Lifestyle - The Korea Times

National Palace Museum Reopens

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The National Palace Museum of Korea will open its 12 exhibition halls Wednesday, ending its expansion project. The museum will exhibit about 900 pieces of royal historical artifacts of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) up from the present 500, including seven national treasures, throughout the three-story building. Previously, the museum had five exhibit halls, categorized by themes throughout the two floors ― royal symbols and records, ancestral rites, palace architecture, Joseon sciences and royal life. Now the museum has more themed exhibit halls; the birth of the royal family, education, literature, royal paintings and music ― to show the lifestyles and cultures of royal families. For the reopening exhibit, special urns ― which were used to hold the placentas of six kings; Taejo, Sejong, Injong, Seongjong, Jeongjo and Sunjo and their princes and princesses ― will be on display for the first time. The museum will also display ``Sun, Moon and Five Peaks,'' a folding screen standing behind kings of Joseon Kingdom. Also as part

Nov 27, 2007

Zephora Circus Comes to Walkerhill

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The traditional circus is getting a new twist, as the European circus act Zephora comes to town. Filled with clowns and acrobats, Zephora promises a memorable show that the entire family can enjoy. Sheraton Grande Walkerhill is bringing this original European circus to Seoul for the first time. The Zephora show includes clowns, a flying duo, aerial trapeze act, jugglers and an ``enchanting water girl.'' Adding to the excitement are the acrobat's unpredictable leaps on the Wheel of Death, acrobats lunging from the ceiling, formation of human pagodas and other performances. Zephora has been described as ``a bundle of emotions that offers adults an opportunity to escape from the ordinary and enter a world of romance and reminiscence while giving children hope, imagination, and dreams.'' The cast has a diverse background, with performers from Germany, France and Italy. A live band performs in the background, along with a team of dancers, Red Fox. If you think you'll be munching on popcorn while watching flying acrobats and clowns,

Nov 26, 2007

Portraying Human Side of Jesus

More Contemporary Musical `Jesus Christ Superstar' to Go on Stage By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Even for a true believer who grew up in a Christian community in New York, it was a big challenge for Cito to take on the role of Jesus in ``Jesus Christ Superstar.'' ``Initially, when I got the role, I was scared of that fact that I had to portray such a revered man ― such a respected and worshiped being because I just am not worthy,'' Cito said in an interview with The Korea Times. Cito visited Korea Nov. 19-22 to promote the troupe's upcoming shows in Seoul and Busan next month, a part of their world tour. The 33-year-old actor said that he is a Christian. ``But it's just on a personal level between God and me. I don't attend Church. Both my parents are still doing that, especially my mother. As far as Christianity is concerned, I believe in the teachings of Christ,'' he said. ``Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Written in 1970, it highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus. The plot

Nov 26, 2007

Van Gogh Retrospective Rated Best in Asia

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The rare opportunity to see Vincent Van Gogh's masterpieces in Seoul is not one to be missed, especially since the directors of the Van Gogh Museum and Kroller-Muller Museum from the Netherlands are calling ``Van Gogh: Voyage into the Myth'' one of the best Van Gogh exhibitions ever in Asia. The first Van Gogh retrospective in Seoul officially opened Saturday, with hundreds flocking to the Seoul Museum of Art over the weekend for a glimpse of the Dutch artist's works. ``This is the highest quality exhibition of Van Gogh's works in the last few years. This is probably the best exhibition in 50 years that came to Asia," Dr. Evert J. Van Straaten, director of the Kroller-Muller Museum, told The Korea Times in an interview. Among the 67 works on display are iconic masterpieces such as ``Irises," ``Country road in Provence by night," ``The Yellow House," ``The Sower," and ``Self-portrait." The 45 oil paintings and 22 drawings are on loan from the Kroller-Muller Museum in Otterlo and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. ``I envy the peo

Nov 25, 2007

Van Gogh Retrospective Opens

67 Works of Dutch Artist on Display By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff reporter The first retrospective of Vincent Van Gogh's works in Korea opens Saturday at the Seoul Museum of Art, downtown Seoul. Sixty-seven of the Dutch post-Impressionist's works, including 45 oil paintings and 22 drawings and lithographs, were carefully chosen from the Van Gogh Museum and Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands to be displayed in Seoul until March. 16. The two museums own more than half of the remaining Van Gogh works around the world. Among the masterpieces on display are ``Self-portrait'' (1887), ``Irises'' (1890), ``Church in Auvers'' (1890), a lithograph of ``The Potato Eaters'' (1885), ``The Yellow House'' (1888) and ``Portrait of Joseph Roulin'' (1889). Seo Soun-jou, Van Gogh exhibit commissioner and Hankook Ilbo cultural project center director of exhibitions, said this is the biggest exhibition of Van Gogh's works since the exhibition marking 100 years since his death at the Van Gogh Museum in 1990. The exhibition ``Van Gogh: Voyage into the Myth'' is organized i

