Asia

“Gaga for Gangnam: $20 Million Bet on Bringing Korean Pop Culture to China”

by Lilian Lin via “The Independent“

Korean pop with Chinese characteristics? As the Korean pop culture craze in China continues to grow, some companies are betting heavily on the Middle Kingdom’s appetite for more Gangnam Style-style entertainment.

Hong Kong’s Media Asia and Taiwan’s Fubon Group recently teamed up with South Korea’s SM Entertainment, the country’s music and artist management giant, to set up an investment fund with $20 million in seed money to support various film &TV projects, focusing on China and global Chinese-language audiences.

SM, which manages a slate of top-tier Korean artists, including Girls’ Generation — a popular Korean girl band that won big at the YouTube Music Awards last year – says China is its most important market. According to the agreement, MediaAsia will also begin representing three artists currently backed by S.M Entertainment, including the Korean boy band EXO – a currently 11-member group that has three Chinese members and battled Justin Bieber and One Direction for Worldwide Act at MTV European Music Award last year.

The deal comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit earlier this year to Seoul, when the two countries signed a string of deals to accelerate cultural exchanges, including an agreement to allow China-Korea co-production films to be seen as domestic films, allowing them to bypass strict imported film quotas in China’s theaters.

“Korean and Chinese government are looking forward to accelerating culture exchanges,” said Han Se-min, CEO of S.M Culture & Contents. “It definitely facilitates our cooperation.”

China’s obsession with all things Korean spans, of course, Psy’s smash hit Gangnam style, which remains beloved by China’s middle-age women who love to dance in public parks, as well as toddlers encouraged to dance in kindergarten classrooms.

This year’s K-pop craze in China, though, has been given further fuel by the rom-com Korean TV series “My Love From the Star.”

The smash hit TV series not only sparked a new fondness in China for fried chicken and beer – a dish often eaten by characters on the show – it also turned Kim Soo-hyun, a fresh-faced Korean heartthrob best known for playing the show’s ageless alien character, into a most-wanted star for China’s advertisers. Ads featuring his image touting everything from mineral water to shoes to moon cakes are ubiquitous in China. The show has been watched more than 14.5 billion times since last December’s debut. . . . .

Coming Exhibition: Loving Devotion: Enter the Mandala

“Enter the Mandala”

“Taima Mandala” (1300s – 1400s)

Who: Asian Art Museum

When: Mar. 14, 2014 – Oct. 26, 2014 (Tues-Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m. – 9 pm.)

Where:

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA

How Much:

Adults ~ $15
Seniors, Students, Youth ~ $10

More Information: Here.

“Mandalas are maps of Buddhist visionary worlds.

Minutely detailed and saturated with philosophical meaning, these works (most often paintings or sculptures) are a feast for the eyes and the mind—nested squares and circles are arrayed to represent the center of the cosmos and the four cardinal directions. For Buddhist practitioners, however, mandalas are not just images to view, but worlds to enter—after recreating the image in their mind’s eye, meditators imaginatively enter its realm.But is it possible to have this experience without years of meditative discipline?

Enter the Mandala says yes. In this exhibition, 14th-century paintings align a gallery with the cardinal directions, transforming open space into an architectural mandala—a chance to experience the images in three dimensions, to dwell in the midst of the cosmic symbols and be transported to another world. Visitors can literally “enter the mandala,” exploring places in the cosmos—and perhaps themselves—that might otherwise remain invisible. “

Coming Exhibition: Loving Devotion: Visions of Vishnu

“Loving Devotion: Visions of Vishnu”

Vishnu with Attendants, Bangladesh, 12th century, schist (stone), Collection of the Newark Museum

Who: BYU Museum of Art

When: Sept. 5, 2014 – Feb. 21, 2015 (Mon-Sat. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

Where:

Brigham Young University Museum of Art
North Campus Drive
Provo, Utah 84602

How Much: Generally Free, some special exhibits require a ticket.

More Information: Here.

“Featuring a variety of exquisite art objects from the Indian subcontinent, Loving Devotion illuminates the rich heritage and symbolism of Hindu worship in the lives of believers, immersing viewers in the beliefs and culture of one of the world’s oldest and largest religions.

Focusing on images of Vishnu and Krishna that span centuries of history, the exhibition explores how bhakti (the practice of fervent, impassioned devotion to deity) influences the lives and worship of Hindu people and reveals the depth and intimacy of their relationship towards the divine.

Indeed, building a relationship with God is at the core of life’s purpose for the devoted believer, and both Vishnu, the Preserver, and his incarnation, Krishna, are highly revered deities that have both been the focus of significant bhakti worship. Through powerful images of these Gods inscribed on stone, in bronze or in paintings, worshippers and viewers alike are invited to learn that god is love and not fear, and understand how worship can evolve from practice to joyful experience of immense love and devotion. . . . .”

Korean Cultural Heritage Festival Marries Contemporary and Cool with Traditional Arts

“Korean Cultural Heritage Festival Marries Contemporary and Cool with Traditional Arts”

by Carlito Pablo via “Georgia Straight“

THIS YEAR’S KOREAN Cultural Heritage Festival will have a modern feel.

According to festival spokesperson Mike Suk, it’s going to be vibrant and cutting-edge, reflecting South Korea’s status as a major global tastemaker, from cars to smart phones to pop culture. The festival’s theme is Dynamics of a Modern Korea.

“We want to show people the new Korea,” Suk told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview.

According to Suk, Hyundai will roll out its latest cars at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby’s Central Park, the venue for the 13th annual festival organized by the Korean Cultural Heritage Society.

He added that for the first time, huge TV screens will be set up to play Korean pop-music (K-pop) videos and commercials throughout Saturday (August 16). On-stage, local performers will sing and dance to K-pop songs.

“The energy is going to feel different,” Suk said. “It is important to note, this festival is not exclusive to the Korean community but rather a true celebration of a multicultural Canada”

Historically, the festival has been about traditional elements, and Suk said those will be present as well. A drum dance will open the festivities, followed by a reenactment of a traditional Korean royal wedding.

There will be a demonstration of the Korean martial art tae kwon do, and there will be tightrope-walking, or jultagi. A food pavilion will offer Korean food, beer, and wine, and traditional Korean souvenirs and gifts will be sold.

B.C.’s Korean community has grown to about 80,000. According to Suk’s organization, it is second in size in Canada to Ontario’s. . . . .”

Chinese Calligraphy, Painting Exhibition Opens in Albania

“Chinese Calligraphy, Painting Exhibition Opens in Albania”

by Wang Siwei via “Xinhua English News“

A woman watches a traditional Chinese painting at a Chinese calligraphy and traditional painting exhibition kicked off in Tirana, capital of Albania on July 25, 2014. About 18 artists from China displayed their masterpieces to Albanians during the exhibition, which will last to July 29. (Xinhua/Wang Siwei)