World-class lineup brings in the autumn

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World-class lineup brings in the autumn

Alas, the swimming pools will soon be drained and the outdoor cafes shuttered. But every end is a new beginning. The next four months are packed with concerts and exibitions by some of the world’s most prominent artists. This week, J-weekend provides a guide to coming events that will brighten up your weeks as fall ambles into winter.


Pusan Film Festival, bigger and better

One of this autumn’s biggest events is the 10th annual Pusan International Film Festival, the premier festival in Asia. This year’s event, running from October 6 through 14, should be the best yet, with a 60 percent increase in the number of screens.
The festival has helped to put Korea on the map of world cinema, but while it focuses on Asia, it is truly an international festival. Over nine days, it will show a total of 307 films from 73 countries, of which 61 are world premieres and 87 are Asian premieres. The nine official sections include “A Window on Asian Cinema,” “Korean Panorama,” “World Cinema,” “Wide Angle” and “Critics’ Choice.” The “New Currents” section, which is the only competitive section at Pusan, is a chance for cinephiles to discover ambitious works by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers. Festival director Kim Dong-ho stressed that the festival supports talented young Asian directors who are active in American and European markets.
The festival will open with a re-edited version of Hou Hsiao Hsien’s “Three Times,” which premiered at Cannes earlier this year. The highly acclaimed work by the Taiwanese auteur was made with funding raised through the Pusan Promotion Plan, a networking event for the film industry. The choice of the closing film, “Wedding Campaign” by Hwang Byung-kuk, surprised industry professionals, because it is a directorial debut targeting a local audience. Festival organizers said they were attracted by the film’s sheer entertainment value ― it is about a Korean farmer searching for his future bride in Uzbekistan.
Other programmer’s picks include a retrospective of 10 films by the late Korean director Lee Man-hee, and the “World Cinema” section featuring films from Israel, France, Russia and Poland. Also, coinciding with the APEC Summit in November, “APEC Special Program” is showing films from every APEC nation, except for Brunei.
Popular films will probably sell out in minutes as was the case in years past, but this time the Internet portal Naver will be giving away free trips to Pusan including transport, movies and party tickets.
But even without movie tickets, you could still have a great time. The festival is also about nightly parties, strolling down the beach, hanging at the PIFF Cafe, and running into celebrity guests. Special visitors are expected to include Chang Chen of the opening film “Three Times,” Jung Jae-young of “Wedding Campaign,” Yuya Yagira of Japan and Jackie Chan of Hong Kong.
Be prepared for some white nights while in Busan. Concerts, exhibitions and dance parties will be held in conjunction with the festival. On October 8, there will be live concerts by Towa Tei, Clazziquai and Rollercoaster.
For the grand finale, the festival is inviting 5,000 cinephiles to revel at a star-studded closing party at Haeundae beach.


by Ines Cho

Tickets go on sale September 23 at Busan Bank, Megabox COEX, Megabox Suwon, Megabox Daegu, Lotte Cinema Yeongdeungpo and Lotte Cinema Myeongdong. For detailed information visit www.piff.org.



Chung Kyung-hwa
Tonight at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Violinist Chung Kyung-wha once said, "For me, Bach is immortal, and a composer I have to seek after for my life time. His work moves my soul." Chung will perform Bach's three violin concerts with Korean Chamber Ensemble as well as Mendelssohn Symphony today.
Chung's career has spanned more than 25 years. She made her European debut in 1970 with Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. She signed an exclusive contract with EMI Classics in 1988, and the two of her albums - Bartok's Violin Concert No. 2 and Rhapsodies No. 1 and 2 album and Strauss and Respighi Violin Sonata album she recorded with Christian Zimmerman - won the Gramophone Award.
30,000~150,000 won.
(02) 580-1300

Green Film Festival in Seoul
To Sept. 14, Cinecube Theater
An event organized by a local environmental collective, films present a mix of shorts, features, documentaries and animations that have been produced mainly to promote environmental awareness. Opening with "Roads with Kiarostami by an acclaimed Iranian director, Abbas Kiarostami, the film deals with the director's journey to a road trip that looks into the meaning of nature and human life on earth. Admission is 5000 won.
(02) 725-3567

Painting the Edge
Sept. 14~Oct.9, Gallery Hyundai
An exhibit that puts together the works of Paul Morrison, Jeff Gauntt, Robert Melee and other contemporary painters who are on the cutting edge of the world art scene. Free admission.
(02) 734-6111

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Releases on Sept. 16, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Directed by Tim Burton
The Roald Dahl classic is revived into a Tim Burton's imaginative style family film. Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka, the chocolatier, who say he will open his famous - but secretive - chocolate factory to five lucky children who find the golden tickets inside the Wonka chocolate bars.

