Classical Concerts

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Seoul Arts Center*

May 27

Led by Jonathan Cohen, the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields will perform in Seoul. Founded in 1959, the orchestra has been performing all over the world. The ensemble’s name comes from a church located near Trafalgar Square, London. Pianist Son Yeol-eum will collaborate in this concert. Tickets cost 40,000 to 160,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Lorin Maazel & London’s Philharmonia Orchestra

Seoul Arts Center*

April 7-8

The Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Lorin Maazel will visit Korea for the second time. Based in London, the Philharmonia Orchestra has collaborated with numerous artists for over 60 years. U.S. conductor Maazel will perform Gustav Mahler’s symphonies No. 1 and 5. The concert will be held at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on April 7 and 8. Tickets cost 70,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

2012 Yukhi Kuramoto Grand Concert

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

March 25

A well-known pianist, composer, and arranger, Yukhi Kuramoto will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s program includes “Meditation,” “Lake Louise,” “Swan Song,” “Lovingly” and more. Yukhi Kuramoto was born in 1951, Japan. He will hold the concert with a symphony orchestra. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266.

Paavo Jarvi & Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Seoul Arts Center*

June 11

Germany’s traditional orchestra will perform for audiences on June 11 at Seoul Arts Center. The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO) was founded in 1929. Paavo Jarvi has been conducting the orchestra since 2006. The program includes symphony orchestral music pieces and Mendelssohn’s violin concerto. U.S. violinist Hillary Hahn will collaborate in this concert. Tickets cost 50,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

Dream Theater ’A Dramatic Tour of Events’

Olympic Park*

April 19

Hardrock and heavy metal band Dream Theater are holding their 2012 Asian concert tour in support of their 11th album “A Dramatic Turn of Events” released in September last year. One of the songs from their album was nominated at 2011 Grammy Awards. For the concert’s opener the group will perform “The Dream Is Collapsing,” which was featured in the movie “Inception.” Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

LMFAO Live in Seoul

Olympic Park*

April 7

LMFAO, the world famous electro pop duo, will visit Korea for the first time this year at Olympic Park on April 7. They were nominated at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in the “best dance and electronic album” category. The band also developed new music genre called “party rock.” Tickets cost 88,000 to 121,000 won. For more information and reservations, call (02) 323-2838. For English booking, send an e-mail to info@vuent.co.kr.

Morrissey Live in Seoul

AX Korea

May 6

British rock star Morrissey will perform in Seoul. Morrissey fronted legendary band “The Smiths” with Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce. After recovering from hardship, in 2004 Morrissey released a solo album “You Are the Quarry.” Since then, he has been enjoying his second “golden days.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 332-3277.

Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball

Olympic Park*

April 27

Lady Gaga is one of the most popular pop stars in the world. Her songs “Poker face,” “Papparazzi” and “Born This Way” are especially popular among local fans. Tickets cost 44,000 to 125,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.superseries.kr.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Live in Seoul

AX Korea

May 28

British rock star Noel Gallagher will perform in Korea. Until 2009, Gallagher was a member of English rock band “Oasis.” Producer George Martin praised him as “one of the finest songwriters of his generation.” Last October, he releasd his first solo album, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 332-3277.

Museums

Arirang

The National Folk Museum of Korea

April 4 -May 21

The National Folk Museum of Korea presents “Arirang.” The exhibition showcases various regional versions of the song “Arirang.” Free Admission. Located near exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station or exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 3704-3114.

Myeong-dong Narratives

Seoul Museum of History

Through March 31

Lee Bong-gu was a newspaper reporter from the 1950s to ’60s who wrote a book of experience and remembrance with artists and musicians at that time. This exhibition highlights Meyong-dong’s past and present based on Lee Bong-gu’s experience. Myeong-dong has been a Mecca of Korea’s modern cultural venues. In the past, there were numerous exhibitions and performances there. This location was also the scene of a democratic movement. Now, Myeong-dong has turned into a fare of fashion and sightseeing for foreigners. Admission is free. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 724-0114.
Tutankhamen: His Tomb and His Treasures

Gwacheon National Science Museum

Through May 31

A great chance to see ancient remains from Egypt has arrived. Excavated by English archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter, King Tut’s mummy will be on display in Korea. Over 1,300 relics have been restored. Visitors can see Tutankhamen’s tomb and many treasures. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Closed on Mondays. Located near exit 5 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For more information and reservations, call (02) 3677-1435.

