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Yang Sung-won reflects on 50 years with cello
Unlike many musicians who celebrate the anniversary of their public debut, South Korean cellist Yang Sung-won is marking something more personal: 50 years since a life-altering performance inspired a 7-year-old to trade the piano for the cello. That moment dates back to March 10, 1975, when Hungarian American cellist Janos Starker gave a performance in Seoul — one that would set the course of Yang’s life. Years later, he became not only his student, but also his assistant, entrusted to teach in
April 16, 2025 -
KNUA Symphony Orchestra to perform at Abu Dhabi Festival
The Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the Middle East’s most prominent performing arts events, according to the country's top art school, also known as K-Arts, Wednesday. The orchestra, composed of students from the university’s School of Music will participate in two concerts: a standalone performance Friday and a collaborative gala Sunday, featuring conductor Toufic Maatouk, tenor Javier Camarena and soprano
April 16, 2025 -
After US, Korean content most watched on Netflix: report
South Korean content is the second-most watched content on Netflix, trailing only behind United States titles. According to a new report released Tuesday by the London-based analytics firm Ampere Analysis, Korean content has consistently made up 8 to 9 percent of global viewing hours on the platform since 2023 -- ranking second only to American content, which leads with 50 to 60 percent. UK content followed in third place, making up 7 to 8 percent of total viewing, while Japanese titles captured
April 16, 2025 -
ArtToken to join upcoming Art Dubai 2025
Art Token, an online non fungible token art trading platform, will join Art Dubai 2025, scheduled to take place Friday to Sunday. The trading platform will introduce four Asian artists based in Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo to the digital section of the art fair. Among the artists is Genesis Kai, a chiral twin and AI-infused alter ego created by Ming Shiu, who will show a meditative digital installation inspired by Korea’s traditional moon jar. Painter Oh Ji-yoon, whose works feature layers of "han
April 15, 2025 -
Family-friendly concert presents magical adventure where kids meet traditional Korean instruments
In the enchanted “Forest of Instrument Trees,” a vibrant scene comes to life. As haegeum and piri musicians perform with flair, their puppet counterparts proudly mimic their movements. Yet, off to the side, the daegeum murmurs in low spirits, “Unlike other instruments, I’m hollow inside, so I can’t play a big role." But the young hero Seonyul intervenes. “Because you’re hollow, there’s room for the sound to travel. Song carves a path through the heart." Encouraged, the daegeum steps forward with
April 15, 2025 -
Step into 100 years of Disney magic
Walt Disney Archives will be opening its vault of treasures through a special docent program to share stories about the animation powerhouse's 100-year history on the sidelines of "Disney 100: The Exhibition" at the K Museum of Contemporary Art in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. The special program, led by Walt Disney Archives' Exhibitions Creative Lead Kelsey Williams, runs daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. from April 29 to May 1. Each session lasts around an hour and a half and will be limited to 20 peo
April 15, 2025 -
First Korean lesbian dating reality show to stream on Wavve
South Korea’s first dating reality show featuring exclusively lesbian participants is set to premiere later this month. Korean streaming platform Wavve announced it will exclusively launch a new reality dating series,“ToGetHer,” on April 25, releasing the show's teaser on YouTube. The teaser has English subtitles for global audiences. “ToGetHer" follows participants searching for romantic connections through various activities, such as going on dates and writing letters to one another, while liv
April 15, 2025 -
Ahn Eun-me unveils bold interpretation of Asia with ‘Post-Orientalist Express’
Choreographer Ahn Eun-me, long celebrated as a one-of-a-kind force in Korean contemporary dance, will premiere her latest production, "Post-Orientalist Express," at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' M Theater on May 2-4. A vibrant culmination of her yearslong exploration of Asian identities, "Post-Orientalist Express" marks the final chapter in Ahn’s ambitious “Asia Project,” which began in 2018. The 62-year-old choreographer, whose flamboyant style and boundary-pushing vision have defi
April 15, 2025 -
Roberto Abbado appointed next artistic director of National Symphony Orchestra
Italian maestro Roberto Abbado, who has captivated Korean audiences through two previous collaborations with the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, will officially assume the role of KNSO artistic director starting January 2026, the orchestra announced Tuesday. He will succeed Belgian conductor David Reiland, who has held the post since 2020. Abbado, 70, was appointed for a three-year term as the orchestra’s eighth artistic director. He previously led the KNSO in Bellini’s “Norma” in 2023, whic
April 15, 2025 -
DMZ Docs, Seoul Art Cinema to present 1960s-70s docu retrospective
The DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (DMZ Docs) announced Tuesday it is teaming up with Seoul Art Cinema to present "Museum of Reality: Innovations in Documentary of the 1960s-70s," a special screening series running Friday to May 4. Held on weekends at Seoul Art Cinema in Jung-gu, Seoul, the three-week program will feature 10 feature-length documentaries rooted in direct cinema and cinema verite — landmark movements that helped reshape the genre through their emphasis on spontaneity
April 15, 2025 -
Singapore’s leading dance company blurs borders, boundaries with ‘Infinitely Closer’ in Seoul
As Singapore and South Korea mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Arts Council has turned to the arts to underscore the two countries' enduring ties. On April 24, Singapore’s leading contemporary dance company, T.H.E Dance Company, will bring its groundbreaking production “Infinitely Closer” to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, offering a
April 14, 2025 -
Qatar Philharmonic makes resonant Korea debut with cultural fusion
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra made its long-anticipated Korean debut over the weekend with two performances in Goyang and Seoul, meeting Korean audiences for the first time since its founding in 2008. On Sunday evening, the orchestra -- comprising 96 musicians from more than 30 countries -- took the stage at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater. Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Korea, the concert was attended by notable gu
April 14, 2025 -
Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival celebrates 20 years of resilience, growth
This spring marks the 20th anniversary of the Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival, known as the SSF, a milestone that reflects not only the event’s resilience despite challenges but its quiet influence on Korea’s chamber music scene. Founded in 2006 by renowned violinist Kang Dong-suk with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the SSF emerged in a musical landscape that lacked long-term, stable platforms for chamber music. Two decades later, it remains Korea’s only enduring chamber mus
April 14, 2025 -
Noncompetitive, low-stress games take center stage for Korean gamers
Shifting away from the battle-heavy titles, games focused on personal growth, emotional healing and everyday life simulation are emerging as the latest trend among gamers in South Korea. At the forefront of this trend is Nexon’s Mabinogi Mobile, which launched March 27. The game is rapidly gaining traction as a standout title in the Korean gaming scene, attracting nearly 400,000 daily active users during its launch week. The number makes the game the most-played mobile massively multiplayer onli
April 14, 2025 -
Two Korean sites named UNESCO Global Geoparks
Danyang-gun in North Chungcheong Province and the east coast of North Gyeongsang Province have been added to UNESO’s list of Global Geoparks, a designation given for their geological heritage of international significance. The entire county of Danyang-gun will now be protected, including its 43 scenic areas of geological importance such as Dodamsambong, a peak comprising three rock pillars on the Namhan River. Valleys, caves, cliffs and rocks make up the rest of the scenic sites, according to th
April 14, 2025