K-pop artists bask in different popularity by region

K-pop artists bask in different popularity by region

North America votes most for EXO, Japan for Kim Hyun-joong, Europe for SHINee

K-pop artists have established different popularity turfs in different countries, a global survey conducted by CJ E&M showed.

According to the poll results released Friday, the most popular K-pop artist globally turned out to be the girl group f(x) who won the highest percentage of votes at 16.4 percent, thanks to their Chinese fandom. 

K-pop boy band Shinhwa won 15.1 percent and SS501 leader Kim Hyun-joong 9.3 percent, placing them second and third, followed by boy bands EXO and SHINee. EXO won the most votes from the U.S., Canada and Korea, whereas Kim Hyun-joong ruled in Japan and SHINee in Europe, Mexico and Argentina. 

(Photo provided by CJ E&M)

Such results came from CJ E&M’s analysis on about 5 million people from 178 nations who participated in “M Wave” (mwave.interest.me), an online poll for cable network music show M Countdown, on their favorite K-pop singers from January to December in 2013. 

CJ E&M said the K-pop popularity charter was most diversified in the Asian continent, where different countries had different favorite K-pop stars, while countries from other continents showed similar tastes. 

Among the Asian countries, f(x) was most popular in China, Kim Hyun-joong in Japan, and boy band FT Island in Taiwan. Girl group 2NE1 topped in the Philippines, EXO in India and Super Junior member Henry in Saudi Arabia. 

“Foreign fans have different preferences for K-pop stars according to the national characteristics and the K-pop artists’ activities in their countries,” Seo Jeong-min, a global operation senior official at CJ E&M, was quoted as saying. He added that such an nalysis can be helpful in the future promotion strategies of K-pop stars. 

By Chung Joo-won 

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K-pop charts in 2014 unpredictable

