Youn Kwang-chul, a renowned South Korean bass opera singer who has performed on the world's major opera stages, has recently released an album dedicated to gagok, or Korean art songs. “I debuted in Europe almost 30 years ago and for those 30 years overseas, I made a tremendous effort to live alongside their works, music and culture, interpreting them and making efforts to inspire them with their music. At the same time, however, there have been moments of confusion about my own identi

Culture Nov. 9, 2023

Last week, pianist Sohn Min-soo took the stage with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 at the opening concert of Music Festival Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province. On Oct. 27, Sohn, the artist of the year of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, performed Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra in Busan. In 2017, Sohn began performing and recording Beethoven's complete piano sonatas, a project that would take five years to complete. In 2022, he offered the

Performance Nov. 8, 2023

POHANG, North Gyeongsang Province -- When the Music Festival Pohang was launched in 2020, the timing could not have been worse. The world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the majority of music festivals -- both old and new -- were canceled. The music festival, which aims to promote classical music, continues to stand strong as it returns for its third year, taking place in the port city known for its steel industry. The festival's opening concert took place Friday evening at the Pohang

Culture Nov. 6, 2023

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- A weeklong competition for young pianists ended in Tongyeong Saturday evening with five winners. At Isangyun Competition 2023, Chung Kyu-bin was announced the first prize winner, beating four other finalists who each performed a piano concerto with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra led by conductor Samuel Lee. Chung received 30 million won ($23,000) in prize money. Chung was the second to perform and grace the stage with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.

Culture Nov. 5, 2023

During the second week of November, Seoul will be the stage for three of the world's top orchestras, offering classical music enthusiasts a splendid treat. In addition to the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Vienna Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, returning after six years, will grace the stage at Lotte Concert Hall on Nov. 11 with a repertoire of Beethoven, Liszt and Tchaikovsky. The orchestra will perform Beethoven's Overture "Leonore" and Liszt’s Piano

Culture Nov. 4, 2023

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and piano sensation Lim Yun-chan will take the stage together in January, according to MOC Productionon on Thursday. The SPO, under the new music director Jaap van Zweden, will kick off its new season in January next year. The collaboration with Lim will take place Jan. 25 at the Seoul Arts Center and Jan. 26 at the Lotte Concert Hall as part of the SPO's regular concert. Before the January concerts, Lim, who won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Pia

Performance Nov. 2, 2023

When Ji-won Yeo took to the stage in the title role for Bellini's opera "Norma" on Oct. 26, she might have been nervous. After all, despite performing just about every major role possible overseas, it was the 43-year-old's first lead role in her motherland. But the South Korean soprano, better known overseas as Vittoria Yeo, proved why she has been only taking main roles since her debut despite some doubts earlier in her career. When she decided to go study abroad in 2005,

Culture Oct. 31, 2023

Yu In-chon, the new minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called for a wide-ranging revamp of the ministry’s support programs for artists and the role of its affiliates. “The environment has changed so much that you can take it to mean building the government support from scratch," Yu said on his planned changes during a press conference Monday at the Modu Art Theater in Seoul, the country’s first disability arts performance venue. "I want the programs to be effe

Culture Oct. 30, 2023

The "Selected Works of Korean Buddhism" collection is displayed at Daewoongjeon Hall at the Buddhist temple of Jogyesa in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Oct. 27. The Educational Institute of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, held a ceremony to celebrate the publication of 10 volumes of selected Korean Buddhist scriptures, representing Korean Buddhism from the Unified Silla Kingdom to the modern era. The English translation of the collection took six ye

Culture Oct. 27, 2023

The remake of the musical "Sister Act, which is getting ready for its world premiere on Nov. 4 in Busan, caused a buzz when it showcased its diverse cast at an open rehearsal at Dongseo University in the southern port city on Wednesday. The production house behind the musical is South Korea's EMK Musical Company, known for its success in turning international productions into popular musicals here. "Sister Act" is a blend of Korean and American talent, including cast members

Performance Oct. 27, 2023

Savor traditional Korean desserts at Korea House The Korea House, affiliated with the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, is offering a chance to savor traditional Korean confectionaries sold under its dessert brand Kohojae. The Korea House has prepared the "Autumn Dessert Course," which comprises a variety of traditional Korean desserts and beverages such as rice cake, candied fruits and teas. The Autumn Dessert Course includes a sweet rice honey cookie, or yakgwa, cinnamon punch with

Culture Oct. 27, 2023

In June 2021, South Korean baritone Kim Gi-hoon, who hails from the remote town of Gokseong, South Jeolla Province, made his name known to the world when he won the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition held in the UK. Such prestigious competition was not something new to him. In 2019, he received not one, but two second prizes from the International Tchaikovsky Competition and Placido Domingo's Operalia. Great opportunities ensued following the wins, but then came the pandemic that c

Performance Oct. 25, 2023

Semyon Bychkov, chief conductor and artistic director of the Czech Philharmonic, who made his Korean debut on Tuesday, condemned Hamas' recent attack on Israel as an act of terrorism, breaking his silence on the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, during a press meeting in Seoul on Monday, "I have stayed silent since that war started. Why my silence? Because it is very different from the one between the aggression of Russia against Ukraine," said Bychkov, who was born in Soviet Russia

Culture Oct. 24, 2023

ULLEUNGDO, North Gyeongsang Province -- On Oct. 19, more than 100 eager individuals embarked on a journey, hoping to set their feet on the Dokdo islets, South Korea's easternmost outpost, just days before Dokdo Day on Oct. 25. The sense of anticipation and yearning to reach the remote and symbolic islets was palpable. For many, this opportunity to visit Dokdo was a rare and cherished one, and the journey itself was a testament to their determination. One of the groups on that boat, guided b

Culture Oct. 24, 2023

The Hic Et Nunc! music festival, which strives to focus on subtly changing trends in the classical music world, is set for its sixth edition next month. From Nov. 9-22, Hic Et Nunc!, a Latin phrase that means "here and now," will present six main programs with its organizer Sejong Soloists, featuring emerging Korean musicians as well as acclaimed international musicians like tenor Ian Bostridge and saxophonist Steven banks. Presenting the festival's goal of nonconformity and bound

Culture Oct. 22, 2023