Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

‘Pipe Organ Duo Concert’

June 22

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

The central Seoul performing arts hall will be the venue of a rare pipe organ performance. The duo, compromised of Korean organist Shin Dong-il and promising American talent Nathan Laube, will perform works by Mozart, J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Danil Trifonov

Seoul Arts Center*

June 11-12

Award-winning Russian pianist Danil Trifonov will perform at Seoul Arts Center on June 11 and 12. The 22-year-old pianist is an up-and-coming name, winner of the third-place prize at the 2010 International Tchaikovsky Competition and top prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in 2011. Trifonov will play Scriabin’s “Piano Sonata No.2,” Listz’s “Piano Sonata in B minor” and Chopin’s 24 preludes in his first performance. On the second day, he will play Scriabin’s “Piano Sonata No. 3” and Rachmaninov’s “Variations on A Theme of Chopin” along with Tchaikovsky’s short pieces. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3184 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Seongnam Arts Center*

June 9

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, led by guest conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin, will perform at the Seongnam Arts Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on June 9. Formed in 1918, the Dutch orchestra company is one of the representative classical music groups of the Netherlands. The company will perform Shostakovich’s “Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat Major,” Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6 in B minor” and Dutch composer Wagenaar’s “Overture Cyrano de Bergerac.” Tickets cost 40,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (031) 783-8000 or visit www.snart.or.kr.

Big Tickets

Sarah Brightman

Bexco

July 21

Singer Sarah Brightman will kick off her Korean tour in Busan. Her songs such as “The Phantom of the Opera” from the eponymous musical, “Nessun Dorma” from the opera “Turandot” and pop numbers such as “Time to Say Goodbye” have been particularly popular among Koreans. Brightman will perform at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on July 23 and at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southern Seoul on July 26. The concert venue in Busan is located near exit 1 of Centum City Station, Busan subway line 2. Tickets cost 99,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call 1566-5490 or visit www.interpark.com.

Museums

‘Xiongnu, the Great Empire of the Steppes - Mongolian Archeological Excavation Result Exhibition’

National Museum of Korea

Through June 19

The National Museum of Korea will hold a special exhibition on the artifacts of the Huns, the group of nomadic people that roamed Europe and central Asia more than a thousand years ago. Since 1997, the museum has been collaborating with the Mongolian government to investigate the history and heritage of the Huns, who mainly resided in present day Mongolia. The exhibition will display 100 artifacts, highlighted by an exquisite jade disk that was buried in the massive tomb Duurlig Nars, Mongolia. Located near exit 4 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and the Jungang Line. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Lee Boo-young

Veloso

June 8

Jazz vocalist Lee Boo-young will perform at the Hongdae live music café. After finishing her study in jazz vocals in the Netherlands, Lee released her first album here in 2010 to critical acclaim. She will sing famous jazz numbers including “Everybody’s Song But My Own” and “Gentle Rain.” Located near exit 9 of Hongik University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, call (02) 941-1150 or visit www.interpark.com.

BEAST

Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Olympic Park*

July 20-21

Six-member K-pop boy band BEAST will hold a concert in southern Seoul. The band debuted in 2009 and has released one studio album and several singles. Their single, “Will You be Alright?” released on May 29 topped major download charts in past weeks. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

Super Sonic 2013

Olympic Park*

August 14-15

The annual Super Sonic rock festival will take place for two days in southern Seoul, featuring a star-studded lineup. The first day of the concert on Aug. 14 will be highlighted by English duo Pet Shop Boys, veteran band Earth, Wind & Fire and New Zealand singer Willy Moon, along with Korean acts Dickpunks and Super Kidd. The performance on the next day will be highlighted by Cho Yong-pil, arguably Korea’s most influential pop musician. Rap singer Verbal Jint, rock band Jaurim, American rock band Hot Chelle Rae will also hit the stage. Tickets cost 150,000 won for two days. For more information, call (02) 6002-7577 or visit www.supersonickorea.com.

‘Muse in City’

88 Jandi Madang, Olympic Park

June 15

This music festival will exclusively feature female musicians, including famed Bossa nova singer Lisa Ono, Korean K-pop star Lee Hyo-ri and Australian singer Lenka. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

D=OUT

KT&G Sangsang Madang Live Hall

June 14

Japanese rock band D=OUT will perform in Seoul. Comprised of guitarists Ibuki and Hikaru, bassist Reika, drummer Minase and vocalist Kouki, the band is known for its fast melodies and outrageous stage presence. Located near exit 9 of Hongik University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 554-9623 or visit www.sangsangmadang.com.

