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Korean selected as guest language of 2026 Avignon Festival
The Avignon Festival, one of the world’s most vibrant performing arts festivals, announced Wednesday that it has selected Korean as its official guest language for the 2026 edition. “The Avignon Festival welcomes an Asian language that is now enjoying worldwide popularity. South Korean culture fascinates the world: K-pop, cinema, series, literature. But beyond this soft power, we want to show the richness of Korean performing arts,” the Avignon Festival said in its announcement on Facebook. Held
July 23, 2025 -
Belgian National Orchestra to make Korea debut, reuniting with pianist Paik Hae-sun after 34 years
The Belgian National Orchestra will make its long-awaited Korean debut this fall. From Sept. 24 to 30, the ensemble will present six performances across the country, beginning at Seoul Arts Center. The program will feature Paik Hae-sun, one of Korea’s most iconic pianists and a renowned educator, in a long-anticipated reunion with the orchestra after 34 years. Paik will join the BNO and conductor Antony Hermus to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Their last collaboration d
July 23, 2025 -
Six EMK musicals coming to Disney+ next month
Some of Korea’s most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are soon to be available via streaming. The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — “Elisabeth,” “Phantom,” “Monte Cristo,” “The Man Who Laughs,” “Xcalibur” and “Marie Antoinette” — will be released on Disney+ next month for users in Korea. Among them, "Monte Cristo," "Phantom" and "Elisabeth" have already been made available through a variety
July 21, 2025 -
Soprano Hwang Sumi offers self-curated 'Soundtrack' trilogy ― song, opera, cinema
In the latter half of 2025, soprano Hwang Sumi will take the reins of Lotte Concert Hall’s matinee series as both curator and performer. Titled “Soundtrack,” the three-part concert series will showcase the artist’s range across the classical, operatic and cinematic genres ― each installment exploring a different facet of the 39-year-old soprano's musical identity. For the internationally renowned soprano and respected educator, the project marks a meaningful expansion of her role. “I’ve always a
July 21, 2025 -
Chung Kyung-wha to launch Korea and US recital tour with Kevin Kenner, her 'soulmate in music'
Korean violin legend Chung Kyung-wha, now 77 and in the 58th year of her illustrious career, will embark on a recital tour this fall, joined by longtime musical partner pianist Kevin Kenner. The tour includes four performances across Korea in September as well as four concerts in North America in November. The Korean leg of the tour kicks off in Pyeongtaek on Sept. 13, followed by stops in Goyang on Sept. 21, Seoul on Sept. 24 and Tongyeong on Sept. 26. The US tour marks Chung’s return to New Yo
July 18, 2025 -
Jacky Cheung to perform first-ever concert in South Korea at Inspire Arena
Jacky Cheung will be bringing his celebrated "60+ Concert Tour" to South Korea this fall, marking his first time performing in the country. The performance will take place at Inspire Arena on Sept. 13, marking Cheung’s debut concert in South Korea after more than four decades of international stardom. Tickets will be available starting July 22 via Nol Interpark Ticket and on July 23 through Damai.cn. Cheung, 63, rose to fame after winning the 18th District Amateur Singing Festival in Hong Kong i
July 18, 2025 -
Korean production of 'The Cherry Orchard' sets off on global tour
Following its sensational premiere in Seoul, the Korean production of "The Cherry Orchard" will embark on an international tour this fall, beginning with performances in Hong Kong and Singapore. The original Seoul cast, led by Cannes-winning Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo, will reprise their roles, joined by fellow original cast members Sohn Sang-gyu, Choi Hee-seo, Lee Ji-hye, Nam Yun-ho, Yoo Byung-hun, Park Yu-rim, Lee Sae-jun and Lee Ju-won. The adaptation directed by Simon Stone and produced b
July 17, 2025 -
With 'nervous fear,' producer Shin Chun-soo brings 'The Great Gatsby' to Korea
On Aug. 1, “The Great Gatsby” musical will mark a milestone with simultaneous performances in three of the world’s major musical theater hubs — New York, London, and Seoul — just 15 months after its Broadway premiere. Behind this ambitious endeavor is Korean producer Shin Chun-soo, founder and CEO of OD Company. “On Broadway or the West End, it’s nervous excitement. In Seoul, it's a nervous fear,” Shin told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday. “Korean audiences are terrifying. They’re
