The Korea Herald

‘Ars Nova’ to woo audience to world of modern music

MusicOct 24, 2012

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual “Ars Nova” concerts are a welcome treat for fans of contemporary classical music in Korea which suffers from a dearth of contemporary classical music performances.Marking the seventh year of “Ars Nova,” SPO is exploring an unfamiliar yet intriguing world of “balance amid imbalance” under the theme of “Ars Nova Ⅲ&Ⅳ―Hungary.” There will be two concerts, each with a different program, for this year’s edition ― the first at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 1 at the Chamber H
‘Skyfall’ gets royal premiere

FilmOct 24, 2012

LONDON (AFP) ― Daniel Craig thrilled James Bond fans in London Tuesday when he stepped onto the red carpet with co-stars Judi Dench and Javier Bardem for the world premiere of the 23rd Bond film “Skyfall.”Craig, making his third outing as Bond, said it had been a “real honour” to play the role in the franchise’s 50th anniversary year, as he swept past a giant 007 logo and the secret agent’s favourite Aston Martin.The rugged Craig stars with Dench, again playing his controller “M,” and Spaniard B
CNBLUE draws 100,000 fans in Japan

MusicOct 24, 2012

Pop rock group CNBLUE has wrapped up its first arena tour in Japan, having attracted a combined 100,000 screaming fans. The “Come On” tour took the boys to six cities in Japan where they performed a total of nine concerts. The group’s final shows were held at Saitama Super Arena on Oct. 20 and 21 where they performed many of their hit songs including “Have a Good Night,” “Wake Up,” “Blue Sky,” “Tear Drops in the Rain,” “Time is Over” and their Japanese debut single “In My Head.”“We were surprise
Four local actors voice Hollywood-animated film

FilmOct 24, 2012

DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Rise of the Guardians’ to be released next monthThe original “Rise of the Guardians” stars Chris Pine, Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin and Jude Law.For the film’s Korean release, however, four local actors have been selected to voice the fantasy characters. Titled “Rise of the Guardians,” the computer-animated fantasy film is an ambitious project by the U.S. animation studio DreamWorks. Based on American author William Joyce’s “The Guardians of Childhood” book series, the film
Psy and U.N. secretary-general praise each other

MusicOct 24, 2012

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is jealous of South Korean rapper Psy.The U.N. chief joked during a meeting with the rapper that he felt overshadowed by the star, whose video has scored over half a billion views on YouTube.“I‘m a bit jealous. Until two days ago someone told me I am the most famous Korean in the world. Now I have to relinquish. I have no regrets,” Ban said.The two lavished praise on each other at U.N. headquarters Tuesday, with Ban even risking a few of Psy’s trademark
Stop press! Superman quits Daily Planet

TheaterOct 24, 2012

Journalism is no longer a job for Superman.His alter ego Clark Kent is quitting the Daily Planet, the Metropolis newspaper where he's worked since the first Superman comics were published in the 1940s, the USA Today newspaper said Monday.The plot twist -- prompted by the Daily Planet's takeover by a media conglomerate -- is one of many to appear in the new edition of Superman that goes on sale Wednesday in both digital and hard-copy forms.‘Superman is arguably the most powerful person on the pla
Two Pussy Riot members taken to Russian 'prison hell': supporters

MusicOct 24, 2012

Two members of punk band Pussy Riot have been taken to remote Russian prison colonies notorious for their harsh conditions after a court this month upheld their two-year sentences, their lawyer said on Monday."Nadya Tolokonnikova has been sent to Mordovia, and Maria Alyokhina to Perm," defense lawyer Violetta Volkova told AFP.The Perm and Mordovia regions, both in central Russia, host a vast network of Soviet-era prison camps infamous for their tough conditions."They were convoyed on Saturday,"
National Geographic to auction part of its archive

TheaterOct 23, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― The National Geographic Society is selling parts of its massive archive of world exploration for the first time, offering 240 pieces spanning from the late 1800s to the present at an auction expected to bring in about $3 million.National Geographic has chronicled scientific expeditions, explorations, archaeology, wildlife and world cultures for more than 100 years, amassing a collection of 11.5 million photos and original illustrations.Among the items to be sold at Christie’s in
Male nude posters plaster Vienna, draw complaints from some

TheaterOct 23, 2012

VIENNA (AP) ― Naked men of all sizes and shapes are appearing on Vienna kiosks as a prestigious museum kicks off an exhibit of male nudity. But outside the exhibition, organizers are being forced into cover-up mode after a storm of complaints that the ad posters are offensive.In a show titled “Nude Men from 1800 to Today,’’ the Leopold Museum opened its doors Friday to examine how artists have dealt with the theme of male nudity over the centuries. “Mr. Big’’ ― a four-meter high full-frontal pho
Biennale to help artists create international exchanges

TheaterOct 23, 2012

Top directors and curators gather in Korea to explore art’s roles in changing society
German theaters to screen movie on N. Korean political prison camp

FilmOct 23, 2012

BERLIN (Yonhap News) ― A rare movie about a former North Korean political prisoner will be screened in theaters in Berlin and around nine other German cities on Nov. 8, according to Engstfeld Film.Director Marc Wiese’s “Camp 14 ― Total Control Zone” is about the dramatic life of Shin Dong-hyuk, who was born in a political prison camp, according to the documentary film company.Shin remained in the camp for 24 years before escaping over electrified fences and making his way to China. He settled in
Singer Kim Jang-hoon and Paris Hilton in 3-D music video

MusicOct 23, 2012

Singer Kim Jang-hoon and American socialite Paris Hilton recently unveiled a teaser clip for the upcoming release of their new music video, “Not Here.” According to Kim’s agency, the video was also shot in 3-D by Hollywood’s top 3-D specialists, including Look FX, the company that did some of the special effects for James Cameron’s blockbuster smash “Avatar.”The video was filmed in Los Angeles and Malibu in August and it was reported that producing the music video for this ballad song, to be fea
S. Korean sensation Psy to perform in H.K. next month

MusicOct 23, 2012

HONG KONG (Yonhap News) ― South Korean pop sensation Psy will come to Hong Kong next month, performing his megahit single “Gangnam Style” for fans in the greater China region for the first time, concert organizers said Tuesday.Psy, along with other Korean pop (K-pop) singers, will participate in the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) to be held on Nov. 30 at the Convention and Exhibition Center in central Hong Kong, South Korea’s conglomerate CJ Group said. The MAMA is one of the major K-pop music a
Ellen DeGeneres receives top humor prize in DC

TelevisionOct 23, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Some of the nation’s top comedians hailed Ellen DeGeneres as a trailblazer Monday night as she received the highest U.S. humor prize.The Kennedy Center is awarding DeGeneres the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The show will be broadcast Oct. 30 on Public Broadcasting Service stations.“Thanks to everyone at PBS. I am so happy to be part of your farewell season,’’ DeGeneres joked in accepting the prize and taking a jab at Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s plans
Psy to speak at Oxford Union

MusicOct 23, 2012

The popularity of “Gangnam Style” has now breached the walls of academia and the man behind the viral trend will be heading to one of the most distinguished universities in the world. The Oxford Union, a debate club at the University of Oxford, has asked K-pop star Psy to speak at the college.Psy will present a one-hour lecture in English on his life and colorful career in the Korean music industry on Nov. 7 to members of the 190-year-old institution. The YouTube sensation was selected as one of