Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Supernatural romance

Actors of the musical “Ghost,” from left, Kim Joon-hyun, Ivy, Joo Won, Park Ji-yeon and Kim Woo-hyung pose for a photo at a press conference announcing the Korean production of the show at Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Monday.                                                                      / Courtesy of Seensee CompanyJoo Won, Ivy to star in musical version of 'Ghost' By Kwon Mee-yooMore than 20 years after its release, "Ghost" continues to be one of Korea's favorite films of all time. So it's understandable that the stage musical version of the Hollywood tear-jerker is generating significant interest months ahead of its local arrival.When Ghost The Musical begins its run at southwestern Seoul’s D-Cube Arts Center on Nov. 24, it will be sexy songstress Ivy and television actor Joo Won clinching behind the pottery wheel, the production team revealed."There are revenge, comedy and spirits

Apr 16, 2013By Kwon Mee-yoo

Coolness in courtesy of Luxembourg

Kara Walker’s “Darkytown Rebellion” (2001)By Kwon Mee-yooSylvie Blocher’s “A More Perfect Day” (2009)Luxembourg is a tiny nation but has considerable weight in the world of modern art. Recent works by the country’s most talented artists are currently on display at the Artsonje Center in Seoul, where visitors are showered with a dose of youth and experimentalism.The “A More Perfect Day: Collection of Mudam Luxembourg” features some 360 works kept at Mudam Luxembourg, an institution for contemporary art established in 2006.The exhibition at Artsonje was planned after it was suggested by the Luxembourg embassy, which is becoming more active in promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.Kim Sun-jung, director of Artsonje, said that a significant amount of communication was invested for the display, with her and Mudam director Enrico Lunghi flying back and forth between the countries numerous times to select the works.“Many of these artists are relatively unknown in Korea, but as these are young talented people, expos

Apr 15, 2013

Around Town 1

Classical Concerts Paul Mauriat Tribute ConcertGrand Peace Palace, Kyung Hee UniversityMay 5 This concert is dedicated to the memory and works of late French musician Paul Mauriat. Mauriat, who led the Le Grand Orchestra de Paul Mauriat as conductor, was known for his efforts to make classical music more accessible to and better understood by the general public. His album ``Love is Blue,’’ released in 1968, remains as his most famous work, topping the Billboard classical charts for five weeks that year. He has written more than 1,100 songs and tunes that were frequently used in movies and broadcasting commercials.Conductor Jean-Jacques Justanfre will perform some of Mauriat’s most notable works with his own orchestra, Grand Orchestra Jean Jacques Justafre. Tickets cost 50,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3676-2352 or visit www.interpark.com. Don CarloSeoul Arts Center*April 25-28 The Korea National Opera Company will perform Verdi’s “Don Carlo” later this month at the Seoul Arts Center. Set in the royal court

Apr 11, 2013By Baek Byung-yeul

Around Town 2

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 the Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visitwww.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam&

Apr 11, 2013By Baek Byung-yeul

Not your standard Chekhov

Lev Dodin’s version of the Checkhov play, “Three Sisters,” is staged at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul through Friday.                                                                                           / Courtesy of LG Arts CenterRussian director breathes new life into restless souls of ‘Three Sisters’By Kwon Mee-yooDodin speaks with Korean reporters at a news conference inSeoul on Tuesday.           / Courtesy of LG Arts CenterWhile preparing one of the most anticipated theater productions of the year, Lev Dodin expressed confidence about improving on previous performances of one of Anton Checkhov’s greatest plays. The Russian director, who heads the Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, left a strong impression with theatergoers here with his preceding works staged in Seoul ― "G

Apr 10, 2013

Kim flawless in 'Marguerite and Armand'

