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
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By Baek Byung-yeul
Classical Concerts
‘11 a.m. Concert’
Seoul Arts Center*
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.
‘Singing 100 Years of Folk Song’
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
April 12
The Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus will sing folk songs composed by Korean composers including Lee Young-jo, Shin Dong-il, Kim Myung-ja, Ryu Geon-ju and Ahn hyo-young at the Sejong Center for the Perfoming Arts in central Seoul on April 12. Tickets cost 25,000 won for all seats. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.
GAIA Quartet
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.
Sumi Jo
April 20
Soprano Sumi Jo will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul April 20. Jo will sing Purcell’s “Music for a while,” Bach’s “Vergnugen und Lust” and Chabrier’s “Espana.” Tickets cost from 50,000 to 150,000. For more information, call (02) 3461-0976 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
Kim Joo-hyun
April 24
Clarinetist Kim Joo-hyun will perform at the Seoul Arts Center April 24. Tickets cost 20,000 won for all seats. For more information, call (02) 586-0945 or visit www.sac.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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Shin Seung-hun
LG Arts Center*
May 6-11
Singer-songwriter Shin Seung-hun will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul May 6-11. He has been one of the most popular pop music acts in Korea since his 1990 debut, with hits like “I Believe” and “Invisible Love.” Tickets cost 77,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit www.interpark.com.
Lee Sun-hee
April 19-20
Veteran singer Lee Sun-hee is to give a concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her debut. She will sing songs including in her new album, “Serendipty” and her hits such as “To J” and “The Girl’s Prayer.” Tickets cost from 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 549-9022 or visit www.interpark.com.
Museums
‘A New Collection of Asian Art’
National Museum of Korea
Through June 22
The National Museum of Korea exhibits 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 www.museum.seoul.kr.
‘Cheonmachong, the royal tomb of Silla’
Gyeongju National Museum
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
European Jazz Trio
European Jazz Trio, comprised of pianist Marc van Roon, bassist Frans van der Hoeven and drummer Roy Dackus, will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul April 8. Tickets are 22,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
Warren Hill
Blue Square
Warren Hill, a Canadian jazz saxophonist, will perform at the Blue Square in Yongsan April 12. He will play “Hey Jude,” “Tears in Heaven” and “My Love.” Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets are 88,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1591 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.
American jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter will perform at the LG Arts Center on April 12. / Courtesy of LG Arts center
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Wayne Shorter, an American jazz saxophonist and composer, will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul April 12. Tickets are 40,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
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.
Jang Ki-ha and the Faces & Zainichi Funk
Rock band Jang Ki-ha and the Faces will perorm together with Tokyo-based funk band Zainichi Funk at the Blue Square in Yongsan on April 19. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
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, visit www.snart.or.kr.
Dongmulwon
April 13
Veteran folk rock band Dongmulwon (literally translated as zoo) will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul April 13. Tickets are 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 516-3963 or visit www.lgart.com.
CNBLUE
Jamsil Indoor Stadium
Heartthrob pop rock band CNBLUE will perform at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, southern Seoul April 19-20 to promote their recently released album “Can’t Stop.” Located near exit 6 or 7 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets are 66,000 to 99,000 won.
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
Open Run
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
“Seopyeonje” will be staged at the Universal Arts Center through May 11. / Courtesy of Onel Company
‘Seopyeonje’
Universal Arts Center
Through May 11
Musical rendition of “Seopyeonje,” a theatrical interpretation of Lee Cheong-jun’s 1976 novel of the same name, portrays life and bitter sorrow of pansori or traditional Korean narrative song singers. Located near exit 4 of Achasan Station, subway line 5. Tickets are 50,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.musicalspj.com.
Musical “Le Roi Soleil will be staged at the Blue Square April 8-June1. / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company
‘Le Roi Soleil’
April 8-June 1
The Korean production of famous French musical “Le Roi Soleil,” based on the life of Louis XIV, will be staged at the Blue Square in Yongsan from April 8 to June 1. Actor Ahn Jae-wook and Shin Sung-rok will alternate in the role of Louis XIV. Actresses Kim So-hyun and Yoon Gong-ju will feature Francoise, second wife of Louis XIV. Located near exit 2 and 3 of Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets are 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1591 or visit www.leroisoleil.co.kr.
Dance
‘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.
‘Multiplicity’
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.