Following “Phantom of the Opera” and “Aida” of last year, the performing arts scene is seeing the arrival of heavyweight openers for the 2013 season.Among them is major musical company EMK’s much-anticipated imported musical “Rebecca,” which opened at LG Arts Center on Friday. Following “Rebecca,” one of the most anticipated homegrown musicals, “The Goddess is Watching,” is opening at Chungmu Art Hall on Tuesday in Seoul.“Rebecca” is based on Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same title. The

Sun Yao talks about ‘The Beauties’ Chatterbox’ and life after

A top Japanese actress gave birth to her baby in Korea on Thursday at a “sanhujoriwon,” a post-natal care facility that is regarded as uniquely Korean, media reported on Sunday. According to several Japanese and Korean media outlets, actress Koyuki Matsuyama gave birth to her daughter at a sanhujoriwon in Seoul. The mother was accompanied by her husband, renowned Japanese actor Kenichi Matsuyama.  Reports suggested that Koyuki was impressed with the sanhujoriwon system providing full support for

Dance“Romeo and Juliet”: The Korea National Ballet is opening this year’s season with Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The troupe is presenting a version created by legendary French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot of Monte Carlo Ballet Theater. Unlike the Kenneth MacMillan version showcased by Universal Ballet Company last year, the upcoming show presents simple and modern costumes and choreography. Its stage setting, created by French designer Ernest Pignon-Ernest, is also noted for

Cloud Atlas (U.S., Germany)Opened Jan. 9Science Fiction. Directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer. The film consists of six stories, set across centuries and continents. In the 1840s, on a voyage through the Pacific Islands, Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess) befriends a scheming doctor (Tom Hanks) and falls into trouble. In the 1930s, young composer Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw) is hired to assist the legendary musician Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Broadbent) while he seduces Ayrs’ wife while also writin

JeA’s first solo album a good startJeA (Brown Eyed Girls)“Just JeA”(Loen Entertainment)JeA from sexy girl group Brown Eyed Girls has come out with her first solo album titled “Just JeA.” The leader took a risk venturing into the world of group member-turned-soloists, but in this case, it paid off. What better way to begin an album than with the help of American R&B artist Eric Benet. The album’s first track, “Days & Nights,” is a mid-tempo R&B song with a Latin-style harmony. JeA vocals give off

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) ― The Civil War saga “Lincoln’’ leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture, director for Steven Spielberg and acting honors for British-born Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.Also among the nine nominees for best picture Thursday: was the French-language film “Amour’’; the Iran hostage thriller “Argo’’; the independent hit “Beasts of the Southern Wild’’; the slave-revenge narrative “Django Unchained’’; the musical “Les Mise

TOKYO (AFP) ― An extremely rare copy of a work by fourth century Chinese calligraphy legend Wang Xizhi has been unearthed in Japan, the first such discovery in four decades, Tokyo National Museum said Tuesday.No original works survive, despite their having been treasured by Chinese emperors throughout history for their contribution to the development of the delicate art form.However, Wang’s innovative style was so influential that Chinese courts created precise replicas of his writings more than

Artists use staged scenes to convey social and personal voices

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British actress Emma Watson expressed embarrassment on Twitter over an officer’s mistake at JFK airport in New York last month. The 22-year-old was stopped by airport officials when they mistook her for an unaccompanied minor, even though Watson is a world-famous star who played a major role in the "Harry Potter" film series.Watson described the situation she underwent on Twitter on Dec. 23, 2012. Passport control asked “Unaccompanied minor?” and Watson responded “Sorry?” To the following questi

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise made his sixth visit to Korea on Wednesday, this time to promote his upcoming thriller “Jack Reacher” and receive honorary citizenship from Busan. An adaptation of English author Lee Child’s 2005 novel “One Shot,” the film features Cruise as the eponymous ex-military man with no fixed address. Throughout the film, he steps into crime scenes out of nowhere and discovers new leads.“Jack Reacher is not an executor -- he is more of a character who gets into the story and d