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Strings and rituals: Korean artists bring spirit of tradition to Europe
Two acclaimed works from Seoul’s performing arts scene will travel to Europe this fall, according to the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. Two previous winners of the Seoul Arts Award, now in its third year, will tour eight cities in seven countries this October and November, with a total of 12 performances. The first leg of the tour features geomungo virtuoso Heo Yoon-jeong, who won the inaugural grand prize. Her work “Masterful Harmony” brings together the timbres of traditional Korean in
Oct. 1, 2025 -
Hannah Cho becomes first musician of Korean descent to join Vienna Philharmonic
The Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, has appointed Korean American violinist Hannah Cho (Cho Soo-jin) as a full member. The appointment makes her the first musician of Korean descent to join the 183-year-old orchestra since its founding in 1842. According to the classical music community on Monday, the orchestra, which currently has 148 members, confirmed Cho’s appointment to the second violin section following a final vote on Sept. 22. Securing a permanent se
Sept. 29, 2025 -
Seoul Philharmonic’s van Zweden unveils a diverse, chameleon-like future for the orchestra
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s fall and winter program sets out a vision for the ensemble’s future, the orchestra's music director Jaap van Zweden said at a press conference on Tuesday. At its core, he explained, it will showcase diversity and the orchestra’s chameleon-like colors. “It is a blueprint of what we have done over the past year, balancing legacy with adaptability. The future for a symphonic orchestra is to be a chameleon,” he said. “A good example sits right next to me. He educat
Sept. 23, 2025 -
Exploring contemporary society through 'lens of entanglement and friction'
The 25th edition of Korea’s leading international performing arts festival, the 2025 Seoul Performing Arts Festival, will take place Oct. 16-Nov. 9 across major Seoul venues, including the National Theater of Korea, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, ARKO and Daehakro Arts Theater. This year’s theme, “Entanglement and Friction,” is inspired by Korean-German philosopher Han Byung-chul’s idea that true meaning and beauty emerge not from flawlessness but from imperfection, conflict, negation, u
Sept. 23, 2025 -
Korea's trendy traditional sounds beckon
From Oct. 15 to 25, ten gugak orchestras from across the nation will gather to showcase the full spectrum of Korean traditional music, from faithful renditions to bold contemporary reinterpretations. Marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s first traditional orchestra, which arranges traditional Korean instruments in the style of a Western symphony orchestra, this year’s festival will also spotlight composers as part of its effort to broaden gugak’s canon and its reach. “Following the globa
Sept. 22, 2025 -
After injury, Chung Kyung-wha returns to Carnegie with a trusted musical partner
In 1967, a 19-year-old Chung Kyung-wha stood on the stage of Carnegie Hall for the final of the Leventritt Competition, sharing first prize with Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman — a victory that launched her international career. Fifty years later, she marked the milestone — and her twentieth performance at Carnegie — in the same hall with Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas. On Nov. 7, the legendary Korean violinist returns once more, following years of recovery from injury. This time, she i
Sept. 21, 2025 -
Universal story and very Korean, 'Cherry Orchard' kicks off world tour on a high note
HONG KONG -- With two of Korea’s most celebrated actors, Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo, in the lead roles, the Korean production of “The Cherry Orchard” opened the Hong Kong Asia+ Festival 2025 to sold-out houses, successfully kicking off its international tour that will run through 2026. The play, which ran Sept. 19-21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s 1,700-seat Grand Theater, was the festival’s official opening program. Tickets for all three performances — more than 4,200 seats excluding res
Sept. 21, 2025 -
From teacher to student spanning three generations: Lim Yunchan, Sohn Minsoo and Byun Wha Kyung unite on stage
South Korean piano sensation Lim Yunchan, the youngest gold medalist of the Cliburn International Piano Competition, has often spoken about the profound influence of his teacher, Sohn Minsoo. Their artistic bond was on full display in July when the teacher and the student shared the stage for a compelling four-hands performance. Sohn, in turn, has frequently credited his mentors Russell Sherman and Byun Wha Kyung with shaping his artistry since he met them at the New England Conservatory at the
Sept. 15, 2025 -
Musicians of Korea and Hong Kong to join forces onstage
Three major concerts bringing together leading Hong Kong ensembles and prominent Korean musicians will mark Seoul’s cultural calendar in October. Part of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, the performances range from traditional Chinese orchestral works to contemporary Asian premieres and Romantic classics, placing music at the heart of the festival’s monthlong program. The series begins Oct. 11 at Lotte Concert Hall, when conductor Yan Huichang leads the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. The ensemble, renow
Sept. 11, 2025 -
Industry leaders push for dedicated promotion law amid Korean musical boom
“Is the definition of K-musicals really that important?” asked writer Park Chun-hue at the Korean Musical Forum in Seoul last week. Park, who won a Tony Award this year for "Maybe Happy Ending," co-written with Will Aronson, underscored his belief that authenticity, not labels, should define the future of Korean musicals. “The identity of K-musicals will be determined by the audience, not the creators,” he said. “For us, what matters most is delivering the work as it was intended, without distor
Sept. 9, 2025 -
'Book of the Dead' dances through afterlife
The National Dance Company of Korea will restage "Book of the Dead" (2024) from Sept. 17 to 20 at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. The production draws inspiration from the Tibetan Buddhist scripture "Bardo Thodol," commonly known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead," a spiritual guide for navigating the afterlife. Choreographed by the state dance company's artistic director Kim Jong-deok, "Book of the Dead" is Kim’s first work as artistic director since
Sept. 8, 2025 -
Sawasdee Seoul Festival 2025 marks Thai-Korean ties with culture and ceremony
Thailand’s biggest cultural showcase in South Korea wrapped up Sunday after drawing thousands of visitors to Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul, marking expanding cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries as the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025, held on Sept. 6 and 7, was hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul and supported by both Thai and Korean government partners. This year’s edition, held under the theme “Discover Thailand,” was
Sept. 8, 2025 -
Thai drama star Nanon on stage in Seoul: “We carry warmth into our stories”
Just minutes after stepping off stage at Cheonggye Plaza, Thai actor and singer Korapat “Nanon” Kirdpan met with The Korea Herald during the opening day of the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025 on Saturday, his voice still warm with adrenaline from a performance that pulled one of the day’s largest crowds. The rain had been steady throughout the day, but the energy in the plaza remained high. Despite the weather, crowds lined the area from early morning, with many fans waiting under umbrellas or
Sept. 7, 2025 -
Thai traditions and T-pop energy share the spotlight at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul
Rain swept through central Seoul on Saturday, but it didn’t stop the crowds from showing up early, and staying late, for one of the capital’s liveliest cultural weekends in recent months. The Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2025, held at Cheonggye Plaza, returned for its 10th anniversary with a program that blended tradition, pop music and community pride. According to organizers at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, thousands of visitors attended on the first day alone, despite periods of heavy rain
Sept. 7, 2025 -
Seoul International Dance Festival returns with bold social themes
The 28th Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance) will take place from Sept. 10 to 28 across major venues in the city, including Namsan Gugakdang, Eunpyeong Culture & Arts Center and Daehakro Arts Theater. Founded in 1996 and organized by the Seoul section of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, SIDance has grown into one of Korea’s leading privately organized dance festivals, alongside the Changmu International Performing Arts Festival. This year’s edition will feature 38 works from
Sept. 5, 2025