The Korea Herald

Russia cracks down on swearing in arts, media

May 7, 2014

MOSCOW (AFP) ― Russia’s media watchdog vowed to crack down on swearing on Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin signed a wide-reaching law banning the use of obscenities in films, theater and mass media.Putin on Monday signed legislation that bans outright the use of swear words in films, stage performances and media, prompting a storm of criticism from leading arts figures who called the law unworkable and overly draconian.The language law comes as part of a broader crackdown on independent me
[Weekender] A singular vision realized

May 2, 2014

For stone collector Paek Un-chol, Jeju Stone Park is a 20-year labor of love
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May 2, 2014

Pop Music“Hyundai Culture Project 14 John Mayer”: The multiple Grammy Award-winning American singer John Mayer will be putting on his first concert in Korea since his musical debut more than 10 years ago. Mayer made his official debut in 2001 with his first album “Room for Squares” that featured a number of hit singles including “No Such Thing,” “Why Georgia” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” which snagged Mayer his first Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2003. The upcoming conc
[Uniquely Korean] Cash the ultimate gift for Koreans

Apr 30, 2014

Thirty-year-old web designer Kim Jung-wan recently gave 300,000 won ($290) to her close friend for her wedding.“I would normally give about 50,000 won at most weddings, but she is a dear childhood friend of mine, which is why I decided to shell out some more,” said Kim.Giving gifts for special occasions is a universal practice. In Korea, giving money is not considered any more unusual than buying someone household items or a nice bottle of wine. It is perceived that the fatter the envelope is, t
Superhero window washers give young hospital patients a lift

Apr 30, 2014

CHICAGO ― The nurses on the 20th floor were the first to see them. “Oh my goodness,” declared Colleen Forrester, 29, a nurse dressed in green scrubs, who pointed to the windows. Other nurses came to look and laughed. Were the children strong enough to come see?Soon, parents and nurses were leading kids out of their rooms. The children were small and frail-looking. Most were undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious disorders.But on this cold April morning, they had a precious moment of d
Fortress likely to get UNESCO listing

Apr 29, 2014

A mountain fortress southeast of Seoul is highly likely to make it onto UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites, the government said Tuesday. An experts’ panel under the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that deliberates on new additions to the list has recommended Namhansanseong Fortress for inscription in its recent report, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. A final decision is due in June when the committee meets in Qatar, but it seldom overturns recommendations from the Internati
[Herald Review] KNO’s ‘La Traviata’ brilliantly produced, vividly sung

Apr 28, 2014

The Korea National Opera’s latest performance of “La Traviata” on Sunday has raised the local standards of Giuseppe Verdi’s most beloved opera by every measure, with impressive singing and acting by the lead characters, sumptuous sets and sublime music. Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury was convincing as Violetta Valery, the sick Parisian courtesan who finds her true love, Alfredo, just as her life draws to a close. Although her coloratura in the first act wasn’t so impressive, she gave a vivid a
Diggers find Atari’s E.T. games in landfill

Apr 27, 2014

ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico (AP) ― A decades-old urban legend was put to rest Saturday when workers for a documentary film production company recovered “E.T.” Atari game cartridges from a heap of garbage buried deep in the New Mexico desert.The “Atari grave” was, until that moment, a highly debated tale among gaming enthusiasts and other self-described geeks for 30 years. The story claimed that in its death throes, the video game company sent about a dozen truckloads of cartridges of what many call t
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Apr 25, 2014

Classical musicJordi Savall and Hesperion XXI: Early-music heavyweight Jordi Savall will bring his Hesperion XXI ensemble to Korea for a concert titled “Orient & Occident.” He will play music composed in the Mediterranean area from the 13th to 18th centuries as part of his efforts to bridge the gap between the Islamic Arab region and Christian Europe through music. The Hesperion XXI, an ensemble Savall put together, will feature three players of traditional Arab instruments. Savall himself will
London looks to give voice to muted buskers

Apr 23, 2014

LONDON (AFP) ― Concerned that London’s seasoned street musicians are being silenced by excessive regulation, mayor Boris Johnson is leading calls for the buskers’ voices, and guitars, to be heard again.Camden Town in north London, with its punks and a main street bristling with “alternative” shops, has long been a favored destination for young visitors. But several months ago, buskers were ordered to silence their instruments by 9 p.m.Some fear that in bowing to the residents’ complaints about n
Domestic operas to highlight festival

Apr 22, 2014

Korea Opera Festival also presents works by Puccini, Strauss, Saint-Saens
Leica celebrates 100 years with vintage exhibition and auction

Apr 21, 2014

Monochrome gelatin and vintage silver prints of subjects ranging from completely random strangers to some of the world’s most influential politicians were on display at the Coex Convention Center last week to celebrate 100 years of Leica photography. The exhibition was held from April 17-20 and featured some of the German camera company’s most prized possessions, including 50 vintage cameras and 50 iconic Leica photographs. The event featured an array of vivid, artistic photographs of icons like
Novel set in a country stranger than fiction

Apr 18, 2014

Pulitzer winner Adam Johnson seeks to give voice to North Koreans
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Apr 18, 2014

Classical musicZurich Tonhalle Orchestra: One of the two most prominent orchestras in Switzerland, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra will hold its first performance in Korea on April 21 at Seoul Arts Center. David Zinman, its principal conductor since 1995, will take the baton, while famed violinist Gidon Kremer will join as soloist. The concert will open with two works by Beethoven: Overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus” Op. 43 and Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61. It will close with Brahms’ Sympho
‘Beckham of violin’ coming to Korea

Apr 17, 2014

Crossover violinist Garrett to dazzle local audiences in movie, album and concerts