New Years Concert with Cellist Young Song
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues on left for more information)
Jan. 18

Popular cellist Young Song (Song Young-hoon) will hold a New Year concert with Universal Philharmonic Orchestra. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s “Slavonic March, Op. 31” and Dvorak’s “Concerto for Violincello and Orchestra in B minor Op. 104” among others. Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. Call (031) 897-7497 for more information.

Paul Potts ‘I Have A Dream’
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Jan. 11

The winner of “Britain’s Got Talent Paul Potts and genius New Age pianist Kevin Kern who overcame visual impairment will gather to hold a Share The Hopes Concert titled “I Have A Dream.” The program includes “Sundial Dream,” “The Winding Path,” “Il Mio Cuore Va” and “Cinema Paradiso” among others. Popera singer Yisabel and Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra will also appear as guests. Tickets cost 33,000 to 198,000 won. For more, call (02)2052-1386 or 1544-1555.

Joe Hisaishi
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Jan. 18-19

Joe Hisaishi, known for creating the soundtrack of Hayao Miyazaki animation films, will visit Korea as part of a concert tour across Asia. The Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform his work from “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Howl’s Moving Castle” as well as tracks from his albums. Tickets cost 66,000 to 187,000 won. For more information, call 3143-5515 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr/english.

Eugene Ugoroski Violin Recital
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
Feb. 19
Eugene Ugoroski, a young Russian-American violinist, will make his Asia recital debut in Korea. This budding player will perform Brahms works including “Scherzo in C minor” as well as Strauss’s “Sonata in E flat major.” Pianist Konstantin Lifschitz will accompany the artist. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. Call (02)599-5743 for more information.

Andras Schiff Piano Recital
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
Feb. 23, 2011

Andras Schiff will return to give a second recital in Korea with an all-Beethoven program. The artist is known for recording the composer’s complete sonatas and will perform “Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109,” among others. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. Call (02) 541-3183 for more information.

Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra New Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
Jan. 20, 2011

The Vienna Straus Festival Orchestra, organized by Strauss music expert Peter Guth, will perform the composer’s masterpieces, including the overture to “Die Fledermaus” and “Russischer Marsch op 426,” among others, with popera singer Im Sun-hae. Chief conductor Willy Buchler will also play the violin as leader of the orchestra. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. Call (02) 599-5748 for more information.

Educoncert ‘Overture To 2011’
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
Jan. 16
Under the direction of conductor Yoon Gi-yeon, Armdown (Beautiful) Orchestra will hold a special concert featuring classical music and school textbooks. The program includes Mozart’s overture “Die Zauberfl Te” and Rossini’s overture to “La Scala di Seta,” among others. Tickets cost 15,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02)3141-0651.

Big Tickets



Ryuichi Sakamoto ‘Playing the Piano’
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*
Jan. 9

Renowned pianist-composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who won the Academy Award for best original score, will hold his first concert in Korea after a 10-year hiatus. There will be not one but two pianos onstage, of which one is programmed to automatically play along with the artist. The performance will be improvised without a set program. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Sting ‘Symphonicity’
Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park*
Jan. 11

The 13th Hyundai Card Super Concert series will feature legendary singer Sting, who recently released a new album, “Symphonicities.” The concert will be part of his world tour and he will sing hit songs including “Shape of My Heart.” The Korean Symphony Orchestra will provide a classical touch befitting the concept of Sting’s new album. Tickets cost 77,000 to 230,000 won. For more information, call (02)410-4114.

Eric Clapton Live Concert
Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park*
Feb. 20

Singer-songwriter Eric Clapton will give his third concert tour in Korea, which comes after a four-year hiatus. He will perform his major hits and numbers from his latest album “Clapton,” which includes a lineup of various styles ranging from R&B to country music. Tickets cost 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 (Korean and English).

Santana Live Concert
Olympic Gymnasium, Olympic Park*
March. 9

The Latin rock band led by guitar legend Carlos Santana will hold a concert in Korea — the first in 14 years. The band will perform its best-known hits as well as new tracks from its latest album “SuperNatural: Legacy Edition.” Also included in the program are songs by the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Doors with a Santana-style twist. Tickets cost 132,000 to 165,000 won. Call (02) 3141-3488 or 1544-1555 for more information.



Museums

Ming & Qing Paintings
Special Exhibition Gallery, National Museum of Korea
Through Jan. 30

The National Museum of Korea presents an opportunity to examine trends in ancient Chinese paintings through its private collection. More than 100 paintings, including 86 undisclosed works, are displayed chronologically. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000.

ChangAm Lee Sam-man
Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through Feb. 27

ChangAm Lee Sam-man’s “Calligraphy History Special Exhibition 29” is showcasing about 150 calligraphy works by ChangAm and other related artists, including 100 undisclosed pieces. The exhibition is divided into five subthemes. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for students and youths. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Silk Road and Dunhuang
National Museum of Korea
Through April. 3

The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition “Silk Road and Dunhuang.” This exhibition offers the rare chance to see over 200 relics from the Silk Road region and the “Diary of a Journey to the Five Countries of India” which was written by Hyecho, a Buddhist monk of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 936). For more information, call (02)2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.

Special Exhibition of Versailles Palace
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through March. 6

Supported by the French National Versailles Palace, this exhibition is designed to show the authentic relics that belonged to the French royal family, Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Admission is 6,000 to 8,000 won for children; 8,000 to 10,000 won for students; and 11,000 to 13,000 won for adults. For more information, visit www.versailles2010.co.kr.


