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
Primo Cantante
Seoul Arts Center*
March 24
Primo Cantante, comprised of around 70 male vocalists, will perform its 17th concert at the Seoul Arts Center on March 24. Tickets cost 20,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 581-5404 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Evgeny Kissin
March 30
The immensely popular pianist Evgeny Kissin will perform Schubert’s “Piano Sonata No. 17,” Scriabin’s “Sonata No. 2” and “Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes” at the Seoul Arts Center on March 30. Tickets cost 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5255 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Han Hyoung-shil
April 1
Pianist Han Hyoung-shil will hold a piano recital at the Seoul Arts Center on April 1. Hahn will play Bach’s “Italian Concerto in F Major, BWV 971,” Schubert’s “Impromptu in B flat Major, Op. 142 No. 3” and Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57.” Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6412-3053 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Oh Yoon-ah & Jeon Jin-joo
Seoul Arts Center
April 2
Pianist Oh Yoon-ah and violinist Jeon Jin-joo will hold a duo recital at the Seoul Arts Center on April 2. They will play Beethoven’s “Sonata for piano and violin No. 7 in C Minor Op. 30 No. 2” and Bartok’s “6 Romanian folk dances for violin and piano.” Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-2513 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
‘11 a.m. Concert’
April 10
Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Bae Jong-hun, will perform at the Seoul Arts Center on April 10 with violinist Kim Hyun-mi and bassoonist Lee Min-ho. They will play Mozart’s “Opera Le Nozze di Figaro,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21” and Weber’s “Concerto for Bassoon in F Major, Op. 75.” Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
GAIA Quartet will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 15. / Courtesy of Sekwang Art
GAIA Quartet
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
April 15
GAIA Quartet, consisting of violinist Jung Ji-hye, Choe Hye-sung, Violist Kim Seong-eun and Cellist Park Eun-joo, will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts April 15. Tickets are 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 717-7012 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.
Ian Bostridge
Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center*
April 19
Grammy-nominated British tenor Ian Bostridge will perform with pianist Julius Drake at the Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center on April 19. Bostridge will sing Schumann’s “Dein Angesicht Op. 127 No.2,” “Liederkreis Op. 2” and “Dichterliebe Op. 48.” Tickets are 20,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.
Big Tickets
Bruno Mars
Gymnastics Gymnasium, Olympic Park*
April 8
Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars will perform at the Gymnastics Gymnasium of Olympic Park in Seoul on April 8. He will sing his hits including “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade” and “The Lazy Song.” Tickets cost 99,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
John Mayer
Jamsil Subsidiary Stadium
May 6
American singer-songwriter John Mayer will perform in Korea for the first time on May 6. Since debuting in 2001 with his first album, “Room for Squares,” Mayer has sold more than 20 million albums and won seven career Grammy awards. 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) 3141-3488 or visit
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Museums
‘Hoping and Hoping’
Sookmyung Women’s University Museum
Through March 28
The special exhibition put on in collaboration with the National Folk Museum of Korea features a variety of traditional genres, including paintings of longevity symbols, household items covered by fortune patterns and folklore. Located near exit 10 of Sookmyung Women’s University Station, subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 710-9133 or visit museum.sookmyung.ac.kr.
‘A New Collection of Asian Art’
National Museum of Korea
March 25-June 22
The National Museum of Korea will exhibit 60 new works from young artists in Asian countries such as India, China and Japan from March 25 to June 22. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 or Jungang line. For more information, call (02) 2077-9552 or visit www.museum.go.kr.
‘The Republic of Apartments’
Seoul Museum of History
Through May 6
The Seoul Museum of History features photos depicting people living in apartments, the most common type of housing in Korea, through May 6. Admission is free. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 724-0274 or visit
“Silla Gold Crown,” designated as National Treasure No. 188, will be on display at the Gyeongju National Museum through June 22. / Courtesy of Gyeongju National Museum
‘Cheonmachong, the royal tomb of Silla’
Gyeongju National Museum
Through June 22
The Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is displaying 1,600 artifacts excavated from Cheonmachong, one of royal tombs in ancient Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) through June 22. For more information, call (054) 740-7533 or visit gyeongju.museum.go.kr.
