Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Flagship art museum to open Seoul branch

The former Defense Security Command building in Sogyeok-dong, central Seoul is renovated to be a part of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea’s Seoul branch, which will open in November. The construction is about 68 percent completed as of Tuesday.                         / Courtesy of NMOCABy Kwon Mee-yooBetween Gyeongbok Palace and Samcheong-dong, a big construction site is being transformed into the National Museum of Contemporary Art (NMOCA) Seoul branch. The building is still awaiting completion, but it will become the nation’s flagship modern and contemporary art museum in 10 months.The NMOCA opened the construction area to the media Tuesday. Journalists were invited to look around the renovated former Defense Security Command headquarters, which will house a museum shop, a restaurant and office facilities, and went through the framework of a special exhibition hall which led to the main information box and underground exhibition halls. Also being completed are libraries and a multi-purpose h

Jan 30, 2013

Flagship art museum to open Seoul branch

Kang Sue-jin offers life lessons

Prima ballerina Kang Sue-jin holds a copy of her autobiography ahead of an autograph signing session at the Kyobo Bookstore in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Saturday.                                                                                                 / YonhapBy Do Je-haeKang Sue-jin is more than a prima ballerina. Uniquely for an artist, the Korean public has embraced her as a national hero and many young women in their 20s perceive her as a role model.The longtime principal of Germany's Stuttgart Ballet arrived in Seoul on Jan. 19 to promote her first autobiography "I Do Not Wait For Tomorrow," sharing the story of how a young girl from Korea moved to Monaco by herself at 13 for ballet training and eventually became a star at one of the most prestigious ballet companies in Europe. A photography book of her was published in 2004 but this

Jan 29, 2013

Passionate Czech modern art comes to Seoul

“Portrait of F. Kupka and Mrs. E. Kupkova” (1908) by Frantisek Kupka,  The works are on display at the National Museum of Art at Deoksu Palace in Seoul as part of exhibition “Memory of Landscape I Have Never Seen: Collection of the National Gallery in Prague.”                                                                     / Courtesy of the National Museum of ArtBy Kwon Mee-yooPrague is known as a romantic city and a favorite tourist destination for Koreans. An exhibition at the National Museum of Art at Deoksu Palace is ready to show how modern art developed in this Czech capital.“Memory of Landscape I Have Never Seen: Collection of the National Gallery in Prague,” features 107 paintings by 28 Czech artists from 1905 to 1943.Vladimir Rosel, general director of the National Gallery in Prague, visited Korea to attend the opening of the exhibit and celebrate the st

Jan 27, 2013By Kwon Mee-yoo

Passionate Czech modern art comes to Seoul

Around Town 2

ClubsThe OctagonNonhyeon-dong Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon-dong, 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-dong 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-dong 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-dong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. C

Jan 24, 2013

Around Town 1

Classical ConcertsChicago Symphony OrchestraSeoul Arts Center*Feb. 6-7The Chicago Symphony Orchestra  will make Korean debut in its 121-year history. Lorin Maazel,  music director of Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, will lead the company instead of Riccardo Muti who had surgery recently for an inguinal hernia.The orchestra will perform Stravinsky’s “Divertimento” from “The Fairy Kiss,” “Busoni’s Suite” from “Turandot” and Brahms’ “Symphony No.2 in D major” on Feb. 6. Verdi’s overture to “I Vespri Sicilliani,” Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3” will be performed on Feb. 7. Tickets cost 70,000 to 360,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-9606 or visit www.sac.or.kr.Rafal BlechaczSeoul Arts Center*Feb. 13Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz, who won first prize at the 15th International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in 2005 at the age of 20, will hold a recital in Seoul. He will play Bach’s “Partita in A

Jan 24, 2013

Invitation to 'Late-Night Diner'