Pop & Jazz

2012 Shinhwa Grand Tour in Seoul ‘The Return’

Olympic Park*

March 24-25

SM Entertainment’s Shinhwa will hold a comeback concert at Olympic Park. Shinhwa has been popular for over 14 years. English booking is also available. Tickets cost 66,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Lenny Kravitz: Audi Live 2012

Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium

April 13

Invited by Audi Korea, Lenny Kravitz will hold his first concert in Korea. He is one of the iconic figures in rock with over 35 million in album sales worldwide. He has earned four Grammy Awards in the rock section. Kravitz’s songs “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way” are popular in Korea. For this year’s concert, 8 band members will collaborate with Kravitz. Tickets cost 88,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, please call 1544-1555.

Musiq Soulchild Live in Seoul ’Musiq in the Magiq’

AX Korea

May 11

A new music genre called “neo soul” has been emerging since 2000. Musiq Soulchild is a leader of neo soul which has found fans worldwide. Soulchild’s hits include “For the Night,” “LOVE,” “If U Leave,” “ Buddy,” “Half Crazy,” and “Who Knows.” Tickets cost 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 3143-5156.

K.Will: I Need You

Olympic Park*

April 21

Vocalist K.Will will hold a national tour from March 24 to April 21. This is his first national tour and the singer will perform in Seoul on April 21 at the Olympic Park. Recently, K.Will released his third mini album, proving his vocal ability on TV programs. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Dance

Universal Ballet’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

April 5-8

Presented by Universal Ballet, “Sleeping Beauty” will be performed at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Princess Aurora falls asleep due to a curse. Prince Desire kisses Aurora and finally they get married. “Sleeping Beauty” is based on Charles Perrault’s “La Belle au Bois Dormant” and music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Jeong Yeon-hee’s ’Our Dance’

Theater Sungkyun

Through March 28

Dancer-choreographer Jeong Yeon-hee will introduce various traditional Korean dances at Theater Sunkyun. Tickets cost 6,800 to 20,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Haehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 747-5035.

Plays & Musicals

Wicked

Blue Square

May 31-June 30

Popular blockbuster Broadway musical “Wicked” will be staged in Korea for the first time. Since making its debut on Broadway in 2003, the musical has topped the box office for nine years. The musical deals with untold stories before “The Wizard of Oz.” Elphaba, a green witch of the Western sky, and Glenda, a nice witch, used to be best friends. However, their friendship sours as they struggle through love, friendships and conspiracies. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hanganjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.

Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family

Sookmyung Art Center Theater S

Through May 13

“Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Anderson Family” earned best musical at the 17th Korean Musical Awards. In late 19th-century London, a woman named Lucy Johnson disappears on Christmas Eve. Fifteen days later, the Anderson family visits the office of Sherlock Holmes to ask him to find Lucy Johnson. As soon as Holmes tries to solve case, the Anderson family members die one by one. Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 10 of Sookmyung University Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 715-8358.

Catch Me If You Can

Blue Square

March 28-June 10

Based on Steven Spielberg’s movie, the musical “Catch Me If You Can” will be on stage in Korea from March 28 to June 10. The musical was introduced on Broadway in 2011 and has been nominated at the Tony Awards. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hanganjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call 1544-159.

Elisabeth

Blue Square

Through May 13

Viennese musical “Elisabeth” will be presented at the Blue Square Theater. With music by Sylvester Levay and script and lyrics by Michael Kunze, the story revolves around famous Austrian Empress Elisabeth Sissi. Tickets cost 30,000 to 150,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 6391-6333.

Caffeine

Culture Space NU

Through April 8

The musical “Caffeine” is on stage again after the first two productions in 2010. It portrays Ji-min and Se-jin’s romance resulting from a practical joke between workers at Ji-min’s cafe. This musical is directed by Seong Jae-joon and four actors will alternate in the roles of Ji-min and Se-jin. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Haehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, call 1577-3363.

Return to Hamlet

Dongsoong Art Center

Through April 8

Directed by Korean movie director Jang Jin, the play “Return to Hamlet” is being staged at Dongsoong Art Center through April 8. The play is not Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” but director Jang’s own version with characters in the Shakespearean play. Tickets range from 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 766-6007.

Doctor Zhivago

Charlotte Theater

Through June 3

New musical “Doctor Zhivago” will be staged in Korea for the first time. Based on Boris Pasternak’s novel, the story revolves around Yuri Zhivago’s life and love during the 1917 Russian Revolution. The Korean production presents musical actor Hong Kwang-ho and Cho Seung-woo alternating in the role of Zhivago. For more information, call 1588-5212.