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
Paul Mauriat Tribute Concert
Grand Peace Palace, Kyung Hee University
May 5
This concert is dedicated to the memory and works of late French musician Paul Mauriat. Mauriat, who led the Le Grand Orchestra de Paul Mauriat as conductor, was known for his efforts to make classical music more accessible to and better understood by the general public. His album ”Love is Blue,” released in 1968, remains as his most famous work, topping the Billboard classical charts for five weeks that year. He has written more than 1,100 songs and tunes that were frequently used in movies and broadcasting commercials. Conductor Jean-Jacques Justanfre will perform some of Mauriat’s most notable works with his own orchestra, Grand Orchestra Jean Jacques Justafre. Tickets cost 50,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3676-2352 or visit www.interpark.com.
Lim Hyun-jeong
Seoul Arts Center*
May 23
Lim Hyun-jeong, who left a stunning impression by 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.
Mischa Maisky
May 6
Latvian cellist Mischa Maisky will perform Bach’s cello suite recital at the Seoul Arts Center. He had originally planned to perform together with his long-time musical colleague Martha Argerich, but the pianist was unable to join him for health reasons. Maisky has recorded over 50 albums with Deutsche Grammophon in the past two decades and is known as the only cellist in the world to have both studied with Russian-born cello legends Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. In the concert in Seoul, Maisky will perform Bach’s cello suites no. 1, 3 and 5. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Big Tickets
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 including “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.
Cho Yong-pil
Olympic Gymnastic Arena, Olympic Park
May 31-June 2
Singer Cho Yong-pil will perform in southern Seoul. Cho, who’s been an iconic figure in Korean music community for 45 years, recently released his 19th studio album, his first new work in 10 years. At the concert, Cho will sing his new songs and old hits, including “Let’s Go on a Trip,” “Come Back to Busan Port,” “A Leopard of Mt. Kilimanjaro” and “Short Hair.” The Seoul performance will kick off a nationwide tour that will stop off at Daejoen, Uijeongbu, Jinju and Daegu. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-7110 or visit www.interpark.com.
Museums
‘Opulence: Treasures of Korean Traditional Craft’
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Through June 2
The museum in central Seoul shows some of the treasures of traditional Korean craftwork. A total of 65 items, on loan from Korean museums and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are on display, including a 7th century pure-gold Buddha Statue that is designated a national treasure. Tickets cost 6,000 to 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.
Pop & Jazz
Lee Moon-sae
Olympic Stadium
June 1
Veteran singer Lee Moon-sae will hold a concert in southern Seoul. Lee has been one of the country’s most influential pop singers over the past 30 years, releasing 14 studio albums since his first in 1984. His partnership with late composer Lee Yong-hoon was particularly productive, creating popular ballads like “Gwanghwamun Sonata,” “Old Love” and “I Don’t Know Yet.” Located near exit 6 or 7 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 747-1252 or visit www.interpark.com.
Spring Summer Fall Winter
Chungmu Art Hall
May 11-12
Jazz-rock band Spring Summer Fall Winter will hold a concert in Seoul to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Comprised of guitarist and vocalist Kim Jong-jin and drummer Jeon Tae-kwan, the duo released their first album titled “Spring Summer Fall Winter” in 1988 and have been an influential presence in the pop music scene ever since. The concert venue is located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway lines 2 and 6. Tickets cost 66,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.
Stefano Bollani
LG Arts Center*
May 21
Italian jazz pianist Stefano Bollani will perform in southern Seoul. A popular name in the jazz and New Age music scene, Bollani, is also known for his collaborations with trumpeter Enrico Rava and Germany’s Gewandhaus Orchestra. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
Seoul Jazz Festival
Olympic Park
May 17-18
This year’s Seoul Jazz Festival will be highlighted by a wealth of talent from here and abroad, featuring Damien Rice. The festival started in 2007 and moved from the Sejong Center to the outdoor stage at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul from last year. Participating Korean artists include Chung Won-young, 10 CM, Choi Baek-ho and Jung Sung-jo. Tickets cost 121,000 won for one day and 194,000 won for two days. For more information, call (02) 563-7110 or visit www.seouljazz.co.kr.
Anzenchitai
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*
Veteran Japanese band Anzenchitai will perform in southern Seoul in June. Along with other bands of the time such as X-Japan, Anzenchitai garnered large popularity here in the 1990s, despite the government strictly restricting the import of Japanese cultural products during the time. Comprised of Koji Tamaki on vocals, Yutaka Takezawa and Wataru Yahagi on guitars, Haruyoshi Rokudo on bass and keyboards, and Yuji Tanaka on drums, Anzenchitai released 13 albums through a career that spans close to three decades and have sold more than 5 million copies. Korea’s Generation Xers who listened to Anzenchitai through illegally copied CDs finally have the opportunity to see them live. Tickets cost 99,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, visit
Keith Jarrett Trio
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
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, Jarrett has been reputed for his experimental performance from jazz to classical music. Comprised of drummer Jack Dejohnette, bassist Gary Peacock and 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.
UV
Interpark Art Center Hall
May 24-25
Pop duo UV, comprised of funnyman Yoo Se-yun and rapper Muzie, will perform in Seoul. UV has gained huge popularity with their catchy beats and humorous lyrics in songs like “Itaewon Freedom,” “No Cool I’m Sorry” and “Who Am I?” The concert venue is located near exit 9 of Hapjeong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interparkartcenter.com.
Teen Top
Hwajung Gymnasium, Korea University
K-pop boy band Teen Top will hold a concert in tour that will kick off their Asian tour. It will perform its hits including “Crazy,” “Be Ma girl” and “To You.” Located near exit 3 of Korea University Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Plays & Musicals
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Charlotte Theater
Through June 9
The Korean production of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be staged in southern Seoul. Along with “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats,” “Superstar” is one of the most popular Andrew Lloyd Webber works among Korean theatergoers, who are supporting one of Asia’s largest and fast-growing musical markets. Korean American actor Michael K. Lee and Park Eun-tae will alternate as Jesus and rock singers Yoon Do-hyun, Han Ji-sang and Kim Sini have been cast as Judas Iscariot. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station, subway line 2 and 8. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.charlottetheater.co.kr.
‘The Days’
Daehangno Musical Center
Through June 30
“The Days,” a musical featuring with songs of late folk rock singer Kim Gwang-seok, is on stage 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
‘Giselle’
Through May 5
The Korean National Ballet company will perform “Giselle” in downtown Seoul. First staged in Paris in 1841, the ballet revolves around the story of a woman who is betrayed by her lover. Kim Ji-young, Park Seul-ki and Lee Eun-won will star as the pitiful Giselle. Lee Dong-hoon, Jung Young-jae, Kim Ki-wan and Lee Young-cheol will also perform. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 20,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6613 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.
‘Shim Chung’
National Theater of Korea
May 9-12
The Universal Ballet Company will perform “Shim Chung,” a ballet rendition of a Korean folk tale, at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. Comprised of three acts, the ballet-musical depicts a daughter and her devotion to her blind father. To get the venue, take a shuttle bus provided from the theater at exit 6 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.universalballet.com.