Psy performs during a concert at the Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium in southern Seoul on Dec. 22. The K-pop sensation will return with a new album next year. / Yonhap By Park Si-soo Next year’s K-pop scene is expected to feature quite a battle for the top of the charts as Psy, Seo Taiji and other top stars are set to return with new albums, posing a challenge to the likes of Girls’ Generation, G-Dragon and EXO. In addition, new groups with game-changing potential are expected to debut after going through long and rigorous apprentice programs, adding to the competition. Psy Vs. Seo Taiji   Seo Taiji Having maintained a low profile for months, Psy spoke about his new song during his year-end concert in Seoul on Dec. 23. “Frankly speaking, ‘Gentleman’ was not the kind of music I can fully show myself with,” the 36-year-old K-pop sensation said during the concert. “I’ll set everything anew in order to play music of my style, which is playful and hilarious.” He said a new song is in the works in collaboration with prominent foreign musicians. “I will do my best next year to live up to the expectations of my fans. To make it real, I need your support,” he shouted. According to YG Entertainment, the upcoming project will be a complete studio album, rather than a single like “Gentleman,” Psy’s follow-up to the global smash “Gangnam Style.” It said Psy has already completed recording all of the tracks for the new album and is currently involved in the pre-production of music videos. Seo Taiji, arguably one of Korea’s most influential musicians, will make a comeback in 2014 with his ninth full-length album, ending a five-year hiatus. “If things go smoothly, I will be able to return with a new album in the middle or later part of next year,” the 41-year-old singer and songwriter wrote on his homepage on Christmas Eve. “Although recording takes several months, and I need more time to finish the work, I feel light-hearted and optimistic because I have already finished the hardest parts of the process for the new album.” His management agency said Seo is extremely deliberate when it comes to work so it’s hard to predict when the work will be completed. Having been called the “president of culture” for his exceptional musical talent, Seo has maintained a low profile since 2008. The agency said he has since spent time traveling around a number of countries and creating new songs. In June, he married Lee Eun-sung, an actress 16 years younger than him. The couple currently lives in an upscale villa in Pyeongchang-dong, Seoul, with Seo’s parents. Rain Vs. TVXQ   TVXQ’s Max Changmin, left, and U-Know By coincidence or not, the two K-pop stars — Rain and TVXQ — will return with new albums to be released on the same day — Jan. 6. With his sixth album “Rain Effect,” the former, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is seeking to regain the huge popularity he enjoyed before beginning his compulsory military service in October 2011. In 2006, Rain was included in a list of the“100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World,” as selected by TIME Magazine. The following year, he topped the American magazine’s online user poll. He also made it onto People Magazine’s 2007 list of “Most Beautiful People” in the world. The 31-year-old was discharged from duty in July, but soon found his fame tarnished due to unsavory scandals he had been embroiled in while in uniform. Last week, he was cleared of suspicions that he violated the military code of conduct during his mandatory service in a high-profile investigation by prosecutors, one of the scandals that have swirled around him. Dal Shabet He currently travels back and forth between the United States and Korea to appear in a Hollywood action thriller. “The Prince,” co-starring with Bruce Willis, John Cusack and Jason Patric. K-pop duo TVXQ’s seventh full-length album, titled “Tense,” is scheduled to come out as the group celebrates its 10th anniversary on stage. The boy band made its debut with five members on Dec. 26, 2003, but later three of them — Park Yu-chun, Kim Jun-su and Jim Jae-joong — left the band and launched JYJ in 2010 after legal disputes with SM Entertainment. The duo showed the teaser video for their new album during a year-end concert on Thursday. U-Know, one of the members, hinted that fans will see them performing more with wires, as seen in the video. Max Changmin, the other member, said, “Ten years ago today, we debuted as five member K-pop band. Thinking of this concert, my heart was racing all day with anticipation, like a little boy on his 10th birthday.” Since the debut, the band has sold nearly 12.2 million copies of album around the world, including 7.8 million in Japan. Other challengers Shinhwa There are more to come with game-changing potential. A promising girl group, Dal Shabet, will release what it called a “mini album” on Jan. 8. Two other girl bands — Girls’ Day and Apink — and soloist Lee Min-woo, also known as M, will also release new albums in January. Korea’s longest-running boy band, Shinhwa, will make public its 12th album in March to celebrate the 16th anniversary of its debut. Shinhwa took a break from group activities since its last concert in 2008, as members fulfilled their mandatory service in the military. While on hiatus, the individual members have worked as television and musical actors, solo vocalists and television entertainers. Sung Si-kyung Crooner Sung Si-kyung, ballad singer Park Hyo-shin, K. will, idol musician IU, Brown Eyed Girls and Sistar are set to return in the first half of next year with new albums. Early this month, the country’s No.1 entertainment agency, SM Entertainment, released pictures and video clips of three young artists who are expected to make debuts next year. The new faces discovered through the firm’s new star incubating project “S.M.ROOKIES” are Lami, 10, Jae-hyun, 16 and Irene, 22. They will take part in various activities, including concerts and TV shows, prior to their formal debuts, the agency said. The second-biggest agency, YG, has already prepared a new five-member boy band, “WINNER.” It already has lots of support as seen by the fans who voted for it during the survival battle program “WIN: Who Is Next.” It will debut early in 2014. The group’s members include “Superstar K2” champion Kang Seung-yoon, as well as “K-Pop Star” season 1’s Top 4 survivor Lee Seung-hoon. The other members are skilled YG trainees Song Min-ho, Nam Tae-hyun, and Kim Jin-woo. The country’s third-biggest entertainment agency, JYP, also has a seven-member boy group going public next month, its first major male band launch since 2PM in 2008. JYP is planning to debut two more groups next year. Meanwhile, the country’s second-biggest broadcaster, MBC, will resume hosting a time-honored music contest for college students in a dramatic policy shift. The “MBC College Music Festival” was first aired in 1977 and has been credited with launching the careers of many influential musicians, such as Sim Soo-bong, Shin Hae-chul and Kim Dong-ryul. The broadcaster cancelled the show this year, citing poor ratings in previous years.

