[Amazing Korea] Cultural experiences in downtown Seoul in 2016!

Cultural experiences in downtown Seoul in 2016!

Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering a diverse range of cultural events for everyone to enjoy with family, friends, or loved ones in 2016.

Parents who wish to give their children special memories during the vacation months should consider taking them to see The Tempest, a musical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s famous romantic masterpiece. This performance will be held at the Sejong M Theater from January 13 (Tues) to 31 (Sun). Viewers can expect a family-friendly version of the original work that still expresses the same profound emotional depth and meaning. Moreover, each performance of the play will provide English subtitles and a study guide to each audience member, giving them the rare opportunity to enhance their understanding of the play by reading the original text while viewing the live performance. The Tempest is great for not only Shakespeare enthusiasts but also parents who want to give their children more exposure to English. Ticket prices range from KRW 20,000 to 40,000.
Until March 13 (Sun), the Seoul Museum of Art will put the spotlight on the creative world of world-famous movie director Stanley Kubrick. A titan of the movie industry who created some of the most innovative films in movie history, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick has been paid homage by some of the most eminent movie directors of our time, including Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg. Held in Asia for the first time, this exhibition is also significant as it is the largest of its kind to date.

Until February 21, the SeMA Nam Seoul Living Arts Museum will be featuring the SeMA Modern History Project Evolved Museum: The Former Belgian Consulate. The exhibition gives a glimpse into the past and highlights the present of the building that once served as the Belgian Consulate during the Daehan Empire and is currently being used as the Nam Seoul Living Arts Museum. This exhibit provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the rich historic significance of this modern cultural heritage while appreciating its present value as an art museum.

The Sejong Museum of Art is currently holding an exhibition on Paik Nam June, the father of two-way TV communication, titled Paik Nam June: Groove_Heung. This special exhibition sheds new light on the creative world of Paik in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of his death and will be open to the public until January 29. On Fridays and Saturdays during the exhibition period, informal lectures will be held on Paik’s work. As the meaning behind Paik’s artwork is often difficult to grasp at first, the Museum is permitting visitors to view the exhibition on two separate occasions with one ticket.

Until March 13, the Seoul Museum of History will be holding Gyeonghuigung Palace Still Lives, an exhibition outlining the 400-year history of the palace that was deeply treasured by Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo. Having served alongside Changdeokgung Palace as one of the two main palaces of the royal family in the late Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung Palace and its history will be presented in detail through over 200 relics, including stone statues and palace records. This exhibition is an opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse into the extensive history of this remarkable palace.

Until March 27, the DDP Design Museum will be holding the fifth segment of The Treasures of Kansong : Flowers, Birds, and Animals in Korean Painting. The paintings of flowers, birds, insects, and fish featured in this exhibition show that this genre was just as popular with ancient Koreans as landscape and portrait paintings. Featuring the most representative artworks from a period that spans 500 years, from the reign of King Gongmin in late Goryeo to the time of artist Lee Do-hyeong in late Joseon, the exhibition will show visitors the differences in painting styles across multiple generations.

SOURCE : http://www.whowired.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=407657

[Amazing Korea] Korea Emerges as Mecca of 3T Trends

Korea Emerges as Mecca of 3T Trends

 

A photo of the "House of Dior" store, the brand's largest flagship store in the world, which opened in June in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.

 

 

 Until now, global luxury fashion brands have focused on Japan and China for Asian fashion and beauty. However, they are recently beginning to acknowledge Korea as the trend maker, trend setter, and trend leader, as the country quickly accepts fashion trends and reproduces them after modification and reinterpretation.

 

 According to industry sources on Sept. 8, this year has become the first year of the start of culture marketing, as more global leading luxury fashion brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, are spending time in Korea. Flagship stores of luxury fashion brands are springing up in Cheongdam-dong fashion street for the first time in 10 years. Also, they are renovating their stores to the largest and the most luxurious in the world. This is because they can attract attention and make huge advertising effects in the global markets with the opening of their stores in Seoul, which has become the mecca of trends.

