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
(35).jpg?w=728)
By Baek Byung-yeul
Classical Concerts
Sumi Jo
88 Jandi Madang, Olympic Park*
Sept. 14
Soprano Sumi Jo will sing at the annual outdoor classical music concert in Olympic Park, southern Seoul. The Ditto Orchestra, led by composer Adriel Kim, will also be performing along with violinist Richard Yongjae O’Neill. Tickets cost 50,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.interpark.com.
Itzhak Perlman
Seoul Arts Center*
Oct. 14
Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman will hold a concert in southern Seoul. The violist, in his first visit to Korea in three years, will play Grieg’s “Sonata No.3. in C minor,” Tartini’s “Devil’s Trill” and Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 1 in D major.” Tickets cost 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.interpark.com.
Paik Kun-woo
Pianist Paik Kun-woo will perform the works of Schubert at the Seoul Arts Center on Sept. 14. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Big Tickets
Justin Bieber
Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Olympic Park*
Oct. 10
Justin Bieber will perform at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul on Oct. 10. The concert will be part of his world tour entitled “Believe World Tour,” promoting his latest album “Believe.” Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 99,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
Kim Jun-soo
COEX
Aug. 3-4
Kim Jun-soo, a member of boy band JYJ, will hold a concert at COEX in southern Seoul to promote the release of his second solo album, “Incredible.” Located near exit 5 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 511-1459 or visit www.interpark.com.
‘Hyundai Card Super Concert’
Olympic Stadium
Aug. 17-18
Metallica and Muse will highlight a two-day rock concert on Aug. 17 and 18 at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul. Organized by credit card provider Hyundai Card, Muse will join Limp Bizkit and Korean band Jang Kiha and the Faces in the lineup on the first day, while Metallica and Rise Against will headline the second day. Tickets cost 165,000 won for a single day and 250,000 won for both days. For more information, call (02) 332-3277 or visit www.interpark.com.
Museums
‘Art from the Islamic Civilization’
National Museum of Korea
Through Oct. 20
The National Museum of Korea holds a special exhibition highlighting Islamic artifacts. A total of 367 Islamic treasures, which were made from the eighth to 18th centuries, including pottery, glass, jewelry and miniature paintings from the al-Sabah Collection will be on display. Tickets cost 8,000 for children and 12,000 for adults. Located near exit 4 of Ichon Station, on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.islam2013.com.
Pop & Jazz
Park Youn-woo Trio
Olympus Hall
Aug. 10
The jazz group Park Youn Woo Trio, comprised of guitarist Park Youn-woo, bassist Oh Jeong-taek and drummer Lee Do-heon, will perform at the concert hall in southern Seoul. Jazz vocalist Lee Boo-yeong and vibes player John Bell will also feature the concert. Located near exit 5 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 25,000 to 35,000 won. For more information, call (02) 941-1150 or visit www.interpark.com.
Lee So-ra
Lotte Card Art Center
Sept. 4-29
Pop singer Lee So-ra will perform at a venue in Hongdae. One of the most popular singers in Korea, Lee will perform her biggest hits, including “The Wind Blows,” “Tears,” “Please,” “I’m Happy” and “Propose.” Located near exit 9 of Hapjeong Station, subway lines 2 and 6. Tickets cost 77,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.lottecardartcenter.com.
Super Sonic 2013
Olympic Park*
August 14-15
The annual Super Sonic rock festival will take place for two days in southern Seoul, featuring a star-studded lineup. The first day of the concert on Aug. 14 will be highlighted by English duo Pet Shop Boys, veteran band Earth, Wind & Fire and New Zealand singer Willy Moon, along with Korean acts Dickpunks and Super Kidd. The performance on the next day will be highlighted by Cho Yong-pil, arguably Korea’s most influential pop musician. Rap singer Verbal Jint, rock band Jaurim, American rock band Hot Chelle Rae will also hit the stage. Tickets cost 150,000 won for two days. For more information, call (02) 6002-7577 or visit www.supersonickorea.com.
