Chin Unsuk, Lim Yunchan recordings shortlisted for Gramophone Awards

The recordings of South Korean composer Chin Unsuk and pianist Lim Yunchan have been shortlisted for the 2024 Gramophone Classical Music Awards. Their albums were among a total of 33 recordings in the 11 categories -- three per category -- shortlisted for the award. In the piano category, Lim’s two albums have made the shortlist: "Liszt: Transcendental Etudes" and his debut album "Chopin: Etudes." "The Liszt Transcendental Etudes" contains Lim’s semifi

Sept. 9, 2024

Diva Gheorghiu's encore interruption diminishes the magic of 'Tosca'

A well-executed production featuring top opera singers ended on a sour note. On Sunday, the audience at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul erupted in applause and cheers after tenor Kim Jae-hyung's powerful rendition of the iconic aria "E lucevan le stelle" (When the stars were brightly shining) in Puccini's "Tosca," produced by the Seoul Opera Company. Kim, also known as Alfred Kim, was onstage for his second performance as Cavaradossi, Tosca's

Sept. 9, 2024

Family of late K-pop star Jonghyun launches counseling program for young artists

The family of the late SHINee member Jonghyun has launched a psychological counseling project aimed at supporting young artists through the foundation established in his memory. On Saturday, the Shiny Foundation introduced its latest initiative, Youth Meetup, to promote the mental well-being of young artists. The announcement was made via the foundation’s official social media accounts. In a video accompanying the launch, Jonghyun’s older sister Kim So-dam, who also serves as a direc

Sept. 8, 2024

Seongsu-dong to host first-ever World Webtoon Festival

South Korea is set to host its first-ever global webtoon festival and awards ceremony, highlighting the country's leading role in the growing global popularity of webtoons, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Sunday. The 2024 World Webtoon Festival will run from Sept. 26 to 29 at various venues across Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The festival will kick off with the 2024 World Webtoon Awards on the opening day at S-Factory in Seongsu-dong, a retail, event and cultu

Sept. 8, 2024

[What to attend] 'The Golden Chaos Club,' 'Hadestown,' 'Yujin and Yujin'

Though many want to spend more time outdoors as the summer heat subsides this month, be sure not to miss these musical productions that are closing soon. "The Golden Chaos Club" offers a fun and entertaining experience, while "Hadestown" captivates audiences of all ages with its powerful music. "Yujin and Yujin" explores the healing process and offers hope for those facing trauma. The Golden Chaos Club: A fun show on forbidden things "The Golden Chaos Club

Sept. 7, 2024

Leading summer festival BBC Proms to arrive in Korea this winter

The Korean edition of BBC Proms, a leading summer festival that takes place in London, is set to launch in Korea this winter. From Dec. 2 to 8, BBC Proms Korea, organized by Lotte Foundation for Arts, will offer a total of eight programs, featuring top domestic and overseas artists. The festival will kick off with a concert by BBC Scotland Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) under the baton of conductor Ryan Wigglesworth, a British composer, conductor and pianist, and a collaboration with cellist Han J

Sept. 6, 2024

[Well-curated] Create custom cases, attend an art salon and play 'the floor is lava'

Customize smartphone cases at Casetify Buying new accessories for and decorating your smartphone might be some of the easiest ways to refresh your look nowadays. Though there are many unmanned stores and pop-up shops featuring smartphone-themed merchandise, pay a visit to Casetify to customize your phone covers with the inspiration-filled designs. Located at the second basement floor of The Hyundai Seoul -- the biggest department store in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, Casetify displays a wide

Sept. 6, 2024

[Eye interview] 'Imagining the possibilities gets me excited'

    What if you were given carte blanche to do anything that you desire? While that may be a dream come true for most, architect Cho Min-suk said, “I refuse to do that project.” A leading Korean architect and winner of several awards including the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2014, Cho was offered just such an opportunity 10 years ago. “Someone with means said, ‘You just make a pure, beautiful place,’” recalled Cho during an int

Sept. 5, 2024

[Exclusive] Old Korean Legation building could get historic listing Monday

The decision on whether to designate the Old Korean Legation building in Washington, DC a US historic place worthy of preservation will be made Monday, and it would be “very uncommon” to see the US National Park Service reject the proposed designation, sources confirmed to The Korea Herald. “Action will be taken on this nomination on Sept. 9,” a National Park Service official with direct knowledge of the matter said, referring to the application filed by the DC Historic P

