Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon is embarking on a series of recitals in 10 cities. Titled “My Clara,” the nationwide tour begins Thursday and continues through June 1. The program, drawn up by the pianist himself, includes Clara Schumann’s Notturno in F Major, Robert Schumann’s Fantasie in C Major and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor.  Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon performs the first movement of Robert Schumann’s Fantasie in C Major during a press conference for his nationwide tour “My Clara” held M

Clean Bandit’s Seoul performance is drawing near with the 2019 Seoul Jazz Festival slated to take place in late May. The British band’s performance is much anticipated by the South Korean audience, as last year’s appearance was canceled at the last moment. “Very excited. I have been to Korea once before, but we had to leave almost immediately after the show so I was disappointed,” Grace Chatto said via email, representing the trio of three siblings -- herself and brothers Jack and Luke Patterson

Frozen desserts at The Westin Chosun SeoulThe Westin Chosun Seoul’s Lounge & Bar presents new frozen treats for summer. It offers two types of bingsu, topped with seasonal fruits, watermelon and green grapes, at 36,000 won. For a different treat, parfait topped with grape ice cream is available at 27,000 won. The promotion continues until the end of August. For more information, call Lounge & Bar at (02) 317-0365. Barbeque night at Grand Hilton Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant presen

Beaches in the Busan area are set to open for the summer. Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches will open June 1 and July 1, respectively. The Busan Metropolitan City Government announced Friday that it would hold a conference Monday at City Hall to discuss the operation of beaches during the upcoming summer season. 　 This photo shows Haeundae Beach in Busan, some 450 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 17, 2018. (Yonhap)At the conference, local authorities are to discuss a number of issues so that loca

Fancy a glass of sujeonggwa-tini? Sujeonggwa is persimmon punch made with cinnamon and ginger, usually served as dessert. To create sujeonggwa-tini, local distilled spirit is added to the sweet traditional drink, and the mixture is shaken with ice in a reinterpretation of traditional Korean liquor. As its name suggests, sujeonggwa-tini is similar to martini, with strong soju serving as the base. Pine nuts are sprinkled on top as a garnish. The drink is one of nine cocktails mixed with Korean liq

Celebrating the upcoming release of director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” a local cinema chain is offering moviegoers the opportunity to rediscover the acclaimed director’s filmography.CGV Arthouse will screen Bong’s past films from May 16 to 29 at its seven branches across the nation, in Myeong-dong and Apgujeong in Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon and Incheon. Director Bong Joon-ho speaks during a press conference for “Parasite,” held at the Westin Chosun Seoul on April 22. (Yonhap)Five fil

Musician Jang Sa-ik, known for his unique interpretation of traditional Korean songs, will show his talent for “seoye” at an exhibition in Seoul. Seoye refers to Korean calligraphy, a tradition of artistic writing created with brushstrokes. Using only black ink, it conveys a sense of depth and breadth.  Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21) Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21) Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21)Jang, 70, is a famous singer who incorporates the art of pansori into his music, as well as the folk and pop

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed.Though its name can be translated to “army stew” in English, the official translation of budaejjigae, approved by the Korean Food Foundation, is actually sausage stew.The dish features more than just sausages, however, being a fusion of Korean-st

Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, an influential Beethoven expert, is to share his understanding of the maestro with the Korean audience through a six-day concert tour.The renowned Austrian pianist, who has put on more than 50 performances of Beethoven’s complete 32 sonata cycle and has recorded the set three times, is to delight the locals with a series of recitals across the nation from Tuesday to Sunday. 　Titled “Rudolf Buchbinder & Beethoven,” the series will comprise a selection of Beethoven’s pia

Much like other Korean instruments, the geomungo is considered an instrument of the past -- one of royal court music and traditional compositions.But here is a musician who has turned the tables on those preconceptions. Park Woo-jae literally turns the 2,000-year-old instrument around, opening up a whole new dimension to how it sounds. After a five-year absence from performance in Korea, the musician recently held a solo recital at Seoul Namsan Gukakdang. In recent years, he has mostly performed

Conductor Osmo Vanska, who specializes in Sibelius, has been appointed as music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, ending the orchestra’s four-year leadership vacancy.SPO CEO Kang Eun-kyung revealed the appointment -- made after a three-year screening process -- at a press conference Thursday to mark the one-year anniversary since she took office. “I had the confidence that Vanska is the person that the SPO needs, seeing the devotion he had shown to the orchestras he worked with. The

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries that specialize in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Gongdeok-dong, situated in western Seoul, is a neighborhood where diverse groups mix -- office workers, residents and foreign tourists too.It also is home to the nearly century-old Gongdeok Market, where a wide variety of products from grocer

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail will be provided for each person. The meal costs 140,000 won per person an

Seoul Arts Center’s new President Yoo In-taek, appointed to the position in March, believes improving the arts complex‘s financial situation to be a priority.　The center in southern Seoul is a venue for various art performances. Opened in 1988 in time for the Seoul Olympics, it has functioned as a focal point of diverse art activities. 　 “The current financial structure must be revamped,” said Yoo, 64, at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, pointing to the importance of financial resources i

Aiming to promote interest in the local opera scene, the 10th edition of the Korea Opera Festival will run May 17 to June 9.The festival, now in its 10th edition, hopes to show a wide spectrum of operas, rather than reproducing money-making pieces. “This festival is about providing opera companies an opportunity to perform and, for the audience, it is a chance to watch high quality performances at a discounted price,” Lee So-young, head of the organizing committee, said at a press conference hel

Composer Chin Un-suk, 58, winner of the 2019 Bach Award, has been named composer-in-residence of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. The orchestra, based at the iconic Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall in Germany, announced it had invited Chin as composer-in-residence for the 2019-20 season at a press conference Friday for the inauguration of Chief Conductor Alan Gilbert. Unsuk Chin (Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra)The orchestra will explore Chin’s musical universe this season through seven progr

The Metropolitan Opera’s Jennifer Rowley, who has been performing “Tosca” at the Met since the 2017-18 season, will take to the stage Tuesday at the Seoul Arts Center in a concert performance of the Puccini opera. “This is my debut here, so I am excited to bring my ‘Tosca’ to Seoul,” the soprano said at a press conference Thursday at the center. “Tosca” is one of the three major operas by Puccini, along with “La Boheme” and “Madama Butterfly.” Soprano Jennifer Rowley speaks during a press confer

The Grand Hyatt Seoul has completed the renovation of its suites. Australian design firm Bar Studio, which was in charge of the interior spaces within the Park Hyatt Shanghai, Park Hyatt Sydney and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, led the recent renovation of the hotel’s 53 suites. The rooms have undergone a significant upgrade while embracing the original design of famed interior architect John Morford, with subtle references to Korean culture.Three premium-level suites -- the Diplomatic, Ambassador and

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s grill restaurant The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail drink will also be provided for each person. The meal cos

Being in a band is cool, especially if the band is Linkin Park. The iconic American rock band has produced numerous hits, including “In the End” and “Numb,” since its debut in 1996 and boasts a long list of awards. Since the tragic loss of its vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017, the band is on hiatus. Still, the band exists and Joe Hahn has been part of its miraculous journey through the years, standing in the back as the DJ. The 42-year-old Korean-American artist is now stepping forward in Sou