Despite K-pop’s formidable hold on local music scene, demand for wider variety growingMuch of the focus has been on the South Korean music industry’s ability to go abroad, with singer Psy’s unprecedented global success bringing the buzz to a fever pitch.While the press was zoning in on Psy’s history-making moment, the American Association of Independent Music’s 16-member delegation boarded a plane for Seoul. A non-profit trade organization representing around 200 U.S.-based indie labels, the Ame

South Korean rock guitarist Shin Joong-hyun will perform his hit songs for a U.S. audience at a record label’s anniversary concert in Los Angeles at the end of September. “Shin has been invited to perform at a concert that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the record company Light in the Attic,” said a marketing official of Guitarnet, a Korean guitar importer and distributor, which is handling Shin’s concert in the U.S. in collaboration with the record company.  U.S. label Light in the Attic re

A host of top classical and contemporary Jazz groups to perform in Korea throughout the fall seasonTop-notch groups of jazz musicians are coming to Korea to celebrate the romantic fall season. The European Jazz Trio, a premier ensemble from the Netherlands, will give a concert at LG Arts Center in Seoul on Sept. 16. The trio debuted in 1984 and became internationally recognized after the release of their second album “Norwegian Wood” in 1988. Even though the founding members have since departed,

Theater“Hedwig”: The Korean adaptation of John Cameron Mitchell’s rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is being staged for its seventh run. The musical, which tells the story of an East German transgender singer, has been performed in Korea a total of 1,256 times since its opening run in April 2005. For the current run, actor Oh Man-seok, who was cast in the leading role in the 2005 run, is once again starring as the singer. Actor Park Gun-hyung, who recently made his TV appearance in MBC dr

Gospel rapper Lecrae’s new album is solidLecrae “Gravity” (Reach Records)Christian rapper Lecrae doesn’t fit the typical mold of a gospel artist. His arms are covered with tattoos, he normally sports his hats tilted to the side and often wears slightly sagging pants.Don’t let that be a distraction. The Houston native is a true talent with a unique ability to deliver thought-provoking messages on life without sounding like a Bible-thumping preacher. His rap approach has earned him praise by many

‘Hallyu Dream Festival’ to gather Korean singers and amateur dancers from around the world for three daysCelebrating the “2010-12 Visit Korea Year,” Korea Entertainment Producers’ Association, Visit Korea Committee, and Gyeongju City are co-hosting the annual “2012 Hallyu Dream Festival“ from Sept. 21-23.With events including “Family Dream Concert,” “K-Pop Cover Dance Festival” and “Hallyu Dream Concert,” the three-day festival will be held at Gyeongju Citizen Stadium in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsa

The most anticipated opera of the year ends in cheers, but complaints about the venue lingerThe music was beautiful, as was the performance by the star opera singers of the much talked-about outdoor opera “La Boheme.” Angela Gheorghui and Vittorio Grigolo proved their overflowing talent and deeply touched the audience with the arias of the opera’s two tragic lovers. A seasoned performance by Gheorghui, who played Mimi for the last 20 years around the world, well supported Grigolo.  The 34-year-

Piano and dance lessons no longer just for kidsFor many Koreans who grew up in the 80s and 90s, taking piano lessons was something that they had to do grudgingly as kids. After the rapid economic development in the 60s and 70s, purchasing musical instruments, especially a piano, was considered a symbol of wealth in Seoul’s newly emerged middle class. Their kids would be sent to the private piano studios to take lessons after school. All the kids in the country were taught the same repertoire, wh

Theater / dance“What I Keep till the Very End”: Among the many short stories late author Park Wan-suh wrote, her 1994 piece “What I Keep till the Very End” is considered as one of her most personal works. The story was written largely based on the author’s painful loss of her son in a car accident in 1988, just three months after his father’s death. He was 26 years old at the time and was attending a prestigious medical school in Seoul. The novella is now being staged as a monodrama in Seoul, fe

Owl City forgettable on latestOwl City “The Midsummer Station” (Republic Records)Owl City’s “The Midsummer Station” sounds like the soundtrack for one of those Nickelodeon or Disney TV movies you either enjoyed as a tween or endured as an adult. With generic pop-rock songs, it makes for passable entertainment, but ultimately it’s formulaic and forgettable. It’s a far cry from Owl City’s breakout hit, 2009’s “Fireflies.” As grating as that song may have been to some, its quirky charm made it stan