Youn Ha

Blue Square

June 21-23

Singer Youn Ha, who has a large following in both Korea and Japan, will hold a concert in Seoul. Debuting professionally in Japan in 2004, Yoon enjoyed huge commercial success with her first Korean album, “Good Day for Saying I Love You,” in 2008, and has remained one of the top attractions of the local music scene. In the concert, Yoon will sing her past hits and songs from her new album, “Just Listen,” which was released in early May. She will perform in Busan on June 29. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hanganjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

Kim Hyun-joong

Hwajeong Stadium, Korea University

K-pop heartthrob Kim Hyun-joong will hold a concert next month at Korea University. Located near exit 2 of Anam Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 66,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3473-3363 or visit www.interpark.com.

Laura Fygi

Guri Art Hall

June 29

Jazz virtuoso Laura Fygi will perform at the Guri Art Hall, Guri, Gyeonggi Province. She will sing famous jazz numbers including “I Love You for Sentimental Reasons,” “Let There Be Love,” and “Dream A Little Dream,” a song particularly beloved in Korea. Take a no.6 mini bus at exit 2 of Guri Station, Jungang Line, and get off in front of the art hall. Tickets cost 55,000 to 77,000 won. A wheelchair seat costs 33,000 won. For more information, call (031) 550-8800 or visit www.gart.go.kr.

Plays & Musicals

‘Jack the Ripper’

Seongnam Art Hall*

Through June 30

The Korean production of the Czech musical “Jack the Ripper” will be staged at the performing arts hall in Seongnam, south of Seoul. Set in London in 1888, the story revolves around Anderson, a detective chasing an unidentified serial killer, dubbed as “Jack the Ripper,” and Daniel, a young American doctor who asserts that he knows the identity of the killer. Rock singers Shin Sung-woo and Jung Dong-ha and musical veteran Lee Gun-myung highlight the cast. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 764-7858 or visit www.snart.or.kr.

‘Les Miserables’

Through July 7

A high-profile list of Korean actors will stage the iconic musical at the theater near Itaewon. Comedian-turned-musical actor Jung Sung-hwa will play Jean Valjean, who is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread; Cho Jung-eun will be Fantine, a tragic woman who leads a difficult life of a factory worker, and Javert, a policeman who chases Valjean, will be played by Moon Jong-won. The venue is connected to Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 547-5694 or visit www.lesmis.co.kr.

‘Hedwig’

Baekam Art Hall

June 8-Sept. 8

The musical “Hedwig” will be staged for Korean theatergoers again, as they bought more than 350,000 tickets for it when it was first performed here in 2005. Cho Seung-woo, the popular television and movie actor, will return as Hedwig, the struggling, transsexual rocker from East Germany. Located near exit 8 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 50,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3485-8700 or visit www.baekamhall.com.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Charlotte Theater

Through June 9

The Korean production of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be staged in southern Seoul. Along with “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats,” “Superstar” is one of the most popular Andrew Lloyd Webber works among Korean theatergoers, who are supporting one of Asia’s largest and fast-growing musical markets. Korean American actor Michael K. Lee and Park Eun-tae will alternate as Jesus and rock singers Yoon Do-hyun, Han Ji-sang and Kim Sini have been cast as Judas Iscariot. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station, subway line 2 and 8. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.charlottetheater.co.kr.

‘The Days’

Daehangno Musical Center

“The Days,” a musical featuring with songs of late folk rock singer Kim Gwang-seok, is on stage at the Daehangno Musical Center in Seoul. However, the story has no particular relation to Kim’s lyrics because it revolves around the adventures of bodyguards stationed at Cheong Wa Dae. Yu Joon-sang, Oh Man-seok and Kang Tae-eul lead a cast heavy with star power. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.musicalthedays.co.kr.

Dance

‘Dear, Nongae’

National Theater of Korea

June 13-16

The National Dance Company of Korea will stage a dance performance about the folklore of Nongae, a famous courtesan in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University Station on subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

‘Onegin’

July 6-13

The Universal Ballet Company will perform “Onegin,” a work by South African choreographer John Cranko at the Seoul Arts Center in July. The ballet is based on Alexander Pushkin’s tragic love story “Eugene Onegin.” The Universal Ballet Company will be only the second company to stage this piece after China’s National Ballet performance in 2008. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7124-1737 or visit www.universalballet.com.