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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

MMCA director Chung relieved of post

MMCA director Chung Hyung-minChung Hyung-min, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), has been fired after allegedly favoring a former student and an ex-colleague in being hired for curator positions at the museum.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said they dismissed Chung, 62, from her position­ Thursday, as the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) requested an investigation into Chung's corruption in the recruitment process. She may face additional disciplinary action when the investigation results are released.The BAI found last week that Chung allegedly intervened in the hiring process for curators at the museum in October 2013. She lobbied the document screening judges and manipulated the score cards of both her former student and a former junior staff member in order for them to pass the application phase. Chung also later interviewed the candidates, favoring her acquaintances.This is the first time a director from the museum was laid off and investigated since its opening in 1969.The MMCA's Seoul branch is due to celebrate its first

Oct 17, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo
MMCA director Chung relieved of post

Tale of rabbit reborn in 'changgeuk'

An intimate, small-scale performance of the changgeuk “Master Ahn Sook-sun, A Tale of Rabbit and Turtle” will be staged at the National Gugak Center in southern Seoul from Oct. 22 to 26.While changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) has been following a trend of becoming large-scale and westernized, this upcoming performance based on a popular Korean fable has returned to the roots of traditional opera and pansori, a Korean genre of musical storytelling.The performances will be held in the Pungryu Love Theatre, a small venue with only 130 seats where audience members take off their shoes and sit on cushions on the floor. Without any professional sound system, the theatre will provide a cozy atmosphere for viewers to engage in the drama and music.   To further capture the viewer’s interest, the singers will sing in “bunchang,” a divided-role singing technique in which one singer takes on many different roles and performs different parts. In this performance, seven singers will take on 10 different roles.  The art director of the National Gugak

Oct 17, 2014

Blue and white royal porcelain on display

Korea’s National Treasure no. 170 “White Porcelain with Plum Blossom, Bamboo and Bird Design Painted in Underglaze Cobal-Blue,” which believed to be made between 15 and 16th century in Joseon Kingdom / Courtesy of National Museum of KoreaBy Baek Byung-yeulThe state-run National Museum of Korea (NMK) is holding a special exhibition of blue and white porcelain from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), which was widely used in royal courts since it was first introduced here from China in the 15th century.Now the surviving artifacts are a crucial source for the study of history and the arts of the period.Titled “In Blue and White Porcelain of the Joseon Dynasty,” the exhibition, which opened late September, features 500 pieces including 10 of Korea’s national treasures and 150 relics that have never been seen since the Japanese colonial era (1910-1945).“This is the first time for such a large number of porcelain pieces to be seen in the same place,” Kim Young-na, the NMK director said at the opening day of the exhibition. “It is

Oct 17, 2014
Blue and white royal porcelain on display

Early performance times irk fans, concert organizers

By Baek Byung-yeulKo Hak-chanSeoul Arts Center presidentNews that concerts at the Seoul Arts Center (SAC) will start at 7:30 p.m. next year, 30 minutes earlier than now, has irked some fans who fear they will not be able to get there on time.The SAC sent an announcement to some 50 concert organizers this week, rescheduling the starting time of concerts to 7:30 p.m.Some organizers and fans are voicing concerns the change, given that many office workers in Seoul are not able to leave work early enough to make it to the venue on time.“I think the SAC seems to forget that majority of ticket buyers are office workers. And, it is hard for them to be there by 7:30 p.m.,” said a concert organizer, who requested anonymity. “Frankly, the decision doesn’t seem to sufficiently reflect opinions from us or fans. They should consider that visitors need enough time to get to the SAC or to have a dinner before the concert.”Choi Sun-kyeong, an avid classical music fan and office worker, living in northern Seoul also expressed her concern.“I visit the SAC every other