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'Man from Stars' wins big attention

A television drama starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun has exceeded the 20-percent mark in terms of viewership, Nielson Korea has announced. “Man from the Stars,” which airs on SBS Television, achieved this rating in just four episodes. It is broadcast on Wednesdays and Thursdays, right on the heels of yet another popular drama, “The Heirs.” The drama about a man from outer space (played by Kim), who has lived on Earth for 400 years, falling in love with a top actress (played by Jun) easily beat out dramas airing in the same time slot on other channels. MBC’s “Miss Korea” recorded a national average of 7.7 percent and KBS’s “Pretty Boy” starring Jang Keun-suk  was seen by 4.3 percent. Meanwhile, broadcasting rights for “Man from the Stars” has been sold to a Chinese company.

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Girl's Day to release album Friday

The four-member K-pop group Girl’s Day comprising Yura, Minah, Sojin and Hyeri will release their mini-album on Jan. 3. A well-known duo of composers commonly known as Double Kick (Park Jang-gen and Milkey) produced the album. Four new songs including “Something,” “Show You” are featured on the album. According to Dream Tea Entertainment, the agency of Girl’s Day, Double Kick Music was in charge of both composing the music and writing the lyrics. The team has composed numerous K-pop hits by artists such as Sister and K-will. Girl’s Day won over K-pop fans last year with catchy music and sexy dance moves. The group will hold the showcase on the day of releasing their mini-album with a special performance on KBS’s Music Bank.

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Rain to release sixth full-length album today

By Kim Ji-soo The much-awaited return of top K-pop star Rain will occur in the first week of the new year. The singer’s agency Cube DC, which is an affiliate of Cube Entertainment, said Tuesday that he will release his sixth studio album “Rain Effect” Thursday. The release date has been brought forward because the schedule for filming of his Hollywood film “The Prince” has been reset.  “The Prince” — starring Bruce Willis and John Cusack —is the singer’s third Hollywood film following on the heels of “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.” “New additional dates for the film have been added, so we’ve decided that it would be better for fans that waited for Rain to meet him earlier than planned,” Cube said. The 31-year-old singer whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon on Tuesday disclosed teasers of the songs “30 Sexy” and “La Song” which are on the new album. Rain wrote the music and the lyrics of the six songs for his sixth album. The “30 Sexy” is dance music that entails a trendy synthesizer sound played repeatedly over hip-hop drum beat, and is expected to demonstrate his stage performance to the full. Rain appears in a retro-suit wearing a 10-centimeter heel, exuberant accessories and a dark kiss mark on his chin in the teaser images shown for “30 Sexy.” In “La Song,” Rain unveils Latin hip-hop sound with dance moves that portend to become instantly addictive. Since his discharge in July from military service, Rain has been under scathing public scrutiny that stemmed from him taking excessive leave while in the army to meet his top actress girlfriend Kim Tae-hee. He maintained a low profile, appearing on overseas stages including a concert through Japanese cities in November. But the singer who made the “100 Most Influential People Who Shape Our World” in a Time Magazine website article in 2006 is a dance and performance phenomenon recruited in 2007 by producer/singer Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment and still heavily waited by fans. At his first official meeting with fans in October after his discharge, about 3,000 fans including those from abroad, gathered to show support for the singer.  The solo act with hit songs such as “Ways to Avoid the Sun,” “I Do,” and “Rainism” still stands out amid the plethora of K-pop girl and boy groups. His return to the stage is also the first among the planned returns of the “titans” of K-pop, thus further heightening anticipation from fans.

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Royal palaces to open until late in February

Winter in Gyeongbokgung Palace. (Cultural Heritage Administration)

Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul will open until late at night in February, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday. 

