Concerts, Museums and Theater
Classical Concerts
Soprano Shin Young-ok’s New Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan.29
Soprano Shin Young-ok presents a New Year’s concert with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yeo Ja-kyung. The concert will feature the overture from Rossini’s “La Gazza Ladra” and Bizet’s “Ouvre Ton Coeur.” Tickets cost from 77,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 529-1923. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 9
The Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra will offer Beethoven’s “Overture ‘Namensfeier’ in C major, Op.115,” Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto in G minor” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’ in D minor, Op.125” with Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus. Tickets cost from 5,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1887. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
KBS Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert
Violinist Chen Xi presents a New Year’s concert with KBS Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ham Shin-ik. Chen Xi will feature Chikovsky’s “Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35” together. Tickets costs from 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit icket.interpark.com or call (02) 781-2243. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Cellist Chung Yoon-hye’s Solo Recital
Kumho Art Hall
Jan. 21
Chung Yoon-hye will give a solo recital, which marks the second of the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series. She will play Girolamo Frescobaldi’s “Toccata in B minor,” Dimitri Shostakovich’s “Sonata in D minor, Op. 40” and Frederic Chopin’s “Introduction and Polonaise Brillante in C major, Op. 3” along with pianist Choi In-seon. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Kim Han’s Clarinet Recital
The 13-year-old genius clarinetist Kim Han will start the 2010 Kumho Prodigy Concert series playing Debussy’s “Rhapsody No. 1 for Clarinet and Piano,” Saint-Saens’s “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” and Stockhausen’s “In Freundschaft.” Tickets cost 8,000 won. For more information, visit www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02) 6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Park Jong-hae’s Piano Recital
Park Jong-hae will give a recital, which marks the first of the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series. He will play sonatas by Mozart (C major, K.330), as well as those by Schubert (D.784), Scriabin (No. 4 in F-sharp major, Op. 30) and Liszt (“Dante” Sonata). All tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, visit www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02) 6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seongnam Art Center
Jan. 15
The Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra will offer a New Year’s concert featuring Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” Strauss’ “Blue Danube Waltz” and “Voices of Spring.” Tickets cost 10,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (031) 705-8177. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang line.
2010 I Musici’s New Year’s Concert
Jan. 22
I Musici, an Italian chamber orchestra, will give a New Year’s Concert in Seoul. The orchestra will play their representative repertoire, Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Tickets range from 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 732-3090. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
2010 New Year’s Concert with Sejong Soloists
Hoam Art Hall
The Sejong Soloists will offer a New Year’s concert titled “Dear Linda” featuring Handel’s “Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.1” and Mendelssohn’s “Concerto for Violin and Piano in C.” Tickets range from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.clubbalcony.com or call 1577-5266. Located near exit 9 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2.
Opera ‘Idomeneo’
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 21-24
Mozart’s opera “Idomeneo” will be on stage with conductor Chung Myung-whun, featuring tenor Kim Alfredo and Lee Sung-eun as Idomeneo. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.nationalopera.org or call (02) 586-5282. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
2010 Vienna Boys Choir New Year’s Concert
Jan. 23-24
The Vienna Boys Choir, one of the best-known choirs in the world, will have a New Year’s concert in Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.clubbalcony.com or call 1544-5266. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Concert for Youth with KCO String Quartet
Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 31
The KCO String Quartet presents a youth concert with detailed explanations throughout the program for easier understanding. The concert is led by violinists Im Jae-hong and Ahn Ji-yoon; violist Yoon Jin-won; and cellist Chung Jae-yoon. Tickets range from 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.intepark.com or call (02) 581-5404. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Overture to 2010
Jan. 17
Conductor Yun Gi-yeon will stage timeless overtures featured in school music textbooks such as Suppe’s “Overture to Die Leichte Kavallerie,” Bizet’s “Overture to Carmen,” Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont” and Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture.” Tickets cost from 15,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, visit www.educoncert.co.kr or call (02) 3141-0651. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Big Tickets
Etoile Ballet Gala
Jan. 12-13
The Etoile Ballet will stage a gala show featuring beloved ballet works, including “Don Quixote” and “The Dying Swan,” with piano prodigy Kim Sun-wook. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 599-5743. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Korean Chamber Orchestra’s 45th Anniversary Concert
March 16
The Korean Chamber Orchestra, which specializes in Baroque music, will offer a concert celebrating its 45th anniversary. The concert will feature conductor Piotr Borkowski, violinist Kim So-Ock, saxophonist Greg Banaszak, oboist Satoki Aoyama, clarinetist Hidemi Mikai, hornist Makoto Kanaboshi and bassoonist Motoko Kawamura. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.kco.or.kr or call (02) 592-5728. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Museums
The Great Myth and Mystery of Peruvian Civilization, Inca
National Museum of Korea
Through March 28
Visitors are invited to explore the ancient Peruvian civilization, from the Chavin culture to the Inca Empire, and become immersed in an exotic and mysterious, yet strikingly scientific, world. Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-7862. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.
Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance: Frescoes
Hangaram Art Museum
Through Feb. 21
Hangaram Art Museum will offer an exhibition showcasing masterpiece frescoes of the Italian Renaissance, including works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raffaello. Tickets cost from 8,000 to 13,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Exhibition ’Ahn Jung-geun’
Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum
Through Jan. 24
The Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum is offering an exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun’s death. He was best known for his assassination of the Japanese resident-general of Korea, Ito Hirobumi, following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty, with Korea on the verge of annexation by Japan. Tickets cost from 5,000 to 7,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Dance
Todes
Walkerhill Theater, The Walkerhill Hotel
Open Run
Russian dance group Todes is bringing its energetic performance ― from ballet to break dancing to flamenco ― complete with colorful costumes, stage settings and music. Tickets cost from 70,000 to 300,000 won. Visit www.sheraton-walkerhill.com or call (02) 455-5000. Located at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill. Shuttle buses are available from Gangbyeon and Gwanghwamun Stations on subways line 2 and 5.