 

 An unprecedented increasing number of masters in the fashion industry are visiting Korea. Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer and creative director of Chanel, visited Korea early this year and said, “Tradition and cutting-edge technology coexist in perfect harmony in Seoul and it is the dynamic and creative city.” Lagerfeld is nicknamed to be the Pope in the fashion industry. Also, Suzy Menkes, a fashion journalist who exerts powerful influence on the global fashion trend, visited Korea in July and said, “Now it is Seoul.” She also promised that she would visit Korea again next year.

 

 Korean cosmetics firms are leading the trend in the global beauty market with AmorePacific, which has first created the “Cushion Foundation,” in the lead. Lancôme, the leading French luxury beauty brand, has replicated the product of AmorePacific and asked to build a strategic partnership, while other global leaders, such as L'Oréal and ELKA, are showing their eager attention in domestic cosmetic producers. In the rear, smaller beauty brands are creating the global facial mask market and forming the emerging K-beauty corps, and domestic cosmeceutical brands are tapping into the global niche market.

 

 Since Korean consumers have more knowledge than workers in the beauty industry due to the effects of social network services making them trendy and smart consumers, Korea has changed from a test market in the past to a qualified market now. So the country is being paid attention to by global beauty brands as a bridge market, the center of the trends in Asia.

 

 

 

Source : http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/article/11988/trendy-seoul-korea-emerges-mecca-3t-trends

[Amazing Korea] ‘Korea Is Only Asian Country to Compete with Hollywood’s Cultural Hegemony’

‘Korea Is Only Asian Country to Compete with Hollywood’s Cultural Hegemony’

 

 

 

Chung Jen Feng, vice president of Wanda Media.

 

 Jung Min-heeChung Jen Feng, vice president of Wanda Media, said at the 4th KOFIC Global Forum held in KCCI on Sept. 3 that Korea is the only Asian country that can compete with Hollywood’s cultural hegemony.

 “I think that Korea is the most advanced country in Asia in film industrialization and systems, and the only Asian country that can compete with Hollywood’s cultural hegemony. I think China has a lot to learn from Korea, like how to deal with American hegemony, and what measures to take in order to advance China’s film industry. So, I expect that cooperation between the two countries will expand in the future.”

 Chung visited Korea to participate in the 4th KOFIC Global Forum, which took place at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul for two days from Sept. 2, and to discuss how to converge with information communication technology (ICT), which is recently the talk of the town in the film industry. Since he has close ties with Korean film producers and production companies, he will stay in Korea until Sept. 6 to visit several firms. 
 He said, “The Korean movie that I recently saw is 'Assassination.
' Actress Jun Ji-hyun’s charm stood out in the movie. I have seen several joint films of her in Hong Kong, but I found this most attractive. I think the actress could shine in the movie, since the outstanding director showed his ability to the full. This is the strength of Korean movies.”

 Founded in 2011, Wanda Media is rapidly growing in China after releasing a lot of movies in a short period of time, such as “Police Story 2014” and the theatrical cut of “Hurry Up, Brother”, which is a Chinese version of Korean TV show “Running Man.” He said, “The unique part of Wanda Media from China’s other five major film companies is the fact that it is a subsidiary of the Wanda Group, which encompasses a wide range of business areas. With the group having high hopes for the company, we are cooperating with firms around the world. Also, we are aiming to become the most powerful film producer in the world some time.”


 Regarding to the fact that Korea is a country that frequently cooperates with China more than other Asian countries, he said that it is due to the cultural and historical similarity between the two countries and the popularity of Korean stars in China. Above all things, however, it is because Korea has high competitiveness due to its advanced film system. “China’s movie industry now has a lot in common with Korea. To be sure, Korea is a step ahead, so China will follow a similar pattern in the future,” he added.

Source : http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/article/11936/hollywood-competition-%E2%80%98korea-only-asian-country-compete-hollywood%E2%80%99s-cultural-hegemony%E2%80%99#sthash.gTIcGC0u.dpuf