July 16, 2025 -
Final lineup announced for 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
The final lineup and schedule have been confirmed for the 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, featuring a total of 58 acts. The city of Incheon announced Tuesday that singer-songwriter Milena and six up-and-coming bands selected through the 2025 Pentaport Super Rookie event will be the final additions to the roster. Milena, known for her jazz and classic-inspired compositions, warm yet dreamy voice and poetic lyrics rooted in everyday life, previously joined indie band Wave to Earth on their N
July 15, 2025 -
'K-culture begins with the arts': National Theater of Korea launches new season
When Korean cultural references like gat, dopo robes, magpies and tigers appear in hit animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," it’s a sign that the stature of Korean culture has changed significantly, according to Park In-gun, CEO of the National Theater of Korea. “And K-culture begins with the fundamental arts. I hope to see powerful works that expand across the world," Park said during a recent press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. Building on that foundation, the National Theater
July 13, 2025 -
‘A Story of Man and Wife’ conveys Korean realities via classical vocals
A couple’s story unfolds through classical vocals with hyper-realistic lyrics. Sung by beautiful voices over flowing piano melodies, the witty yet candid lyrics touch on high housing prices, interest rates, exhausting marriage preparations, child care allowances and much more. Composed by Ryu Jeajoon, 54, with lyrics by Bong Joon-soo, 55, an English literature professor at Seoul National University, the music drama "A Story of Man and Wife" grapples with one of South Korea’s biggest societal cha
July 10, 2025 -
Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi reunite on stage for ‘Shakespeare in Love’
Six years after portraying a fluttering teenage couple in coming-of-age drama “At Eighteen” experiencing their first love together, singer-actor Ong Seong-wu and Kim Hyang-gi have reunited — this time on stage, as they both make their theatrical debut in the Korean production of “Shakespeare in Love.” The romantic comedy, adapted from the Oscar-winning 1998 film of the same title, opened Saturday at the CJ Towol Theater at the Seoul Arts Center. Ong, formerly of the since-disbanded boy band Wann
July 10, 2025 -
Daniil Simkin would like to 'break free' into ballet's new frontiers
It is not always easy to find yourself in the classical stories of ballet, says Daniil Simkin. Yet at the heart of these works, he sees something universally resonant — “the romantic idea of breaking free from constraints and following one’s passion.” The internationally acclaimed ballet star, a former principal dancer with American Ballet Theater and Staatsballett Berlin, is back in Seoul to perform Prince Siegfried in “Swan Lake” with Universal Ballet. The shows, scheduled for July 19-27 at th
July 9, 2025 -
X for borderless, frontier music: ACC rebrands its global festival
The National Asian Culture Center Foundation, based in Gwangju, has relaunched its global music event, the ACC World Music Festival, under a new name and an expanded vision as the ACC X Music Festival (ACC XMF). The newly rebranded festival is set to take place from Aug. 29 to 31. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the ACC, the rebranding aims to redefine the festival’s identity and direction. Organizers say the change reflects a shift toward a broader, more inclusive global perspective and
July 8, 2025 -
'Nikola Tesla' triumphs as DIMF closes 18-day celebration of musical theater
The 19th Daegu International Musical Festival, Korea’s leading global musical theater event, concluded its 18-day run Monday with awards recognizing outstanding productions and talents from both Korea and abroad. The grand prize was awarded to Hungarian production "Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy," which tells the story of the 19th-century inventor using modern stage technology. The award for original musical went to "Shakespiece," a Korean production developed through DIMF’s support program, whic
July 8, 2025