Pop & Jazz
M’s Suite Room
Samsung Hall, Ewha Womans University
Jan. 16-17
Pop singer Lee Min-woo, a member of the idol group Shinhwa and also known as M, is holding a concert titled “Home Sweet Home.” All tickets cost 66,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exits 2 or 3 of E-dae Station on subway line 2.
Lee Seung-chul
Gyeonggi Arts Center
Jan. 24
Lee Seung-chul will put on a show “Romantica,” with a lineup featuring hit numbers from his 10 albums and also from various original soundtracks he’s worked on over the past few years. Tickets cost from 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1644-0488. Located near Suwon Station on subway line 1.
Psy & Kim Jang-hun
Incheon Samsan World Stadium
Jan. 30
Singers Psy and Kim Jang-hun are holding a joint concert. The two are among the best entertainers in Korea, famous for their exciting and creative shows that have included a water show, flying around the stage on wires and never-ending encores. Tickets cost from 66,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1644-1702. Located near exit 2 of Bupyeong-gu Office Station on Incheon subway line 1.
The Killers Live In Seoul
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park
Feb. 6
American alternative rock band The Killers will put on an electrifying stage performance in Seoul this coming February. They promised to display some of the band’s hometown vibe when they perform. Tickets cost from 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5.
Green Day’s First Live Concert in Seoul
Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park
Jan. 18
Famous American rock band, Green Day, is holding their first concert in Seoul. The band will perform brand-new songs from their latest album, “21st Century Breakdown,” as well as their hit songs. Tickets cost from 88,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3141-3488. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5.
Plays & Musicals
Queen Seondeok
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park
Through Jan. 31
The popular TV series “Queen Seondeok The Great” will be adapted for the stage, featuring veteran musical actors and stage artists. The musical will team up top musical actress Lee So-jung and rising star Kang Tae-eul with world-renowned designer Lie Sang-bong, who will create the stage costumes. Tickets range from 40,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 789-4884. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5.
Mozart!
Jan. 20 - Feb. 21
The Austrian musical will be made into the local rendition with the starry casting of Xiah of TVXQ, Im Tae-kyung, Park Kun-hyung and Park Eun-tae who all will alternate playing Mozart. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 6391-6333. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
The Phantom of the Opera
Charlotte Theater
Through Aug. 8
This Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is one of the world’s best-selling Broadway hits and has prompted huge growth in the Korean musical industry. The show has come back to Seoul after eight years. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 130,000 won. Visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 501-7888. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway lines 2 and 8.
The Gifts of the Magi
Live Theater, Daehangno
Jan. 7 - Feb. 24
The musical based on O. Henry’s short stories will premiere. Rising musical actors such as Jung Ji-hwan, Park jin-pyo, Jung Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-yeon will perform in the Korean rendition. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 40,000 won. For more information, call (02) 548-1141. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
Take Care of My Mom
M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 29 - March 23
Written by celebrated author Shin Kyung-sook, the book that recently set a record by selling 1.2 million copies will be produced as a namesake play. Tickets range from 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
All that Jazz
Blue Theater, Chungmu Art Hall
Jan. 23- April 25
Based on the American musical by Bob Fosse, this Korean version is introduced by Oh Eun-sung, who is the former director of “Miss Saigon.” The musical will contain unique jazz choreography and music that will capture audiences’ attention. Tickets range from 35,000 to 45,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3141-3025. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6.
Contact
LG Art Center
Jan. 8-18
Starring celebrated ballerina Kim Joo-won, the dance musical will be presented only through dances without songs. Tickets range from 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-5212. Located near exit 7 of Yeoksam Station on subway line 2.
Spring Awakening
Doosan Art Center
Through Jan. 10
The Korean version of the Tony Award-winning musical is on stage for the first time with a Korean cast of stars, including Kim Mu-yeol, Cho Jung-seok and Kim Yu-young. Tickets range from 30,000 to 80,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 744-4011. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5ga Station on subway line 1.
Hairspray
KEPCO Art Center
Through Feb. 7
A big hit on Broadway, the musical “Hairspray” is now on the Korean stage. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 1 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3.
Hedwig
KT & G Sang Sang Art Hall
Through Feb. 28
The musical revolves around Hedwig, an East German transgendered rock musician, who chases after an ex-lover who plagiarized “her” songs. Tickets cost from 45,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3485-8700. Located near exit 2 of Samseong Station on subway line 2.
Wedding Singer
Grand Hall, Chungmu Art Hall
This is the Korean rendition of “The Wedding Singer,” the Broadway musical based on the 1998 film by the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The local premiere stars popular actors Hwang Jung-min and Park Gun-hyung. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 100,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 501-7888. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6.
Legally Blonde
COEX Artium
The Amanda Brown novel that inspired the hit film of the same name will come to life as a musical. After a pre-Broadway trial run in San Francisco, the musical opened in New York to positive reviews. Korean fans can enjoy the Asian premiere of the show. Tickets cost from 35,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 738-8289. Located near exit 6 of Samsung Station on subway line 2.