Articles by Hwang Dong-hee
Hwang Dong-hee
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com-
[Herald Interview] 'Salome' director Kim Si-hwa adds bold twist to changgeuk with all-male act
It might have been her directional debut in changgeuk, but former choreographer Kim Si-hwa was prepared to push the boundaries with "Salome." In an interview with The Korea Herald, last week, Kim said she was aiming for a groundbreaking traditional performance. She had thought of an all-male changgeuk for a while, believing it could be appealing to the audience. Changgeuk derives from pansori, a traditional narrative singing form involving a solo singer and a percussionist that is regi
Performance Feb. 25, 2024
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Hong Sang-soo wins Berlin Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with 'A Traveler's Needs'
South Korean director Hong Sang-soo clinched the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with his new film "A Traveler's Needs" at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday. The jury announced the award at the ceremony held at the Berlinale Palast. The Silver Bear is the festival's second-highest prize after the Golden Bear. It is Hong's second Grand Jury Prize, following his win for "The Novelist's Film" in 2022. "I’d like to thank the jury.
Film Feb. 25, 2024
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Pansori, shadow puppetry combined in 'Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden'
A Jeju myth comes to life through a combination of pansori, or Korean traditional narrative singing, and shadow puppetry in a children's production running at the National Jeongdong Theater in Korea, Cecil through Wednesday. "Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden" is a reinterpretation of the myth of Hallakgungi, found in the shamanistic songs of Jeju Island known as "Igongbonpuri." The protagonist, Hallakgungi, embarks on a journey to the Seocheon Flower Garden at the afterlif
Performance Feb. 23, 2024
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ARKO Selection inspired by the familiar
ARKO Selection's fifth and final set of productions -- one traditional concert, two dance performances and one opera -- are drawing inspiration from elements that will be familiar to Korean audiences. Kicking off the weekend on Friday and Saturday, the traditional performance "Multiverse of Infinite Convergence" brings gugak to the center. Gayageum player Heo Yoon-jeong, also a member of the jazz and gugak crossover ensemble Black String since 2011, will collaborate with 13 musici
Performance Feb. 22, 2024
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Jeon Do-yeon, Park Hae-soo to star in Simon Stone's play 'Cherry Orchard'
Renowned South Korean actor Jeon Do-yeon, who is a familiar face from both TV and film, is returning to the theatrical stage after 27 years, taking on a leading role in the play "The Cherry Orchard.” World-renowned Australian director Simon Stone will helm the production, which is slated to run from June 4 to July 7 at the LG Art Center in Seoul. Stone has collaborated with prestigious theaters such as the National Theatre in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Jeon will be
Performance Feb. 21, 2024
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Seoul Metropolitan Ballet begins inaugural season with contemporary focus
The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, centering its artistic vision on contemporary ballet, has been officially inaugurated, announced the Seoul City and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at a press conference held on Tuesday. This marks the establishment of the third public ballet company in Korea in 48 years, after the Korean National Ballet in 1962 and the Gwangju City Ballet in 1976. Diverging from traditional ballet companies that predominantly focus on classical repertoire, Seoul Metropolitan
Performance Feb. 20, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Theater Ganda marks 20th Anniversary with yearlong parade of original productions
In Korean, the word "ganda" means "to go." Yet, the name of this 20-year-old South Korean theater troupe also carries a dual meaning, signifying its commitment to creating compact ("gan" in Hanja) and diverse ("da" in Hanja) performances. Theatre Ganda is set to showcase a series of the company's most notable works, one after another, until early 2025, in a rare and precious moment for a theater group as it marks its 20th anniversary with a parade of
Performance Feb. 19, 2024
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Chanel meets ballet 'Modance' to come Korea in April
In a collaboration between the French fashion house Chanel and the world of dance, a ballet performance will get a Korean premiere in April. "Modanse" is scheduled to be staged at the Seoul Arts Center on April 17 and 19-21, starring the renowned ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, according to InArt Production on Wednesday. The title "Modanse" is a combination of the French words "mode," meaning fashion, and "danse," meaning dance. The 120-minute performance is
Performance Feb. 15, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Ji Pyeong-kwon’s gugak crossover resonates in ballet ‘Korea Emotion’
In a poignant duet of daegeum and pansori, vocalist Kwon Song-hee, a member of the alternative pop band Leenalchi, sings achingly. An orchestral blend of Western classical string instruments, daegeum and pansori plays out in a strangely harmonious manner with waltz-like rhythms that brighten the mood. Against this backdrop of crossover music, two ballet dancers gracefully move under the silvery moonlight. Acclaimed ballerina Kang Mi-sun, a principal dancer at Universal Ballet, earned the title o
Performance Feb. 13, 2024
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Universal Ballet opens season with ‘Korea Emotion’
Universal Ballet, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, kicks off its 2024 season with the original ballet production, "Korea Emotion," an artistic blend of traditional Korean music and ballet. The neo-classical ballet with gugak crossover scores is to be staged Feb. 16-18, at the Universal Arts Center. Choreographed by Universal Ballet Artistic Director Liu Bingxian, “Korea Emotion” is a collection of nine short episodes drawing inspiration from the complex and multi
Performance Feb. 13, 2024
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[New in Korean] Finding solace through the second-hand market
"The Second Hand Market Angel" By Her Tae-yeon Noll/Dasan Books In the upscale neighborhood of Hannam-dong, a unique morning ritual unfolds on a second-hand market app, showcasing an array of new items that are difficult to come by at a good price. From imported luxury curtains straight from Spain to limited-edition designer bags, the platform becomes a marketplace for Sun Ye-hwi, a woman of wealth who appears to revel in a life of opulence. Sun's life had taken a tragic turn a
Books Feb. 12, 2024
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[New in Korean] Woo Da-young invites readers into 'a darker night' with latest SF collection
"But Someone Wants a Darker Night" By Woo Da-young Moonji Publishing The third collection of stories penned by Woo Da-young, titled "But Someone Wants a Darker Night," includes five short stories in which characters frequently engage in contemplation, reflecting upon the boundaries between the self and others. In the coming-of-age narrative, "There Was a Knife Between Us," Alpha and Omega, initially born as a singular entity but later separated as twins, reunite on
Books Feb. 11, 2024
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[New in Korean] Booker shortlisted Bora Chung returns with autobiographical SF tales
"Surrender, Earth Creatures" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Bora Chung Rabbit Hole Bora Chung, a finalist for the UK International Booker Prize and the US National Book Award for her genre-defying work, "Cursed Bunny" (translated by Anton Hur), has returned with a collection of science fiction stories titled "Surrender, Earth Creatures." "Surrender, Earth Creatures" is a delightful, animated compilation of stories that incorporates Chung
Books Feb. 11, 2024
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[Well-curated] Traditional New Year festivities, clean cup of espresso and writing in solitude
New Year's festival at Namsangol Hanok Village Step into the heart of Korean culture at the Namsangol Hanok Village’s New Year’s festival, a vibrant celebration that takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday. Throughout the weekend, visitors can engage in a variety of traditional Korean games. Start with a fortune-telling session using yut, a traditional board game played, offering a glimpse into the fortunes for the year. Visitor can write their wishes on the wish tree. A
Culture Feb. 9, 2024
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Storytelling videos on Seollal released in six languages
The National Library for Children and Young Adults has released two additional storytelling videos based on picture books in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday. A total of 341 different stories are available on the library's official website in six languages: Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Mongolian. Some videos also include subtitles in Russian, Khmer and Tagalog. The multilingual storytelling video service, launched in 2009, features Korean original fairy tales, trad
Books Feb. 8, 2024
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