UBC dancer Ahn Ji-eun theatrically impressive in MacMillan’s interpretation of Shakespearean tragedyWhile considered one of the greatest love stories of all time, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is also a coming-of-age story.The piece is filled with adolescent rebellion; it deals with first love, loss of innocence, and the characters’ first efforts to separate themselves from their parents. The young lovers’ tragedy largely stems from having patriarchal, controlling parents, who ignore their na

U.S. B-boy crew Massive Monkees Crew won the 2012 R-16 World B-boy Masters Championship, beating out two-time champions JinJo Crew of Korea. More than 200 B-boys from 16 countries participated in the tournament held from July 7-8 at Olympic Hall in Bangi-dong, southern Seoul.For the battle competition, five renowned B-boy judges from different parts of the world judged the teams on foundation, dynamics, execution, battle and originality. Only eight teams ― Korea, Japan, Belgium, Kazakhstan, U.S.

Korean-American singer wows TV audiences with her powerfulvoice, energetic and confident stage performanceThis is part of a series featuring new hallyu stars. ― Ed.Someone’s age or experience on the stage seems to no longer be an issue when it comes to the music industry. Britain’s Adele jumped to stardom at only 19 and U.S. singer Rihanna debuted at 16, instantly drawing international attention with her amazing voice and performances. So too, Korea’s Ailee has wowed the TV audience here with he

Korea’s legendary traditional folk dancer Gong Ok-jin died in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, on Monday. She was 81.Gong, who was designated intangible cultural heritage, had been undergoing medical treatment for the last 14 years, after suffering a stroke in 1998. Born in 1931 in South Jeolla Province to a pansori artist family, Gong was once taught by the famous late modern dancer Choi Seung-hee (1911-1969) in Japan, and joined the Joseon Changgeukdan, a Korean traditional opera troupe, in

‘Kongchilpalsaesamryuk’ based on real-life suicide case of two young women in SeoulOn April 8, 1931, two young, sophisticated-looking women, dressed in Western clothes, approached the Yeongdeungpo train station in colonial Gyeongseong (today’s Seoul). The two walked toward the railroad tracks, smiling and cracking jokes ― as if on a picnic. When they saw a train steaming toward Incheon, however, they jumped in its path. They were killed instantly. One of two women was Hong Ok-im, the daughter of

The American Ballet Theater (ABT) has promoted its Korean-born ballerina Seo Hee to the position of principal dancer, the renowned U.S. troupe announced via its website on Friday. Seo is the first Korean dancer to hold the position. Seo’s promotion takes place just weeks before her “Giselle” Korean tour, which is scheduled to run from July 18-22.  The 26-year-old dancer joined ABT in 2004, became a member of its corps de ballet in March 2006 and was promoted to soloist in August 2010. Her repert

Dance“Orpheus and Eurydice”: Kim Yong-geol Dance Theater presents its original creative repertory “Orpheus and Eurydice” from July 28 to 29 at Gangdong Arts Center in Seoul. The troupe is led by former Opera de Paris dancer Kim Yong-geol, who now teaches at the Korean National University of Arts. An original piece entirely choreographed by Kim, the show tells the famous tragic love story of Orpheus and his wife Eurydice from the ancient Greek myth. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. Fo

Brown’s ‘Fortune’ is patchy albumChris Brown “Fortune” (RCA Records)One of the best songs on Chris Brown’s new album is a soft number, “Don’t Judge Me,” that finds him asking a girlfriend to look past his mistakes.“So please don’t judge me, because it can get ugly, before it gets beautiful,” he sings in his signature semi-high pitch.For another singer, such a tune might come off as just another relationship plea. But coming from the bad boy singer whose career is nearly restored after his attack

Hallyu star group Super Junior has returned with their sixth full-length album “Sexy, Free & Single” with member Kangin rejoining the group after serving his military service.Known to many as Asia’s “Emperor Gwanggaeto,” Super Junior said they sought a new music style in their latest album, escaping from the repeated acid funky style in their previous work and trying out European house. “We have been singing similar songs from our third to fifth album. We wanted to do something new and change ou

UBC’s principal dancer Ahn Ji-eun to star in Kenneth MacMillan’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’She’s done “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Nutcracker.”But many local ballet fans will remember ballerina Ahn Ji-eun as Shim Chung, the girl who pays off her blind father’s debts by selling herself to sailors and later plunges into the sea.The Korean folktale ballet, which is also the signature repertoire of Korea’s Universal Ballet Company, also remains the 36-year-old dancer’s favorite for its rich theatrica