Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Line 1 Stops for New Version

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The musical "Line 1" by the local drama company Hakchon will end its run for the time being after reaching a milestone 4,000th performance by the end of the year, capping a 15-year run as one of the most successful theatrical productions of the 20th century. To mark the 4,000th performance on Dec. 31, the show will feature veteran actors who have participated in the show over the last 15 years. The cast includes 11 actors who are now performing and 70-80 other actors who played roles in the previous years. The musical was first staged in 1994 at the Theater Hakchon in Daehangno, Seoul. The steady-seller musical has attracted 706,000 people as of Nov. 2, and a total of 216 actors have taken part in the 15-year run. Based on the original German work of Volker Ludwig of the Grips Theater, the rock musical was adapted by singer Kim Min-gi to reflect unique Korean context and sentiment. The musical portrays life in the city of Seoul through the eyes of an ethnic Korean Chinese woman named Seonnyeo who moves to Seoul from the Korean autonomo

Nov 25, 2008

German Artist Presents 2 Handbags in a Pickle

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter When German artist John Bock starts talking about having his next exhibition on Mars, you wonder if you’re even living on the same planet. Then you watch his new video, ``PARA―SCHIZO, ensnarled,'' and you may wonder how he managed to create such bizarre but compelling images in Korea. Bock was recently in Seoul to unveil ``PARA―SCHIZO, ensnarled,'' which was commissioned by the Arko Art Center and Insa Art Space. Set in Seoul, many of the scenes in the video will seem familiar but the situations and characters are straight out of Bock’s imagination. Bock was inspired by Korea’s energy, from its food, streets, people, smell and sounds, and found a way to create new images and situations. Korean organizers first contacted Bock in September 2007 about a possible collaborative project. They also sent him research materials, such as photos and documents, that would help him understand Korea. He selected Nakwon-dong, Changsin-dong, Jegi-dong, Sinsa-dong and Dongducheon top-dong as the film locations. Bock started shooting the film in J

Nov 24, 2008

Fiddler Touches Hearts of Audience

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The Korean rendition of Broadway musical ``Fiddler on the Roof'' has proven the power of a good story, which is rarely found in recent extravagant musicals. The musical raised its curtain at the National Theater of Korea last Friday, with much anticipation for the star-studded cast, including veteran actors Noh Joo-hyeon and Kim Jin-tae and rising star Shin Sung-rok. The show takes place in a Jewish Russian village, Anatevka, in 1905, and focuses on Tevye, a milkman who lives by strong Jewish traditions, along with his five daughters and wife. It deals with a heavy theme of Russia's crackdown on the Jewish community in a turbulent era but it unfolds with a light and cheerful touch with a more universal theme based on family relationships. The show gave a clear message of the shifting family values, which is still valid in current society. The musical depicted the traditional role of the father, who on the outside seems strong but is vulnerable inside, which is a typical description of Korean fathers. The musical began with a fiddler

Nov 24, 2008

Discover Life, History Through Garden of Wind

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Myungsook PARK Dance Theater will perform ``The Garden of Wind'' Dec. 5-6 in Seoul. The performance will present the history of the Korean people by delving into the lives of men and women during turbulent times. The troupe explained that people's lives are like seasons, continuously rotating and repeating, regardless of the happiness, sadness, tension and ease that come and go throughout history. Comprised of seven acts, including a prologue and epilogue, the work will present different themes followed by several historical events. In the prologue, ``The Place where the Sun and Moon Stay,'' dancers will metaphorically portray the characteristics of women through the images of dirt, water and gardens, and those of men through fire and wind. In this act, the world does not possess any social or cultural meaning other than survival. The second act, ``Spring has Gone,'' and the third act, ``A Bird Fling With One Wing,'' conveys the horrible times of war. Through war, the nation falls apart, with chaos and conflict giving way to love a

Nov 23, 2008

Chinese Artist at Arario Gallery

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Chinese artist Li Jikai is one of the young, rising stars in the Chinese contemporary art scene. Korean art lovers will have a chance to see Li's works at a solo exhibit at Arario Gallery, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, through Jan. 24. Li received critical acclaim during his solo exhibit at the Today Art Museum in Beijing earlier this year, and collectors are beginning to notice his works. Paintings recently sold for record prices at the Hong Kong Sotheby's auction of contemporary Chinese art last month. ``Paddling'' sold for more than $79,000, while ``Fire'' sold for $45,000. At Arario Gallery, 25 of Li's works including ``A Pagoda with Seven Floors,'' ``The End of World No.1,'' and ``Break Out of Soil No.1'' are on display. ``In contrast to his fellow contemporary artists' propagandistic art, Li Jikai delves into the fundamental question on the existence of human beings and expresses the loneliness present in the lives of modern men,'' the gallery said, in a statement. Li tells a deeply personal story in his paintin

