Front Row Gentleman Jack ballet, BTS reunited, Irish myths - a feminist retelling, Len Deighton remembered
Mar 17, 2026
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Belgian-Colombian choreographer who turns Anne Lister’s diaries into ballet movement. Julie Yoon-yong Lee, BBC Korean Service reporter who explains BTS’s cultural weight and the trot revival. Salma El‑Wardany, writer reimagining Deirdre with Irish and Egyptian‑Pakistani roots. Martin Edwards, crime novelist and historian reflecting on Len Deighton’s legacy. They discuss dance translation, K‑Pop comebacks, mythic retellings and espionage fiction.
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Rethink Partnering For Same Sex Relationships
- Subvert expected partnering conventions to portray queer relationships realistically on stage.
- Lopez Ochoa avoids heavy lifts for two women and instead choreographs tender, equal gestures and a ceremonial pointe moment for their marriage.
BTS Chooses Arirang To Reclaim Korean Roots
- BTS's comeback is framed as both cultural and national: the album title Arirang signals Korean identity and collective memory.
- Julie Yoon-yong Lee links Arirang to historical resistance and expects the band to foreground Korean roots.
BTS Balances Folk Roots With Global Pop Ambition
- BTS balances Korean musical roots with global pop through collaborations and member songwriting.
- Katie Hawthorne notes a mix of international producers, experimental names like JPEGMAFIA, and in-house Korean producers with member credits.
