People & Events

Soprano Natalie Dessay to perform in Korea

Natalie DessayBy Kwon Ji-younFrench coloratura soprano Natalie Dessay will meet her Korean fans for the first time at a concert at the Seoul Arts Center Tuesday. Dessay, who studied voice at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux, became a highly acclaimed soprano after winning a series of competitions, including the Les Voix Nouvelles and the International Mozart Competition, and performing as a chorister in Toulouse. A number of theaters approached her during her studies at Paris Opera’s Ecole d’Art Lyrique, and she landed opportunities to sing at the Opera National de Lyon and the Opera Bastille.Subsequently, she joined the Vienna State Opera, after which her performance as Olympia in “The Tales of Hoffmann” received a lot of praise from critics. In 1994, Dessay made her Metropolitan Opera debut in New York, where she took on the role of Fiakermilli in Richard Strauss’s “Arabella.” But in 2001, she began to experience vocal difficulties and underwent surgery on one of the vocal chords in 2002. She returned to the stage in 2005. Since her last appea

CNU Hospital president wins Pfizer Prize

Kim Bong-okKim Bong-ok, president of the Chungnam National University (CNU) Hospital, has been selected as the recipient of the “KMA Pfizer Prize for International Contributions to Medicine.”Kim is being recognized for having successfully hosted the International Congress of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) in Seoul last year as head of its organizational committee. The MWIA drew 1,324 members from 42 countries, increasing exchange within the association. Kim received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Yonsei University, and began her career in rehabilitation medicine. She is currently a professor at CNU and president of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. The Pfizer prize was founded by the Korean Medical Association (KMA) and the pharmaceutical company in 2006 to encourage local doctors’ engagement in the global health community.

Charity group to support pediatric epilepsy patients

Lee In-goo, left, president of the Korean Child Neurology Society and Shim Sang-don, president of the Supporters Society for Korea Parents of the Disabled Association, pose after signing a memorandum of understanding to support refractory epilepsy pediatric patints Wednesday at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. / Courtesy of Starkey KoreaBy Ko Dong-hwanA charity group, the Supporters Society for Korea Parents of the Disabled Association (SKD), signed a deal with a medical society to help treat children with epilepsy.Shim Sang-don, president of SKD and current CEO of a leading hearing-aid maker, Starkey Korea, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the president of the Korean Child Neurology Society (KCNS), Lee In-goo, Wednesday at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Wednesday.The project calls for Shim to consistently support the medical costs for treating refractory epilepsy pediatric patients.The two organizations will help up to 25 child patients each year, with priority given to those from low-income families who cannot afford medical operations.Each patient w

'There's no right answer to Jazz”

Jazz pianist Song Young-jooBy Kwon Ji-younAt the height of her popularity in Korea, jazz pianist Song Young-joo swiftly set off for the United States, where she knew few and few knew her. It may not have been her first time in the country, but she had never felt so out of place. “And yet it was difficult making the decision to return to Korea after spending four years in New York,” Song said in a recent interview. “I had wanted to branch out and succeed as a jazz pianist in New York, and while I did achieve a lot, it wasn’t easy.”During her time in the global power city, Song became the first Korean to land a performance at the exclusive Blue Note Jazz Club, one of the world’s most famous jazz venues. She attributed much of her success to knowing the right people ― she had made a name for herself while studying at the Manhattan School of Music and the Berklee College of Music. “One of the managers at the Blue Note Jazz Club was Korean-American, and a friend of a friend of mine,” she recalled. “She did hesitate, wondering whet

Buddhist monk leads return of royal seals

Buddhist monk Hye MoonBy Kim Tae-gyuAfter learning that U.S. authorities had confiscated nine stolen Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) seals late last year, Buddhist monk Hye Moon started a campaign to get U.S. President Barack Obama to bring them to Korea.Many expressed skepticism, but he silenced doubters once and for all as Obama is expected to return them during his visit to Korea next week.“Last year, many said that I was crazy because they believed U.S. President would never accept such a request. But he is expected to do so and I am glad,” said the 41-year-old.“It seemed an impossible target at first. But I have never doubted that single-minded efforts would eventually bear fruit.”According to presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook, there is a high possibility that Hye Moon’s dream will be realized.“Seoul and Washington have closely cooperated for the return of the seals and the necessary procedure is underway,” Min said.The nine are composed of three state seals, which Joseon kings used on diplomatic and other significant documents, and six c

