Concerts, Museums & Performances
CLASSICAL CONCERTS
2007 Asia Philharmonic Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center (Concert Hall)
Aug. 4
Comprised of Asia's finest young musicians, this impressive orchestra will perform under the guidance of conductor Chung Myung-whun. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 80,000 won. Visit www.cmikorea.co.kr or call (02) 547-5694. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal station on subway line 3.
Turkey Antalya State Symphony Orchestra
Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex (Aram Music Hall)
Aug. 13
Made up of three different orchestras from the Mediterranean, the Turkey Antalya State Symphony Orchestra will be led by maestro Lee Joung-wuk and accompanied by the Clarion Quartet (comprising four Korean clarinetists). Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 50,000 won. Visit www.artgy.or.kr or call 1577-7766. Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3.
Summer Trip with Two Pianos
Seoul Arts Center (Recital Hall)
Aug. 12
Pianist Ju Young-mok and Russian pianist Dmitry Kosmachev will perform works by Paganini, Piazzolla, Bennet, Tchaikovsky, and more for a special summer concert filled with sounds of the piano. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 20,000 won. Visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300. Located near Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
Korea Festival Ensemble `Four Days' Summer Festival'
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Through July 22
During the four-day classical music festival, the program sets aside one day for each musical era (baroque, classic, romantic, and contemporary) and many more. Tickets cost from 8,000 won (student) to 15,000 won. Visit www.korfestival.or.kr or call (02) 501-8477. Located near exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4.
Midsummer Night's Youth Concert (2007 Seoul Music Festival Concert)
Aug. 9
Pianist Ben Kim will be joined by new chamber music sensation ECCO & Friends from New York. Tickets cost 20,000 won to 50,000 won. Visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
Cantemus Children's Choir
Goyang SPART Complex & Park
July 21
The heavenly voices of Hungary's children's choir take part in the fourth Heavenly Harmony Series. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 15,000 won. Visit www.artgy.co.kr or call 1577-7766. Located near Aramnuri exit of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3.
Orchestra Meets Theater: Prokofiev's `Romeo and Juliet'
Seongnam Arts Center (Concert Hall)
July 22
Russian composer Prokofiev's `Romeo and Juliet'comes to life with the help of the Seoul Classical Players and the narration of Korean actor Bae Sang-don. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. Visit www.snart.or.kr or call (031) 783-8000. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang subway line.
Philous Trio Recital
Kumho Art Hall
July 28
Three young Korean prodigies (pianist, violinist, and cellist) will astound audiences with their own renditions of works by Weber, Piazzolla, Mendelssohn, and more. Tickets cost 8,000 won. Visit www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02) 6303-1919. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Michael Schneider's Recorder Recital
July 20
German flutist Michael Schneider comes for his second visit to Korea. Tickets cost from 30,000 won (students) to 40,000 won. Visit www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02) 6303-1919. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Seoul Pops Orchestra 19th Anniversary Concert
July 25
With a program that ranges from Tchaikovsky to `My Way,' the Seoul Pops Orchestra celebrates with their signature ability to move easily from classical to modern music. Tickets cost from 15,000 won (teenager) to 70,000 won. Visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
Hanbit Performing Arts Company's Regular Concert
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
July 24
A performing arts company comprised of blind musicians, the Hanbit Performing Arts Company, will hold a concert to raise funds for the construction of a medical center for the blind. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 70,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1111. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Seoul Youth Philharmonic Orchestra's 50th Chamber Music Concert
July 23
A concert filled with music by chamber instruments such as the flute, bassoon, clarinet, horn, trombone, and the double bass. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 20,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1234. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Ham Ji-min's Violin Recital
Korean violinist Ham Ji-min has prepared a night filled with violin pieces by Schumann, Saint-Saens, and Prokofiev. Tickets cost 10,000 won. Visit www.mastmedia.co.kr or call (02) 541-6234. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
I Maestri's 2nd Concert
Seoul Arts Center
July 31
This all-male vocal ensemble will sing classics from European baroque music to traditional Korean songs to raise funds for UNICEF. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 60,000 won. Visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1234. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
Kim Yong-bae's 11 O'clock Concert
Through Dec. 13
Pianist Kim Yong-bae, with other various artists, has arranged a series of concerts to familiarize the public with classical music. Concerts are on the second Thursday of every month, at 11:00 a.m. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 27,000 won (includes a lunch special). Visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1234. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
BIG TICKETS
Black Eyed Peas Live in Seoul
Olympic Park (Gymnastics Stadium)
Aug. 15
In their first concert ever in Korea, this energetic and funky hip-hop band will deliver hits such as 'Where Is The Love?', `Let's Get It Started,' 'Shut Up,' 'My Humps' and much more. Tickets cost from 66,000 won to 121,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5.
