Arts and Culture

Published on 2012/03/07 | Source

Wow, with the K-Arts Academy up and running, the Korean wave will be even more significant and influential in no time.

[Reporter : ] Yes, hopefully Korea will be able to discover truly talented artists for the entertainment industry worldwide.

I'm sure we will. What else do you have for us today.

[Reporter : ] There is a concert, a new album, and a new magazine releasing this week that I would like to share with you all.

[Reporter : ] Now, I have our events bulletin to share with you all about Shinhwa, 2AM, and So Ji-sub.
Here you go.

Korean boyband 'Shinhwa' will celebrate their 14th anniversary with two concerts called 'The Return'. The concerts will be held at Olympic Park Gymnastic Stadium in Seoul on March 24th and 25th.

A year and 5 months after their last album, 2AM will be back with their newest mini-album "F. Scott Fitzgerald's way of Love" on March 12th. The album will then be released as an LP album in mid-May.

4. Movie star So Ji-sub is publishing his own magazine on March 14th. The magazine, called 'SONICe', was created by adding an 'e' to So's nickname, SONIC

Thank you so much for your report Michelle.

[Reporter : ] Thank you and I will back next Wednesday for more entertainment news and tomorrow for the latest art and culture report.

[Reporter : ] John Park had initially become famous as a semi-finalist on American Idol.
And the three album genres range from soul-funk to jazz, to fulfill every fans' taste, so I suggest you hit your nearest record store or buy the music online.

I'm so excited to buy all of these new albums. Well, what else is hot in entertainment[Reporter : ] Well, no one can deny that the K-pop industry is spreading across the globe at a RAPID pace. K-pop idols are not only holding concerts in Korea, Japan, and China, but also in the United States, France, AND Brazil.

Yes, it's very good to hear how many different people around the world are appreciating Korean music.

[Reporter : ] Yes and to make this Hallyu blowout continue, the government decided to open a K-Arts academy to cultivate global artists at a young age. Check this out.

Korean popular culture is truly booming these days.

Today, Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, consists of popular culture such as K-pop, Korean TV series, and movies.
Efforts are now underway to tie in traditional Korean culture with more contemporary interests.
A K-Arts academy will open in April to help all those involved with Hallyu devise original contents to further spread the Korean Wave.
This may be viewed as an attempt to foster and nurture global artists at an early stage.
In fact, an art academy for gifted children is another project that is in the pipeline.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will also form a 12 billion-won fund to establish the K-Arts Academy and support original Korean musicals.
Festivals are scheduled for the months of June and October this year, to further spread the cultural brand of Korea.
'Arirang', an iconic Korean melody, will be used as a symbol to represent the brand.
To achieve further cultural exchanges, Korean cultural institutes overseas, Korea centers, and the Sejong Hakdang are expected to expand and intensify activities, globally.

Arts and Culture 1 Every Wednesday we will have Michelle Kim give us an update on the latest entertainment news.
Hi Michelle, so what's the latest gossip[Reporter : Michelle Kim] Hey Conn-young, and hello to you all. From being runner-up on Super Star K to releasing his first album and from helping homeless New Yorkers to landing on number one on the iTunes chart, the two new soon-to-be world renown celebrities have released their debut albums. Check this out.

John Park rose to stardom when he participated in the second season of the Korean audition program "Super Star K".
He is now releasing his debut album.

Known for his good looks and soothing voice, John Park gave ultimate winner of Super Star K2, Heo Gak, a run for his money in the final of the competition.
The title song of Park's Album was written by the singer himself, and composed by Andy Platts of the UK soul-funk band Mamas Gun.
All five songs on the album instantly made it into the Top 10 on the online real-time music charts.
Newcomer and American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey has also released her debut album.
Del Rey has gained attention for her fantastical as well as retro musical style.
Her debut album has ranked number one on iTunes in 17 different countries.
A lot of interest has also been focused on the personal background of the singer.
The singer is known to have spent years helping homeless New Yorkers before breaking onto the musical scene.
Meanwhile, famous jazz artist Keiko Lee has released a best album, looking back on the 16 years of her musical career.
This is already Lee's third best album, and a collection of the listeners' favorite songs from 2006 onwards.
The sound of Lee's husky deep voice has been praised by music critics for being as melodic and versatile as that of an actual instrument.