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Arts & Theater

The Martyred Goes on Stage

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter ``The Martyred,'' based on a novel written by Korean-American author Richard Kim, went on stage Wednesday at Sejong M Theater in central Seoul. The play will mark the 100th anniversary of Korean contemporary theater and the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' opening. ``The Martyred'' was first published as a novel in 1964, receiving spotlight in the United States. Kim, a Korean-born writer, was the first Korean author to be nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, becoming one of the best-known Koreans in the West. The novel was the best-selling book for 20 straight weeks in the United States, and has been translated into more than 10 languages. The play sheds light on human nature, conflict between truth and hypocrisy, touching universal values of mankind. Set in Pyongyang during the Korean War, ``The Martyred'' reflects on the human conscience, the meanings of evil, suffering and truth. The story follows the investigations on the deaths of 12 Christian ministers reportedly k

May 14, 2008

Opera `Aida Provides Audiovisual Feast

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter An artistic director is like a chef. The ingredients ― original story and musical composition ― are the same, but depending on how you whip it up, it can taste bland or spectacular. In that sense, Massimo Gasparon, disciple of ``star chef'' Pier Luigi Pizzi, has a knack for gourmet meals. His rendition of Verdi's classic ``Aida,'' currently being staged through Saturday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, northern Seoul, was, notwithstanding some technical glitches, a true audiovisual feast. Part of a three-year collaboration with Pizzi, the Korea Opera Group brings a unique project where the works of the veteran Italian director and his young follower Gasparon simultaneously present ``Turandot'' and ``Aida,'' respectively. The two works are being alternately staged through Sunday. It brings the whole cast and striking backdrops as they appeared, with great critical acclaim, in Italy's 2006 Macerata Festival. There's no need to travel to Europe. Tuesday's ``Aida'' marked the first of its three shows, the others being staged tonight an

May 14, 2008

Hedwig Stars Mitchell, Oh to Perform Together

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter John Cameron Mitchell, original scriptwriter and star of a rock musical, ``Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' will hold a concert with Korean Hedwig star Oh Man-seok in Seoul next month. According to Shownote, a production company for the Korean rendition of the musical, the concert is designed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the musical's debut in 1998. Mitchell wowed Korean fans last year while joining the concerts with other Korean Hedwig cast members. It is surprising for Korean fans to see Mitchell perform again here as the versatile American scriptwriter, actor and director has rarely performed anywhere outside the United States. The musical has toured in 70 cities around the world, re-creating many other different interpretations since the premiere to New York in 1998. The Korean rendition of ``Hedwig'' was first put on stage in 2005, enjoying enthusiastic standing ovations from audiences until now. So far, the Korean rendition has put nine Korean Hedwigs to stardom including iconic actor Cho Seung-woo, who was in the Kor

May 13, 2008

Sachoom Enthralls Crowd With Dance

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Following the success of ``Nanta'' (aka Cookin'), another non-verbal performance ``Sachoom'' is ready to awe fans at their very own theater. While ``Nanta'' caught the attention of viewers with their rhythmic sounds and music, ``Sachoom'' will surprise fans with blood-pumping dance moves. ``Sachoom,'' the abbreviation of ``Dance When You are in Love'' in Korean, is a ``dancical.'' The organizers explained that the performance has the elements of a musical, while the overall performance is centered on various dance repertoires. The team recently opened its theater near Insa-dong, quite an emotional event for the dancers who have been performed at different locations for every show. ``Not many teams have their own theater, and it is overwhelming. It actually makes me more nervous because the audience will expect more,'' Choi Sung-uk, one of the dancers, told The Korea Times. The theater's stage is lower and closer to the audience than others, allowing for more dancer-audience interaction. The stage also has two small screens giving br

May 12, 2008

Korean Artists Hold Exhibitions Abroad

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean artists are making a splash overseas this month, with a group exhibition in Buenos Aires and two solo exhibitions by Park Seo-bo and Lee Bul in New York City. Works of 23 contemporary Korean artists are on display at the ``Peppermint Candy'' exhibit, which opened last week at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Buenos Aires, Argentina. The exhibit, organized by the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea runs through July 6. The participating Korean artists were all born in the 1960s and 70s, and grew up in the 80s, a turbulent period which resulted in democracy for Korea. Visitors will be able to see how the artists interpret Korean contemporary history. ``Peppermint Candy refers to the fragile values of the youthful and pure which are fresh and pungent, yet can easily be taken away and subverted by any member of the next generation,'' the exhibition catalogue stated. Composed of three parts, the exhibit begins with ``Made in Korea,'' which looks at the change in attitude towards ideology from the 80s to the 90s