Ring Cycle by the Mariinsky Opera Troupe
Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., Sept. 27 and 29 at 5 p.m., Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
The four-opera cycle, The Nibelung's Ring, composed by Richard Wagner, will be here with Russian Mariinsky Opera Troupe and Valery Gergiev will conduct the orchestra.
77,000-275,000 won
1588-7890

Ennio Morricone
Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Sangam World Cup Stadium
A composer and a music director of films "Once Upon a Time in America" and "Cinema Paradiso," Morricone's first concert in Seoul features music from his noted Original Sound Track albums with Roma Symphony. As part of the group's world tour, Susanna Rigacci, a Swedish opera singer, will star as a guest.
50,000~350,000 won
1588-7890

Christopher Parkening Guitar
Sept. 25 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
An heir to the Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia, Christopher Parkening is one of the world's prominent virtuosos of classical guitar. His first concert in Seoul stars baritone Jubilant Sykes as a guest doing a mix of classics and European folk songs.
30,000~ 70,000 won.
(02) 541-6234

Jeonju Sori Festival
Sept. 26~Oct. 3, Sori Arts Center
One of the biggest music events for traditional music in the home of folk music, the festival puts together a mix of pansori artists, traditional and pop musicians under the theme "Confusion, People and Harmony." Ticket costs vary. Admission is 8000 won at the gate for adults.
(063) 231-3327

Seven Swords
Sept. 29, Action, Adventure
Stars Leon Lai, Liu Chia-Liang, Donnie Yen, Directed by Hark Tsui
Based on a famous Chinese novel, it is the first film produced jointly by Korea, China and Hong Kong. The movie is set in China during the Ching Dynasty, in which seven martial arts experts try to save the population. The film was presented at the Venice Film Festival.

2005 Pil & Peace Jo Yong-pil Concert
Sept. 30 at 8 p.m., Jamsil Olympics Stadium
One of two South Korean pop musicians who performed in North Korea last month (the other was Lee Mi-ja), Cho Yong-pil is probably Korea's most famous pop singer. Since he debuted in the 70s, he has been dubbed "a national musician" by the people. After his concert in Seoul, Cho will perform in Incheon, Daejeon and Gwangju.
20,000~130,000 won
1588-7890

Jose Carreras
Sept. 30 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Jose Carreras, who has remained one of the most sought-after tenors for the last 30 years, will give a performance at the Seoul Arts Center on Sept. 30. Carreras will perform with soprano Park Mi-hae and the Korean Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Gimenez.
Carreras appeared in "The Three Tenors in Concert" with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, who are considered by many as the world's top three tenors. They met onstage at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, and again in Los Angeles in 1994 for a concert of the same title. The two concert albums sold more than 10 million copies each. Carreras will also perform in Busan on Sept. 25 and in Daegu on Sept. 27.
50,000 ~ 200,000 won.
(02) 541-6234.

Andong International Mask Festival
Sept. 30~Oct. 9, throughout Andong
Andong, the home of Korean Confucianism, hosts an annual mask festival. In Hahoe Village, a folk village, which maintains the shape of old Korean hanok, there will be mask dance classes, exhibits of world masks and puppet shows by local groups. Free admission.
(02) 737-5445
Cheongju International Craft Biennale
Sept. 30~Oct. 23, Cheongju Art Center
An ambitious event hosted by the city of Cheongju, the biennale brings together works by international artists of handmade goods. A scene for contemporary crafts, the event held under the title "Temptation" is a place for networking among artists, distributors and institutions. Admission is 8000 won at the gate.
(043) 277-2501
Inger Marie Gundersen
Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 4 p.m., Baekam Arts Hall
A fast growing Norwegian jazz vocalist will sing to her Korean fans in Seoul. This is her first visit to Korea for a concert. Inger released her first album "Make This Moment" this year. The concert is a part of Baekam Arts Hall's first anniversary celebration.
40,000-50,000 won
(02) 559-1333

