The Korea Herald

Slash mum on Guns N’ Roses reunion

MusicMar 14, 2012

LONDON (AP) ― Will Guns N’ Roses reunite for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?Behind his dark glasses, hat and big hair, the group’s former guitarist Slash is staying noncommittal on the subject.The million-selling hard rock group enters the Rock Hall in Cleveland on April 14, an event at which honored acts often perform as part of the celebration. But the group’s original lineup fell apart in 1996, so fans hoping to see the band reunite may be disappointed.“It’s definitely an
Buzz bands seek to stand out at SXSW

MusicMar 14, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) ― Members of the ascendant rock band Alabama Shakes can tell you all about buzz in the 21st century.They first read about themselves on the Internet about nine months ago. They began playing in packed houses for enthusiastic fans after putting out a hastily released EP just six months ago. And this week the foursome will reach the pinnacle of their exposure ― so far ― with a jam-packed schedule over five days at the South By Southwest Music Conference and Festival.With thousan
Depp, Streep join call to lower ‘Bully’ rating

FilmMar 14, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― More Hollywood heavyweights are calling for a lower rating on the documentary “Bully.’’The Weinstein Co. says Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees are supporting the film, which will be released March 30.Lee Hirsch’s documentary on bullying in American schools has been rated R, which restricts kids under 17 from seeing it without an adult.Distributors appealed the decision, but it was upheld by the Motion Picture Association of America, which
Mexico group banned for playing drug songs

MusicMar 14, 2012

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AFP) ― Authorities in the capital of Mexico’s most violent state, Chihuahua, have indefinitely banned popular music group Los Tigres del Norte for playing drug ballads at a concert.Songs glorifying drug traffickers, known as narcocorridos, have attracted a growing following in recent years from Mexico City to Los Angeles.Los Tigres del Norte, a successful mainstream group, were banned from playing in the city of Chihuahua “for playing three songs at the weekend which defen
Black Keys rock Madison Square Garden like pros

MusicMar 14, 2012

There were few flashing lights, the backdrop wasn’t overloaded with visuals or videos, and the band rarely spoke, if it wasn‘t in song.The Black Keys are rock stars, and their traditional rock sound electrified Madison Square Garden on Monday night.The duo performed more than 20 songs in a 90-minute show that was exhilarating, bluesy and loud.Singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach was top-notch throughout, especially on ``Same Old Thing,’‘ ``Run Right Back’‘ and ``I’ll Be Your Man.‘’ The petite, bear
N. Koreans, French prepare for major Paris concert

MusicMar 14, 2012

PARIS (AP) ― A North Korean and a French orchestra held a daylong rehearsal on Tuesday ahead of a landmark concert in Paris, a sign of warming ties between Pyongyang and the West following years of tensions.Pyongyang’s Unhasu Orchestra and Radio France Philharmonic make their debut together on Wednesday ― under the baton of renowned South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun, who organized the event.Most of the 90 North Koreans ― many of them under 30 ― will be performing with a Western ensemble fo
Disney to hire 1,000 US military veterans

FilmMar 14, 2012

The Walt Disney Company will give jobs or career opportunities to at least 1,000 returning US military veterans over the next three years, the entertainment and theme park giant said Tuesday.As part of a "Heroes Work Here" initiative, announced at its annual shareholder meeting, the company will als
Not guilty plea in L.A. from alleged art forger

TheaterMar 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― A Florida man has pleaded not guilty to defrauding a Los Angeles art collector out of more than $2 million by selling him forgeries of the work of Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Jackson Pollock.Matthew Taylor of Vero Beach entered the plea Monday in a Los Angeles federal court to seven felony counts, including wire fraud and money laundering.He is scheduled to go to trial April 3.Prosecutors say the 43-year-old former art dealer is accused of altering paintings from unknow
Lost mural by Leonardo may have been discovered

TheaterMar 13, 2012

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) ― Researchers may have discovered traces of a lost mural by Leonardo da Vinci by poking a probe through cracks in a 16th-century fresco painted on the wall of one of Florence’s most famous buildings.The latest findings Monday still leave much mystery in the hunt for the “Battle of Anghiari,’’ a wall mural painted by Leonardo in Florence’s storied Palazzo Vecchio, and possibly hidden behind a fresco done by Giorgio Vasari decades later.The hunt for the unfinished mural has ca
Synergy of two avant-garde masters

TheaterMar 13, 2012

Nam June Paik Art Center commemorates 80th anniversary of Paik’s birth and centenary of U.S. composer John CageAlthough the rest of the audience gasped in horror, John Cage broke out in laughter when Paik Nam-june cut off his necktie in the middle of a piano concert. The South Korean artist had suddenly leaped down to Cage during his 1960 performance of “Etude for Piano Forte” in Cologne, Germany. The U.S. composer and artist was probably one of the few in the audience who understood and enjoyed
Tehran Oscar ceremony for Iran director canceled

FilmMar 13, 2012

TEHRAN (AFP) ― A Tehran ceremony to hail Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar win for his movie “A Separation” has been cancelled by authorities, media reported on Monday without giving an explanation.The Centre for Directors and the Supreme Council for Iranian Filmmakers issued a joint statement to Farhadi saying “we were planning a simple and sincere ceremony for you to honour your great achievement for Iranian cinema, but we cannot hold it,” according to the ISNA news agency.The two bodies
2AM returns with new album on painful but endless love

MusicMar 13, 2012

Idol group takes motif from American classic ‘The Great Gatsby’Idol group 2AM returned to its fans on Tuesday with a new mini album, breaking its one-and-a-half-year absence from the country’s entertainment scene.With the new album titled “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Way of Love,” the group attempts to turn its image from young and fragile into one that is more mature and manly. Taking motifs from “The Great Gatsby” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the early 20th century, the group said they wanted t
SPO to hold first North American tour in April

MusicMar 13, 2012

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by music director and chief conductor Chung Myung-whun, will hold its first North American tour April 15-19.Starting in Vancouver, Canada, the orchestra will also perform in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Seattle.The North America tour, sponsored by Hyundai Motor, is part of maestro Chung’s efforts to create a world-class orchestra. Chung said last year that the orchestra would have to offer many recordings and tours to attract international attention.“North
Jay-Z brings the hype to South By Southwest

MusicMar 13, 2012

Jay-Z may have 99 problems, but getting to the venue isn’t one.The rapper brought the beat to South By Southwest, but not before he needed a police escort to make it from the airport to the show, which started 40 minutes late.Jay-Z played a hits-filled set for a standing room-only crowd after flying in late Monday afternoon. He was on the town with his wife, Beyonce, in New York City the night before to see fellow SXSW participant The-Dream, perhaps explaining his late arrival in Texas.The show
Rare imperial bowl creates a stir in China

TheaterMar 13, 2012

A rare Chinese imperial ceramic bowl that was made around 900 years ago and could fetch $10 million when it goes under the hammer next month has triggered huge excitement among Asian art collectors.The interest generated by this small, modest-looking flower-shaped bowl -- and its potentially sky-high sales price -- are a testament to the vitality of Asia‘s art market, which has witnessed explosive growth over the past decade.The antique was due to go on public display in Beijing over the weekend