Latest news with #CJTowolTheater
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi reunite on stage for ‘Shakespeare in Love'
Six years after portraying a fluttering teenage couple in coming-of-age drama 'At Eighteen' experiencing their first love together, singer-actor Ong Seong-wu and Kim Hyang-gi have reunited — this time on stage, as they both make their theatrical debut in the Korean production of 'Shakespeare in Love.' The romantic comedy, adapted from the Oscar-winning 1998 film of the same title, opened Saturday at the CJ Towol Theater at the Seoul Arts Center. Ong, formerly of the since-disbanded boy band Wanna One, steps into the role of a young William Shakespeare in 16th-century London, struggling with writer's block until he meets Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman with a passion for theater. Their fictional romance inspires Shakespeare to pen "Romeo and Juliet," and the play unfolds as a witty, affectionate tribute to love, art and the making of one of history's greatest stories. At a press conference held Wednesday, Ong reflected on his reunion with Kim and their shared milestone. 'My first drama was with Hyang-gi, and now my first play is with her as well,' he said. 'Back then, I relied on her a lot, and I'm grateful that we're spending long hours together again in the rehearsal room.' Introducing himself as 'the youngest and cutest Will,' Ong described the appeal of his character: 'I think Will's charm lies in how unsure and uncertain he is. He's not perfect, and that vulnerability is something I relate to personally. I tend to overthink and worry, and I wanted to reflect that in how I portray him.' Kim echoed Ong's sentiments about the intensity of the preparation. 'I'm the youngest among the cast and new to theater, so I was really nervous,' she said with a laugh. 'But I kept telling myself, 'Only practice can save me,' and I spent as much time in the rehearsal room as I could.' Ong takes on the role of Shakespeare as part of a four-actor rotation, alongside Lee Kyoo-hyung, Son Woo-hyeon and Lee Sang-yi — actors who have moved fluidly across film, television and theater. Kim shares the role of Viola with two other actors: Lee Joo-young, known for 'Broker' and 'Itaewon Class,' and Park Ju-hyun from Netflix's 'Extracurricular.'
Korea Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
16th Korea Opera Festival to feature classics, originals and family works at Seoul Arts Center
Korea's leading celebration of opera returns this summer with the 16th edition of the Korea Opera Festival, featuring seven new and classic operas running from June 6 to July 13 across all three theaters of the Seoul Arts Center: the Opera House, CJ Towol Theater and Jayu Theater. Organized by the Korea Opera Companies Association, the annual event brings together seven private opera companies to stage a lineup that includes canonical masterpieces, newly created Korean operas and productions tailored for younger audiences, underscoring the festival's commitment to both artistic excellence and broader accessibility. The festival opens with "Carmen," a mainstay of the French Romantic repertoire, presented by Gloria Opera Company and directed by Yang Soo-hwa. Set against the backdrop of Spanish exoticism and filled with iconic arias such as "Habanera" and "Toreador Song," Bizet's "Carmen" will run June 6–8 at the Opera House. From June 13 to 15, Nuova Opera Company will stage Puccini's "La Boheme," which captures the spirit of 19th-century Paris through the bohemian lives and doomed love of young artists. Artistic director Kang Min-woo leads the production. BeSeTo Opera Company, under artistic director Kang Hwa-ja, follows in early July with Mozart's "Don Giovanni" to be performed from July 4–6. The opera buffa fuses comedy and darkness in the story of the legendary libertine whose escapades end in ruin, framed by Mozart's masterful blend of drama and satire. Closing the Opera House schedule is "Dosan," a Korean original by Korea Arts Group that dramatizes the life of independence activist Ahn Chang-ho. Running July 11–13, the opera turns the philosopher's ideals of education and enlightenment into a musical narrative, bridging Korean modern history and operatic form. At CJ Towol Theater, audiences can enjoy Rossini's beloved comedy "The Barber of Seville," presented by Noble Art Opera Company June 20–21. Directed by Shin Sun-seop, the production delivers all the charm, wit,and rapid-fire arias that make the opera a perennial favorite. The Jayu Theater serves as the stage for two family-friendly productions. "Miles and the Three Musketeers," an original work by The Muse Opera Company directed by Lee Jung-eun, plays June 28–29. Through animal characters preparing for a music audition, the opera explores themes of friendship and aspiration in a format suited for all ages. Opera Factory reimagines the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" as a children's opera, running July 5–6. Directed by Park Kyung-tae, the production uses a child's perspective to reframe familiar narratives and promote engagement with classical music among younger audiences. Launched in 2009, the Korea Opera Festival has grown into a key platform for private opera companies.