The Changgyeonggung Palace will remain open until 10 p.m. and Gyeongbokgung Palace until 9 p.m. from Feb. 12-17, as part of the CHA’s cultural programs to help citizens and visitors immerse themselves in the rich history of the Joseon period. 

The CHA have set the quota for admission to 1,700 visitors a day at Changgyeonggung Palace and 1,500 at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Visitors are recommended to reserve tickets online at http://ticket.auction.co.kr, which opens ticket sales from Feb. 6 for Changgyeongung Palace and Feb. 7 for Gyeongbokgung Palace. Admission is 1,000 won and 3,000 won, respectively. 

Ticket sales at each palace end an hour before closing. 

Elderly citizens and foreign visitors can purchase tickets by phone (available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and at ticket kiosks. 

Children accompanied by their parents can get in for free. 

For more information, call (02) 3700-3900 (Gyeongbokgung Palace) and (02) 2172-0104 (Changgyeonggung Palace), or visit www.royalpalace.go.kr (Gyeongbokgung Palace’s official website), and http://cgg.cha.go.kr. (Changgyeonggung Palace‘s official website). 

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Event Calendar for Jan

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert will be screened at Megabox theaters on Jan. 3. (Megabox)

Concert nights at Megabox: Local cinema franchise Megabox will broadcast the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert live on Jan. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert on Jan. 3 at 8:15 p.m. The Austrian orchestra will be led by the legendary maestro Daniel Barenboim while the German orchestra will feature Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang alongside maestro Simon Rattle. The concerts will be screened at the Coex, Central, Dongdaemun, Mokdong, Kintex, Yeongtong and Haeundae locations. Tickets are 15,000 won for children and 30,000 for adults, with reservations available at www.megabox.co.kr. For more information call 1544-0070.

2014 New Year’s Concert: The famed Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra will hold a New Year’s concert at the Seoul Arts Center concert hall on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. Willy Byuhhira will direct the orchestra, formed 36 years ago, in its performances of “Overture Der Zigunerbaron”; the waltz “Kuenstlerleben”; “Vergnugungszug,” Polka-schnell, op. 281; and an excerpt from “Ritter Pazman” by Johann Strauss II, among others. Soprano Hong Hae-ran, the first Asian female winner of the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Grand Prize, will join the orchestra. Tickets are priced from 50,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information call (02) 599-5743.

The Vienna Boys’ Choir New Year Concert: The Vienna Boys’ Choir, known for their “heavenly voices,” will hold a New Year’s Concert at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Jan. 19, led by its first ever female conductor, Kim Bo-mi. Under the baton of the Korean conductor, the Mozart Team of the choir will present medieval church music, waltzes and folk songs from around the world as well as some songs from film soundtracks. This is the 17th time since 1978 that the boys’ choir, which has been around for 520 years, is visiting Korea. The choir will also perform at Guri Art Hall, Gyeonggi Province; Daegu Opera House; Gimhae Arts Center, South Gyeongsang Province; and Yeosu Yeul Maru, South Jeolla Province. For information and reservations go to www.clubbalcony.co.kr.

Evgeny Kissin Recital: Child prodigy-turned-mega pianist Evgeny Kissin will perform at the Seoul Arts Center on March 30, presenting Schubert’s Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major, Scriabin’s Sonata No. 2 in G sharp minor and “Four Sea Interludes” from Benjamin Britten’s “Peter Grimes.” As the story goes, the pianist, whose nickname is Genya, started to play the piano at age 2 after hearing his sister play the instrument. He started his professional musical training at 6, entering the Gnessin State Musical College for Gifted Children, made a debut featuring Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with the Ulyanovsk Symphony Orchestra and became an international sensation at 12 when he played and recorded Chopin piano concertos with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Kissin is also famous for obliging concertgoers, with his 2006 and 2008 concerts finishing after 11 p.m. because of dozens of encore performances. For more information about the concert call 1544-1555 or (02) 580-1300.