Nov 23, 2007

Clubs. Art Exhibitions & For Kids

CLUBS Club Garden Apgujeong-dong The Garden is an electronica hotspot, with the big draw being its line-up of guest DJs such as Laurent Garnier, Mondo Grosso, Afrika Bambatta and Goldie. Near Galleria Department Store on the so-called Rodeo Street in southern Seoul. Call (02) 518-5115 or clubgarden.co.kr. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This place, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch and the acoustics are good. Located near exit 1 on Sangsu Station on subway line 6 or exit 6 on Hongdae Station on subway line 2. Call (02) 337-8361 or www.clubevans.com. Club Caliente Itaewon The patrons are so diverse, DJ Josh sometimes has a hard job appealing to everyone. But he keeps the dance floor going, playing a variety of standbys and new Latin music. The song selection is what keeps people coming back. Located near exit 4 of Itaewon Station subway line 6. Call (011) 9094 8484 Club M2 Hongdae M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor

Nov 22, 2007

Concerts, Museums & Performances

Classical Concerts Concert, Chocolar Seoul Arts Center Nov. 25 Ola Viola Sound is a chamber music group of violists led by Oh Soon-hwa. Listen to music composed by Schumann, Marais and more. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 30,000 won. Visit www.mastmedia.co.kr or call 1588-7890. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3. Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra Seoul Arts Center Nov. 27 The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra will play all of Bruckner's symphonies. They will play ``Symphony No.9'' by Bruckner in the first concert. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. Visit www.sac.or.kr or call 1588-7890. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3. Color of Ravel Hoam Art Hall Dec. 1 Pianists Park Chong and Chiharu Aizawa with violinists Park Chisang and Park Mi-seon will play chamber music by Maurice Joseph Ravel, including ``Bolero,'' ``Tzigane'' and ``Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte.'' Tickets cost from 22,000 won to 55,000 won. Visit www.stompmusic.com or call 1588-7890. Located near

Nov 22, 2007

Ancient Water Clock Recreated

By Kim Ji-soo Staff Reporter A clepsydra, a water clock that was made on King Sejong's orders in 1434, has been fully recreated and will be on view to the public from Nov. 28. The water clock is regarded as one of the greatest inventions in Korean science history. It is a standard self-striking water clock system, which uses the flow of water. A team, led by Professor Nam Moon-hyeon of Konkuk University, recreated the water clock based on the remaining parts of a clepsydra known as the Jagyeongnu, which was made during the reign of King Jungjong in 1536, the National Palace Museum of Korea announced Wednesday. The original, which was invented by Jang Young-sil, was the first water clock that was devised to strike a bell, gong or drum, automatically on the hour. It was lost, and another was created in 1536, being designated National Treasure No. 229. The water, which is poured into the upper largest vessel, flows down the smaller one into a larger water tank. As the water level rises to a previously set position, a floating rod touches a lever, which causes a bead a

Nov 21, 2007

`Beautiful Game Lost in Adaptation

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter It was not easy for Andrew Lloyd Webber ― renowned musical composer of ``Cats'' and ``The Phantom of the Opera'' ― when ``The Beautiful Game'' had to lower the curtain after less than a year's run on the West End in 2000. But there was critical acclaim for his piece because its subject matter was unusual for a musical theme. The musical sheds light on young footballers' lives blighted by Northern Ireland's troubles. Now, the Korean production is being put on stage at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Public attention has been buzzing, even ahead of the production, not only because it's Webber's latest work in Korea but also because it's the return performance of musical star Park Gun-hyung. The production presents Webber's memorable musical songs like ``God's Own Country'' in which both Catholic and Protestant footballers sing along. Also, the stage was successfully turned into a soccer field in which football players perform aerial football moves through flamboyant and dynamic choreography. Despite these musical arts, the Korean

Nov 20, 2007

Foreign Artists Solo Exhibitions in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Seoul's art scene is seeing a bit of foreign flavor this month, with solo exhibitions by Chinese artist Ye Yongqing, British artist Keith Tyson and Japanese artist Toeko Tatsuno. Ye, a prominent Chinese artist, is holding a solo exhibition ``Heartful Bird'' at Gallery Artside, Insa-dong. The exhibition, which features his distinctive scribbled bird paintings, runs through Dec. 4. Kwon Hyuck-chu, curator of Gallery Artside, said when Ye paint birds, he does so ``as if he is expressing his own mind.'' ``The artist first draws paintings on small notebooks with simplicity and then enlarges the drawings by projecting them onto the wall with a beam projector. Then, he creates the contour as if he is scratching lines on the enlarged drawing and the Chinese ink fills the empty space created by the contour,'' he said, in the exhibition catalogue. Ye, born in Kunming, Yunna province, and a prominent figure in China's art scene was a leading member of the Southwest Art Group during the 1985 ``New Wave Arts Movement.'' Ye's works display

Nov 19, 2007

Arts & Theater