FILE PHOTO / 2002 Funny, he doesn't look Korean, but American pop singer Christopher Cross will be among the headliners at the KBS Open Concert at Waikiki Shell Tuesday, along with the Makaha Sons and several of South Korea's top entertainers.

Korean Centennial events

Soothing sound of kayagum

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Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com

Korean Centennial activities continue throughout the week. Here are some of the big events:

Sunday

>> There will be a Centennial Memorial unveiling of a sculpture by Korean artist Bou-chan Pak, at Pawaa City Park, at 1 p.m. Free.

>> A Centennial Parade from Fort DeRussy to Kapiolani Park will feature the Korean Navy Academy cadets and band, Korean church groups, Gov. Linda Lingle, 2,000 marchers and other activities and entertainment from 3 to 5 p.m. Free. Call 947-0191.

>> Kayagum Chamber Recital will feature Byung-ki Hwang on kayagum and Woong-sik Kim on changgo, at Orvis Auditorium, 7 p.m. Call 944-7177.

Monday

>> Kayagum Ethno Forum on "Creating Kayagum Music, Focusing on the Silk Road," co-sponsored by the East-West Center, at 12:30 p.m. in music building 116, University of Hawaii at Manoa lower campus. Free. Call 944-7612.

>> Centennial Ceremony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom will feature cultural exhibits from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a 10 a.m. ceremony.

>> Centennial Banquet, with keynote address by Washington state Sen. Paul Shin, an orphan from Seoul in his teens and now vice president of the Washington state Senate. There will be pansori by Chan Park, assistant professor of Korean at Ohio State University. Korean-American former Miss Universe Brook Lee will emcee the event. Starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom, followed by 6:30 p.m. dinner and 8:15 p.m. entertainment. The cost is $125. Call 864-9812 for tickets.

>> Centennial documentary "Arirang: The Korean-American Journey" will have its broadcast premiere at 8 p.m. on KHET.

Tuesday

>> The Korean Broadcasting System hosts a mega production with top stars from Korea and Hawaii at the Waikiki Shell at 6:30 p.m. The "KBS Open Concert" is one of Korea's most popular weekly variety shows and will be bringing in stars from South Korea, including Jin-young Park, Korea's answer to Justin Timberlake, and Patty Kim, Seoul's most popular entertainer. Others appearing are Alessandro Safina, who crossed over from opera to pop; Sook-sun Ahn, a living treasure of Korean traditional music; and Young-nam Cho, a tenor whose repertoire includes classical music and love songs.

Four more who perform solo or as a group known for oldies but goodies are Hyun Chul, Dae-kwan Song, Taejinah and Suloondo. And those who keep up with the Korean music scene will recognize In-soony, two up-and-comers Shinhwa and Jung-hyun Lee, soul singer Hyobum Shin, and Alex Lee Tano.

Also appearing in the concert will be Hawaii's Makaha Sons and singer-songwriter Christopher Cross. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Pick up tickets at KBFD TV at 1188 Bishop St., Korea Times at 1839 S. King St., Korea Central Daily at 825 Keeaumoku St., Radio Korea at 320 Ward Ave., Kalihi Queen's Super Market, Palama Supermarket, Hyundae Supermarket, Waikiki Shell, or Shilla, Seoul Jung or Sorabol restaurants. For more information, call 342-6437.

>> The Korean Cultural Center is set to open at 2736 Rooke Ave. at 10 a.m.

Wednesday

>> Centennial documentary "Arirang: The Korean-American Journey" screens at 7:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke at the Academy. General admission is $5; $3 for academy members. Call 956-7041.

>> "Explore Korea: A Visit to Grandfather's House," a yearlong children's exhibition that opens at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Education Gallery. Continues through Dec. 31. Call 532-8701.

Friday

>> Five groups of entertainers from Korea will gather on the Ala Moana Center Stage from 2 to 4 p.m. to give a preview of the 2nd annual Korean Festival on Jan. 18. Call 955-9517.

>> National Korean American Grocers Association convention meets at the Waikiki Resort Hotel to Jan. 19; 947-9334.

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