The musical “West Side Story” caused a stir before it began its fourth run in Korea on Nov. 17, owing to its relatively high ticket prices. The price for a VIP ticket was 160,000 won ($123), which is about 6 percent higher than that of other musicals. Such a price hike raised the eyebrows of some theatergoers, but the show itself demonstrated that it still is a must-see masterpiece of all time.
In July, news that artist Jeong Da-hye became the first-ever Korean creator to be awarded the prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize shook up the country s craft art scene. The prize, launched by the Spanish luxury fashion house s cultural foundation, recognized Jeong s delicate, horsehair-woven, lattice-like vessel in helping revive the centuries-old Joseon-era technique of weaving noblemen s hats.