Pop & Jazz

David Benoit
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Jan. 22

Jazz artist David Benoit will hold a concert in Korea after a four-year hiatus. The pianist will play his best loved songs, including “Waiting for Spring,” “Freedom At Midnight” and “ Here’s To You, Charlie Brown.” Tickets cost 44,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3143-5155.

The Duet: Rachael Yamagata & Maximilian Hecker
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Jan. 23

Two singer-songwriters, Rachael Yamagata and Maximilian Hecker, whose songs are widely known here through advertisements and TV dramas, will hold a relay concert. Tickets cost 55,000 to 88,000 won. Call (02) 3144-5155 or visit www.interpark.com for more information.

Yang Bang-ean ‘Neorama’
Ax Korea
Jan. 21-22

Crossover musician Yang Bang-ean will hold an audio-visual striking performance. The Korean-Japanese artist will perform his original soundtrack numbers to a display of artistic images. Tickets cost 44,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 6352-6636.

Mary J. Blige
Grand Peace Palace, Kyung Hee University
Jan. 16

Mary J. Blige, known for her overcoming many hardships before becoming a popular R&B artist, will hold a concert in Korea for the first time as part of her world tour. Fans can look forward to a parade of her hit songs including “Family Affair,” “Be Without You” and “I Am.” Tickets cost from 66,000 to 165,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Hoegi Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 3775-1588.

Taylor Swift
Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park*
Feb. 11

Pop princess Taylor Swift will be coming to Korea for the first time. The 20-year-old singer may be cute and pretty, but when it comes to music, she has seen it all from the American Music Awards, Grammies and the Billboard Music Awards. Grace yourselves with something sweet, funky, cute and sexy with Swift at her first local show. Tickets cost from 88,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.





Waiting People 2
Seoul Open Theater Changdong (SOTC)
Jan. 7-8

Dance Theater Chang and SOTC will present a contemporary dance performance “Waiting People 2,” choreographed by Kim Nam-jin, the first ever Korean member of the National Modern Dance Company in France. Based on the motif of division and unification of the Korean Peninsula, Kim Nam-jin will deliver messages through graceful body movements in a rather forward and realistic way. Located near exit 1 of Changdong Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2263-4680.

Shen Yun Performing Arts
Aram Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex*
Jan. 29-30

Directed by leader Vina Lee, the Shen Yun Performing Arts presents colorful classic Chinese dance performance to orchestral music. The program features the Asian country’s numerous ethnic and folk style dances that date back to 5,000 years ago to the story of Falun Dafa in modern-day China. Tickets cost 50,000 to 300,000 won. For more information, call 1644-1390 or visit www.webticketing.co.kr.

Crazy Swan Lake I, II
Little Theater, Arko Art Center
Jan. 19-23

As part of an environmental project, Dance Theatre Chang will stage “Crazy Swan Lake I, II” with disabled performance artist Kang Sung-guk. Choreographed by Kim Nam-jin, serious messages about the reckless destruction of nature will be expressed through a rather realistic array of body movements. Ticket costs 15,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Call (02) 3668-0007 for more information.

Headache: Passivity
Little Theater, Arko Art Center
Jan. 25-26

Dance Theater Chang will offer contemporary dance performances, choreographed by Kim Nam-jin, as part of an environmental project. The stages will feature stories about human beings’ helpless existence against the power of nature, and the greedy sides of people who only think the law of the jungle in society through rather outspoken ways. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. For more information call (02) 3668-0007.

The Three Musketeers
Grand Theater, Chungmu Art Hall
Through Jan. 30

M Musical Company is staging the Korean adaptation of “The Three Musketeers,” with Super Junior’s Kyu-hyun, singer Jay from Trax and veteran actors such as Um Ki-joon, Kim Moo-yeol and Yu Jun-sang who have all won musical awards. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 9 and 10 of Shindang Station on subway line 6. Call (02)747-5811 or visit www.musicalthreemusketeers.com.

Hero
Haeorum Theater, National Theater of Korea
Through Jan. 15

The story of Korea’s independence activist Ahn Jung-geun is being staged as a big-budget production with special effects galore. The historical fiction will focus on his patriotism and a dramatic romance. Tickets cost 40,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2250-5900. A shuttle bus is available near exits 2 and 6 of Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3.

Cafe-in
Baekam Art Hall
Through Jan. 23

SS501 member Kim Hyung-joon makes his musical debut in the original romantic comedy that first hit the stage in 2008. The story follows the layered tale of a suave sommelier who pretends to be a geeky dating coach to a love-cynic barista, while also courting her as himself. Tickets start from 55,000 won. Located near exit 8 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. For more information, visit www.baekamhall.com.

Hero
Haeorum Theater, National Theater of Korea
Through Jan. 15

The story of Korea’s celebrated independence activist Ahn Jung-geun is being staged as a big-budget production with special effects galore. The historical fiction will focus on his patriotism and a dramatic romance. Tickets cost 40,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2250-5900. A shuttle bus is available near exits 2 and 6 of Dongguk Univ. Station on subway line 3.

There It Was
Theater Guerrilla
Through Jan. 2

Art director Han Tae-sook presents “There It Was” at the Muli Theater. A story investigating sudden mysterious disappearances casts serious messages about the meaning of human relationships. Tickets cost 15,000 won for students and 25,000 won for adult. Located near exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. Call (02)763-7462 for more information.