While Korea is taking the first step toward normalcy with its “living with COVID” strategy, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is also planning for an exciting 2022. Music Director Osmo Vanska shared snippets of plans for the upcoming season at an event held for the supporters of the SPO at Lotte Concert Hall in Jamsil, Seoul, on Sunday. Just as the orchestra began the year 2021 with a requiem, with conductor Sung Shi-yeon taking the baton for Lutoslawski’s Musique funebre, t

Performance Nov. 3, 2021

Two of Seoul’s royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, are offering a glimpse into court life during the Joseon era with a number of hands-on programs. Programs at Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon era, will be held from Friday to Nov. 15, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday. At Gyeongbokgung, Saenggwabang, a royal kitchen where snacks and desserts for the royal family were prepared, visitors can take part in a traditional tea ceremony and enjoy de

Culture Nov. 2, 2021

The National Theater Company of Korea has opened an online theater, offering its performances to a wider public during the pandemic times. The state-run company said the online theater would be its fourth theater, following the Myeongdong Theater, Baek Seonghui & Jang Minho Theater and Theater Pan, allowing audiences to enjoy performances whenever and wherever. “The online theater is more than just a platform offering recorded performances. This is about providing new experiences

Performance Nov. 1, 2021

After a yearlong postponement, the Isang Yun Competition 2021, organized by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation, is underway with the first round of competitions taking place Monday. The annual competition, held in remembrance of the renowned Korea-born composer I-sang Yun (1917-1995), takes place at the coastal city of Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, alternating among three disciplines: cello, piano and violin. This year, the competition is held for the violin discipline, fol

Performance Oct. 31, 2021

Celebrated Korean soprano Sumi Jo is to hold recitals in Korea in December with the renowned Italian chamber ensemble I Musici. 　 Jo, 58, one of the most beloved sopranos in Korea and in the world, is to release a new album under the title “35/70” with the Rome-based chamber group in November to celebrate the 35th anniversary of her European operatic debut. The album also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Baroque music ensemble. The album, recorded in Rome in May

Performance Oct. 31, 2021

Pianist Paik Kun-woo spoke up on accusations made by terrestrial broadcaster MBC’s investigative journalism TV program “PD Note” and his wife’s siblings that he and his daughter Paik Jin-hee are not taking proper care of actor Yoon Jeong-hee, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Over the past several months, Yoon’s siblings have claimed that Paik and his daughter are not providing proper care for Yoon who suffers from severe Alzheimer’s dise

People Oct. 28, 2021

Youn Yuh-jung, who won the best supporting actress prize at the 93rd Academy Awards for her portrayal of a Korean grandmother in the US film “Minari” earlier this year, will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan on Thursday, in recognition of her contribution to the Korean film scene. The Eungwan Order will be given to legendary folk singer Lee Jang-hee, as well as the late film producer Lee Chun-yeon. Star TV screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung, actor Park In-hwan who starred

People Oct. 28, 2021

Violinist Chung Nu-rie, 16, came in second place at the 56th International Violin Competition Premio Paganini. According to the Korea National University of Arts on Wednesday, Chung won second prize at the latest Paganini Competition held in Genoa, Italy. He also won two other special prizes, including one for the youngest finalist and one for the best performance of a contemporary piece in the semifinal round. The competition, founded in 1954 and named after the legendary Italian violinist a

Performance Oct. 27, 2021

The city of Pohang, a major industrial city in North Gyeongsang Province best known for its steel plants, is launching a classical music festival. The Pohang Cultural Foundation said it will host the Music Festival Pohang 2021, the first edition of the classical music festival from Nov. 5 to 11 for seven days across the port city. “We initially planned to host the festival in 2020, but the plan was postponed for about a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the upcoming festival, th

Performance Oct. 25, 2021

The global content service provider under Apple, Apple TV+ is to begin service in Korea from Nov. 4, further heating up competition in the local streaming service market. Tech giant Apple announced Monday that it will begin service for Apple TV+, Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV app service in Korea starting in November, in partnership with local internet service provider SK Broadband. Apple TV+ is the only subscription streaming service that offers only original content, according to Apple. The

Television Oct. 25, 2021

Pianist Evgeny Kissin is to return to South Korea in November for a recital. On Wednesday, the Lotte Foundation for Arts announced that Kissin will perform at the Lotte Concert Hall in eastern Seoul on Nov. 22. The upcoming recital is part of the Russia-born pianist’s Asia tour, which also encompasses Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He will perform six recitals in Japan from Oct. 28 to Nov. 17 before coming to Korea. After the Seoul recital, he will travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan for more

Performance Oct. 23, 2021

Literary critic Lee O-young, an important figure in the Korean cultural scene, was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit Geumgwan on Friday, alongside artist Park Seo-bo. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selected 17 recipients of the cultural order, recognizing their contribution for the development of arts. Lee and Park recieved the Geumgwan Merit, the highest honor. Lee is a critic, writer and scholar who served as Korea’s first culture minister from 1990-91. He is curre

People Oct. 22, 2021

The Samilro Changgo Theater, which is managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, is to run a three-week program in November for drama creators under the theme “Meetings and Hospitality.” Founded in 1975, the Samilro Changgo Theater in central Seoul was the first private small theater in Korea. Since 2018, it has been managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture under the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The “Changgo Opening” project, which runs Nov. 5

Performance Oct. 22, 2021

Some of the metal type blocks found in Insa-dong, central Seoul in June have been confirmed to be Gapinja, the oldest extant metal types from the Joseon era, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Friday. The National Palace Museum of Korea is to hold a special exhibition, “Encounter With the Brilliant Scientific Technology of Joseon Dynasty,” from Nov. 3, showcasing the metal type blocks to the public for the first time. In June, the Sudo Research Institute of Cult

Culture Oct. 22, 2021

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk failed to win a trophy at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition. Lee, 21, who was one of 12 finalists, did not make the list of awardees announced by the Polish Chopin Institute on Thursday. The competition, held every five years, was postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than 500 pianists signed up for the competition and some 87 contenders made it to the main competition. Lee was the only Korean contender among the 12 finalists

Performance Oct. 21, 2021