Pop music

“Count Down Seoul 2014 @ Times Square”: The Count Down Seoul 2014 is a New Year’s music festival that will feature a wide variety of local acts to usher in 2014. The event will include performances by Dynamic Duo, Jay Park, IDIOTAPE, Norazo, comedian and TV personality Park Myung-soo, Jung Jun-young and Rhythm Power. The five-hour long music festival leading up to Jan. 1 will be held on New Year’s Eve at the Times Square plaza in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. Tickets to the event can be purchased online for 55,000 won or on-site for 66,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Jeff Bernat”: Up-and-coming R&B singer-songwriter Jeff Bernat will be performing live in Seoul at the Uniqlo AX Hall on Jan. 11. The 23-year-old musician from Reno, Nevada, has gained much attention with his music on social networking portal sites, including having a large following on YouTube. Bernat made an official debut with his first album “The Gentleman Approach” released in December 2011. On Dec. 5 of this year, the artist released his second full-length studio album titled “Modern Renaissance.” Tickets to the event can be purchased online for 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“James Blake: Live in Seoul”: James Blake is young singer-songwriter and producer from London whose critically acclaimed eponymous debut album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2011. Blake released his second studio album titled “Overgrown” earlier this year and it went on to win the 2013 Mercury Prize, surprisingly beating out heavy favorites including the legendary David Bowie. The album was ranked at the top of the U.S. Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and No. 8 of the U.K. Albums Chart. Blake will be performing live in Seoul on Jan. 19 at the Uniqlo AX Hall. Tickets can be purchased online, with prices listed at 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visitwww.interpark.com.

Avril Lavigne is to perform a live concert at Olympic Hall in Seoul on Feb. 19. (Avril Lavigne Official Web site)

“The Avril Lavigne Tour in Seoul”: The internationally known Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne will be putting on a Seoul concert in February as part of the rocker’s world tour. Lavigne first entered the music scene in 2002 with her debut album “Let Go,” which included the smash hit singles “Complicated” and “Sk8ter Boy.” The album went multiplatinum in a number of countries including the U.S. and the U.K. Lavigne has since sold more than 30 million albums and more than 50 million singles worldwide. In November, the musician released her eponymous fifth studio album featuring the lead track, “Here’s to Never Growing Up.” Lavigne will perform her solo concert at the Olympic Hall in Seoul on Feb. 19. Tickets prices range from 99,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Dance

A scene from “Giselle,” which will be included in the upcoming gala program of UBC (Universal Ballet Company)

“Thank You!: The 30th Anniversary Special Gala”: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is presenting a special gala in February. Titled “Thank You!” the program consists of scenes from some of the most successful repertoires of the troupe, including “Giselle,” “La Bayadere,” “Onegin,” “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Don Quixote.” Along with the company’s principal dancers, including Hwang Hye-min and Uhm Jae-yong, prominent Korean-born dancers who dance for overseas troupes ― Seo Hee of the American Ballet Theatre and Kang Hyo-jung of the Stuttgart Ballet ― will visit Seoul to be part of the Gala. “Thank You!: The 30th Anniversary Special Gala” runs from Feb. 21 to 23 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, visit www.universalballet.com.

“No Dance: Between Body and Media”: The Korean National Contemporary Dance Company is presenting the special exhibition “No Dance: Body and Media” this month. It features video works and images consisting of dance pieces created by artists from Korea and abroad, including William Forsythe, Kim Bo-ra, Harun Farocki and Yvonne Rainer. The exhibition runs from Dec. 23- 31 at Daehangno Zero-One Design Center. For more information, call (02) 3472-1402.