Nabucco by Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Oct. 5-9, Weekdays at 7:30 p.m., Weekends at 4 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
The opera Nabucco, composed by Giuseppe Verdi, is a story about Babylon King Nabucco who ruled a Jerusalem of Israeli slaves. Daniel Benoin of France will produce the opera.
30,000-200,000 won
1588-7890

“Giselle” by the Bolshoi Ballet
Oct. 5-7 at 8 p.m., Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
The Russian ballet troupe is coming to Seoul to perform Adolphe Adam's "Giselle," one of representative Romantic ballets, a story of love, betrayal, revenge and forgiveness. Bolshoi Ballet will also perform Aram Khachaturyan's “Spartacus” on Oct. 8 and 9 at 6:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively at the same place.
50,000-250,000 won
1544-1555

Ivo Pogorelich Piano Recital
Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Pogorelich is better known to world audience as a young musician who made several jury members resign from the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1980 after his outstanding performance was neglected in the competition's final round. A native of Croatia, his dynamic take on classic pieces still generates controversy in Europe’s conservative world of classic music in Europe. His concert in Seoul, which consists of Beethoven sonata, Liszt and Chopin, will be followed by a show in the Daegu Cultural Center on Oct. 10th at 7 p.m.
30,000~80,000 won
(02) 580-1234

Andre Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra
Oct. 7 at 8 p.m., 8 at 7 p.m., Olympics Stadium
After Rieu's successful concert in Seoul last year, the Dutch violinist who was praised for his alluring presence - nicknamed by the Korea media as a Dutch Mel Gibson - is coming back with his orchestra for the second time. His mix of classical repertoire with pop elements has earned acclaims in Asia.
25,000~150,000 won
1588-7890

Fever Pitch
Oct. 7 , Comedy
Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Directed by Bobby Farrelly
An easygoing school teacher Ben (Jimmy Fallon) and a successful workaholic consultant named Lindsey (Drew Barrymore) fall in love at first sight. But Lindsey finds out that Ben's love for baseball games could be more passionate than the feelings toward her.

Drum Festival
Oct. 7~9, Seoul Plaza, Sejong Center for Performing Arts
An annual event for drums, the festival explores the dynamic world of percussions, both in traditional and world music. Cuban music group Bomba fuses sounds from South and North America, adding a depth of Latin music. Yamada-Daiko plays traditional 'Wadaiko' (Japanese traditional drum) style, adopting instruments such as drums and synthesizers. A number of other bands play during the festival. Free admission.
(02) 399-1714

Don Giovanni by Prague National Theatre of The Czech Republic
Oct. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m., Daegu International Opera Festival
The Italian opera by Wolfgang A. Mozart is about a wanderer named Don Giovanni, will be played by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and performed by Prague National Theatre troupe.
10,000~70,000 won
1588-7890

Nana Mouskouri
Oct. 8-9 at 7 p.m., Seoul Olympic Park
The 71 year-old Greek singer is coming to Korea for the first and last time in October. Mouskouri has declared that she would retire this year after this farewell world tour, which started in Europe in April. The tour will go through Oceania, Asia and North America. Korean fans who used to listen her songs in the 1960s and 70s, including "Try to remember" and "Over and Over," will be able to recall those days from this concert.
Mouskouri will also perform in Daegu on Oct. 12 and Busan on Oct. 13.
66,000-275,000 won
1544-1555

Matthew Barney - Drawing Restraint
Oct. 13~ Jan.8, Leeum
Matthew Barney, one of the most talked about contemporary artists, is having a first exhibit in Korea. Barney is best known as the creator of the "Cremaster" ― one of the series owned by the Samsung’s Leeum ― a series of films that mixes history, autobiography and mythology. In one of his "Drawing Restraint" series, Barney collaborated with his pop star wife Bjork. Admission is 10,000 won.
(02) 2014-6901

Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride"
Oct. 14 , drama
Stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Directed by Tim Burton
From chilling images to romantic storylines and even some action, Tim Burton's second stop-motion animation film is full of everything you could expect and enjoy from an animation feature. Johnny Depp is a timid bachelor sent to the Underworld where he has to take a corpse bride in place of his real bride.

