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Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul's weekend visual feast
K-pop star's homewears, Chagall's dreams and vintage treasures From a K-pop idol's whimsical showroom to a rare Chagall retrospective and Korea's biggest secondhand furniture market, here's where to indulge your visual senses. Inside the whimsical world of K-pop's creative visionary What happens when K-pop's most eccentric artist opens a homeware shop? Welcome to Say Touche, the brainchild of AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk. The singer-songwriter who once shaved his head mid-performance on live TV has channeled his offbeat creative vision into a different medium. Last year, he teamed up with photographer Lim Jae-lin to launch this showroom tucked away in Itaewon's quiet streets, its green signage beckoning the curious. Step inside and you're transported into what feels like an artist's actual home — if that artist possessed both refined taste and delightful whimsy. Each room displays living objects that toe the line between functional and fantastical. A retro TV doubles as an incense holder. Mathematical equations replace numbers on wall clocks. Whiskey bottles morph into table lamps. Even mirrors get the signature twist, framed to resemble FaceTime screens mid-call. The showstopper? Those lush Persian-style rugs with delightfully twisted takes. One features psychedelic patterns that contort into heart-like shapes. Another bears muddy footprints across its pristine surface. It's classic elegance hijacked by playful irreverence — true to the spirit of its creators. For those smitten by the quirky aesthetic, items are available for purchase both in-store and online, with worldwide shipping offered. Open noon to 7 p.m., closed on Mondays. Say Touche 53, Noksapyeong-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Marc Chagall's dreamlike imagery in Seoul The exhibition 'Marc Chagall: Beyond Time' at Hangaram Art Museum, located at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, brings together 170 works by Marc Chagall through Sept. 21. Chagall's major solo exhibition has returned to Seoul after seven years with works loaned from public and private collections around the world, according to the museum. His pieces combine features of surrealism, cubism and expressionism, earning the Russian-born French artist the nickname 'the magician of color.' The works on view through seven thematic sections include an immersive space that reimagines Chagall's architectural projects through media art such as the ceiling painting of the Palais Garnier in Paris and the twelve stained glass windows of the Hadassah Medical Center in Israel. The artist's iconic paintings 'Le Coq Violet' and 'La mariee au-dessus de Paris' are part of the exhibition. Hangaram Art Museum 2406 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho District, Seoul Apartmentfull Market, a vintage treasure trove For design lovers and furniture hunters alike, a trip to Apartmentfull Market is not just a shopping outing. It's a weekend experience worth the drive. Located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, this sprawling 1,000-pyeong (approximately 3,250-square-meter) space operates out of a massive two-story warehouse. But it's far more than a traditional furniture store. Apartmentfull Market functions as a dynamic hub where vintage and pre-owned furniture are not only displayed and sold, but also repaired and restored in real time. The showroom holds over 1,500 pieces, ranging from high-end, rare vintage finds to more accessible and practical secondhand items. What sets this place apart is its curatorial approach. Furniture isn't grouped by type, but styled harmoniously to evoke a lived-in, design-forward atmosphere. Each item includes simple tags noting price and details, so visitors can browse comfortably without needing to ask for assistance. A key feature of Apartmentfull Market is its open restoration studio, where visitors can witness furniture being cleaned, repaired and photographed. The venue also offers consignment services for those looking to pass on beloved items. Because new pieces arrive daily, it's wise to check the online inventory beforehand. Reservations are required and can be made via Naver. moonkihoon@ yunapark@ yoohong@
Korea Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Legends convene: Esa-Pekka Salonen, Krystian Zimerman, New York Philharmonic return to Seoul
NY Phil in Seoul after 11 years and Zimerman at the Arts Center after 22 years After 11 years, the New York Philharmonic returns to Seoul. And after 22 years, pianist Krystian Zimerman finally steps back onto the stage of the Seoul Arts Center. These two long-awaited returns will be joined by Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, making for one of the most anticipated events in Korea's classical music calendar this year. From June 26 to 28, audiences will witness performances that span from Beethoven's transcendence to Berlioz's hallucinatory vision, as these musical giants gather for a rare collaboration. Founded in 1842 and shaped by towering figures like Mahler and Bernstein, the New York Philharmonic now enters a new era under incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel, set to take the helm in 2026. In the meantime, the ensemble is led on this tour by Finnish conductor-composer Salonen, renowned for his architectural precision and intellectual clarity. The orchestra is not only a familiar name among classical music fans, but also a symbol of cultural diplomacy, having made international headlines in 2008 with its historic performance in Pyongyang, North Korea. Adding to the rarity is the return of Zimerman, widely regarded as one of the greatest living pianists. Known for his perfectionism, Zimerman last performed at the Seoul Arts Center in 2003 in his Korea debut recital and since then has limited his Seoul appearances to Lotte Concert Hall. His reunion with the New York Philharmonic, nearly 30 years after their last collaboration in 1996, is all the more symbolic given Zimerman's 2009 protest against US military policy, after which he vowed not to perform in the US -- a pledge he has upheld. The June 27 program opens with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring Zimerman at the keyboard, followed by Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica.' The following evening shifts toward the French Impressionists and Romantics, as Salonen leads the orchestra through Ravel's "Mother Goose" suite, Debussy's 'La Mer' and Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique.' Art Center Incheon will host the same Beethoven program on June 26. Tickets range from 100,000 won ($72.55) to 530,000 won for June 27 and from 90,000 to 480,000 won for June 26 and 28.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'The Rising World' - a message-driven opera that wades through cloudy narrative