“The Nutcracker”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is getting ready to treat its fans to its popular rendition of “The Nutcracker.” First performed by UBC in 1986, the show is based on 19th-century German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann’s version of the story and French ballet choreographer Marius Petipa’s dance. UBC has cast some 10 of its finest dancers, including principal dancers Hwang Hye-min and Eom Jae-yong. The show, which tells the story of a young girl’s favorite Christmas toy coming alive and whisking her away to a magical kingdom, is one of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet compositions, along with “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty.” The show runs from Dec. 20- 31 at Universal Art Center in Neung-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.uac.co.kr.

Theater

A scene from “Ghost the Musical” (Seensee Company)

“Ghost the Musical”: The Korean production of “Ghost the Musical” is currently being performed in Seoul. The show is an adaptation of the mega-hit 1990 romantic fantasy-thriller film “Ghost,” starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, which was also hugely popular in Korea. The musical had its world premiere in Manchester, England, in 2011, and was also performed on Broadway in 2012. The current Korean production is the Asian premiere run of the show. It tells the story of Molly, a grieving young woman in danger, and the ghost of her murdered boyfriend Sam, who tries to save her with the help of a wacky psychic. The current run stars some of the most popular musical and TV stars in the country, including Joo Won, Ivy and Park Ji-yeon. “Ghost the Musical” runs until June of next year at D-Cube Arts Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 557-1987.

“Novecento”: A theater monologue featuring live piano music is currently being performed in Seoul. Titled “Novecento,” the play tells the story of a pianist named Novecento, who was abandoned by his parents shortly after his birth on the transatlantic ship the Virginian in 1900. Novecento ― who was named by a kind sailor who found him ― never leaves this ship; his innate talent makes him a fine pianist, and he spends his entire life playing for the passengers. Pianists Kwak Yoon-chan and Park Jong-hwa share the role of Novecento, while actors Lee Geon-young and Jo Pan-soo share the role of Max, a trumpet player who reminisces about the pianist, whom he met and became friends with on the ship. “Novecento” runs until Dec. 29 at The Stage in Seoul’s Sinchon district. Tickets range from 25,000 won to 35,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Mamma Mia!”: The global smash hit musical “Mamma Mia” is currently being performed in Seoul starring a British cast. Based on ABBA songs including “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” and “Thank You for the Music,” the musical offers a hilarious tale of a young bride-to-be’s search for her unknown father. The show premiered in the Korean language starring an all-Korean cast in 2004. The current run is the first time the musical is being performed here in the English language and starring a cast from London. “Mamma Mia!” runs from Nov. 26 to March 23 at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Music Show Wedding”: Popular musical producer Song Seung-hwan, whose 1997 nonverbal piece “Nanta” became a global hit, has returned with another foreigner-friendly work. Titled “Wedding,” Song’s latest musical is also nonverbal ― its actors and actresses sing, dance, act and play more than 20 musical instruments. The one-of-a-kind performance is specifically designed to draw foreign audiences. The show is a comical theatrical portrait of an ordinary Korean wedding, where the bride’s father isn’t particularly fond of his future son-in-law. Song follows the groom’s hilarious efforts to impress his father-in-law prior to the wedding ceremony, mixed with rhythmic music and dance. “Wedding” runs until Dec. 31 at Music Show Wedding Theater in Hongdae, Seoul. For tickets and information, call (02) 739-8288.

“Wicked”: After playing an unhappy Austrian empress (Elisabeth) and a mysterious, obsessive housekeeper (Rebecca), musical actress Oak Ju-hyun has now been cast to play the famous green-skinned witch in Broadway musical “Wicked.” The upcoming run, featuring an all-Korean cast, is the first Korean-language version of the musical. The musical tells the story of two very different witches in the Land of Oz ― the green-skinned, struggling and often-alienated Elphaba and the beautiful and popular blonde Glinda. The show is a ravishing spectacle and fantasy, mixed with a touching account of the difficulties of youth, life-changing friendship and growing up. “Wicked” is on an open run at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

Exhibitions

“Addiction,” by Li Fan (Arario Gallery)

“Homage to Life”: Arario Gallery Cheonan is holding a solo exhibition of Chinese artist Li Fan, known for portraits that depict the emotions of people in China. The exhibition, held seven years after his first in Korea in 2006, features about 100 works that offer insight into the transition of the artist’s style and use of materials. Li teaches printmaking at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most prestigious art schools in China. The exhibition also features sketches, drawings and notes showing the artist’s contemplations on the psychology of modern people. The exhibition runs until Feb. 23 at Arario Gallery Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. For more information, call (041) 551-5100.