May 11, 2008

Artist Ai Weiwei Holds First Exhibit

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Beijing Olympics opens in August and the world's attention will be focused on the spectacular main stadium, dubbed the ``bird's nest.'' But you probably won't find Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who conceptualized the design with Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, celebrating the Olympics with everyone else. Ai does not want to be used in the Chinese government's propaganda. More than his contribution in designing the iconic Olympic stadium, Ai Weiwei is one of the leading figures in China's vibrant contemporary art scene. Considering the great amount of interest in Chinese artists, it is no surprise that Ai is finally holding his first solo exhibition in Seoul at the Gallery Hyundai. The exhibit features ``6.3.2006,'' a series of photographs he took of the Beijing National Stadium while it was being constructed. The more significant pieces are from his ``Fairytale'' series, which were presented at the Kassel Documenta, Germany last year. For ``Fairytale ― Chairs,'' 1,001 wooden chairs from the Qing Dynasty were placed

May 9, 2008

Concerts, Museums & Performances

Classical Concerts Sabine Meyer Romance for Clarinet Sejong Center for the Performing Arts June 1-2 German clarinetist Sabine Meyer will offer angelic melodies, performing with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of French conductor Ludovic Morlot. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit www.ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 780-5054. Located near exits 8 and 1 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Pinchas Zukerman Recital LG Arts Center May 12 Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman comes to Seoul to present the music of Schubert, Franck, Kodaly and Faur. He will also play ``Liebesfreud'' of Kreisler with Russian pianist Tatiana Goncharova and Canadian cellist Amanda Forsyth. The musicians are visiting Korea as part of the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, which continues through May 13. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. Visit www.seoulspring.org or call (02)- 712-4879. Located near exit 7 of Yeoksam Station on subway line 2. Sigiswald Kuijken & La Petite Bande Seoul Arts Center May 21 A prominent violinist, violist an

May 8, 2008

Clubs, Art Exhibitios & 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, this posh club 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

May 8, 2008

Yakiniku Dragon to Go on Stage in Seoul

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter ``Yakiniku Dragon,'' a Korean-Japanese joint production, will make its way to Seoul May 20-25 after wrapping its performance in Japan last month. The play is a collaboration piece between Chong Wishing ― a third generation Korean-Japanese writer, and Korea's promising director Yang Jung-ung. ``Yakiniku Dragon'' is the name of a Korean barbecue restaurant in Japan. It portrays the daily life of the Korean family that operates the restaurant in the face of adversities in Kansai, Japan in the late 1960s. The play stars celebrated Korean and Japanese actors such as Shin Chul-jin, Ko Su-hee, Ju In-young, Tetsuya Chiba, Urara Awata and Fusako Urabe. The play offers a glimpse of Korea-Japan relations through the past, present and future with a blend of humor and pathos through theatrical artistry incorporated with music. It mostly tells the story through the experiences of the family in the Korean-Japanese community and the guests who frequent the restaurant throughout the four seasons. This production is the second in a series of joint

May 7, 2008

Daddy: Moving, Multimedia Show for Family

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter In time for Family Month, there are numerous cultural activities encouraging families to spend time together. Among them is ``Daddy, I Love You,'' perfect for Parents Day today. A heartwarming tale about a father and son, it's a small but memorable ― and visually striking ― play that will delight techno-savvy children and their parents throughout the summer. While geared toward children, ``Daddy'' tugs at the heartstrings of everyone. At the premiere Saturday, more adults were seen tearing up during the heartfelt moments while children reacted strongly to the comedy. Filled with cheerful music and dashes of friendly humor, it is a spectacle that keeps your attention. The smart production effectively utilizes the tight space and timeframe (one hour), like entertaining the audience with a glow-in-the-dark flower show during blackout scene changes. The flashy multimedia backdrops, including a stunning array of digital flower images, were eye-catching. Based on an original script by the company, ``Daddy'' is about a young horse named Cici and hi

May 7, 2008
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