Sept. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Classic Revolution with flair

For the upcoming Classic Revolution musical festival, five conductors will showcase the distinctive strengths and styles of their orchestras, including the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Incheon Philharmonic, Suwon Philharmonic and Gyeonggi Philharmonic. The festival, organized by the Lotte Foundation for Arts, has shifted its schedule from mid-summer to take place from Saturday to Wednesday this year. In line with this change, the festival's focus has shifted from individual composers to high

Sept. 4, 2024

Hansae Yes24 Foundation kicks off music initiative with baritone Benjamin Appl

After focusing on Southeast Asia’s literature and arts as well as supporting students for 10 years, the Hansae Yes24 Foundation announced it is expanding its scope to classical music, the German lied in particular. For the inaugural concert, "Winterreise in Summer," the foundation presents German baritone Benjamin Appl, who will perform Schubert’s "Winterreise" D. 911, a song cycle set to 24 poems by German poet Wilhelm Muller. The 42-year-old vocalist said that

Sept. 3, 2024

[Herald Interview] Abel Quartet to thrill with complete cycle of Mendelssohn string quartets

The Abel Quartet, like many musicians around the world, faced a pivotal moment at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The members, who were based in Vienna, Austria, returned to their home country, South Korea, for a performance, only to find themselves unable to go back to Vienna due to the lockdown there. The quartet found itself in a unique position: the small ensemble was just the right size to take to the stage at a time when many orchestral performances were canceled and many quartets had

Sept. 2, 2024

Singer-songwriter Lee Juck to drop new album

Singer-songwriter Lee Juck, known for his warm lyrics and melodies, is releasing a new album after four years. The album "I Hate Alcohol" will be released at the end of September, according to Lee Juck's agency Music Farm Entertainment. His sixth studio album "Trace" was released in 2020. The album release will be followed by a concert entitled "Lee Juck's Songs" taking place Oct. 17 to 20 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Sept. 2, 2024

[Photo News] Art-dining performance by Han River

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

World-renowned singers unite for Puccini's 'Tosca' in Seoul

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, the Seoul Metropolitan Opera and Bucheon Philharmonic are presenting his most dramatic work, “Tosca.” The opera singers featured in this production, which will be performed four times from Thursday to Sept. 8, bring with them not only decades of experience, but also personal connections and unique stories with Puccini’s “Tosca." Renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu, who has portrayed the role of Flor

Aug. 30, 2024

Sejong Summer Festival turns Gwanghwamun Square into lively dance floor

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts’s Summer Festival kicked off Wednesday with enthusiastic cheers and vibrant dance moves filling the Gwanghwamun Square, which will remain a lively dance floor both for performers and audiences until Sunday. On Wednesday, approximately 1,000 people, including preregistered attendees and those who queued at the venue, filled the standing area, immersing themselves in the dynamic performances. Those unable to enter the square shared in the excitement

Aug. 29, 2024

KTO unveils award-winning tourism souvenirs

The Korea Tourism Organization announced 25 award-winning items for the 2024 Korea Tourist Souvenir Contest, each showcasing beauty and charms of Korea. The contest, held by the organization in May, received 580 applications of creative souvenirs under 300,000 won ($225). Gamseonok Original Set, a premium dessert box featuring iconic regional specialties like the dried persimmons of Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, won the top prize this year. The gold prize went to Aengganghyangcha, a medi

Aug. 28, 2024

'I am sorry for cheating on my wife': K-drama star's faux apology goes viral

"I made the unacceptable mistake of cheating on my wife. I offer my deepest apologies to the viewers." Actor Ji Seung-hyun, who stars in the hit K-drama "Good Partner," recently appeared in a YouTube video that at first glance looks like the real deal -- from the clickbait title ("I am Sorry") to the solemn-faced celebrity against a plain gray backdrop, bowing deeply before the camera as he delivers his pained apologies to the public. The video checks all the boxes

Aug. 27, 2024

[From the Scene] Seon meditation front and center for Jogye leader

GONGJU, South Chungcheong Province -- Templestay programs are usually light on message, focusing instead on enabling participants to experience Buddhist routines like prostrations and early morning chants. The latest templestay program held from Saturday to Sunday capped an eight-week teaching by the Ven. Jinwoo on practicing seon meditation. The president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect here, rallied participants to not only follow the Jogye style of meditation,

Aug. 27, 2024