Hailed as one of the first Korean ballerinas to achieve widespread international fame, Julia Moon is seeking to expand the global network of Universal Ballet and make it more “universal.” 　One of the founding members of the Universal Ballet -- among the top ballet companies in the country, rivaling the Korean National Ballet -- Moon has been its general director for the past decade, since retiring as principal dancer. 　Now in its 32nd year, the director says the company is ready to branch out mo

Images based on the theory of photography by French thinker Roland Barthes featured in show at Seoul Museum of Art

Based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel “The Three Musketeers,” the musical rendition of the classic tale is returning to the Seoul stage. The story revolves around the adventures of D’Artagnan in his quest to become part of the elite three musketeers -- Athos, Porthos and Aramis -- in the backdrop of early 17th century France.The original Broadway production first opened in 1928 to rave reviews. “The Three Musketeers” musical finally made its local debut in 2009, where it ranked No. 1 in performance ti

Artist Jeong Hyun-sook is presenting her modern interpretation of traditional mother-of-pearl art from April 11-29 at the Korea Economic Daily gallery.　The solo exhibition presents 23 works of the “Before and After” series that the artist has been working on for a decade. The series reinterprets the traditional mother-of-pearl art through contemporary works of art featuring geometric patterns and circles. “Before and After” by Jeong Hyun-sook (Courtesy of the artist)　Jeong, trained in Western-st

Artist Kim Hyun-jung presents contemporary Korean genre painting at solo exhibition

LONDON (AP) -- The high-stepping Broadway hit "Kinky Boots" was named best new musical at London's Olivier theater awards on Sunday, while Martin McDonagh’s killer comedy "Hangmen" won the prize for best new play.　The ceremony at London's Royal Opera House opened with Imelda Staunton belting out the "Gypsy" number "Everything’s Coming Up Roses" -- and the words proved prophetic. Staunton was named best actress in a musical for playing showbiz matriarch Mama Rose, while "Gypsy" took four trophies

With art auctions booming in South Korea, auctioneers are increasingly a crucial factor in boosting sales at such events. “Auctioneers play a key role in setting market prices during art auctions,” Kim Hyun-hee, an experienced auctioneer for Seoul Auction, said in an interview with The Korea Herald.“They need extensive understanding and knowledge of art to induce participants to compete for the best prices,” she said. Kim, who studied history in college and art history in graduate school, starte

Given the current low interest rates, negative rates, low inflation and slow growth, investors are in search of alternative investment products that offer higher returns than savings.Stocks and equity funds are ideal during low inflation, but can be volatile when unpredictable forces suddenly catch markets off guard. Gold and U.S. dollars are attractive assets in times of uncertainties, in addition to bonds that can offer steady monthly returns.Bids are placed on “Nu assis sur un divan (La Belle

Popularity of monochrome paintings ramps up strong HK sales of Korean auction houses

With summer just around the corner, Seoulites may be looking for the best ways to escape the scorching heat and bask in the sights and sounds of riveting performances. 　Luckily for them, there are many events in store for them this summer – from vocal to dance and classical. 　Andrea Bocelli　Returning for his first concert in Korea in six years, the internationally praised blind Italian classical crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a solo show in Seoul on May 1.  Italian opera tenor Andre

Contemporary art museum in central Seoul to shut down, building sold to local construction firm