The musical “Late-Night Diner” is set at a nameless eight-seat diner that opens from midnight till 7 in the morning. The show runs through Feb. 17 at Dongsoong Arts Center in central Seoul.                           / Courtesy of Company Da Various dishes appear in the musical “Late-Night Diner.” Green tea poured over rice and salmonSmall Wiener sausagesFried noodles with a fried egg Rolled-up eggsA bowl of rice with soy sauce, butter and dried bonito flakes.By Kwon Mee-yooFor modern day people regardless of their jobs, finding a quiet place to wind down and enjoy good food and conversation can sometimes be a challenge. In the musical “Late-Night Diner,” currently on stage at Dongsoong Arts Center in Daehangno, central Seoul, these people frequent a nameless eight-seat diner that opens from midnight till 7 in the morning and tell their stories.There is only one dish on the menu — pork miso soup — but the owner and cook, only referred to as “m

Jan 23, 2013

Original paintings of Korean cartoons on exhibit

“The Imkukjung Gangs of Chungsuk” by Lee Doo-ho  Ha Il-kwon’s “Sibore”By Chung Ah-youngKorean cartoons, better known as “manhwa,” began with the influence of the Western world but they have later grown with a unique style that emphasizes such Korean traditional aesthetic elements as margins and lines.The Korean cartoon industry is now enjoying a golden age with the surge in popularity of web cartoons. It is now regarded as an independent art after lounging for a long time as the culture of the low class or entertainment for children.Various comic strips and illustrations based in various platforms are to show off the Korean cartoon identity and culture at an exhibition titled “Manhwa Story & Painting: The Colors of Manhwa” from Jan. 23 to 28 at the Insa Art Center, central Seoul.Organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the exhibition toured Tokyo, Beijing, London and Los Angeles before arriving in Seoul for the finale.The exhibition will present 47 original paintings by 19 celebrated Korean comic boo

Jan 22, 2013

Original paintings of Korean cartoons on exhibit

Photographers, designer take detour

Fashion designer Lie Sang-bong poses for photographer Lee Yeop for the exhibition titled "Expression.” By Kwon Mee-yooInstead of showing his collection, fashion designer Lie Sang-bong took off his clothes in front of photographer Lee Yeop, whom he has worked with for more than a decade.At an exhibition at Keumsan Gallery in central Seoul, some 20 of Lie’s nude photographs are on display from today. As a commercial photographer, Lee had taken photos of Lie’s collection at numerous occasions including the Pret-a-Porter from 2002 to 2004 and the Moscow Collection in Russia in 2010.Lie is a renowned designer for his use of "hangeul," or the Korean alphabet, on his garments.He is also a designer known for not disclosing his age. But it is unusual for a “middle-aged” male designer to become a nude model, even though Lee has taken Lienude pictures previously. But Lie said he stripped himself bare because he wants to be free like the wind.“People say I am a designer with my colors, but I don’t want to have my color. I dreamt of being free when I

Jan 22, 2013By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Rebecca' is charming thriller

From left, Shin Young-sook, Lim Hye-young and Yu Jun-sang perform in a scene from “Rebecca,” which runs through March 31 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul.                                                       / Courtesy of EMK Musical CompanyBy Kwon Mee-yooThe musical “Rebecca,” on stage at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, grabs audiences with a thrilling storyline, gloomy stage setting and magnificent music sung by top-notch Korean actors.The Dutch musical penned by Michael Kunze and composed by Sylvester Levay had its Broadway production cancelled last year due to a lack of financing, but the Korean version is to the original creators’ satisfaction.Based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, the musical portrays the tragic tale revolving around Manderley, a stately mansion owned by Maxim DeWinter ― played by Ryu Jung-han ― who lost his wife in a boating accident. The m

Jan 21, 2013

Children's artwork on show

Ahn Seo-jun’s artworkBy Chung Ah-youngPablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”Zien Art Space in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province seems to know the solution by encouraging talented children to grow as artists. The studio is nurturing their talent through various programs and exhibitions. From sculpture to painting, various pieces created by 28 children will be presented at the gallery from Jan. 23 to March 31.“Speak to Your Thoughts,” is an annual event which specializes in supporting children’s art activities and presents their works in the exhibition.It is the outcome of children who have participated in the studio’s art program over the past year. They have expressed their creativity through the works such as those featuring leaves in clay and self-portraits on canvas. “Looking at their work, there seems to be no difference from pieces by adults. Rather, children have more boundless imagination and creativity, which enables them to freely express their thoughts,” the a

Jan 20, 2013

Arts & Theater