Korea Herald
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ballet Festival Korea welcomes season of connection and legacy
Following Johan Inger double bill, the festival continues with rich lineup of performances through May-June As late spring melts into early summer, Seoul once again turns to ballet to usher in the season with elegance and power. The 15th edition of Ballet Festival Korea kicked off on May 9, with a double bell from the newly established Seoul Metropolitan Ballet — "Walking Mad" and "Bliss" — by acclaimed Swedish choreographer Johan Inger, running through Sunday. This year's program under the theme of connection, brings together 12 dance companies for 26 performances and five accompanying events, ranging from artist talks to outreach programs. This edition also marks the first festival under the artistic direction of Kim Joo-won, a former principal ballerina with the Korean National Ballet and a 2006 recipient of the prestigious Benois de la Danse. Appointed last October as both director and artistic head of the festival committee, Kim shared her vision during a recent press conference at the Seoul Arts Center. 'This festival is an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of Korean ballet.' One of the festival's centerpiece events is "ConneXion" with Choi Tae-ji and Julia Moon at CJ Towol Theater in Seoul, May 28. The performance honors two trailblazers of Korean ballet -- former Korean National Ballet artistic director Choi and Universal Ballet director Moon -- and retraces their artistic legacies through tribute performances by KNB and Universal Ballet dancers. 'People used to call us rivals,' Choi said. 'But in truth, we were colleagues who shared our hopes and concerns for ballet. The growth of the Korean National Ballet was made possible in large part thanks to Universal Ballet's presence.' A highlight of this year's lineup is the participation of three regional companies. Following Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's opening, Gwangju City Ballet and Busan Opera House Ballet will also take the stage. Gwangju City Ballet, with a 49-year history, will present "Coppelia" on May 31 at the CJ Towol Theater. The romantic comedy ballet has been rechoreographed by artistic director Park Kyung-sook in previous stagings in 1997 and 2002. This marks the first full-length performance of "Coppelia" in Seoul in 30 years, since Universal Ballet's production in 1995. On June 4, Busan Opera House Ballet will present "Shining Wave," a contemporary piece choreographed by Park So-yeon and inspired by the sea and whales of Busan. Also at CJ Towol Theater, Ryu Hoi-woong's "Life of Ballerino: Dreamer" will be performed June 7-8, featuring male ballet dancers from Mnet's dance competition "Stage Fighter," including Kang Kyung-ho. The piece highlights the physicality and artistic journey of male dancers in a traditionally female-dominated field. From June 13 to 15, Universal Ballet returns with "The Love of Chunhyang," choreographed by artistic director Liu Bing-xian. Since its premiere in 2007, this ballet adaptation of the classic Korean folktale has become one of the company's signature works. Meanwhile, the small Jayu Theater will feature six emerging choreographers and companies selected through an open national call. These works will be presented in three double bills: Paik Yon Ballet Project Y's "The Path to Beauty 2.0" and Aham Art Project's "Waiting for Godot" on June 12-13, Dastanz' "123.45MHz" and Seo Gibum MuTanz Project's "The Room" on June 17-18, and finally Movement momm's "The Earth" and Project Cloud Nine's "Heart of the Wild" on June 21-22.