Nov 21, 2008

Art Museums, Kids and Sports

Art Exhibitions Li Jikai Arario Gallery, Cheonan Through Jan. 24 Rising Chinese artist Li Jikai is holding a solo exhibition at Arario Gallery Cheonan. He has been attracting attention for his work questioning the existence of human life. He received acclaim for his last solo show, ``Clear," at Beijing's renowned Today Art Museum earlier this year. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday. Visit www.arariogallery.co.kr. Art Show Millennium Seoul Hilton lobby Through Dec. 31 The Millennium Seoul Hilton is hosting an art show featuring works of Korean artists Koo Cha-soong, Roh Jae-soon, and Shin Hyun-koog. This is the fifth art exhibit to be held in the hotel lobby. Call (02) 317-3012. Sweet November UNC Gallery Through Dec. 3 Eight Korean artists are showing their work at a group exhibit at UNC Gallery this fall. Call (02) 733-2798 or visit www.uncgallery.com King Gallery 2 Through Dec. 20 Son Dong-hyun is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery 2. Visit ww.gallery2.co.kr or call (02) 3448-2112. The Farm Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space Through Dec. 12

Nov 20, 2008

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets and Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts Rock'n Christmas with The Ahn Trio Seoul Arts Center Dec. 17 The Ahn Trio, made up of pianist Lucia, violinist Angella, and cellist Maria, visits Korea with ``fashionable'' tunes. Formed in 1979, when they were not yet 10 years old, the Ahn Trio has captivated classical music fans, with their distinctive sounds and charismatic presence. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 751-9606~10. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Kim Julius-Jeongwon Grand Tour Recital Seongnam Arts Center Nov. 27 Pianist Kim Jeong-won, the inspiration for the Korean movie ``For Horowitz,'' is currently touring through 12 cities. He will play at Seongnam Arts Center Nov. 27. The program includes Bach's Chaconne, Chopin's Barcarolle and Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata. Tickets cost from 33,000 won to 66,000 won. For more information, visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 2658-3546. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang line. World Symphony Orche

Nov 20, 2008

Kang Bids Farewell as Juliet

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter It was a moment of silence: Korean ballerina Kang Sue-jin was giving her last performance as Juliet in her homeland and audience members held their breath as the ``steel butterfly'' set foot on stage. The Stuttgart Ballet joined her every step of the way as Romeo and Juliet was finally presented 14 years after her debut as the fragile yet determined young heroine. Celebrated choreographer John Cranko was in charge of this particular piece, and the master's dramatic and grand elements were indeed visible throughout the performance. Members of both families _ the Capulets and the Montagues _ performed with shiny swords, adding realism to the famous piece, while the overall settings and costumes were exquisite. Cranko's version of Shakespeare's work focuses on the dramatic expressions of the characters, instead of the overall narration. Indeed, the swift movements of each dancer were impeccable; truly showing how skilled the German troupe was in terms of technique and expression. The heroine of the evening, Kang appeared with sharp a

Nov 19, 2008

`200-Pound Beauty Goes on Stage

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter A local hit film ``200-Pound Beauty'' has been made into a musical, starring singer-turned-actress Choi Sung-hee, better known as Bada, former member of all-girl group S.E.S. and rising actor Song Chang-ui. Based on the popularity of the film that attracted 6.62 million viewers in 2006, the much-hyped romantic comedy musical will follow the same storyline. But the genre being different, the musical differently portrays the highlight of the story in which Kang Han-byeol _ the title role _ transforms from a more-than-200-pound woman into a slim and beautiful woman thanks to a plastic surgery. Han-byeol has a gifted voice who dreams of becoming a singer but can't appear on stage because of her ugly figure, and instead dubs her voice for a prettier singer from behind the stage. While singing backstage, she falls in love with Han Sang-jun, a music producer played by Song who highly appreciates her musical talent. To recover her confidence as a singer, she undergoes plastic surgery and becomes a famous singer with a totally different look, get

Nov 18, 2008

Royal Collection of Japanese Modern Paintings Goes on Exhibit

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The National Museum of Korea will present Japanese modern paintings at a special exhibition titled ``Fascination of Europe: Western-style Paintings in Modern Japan'' from Nov. 18 to Oct. 11 next year. The exhibition introduces Western-style paintings by modern Japanese artists which were collected and displayed in the Yi Royal Museum from 1933 to 1943. The paintings are part of a larger collection consisting of modern Japanese-style paintings, Western-style paintings, sculptures and craftworks. The exhibit, featuring the artworks on human figures and landscapes, includes a total of 40 pieces; 33 oil paintings, two drawings, four prints, and one pastel drawing. The collection of modern Japanese paintings was recommend by Masaki Naohiko (1862-1940), director of the Imperial Art Academy, and Wada Eisaku (1874-1959), president of the Tokyo Art College in Japan. The exhibit's collection was selected by King Yeongchin (1897-1970) according to his particular tastes. According to Masaki Naohiko's diary, King Yeongchin did not accept all

Nov 17, 2008

Arts & Theater