“Rewriting the Landscape: China and India”: The exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea presents how contemporary artists in China and India perceive social and natural landscapes, featuring work by prominent artists from two of the fastest emerging contemporary art markets. Participating artists include Indian artists Gulammohmmed Sheikh, Achutan Ramachandran and Chinese aritists Xu Bing and Yin Xiu Zhen. The special exhibition, held in parallel with the opening of the new Seoul branch of the national art museum, offers glimpse into social conflicts, cultural diversities of the two Asian countries and how artists interpret them in their artworks. The exhibition continues through March 2 at the Gwacheon museum of the MMCA. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Photography tells Korea”: A touring photo exhibition brings together images that reflect Korean society at four city museums in Daejeon, Changwon, Gwangju and Seoul until April 2014. Each exhibition features different images of Korea captured by professional photographers that shed light on the country’s society, people, history and the cities. The first exhibition will continue through Feb. 26 at the Daejeon Museum of Art, followed by the exhibition at the Gyeongnam Art Museum from Jan. 16 to April 16, the Seoul Museum of Art from Jan. 28 to March and the Gwangju Art Museum from Feb. 4-April 14. For more information, visit www.festivalofphotographyinmuseums.com.

“Jesus and Deaf Lamb”: One of the most famous biblical scenes ―baby Jesus in the arms of Mary surrounded by Wise Men from the East ― doesn’t feature the usual Western biblical representation in the late artist Woonbo Kim Ki-chang’s Jesus paintings. At a thatched-roof house, home for commoners in the Joseon period (1392-1910), Jesus appears as a happy child in the arms of Mary, wearing a rainbow-striped jeogori ― the traditional Korean children’s jacket. The Eastern Wise Men worshipping the newborn are dressed in official robes of Joseon ministers. Such paintings interpreting Jesus in Korean culture are on view at Seoul Museum’s “Jesus and Deaf Lamb” exhibition that marks the centennial birthday of the artist Kim Ki-chang (1914-2001) at Seoul Museum in Buam-dong, Jongno, Seoul, until Jan. 19. For more information, call (02) 395-0100 or visit www.seoulmuseum.org.

Festivals

Visitors fish for trout at Pyeongchang Trout Festival on Dec. 20. (Yonhap Newsthe)

“Pyeongchang Trout Festival”: The annual trout fishing event will be held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, known as one of the coldest regions with record snowfalls in Korea. The Pyeongchang Trout Festival invites visitors to trout ice fishing and a variety of activities from folk to snow sports such as riding four-wheel ATVs on the ice, snow rafting and sleigh trains. The festival will be held from Dec. 20 to Feb. 2, by Oedaecheon Stream, located in front of Jinbu Bus Terminal. For more information, visit festival700.or.kr (Korean only) or call (033) 336-4000.

“Hwacheon Sancheonoe Festival”: The festival invites visitors for mountain trout fishing at the scenic mountain town of Hwacheon in Gangwon Province. Known as the habitat of the mountain trout that live in cold, clean water, Hwacheon has drawn more than 1 million visitors in the past seven years to the popular winter festival, chosen as one of the “Seven Wonders of Winter” by CNN and one of the best festivals in Korea by the Culture Ministry. Visitors can fish for trout through a hole in the ice and take part in a variety of outdoor winter activities such as sledding, ice sculpting and ice soccer. The festival runs from Jan. 4-26 at various venues near the Hwacheon stream. For more information, visitwww.narafestival.com (English, Japanese and Chinese available) or call 1688-3005.