Secret Garden
Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
New age group Secret Garden is coming to Korea to promote its new album "Earthsongs." The group consists of Rolf Lovland, a Norwegian keyboardist and composer, and Fionnuala Sherry, an Irish violinist.
30,000 - 90,000 won
1588-7890

Gwangju Design Biennale
Oct. 18~Nov.3, Kim Daejung Convention Center
The first design biennale, the event features cutting edge designs by artists and brand designers in various fields including Nokia, Kim Young-se and BMW. Under "Light into Life" it displays products in IT, home accessories, cars, posters, fashion and others. Admission is 5000 won.
(062) 608-4405

Budapest Festival Orchestra and Paik Kun-woo
Oct. 18 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Led by Ivan Fischer, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, mainly consisting of young Hungarian classical musicians, performs with the Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo. Repertories include the Brahms and Beethoven symphony.
50,000~200,000 won
1588-7890

London Philharmonic Orchestra with Sarah Chang
Oct. 19 at 9 p.m, Seongnam Arts Center
The London Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Kurt Masur, will be performing with Korea's violinist-wunderkind Sarah Chang (Korean name Chang Young-joo) in the Opera House of the theater. Chang will be playing Dmitri Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1. The orchestra will also perform Ludwig van Beethoven's Prometheus overture and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's symphony No. 4.
30,000-140,000 won
1588-7890

Hwang Byung-ki's Traditional Music World
Oct. 21, 2005 at 8 p.m., Seongnam Arts Center
The world's foremost performer and composer in gayageum (Korean 12-string zirth) plucks and flicks away his most jeweled songs on this single night. Along with Master Hwang's performance, some of his friends and followers will be on stage to show what they have learned from the man, acclaimed for being the pioneer of bringing gukak (traditional Korean music) to a modernized extent that showed gayageum quartet could also perform Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."
10,000 - 20,000 won
(031) 729-5615

Night Watch
Oct. 21, SF, Mystery
Stars Vladmir Menshov, Konstantin Khabensky, Directed by Timber Bekmambetov
In one of the most expensive Russian film productions ever, the thriller story unfolds a perpetual battle between light (human) and dark (monster). An opening film for the 2005 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Camera Work: Pictorial Photography to Straight Photography
Oct. 22~Nov. 27, Gallery Lumiere
A photography gallery and a local agent of several members of Magnum Photos including Henry Cartier Bresson, Lumiere presents black and white photos by some of the world's photography giants of the early 20th century including Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand. Admission is 5000 won.
(02) 517-2134

Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion Live In Korea
Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m., Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
The Klazz Brothers, consisting of bassist Kilian Forster, pianist Tobias Forster and drummer Tim Hahn, along with the Cuba Percussion of Alexis Herrera Estevez (timbales) and Elio Rodriguex Luis (congas) will perform mixtures of classical, jazz and Cuban music.
30,000-70,000 won
1588-7890

National Museum of Korea
Opens Oct. 28, National Museum of Korea
A grand opening at the National Museum of Korea, which moved to Yongsan earlier this year, takes place on Oct. 28. The new gallery has an eclectic collection dating from pre-historic period to Joseon Dynasty, featuring Buddhist statues, metal crafts and celadon.
(02) 2077-9196
Ahn Sook-sun's Traditional Folk Song World
Nov. 2, 2005 at 8 p.m., Seongnam Arts Center
The mother of traditional Korean folk songs is on stage for only one night to do pansori (traditional narrative song). Among the songs featured are pieces from sanjo (improvised songs) accompanied by zirths, hour-glass drums and flutes. The Edinburgh Festival loved her in 2003.
10,000 - 20,000 won.
(031) 729-5615

