Latest news with #KoreaNationalUniversityofArts
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This Indian actor is the only non-Korean in Squid Game. Now fans celebrate him as 'Prince' of K-drama
From Delhi to Korea: A Dream Too Bold to Predict A Character That Touched Millions From Player 199 to Prince Samir — kdramadaisy (@kdramadaisy) The Bridge Between Two Worlds You Might Also Like: Squid Game creator once sold his laptop to pay house rent. Now, fans await season 3 of a billion dollar phenomenon As Squid Game Season 3 hits Netflix this Friday, June 27, fans are eager to return to the brutal world of deadly games and moral dilemmas. But amid the returning thrill and suspense, one name from Season 1 continues to resonate with deep emotional weight — Ali Abdul (#199), played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi . The show may be Korean, but Ali's sincerity gave it a universal soul — and Tripathi, its most heartfelt becoming a household name, Tripathi was a theatre student from a middle-class Indian family who dared to dream differently. 'Anybody wants their kids to study and get a better job, but I was the wildest one in the home,' he told Tudum by Netflix. That defiance of expectations led him to a scholarship at Korea National University of Arts — and a one-way journey to a country where he didn't speak the language but spoke the language of real-life story closely mirrors that of his on-screen character, Ali — a migrant worker from Pakistan navigating a foreign world with courage and desperation. In Squid Game, Ali joins the deadly contest not out of greed but for the love of his family. For Tripathi, it was no stretch to connect with Ali's quiet resilience. 'I, myself, was an immigrant in Korea looking for a better opportunity,' he said. 'He's gentle and honest. He cares for his family. I am trying, [Ali] was also trying.'Ali's story arc may have ended in betrayal, but his impact was lasting. In a narrative soaked in violence, fear, and survival, Ali stood out as the most human — the kindest. His portrayal touched hearts across the globe and made Tripathi the breakout star of a series that drew over 142 million viewers in its first month. 'I never imagined people would talk about my character,' Tripathi said humbly. 'Everybody's a huge star in South Korea. They have their craft, and I was learning from them.'Yet fans connected to Ali because he wasn't just a player. He was the pulse of decency in a game of cruelty. The only non-Korean participant in the series, he reflected an entire diaspora of people who live, work, and struggle far from rising star didn't stop with Squid Game. He went on to play Prince Samir in the hit K-drama King the Land , further embedding himself into Korea's entertainment industry. Speaking to Variety, he said, 'After Squid Game, life has turned around a lot for me. Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.' Fans on the streets began calling him 'Ali' and later, 'Prince.'More than the recognition, Tripathi wants to use his visibility to open doors. 'I want to be called an Indian actor in Korea ,' he said. 'I feel so great that I'm representing India and foreign actors also.' He hopes for more inclusivity, even expressing a desire to see Korean award shows create categories for foreign Squid Game returns for its final season, Anupam Tripathi may not appear in the new episodes, but his legacy lingers. He wasn't just a character in the series — he was its emotional anchor. And as he continues his career in Korea while representing India on the global stage, he stands as a bridge between two cinematic worlds that rarely meet.
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra appoints its first-ever composers-in-residence
In a milestone move marking its 60th anniversary, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra announced Thursday the appointment of three composers — Kim Hyun-seop, Lee Go-woon and Lee Hanurij — as its first-ever composers-in-residence. This is the first time the orchestra has introduced a residency program for composers. The initiative aims to foster long-term, collaborative partnerships with composers, enabling the creation of a sustainable repertoire. Among the three appointees, teenage composer Lee Hanurij stands out as a rising star in the classical music scene. Born in 2006, he became the youngest-ever winner in the composition category of the Joongang Music Concours last year and also took top honors at the Bartok World Competition in Hungary. Currently studying at the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), he gained wider recognition after being commissioned by pianist Lim Yunchan to compose the piano solo piece "Round and Velvety-Smooth Blend." His first orchestral work for traditional Korean instruments is set to premiere Thursday at Sejong Center. 'As composer-in-residence, I hope to explore the broader possibilities of Korean traditional music and seek new sonic directions,' Lee said in a statement. Kim Hyun-seob, another appointee, is currently the artistic director of the Hwaseong City Arts Group's traditional music ensemble. His works are rooted in Korean musical traditions. Lee Go-woon also draws from traditional Korean music and has collaborated with various ensembles, including the National Orchestra of Korea and the Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra of Korea. The three composers will participate in a range of projects, including regular concerts and chamber music series, beginning this month. Their appointments have no fixed term. New works by Kim Hyun-seob and Lee Go-woon will be unveiled in November, while Lee Hanurij's next composition is slated for April 2026. Lee Seung-hweon, director of the SMTO, expressed high hopes for the new initiative. 'Their music will be featured frequently in upcoming concerts,' he said. 'We expect this collaboration to not only enhance the orchestra's growth but also have a groundbreaking impact on the field of traditional Korean orchestral music.' hwangdh@
Korea Herald
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: In 'Life of Ballerino,' men dance their dazzles and struggles
