Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets, Museums, Dance, Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts 2008 UNICEF Hope Concert Hoam Art Hall Nov. 2 The Hope Concert, hosted by UNICEF and sponsored by Tiffany & Co., reunites classical music fans with the violist Richard Yong-jae O'Neill. The program includes Bach's Chaconne and Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata. All the proceeds from the performance are donated to ``School For Africa.'' For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call 1577-5622. Located near exits 9 and 10 of City Hall Station on subway line 2. 2008 Yiruma Ribbonized Concert Seongnam Arts Center Nov. 8 Korean new age pianist Yiruma is holding a concert the first time after returning from his military service. Spend a romantic evening with Yiruma's piano tunes. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 2658-3546. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang line. Europa Galante & Fabio Biondi LG Arts Center Nov. 2 Violinists Europa Galante and Fabio Biondi will grant fans a special concert after their successful performance back in 2004. The two arti

Oct 16, 2008

Religious, Traditional Events for Local Fans

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Explore the beauty of music and dance through two unique events: Chinese Harmonious Music's ``Shinjuhwaak'' and Kook Su-ho Didim Dance Company's ``Chun Moo.'' The Chinese Harmonious Music, the first Buddhist symphony to be created in China's Buddhist history, comprises of a chorus, soloists and an orchestra. The troupe will bring ``Shinjuhwaak,'' a musical masterpiece that combines Chinese Buddhist music with Western symphonic influences performed by 200 members of the Chinese Buddhism Culture Exchange Association. Composed in 2006 for the World Buddhist Forum held in China, the symphony started under the slogan ``the world of harmony starts from the heart'' and decided to visit Korea as part of a cultural exchange project between the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism and its Chinese counterpart. The orchestra will use Buddhist, Western and Chinese traditional instruments for a distinctive approach to music and the religion. ``Shinjuhwaak'' will be on stage at the Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center Oct. 18-19. For more information, call (02)

Oct 15, 2008

Chinese Blockbuster Musical Coming to Seoul Next Year

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The Chinese blockbuster musical ``Butterflies'' is coming to town next year, and will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from March 21 to 29. ``Butterflies'' is the first super-scaled modern-style musical produced in China. It is a fantasy and modern interpretation of one of the best-known Chinese folktales, the beautiful but tragic love story ``Butterfly Lovers.'' The story revolves around Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a young couple who are separated by Zhu's arranged marriage. The legend is regarded as the Chinese equivalent to ``Romeo and Juliet.'' The musical is set in World Terminus. Young maiden Zhu is getting married but an uninvited guest intrudes. He claims to be Liang Shanbo and wants to take her away. Then, everything becomes a total mess. Someone gets drunk, someone goes crazy, someone gets cursed, and someone dies. Liang misses Zhu so much that he dies of a broken heart. This all happens on the eve of Zhu's wedding. After receiving the news of Liang's death, Zhu commits suicide on the day of her wedding.

Oct 14, 2008

Grand Opera Carmen

To commemorate the opening of SEN, the Seoul Economic Daily's cable television service and the 60th anniversary of the founding of Korea, the Kim Ja-Gyeong Opera Group will stage the Grand Opera ``Carmen'' from Oct 16 to19 at the Olympic Hall in Jamsil, southern Seoul. This special version of Bizet's Carmen, will feature Korean dialogue while the arias will be performed in French. The work will also be reduced to two hours for more audience-friendly viewing. The performance also marks 60 years of Korean opera and the 40th birthday of the Kim Ja-Gyeong Opera Group, which was the nation's first private opera. The performance is hosted by the Seoul Economic Daily, the Kim Ja-Gyeong Opera Group and Enter360. It is sponsored by the Committee for the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Korea, which falls under the Prime Minister's Office. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 150,000 won. Grand Opera "Carmen" Date: Oct. 16-19, 2008 Venue: Olympic Hall, Jamsil, southern Seoul Host: Seoul Economic Daily, Kim Ja-Gyeong Opera Group, Enter360 Sponsor: The Comm

Oct 12, 2008

Lim Wan-kyu Retrospective Held at Insa Art

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Insa Art Center is presenting a retrospective on the late Lim Wan-kyu, one of Korea's first abstract artists. Born in Seoul in 1918, Lim graduated from the Imperial School of Fine Arts in Tokyo, majoring in Western painting, and soon stood in the forefront of ``free abstraction'' which deviated from mainstream artists. The exhibition will display some 80 works by Lim, ranging from 1950s to the 1990s. As many other artists did during their careers, Lim showed diversity in his work, which differed depending on the era, and visitors will be able to observe his change in technique and artistic perspective through the gallery's display. In the 1950s, Lim shifted from formative to abstract. In his 1952 ``Butterfly,'' one can see the form of a butterfly within the piece, but still find elements of abstraction with rectangular and irregular shapes dominating the whole painting. Following his experiments of expressing irregularity, the 1960s was a time when Lim's artistic world of deconstruction flourished. Many of his works included irregu