m-flo Tour 2007
Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel (Kayagum Hall)
Aug. 17-18
Japan's hottest hip-hop duo, m-flo, comes to Korea to perform along with Korean superstars like Whee Sung, Clazziquai's Alex, and Japanese songstress Emi Hinouchi. Tickets cost 66,000 won (reserved) and 77,000 won (at the door). Visit www.interpark.com or call (02) 338-8313. Located near Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5 (hotel shuttles are available).
MUSEUMS
Mirror: Another Me Reflected by Light
Amore Pacific Museum
Through Aug. 25
The exhibition shows earlier patterns and materials of mirrors. The museum is located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Call (031) 285-7215. Also, the Coreana Cosmetics Museum offers a special exhibition that displays some 40 pieces of artifacts related to women of the era. Call (02) 547-9177 or visit www.spacec.co.kr. Located near Apgujeong Station on subway line 3.
Heobeok and Jeju's Pottery
National Folk Museum of Korea
Through Aug. 15
To trace the lives of Jeju natives, the National Folk Museum of Korea and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province are jointly holding an exhibition titled `Heobeok and Jeju's Pottery.' The exhibition is designed to raise awareness of the resort island, which retains abundant natural beauty and folk culture. For more information, call (02) 3704-3155. Located at Gyeongbokgung Palace Station Exit 5 on subway line 3.
`Where Were All Those Books of the Joseon Dynasty Books Published?'
National Museum of Korea
Through Oct. 21
The exhibition is to show the sheer volume of documents and publications that were published during the Joseon Kingdom. Located at Ichon Station on subway line 4, exit 2.
Yoo Chang-jong Collection in Donation Gallery
Through Oct. 14
The museum displays popular bird patterns used as decorative motifs over time, from imaginary birds like the phoenix and jujak (red phoenix) to cranes and magpies, each invested with different symbolical meanings. Located at Ichon Station on subway line 4, exit 2.
DANCE
Splendid Soaring
National Theater of Korea (Studio Byeororeum)
July 25-26
Performed by a traditional Korean dance group, the dance will show the past and present of Korean dance, along with a workshop that the audience can participate in. Tickets cost from 10,000 won (junior high student), 14,000 won (college student), and 20,000 won. Visit www.ntok.go.kr or call (02) 228-4114. Located near exit 2 of Dongguk University Station on subway line 3.
Facing the World Stage 2007
Daehangno Dongduk Women's University (Performing Arts Center)
A performance by dancers who have come back from a successful career abroad, `Facing the World Stage,' gives everyone a chance to see art in its purest form. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
St. Petersburg Ice Ballet `The Nutcracker' and `Swan Lake'
July 31-Aug. 5
The St. Petersburg Ice Ballet Company comes to Korea to cool down the summer with performances on ice of famous ballets 'The Nutcracker' (July 31- Aug. 2) and `Swan Lake' (Aug. 3 - 5). Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1234. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
B-Boy Korea
Tokebi Storm Theater
Through July 31
A perfect concoction of Korean traditional instruments (gugak) with heart-pumping breakdance moves, `b-boy Korea' will soon end. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. Visit www.ipmc.co.kr or call (02) 739-8287. Located near exit 5 of Seodaemun Station on subway line 5.
2007 Ballet Musical 'Shim Chung'
Universal Arts Center
Aug. 16-26
One of Korea's most popular tales `Shim Chung' will be narrated through a ballet brought to life by the Universal Ballet Company. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. Visit www.uac.co.kr or call (02) 2204-1030. Located near exit 4 of Acha Station on subway line 5.
Ballerina Who Loved B-Boy
SJ B-boys Theater
Open run
B-boys pit the latest urban moves against the most delicate of pirouettes in this local nonverbal stage performance. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets cost 50,000 won. Visit sjbboys.com or call (02) 366-5377. Located near Hongik University's Main Gate, Hongik University Station on subway line 2.
