Isabelle Huppert set for Asian premiere of play 'Mary Said What She Said' in Korea

Award-winning French actress Isabelle Huppert will make her first stage appearance in Korea this November. Huppert will star in the one-woman play “Mary Said What She Said,” which is set to have its Asian premiere at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House in Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 1-2. Written by Darryl Pinckney and based on the letters of Mary, Queen of Scots, the monologue in three parts follows Mary as she confronts the forces shaping her fate while, accused of treason by Elizabeth

Sept. 1, 2024

From model violin to world stage: Kim Seo-hyun's musical journey has just began

Without her violin, Kim Seo-hyun appears even younger than her age of 15. But once she holds the violin, she transforms into a charismatic violinist who captivates her audience with every note. Just a year ago, she became the youngest winner of the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition in Switzerland, where she not only secured first prize but also won the Youth Jury Prize, as well as the prize for best interpretation of a commissioned compulsory piece by Silvia Colasanti. She entered t

Aug. 31, 2024

[Herald Interview] Hanna Kiel's 'BODY' to explore chaotic harmony in cross-cultural dance collaboration at SIDance

When choreographer Hanna Kiel begins her creative process, she doesn’t hand out steps or sequences to her dancers. Instead, she assigns tasks. The dancers interpret these assignments through movement, and then Kiel guides and shapes the final choreography. For example, she might ask the dancers to describe their most physically or mentally challenging experiences. One dancer might express the agony and frustration of rehabilitating from a back injury, while another might channel the franti

Aug. 30, 2024

[Herald Review] Tori Kelly thrills fans, hints her love for Korean artists

American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly thrilled fans with her unrivaled charisma and voice. The 31-year-old singer held her first concert in Korea, titled "Tori Kelly Live in Seoul," at the Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday, as part of her world tour "Purple Skies." Initially scheduled for April 2020, the concert was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making Tuesday's gig her first performance in the country. In a written interview with The Kore

Aug. 29, 2024

Blues musicians across generations to gather at blues festival

Korea's premier blues festival is set to take place in Seoul next month. The 2024 Seoul International Blues Festival, which brings together top-tier blues musicians in Korea, will be held from Sept. 20 to 22 at CKL Stage in Jung-gu, Seoul. Now in its 7th year, the festival will feature blues musicians representing every generation, from the first wave of Korean blues to millennials and Gen Z. The first day of the festival presents a special collaborative performance titled "All-Star Bl

Aug. 28, 2024

Two takes on 'La Bayadere' set to dazzle this fall

This fall, Seoul will see a captivating artistic duel, as two leading ballet companies stage their productions of “La Bayadere,” a timeless ballet masterpiece. The Universal Ballet will perform the piece from Sept. 27 to 29, while the Korean National Ballet’s production will go onstage Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. Both productions will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera House. “La Bayadere,” which translates to “The Temple Dancer” in French, is set a

Aug. 27, 2024

Christopher and Lee Young-ji to present collaboration

Danish singer-songwriter Christopher and Korean rapper Lee Young-ji are set to release their new song "Trouble" in September. Christopher revealed the collaboration news during his solo concert, to which he had invited Lee Young-ji as a guest, held Sunday at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. The two first met in 2022 on Lee Young-ji's YouTube variety show "Nothing Much Prepared." Their candid and humorous conversation garnered attention and the two have maintained their co

Aug. 27, 2024

From EDM to jazz, fall is time for music festivals

Whether you are a fan of electronic dance music, rock or jazz, this fall promises to be full of rich experiences with music festivals set to take place across different venues. EDM fans will not want to miss Mega DJ Festival Korea, taking place at Wave Park in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 7 and 8. The festival will feature a lineup of world-class DJs, including Sebastian Ingrosso, DJ R3HAB, DJ Quintino, Bassjackers, Wiwek, Sikdope and Moksi. Popular DJs from Korea -- Glory & Vandal Rock

Aug. 27, 2024

R-rated changgeuk 'Madam Ong' returns for 10th anniversary

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea’s comical and provocative changgeuk, “Madam Ong,” a long-standing favorite, is set to return to the stage this September, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Changgeuk is a Korean form of opera that combines elements of pansori, a traditional narrative singing style. "Madam Ong," the first changgeuk to be rated for adults only, has garnered attention for its bold themes and vibrant portrayal of human vitality. This year's pro

Aug. 25, 2024

International acts across genres to thrill Korean music fans

As the hot summer slowly comes to an end, several international artists announce their concerts in Korea. On Aug. 28, Emotional Oranges, a California-based duo, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul. Emotional Oranges was formed in 2017 in California, by audio engineer Azad Right and vocal coach Vali. The group has gained a large following in Korea, particularly for tracks from their second album, such as "West Coast Love" and "Sundays," which

Aug. 20, 2024

Ahn Ae-soon to explore minimalism in traditional dance with National Dance Company

Choreographer Ahn Ae-soon, a leading figure in contemporary dance in South Korea, is set to premiere her latest work with the National Dance Company of Korea later this month. The company will present "Hang PlusMinus" at the Haeoreum Grand Theater from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, in their first joint production. "Hang PlusMinus" draws from the royal court dance "Chunaengmu,” the only solo dance among court dances, which captures the minimalistic essence, according to Ahn.