Male dancers from 'Stage Fighter' step into the spotlight with 'Life of Ballerino' It felt more like a K-pop concert. With every leap and turn, cheers erupted from the audience, applause ringing out as if they were watching their favorite idols on stage. But this wasn't a pop spectacle — it was a ballet. That kind of visceral reaction is rare in the world of classical ballet. Yet a handful of male dancers from Mnet's hit dance survival show 'Stage Fighter' have not only broken through, but in doing so, have drawn renewed attention to the artistry and presence of the ballerino. And at just the right moment, the show's ballet mentor, dancer-turned-choreographer Ryu Hoi-woong, brought together five performers from the show — Kang Gyeong-ho, Kim Kyung-won, Kim Tae-seok, Shin Min-kwon and Jung Sung-wook — all alumni of Korea National University of Arts, also known as K-Arts. Along with some 20 other dancers from the K-Arts Ballet Company, they took the stage in 'Life of Ballerino: Dreamer,' earlier in June at the Seoul Arts Center as part of the Ballet Festival Korea. When most people think of ballet, Ryu noted, they picture tutus and pointe shoes — a ballerina balanced en pointe, held aloft by her male counterpart. But 'Life of Ballerino' challenges that narrative. Here, the men step out from the wings. The spotlight, for once, is theirs. 'When I first created this piece, I simply wanted to tell our story — the story of ballerinos. We prepare for the stage with just as much passion and discipline as ballerinas, and I wanted that to be visible here,' said Ryu, speaking to The Korea Herald. Tracing the journey of ballerinos in pursuit of their dreams, the performance opens in the rehearsal studio, with dancers gripping the barre, then unfolds through a series of loosely structured yet theatrically driven episodes. The storyline is simple, accessible, and crafted with wit and clarity to engage audiences new to ballet. 'My top priority was making the story approachable. I didn't want first-time balletgoers to sit there thinking, 'What is this? What does it mean?' I wanted them to understand intuitively, and to feel, 'Hey, this isn't so different from our own lives.'' The ballet dazzles with a large ensemble of male dancers performing high-energy group choreography, technical solos showcasing a variety of jumps and turns, and a buoyant, energetic tone throughout. Several scenes highlight how a five-minute competition score can determine everything — from university admission to military service. That sense of relatability deeply resonated with the young dancers themselves. '(Dancers) really give it their all. They love the piece because there's no single lead; it's all of us dancing together. Even if someone makes a mistake, we say, 'Hey, that's part of the story too.'' Originally premiered in 2019 as a small-scale production, 'Life of Ballerino' is a rare example of an original ballet that has evolved into a sustained repertory piece with growing popularity, according to BAFEKO. It was restaged as a 60-minute piece at the CJ Towol Theater in 2023 and this year was selected for the festival's official program. Ryu, who had been a member of the Korean National Ballet in his mid-20s, left the company in 2008 when he was cast in his dream role as the magical cat Mr. Mistoffelees in the musical 'Cats.' While performing the role in 2008–09 and again in 2011, he steadily built his career as a choreographer. 'I never imagined ballet would stay with me this long,' he said. 'Honestly, I didn't have a long career as a ballerino — I even quit ballet at one point. But somehow, I keep coming back. I'm choreographing, teaching, working on my own projects. It's a bit amusing how things have turned out.' Ballet, for Ryu, has become like an old friend. 'It's definitely my best friend. Like visiting your parents' house, you might leave, but you always come back. Sometimes you argue, sometimes you drift apart, but in the end, it's always there when you need it.' And from that friendship, new works are born. This October, Ryu will premiere a new choreography with the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, featured in a double bill alongside Hans van Manen. 'I'm not someone who waits around worrying about the outcome or how people will judge. Instead, I think, 'Let's just try it.' Because of that, I tend to be the type to move forward,' said Ryu. 'Life as a ballerino is short, and the time to shine is limited, which is why taking chances and embracing the moment is so important.' hwangdh@
Pink Villa
04-06-2025
- Business
- Pink Villa
Lee Je Hoon reveals his father turned to day labor after IMF crisis shut family business, calls Big Deal ‘meaningful'
South Korea was plunged into one of the worst financial crises in 1997, now remembered as the IMF crisis. Businesses folded overnight, unemployment skyrocketed, and middle-class families across the country saw their lives unravel. For actor Lee Je Hoon, this wasn't just history; it was part of his own story. On June 2, a press interview was held to promote Lee Je Hoon 's latest film Big Deal. He candidly reflected on how the events of 1997 disrupted his childhood and reshaped the trajectory of his life. As it turns out, the film's subject matter (which portrays South Korea during the peak of its economic collapse) aligns closely with Lee's lived experience. Lee Je Hoon's firsthand account of family collapse Reflecting on his younger years, Lee Je Hoon shared that he was in middle school when the financial crisis hit. At the time, his family owned two small businesses: a rice store and a restaurant. They were modest but stable ventures that helped them maintain a comfortable life. However, like countless small business owners during that period, the crash came swiftly and without mercy. His family's businesses couldn't withstand the economic shock, and they were forced to shut down. The most painful moment for Lee Je Hoon, he shared, was seeing his father 'going out to do day labor' to make ends meet. It was a sobering experience for a teenager to watch. 'That's when I realized just how difficult things had become,' he shared. From Biotechnology to the big screen Though the crisis brought severe hardship, it also instilled in Lee a level of emotional maturity beyond his years. He witnessed not only his family's hardship but also the collective pain of a nation. Small shops closed, neighbors lost jobs, and people who once lived comfortably had to rethink everything. Interestingly, Lee didn't begin his adult life on an acting path. He was initially enrolled as a Biotechnology student at Korea University, a route that promised academic stability. But the desire to pursue acting led him to abandon that conventional track. He later transferred to the Korea National University of Arts, where he studied drama. Over the next two decades, Lee worked his way up from indie films to mainstream blockbusters and critically acclaimed dramas. Big Deal marks a full-circle moment For Lee Je Hoon, working on Big Deal is more than just another acting project; it feels like a full-circle moment. He expressed, 'I actually experienced a difficult time during the IMF crisis, so it was meaningful to tell this story.' Big Deal is set in the chaotic financial landscape of 1997. The film focuses on a conflict between two professionals caught in a high-stakes struggle over control of Korea's national soju industry. While the characters are fictional, the backdrop is historically accurate.