Julia's Brunch Ballet
Through Nov. 15
The Universal Ballet Company will perform different masterpieces for each season. Tickets cost from 15,000 to 20,000 won. Visit www.universalballet.com. Located near Achasan Station on subway line 5.
POP & JAZZ
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2007
Songdo Daewoo Motors Field
July 27- 29
Three days packed with pure rock music await Korean fans with the Festival's line-up including Muse, Chemical Brothers, L'Arc~en~Ciel, and many more. Ticket costs are 88,000 won (for one day), 132,000 won (for two days), and 165,000 won (for three days). Visit www.pentaportrock.com or call (02) 783-0114. Located near exits 3 and 4 of Dongmak Station on the Incheon subway line 1.
Oscar D'Leon Concert
Melon-AX
Aug. 17
Korea is about to get its first taste of the king of salsa, Oscar D'Leon, on his first tour here, carrying with him a repertoire of Latin music that spans 30 years. Tickets cost 70,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5.
Jazz Festival in Incheon
Incheon Multiculture & Arts Center
Aug. 17 - 18
Acclaimed and gifted jazz musicians from Korea and around the world will congregate in Incheon for this two-day festival. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 30,000 won. Visit art.incheon.go.kr or call (032) 427-8401~5. Located near exit 6 of Arts Center Station on the Incheon subway line 1.
B-Boy Show
Daehangno Ziller Hall
Anything and everything about hip hop and breakdancing is here to stay for one month, including the best of DJs, rappers, break dancers, beat boxers, and much more. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. No performance on Mondays and Tuesdays. Visit www.zillerzone.com or call (02) 741-9700. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
World Vocal Music Festival 2007
Aug. 10- 11
The first of its kind ever to be held, this world vocal festival will present the world's best acappella groups such as Rajaton, Real Group, Idea of North, M-Pact and many more on one stage. Tickets cost 30,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1111. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Lee Byeong-wu's 2007 Concert
Guitar playing, composing, producing, mixing, recording, sound designing renaissance man, Lee Byeong-wu, will be holding a concert where he will perform music on all guitars (classic, acoustic, electric) and of all genres. Tickets cost 20,000 won to 100,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1111. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Yun Hee-jung & Friends Concert
Munhwa Ilbo Hall
Korean jazz singer Yun Hee-jung asks her friends Shin Hae-cheol and Hong Ui-suk to join her onstage for a concert filled with nostalgic Korean and foreign jazz numbers. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. Visit hall.munhwa.com or call (02) 3701-5757. Located near exit 5 of Seodaemun Station on subway line 5.
PLAYS & MUSICALS
Maria Maria
Chungmu Art Hall
Aug. 23-26
Delve into the life of Mary Magdalene, a prostitute whose path crossed with Jesus and found new life with and by Him. Tickets cost 40,000 won to 70,000 won. Visit www.anticket.co.kr or call 1644-4484. Located near exit 9 of Sindan Station on subway line 6.
Grease
Hoam Art Hall
July 20 - Sept. 9
The suave moves and unforgettable music of the musical `Grease' becomes a reality yet again to celebrate its fifth anniversary on the Korean stage. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. Visit grease.odmusical.com or call 1588-5212. Located near exit 4 of Acha Station on line 5.
Menopause
Baekam Hall
A comedy musical that portrays and gives a voice to the worries and experiences of women who go through menopause. Tickets cost 60,000 won. Visit www.menopausekorea.com or call (02) 744-4337. Located near exit 8 of Samseong Station on subway line 2.
Sister Soul
Sogang University (Mary Hall)
Through July 29
From the musical director of the film `Sister Act,' and the Broadway musical `Cats,' comes this powerful musical filled with gospel and soul music such as the familiar "Oh Happy Day," and "I Will Follow Him." Tickets cost from 44,000 won to 55,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr. Located near exit 6 of Sinchon Station on subway line 2.
Dancing Shadows
Through Aug. 10
A dance musical about the futility of war, its devastation, the love and hope that can still exist and the humanity that must surpass even the bleakest of times. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit www.dancingshadows.co.kr or call (02) 577-1987. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.
Matthew Bourne's `Swan Lake'
LG Arts Center
The famous male dancers presenting `Swan Lake' come to Korea for the third time. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 100,000 won. Visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114. Located near exit 7 Yeoksam Station on subway line 2.