Orchestra Festival brings 18 groups to Seoul Arts Center

Signature South Korean alt-rock band Nell is scheduled to hold a series of concerts next month, showcasing its new studio album “Newton’s Apple.”Nell will stage five live performances titled “Nell’s Season 2014 ― Newton’s Apple” at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall in Seoul from April 3-6.The four-member band, composed of vocalist and leader Kim Jong-wan, guitarist Lee Jae-kyung, bassist Lee Jung-hoon and drummer Chung Jae-won, entered the local music scene in 2001 with the indie album “Reflecti

CHICAGO (AP) ― Eminem and Outkast will headline a diverse lineup of more than 130 acts at this year’s three-day Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, Jane’s Addiction lead singer and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell announced Wednesday. The lineup also includes recent Grammy darling Lorde, rockers Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys and electronic dance music stars Calvin Harris and Skrillex.  “Every year you’re shooting to have just an incredible bill that people will look at and say, ‘I’m the

In South Korea, all able-bodied Korean men 19 or older are obliged to serve in the military for two years. Even the hottest stars like Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Min-ho can’t avoid enlistment.South Korean drama production companies and broadcasters are expected to face obstacles in casting A-list actors as many are preparing to enter military service as early as this year. “The stars who are preparing for military enlistment from this year and next are unexpectedly the most wanted actors for upcoming

It is certainly no secret in Korea that the training process to debut as a K-pop star is no quick or simple venture. Often referred to as music “boot camp,” K-pop training among some of the nation’s biggest talent agencies is intense, to say the least. And with only a fraction of trainees able to become K-pop stars, the atmosphere among trainees can be fiercely competitive and cutthroat. Although other nations’ talent agencies play a role in “grooming” acts to make it big in the entertainment in

WASHINGTON (AP) ― An eclectic mix of some of the most cherished autographs in history ― including those of George Washington and Michael Jackson ― are on display to showcase what curators say is the dying art of the signature. The “Marking the Mark” exhibit, which opened Friday at the National Archives, includes more than 100 original signatures by the famous and infamous and is the result of a wide search by curators for signatures representing important names and events in history.  The exhibi

LAS VEGAS (AP) ― Universal Pictures had a strong start at the box office this year, with “Lone Survivor” grossing more than $124 million and “Ride Along” bringing in nearly $146 million globally. The run could continue for the studio, which previewed its upcoming slate of films on Tuesday at the annual movie theater convention CinemaCon. “A healthy slate is a diverse one,” said Donna Langley, chairman of Universal. “Hits don’t come just in summer and Christmas,” added Nikki Rocco, president of d

Internationally famous British alt-rock band Travis returned to Seoul an old friend, kicking off a lively concert Tuesday night.“Hi everyone, it’s been a long time since we’ve been here,” said Fran Healy, the vocalist and leader, opening up the show. “And we’ve never forgotten you!” he shouted.Travis, considered a forefather of modern British pop-rock, is currently on its Asia tour for its recent album “Where You Stand,” which topped the U.K. album charts last year. Composed of vocalist and guit

NETANYA, Israel (AP) ― When 18-year-old Israeli beauty queen Linor Abargil was crowned Miss World in 1998, the tears streaming down her cheeks appeared to be the overwhelming joy of a young woman fulfilling a childhood dream. Few knew the painful truth behind them ― that just six weeks earlier she had been raped at knifepoint. Unlike most victims of sexual assault, Abargil refused to keep quiet. She pressed charges, spoke out publicly and testified at a trial that sent her attacker to prison for

While the popular musical “Wicked” is largely promoted in Korea as a fairy tale-like story about two witches, its composer Stephen Schwartz put the show’s political interpretation in the spotlight during a press conference in Seoul on Monday. “The other day in America, somebody died recently,” he told reporters. “His name is Fred Phelps. He was a very angry person who used to organize pickets at funerals. And he caused a lot of trouble. When he died, someone wrote an article for one of our major

Jang Sa-ik, Korea’s vocal maestro, will return to New York next month to present once again the unique world of his music that blends traditional Korean harmonies and rhythms with modern jazz, pop and blues. This time, he will perform with four of his longtime colleagues with whom he just “loves to have fun.” “For me, the ultimate fun has to involve some dancing. After all, don’t we all sing and dance when we’re happy?” Jang said at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. “So, it’s going to be m

PASADENA, California ― Jeremy Piven was 37 years old when he was anointed with “The Fresh Face of the Year” acting award. At that point he’d been performing for 29 years.He’d co-starred in nearly 40 movies and negotiated TV series like “Ellen,” “Cupid” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” But his wasn’t a household name. “I was a late bloomer compared to other people,” he says, in the board room of a hotel here. “But for me it was the right journey.”Piven actually grew up in the theater. His parents ra

Shakira’s domination in America has dwindled since she became a hip-swiveling goddess of festive pop hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.” Already a superstar in her native Colombia, the multitalented singer-songwriter-instrumentalist took the American pop scene by storm when she made her U.S. language debut in 2001 with personal, rich songs about romance and more. But her recent albums haven’t matched the spark, edge and charisma of her work a decade ago, and her new self-titled

Fighting against all odds and the stereotype that girls wishing to debut in the K-pop industry have to be young and single, the new group Girl Hood is looking to break down those barriers. The quartet is making a splash in the K-pop world because the ladies are not in their teens, or even in their early 20s. The average age of a Girl Hood member is 34, with the ages ranging from 28 to 35. Also, it is not just their ages that makes them stand out from other groups: All four are married and three