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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.

Phantom Worth 8-Year Wait

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter “The Phantom of the Opera” is back. It has been eight years since the ultra-successful musical by the legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber prompted a huge growth in the local musical industry. It drew an audience of 240,000 over a short time when it was first staged in 2001, creating a milestone that practically divided local musical history into two eras ― pre- and post-Phantom. Eight years later, its seductive spell seems to haunt local musical buffs with its talented cast and astonishing stage sets. The show is now on stage at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, southern Seoul with a 24-billion-won budget. This time, the stage is much closer to the audience than in the 2001 and 2005 performances due to the special design of the musical-only theater. Even spectators in the back seats can see the subtle movements of the actors and experience the fast-changing stage sets. The most impressive, gasp-inducing moment happens when a 1-ton chandelier comes on stage, appearing as if it’s about to land on the heads of the audience member

Sep 28, 2009

5C Gilt Bronze Shoes Unearthed

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter A pair of gilt bronze shoes from the 5th century Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660) were recently unearthed in North Jeolla Province. They are the most well-preserved among ancient shoes discovered in the country, said experts. The openwork shoes have a sole featuring a dragon and 18 spikes that form the shape of a flower. The heels are decorated with wrestler figures that resemble those found in the Jangcheon Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668) tomb mural. ``The wrestler figures have no parallel in history,'' said Choi Wang-gyu, head of the Mahan Baekje Culture Institute, Wongkwang University. Also featured on the heels of the shoes are a phoenix and other auspicious motifs. Remnants of foot bones were also found. The shoes were excavated in a tomb bearing strong 5th century Mahan (ancient tribal confederation based in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula) influence. The mausoleum features five chamber tombs and two jar-coffin interments under one tomb mound. Roof tiles were discovered in one of the chambers, suggesting that a ``wajeu

Sep 28, 2009

Musical My Scary Girl Goes to Broadway

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The Korean musical ``My Scary Girl'' based on the local hit film of the same name will be staged at the Acorn Theater on Broadway in New York from Oct. 1 to 4. The performance is an official selection of the international production exchange between the Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF) and the New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF). The production presented by Musical Heaven, a local company, was originally shown at the 2008 Musical Theater Lab for new works in development at the Barrington Stage Company (BSC). It was the first Korean work selected by the BSC, the renowned American performing arts support group, to be presented at its theater lab. The musical was staged as a development show in 2008 DIMF where it was a winner and received support from the second DIMF last year. The musical officially premiered in Seoul in March this year. It has been highly appraised through being developed with revisions in trial runs at workshops and the festival before its premiere. The stage adaptation of a 2006 Korean comedy/h

Sep 27, 2009

Organ Mix Features Korean, German Artists

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Artists from all over the world head to Germany, especially Berlin, which is considered to have one of the hottest art scenes today. The new exhibition ``Organ Mix'' at the Total Museum of Contemporary Art, Pyeongchang-dong, features works by 11 Korean and foreign artists who have studied, lived or are still living in Germany. Jung Me, the Germany-based curator of ``Organ Mix,'' said she chose artists whose works are more conceptual, rather than commercial, and reflect the character of the German art scene. ``When I see the artists from London, they have a different attitude. German artists usually have more conceptual thoughts. Often they don't make money because it is not easy to sell … In Germany, you can still do what's alright with you," Jung told The Korea Times at the museum, Friday. "In that sense, I think they are all under German influence, whether they are Korean, German or from other countries. Conceptual shows are not very common in Korea. Usually, it is very commercial. I was excited to show these works in Korea

Sep 27, 2009

Fresh Art, Lower Sales at Korean Art Fair

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Galleries pushed fresh new talent at this year's Korea International Art Fair 2009 (KIAF), as the global economic downturn continued to affect the art market. Artworks by big-name artists Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Fernando Botero, Marc Chagall, Paik Nam-june and Lee Ufan were on display, but a lot of fresh, innovative works by up-and-coming artists also garnered attention. These works by new artists were surprisingly affordable, going for around one million won for small works and sculptures. Osaka-based Tezukayama Gallery brought some works by young Japanese artists such as Akiko Sumiyoshi, whose cute animal character sculptures went for around $2,800 to $3,000. ``KIAF is a big art fair. Last year, the art market was not so good, so we think it is a good chance to get attention for our artists this year. We brought artists that are young, have powerful works and the prices are cheap. It's a good investment,''' Tezukayama Gallery director Ryoichi Matsuo told The Korea Times. Some galleries offered reduced prices to get mor

