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Art and Culture

It is FRIDAY -- which means, yes we have the WHOLE weekend to enjoy all the arts and cultural events available over the next two days.
As always, our Michelle Kim is back in the studio to give us more updates for those of you looking for something to do over the weekend.
Hello Michelle.

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[Reporter : Michelle Kim] Hello Conn-young.

So, what to you bring us on this rainy Friday afternoon

[Reporter : ] Well, I've always wondered how the traditional banquets were like during the Joseon Dynasty.
I've always imagined it to be very glamorous, elegant, and proper.
How do you imagine these festivals to be like Conn-young Exquisite and majestic, for sure. Especially, with the rising popularity of Korean dramas with settings in the olden days, traditional dresses, food, music, and architecture have been in the spotlight.

[Reporter : ] Yes and that is why I brought you this event that is being held at the Gyeongbok Palace.
Take a look.

A special concert of Korean traditional dance and tune is showing during a tranquil evening at an ancient palace. It's the perfect opportunity to discover Korea's beauty under the beautiful evening sky.
The sound of the Daegeum rings across the Mansaesan, an island located in the middle of a small pond. The subtle melody is seemingly carried by the moonlight.
The Korean traditional court dancer, "Ga-in jun mok dan" are dancing around the fully blossomed peonies, as the Korean traditional drum "mu-go" plays rhythmically.
The fancy dance performances at the tower look as if they were painted on a canvas.
As the pansori "sugoong-ga" resonates from the boat that is crossing the pond, the evening at the ancient palace is filled with traditional Korean melody.
The traditional performance "Yeong Hyang" is showing at the Gyeongbok Palace Gyeonghweru, where banquets for the royal family and foreign envoys were held during the Chosun Dynasty.

[Interview : Lee Se-sub, Board Director Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation] "This year is the 600th year anniversary of the establishment of the Gyeongbok Palace. Just like last year, we have opened a beautiful evening concert near Gyeonghoeru and its surrounding scenery".

[Interview : Lee Hyang-in, Spectator] "I loved the concert held at Gyeonghoeru. The laser show was amazing and the evening scenery was also fantastic".

The Yeonhyang concert, with a rich offering of traditional Korean dance and music, is sure to make Gyeonghoeru a new cultural space that will recognize and celebrate the Korean tradition.

[Reporter : ed:paul] Tonight is the last chance you will be able to enjoy this beautiful concert so be sure not to miss this wonderful event at 8p.m. tonight at the Gyeongbok Palace.

This would be a great way to end the week, with cheerful music and dancing, AND laser shows.
It should be an interesting sight to see how high-tech laser shows can blend with Korean traditional concerts.

[Reporter : ] Yes definitely, I think it will look great.
And also it would be a great opportunity to learn a piece of Korean history while having fun and enjoying the festival.

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Sure. Moving on, you have updates on the music scene, right[Reporter : ] Yes, the very good-looking and talented group CN Blue is back with a new album and the runner-up of Super Star K Busker Busker has released their debut album.
Take a look.

Rock band CN Blue and audition star "Busker Busker" are both releasing new albums.
CN Blue is a Korean modern rock band that debuted in 2010 with the title song "I'm a Loner".
The band is the first foreign band to top the Japanese Oricon chart in 41 years.
The group is also gaining fame as part of the Korean Hallyu wave.
In the same vein as their previous albums, the new release also includes dynamic and rhythmic songs well-suited for fun concerts.
The new album racked up 13,000 sales as soon as it was released.

[Interview : CN Blue, Rock Band] "We were determined to return to the mindset we had when we were recording "I'm a Loner", enjoying music fully without any other concerns".

The band "Busker Busker" first came into the spotlight when they placed second in last year's audition survival program.
Their remakes of numerous famous songs topped music charts nationwide; proof of their growing popularity.
The album contains songs based on lead singer Jang Beom-Joon's autobiographical experiences.
They say they aimed for easy listening with their easy tunes and fun lyrics.

[Interview : Busker Busker, Rock Band] "As a musician performing on the streets we still felt like something was missing. But now that we have released our first album it feels like we are recognized musicians and feel compelled to try our best".

It is refreshing to find rock bands amid the numerous idol groups that flood our television screens and programs, daily.
And it should be interesting to see how the albums of these two bands fare.

Updated : March 30, 2012

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[Reporter : ed:paul] Busker Busker will also be holding a concert at Yonsei University's Centennial Hall from May 5th to the 6th.

Well I was a huge fan of the audition program Busker Busker participated in and I've been wondering when they were coming out with an album of their own.
Just love the funky tunes.

[Reporter : ] Yes, it's been a while since the audition program ended.
So this album release probably comes as a relief for many of the fans who were scared they weren't going to be able to listen to their music.

I'm very glad.
And CN Blue! I love the lead singer's voice, and the whole group is very good looking.

[Reporter : ] Yes and that is always a plus haha.
Well, both of their albums have been released so you can listen to them online or buy their album at your nearest record store.
And, now I have the events bulletin -- two exhibitions and an art market you might want to check out.

[Reporter : ] This bulletin features 3 events

The exhibiton "X_sound: John Cage, Paik Nam June and After" will be held at the Paik Nam June Art Center from March 9th to July 1st. This exhibition celebrates the 80th anniversary of Paik Nam June's birth and the 100th anniversary of John Cage's birth.

Michael Craig-Martin is opening an exhibition called "Word, Image, Desire" from March 16th to April 29th at the Gallery Hyundai. Michael Craig-Marin is a contemporary conceptual artist and painter, widely known for his conceptual artwork, "An Oak Tree".

The cartoons and comics art market, 33+ Collections will be held at the Design Gallery and Event Hall, Dongdaemun History and Culture Park from March 15th to April 14th. 80 Korean comic artists will be showcasing around 200 of their original drawings.

Always a delight to have you in the studio, Michelle. Hope you enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday.

[Reporter : ] Thank you and have a great weekend.

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