-
‘Wicked’ cast excited to bring show back to Korea
The beloved Broadway musical "Wicked" is returning to Korea this summer — and this time, it’s the original English-language production that’s taking the stage for six months across Seoul, Busan and Daegu. The unusually long engagement far exceeds the typical duration of other touring productions that come to Korea, and reflects the enduring popularity of “Wicked,” one of the most successful musicals of all time, in the country. The show first premiered in Korea in 2012 with the English-language
May 1, 2025 -
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival unveils first line up for 20th anniversary edition
The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, one of South Korea’s premier rock festivals, has unveiled the first names on this year's lineup, which features a blend of legendary acts and rising stars from around the globe. Pulp, the iconic Britpop band often referred to as one of the "Big Four" of the genre, is the headliner of the festival, which celebrates its 20th year this year. The upcoming performance marks Pulp’s first-ever concert in Korea. Formed in 1978, the band rose to prominence in the 1990
April 30, 2025 -
Neumeier’s ‘Camellias’ to bloom again in Seoul as its ‘best version yet’
Legendary choreographer John Neumeier’s “The Lady of the Camellias,” with which ballerina Kang Sue-jin became the first Asian dancer to win the Benois de la Danse award in 1999, will take the stage at the Seoul Arts Center, May 7-11. Neumeier and Kang, artistic director of The Korean National Ballet, have come together to create “the best possible version of this ballet that we can see right now.” “Ballet is an art of life,” said Neumeier during a press conference held Tuesday at the Seoul Arts
April 30, 2025 -
Interview: The dance, the company are 'truly one of a kind,' says BNE dancer Youn Sou-jung
When Youn Sou-jung first stepped into the audition room for the Ballet Nacional de Espana, artistic director Ruben Olmo knew immediately that she was special. “I fell in love. She has her own magnificent style. She’s one of the proud dancers of our company,” said Olmo during Monday's press conference for "Afanador." And for Youn, it was her dream come true, now a member of the corps de ballet, who started dancing at the age of three. "Since I was young, it was my dream to join BNE. I used to wat
April 29, 2025 -
‘Afanador,’ flamenco reinvented, comes to Seoul
When we think of flamenco, certain images spring to mind: a dancer in a vivid, ruffled dress with skirt flying outward in a whirl of motion; sharp, dramatic arm movements and hands twisting elegantly through the air; heeled shoes striking the wooden floor in a rapid-fire rhythm of castanets. But the Ballet Nacional de Espana’s "Afanador," created in high-profile collaboration with Spanish contemporary choreographer Marcos Morau, offers a stark departure from these familiar images. Premiered in 2
April 29, 2025 -
As temperatures rise, hottest pianists are coming to town
Korea’s classical music scene will be ablaze with two of its brightest pianistic stars: Cho Seong-jin, already a household name on the global stage, embarks on a major release of his monumental Ravel project.
April 29, 2025 -
Jeon Min-chul wins top prize at ballet's Youth America Grand Prix
South Korean dancer Jeon Min-chul won the Grand Prix title at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix, the world's largest student ballet competition in Tampa, Florida, on Friday. Jeon competed in the senior men's division held April 21-27 and was named the overall Grand Prix winner -- the highest award given across all divisions and age groups. Jeon performed a variation from "La Esmeralda" in the finals and Albrecht’s variation from "Giselle" in the semi-finals, a piece he had recently danced with t
April 28, 2025 -
Interview: Minho embraces intimacy of stage in ‘Rendezvous’
For Choi Minho, stepping onto the theater stage was not about hiding behind a character — it was a deliberate choice to reveal himself more fully. "I wanted to show more of myself without hiding," said singer-actor Choi, who recently returned to the theater for his second play. After making his theatrical debut last year in "Waiting for Waiting for Godot," the SHINee member is back in the spotlight, this time starring in the romantic comedy "Rendezvous." Like his first project, "Rendezvous" is a
April 27, 2025 -
ABT marks GS Arts Center's grand opening with 'tasting menu' from contemporary to classic
The American Ballet Theatre will mark the opening of the GS Arts Center in Seoul with a sweeping program of classical and contemporary works, highlighting the company’s wide-ranging mixed repertoire and artistic versatility. ABT has brought a company of 104 members, including 70 dancers — 16 of whom are principal dancers — to Korea for this highly anticipated engagement. The lineup also includes five Korean dancers: principal dancers Seo Hee and Ahn Joo-won, soloists Han Sung-woo and Park Sun-mi
April 25, 2025 -
Lim Yunchan makes BBC awards history with Chopin etudes album
Pianist Lim Yunchan swept the three most prestigious categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London -- recording of the year, newcomer of the year and the instrumental award -- all for his debut studio album “Chopin: Etudes,” released last year under the Decca Classics label, according to the organizer on Thursday. It marked the first time since the award's inception in 2006 that a single album has claimed all three titles. Even more unprecedented: a first-time winner in the newcomer cate
April 24, 2025 -
In 'Once,' supporting characters playing live music complete story
For the musical “Once,” 16 different types of instruments -- including guitar, mandolin, violin and drums -- are used on stage. This show demands 12 performers who can not only act and sing, but also play musical instruments. In fact, the difficulty of assembling a cast of skilled actor-musicians is one reason the show is returning to the stage a full decade after its Korean premiere in 2014. While more musicals featuring actor-musicians — such as Great Comet and Zorro — are appearing domestical
April 22, 2025 -
'We are our bravest when we love': Cyrano reimagined through coming-of-age 'The Ballads for Roxanne'
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, "The Ballads for Roxanne," a Korean adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s "Cyrano de Bergerac," is being staged at the National Theater Company of Korea’s Myeongdong Theater through this Sunday. Directed by Seo Chung-sik, the production breathes new life into the beloved classic -- this time, through the eyes of Roxanne, the woman at the center of Cyrano’s affections and the pursuit of many male characters. While the original play is famed for its swashbuckling poet Cy
April 22, 2025 -
'The Great Gatsby' off to strong start in West End
“The Great Gatsby” Broadway musical is off to a strong start in London’s West End, with its nine preview performances from April 11 to 19 grossing 4.75 million pounds ($6.4 million). The musical, produced by leading Korean production house OD Company, is set to officially open on Thursday after its preview run at the London Coliseum. Marking its first anniversary on Broadway this month, the production is gaining momentum for a global rollout, with a stop planned in South Korea this July, accordi
April 22, 2025 -
Simcheong reimagined: Genre-bending pansori theater is born
"Simcheong" is a story every Korean child grows up with — a tale of devotion, sacrifice, filial piety and transformation, told and retold in countless variations. Among them is "Simcheongga," the pansori version — Korea’s traditional form of musical storytelling accompanied by a "gosu," or drummer. Even within pansori, multiple versions exist, each offering its own take on the enduring narrative. This year, the story of Simcheong is being reimagined as something entirely new: a pansori theater p
April 21, 2025 -
Baritone Park Jusung to present recitals as Mapo artist-in-residence
Two moments changed the course of Korean baritone Park Jusung's life. The first came in his freshman year of high school, when he saw the opera “Carmen” for the first time. At the time, Park dreamed of working in media as a producer or film director, but after watching the performance he was deeply drawn to the world of opera and hoped to be involved in some way -- even though he never imagined himself as a singer. “I didn’t think I had the voice for it,” said Park, who is the 2025 artist-in-res
April 20, 2025