Sep 25, 2009

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs The Circle Cheongdam-dong Located in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, it's notorious for turning you down unless you're dressed chic and sleek. Faithful to its name, it has a round revolving floor - looking for your "lost" table gives clubbers the perfect excuse to sit down with a sexy stranger. Located on Dosan-daero near Hak-dong intersection. Call (02) 546-5933 or visit www.thecircle.co.kr. Club Answer Cheongdam-dong With giant chandeliers and digital images of famous paintings, it's like an ultra luxurious version of a typical Hongdae club. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and the ones on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance of Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. Underlounge Seoul Hongdae or Hongik University Area This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that's also to be found in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing are

Sep 24, 2009

Concerts, Museums and Theater

Classical Concerts L'Elisir d'Amore Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center Sept. 26-30 The Korea National Opera will stage Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore," but the 18th-century Italian romance will be staged in a more abstract, space-inspired set. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 586-5282. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Isao Sasaki's With You' Concert Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center Oct. 11 One of the most loved New Age pianists in Korea, Isao Sasaki will give another highly anticipated concert. Popular actress Ku Hye-sun will star as a special guest. Tickets cost from 33,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.co.kr or call (02) 3546-3546. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Yiruma's Concert Uijeongbu Arts Center Nov. 21 Popular new age pianist Yiruma will hold a concert in Uijeongbu titled "Movement, on a Theme by Yiruma," as part of his nationwide tour between Nov. 1 and Dec. 26. Tickets cost from

Sep 24, 2009

KoreaToday Living Design, Culture & History

'The King Sejong Story' to Open on Hangeul Day, Oct. 9 By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The face of Seoul is quickly changing. Seoul Plaza and Cheonggye Stream added a batch of green and blue to the heart of the city while the recently unveiled Gwanghwamun Plaza in Sejongno offers a break between the urban traffic. But according to Lee Chung-sung, 64, president of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the plaza makes for ``only one-quarter'' of downtown Seoul's facelift. The second quarter will be unveiled on Hangeul Day, commemorating the birth of the Korean writing system, on Oct. 9. The long-awaited bronze statue of the Great King Sejong (1418-50), who is credited with promulgating ``Hangeul'' with a group of scholars, will join that of Admiral Yi Sun-shin on Gwanghwamun Plaza. It will be the landmark for entry into ``The King Sejong Story,'' an artistic underground museum space for pedestrians below the plaza's bed of flowers and water fountain streams. It is not difficult to find exhibitions feting one of the most visionary rulers of the Joseon Kingdom (1392

Sep 24, 2009

KoreaToday Foreign Photographer Sees Changes of Seoul

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Seoul is rapidly changing. The city was named the World Design Capital (WDC) 2010 ― a recognition of its emphasis on improving cultural, social and economic aspects. An Italian photographer came to witness and document the transformation. Emanuele Zamponi, an artist from Milan, Italy, has worked on numerous photographic and graphic related projects. One of them in his portfolio includes photos of craftsmen composed against a studio background. It shows his interest in the relationship between the creator and its product. While trying to find inspiration for his next project, his friend Marco Tessiore, an Italian filmmaker residing in Korea, told him about the WDC 2010. It intrigued the Italian artist, and he became fascinated with how the dynamic city is changing from the aspect of design. Organized by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), the WDC is a special accolade given biennially to a chosen city to celebrate its efforts to achieve social, economic and cultural improvements through design. ``I start

Sep 23, 2009

Nat’l Museum of Korea Showcases Rare Treasures

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter ``Monggyudowondo,'' a painting from the early Joseon era depicting paradise, and ``Cheonmado,'' the only painting in existence from the Silla Kingdom, will be exhibited at the National Museum of Korea starting Sept. 29. These works are among the highlights of a special exhibition titled ``Yeominhaerak,'' or ``Sharing Enjoyment with People,'' held to mark the museum's centennial that will continue through Nov. 8. The history of the nation's museum goes back to Nov. 1, 1909, the waning days of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). King Sunjong opened a royal museum at Changgyeong Palace to showcase cultural assets, including Buddhist paintings and Goryeo porcelain, to ordinary citizens for the first time ever. The symbolic event marked the end of the kingdom and the beginning of modern society. The museum had its name changed to the Yi Royal Museum, the Yi Royal Gallery and then the Deoksu Palace Art Museum, which was finally turned into the National Museum of Korea in 1969. ``The museum holds a distinguished identity that has survived a

Sep 23, 2009
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