While not perfect, 'The Rising World' marks a bold and promising step for the Seoul Arts Center. "Tick, tick, tick, tick ..." A chorus encircles a giant ticking clock as they chant. Inside is a figure -- an artisan who sacrifices herself to restore order. Her act saves the princess and many others from a world submerged by water. What follows, the scene shows, is left to those who remain. One might read this as an allegory -- a warning about climate change, or a meditation on the power of unconditional sacrifice. In its first-ever original opera production, the Seoul Arts Center on Sunday premiered 'The Rising World,' composed by Mary Finsterer with a libretto by Tom Wright. While the music -- performed by the cast and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Steven Osgood -- was solidly executed, the narrative's arrival at that core message required the audience to wade through water -- slow and murky. The new opera presents a female-driven drama performed by top singers, soprano Hwang Soo-mi and mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, set in an imaginative world that suffers from rising water after the princess becomes possessed by a water spirit. It offers no explanation of why the princess is possessed. That lack of exposition might have been forgivable -- even compelling -- had the narrative flowed with greater emotional momentum. A dramatic scene in which court advisers argue over how to handle the princess' possession stretches on without a dramatic payoff. One wonders if, with tonal variation -- even humor -- this segment could have landed more effectively. Musically, the score feels accessible and at times gently textured. Fluidity runs through the opera, echoing the motif of water throughout its orchestration, but it falls short of a powerful moment of catharsis. Visually, the aesthetic of the set and costumes evokes Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" -- a world defined by slate grays and deep blues. The stage is minimal yet symbolic, evoking ancient ruins. With this work, the Seoul Arts Center signals its ambition to reach global audiences through an English-language opera, backed by an international creative team -- including director Stephen Carr, who ensured that the production also incorporated culturally resonant elements for Korean audiences, such as traditional jars, the melancholic twang of the geomungo, and chants delivered in Korean. "The Rising World" will be presented two more times on May 29 and 31. gypark@
Korea Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Arts Center premieres new opera 'The Rising World,' blending myth, invention and global vision
In its first venture into producing an original opera, the Seoul Arts Center has partnered with an international creative team — and chosen English as the language of performance. 'The Rising World: The Spirit of Water,' set to premiere in May, draws inspiration from Korea's historical water clock and the country's rich folklore surrounding water spirits. According to the creative team, the opera is not an adaptation of an existing tale, but a newly imagined story that weaves Korean cultural motifs into a universal dramatic framework. Composer Mary Finsterer, known for her work across opera, film and orchestral music, described the piece as one of her most personal works to date. 'The story isn't rooted in a specific culture,' she explained. 'But Korean elements like the water clock and water spirit helped shape a world that speaks to all audiences.' Finsterer also incorporated Korean traditional instruments and sound textures into the score, including a geomungo cadenza performed live on stage. The geomungo is a traditional Korean plucked zither known for its deep, resonant timbre. Musically, 'The Rising World' emphasizes fluidity, echoing the motif of water throughout its orchestration, the composer explained. Finsterer said it blends conventional and electroacoustic elements, including the rare waterphone instrument, to evoke the elemental force of water. 'Every single note she writes — whether it's note length, rhythm, pitch, or phrasing — tells something very specific about what a character is feeling,' said conductor Steven Osgood, a veteran of more than thirty opera world premieres. Osgood is set to lead the Korean National Symphony Orchestra at the premiere. The opera centers on two female protagonists — a princess and an inventor — who drive the narrative as they confront environmental catastrophe and the corrupting force of power. Soprano Hwang Su-mi and mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, who portray the lead roles, emphasized that while the opera highlights gender dynamics, its core message lies in the intergenerational transmission of wisdom and responsibility. 'This isn't just a story about two women,' Hwang noted. 'It's about how the younger generation rises to inherit and reshape the future.' 