Into the Blue
November, Action, Adventure
Stars Paul Walker, Jessica Alba, Scott Caan, Ashley Scott, Directed by John Stockwell
Four young scuba divers thought they found a legendary shipwreck, containing treasures. But the ship is actually a sunken cargo vessel carrying millions of dollars worth of drugs.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin
Nov. 4, comedy
Stars Catherine Keener, Steve Carell, Directed by Judd Apatow
One thing that 40-year-old Andy (Steve Carrell) had never, ever had the chance to try in his life so far is sleeping with a woman. The good, hard-working man seems to not care much about the fact that he might be the only person left in his age group who has never had sex. But his friends certainly do care: they gather to help.
Buena Vista Social Club
Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Yonsei University
The famous Cuban music group Buena Vista Social Club is coming to Korea early November. Omara Portuondo, the female vocalist and the last existing member of its original group, will visit Seoul with 13 other members to present Cuban music.
60,000-150,000 won
1544-1555

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Nov. 7 & 8 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is coming back to Korea for the first time in 21 years. The orchestra was here with Herbert von Karajan, one of the most renowned conductors, in 1984, and this time, Sir Simon Rattle, a British conductor, will lead the musicians. The orchestra will perform Hector Berlioz's overture to Rover, op. 21, Maurice Ravel's Mother Goose and Ludwig van Beethoven's symphony No.3 in E flat major op. 55 'Eroica' on Nov. 7. On its second day, they will play Joseph Haydn's symphony in D major Hob. I: 86 and Richard Strauss' tone poem for a large orchestra to a Hero's Life op. 40.
90,000-450,000 won
1588-7890

“Giselle” by the Universal Ballet
Nov. 10-11 at 8 p.m., Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Nov.13 at 4 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Yet another "Giselle" performed by the Korean ballet troupe. Lim Hye-gyeong, Hwang Hye-min and Kang Ye-na will resurrect Giselle who dances out her deep and sad love with beautiful soul.
10,000-100,000 won
1588-7890

"Dr. Socrates" by Jonathan Messe
Nov. 10~Jan.8, Arario Gallery
Jonathan Messe, an artist based in Berlin, made himself an art celebrity in New York, exhibiting at P.S.1. In Cologne, he filled the window of Walter Koenig's famous art bookstore with his trademark posters for Stanley Kubrick movies, photos of John and Yoko in their famous "bed in" and big books of newspaper clippings and Xeroxes. The artist's performance will be held in the gallery on Sept. 10th at 7 p.m. Admission is 5000 won.
(041) 551-5100

Lisa Ono
Nov. 13 at 5 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
A Brazil-born Japanese bossa nova player Lisa Ono will hold her first concert in Korea. This is a part of her Asian tour to promote her new album "Romance Latino," a three volume CD.
30,000-120,000 won
1588-7890

Yo-Yo Ma
Nov. 17 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center
Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will have a solo recital in Seoul. Ma will be performing Johan Sebastian Bach's suites for unaccompanied cello. Ma recorded Bach's suites in 1983 when he was in his 20s and in 2000 when he was 40s. This time, his fans can listen Ma in his 50s playing Bach.
40,000-140,000 won
1588-7890
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Dec. 12, Adventure, Drama
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson, Rupert Grint, Directed by Mike Newell
Based on J.K. Rowling's fourth Harry Potter book, the film features Harry and his friends in their fourth year at Hogwarts.

King Kong
Dec. 14, Adventure
Stars: Naomi Watts, Directed by Peter Jackson
One of the top money-makers of the 1970s is back in this 2005 remake, directed by Peter Jackson of the Lord of the Rings. Naomi Watts plays the beautiful lady who gets kidnapped by King Kong.

The Promise
Dec. 15, Fantasy, Action
Stars: Jang Dong-gun, Cecilia Cheung, Sanada Hiroyuki, Directed by Chen Kaiger
With multi-million dollar investment and star-studded casts from Korea, China and Japan, the story evolves around a mysterious book titled, "The Promise," that fortells the future.

