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Korea's trendy traditional sounds beckon
From Oct. 15 to 25, ten gugak orchestras from across the nation will gather to showcase the full spectrum of Korean traditional music, from faithful renditions to bold contemporary reinterpretations. Marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s first traditional orchestra, which arranges traditional Korean instruments in the style of a Western symphony orchestra, this year’s festival will also spotlight composers as part of its effort to broaden gugak’s canon and its reach. “Following the globa
Sept. 22, 2025 -
After injury, Chung Kyung-wha returns to Carnegie with a trusted musical partner
In 1967, a 19-year-old Chung Kyung-wha stood on the stage of Carnegie Hall for the final of the Leventritt Competition, sharing first prize with Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman — a victory that launched her international career. Fifty years later, she marked the milestone — and her twentieth performance at Carnegie — in the same hall with Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas. On Nov. 7, the legendary Korean violinist returns once more, following years of recovery from injury. This time, she i
Sept. 21, 2025 -
Universal story and very Korean, 'Cherry Orchard' kicks off world tour on a high note
HONG KONG -- With two of Korea’s most celebrated actors, Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo, in the lead roles, the Korean production of “The Cherry Orchard” opened the Hong Kong Asia+ Festival 2025 to sold-out houses, successfully kicking off its international tour that will run through 2026. The play, which ran Sept. 19-21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s 1,700-seat Grand Theater, was the festival’s official opening program. Tickets for all three performances — more than 4,200 seats excluding res
Sept. 21, 2025 -
Chung Myung-whun, La Scala orchestra show their 36-year-old, love-forged chemistry
The Filarmonica della Scala, under the direction of its incoming music director Chung Myung-whun, captivated the audience Wednesday at the Seoul Arts Center with a performance that promised an exciting new era for the renowned orchestra. The concert marked their first performance together in Korea in 17 years and their first since Chung was officially appointed to a term that begins in 2027. The evening began with Verdi’s “La Forza Del Destino” Overture, a fitting opening for an orchestra that h
Sept. 18, 2025 -
Yulianna Avdeeva’s full-circle return to Chopin
When Yulianna Avdeeva won the Chopin Piano Competition in 2010, she became only the fourth woman ever to do so -- and the first in 45 years, since Martha Argerich’s legendary victory in 1965. In 2025, she returns to the competition in a new role, serving as one of 17 jury members for the 19th edition, scheduled Oct. 2 to 23. At her Seoul Arts Center recital on Sunday, the pianist will again highlight Chopin, performing the composer’s complete 24 Preludes, Op. 28, alongside selections from Shosta
Sept. 17, 2025 -
From teacher to student spanning three generations: Lim Yunchan, Sohn Minsoo and Byun Wha Kyung unite on stage
South Korean piano sensation Lim Yunchan, the youngest gold medalist of the Cliburn International Piano Competition, has often spoken about the profound influence of his teacher, Sohn Minsoo. Their artistic bond was on full display in July when the teacher and the student shared the stage for a compelling four-hands performance. Sohn, in turn, has frequently credited his mentors Russell Sherman and Byun Wha Kyung with shaping his artistry since he met them at the New England Conservatory at the
Sept. 15, 2025 -
Musicians of Korea and Hong Kong to join forces onstage
Three major concerts bringing together leading Hong Kong ensembles and prominent Korean musicians will mark Seoul’s cultural calendar in October. Part of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, the performances range from traditional Chinese orchestral works to contemporary Asian premieres and Romantic classics, placing music at the heart of the festival’s monthlong program. The series begins Oct. 11 at Lotte Concert Hall, when conductor Yan Huichang leads the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. The ensemble, renow
Sept. 11, 2025 -
Industry leaders push for dedicated promotion law amid Korean musical boom
“Is the definition of K-musicals really that important?” asked writer Park Chun-hue at the Korean Musical Forum in Seoul last week. Park, who won a Tony Award this year for "Maybe Happy Ending," co-written with Will Aronson, underscored his belief that authenticity, not labels, should define the future of Korean musicals. “The identity of K-musicals will be determined by the audience, not the creators,” he said. “For us, what matters most is delivering the work as it was intended, without distor
Sept. 9, 2025 -
'Book of the Dead' dances through afterlife
The National Dance Company of Korea will restage "Book of the Dead" (2024) from Sept. 17 to 20 at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. The production draws inspiration from the Tibetan Buddhist scripture "Bardo Thodol," commonly known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead," a spiritual guide for navigating the afterlife. Choreographed by the state dance company's artistic director Kim Jong-deok, "Book of the Dead" is Kim’s first work as artistic director since
Sept. 8, 2025 -
Sawasdee Seoul Festival 2025 marks Thai-Korean ties with culture and ceremony
Thailand’s biggest cultural showcase in South Korea wrapped up Sunday after drawing thousands of visitors to Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul, marking expanding cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries as the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025, held on Sept. 6 and 7, was hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul and supported by both Thai and Korean government partners. This year’s edition, held under the theme “Discover Thailand,” was
Sept. 8, 2025 -
Thai drama star Nanon on stage in Seoul: “We carry warmth into our stories”
Just minutes after stepping off stage at Cheonggye Plaza, Thai actor and singer Korapat “Nanon” Kirdpan met with The Korea Herald during the opening day of the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025 on Saturday, his voice still warm with adrenaline from a performance that pulled one of the day’s largest crowds. The rain had been steady throughout the day, but the energy in the plaza remained high. Despite the weather, crowds lined the area from early morning, with many fans waiting under umbrellas or
Sept. 7, 2025 -
Thai traditions and T-pop energy share the spotlight at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul
Rain swept through central Seoul on Saturday, but it didn’t stop the crowds from showing up early, and staying late, for one of the capital’s liveliest cultural weekends in recent months. The Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025, held at Cheonggye Plaza, returned for its 10th anniversary with a program that blended tradition, pop music and community pride. According to organizers at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, thousands of visitors attended on the first day alone, despite periods of heavy rain
Sept. 7, 2025 -
Seoul International Dance Festival returns with bold social themes
The 28th Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance) will take place from Sept. 10 to 28 across major venues in the city, including Namsan Gugakdang, Eunpyeong Culture & Arts Center and Daehakro Arts Theater. Founded in 1996 and organized by the Seoul section of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, SIDance has grown into one of Korea’s leading privately organized dance festivals, alongside the Changmu International Performing Arts Festival. This year’s edition will feature 38 works from
Sept. 5, 2025 -
'Mrs. Doubtfire' musical returns, armed with powerful cast
The “Mrs. Doubtfire” musical, based on the 1993 hit movie of the same title, will return with its second Korean production. With the musical, Hwang Jung-min, a household name both on screen and stage, will be making his return to the musical stage after a decade. Hwang will join two seasoned musical stage actors — Jung Sung-hwa and Jung Sang-hoon — to portray Daniel Hillard, a struggling, out-of-work voice actor, who is also a devoted father. Hwang told reporters during a press conference on Tue
Sept. 2, 2025 -
Andersson Bell opens Seoul Fashion Week with show on historic Deoksugung-gil
The 2026 Spring/Summer Seoul Fashion Week opened Monday evening with an outdoor runway show by Seoul-based fashion label Andersson Bell on Deoksugung-gil in central Seoul. It marked the first time an independent label staged an opening runway show outside Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the iconic main venue of Seoul Fashion Week. The fashion week organizer, Seoul City, said the decision aimed to “maximize Seoul Fashion Week’s unique strengths by showcasing original K-fashion infused with youth, energy
Sept. 2, 2025