Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Around Town 1
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By Baek Byung-yeul
Classical Concerts
Lim Hyun-jeong
Seoul Arts Center*
May 23
Lim Hyun-jeong, who left a stunning impression performing Beethoven’s entire piano sonatas in Paris in 2010, will play in front of Korean fans next month. The France-based 26-year-old is also known for her recorded collection of Beethoven piano sonatas, released for EMI Classics, which reached first place in the Billboard Classical Overall Chart. She will play Maurice Ravel’s “Les Valses nobles et sentimentales, Op. 51,” Chopin’s four Ballades and Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 106 (best known as Hammerklavier).” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3184 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
‘Aida’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
April 25-28
Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida” will be staged in downtown Seoul. Soprano Lim Se-kyung, Son Hyun-kyung and Son Hyun-hee was cast in the role as Ethiopian princess Aida, who is sent to Egypt as a slave and falls in love with Egyptian general Radames, played by tenor Shin Dong-won, Yoon Byung-kil and Lee Won-Jong. Mezzo soprano Lee Ah-kyung, Yang Song-mi and Kim Jung-mi will perform Egyptian princess Amneris, axial character of the love triangle. Tickets cost 20,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1111 or visit sejongpac.or.kr.
Munich Philharmonic
April 21-22
Led by conductor Lorin Maazel, the orchestra has performed since 1893 under prominent directors including Gustav Mahler, Oswald Kabasta, Eugen Jochum and Sergiu Celibidache. Maazel has previously conducted world famous orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. The orchestra will perform Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” on the first day, Tchaikovsky’s “Overture-Fantasy on Romeo and Juliet,” Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4” and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” will be performed on the second day. Tickets cost 70,000 to 350,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Richard Yongjae O’Neill
March 31
O’Neill is a violist and recipient of Avery Fisher Career Grant, an award given to promising classical musicians, and has been twice nominated to the Grammy Award category of best soloist with orchestra. His popularity in Korea rose after his life story as a Korean War (1950-53) orphan adopted to the United States was featured in the KBS television documentary series “Human Theater.” He will perform Rebecca Clarke’s “Viola Sonata,” Schubert’s “Winterreise Opus 89,” Jacques Offenbach’s “Jacqueline’s Tears” and Antonio Vitali’s “Chaconne in G minor.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5256 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Big Tickets
Psy
Seoul World Cup Stadium
April 13
Rapping sensation Psy is expected to perform his follow-up song to the global hit, ''Gangnam Style.’’ The concert, titled “Happening,” will be broadcast live around the world on YouTube. Located near exit 2 of World Cup Stadium Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Jason Mraz
Subsidiary Stadium, Jamsil Sports Complex
May 17
Since his 2002 debut album, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come,” Mraz has garnered immense popularity. His 2008 album “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things,” sold 140,000 copies in Korea, a surprising number in a market dictated by online downloads. This will be his sixth visit to Korea. He will be performing some of his biggest hits like “I Won’t Give Up,” “Geek in the Pink” and “I’m Yours.” Located near exit 6 and 7 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 332-3277 or visit www.interpark.com.
Museums
‘The Peranakan World: Cross-cultural Art from Singapore and the Straits’
National Museum of Korea
Through May 19
This exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to glimpse the culture and heritage of Peranakans, the descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Southeast Asia. Clothing, tableware and accessories, made between the late-19th and early 20th century, provided by the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore, will highlight the display. Located near exit 4 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and the Jungang Line. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.
Pop & Jazz
Moon Hee-jun
Uniqlo AX
March 30-31
Rapper Moon Hee-joon, former member of disbanded boy band H.O.T., will hold a concert in Seoul. Since the group broke up in 2001, Moon has been pursuing a solo career and also established himself as a television emcee. In the concert, Moon will sing hits from his albums and songs from the boy band. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-7543 or visit uniqlo-ax.com.
Lucid Fall
Banjul
April 2-28
Lucid Fall, whose real name is Jo Yun-suk, will hold a concert at a cafe downtown Seoul from April 2 to April 28. Jo, who won bronze prize at the 5th Ryu Jae Ha Music Contest in 1993, had been a member of modern rock band Misoni. After the band disbanded, he released five solo albums under the name of Lucid Fall. He was also a prominent engineer, receiving best thesis award in the high molecular science division from the Swiss Society of Chemistry, but he is now a full-time musician. In this concert, he will perform his hits such as “Oh, Love” and “Can You See It?” Located near exit 10 of Jonggak Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 44,000 won. For more information, call (02) 735-5437 or visit www.banjul.co.kr.
Keith Jarrett Trio
May 19
American pianist Keith Jarrett and his two musical partners will perform in Seoul in May to celebrate 30th anniversary of the trio’s creation. Also a collaborator with legendary jazz artists Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett has been reputed for his experimental performance from jazz to classical music. Comprised of drummer Jack Dejohnette, bassist Gary Peacock and pianist Jarrett, the trio has released some 20 recordings and has held about 360 concerts since it was formed in 1983. Tickets cost 60,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2187-6225 or visit sejongpac.or.kr.