Pop & Jazz
Kim Jo-han
Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Center
March 27
Korean American R&B singer Kim Jo-han will hold a concert at the Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Center on March 27. Located near exit 4 of Wondang Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.
Lee Juck
Samsung Hall, Ewha Womans University
April 4-20
Popular Singer-songwriter Lee Juck will perform at the Ewha Womans University April 4-20. Lee, who released his fifth solo album “The Meaning of Solitude” in November, will sing his hits including “I’m Fortunate,” “Lefty,” “Snail” and “Running the Sky.” Located near exit 2 or 3 of Ewha Womans University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 88,000 won. For mor information, call (02) 541-7110 or visit www.interpark.com.
Fred Hersch Trio
Mapo Arts Center
April 4
Fred Hersch Trio, comprised of American jazz pianist Fred Hersch, bassist John Hebert and drummer Eric McPherson, will perform at the Mapo Arts Center in Seoul April 4. Located near exit 2 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets are 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 941-1150 or visit www.mapoartcenter.or.kr.
Song Young-joo
Club Auteur
March 28-29
New York-based jazz pianist Song Young-joo will perform at the Club Auteur in Hongdae in western Seoul, on March 28-29. She will perform some of her songs from her recently released 6th album, “Between.” Located near exit 3 of Hapjeong Station, subway line 2. Tickets are 30,000 to 35,000 won. For more information, call (02) 941-1150.
Soran
Through March 23
Rock band Soran will perform at the Mapo Arts Center in central Seoul through March 23. Located near exit 5 of Ewha Womans University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 44,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.mintpaper.com.
Shinhwa
Olympic Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park*
March 22-23
K-pop band Shinhwa will perform at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium in southern Seoul, celebrating the 16th anniversary of their debut. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station, subway line 5. Tickets are 66,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit
American a cappella group Naturally 7 will perform at the Seongnam Arts Center on April 18-19. / Courtesy of Seongnam Arts Center
Naturally 7
Seongnam Arts Center*
April 18-19
American a capella group Naturally 7 will perform at the Seongnam Arts Center on April 18-19. Tickets cost 44,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (031) 738-8000 or visit www.snart.or.kr.
Lyn
May 17
Singer Lyn will perform at Ewha Womans University on May 17. She will sing her hits, including “Me Myself,” “Blue In You” and “But We Loved.” Located near exit 2 or 3 of Ewha Womans University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Plays & Musicals
‘Wicked’
Charlotte Theater
Through March 30
The Korean rendition of Broadway hit musical “Wicked” will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul. Singer-turned-musical actress Oak Joo-hyun will star as Elphaba. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station, subway lines 2 and 8. Tickets are 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.wickedthemusical.co.kr.
‘Vincent van Gogh’
Chungmu Art Hall
Through April 27
The musical based on Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh will be staged at the Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul through April 27. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 588-7708 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.
‘The Three Musketeers’
The musical, based on the Alexandre Dumas’ novel, is on stage at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts through March 30. Actor Shin Sung-woo, Yoo Jun-sang and Lee Gun-myung, will alternate in the role of Athos, one of the musketeers. Tickets cost 40,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, visit
Dance
‘Sachoom’
Sachoom Theater
Through March 31
Sachoom, an original Korean dance performance, comprised of diverse kinds of dance moves ranging from hip-hop and modern to traditional, is being staged at the Sachoom Theater in Seoul through March 31. Located near exit 5 of Jongno3-ga, subway line 1 and 3. Tickets cost 25,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3676-7616 or visit www.sachoom.com.
‘Multiplicity’
LG Arts Center*
April 25-27
The Universal Ballet Company will perform the renowned Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato’s work “Multiplicity” at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul April 25-27. The choreographic reflection is inspired by the music and life of Johann Sebastian Bach. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
‘Swan Lake’
April 10-13
The Korea National Ballet Company will perform “Swan Lake” at the Seoul Arts Center April 10-13. Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette’s marriage promise is broken when an evil genius attempts to destroy their love. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.