The musical ”Chicago“ needs no introduction: from being the second-longest running show in Broadway history after “Phantom of the Opera,” to its six Tony Awards with its 1996 revival. The song and style feels as modern now as it did upon its unveiling, with its clever cynicism and winks at the audience standing out today as it did in 1975.The US production of the musical -- running in Seoul until July 23 -- seeks to capture the magic of the original show through Broadway casting and staff. Hoste

Perched at the top of Naksan is an old hillside community filled with steep stairways and narrow backstreets that are reminiscent of 1980s Korea. Known as Ihwa Mural Village, the mountainside village offers visitors fresh air, expansive views of the city, and most importantly, an array of colorful paintings and sculptures that are hidden behind every corner. The mural village, which is a 10-minute uphill walk from the bustling student district of Daehangno, has become one of the most frequented

Sunwoo Yekwon has won the top prize at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, marking the first time a South Korean pianist has won at the prestigious event.Sunwoo, a 28-year-old graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, was announced the gold medalist at the quadrennial event held at Fort Worth, Texas, from May 25 to June 10. He played a competition repertoire that included the Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81 and Rachmanioff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 to cap

In pitch-black darkness before dawn, a group of foreigners walk up the stone steps of Daewoongjeon, the main hall of Geumsunsa Buddhist temple. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)With shoes left at the door, they kneel on pillows and clasp hands. At the sound of a gong, they bow their foreheads to the floor, stand upright and then bow again. Only the crickets outside provide a dawn soundtrack. With that, another day at a Korean temple stay has begun. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)Here at Geumsunsa,

US-based Korean animator keeps her finger on the pulse of the fast-paced media industry with video art

Five plays written by playwrights of Korean descent will be staged at the National Theater Company of Korea in June and July, contemplating on the identity, family and other issues related to Korean diaspora.Korean Diaspora Session, which opened last Thursday and will continue until July 23, sets the focus on those who often feel alienated.“We were curious as to how the Korean diaspora is retaining their identity as Koreans, or how they are relinquishing it, and how they are changing. I felt tha

More Koreans opting to enjoy sports indoors, such as futsal, climbing and screen golf

The moment Mercutio makes an appearance as a drag queen, you know you are in for a different kind of treat. Director Oh Tae-suk’s interpretation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” takes on a completely new form; one of Korean traditional madanggeuk (outdoor play and performance) that combines humor and almost musical-like dance performances.Promotion images for “Romeo and Juliet” (National Theater Company of Korea)Staged to the sound of gugak -- traditional Korean music -- the scene ope

Behind the bustling Dongdaemun shopping district in Seoul lie streets teeming with life, a remote replica of the Silk Road in the modern and dynamic Korea. The streets are collectively called the Central Asian street, or the Mongolian street, or the Russian street, depending on whom one asks. Their equivocal names speak of the disparate identities that have left their traces, as well as the diverse industries that throng there.Underneath Cyrillic signboards, people tinker with tools of their tra

Pets have become an important part of our lives, welcoming us when we return home and showering us with affection at all times, happy or sad. 　To return the unfaltering love, many people turn to lavish things, buying high-end pet food, cool toys and equipment for their pets. But pets do not want material things. They need your time.A new campaign where owners can spend quality time with their pets is gaining traction in South Korea -- the D.Pet Party organized by D.Media & Company and sponsored

Tourism agencies feature programs with experts of traditional art

South Korean researchers have found remnants of an ancient cave formed around 10th century BC, which suggest Bronze Age people conducted a ritual with fire before burying their dead.Scientists from Yonsei University Museum uncovered a burial site in an ancient cave in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province, where they found bones of at least four people along with relics. The excavation was conducted under the authority of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Human bones recovered at a Bronze Age buri

Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market in five locations in metropolitan city offer a wealth of entertainment for nightly visitors

A Seoul-based cultural foundation has opened a photo and video contest about Korea, aimed at piquing interests among foreigners in the country and offering a chance for a dialogue on how to better promote the country abroad.The Corea Image Communications Institute (CICI), which is holding the contest until July 17, said on Tuesday foreigners living in Korea and Koreans who want to publicize what they think is the country's image can submit photos or videos with the themes of "true Korean identit