Nah Yoon-sun
LG Arts Center
April 17
Nah Yoon-sun is a jazz singer who debuted as a musical actress in 1994 before studying at the CIM Jazz School in France the following year. Nah released her first album, ''Reflect,’’ in 2001 and has since garnered a significant following in Korea and abroad. Her 2010 album “Same Girl” topped the French jazz chart for four weeks and earned her best international female singer honors in Germany’s ECHO Jazz Award that year. She recently appeared on stage at President Park Geun-hye’s inauguration ceremony in Seoul last month. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
Bae Chi Gi
Hongdae V-Hall
April 12-13
Hip hop group Bae Chi Gi will give their first concert since its members completed their compulsory military service. They will perform hits such as “Nice to Meet You,” “Two Guys” and “Shower of Tears,” which was released last January as the third track of their mini album “4 Part 2.”Located near exit 9 of Hongik University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-9194 or visit www.interpark.com.
E Z Hyoung
Mapo Arts Center, Seoul
April 6
Singer songwriter E Z Hyoung made his debut in 2001 with the band Weeper, and released his first solo album, “Radio Dayz,” in 2006. He received the Best Male Solo Artist Award at the Korean Music Awards in 2007. His song “A Passionate Goodbye,” became a belated hit after rapper Psy rerecorded it for his recent album, which included the global hit “Gangnam Style.” Located near exit 2 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 44,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Kotaro Oshio
LG Arts Center*
April 14
Japanese guitarist Kotaro Oshio became popular in his home country in 2001 after his song “Blue Sky” from his second album “Love Strings” became the theme song for a talk show broadcast on Tokyo television. In Korea, his song “Twilight” from his first album“Starting Point” is particularly popular. Tickets cost 55,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 522-1886 or visit www.lgart.com.
Julio Iglesias
Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Olympic Park*
April 9
This legendary Spanish singer and song writer has sold over 300 million albums throughout his career. He has performed in Korea numerous times since first appearing during the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988. In his upcoming concert, he will sing his biggest hits including: “Hey,” “Crazy,” “All of You,” “Nathalie” and “Amor.” Tickets cost 90,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 407 2589 or visit www.interpark.com.
Plays & Musicals
'History Boys’
Yonkang Hall, Doosan Art Center
Through March 31
This Korean version of a British play will continue at the Yonkang Hall until the end of this month. It is the story of eight high school students preparing to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities and their three history teachers at a school in Sheffield, England. The play raises questions regarding the purpose of education and life. The original version, written by English playwright Alan Bennett, premiered in England in 2004. It won six Tony Awards, including best play of the year, in 2006 after it debuted on Broadway. The Korean version is directed by Kim Tae-hyung. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or visit www.doosanartcenter.com.
‘Arsene Lupin’
Blue Square
Through May 5
Arsene Lupin is a fictional character who appears in serialized novel by French novelist Maurice Leblanc. He is a gentleman thief and detective, and has captured the affection of readers for more than 100 years since the work was first published in the magazine Je Sais Tout in 1905. Kim Da-hyun and Yang Jun-mo will perform as the phantom thief Lupin in this musical production. The work, produced over 2 years, is set in Paris in 1910 and starts with the jewels of Marie Antoinette disappearing one by one. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hanganjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 60,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 544-1591 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.
‘Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily’
“Sweet, Come to Me Stealthily,” which is the first Korean contemporary musical that debuted in 1966, will once again be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Based on the traditional folk lore of “Baebijangjeon,” it revolves around the story of Aerang, a female entertainer who attempts to seduce a regional officer, who is trying to remain faithful to his deceased wife. Tickets cost 44,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3496-8820 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
‘Three Musketeers’
Chungmu Art Hall
Through April 21
Veteran actor Um Ki-joon will join some of the leading stars in K-pop, including Super Junior’s Kyu Hyun, 2PM’s Jun.K and 2AM’s Lee Chang-min in this musical adaptation of the “Three Musketeers,” based on the eponymous novel by Alexandre Dumas. Lee will play D’Artagnan. The concert venue is located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway lines 2 and 6. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 764-7857 or visit www.musicalthreemusketeers.com.
‘Rebecca’
This is based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same name. It was also made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940 as his first American project, and won two Academy Awards. Yoo Jun-sang, Ryu Jung-han and Oh Man-seok perform as wealthy widower Maxim DeWinter who cannot forget his late wife Rebecca. Im Hye-young and Kim Bo-kyung will perform as “I” who falls in love with DeWinter while traveling to Monte Carlo. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
‘The Days’
Daehangno Musical Center
April 4-June 30
“The Days”, a musical made with songs of late folk rock singer Kim Gwang-seok, will debut at the Daehangno Musical Center in Seoul. However, the story has no particular relation to Kim’s lyrics because it revolves around the adventures of bodyguards stationed at Cheong Wa Dae. Yu Joon-sang, Oh Man-seok and Kang Tae-eul lead a cast heavy with star power. Located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.musicalthedays.co.kr.
Dance
‘Marguerite & Armand’
April 5-7
Prominent ballerina Kim Joo-won will perform at southern Seoul in April. Kim, a guest principal dancer of the Korean National Ballet Company, is the recipient of the 2002 Prima Ballerina Award presented by the Korean Dance Association and bronze medalist in the 2001 Moscow International Ballet Competition. The artist will perform “Marguerite & Armand,” created by famous choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton in 1963. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 517-0248 or visit www.lgart.com.
‘La Bayader’
April 9-14
The Korean National Ballet Company are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the opening of this performance hall. The company will present historic piece “La Bayader,” which was made by French choreographer Marius Petipa in 1877. Tickets cost 5,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.