," she will take this concept a step further by introducing a guest talk segement with ballerino Kim Se-yong, known as one of the first Koreans to portray Billy in the musical "Billy Elliot" in 2010; choreographer Ryu Hoi-woong, who participated in the Mnet's dance survival show "Stage Fighterl"; and ballet costume designer Chung Han-ah. In these interactive sessions, participants will share st

Apr 4, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Arts & Theater