'There is no love story. Instead, it explores themes like the environment, power dynamics between the monarchy and the people, and offers reflections on Korea's current social context,' Hwang added. The cast also includes tenor Robin Tritschler, a seasoned performer with credits at Covent Garden's Royal Opera House and the Salzburg Festival, who plays the apprentice, and bass-baritone Ashley Riches, a globally acclaimed recitalist, in the role of the king. Countertenor Jung Min-ho, an early music specialist active in both Korea and Europe, takes on the role of the Spirit of Water, bringing an ethereal, otherworldly quality to the production. 'The Rising World' project dates back to 2022, when the Seoul Arts Center announced a renewed commitment to opera by strengthening its in-house productions. That initiative has included collaborations with the Royal Opera House on 'Norma' and 'Otello,' and now culminates in the world premiere of an entirely original work. 'We wanted to do more than just import foreign productions,' said Suh Kou-nee, general director of artistic planning and operations at SAC. 'This time, we aimed to create an opera that resonates globally while still reflecting a distinctly Korean identity.' Explaining the decision to stage the opera in English, Suh emphasized that it was not about prioritizing international markets, but rather about adopting a language that could reach the widest possible audience while still honoring Korean themes. 'After Korean, the most familiar language here is English,' she said. 'This is a Korean production told in a global voice.' With international staging in mind, SAC has begun negotiations with opera houses in Asia and Europe for performances in the 2027-28 seasons and established a partnership with Schott Music, the prestigious German publisher known for releasing first editions of 'Don Giovanni,' 'The Ring Cycle' and more recently, works by Stravinsky. 'The Rising World: The Spirit of Water' will have its world premiere at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House on May 25, with additional performances scheduled for May 29 and 30.
Korea Herald
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
April in Seoul a time for classical music
Two leading spring festivals -- Orchestra Festival and Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music -- shine in the capital Classical music takes center stage in Seoul this month with two standout festivals: the Seoul Arts Center's Orchestra Festival and the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music. The Orchestra Festival brings together 18 symphony orchestras from across the country in one place while the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music celebrates its 20th anniversary. Seoul Arts Center's Orchestra Festival The Seoul Arts Center's Orchestra Festival, now in its 37th year, offers a rare opportunity to enjoy performances by 18 orchestras from around the country without ever leaving the capital. The 2025 edition, themed "The New Beginning," runs April 1 to April 20 at the Seoul Arts Center, featuring performances by leading Korean ensembles including the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Philharmonic Orchestra and Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra. This year's festival highlights a new generation of conductors such as David Yi (Gangnam Symphony Orchestra), Yoon Han-kyeol (Korean National Symphony Orchestra), Hong Seok-won (Busan Philharmonic Orchestra), Kim Sun-wook (Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra) and Adrien Perruchon (Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra) and more and showcases a diverse repertoire that bridges classical traditions with contemporary works. The festival also hosts the Orchestra Festival Master Class in collaboration with the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, providing educational opportunities for young musicians. To reach a broader audience, the Seoul Arts Center offers free live streaming of all performances through its digital stage platform. Live broadcasts will also be available at the outdoor plaza of the Seoul Arts Center and the plaza of Busan Cinema Center, allowing audiences to enjoy the Orchestra Festival from anywhere. Ticket prices range from 20,000 won ($13.50) to 50,000 won. Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music will continue the celebration of classical music April 22 to May 4. Under the theme "20 Candles," symbolizing two decades of devotion to chamber music, the festival will feature 14 performances at various venues including the Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the historic residence of former President Yun Po-sun. Over the course of 13 days, 69 artists active on the global stage are preparing to stage 14 performances. Artistic Director Kang Dong-suk, the renowned violinist who has led the festival since its inception, has curated performances that emphasize the number 20, such as a recital with 20 musicians and concerts featuring Opus 20 compositions. On April 27, "Opus 20" will feature Beethoven's Septet in E-flat Major, Brahms' 3 Duets for Soprano, Alto and Piano and Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat Major. Also to celebrate the festival's 20th anniversary, the family concert on April 26 will feature the return of the French clarinet ensemble Les Bons Becs, who last performed in Korea in 2008 and 2010. 'Sweet 20s" on May 3 will feature compositions that were written when the composers were in their 20s and many performers performing this day are also in their 20s. The festival's signature outdoor concert, which is to take place at former President Yun Po-sun's house, on April 26, will feature works inspired by spirituality and religion, featuring music by Florence Price, Andre Jolivet, Dvorak and Mendelssohn. A concert titled "All-Time Favorites" April 29 will present a collection of the most beloved and frequently programmed works from the festial's 20-year history. "Better Late than Never" on May 1 will spotlight masterworks which have never been performed at SSF before -- despite deserving a place long ago. All performances are priced between 20,000 won and 70,000 won, with the exception of the Yun Po-sun's House concert, which is priced at 150,000 won.
