Art and Culture

And now it's time for our regular arts and culture segment with Michelle Kim. Today she has some new music releases and news about a movie musical.

Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Han-ul

So what would you like to begin with today[Reporter : ] There's no doubt that electronic music has a huge following worldwide, so today I'll give you a preview of two of the hottest new releases and tell you about a major electronic music festival that's on it's way to Korea next month. Take a look.

Deadmau5 is the stage name of Joel Thomas Zimmerman, a Canadian producer and DJ who is known as much for his collaborations with top musicians as he is for his signature Mickey Mouse helmet.
For his latest album, "Album Title Goes Here", he collaborated with American vocalist Gerard Way from the rock band My Chemical Romance to create the single "Professional Griefers".
The other songs on the album range in style from lyrical pop to hardcore electronica.

Swedish House Mafia, a world renowned trio of DJs and producers, released its second album last month to widespread critical acclaim.
The album, "Until Now", keeps listeners mesmerized with addictive rhythms and powerful beats.
It's a compilation of sets from concert tours and their greatest hits, including the hit single "Don't You Worry Child", which beat PSY's "Gangnam Style" last month on singles charts in Britain.
Sadly, this album will be the group's last, as the 3 members will go their separate ways after a world tour that kicked off on November 16th and ends at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami in March of next year.

Those of you who can't get to the festival might want to check out the series of Road to Ultra Festival events happening around the world before the festival in March.
The Korea edition of the festival is on December 8th at Seoul's Jamsil Indoor Stadium.
The event features DJ-ing by Diplo, Dillon Francis, and 8 other internationally renowned DJs and an anticipated 5-thousand people are expected to attend.
You know, to be honestI don't know much about electronic music. Could you give me some advice on which artists to listen to[Reporter : ] Well, the two artists in the clip you just saw are great,.. but I have to say my all-time favorite is David Guetta, and he's famous not just among fans of electronica, but he's been able to reach a broad audience because of his collaborations with famous musicians like will.i.am and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and many more. I also love the music by Afrojack, Aviici and Daft Punk, so you could try those as well.

Great! I definitely will. Maybe I'll even check out the Ultra Festival as well. And moving on, I hear you

[Reporter : ] That's right. Hugh Jackman was in Seoul on Monday to promote his upcoming big screen musical "Les Miserables". Take a look at this clip for more.

Korean fans waited in the cold for a glimpse of Australian hunk Hugh Jackman, who finally emerged from a press conference to greet the excited group.
One fan even got a photo with the star.

[Interview : Kim Min-kyung, Fan] "Hugh Jackman is taller, more handsome and has better manners than I expected. I really liked meeting him. I took a photo with him so I will never forget the moment".

Jackman is in Korea to promote "Les Miserables", Victor Hugo's tale of Jean Valjean and his quest for redemption that went on to become one of the biggest Broadway musicals of all time.
Jackman stars in the movie as ex-convict Jean Valjean, who is hunted by the ruthless police inspector Javert, played by Russell Crowe.
Jackman, whose early work included roles in musical theater productions, told the press that the role was a dream come true.

[Interview : Hugh Jackman, Actor] "I've been waiting a long time to do a movie musical, never did I dream this one would come at just the perfect time and I actually rang Cameron and I think I spoke to Tom Hooper before he even signed for the project so I really wanted to do it".

The film was directed by Tom Hooper, the man behind "The King's Speech", which won four Oscars in 2010, including Best Picture and Best Director, and also stars Anne Hathaway.
"Les Miserables" opens in Korea on December 19th.

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[Reporter : ed: jenny] I also want to mention that the stage version of "Les Miserables" is touring with a Korean cast as well. The last round of performances will be in Daegu at the Keimyung Art Center from December 7th to January 20th, so be sure to catch it there. And remember that the film opens here on December 19th.

That's great for Korean fans in Daegu, but I imagine that a weekend trip to see the musical could be fun, too. It would be interesting to see both the stage and screen versions and compare the two to see what they have in common and what they don't.

[Reporter : ] That's right. Just because you've seen one, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't see the other. The stage version is pure spectacle with elaborate sets and a full orchestra backing the singers. It will be interesting to see how they adapt that to the screen, and I'm especially curious about the singing, which I read was done live on set instead of having been recorded in advance with the actors pretending to sing as the cameras rolled.

Yes, I imagine that changed their performance a lot. Well, I'll definitely have to check out both the stage and screen versions next month. Thank you so much for today's update, we will see you again tomorrow.

[Reporter : ] You're welcome. See you tomorrow.

NOV 29, 2012

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr