Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

‘Christmas Actually Concert’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Dec. 25

Korean violist Park Min-jung and Japanese violist Yuki Mori will perform with the Planetary Chamber Ensemble at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Christmas Day. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1887 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Yhuki Kuramoto & Richard Yongjae O’Neill

Seoul Arts Center*

Dec. 25

Japanese pianist Yhuki Kuramoto and Korean-American violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill will perform at the Seoul Arts Center on Christmas Day. Tickets cost 30,000-120,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Seoul Arts Center*

Dec. 27

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra company, led by conductor Chung Myung-whun, will perform at the southern Seoul venue on Dec. 27. Their performance will be highlighted by Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9,” featuring prominent vocalists including soprano Kathleen Kim, soprano Paik Jae-eun and tenor Alfred Kim. Tickets cost 10,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1588-1210 or visit www.seoulphil.or.kr.

‘2013 New Year’s Eve Concert’

Seoul Arts Center*

Dec. 31

The Seoul Arts Center holds its annual New Year’s Eve concert, featuring violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, soprano Im Sun-hae and the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sung Ki-sun. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Big Tickets

Psy

Olympic Gymnastics Arena

Dec. 20-24

“Gangnam Style” rapper Psy will perform five concerts through Christmas Eve at the outdoor venue in southern Seoul. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 77,000-165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Museums

‘Hoping and Hoping’

Sookmyung Women’s University Museum

Through March 28, 2014

The special exhibition put on in collaboration with the National Folk Museum of Korea features a variety of traditional genres, including paintings of longevity symbols, household items covered by fortune patterns and folklore. Located near exit 10 of Sookmyung Women’s University Station, subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 710-9133 or visit museum.sookmyung.ac.kr.

‘Magnificent Life of Hungarian Aristocracy Under the Reign of the Habsburg Dynasty, in the 17-19th Century’

National Palace Museum of Korea

Through March 9, 2014

The special exhibition, sponsored by the Hungarian Embassy, features the definitive Hungarian artwork from the 17th to 19th century. Located near exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 3701-7500 or visit www.gogung.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Park Jin-young

SK Handball Stadium, Olympic Park

Through Dec. 22

Singer Park Jin-young will perform at the SK Handball Stadium, Olympic Park, in southern Seoul Dec. 19-22. Park will sing his hits, such as “Don’t Leave Me,” “She Was Pretty,” “Honey” and “Kiss.” This will kick off his nationwide tour which will stop off in Busan on Dec. 24, Daegu on Dec. 25 and Incheon on Dec. 31. Tickets cost 77,000-132,000 won. For more information, call (02)-371-8380 or visit www.interpark.com.

Insooni

CMB Expo Art Hall

Dec. 21

Singer Insooni will perform in Daejeon to promote her new recently-released new album. She will sing her latest songs from the album and also her biggest hits like “Night after Night,” “My Friend” and “Dream of a Goose.” Tickets cost 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (042) 862-0447 or visit www.interpark.com.

Lee Seung-chul

Coex

Dec. 20-24

Singer Lee Seung-chul will perform at the COEX in southern Seoul Dec. 20-24. Located near exit 5 of Samseong station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000-154,000 won. For more information, call 1544-4997 or visit www.interpark.com.

Park Yong Kyu Trio

Yagi Studio

Dec. 21

The Park Yong Kyu Trio, a jazz music group led by guitarist Park Yong-kyu, will perform at the southern Seoul venue on Dec. 21. Located near exit 3 of Sincheon station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 418-0174.

Nell

Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium

Dec. 24

Rock band Nell will perform at the southern Seoul venue on Christmas Day. The band, comprised of vocalist Kim Jong-wan, guitarist Lee Jae-kyong, bassist Lee Jung-hoon and drummer Jung Jae-won, debuted in 2003 with their album, “Let it Rain.” Located near exit 8 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3144-0801 or visit www.interpark.com.

Song Young-joo

LIG Art Hall Gangnam

Dec. 20-22

New York-based jazz pianist Song Young-joo will perform at the LIG Art Hall Gangnam in southern Seoul on Dec. 20-22. She will perform some of her songs from her upcoming album, scheduled to be released next year. Located near exit 12 of Gangnam Station, subway line 2 and Sinbundang line. Tickets cost 50,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 941-1150 or visit www.interpark.com.

Brown Eyed Soul

Kintex

Dec. 20-25

R&B group Brown Eyed Soul will perform at the venue in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, in a concert that will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut. Tickets cost 88,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3446-3225 or visit www.interpark.com.

Yurisangja

Mary Hall, Sogang University

Dec. 24-29

The vocalist duo Yurisangja will perform at the Mary Hall in Sogang University in Seoul for six days beginning on Christmas Eve. Located near exit 1 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 571-6030 or visit www.interpark.com.

Nah Youn-sun

National Theater of Korea

Dec. 21-25

Paris-based jazz vocalist Nah Youn-sun will perform five shows through Christmas Day at the venue on the slopes of Mt. Nam. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000-80,000 won. For more information, call (031) 581-2814 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

YB, Lena Park

Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium

Dec. 23-24

R&B singer Lena Park and rock band YB will perform together at the southern Seoul venue Dec. 23-24. Located near exit 8 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000-132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 796-1383 or visit www.interpark.com.

‘The Nolza’

Grand Hilton Hotel

Dec. 24-25

Hip-hop artists Leessang, Jung In, Skull and Haha will perform in a joint Christmas concert at the Grand Hilton Hotel Dec. 24-25. Located near exit 4 of Hongjae station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1813 or visit www.interpark.com.

Play & Musical

‘Ghost’

D-Cube Arts Center

Through Jan. 26, 2014

The musical version of 1990 film “Ghost” is being staged at the Seoul venue. Actor Joo Won plays Sam and pop singer Ivy stars as Molly. Located near exit 1 of Sindorim Station, subway lines 1 and 2. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.d3art.co.kr.

‘Man of La Mancha’

Chungmu Art Hall

Through Feb. 9, 2014

The Korea production of the Broadway hit musical, “Man of La Mancha,” will be staged at the Chungmu Art Hall from Nov. 19 to Feb. 9. Musical stars Jung Sung-hwa and Cho Seung-woo will alternate in the role of Don Quixote. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway lines 2 and 6. Tickets cost 60,000-130,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.

‘Red’

Seoul Arts Center*

Through Jan. 25, 2014

A Korean rendition of American writer John Logan’s 2010 Tony Award-winning play is on stage at the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul. Actor Kang Shin-il is featured as Mark Rothko, a fastidious painter, while Kang Pil-suk appears as his assistant Ken. Tickets cost 35,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Werther’

Seoul Arts Center*

Through Jan.12, 2014

The musical, based on the famous Goethe work “The Sorrow of Young Werther,” will be staged at the Seoul Art Center in southern Seoul. Um Ki-joon and Lim Tae-kyung are cast as Werther, the man who has a secret crush on Lotte, played by Jeon Mi-do and Lee Ji-hye. Tickets cost 60,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0688 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘December’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Through Jan. 5, 2014

The much-anticipated piece, the debut theatrical musical of film director Jang Jin, will be staged at the Sejong Center Dec. 16-Jan. 5. The story between a political activist student and his mystery lover will feature K-pop star Kim Jun-soo in the role of the protagonist. Tickets cost 50,000-130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

‘Wicked’

Charlotte Theater

Through Dec.22

The Korean rendition of Broadway hit musical “Wicked” will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul. Singer-turned-musical actress Oak Joo-hyun will star as Elphaba. The venue is located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station, subway lines 2 and 8. Tickets cost 60,000-140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.wickedthemusical.co.kr.

‘Mamma Mia’

Blue Square

Through March 23, 2014

“Mamma Mia” will be performed by the original Broadway cast at the Blue Square in Yongsan, Seoul, through March of next year. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.

‘A Steady Rain’

Chungmu Art Hall

Through Jan. 29, 2014

The Korean version of the smash-hit American play, revolving around a pair of Chicago cops, will be staged at the Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information call (02) 744-4337 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.

Dance

‘The Nutcracker’

Universal Arts Center

Dec. 20-31

The Universal Ballet Company will perform the Tchaikovsky classic from Dec. 20 to 31 at the Universal Arts Center in Seoul. Located near exit 4 of Achasan Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.uac.co.kr.

‘My Dear Love Chunhyang’

Seongnam Arts Center*

Through Dec. 27

The Seongnam Arts Center performs “My Dear Love Chunhyang,” a ballet piece based on the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910)-era love story of “Chunhyangjeon” through late December. Ticket costs 10,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

baekby@koreatimes.co.kr,