“Bugok Hawaii Ice Sculpture Festival”: The Bugok Hawaii Resort, a popular hot spring resort in Bugok, South Gyeongsang Province, is holding its sixth ice sculpture festival from Dec. 22 to Feb. 2. The annual ice sculpture festival invites visitors to its popular hot spring bath and many ice sculptures. The festival also offers winter activities such as ice sledding and snowball fights. The resort has opened its sledding hill and ice-skating and sledding rink, along with a themed hot spring bath in the winter. For more information, call (055) 536-6331 or visit www.bugokhawaii.co.kr (Available in English, Japanese and Chinese).  

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The Korea Grand Sale kicks off Jan. 3 through Feb. 16

The Korea Grand Sale runs from Jan. 3 until Feb. 16 throughout Korea. The annual sales event offers discounts on shopping and special offers at hotels and department stores. 

This year’s event includes the participation of 118 duty free shops, shopping malls, outlets, large supermarkets and theaters, along with 17 traditional markets. A total of 27,291 stores will provide discounts of up to 50 percent. During the sales period, 23 hotels in Korea will offer an extra one-night stay for foreign tourists staying more than two nights. 

In advance, department stores are already offering discounts to foreign tourists as a pre-Korea Grand Sale event. Participating department stores include Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai, Galleria, Lotte Duty Free, Shilla Duty Free, Lotte Premium Outlet and Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlet. 

For more information, visit www.koreagrandsale.co.kr. 

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Winter festivals to light up holiday season

For travelers looking to tough it out in the frigid winter temperatures, there are a number of worthwhile winter festivals where visitors can experience a wide range of snow and winter-fun activities whether it be ice-fishing, sledding or even ice soccer. 

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is one of the most popular winter festivals, and is held annually in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province ― known for having one of the coldest, snowiest winters in Korea. 

Because of the region’s frigid climate and clear waters, Pyeongchang has an endless number of trout farms, making trout fishing an ideal outdoor activity, but also the source of one of the region’s signature dishes. 

Participants are given the opportunity to go trout fishing on a 25,000-square-meter frozen lake using lines and fish hooks. Anglers can set up a tent on the ice where they can fish to their heart’s content, and take their catch to a nearby restaurant, which will prepare their catch. The trout festival also allows visitors to enjoy other fun, unique winter activities such as four-wheel ATV riding, ice sledding, snow rafting and even ice biking. The festival will be held from Dec. 20 to Feb. 2 by the Oedaecheon Stream.

Also in Gangwon Province is the annual Hwacheon Sancheonoe Festival, where visitors can also partake in ice fishing in the scenic mountain town of Hwacheon. The festival will also offer sledding, ice sculpting and ice soccer. The town’s festivities will be held for three weeks from Jan. 4 to 26 at various venues near the Hwacheon stream. 

Other winter festivities in Gangwon Province, which is to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, include the Mt. Taebaek Snow Festival and the Inje Icefish Festival. However, travel to these destinations can be quite difficult for international travelers or residents without cars. So there is a daily shuttle bus service from Seoul to the winter festivals with round-trip fares at 10,000 won. For more information on reservations and scheduling, visit www.gogangwon.com.

For those travelers looking for a less active and more scenic destination, the Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival is a good bet. Taking place in South Jeolla Province in the picturesque green tea fields of Boseong ― the nation’s largest green tea field ― the festival has a large decorative Christmas tree as its centerpiece. The “Millennium Tree,” decorated with more than 100,000 lights, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000, and will surely make for a one-of-a-kind, Christmas holiday season travel adventure. The vast plantation will be decked out with thousands of colorful lights as well as featuring a number of cultural and decorative lighting displays. 

The Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival is being held through Feb. 2, with the lights turned on every day from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call (061) 850-5211. 

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