Art and Culture

It's Friday and it's almost the weekend and our Michelle Kim is here with us to tell us all about the latest art and culture updates. I hear she has details from the music scene and the Yeosu Expo.

Hello Michelle

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[Reporter : ] Hello Han-ul

So, what do you have for us today?

[Reporter : ] Lim Hyung-jung, a pianist in her 20s, has released an album featuring all of Beethoven's Sonatas. This is very rare for a debut album, but her passion for Beethoven has resulted in this great album. Take a look.

Her intense body movements match the heated melodies of the piano.

Lim Hyun-jung, a rookie pianist, collaborated with the world renown classic record label EMI to make this Beethoven Sonata album.
It is very rare for a pianist to do with their debut album.

[Interview : Lim Hyun-jung, Pianist] "It's my life-long project. It's a miracle that I am already this crazy about one specific composer".

Due to her determination and concentration, she finished all the books about Beethoven, and even his letters that resulted to around 3,000 pages to research about him.

She claims she put a more humane touch to her performances, to re-live Beethoven's life through piano melodies.

[Interview : Lim Hyun-jung, Pianist] "Beethoven himself stepped out of the box and broke all of the rules of composition, which makes him such an innovative composer".

Because of her in-depth research and passion for the composer, she broke the stereotypes that Asian pianists perform like robots.

[Interview : Lim Hyun-jung, Pianist] "I think it's most important to bring back the inspiration from that time period and have the audiences today feel and connect to that. I think that's every performer's homework".

Being only 26, her passion for music and Beethoven shows clearly through her album.

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

Art and Culture 2

Seems like a lot to cover for a rookie, who hasn't been in this business for a long time. I think it's a very hard thing to do and requires a lot of time, effort and passion,and I respect her for that

[Reporter : ] I definitely do as well. Reading 3000 letters written by Beethoven takes a lot of time and also performing the whole sonata took her 9 hours. I mean, that requires a lot of energy as well. So all due respect to Lim Hyun-jung

I may want to listen to that CD, it sounds amazing. Well, and now moving onyou have more on the Yeosu Expo for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. On June 2nd at the Yeosu Expo, the world's largest sailboat, 'Kaiwomaru' will be sailing into Yeosu harbor. The visitors will be able to see the inside of this ship and to celebrate Japan Day, there will be lots of ceremonies as well. Here are the details.

The crewmen wearing the same white uniforms all line up and head onto the boat.

The Japanese boat, 'Kaiwomaru' is the world's largest sailboat at 110 meters long and 55 meters high. It weighs 2,500 tons and can hold up to 200 passengers.

[Interview : Watanabe, Captain of Kaiwomaru] "Because sailboats sail by the power of the wind, there is no excess gas needed to fuel this boat. In that sense, it's very eco-friendly".

This sailboat will be docked at Yeosu harbor for four days to greet visitors to the expo.

For the Day of Japan on the 2nd and 3rd of June, 100 crewmen will spread a gigantic sail, which is called the 'sail drill', and hold special ceremonies as well.

[Interview : Araki Yukiko, Japanese Ambassador of The Yeosu Expo] "Because the ship sails by using the wind, it's safe for the environment. I hope the visitors can take a look at Japan's high-tech marine technologies".

Also for Japan Day, there will be a series of concerts and parades under the theme 'Friendship between Korea and Japan",

A concert by Japanese pop diva Kuraki Mai and fireworks will also dazzle the audience.
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

Art and Culture 3

It's always exciting to hear all of these fun events that are being held at the Yeosu Expo, and it gives everyone more reasons to visit this Exposition.

[Reporter : ] If you head over to the Yeosu Expo this weekend, you will be able to catch these events, as well as touring around neighboring places, as I have mentioned earlier this week.

Sounds like a great weekend plan. And I hear that you have more events for us that we may be interested in for the whole month of June

[Reporter : ] That is correct. I have the events bulletin for you and as we make a start to a whole new month, I have a couple reminders for you about events that will be held during the month of June. Mark these down on your calendars because you do not want to miss them!

This bulletin features 3 events

The musical 'Don't Cry Tonj' (From documentary "Don't Cry for Me Sudan") will be held at the Sung Kyun Kwan University New Millenium Hall from May 3rd to July 15th. It will star the famous musical star Im Tae-kyung who also gained fame from participating in the show 'Immortal Song'.

Singer Lee Seung-hwan will be holding a concert at the Sookmyung Art Center Theater S from June 22nd to July 1st. The theme of the concert will be the retrospect of his life so the fans will be able to hear his songs from his debut album all the way to his most recent album.

The musical 'Chicago' will be showing at the D-Cube Arts Center from June 10th to October 7th. The cast includes singer Insooni and musical star Choi Jeong-won-I playing the role of Velma Kelly, and Yoon Gong-joo and singer Park Eun-hye, also known as "Ivy", will play the role of Roxie Hart.

Thank you for the update.

[Reporter : ] My pleasure.

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr