The Enescu – JTI Immersive Experience series will take place at MINA from August 24 to September 21, featuring four original performances that blend classical music, visual art, contemporary performance, and technology. Choreographer Gigi Căciuleanu's ONIRIUS production, set to Paul Ilea's music, premieres on August 28 and 29 with immersive visuals by Les Ateliers Nomad. Another highlight is BACH IN THE JUNGLE, a sonic and visual experiment combining Bach, Villa-Lobos, and Piazzolla.
Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' is set to release a character merch line featuring traditional Korean tassel ornaments called norigae, designed by Euni Cho, who also choreographed the film's girl-group trio HUNTR/X, which includes members with names that reflect their Korean heritage. The show brings Seoul's vibrant culture and flavors to life through its animation, drawing inspiration from real-life experiences of its cast and crew.
K-pop star G-Dragon has been appointed as an honorary ambassador for the 2025 APEC summit. He will headline a music festival in Incheon and is set to perform at the ATC Gallery in Osaka from August 30 to September 15. The exhibition, "Übermensch," which blends cutting-edge visuals with introspective themes inspired by G-Dragon's album of the same name, has already drawn large crowds in Seoul and Tokyo, with 55,000 visitors in Seoul and 10,000 on its first day in Tokyo.
Jaishankar Calls for Global Order Rebalancing at Festival
8.5.25
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a fair and representative global order in his address at the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival 'Saptasur'. He stated that this quest is often referred to as "political or economic rebalancing". The festival, which follows a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to promote cultural prowess and traditions among member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Jaishankar highlighted the significance of music as an expression of creativity, emotions, and heritage, serving as both a bridge between nations and a powerful representation of their identity.
Two fashion designers, Janae Pettit and Natalie Workman, discovered Afa Ah Loo's sketches of a collection he was working on while cleaning his shared studio after his death in Salt Lake City. Inspired by the designs, they collaborated with Benjamin Powell, co-founder of Creative Pacific, to complete the collection as a tribute to Ah Loo.
Lady Gaga Praises Doechii's Raw and Emotional Sound
8.5.25
Lady Gaga praised Doechii's music, calling it "raw and deeply personal" with a "wild mix of audacity and emotional precision." The two artists met briefly, but Gaga found her presence impactful without needing to discuss anything. Doechii described Gaga as having an "essence about her" that draws people in naturally.
The Korean government is launching a new campaign featuring actor Park Bo-gum in a series of promotional videos showcasing traditional hanbok clothing. The "Hanbok with Four Seasons" expo, now in its eighth year, will explore the cultural significance of hanbok across different seasons through exhibitions and activities. The main exhibition, curated by Professor Sim Yeon-ok, will feature over 170 pieces of hanbok garments made from traditional fabrics, alongside weaving demonstrations using both traditional and modern looms.
Plastic Pollution Threatens Global Health, Economy Suffers
8.5.25
A report in The Lancet warns that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to global health, with estimated annual economic losses of at least $1.5 trillion. Researchers compared the impact of plastic pollution to air pollution and lead, suggesting that laws and policies can mitigate its effects. To highlight this issue, Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is creating a sculpture called "The Thinker's Burden" from plastic waste, which will be submerged in front of the UN. The plastics industry disputes this assessment, with Matthew Kastner stating that their products, including medical devices and water pipes, are essential for public health.
Kasmin gallery is hosting Éloge de l'ombre (In Praise of Shadows), the second solo exhibition by artist Ralaivao, who recently announced representation with the gallery starting in 2024. The exhibition features a suite of new black and white paintings that showcase Ralaivao's attention to composition, light, and shadow. His portraits and still life tableaux magnify subtle details at large scale through strategic framing, evoking a world of drama and suspense reminiscent of film noir.