Yeom Da-yeon and five other Korean ballet dancers honored at 54th Prix de Lausanne

South Korean ballerina Yeom Da-yeon, 17, has claimed second prize at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne 2026, leading a remarkable showing for young Korean dancers at the young dancer competition. At the finals held Saturday at the Beaulieu Theatre in Lausanne, Switzerland, Yeom was awarded the "Bourse Jeune Etoile" (Young Star Scholarship) and also took home the audience favorite award. William Gyves from the United States won the first prize. Rather than attending a specialized arts high school

Feb. 8, 2026

The adrenaline maestro: How Yoon Han-kyeol turns crises into career-defining moments

For most conductors, a phone call 48 hours before a major international concert across the continent is a nightmare scenario. For Yoon Han-kyeol, it is becoming a signature move. The 32-year-old conductor and composer was originally slated to return to his native South Korea to lead a New Year’s concert -- his first homecoming in January after 15 years abroad. But when the phone rang with an urgent request from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, plans changed instantly. Yoon flew to Canada to step

Feb. 8, 2026

Lim Yunchan's dream recitals: One preserved forever at Carnegie Hall, the other in his head

For pianist Lim Yunchan, Bach’s Goldberg Variations have lived close to his heart since childhood. He first encountered the work at the age of eight, after discovering a box set of Bach recordings by Glenn Gould. “When I first listened to it, I was amazed by its grandeur and beauty, and it has remained close to my heart ever since. I’ve dreamt of releasing this piece as a live album from Carnegie Hall,” Lim, who became the youngest person ever to win gold at the Van Cliburn International Piano C

Feb. 6, 2026

Ahn Eun-me’s ‘Post-Oriental Express’ rides toward a new Asia

When told that overseas audiences had “never seen anything like this before,” choreographer Ahn Eun-me shot back without missing a beat: “Of course not! I’m here for the first time!” Delivered half in jest and half with defiant pride, the remark captures the irrepressible confidence that has long made Ahn one of the most singular forces in contemporary dance. Her latest work, “Post-Oriental Express,” has been rolling across Europe like a relentless train, cutting through borders and expectations

Feb. 4, 2026

National Contemporary Dance Company takes 'Jungle' to Spain, Belgium

Two repertory works from the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company head to Spain and Belgium this month. "Jungle" will be performed at Barcelona’s Mercat de les Flors from Feb. 6-8, invited to be part of the venue’s 2025-26 season. All performances have sold out. From Feb. 13-14, the company then heads to the Pays de Danse Festival at the Theatre de Liege in Belgium, one of Europe’s key contemporary dance platforms, where "Jungle" and "Everything Falls Dramatic" will close the festival. Chor

Feb. 4, 2026

A tour's poignant finale for Chung Myung-whun — and Lim Yunchan's fans

On Sunday afternoon at the Seoul Arts Center, the Staatskapelle Dresden, an orchestra with a 478-year history, together with maestro Chung Myung-whun and star pianist Lim Yunchan, brought the curtain down on their five-performance tour of Korea. Before the concert began, a series of solemn announcements urged audience members to switch off their mobile phones completely. "Audiences are the third player," one announcement said over the loudspeakers. The message was reinforced on the first page of

Feb. 3, 2026

Breaking open on stage, Lee Sang-yun finds the human Alan Turing

For all the ideas embedded in "Turing Machine," actor Lee Sang-yun says the play is about a human being. “There’s a great deal in the story,” Lee said during a group interview with reporters Thursday in Seoul, “but in the end, it’s about one human being — someone who was lonely because of the gap between what he was searching for and the reality he faced.” Lee plays Alan Turing (1912-1954), the brilliant British mathematician at the center of the production that traces his life as a pioneer of m

Feb. 3, 2026

'Don't be a puppet, have your own voice': Park Geun-hyung urges young actors to be creative on stage

"Welcome to a life that will test you at every turn," actor Park Geun-hyung began, in speaking before some 30 young aspiring theater actor, who leaned forward in rapt attention, determined not to miss a single word. "There will be days when you feel like suffocating, and days when you feel like leaping with joy. There will be moments when you cannot even control yourself," he continued. "The kind of intensity you will feel is something no amount of wealth can replace, and it is something only yo

Feb. 2, 2026

Korea passes law to combat scalping, piracy

South Korea on Thursday passed a series of revised laws aimed at banning ticket scalping in the performance and sports sectors and curbing the illegal distribution of Korean content. The National Assembly approved amendments to the Copyright Act, the Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act during a plenary session, paving the way for stricter enforcement against two practices the government has described as major threats to the country’s cultural industries. Culture, Sports and Tou

Jan. 29, 2026

Four world-class Korean pianists to take stage for late Hyundai founder

Four of Korea’s most internationally acclaimed pianists will come together next month for a memorial concert honoring the late Chung Ju-yung, founder of Hyundai Motor Group, marking the 25th anniversary of his passing. The concert, titled “Asan Chung Ju-yung Memorial Concert: The Resonance Continues,” will be held on Feb. 25 at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. Organized by Hyundai Motor Group, the event seeks to reflect on the entrepreneur’s enduring legacy through music. World-renowne

Jan. 29, 2026

Kim Chang-wan reflects on time, youth and legacy with new single 'Seventy'

Veteran singer-songwriter Kim Chang-wan returned with a new album — his first in a decade under the name of the Kim Chang-wan Band — titled "Seventy" on Tuesday. The release marks yet another milestone for the artist, who approaches the 50th anniversary of his debut next year. "Seventy" includes the titular track alongside "I Love You." In "Seventy," the 71-year-old artist reflects on life with introspection and the lingering regrets that come with age, delivering his thoughts in an unhurried, a

Jan. 28, 2026

Youngest Paganini laureate Kim Hyun-seo emerging as Korea's next violin voice

Korean violinist Kim Hyun-seo made headlines in October 2025 when she won third prize at the Premio Paganini International Violin Competition, becoming the youngest laureate in the competition's 72-year history. In addition to the third prize, Kim received two special honors: the audience award and youngest finalist award, underscoring both her musical impact and exceptional precocity on one of the world's most demanding violin stages. Born in 2010, Kim is widely regarded as one of Korea's most

Jan. 28, 2026

BTS 'Arirang' world tour sells out across North America, Europe

Tickets for K-pop megastar BTS' upcoming "Arirang" world tour have completely sold out across North America and Europe, the group's agency, BigHit Music, said Tuesday. Tickets for the 41 concerts in these regions were quickly snapped up after going on sale Saturday, demonstrating global fans' immense interest in BTS' return, the agency said. The "Arirang" tour, set to be the largest in K-pop history, will kick off April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul. The world tour will span 34 cities an

Jan. 27, 2026

Sejong Center flips the script: audience takes the stage

At the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun — the country’s largest performance venue with 3,022 seats spanning three tiers — the audience typically watches from their seats in the dark. On Sunday and Monday, the center inverted this dynamic with "Reading & Listening Stage." Instead of filling the auditorium, participants were invited to sit on the stage itself. Facing the cavernous, empty hall where thousands of eyes usually stare back, they experienced the

Jan. 26, 2026

More than trophies: Why the Choreo Awards matter

At first glance, the 2025 Choreo Awards might resemble any other industry ceremony: a red carpet, reception, acceptance speeches and polished performances. Inside the venue, however, it became clear that the event was about more than trophies. It marked a long-overdue moment of recognition for the dancers and choreographers who have shaped K-pop and K-culture as profoundly as the idols on stage. The second Choreo Awards were held Saturday in Seoul, hosted by the Korea Choreography Copyright Asso

Jan. 25, 2026