Aug. 19, 2024

Memorial concert for rockstar Shin Hae-chul to take place in October

A memorial concert will be held to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of legendary rock star Shin Hae-chul. The concert, titled “Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage,” will take place on Oct. 26-27 at Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. The upcoming concert is a tribute concert prepared by musicians who remember Shin, where his music and philosophy will be reinterpreted through various genres, music and performances. The event organizers stated that the production team and participating m

Aug. 19, 2024

Bold works, reinterpretations among this year's eclectic SIDance lineup

The 27th Seoul International Dance Festival, presented by the Seoul section of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), is set to captivate audiences from Sept. 1 to 14 across Seoul. This year’s festival will showcase 35 performances from eight countries, including Canada, Australia and Luxembourg, at various locations including Sogang University’s Mary Hall, Samil-ro Changgo Theater, Daehakro Arts Theater, Eunpyeong Arts Center and Seoul Namsan Gukakdang. In a departure from pr

Aug. 18, 2024

Lun8 delivers hip, free-spirited ode to youth

K-pop boy band Lun8 has returned with another ode to youth, this time capturing the free spirit of young people. "Our previous song was a warm spring tune, but this one brings a cool summer vibe,” said leader Jinsu during a press conference for their third mini album, “Awakening,” on Wednesday. Since their debut, Lun8 has consistently explored themes of youth in their music. The new album continues that journey, but with a focus on a more rebellious and dynamic image. &ldq

Aug. 16, 2024

30th Changmu dance festival to connect earth, body and sky

The Changmu International Performing Arts Festival, dedicated to exploring international exchanges with traditional Korean dance, is set to hold its 30th edition this month. Organized by the Changmu Arts Center, the dance festival will be held Aug. 21-31 at various locations, including Sejong Arts Center in Sejong City, Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang. Founded in 1992 by the esteemed choreographer and dancer Kim Mae-ja, affectionately known as the "mother of Korean

Aug. 16, 2024

[Herald Review] Crossover music groups' joint concert proves deep spectrum of Korean music

Four crossover groups mesmerized fans with fresh, intense music, presenting a bold mixture of genres. "The Masterpiece," a concert featuring the crossover groups Fortena, Crezl, RabidAnce, and Liberante — formed through seasons 3 and 4 of JTBC's audition program Phantom Singer — was held over the weekend at Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo. The concert began with Fortena, a group of four tenors. The quartet opened the show with "Neapolis," which the group perform

Aug. 12, 2024

[What to play] Melodies of liberation

On Aug. 15, 1945, Korea achieved independence after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Many fought for the country’s liberation from the Japanese Empire, with many losing their lives. August seems to be a perfect time to reflect on the stories of those who endured tremendous hardships and their legacies in Korean music today. "Women’s March" sung by Ahn Ye-eun In 1919, after the nationwide March 1st Independence Movement, seven female independence activists — Yu Gwan

Aug. 10, 2024

Royal Opera House's 'Otello' to come to Seoul Arts Center

The Royal Opera House's 2017 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Otello" will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center from Aug. 18 to Aug. 25, featuring conductor Carlo Rizzi and top opera singers Lee Yong-hoon and Teodor Ilincai as Otello. This is the first time the Seoul Arts Center is presenting "Othello" since 2002. It also marks Korean tenor Lee Yong-hoon’s first time performing in “Otello” in Korea. “I had always dreamed of making my

Aug. 5, 2024

[Herald Review] Infinite leader Kim Sung-kyu mesmerizes fans with top-notch live performance with band

Kim Sung-kyu, the leader of veteran boy band Infinite, thrilled fans with a stand-alone concert last weekend, his first in 18 months. The singer's “LV3: Let's Vacay” concert took place over the weekend at Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul. Following 2022's "LV1 : Light & Voice" and last year's "LV2: Like Your Vibes," the third iteration of the singer's branded concerts embraced the theme of summer vacation in steaming heat, subtitled &

Aug. 5, 2024

Solo debut rush of K-pop artists

In the latter half of this year, the K-pop scene will witness several high-profile solo debuts of K-pop artists. Yoon San-ha of Astro releases his debut solo mini-album "Dusk" on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in his eight-year career. The album features six tracks, each designed to signify the stages of dusk, from the setting sun to the deep night. San-ha, who debuted as the youngest member of Astro in 2016, has been steadily building his solo musicality, contributing to the

Aug. 3, 2024