Concerts, museums and theater
Classical Concerts
Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra New Year’s Concert
Seoul Arts Center*
Jan. 18, 2012
The Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra, founded in 1978 by artistic producer Peter Guth, will perform with soprano Im Sun-hae and hold its fourth performance in Korea, following one last year. The orchestra has been touring throughout Europe, Asia and America with a wide range of repertoire. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.
Min Yoo-kyung’s Mozart Violin Concerto Series II
Dec. 26
Violinist Min Yoo-kyung will perform Mozart’s violin concerto series, following her premier performance in 2009. The audience will have an opportunity to appreciate Mozart’s five violin concertos and the “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra.” Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 706-1481.
Harpist Kwak Chung’s Christmas Concert
Dec. 24
Harpist Kwak Chung’s upcoming concert will consist of “Libertango” by Piazolla, “Concierto De Aranjuez” by Rodrigo and “Boogie Woogie” by Deltour. She will donate the profits to a hospital for disabled children. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 780-5054.
Chung Kyung-wha Violin Recital ‘She is Back’
Seoul Arts Center* (See ‘Venues’ on the right for more information)
Violin virtuoso Chung Kyung-wha will hold a series of recitals in December for the first time since 2002, performing sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart, Franck and Brahms. Chung’s recitals will start on Dec. 19 in Incheon, followed by Daejeon on Dec. 21, Chuncheon on Dec. 25 and finally in Seoul on Dec. 26 at Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost 30,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 518-7343 or 02)547-5694.
Big Tickets
Opera Gala Big Night
Seoul Arts Center
Dec. 29-31
Operas performed in 2011 will receive a curtain call at the Opera Theater. The National Opera of Korea presents masterpieces such as Puccini’s ”La Boheme,” “Faust,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “L’elisir d’amore” and ”Turandot.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
New Year’s Eve Concert ‘Propose 2012’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Dec. 31
“Propose 2012,” a New Year’s Eve concert held annually at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, will offer a wide range of genres from classical music to opera, jazz and musicals performed by renowned musicians such as soprano Shin Young-ok, popera singer Kai with the Grand Opera Choir and the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1147.
Seoul Electronic Music Festival — SEMF 2012
KINTEX (Ilsan)
Jan. 14
Crystal Castles, best known as an electro-funk duo who composed the soundtrack for the British teen drama,” Above & Beyond, IDIOTAPE, Telepathy, Mongoose, ASTRO VOIZE, KINGmck and Bagagee Viphex13 will hit the stage on Jan 14. Tickets cost 121,000 won. Located near exits 1 and 2 of Daehwa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call 070-4010-7845.
Park Jung-hyun & Sung Si-kyung ‘Love Concerto’
Jamsil Gymnasium
Ballad singers Sung Si-kyung and Park Jung-hyun, will go on a joint concert tour throughout December, starting in Busan on Dec. 4 (BEXCO) and on to Seoul at the end of the year. Tickets cost 88,000 to 132,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 540-4550.
Vibe, Lee Young-hyun & 4men Concert ‘Crazy Soul’
Kyung Hee University
R&B singer Vibe, soul singer Lee Young-hyun and 4men will perform from Dec. 29 to 31. They are regarded as some of the best live performers and vocalists in Korea. The concert will be held at the Grand Peace Palace which is located within the Kyung Hee University campus. Tickets cost 70,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Hoegi (Kyung Hee University) Station on subway line 1. For more, call (02) 3485-8700.
Museums
Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life
Yongsan War Memorial (Museum)
Through end of December
Since its first opening in 1995, this exhibition has been held throughout the world in over 60 cities and has drawn over 30 million visitors. With the “Plastination” technique which is a biologically-advanced way to preserve bodies invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, this exhibition will display the body preserved in a perfect state. The exhibition was designed to make audiences rethink the meaning of life, death and health. Tickets cost 15,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Samgakji Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 541-6236.
Joseon Painters as Envoys to China
National Museum of Korea
Through Jan. 15, 2012
The exhibition aims to introduce 33 works produced by envoys to China during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The exhibition sheds light on historical pieces created by Joseon painters who participated in about 500 diplomatic missions to China held in that period and attempts to explore cultural exchange activities between two countries. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9497.
Pop & Jazz
Cho Kyu-chan Concert 2011
Ewha 100th Memorial Hall
Through Dec. 31
Ballad singer Cho Kyu-chan has become popular since appearing on the TV show “I am a Singer,” and his ninth album won the Best Pop Album at the eighth Korean Music Awards. He’s also majoring in jazz vocal at the University of Illinois. Tickets cost 77,000 won. Located near exit 1 of City Hall Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 741-0665.