Lee Sang-eun
Gyeonggi Arts Center
Aug. 30
Veteran singer-songwriter Lee Sang-eun will hold a concert at a venue in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Lee has been a popular singer-songwriter since her debut in 1988 with the song “Dam Da Di.” To get the venue, take no. 15, 51, 83 or 92 bus at exit 4 of Suwon Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 22,000 won. For more information, call (031) 230-3200 or www.ggac.or.kr.
B.A.P
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*
K-pop boy band B.A.P will hold concerts in southern Seoul. Comprised of Bang Yong-guk, Him Chan, Dae Hyun, Young Jae, Jong Up and Zelo, the group released their debut single last year and recently completed an international tour. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
INFINITE
August 9-10
Heart-throb K-pop boy band INFINITE will perform at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium in southern Seoul on Aug. 9 and 10. The Seoul shows will kick off a worldwide tour, stopping by Japan, China, South America and Europe. Tickets cost 88,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.
Shinhwa
August 3-4
Six-member boy band, Shinhwa will hold a concert celebrating their 15th anniversary. The K-pop group debuted in 1998 and became quickly established as one of the most popular acts in Korean music. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 66,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.
2013 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
No. 23 Geunrin Park, Songdo, Incheon
Aug. 2-4
The annual Incheon Pentaport rock music festival will take place at Songdo in Incheon on Aug. 2-4. Skid Row, Porno Graffitti, Suede and Korean bands Deulgukhwa and YB are among the highlighted acts. Tickets cost 99,000 won for one day, 143,000 won for two days and 165,000 won for three days. For more information, visit pentaportrock.com.
Secret Garden
Sejong Center for the Performing Art*
Aug. 28
The duo Secret Garden will give a concert at the Sejong Center on Aug. 28. Comprised of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian pianist Rolf Lovland, the duo has sold more than 3 million albums since its debut in 1995. Tickets cost 33,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 720-3933 or visit www.interpark.com.
Daybreak
Aug. 24-25
Korean Indie band Daybreak will perform at the Olympic Hall in southern Seoul. Comprised of guitarist Jeong Yu-jong, bassist Kim Sun-il, keyboardist Kim Jang-won and Lee Won-suk on vocals, they have garnered a significant following for their three albums released since 2007. Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Yuhki Kuramoto
Sept. 21
Japanese pianist Yuhki Kuramoto will perform at the Seoul Arts Center. Kuramoto has sold more than a million copies in Korea since his first concert in 1999. In his latest concert, he will perform his most famous pieces, including “Lake Louise” and “Meditation.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Plays & Musicals
‘Avenue Q’
Charlotte Theater
Aug. 23-Oct. 6
The Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, an American puppet show for adults, will be staged at the theater in southern Seoul. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil station, subway lines 2 and 8. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.charlottetheater.co.kr.
‘Chicago’
National Theater of Korea
Through Aug. 31
A Korean rendition of the Broadway hit musical “Chicago” hits the stage in Seoul. Actress Lee Honey and Oh Jin-young have been double cast as Roxie Hart. Singer Insooni and musical actress Choi Jung-won will feature as Velma Kelly. To get there, take a shuttle bus provided by the theater at exit 6 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.
‘Hedwig’
Baekam Art Hall
Through Sept. 8
The musical “Hedwig” is on stage for Korean theatergoers again, as they bought more than 350,000 tickets for it when it was first performed here in 2005. Cho Seung-woo, the popular television and movie actor, will return as Hedwig, the struggling, transsexual rocker from East Germany. Located near exit 8 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 50,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3485-8700 or visit www.baekamhall.com.
‘Spamalot’
Yonkang Hall, Doosan Art Center
Through Sept. 1
Korean version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is on stage in Seoul through Sept. 1. Adapted from the 1975 comedy flick, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” this musical follows King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table on their hilarious journey to find an ancient relic. Funnyman Jung Joon-ha and veteran actor Seo Young-joo alternate in the role of the King Arthur. Yonkang Hall is located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.
Dance
‘Don Quixote’
Aug. 28-31
The Korean National Ballet Company will perform Don Quixote, based on Miguel de Cervantes’s iconic book. Tickets cost 5,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.sac.or.kr.