Oct 12, 2008

Jump Into Art at Nam June Paik Museum

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter What better way to open the Nam June Paik Art Center (NJP Art Center) than with an exhibition showing not just Paik's landmark artworks but also works by a generation of artists he influenced? Located in Yongin, Gyeonggi province, the NJP Art Center is the first museum dedicated to Paik (1932-2006), who is widely known as the ``father of video art,'' having successfully combined media technology and art. The NJP Art Center finally opened its doors to the public Tuesday with the Nam June Paik Festival. ``Now Jump,'' which runs through Feb. 5. The exhibitions feels more like a small-scale biennale with the diversity of works by 113 artists and nine groups from 19 countries Inside the gleaming, glass-covered building, visitors are greeted with Paik's landmark work ``TV Fish,'' a series of aquariums with video screens. The smell of fresh paint lingers in the hallways as visitors navigate through first part of the exhibition. Station 1 features Paik's photographs, early works, old video cameras, notes, memorabilia and newspaper

Oct 10, 2008

Clubs, Traditional, Art Exhibitions, Kids

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 This might be the answer to your nightlife. 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. Or mingling with the hot bartenders at the open bar might be a fine alternative. 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. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch a

Oct 9, 2008

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets, Museums, Dance, Pop & Jazz

Classical Concerts 2008 Yiruma Ribbonized Concert Seongnam Arts Center Nov. 8 Korean new age pianist Yiruma is holding a concert the first time after returning from his military service. Spend a romantic evening with Yiruma's piano tunes. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 2658-3546. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang line. Europa Galante & Fabio Biondi LG Arts Center Nov. 2 Violinists Europa Galante and Fabio Biondi will grant fans a special concert after their successful performance back in 2004. The two artists will offer the works of Vivaldi, Purcell and Leclair. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 2005-0114. Connected to exit 7 of Yeoksam Station on subway line 2. Elizabeth Joy Roe Piano Recital Hoam Art Hall Nov. 25 Talented pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe will perform for local fans. Praised as brilliant by The New York Times, the artist will offer her favorite tunes including those by Bach, Chopin

Oct 9, 2008

Grand Mint Fest to Offer Minty Night of Music

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Mintpaper, a popular Web site that offers various articles, events, radio programs, interviews and other cultural contents, is holding its Grand Mint Festival (GMF) at the Olympic Park. The festival will be an open space where famous artists can reinvent their identity, while unknown singers can introduce themselves to the public. A total of 62 entertainers will appear at the festival, which has become famous among fans for its picnic-like atmosphere and bringing famous and undiscovered singers and bands together to create a breezy evening full of music. Instead of the usual venues where the singers are high on the stage while the fans are below, GMF has managed to bring artists and fans a bit closer by setting the stage on the 88 Grass Park and the Waterside Stage. ``One of the most interesting features of the festival is that it feels like a picnic, with nature around you, music flowing in the air and delightful events with some of your favorite stars,'' a festival organizer said. GMF will be held for three days under four differe

Oct 8, 2008

Fusion Gayageum Quartet Yeoul to Perform

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Yeoul, a fusion gayageum (12-string traditional instrument) quartet, will hold a concert to celebrate the 5th anniversary of its debut at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 22 The quartet consists of four players ― Ki Sook-hee, Lee Su-eun, Ahn Na-rae and Park Min-jung ― and was formed in 2003. The four members studied at Gukak National High School and graduated from the department of Korean traditional music at Ewha Womans University. Yeoul plays a mixed variety of genres including jazz, rock, fusion and classic with their 25-string gayageums and an electric gayageum, which was invented by the group in 2005. At the upcoming concert, the quartet will present ``Fisherman's Song: Invitation to the Island,'' composed by Jang Je-hun based on his feelings for the easternmost islets Dokdo. The group will also perform pop music such as ``Dreaming,'' ``Canon Speedy,'' ``Hispanic Dance,'' ``Stairway to Heaven'' and fusion traditional music. The Yeoul concert will be directed by dancer and producer Choi Soo-j

Oct 7, 2008

Arts & Theater