Yuhki Kuramoto & Friends
Dec. 25
Romantic new age pianist Yuhki Kuramoto will give a Christmas concert with rising oboist Ham Kyeong, singer Tim and soprano Shin Della. The program includes “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Solomon)” by G.F. Handel, “Oboe Concerto in D minor” BWV 1059 by Bach and “Gabriel’s Oboe” by Ennio Morricone. Tickets cost 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763.
Damian Rice
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*
Jan. 11, 2012
The concert is the fifth performance of “Culture Project” by Hyundai Card. Irish singer-songwriter Damian Rice will hit the stage and meet his Korean fans for the first time. The singer has become well-known around the world for his folk-rock pieces filled with a dark and gloomy atmosphere such as “The Bower’s Daughter,” “Cannonball,” “9 Crimes,” “Elephant” and “Rootless Tree.” Tickets cost 132,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.
Ronn Branton Group ‘Jazz Christmas’
Dec. 24-25
Pianist Ronn Branton has invited Brazilian percussionist Valtinho Anastacio to present exciting rhythms and grooves. Branton’s partner saxophonist Klae will also be on stage. Tickets cost 44,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 888-2698.
Halie Loren Jazz Quartet Concert
Womenhall Yongin City
Feb, 25. 2012
Jazz vocalist Halie Loren is one of the noticeable singers in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. Her second album was awarded as the “Best Vocal Jazz Album” in 2009. Halie Loren’s concert will be held at Womenhall in Yongin City on Feb. 25. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jukjeon Station on subway Bundang line. For more information, call (031) 324-8994~5.
Dance
Endless Voyage
Jan. 4-5, 2012
The show provides a rare opportunity to appreciate the performance of Korea’s four celebrated ballet dancers at once: ballerina Kim Joo-won, who became famous by appearing on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” principal dancers Ohm Jae-yong, Hwang Hye-min and choreographer Lee Jung-yoon. With the title “Endless Voyage,” the program consists of six sections: Twilight, Presence, Emotion, Solitude, Serenity and Dawn. Tickets cost 10,000 to 90,000 won. For more, call (02) 580-1300.
The Nutcracker
Through Dec. 25
The Korean National Ballet Company will offer one of the season’s best-known works. Under the guidance of artistic director Choi Tae-ji, the piece choreographed by Yury Grigorovich will be accompanied by the Korean Symphony Orchestra. Tickets cost 5,000 to 90,000 won. For more, call (02) 580-1300.
Plays & musicals
Good Morning School
Hakchon Blue Theater (Daehangno)
“Good Morning School” is part of the repertoire of Hakchon Theater, founded and led by Kim Min-gi, who is also known for directing the Korean adaptation of “Line 1.” The musical premiered as “Moskito” in 1997 and was revamped completely in 2009 to “Good Morning School.” The music, combining rock, hip-hop and rap describes the reality of adolescents in Korea from worries about grades to friendship. Tickets cost 20,000 won for students and 30,000 for adults. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. For more, call (02) 763-8233.
200-Pound Beauty
Chungmu Art Hall
Through Feb. 5
The Korean musical “200-Pound Beauty” is based on the 2007 movie of the same name. The musical premiered in 2008 and now returns with a revamped music score and set. Actor-turned-director Lim Chul-hyung will direct the show that tells the story of an overweight backup singer whose life totally changes after a makeover through plastic surgery. Tickets cost 50,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 3485-8700.
Cats
Charlotte Theater
Based on T.S. Eliot’s poems, the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber portrays the feline world in an affectionate way. This year’s production cast three divas, singer Insooni, actresses Park Hae-mi and Hong Ji-min, as Grizabella the former Glamour Cat. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2 or 8. For more information, call 1577-3363.
Love in New York-All That Jazz
Baekam Art Hall
Choreographed by Seo Byeong-gu, the musical that incorporates jazz music and dance gathered the biggest audience at the 2009 Daegu International Musical Festival. It also earned the choreography award at the 2010 Korea Musical Awards. It expresses love and passion through the musical. The venue is Baekam Art Hall. Tickets cost 45,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 8 of Samseong Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 3141-3025
Evita
LG Arts Center*
Through Jan. 29
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Evita” comes to Korea for a second time. The musical portrays the dramatic life of Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentinean President Juan Peron. Evita was an illegitimate child who rose to become the nation’s first lady. Musical divas Jeong Seon-a and Lisa Chung will share the role of Evita. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. For more, call 1577-3363.
Mamma Mia!
D-Cube Arts Center
Through Feb. 26
Broadway hit musical “Mamma Mia!,” based on the songs of ABBA, is currently on stage as a Korean production. “Mamma Mia!” premiered in Korea in 2004 and has held more than 800 local performances, attracting more than a million viewers. Tickets cost 40,000 to 110,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Sindorim Station on subway line 1 or 2. For more information, call (02) 2211-3000.