Kim Joo-won, left, garnered critical acclaim for her performance in “Marguerite & Armand,” staged at the LG Arts Center, her first stage appearance after giving up her position as the Korea National Ballet’s prima ballerina last year.                                                                    / Courtesy of Theatro By Kwon Mee-yooWhen Kim Joo-won left the Korean National Ballet a year ago, it was to avoid being typecast in familiar roles and gain the freedom to test the limits of her stylistic and expressive range.Her stellar showing in "Marguerite and Armand,’’ a 1963 piece by late British choreographer Frederick Ashton, justified the decision.Marguerite and Armand was Kim’s first performance since she left the prima ballerina position at the state troupe. In her five performances from Friday to Sunday at the LG Art Center in Seoul, the 34-year-old repeatedly prove

Apr 8, 2013

Meet the man who plays Jesus

Michael K. Lee will play in the role of Jesus in the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” staged in Seoul, later this month.               / Courtesy of Lee Soo-jinBy Kwon Mee-yooWhenever Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground–breaking rock musical ``Jesus Christ Superstar’’ is performed in Korea, there is buzzing anticipation over who will be cast in the two main roles ― Jesus and Judas Iscariot.Usually, it’s the latter that gets the most attention. There have already been a slew of articles on how  Yoon Do-hyun, perhaps the country’s most popular rocker, will make his second appearance as Judas at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul later this month, a role he last played 16 years ago.Comparatively, the excitement generated by Michael K. Lee, the Korean-American actor cast in the role of Jesus, who is an established Broadway talent but a relative new name here, seems close to non-existent. The 39-year-old is fine with that, expressing confidence that his performance on the stage will speak loudly eno

Apr 5, 2013

Around Town 2

Clubs The OctagonNonhyeonNear 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 VolumeItaewonOffering 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 MoonApgujeongOnce 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 the Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visitwww.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam Club Answer,

Apr 4, 2013By Baek Byung-yeul

Around Town 1

 Classical Concerts Lim Hyun-jeongSeoul Arts Center*May 23Lim Hyun-jeong, who left a stunning impression by performing Beethoven’s entire piano sonatas in Paris in 2010, will play in front of Korean fans next month. The France-based 26-year-old is also known for her recorded collection of Beethoven piano sonatas, released for EMI Classics, which reached first place in the Billboard Classical Overall Chart. She will play Maurice Ravel’s “Les Valses nobles et sentimentales, Op. 51,” Chopin’s four Ballades and Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 106 (best known as Hammerklavier).” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3184 or visit www.sac.or.kr. ‘Aida’Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*April 25-28Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida” will be staged in downtown Seoul. Soprano Lim Se-kyung, Son Hyun-kyung and Son Hyun-hee were cast in the role of Ethiopian princess Aida, who is sent to Egypt as a slave and falls in love with Egyptian General Radames, played by tenor

Apr 4, 2013By Baek Byung-yeul

Filthy shades of grey

Is Seoul uglier than it should be? Seoul, which prides itself as a hip and happening city, wants to be mentioned with Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as among the coolest urban destinations in Asia. But it doesn’t help that the Korean capital is an aging concrete jungle infested by some of the least endearing buildings and public spaces on the planet.A disconnection between life and concreteBy Kim Tong-hyung The 63 City in Yeouido is the closest thing Seoul has to the Empire State Building, the country's first real skyscraper that doubles as a trophy of its "miraculous" industrialization. To Lim Dae-yeon, it’s a giant phallic symbol that perverts the city’s skyline."It’s a massive (male reproductive organ),’’ said the 37-year-old independent filmmaker and photographer, who sees the 63-floor office frequently, living not far from the financial district in Dongjak-dong. Seoul Central Post Office Building in Myeong-dong has a claim at being the city’s most hideous building.             &nb

Apr 4, 2013

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

Supernatural romance

Coolness in courtesy of Luxembourg

Around Town 1

Around Town 2

Not your standard Chekhov

Kim flawless in 'Marguerite and Armand'

Meet the man who plays Jesus

Around Town 2

Around Town 1

Filthy shades of grey

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