Larry Carlton and Bob James
Dec. 20, 21 at 8 p.m., Seongnam Arts Center
Two noted jazz musicians, the guitarist Larry Carlton and pianist Bob James, have been known for incorporating new dynamics to jazz. Carlton plas as a soloist and a member of the group Fourplay, performs on Dec. 20 with his band Sapphire Blues. James performs on 21st with Shanghai Angels.
20,000~60,000 won
(031) 729-5615~9

Christmas Concert with Yuhki Kuramoto
Dec. 25 at 6 p.m., Seongnam Arts Center
A pianist who popularized new age music, Kuramoto is more loved in Korea than at home in Japan. Tickets for his Christmas concert sold out last year in Seoul, and an encore was held a week later.
20,000~60,000 won
(031) 729-5615~9


SIDANCE
A colorful kaleidoscope of acclaimed domestic and international performances will be coming to Korea for the 8th Seoul International Dance Festival, or SIDance. Thirteen foreign and 19 local companies will be introducing a variety of dance pieces from modern works that have already been recognized internationally to folk dances and new intercultural collaborations.
Participating foreign companies include the Pappa Tarahumara from Japan, performing “Ship in a View,” a mix of modern dance with the hieratic symbolism of ancient Japanese Noh theater; Stephen Petronio Company from the United States; and Compagnie Astrakan of France, led by Daniel Larrieu, the former artistic director of the Tours National Choreographic Center in France. In particular, Fashion designer Tara Subkoff, the head designer of the brand Imitation of Christ will be showing off her costumes in Stephon Petronio's “City of Twist” and “Broken Man.” Others companies include the Random Dance of Britain, which will be performing “Xanathra and AtaXia” the Compania de Danza Narciso Medina of Cuba; and Tero Saarinen Company of Finland, which will present a new interpretation to Stravinsky's “The Rite of Spring” in its piece “Hunt.”
From Korea, six performers older than 80 who are officially designated as “cultural assets” will participate in “The Perfect and Precious Dances by Virtuosos” while eight young choreographers will present contemporary works in a separate performance.
Also, to promote the fusion of different cultures, three works will be collaborations of Korean, Mexican, French and Japanese dance styles, respectively. A third collaboration will involve the participation of five Asian companies.
The festival also includes professional workshops with artists and discussions about dance and music, as well as side events such as a Cuban salsa dances. The festival runs from Sept. 27 through Oct.18 at Hoam Art Hall and Seoul Arts Center. 20,000~70,000 won
(02) 3216-1185, www.sidance.org


For artists, a face and body can be a blank canvas to express emotions, ideas or even trendy colors of the season. Precisely to make this point, Make Up Forever, a French cosmetic brand, is holding a very lavish “Dance the Night Away” party tonight at the W Seoul hotel in eastern Seoul.
Launched in Korea 18 years ago, Make Up Forever was the only brand available for beginning makeup artists. Celebrity makeup artists, who may now have their own brands, once relied on Make Up Forever to create and promote Korean beauty in the entertainment industry.
Now established as one of most recognized and preferred brands in the Korean market today, it has 29 boutiques in department stores nationwide. In 2002, Make Up Forever opened its first flagship store in the cosmetics lane at Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul.
Created by a team of Paris makeup artists in the mid-1980s, Makeup Forever joined the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy group (LVMH), a global behemoth of luxury, as a new cosmetics line in 1999.
According to Make Up Forever Korea’s spokesperson, despite having enjoyed a solid position and brand power in the Korean market, after nearly two decades in the country, it needed a makeover. The new PR strategy starting in 2005 carried the message that the brand lives on but retains its original “backstage” concept. Backstage is a live spot where real professionals create the verve of the moment that quickly spreads to the rest of the world.
The highlight of the party tonight features body painting, a field that is regarded as new or even embryonic in Korea. “Body painting in Korea has been largely limited to just painting and showing the work,” she said. “The event will take body painting in Korea to another level, as it will be a comprehensive form of art combined with live music, dance, lighting and a moment all together.” Guest performers are Drunken Tiger, Yoo Mirae, and Dynamic Duo.
For this new breed of event, the organizer is expecting about 1,500 trendsetters, fashion and beauty industry professionals and press from the capital.
To showcase the latest body painting performance in Europe, four body painting artists, including Dany Sanz, one of the four founders of Make Up Forever and currently the creative director of the brand under LVMH, will fly in from Paris.

by Ines Cho

The “Dance the Night Away” is from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Vista Hall in the basement of the W Seoul Walkerhill hotel in eastern Seoul. A ticket, which costs 35,000 won ($35), is available through www.ticketlink.co.kr or www.dongahtv.com.
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