'Ballet was all I had'

Ballerino Lee Jae-wooBy Kwon Ji-youn@jennajykwonBallerino Lee Jae-woo is back ― with style. On April 11, he was promoted from a soliste (soloist) to a principal dancer of the Korea National Ballet (KNB), an unprecedented move in Korea. His promotion came after he underwent knee surgery in July and spent the last few months going through rehabilitation.“I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Lee told The Korea Times, Tuesday. “I remember tearing up upon hearing the news, which came when I was least expecting it.” But Lee’s fortune hadn’t come without a price. Just when he became determined to one day become a world renowned ballerino, he sustained a foot injury that had him wondering if he could continue his pursuit. He spent a year enduring rehabilitation, tortured by the thought that he may never be able to dance again. Lee had always loved to dance. As a child, he took lessons in Korean dance, modern dance and ballet, which wasn’t easy being 195 centimeters tall. It was difficult to move gracefully, but as he grew stronger, he turned h

Rocker to experiment music cooperative

Rock guitarist Shin Dae-chulBy Baek Byung-yeulRock guitarist Shin Dae-chul has called on musicians to embrace the cooperative model to ensure their survival in the industry. In a posting on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Shin, son of guitar legend Shin Joong-hyun and leader of the heavy metal band Sinawe, revealed plans to launch the tentatively named "Bareun (Fair) Music Distribution Cooperative."The co-op will be dedicated to protecting musicians’ interests and helping them arrange better working conditions in the face of tough economic times, said Shin. He claimed that greedy distribution companies are preventing artists from getting a fair cut of income produced from their music."We need a fairer playground," Shin wrote."I am getting help from legal experts and consulting companies, and I am confident that we can produce a co-op that functions effectively.Shin has been a frequent critic of music labels and online streaming services such as MelOn and Soribada, which he claims are profiting from business models that increase the financial vulnerability of artists. "The market

'There is a need to implement qualification tests for translators'

Kwak Joong-cholBy Kwon Ji-younProfessor Kwak Joong-chol, president of the Korean Association of Translators and Interpreters, says that the country needs to establish a qualification test to improve the quality and accuracy of professional translators and interpreters.According to Kwak, Australia and Canada already have such tests to minimize conflicts of interest. “From about seven or eight years ago, many, regardless of their vocations, have been able to provide interpreting and translating services without graduating from a higher level institution that specializes in the field,” Kwak said during a recent interview. “The problem is that interpreters and translators who are active now are unwilling to take such a qualification test.” Kwak said it should be a job for the government, calling for it to create a state translation bureau to administer such examinations. However, the government does not see a need for such a bureau, saying there are already enough civil servants, according to Kwak. But if professors and other experts come together to put the plan

45th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards

Female botanist to head UN agency

Yim Kyu-okBy Lee Hyo-sikYim Kyu-ok, a researcher at the state-run Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, has been elected to lead a UN agency overseeing guidelines on the control of disease and pest insects affecting plants.She was elected as the first Asian chair of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), affiliated with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, at its annual meeting on April 4. The IPPC, headquartered in Rome, was established in 1951 and currently has 181 member countries. Korea joined the body in 1952.Yim’s two-year term will last through April 2016 and she is expected to chair the IPPC annual meeting in 2015 and 2016. Yim had served as one of the seven vice chairs from 2010 to 2012, representing the Asia-Pacific region.“It is such an honor to lead the IPPC for the next two years. I am really grateful for the support from all member countries,” Yim said in an interview with The Korea Times. “In particular, I would like to extend my gratitude to government officials who spared no efforts to help me win the post.