Oct 16, 2014
Early performance times irk fans, concert organizers

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Classical Concerts ‘La Boheme’National Theater of KoreaNov. 21-23 The La Bella Opera Company and the Gyeonggi Provincial Philharmonic Orchestra will stage the classical Puccini opera “La Boheme” at the National Theater of Korea from Nov. 21 to 23. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk Univ. station on subway line 3. Tickets cost 30,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 572-6773 or visit www.labellaopera.com. ‘Aida 1963’Seoul Arts Center*Nov. 25-30 On the occasion of 130th anniversary of establishment of Korea-Italy diplomatic relations, the renowned director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1963 version of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Nov. 25 to 30. Tickets cost 77,000 to 330,000 won. For more information, call (02) 722-5822 or visit www.iamopera.com. The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo MaSeoul Arts Center*Oct. 28 World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform in Seoul with his Silk Road Ensemble on Oct. 28. They will play music from the ensemb

Oct 16, 2014
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Clubs The OctagonNonhyeon Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847. Club VolumeItaewon Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635. Once in a Blue MoonApgujeong Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam&nbs

Oct 16, 2014
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Interpreting Beethoven, Stravinsky in ballet

Kim Ji-young, left, and Kim Hyun-woong will headline the Korea National Ballet’s “The Seventh Symphony.” / Courtesy of Korea National Ballet By Kwon Mee-yoo The Korean National Ballet (KNB) presents modern ballet pieces "The Seventh Symphony" and "The Rite of Spring” at the Opera Theater of Seoul Arts Center from Thursday to Sunday.The double bill of modern ballet sharply contrasts Beethoven, who represents the 19th century, and Stravinsky, whose preposterous music is the symbol of the early 20th century.The choreography of these two pieces combines modern dance to neo classical ballet technique, which is something utterly new to the company members. Instead of dancing with grace in white tutu and pointe shoe, dancers jump and spin full of energy in simple costume revealing body as it is."The Seventh Symphony," choreographed by German dancer Uwe Scholz, visualizes Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A major Op. 92" in dance movements. Unlike conventional choreography, the piece hires music not composed solely for ballet and uses dancers lik

Oct 14, 2014
Interpreting Beethoven, Stravinsky in ballet

MMCA director under fire for hiring acquaintances

Chung Hyung-min, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary ArtBy Kwon Mee-yooChung Hyung-min, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), is facing criticism over her selection of new staff members.According to the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) Friday, which has been looking into the recruitment of curators at state-run museums since June, Chung allegedly intervened in the hiring process of curators in October 2013. She knew a former student and a former junior staff member had applied for the open positions and lobbied the document screening judges. The MMCA's personnel affairs staffer said Chung talked to the judges privately and manipulated score cards to allow her acquaintances pass the application phase.Chung also took part in the interview, spending more time with the candidates in question. Both the former student and former colleague were hired as curators at the MMCA last November.The BAI reported the inspection result to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the body governing the art museum.Chung denied the alle

Oct 12, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo
MMCA director under fire for hiring acquaintances

History museum archives 'Gobau,' gem of political cartoon

Editorial cartoonist Kim Sung-hwan pose at a exhibition for his political cartoon “Gobau” at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of National Museum of Korean Contemporary HistorySeen is the first episode of political cartoon “Gobau,” which was released on F eb. 1 of 1955 through Dong-A Ilbo.This is the final episode of political cartoon “Gobau,” which was published by Munhwa Ilbo on Sept. 29, 2000.By Baek Byung-yeulThe National Museum of Korean Contemporary History holds a special exhibition commemorating Korea’s longest daily political cartoon “Gobau.”With his famous character, Mr. Gobau, political cartoonist Kim Sung-hwan helped his readers have new angle to tumultuous situation of modern Korea, lampooning country’s social affairs with wit and acuity, and gained his fame as one of the country’s most influential editorial cartoonists.The 82-year-old cartoonist had published a total of 14,139 cartoons at major newspapers including Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun

Oct 10, 2014
History museum archives 'Gobau,' gem of political cartoon

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Clubs The OctagonNonhyeon Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847. Club VolumeItaewon Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the "10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul." For more information, call 1544-2635. Once in a Blue MoonApgujeong Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam Club Answe

Oct 9, 2014
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