Celebrate Month of Family With Cultural Events
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
May has finally arrived and both children and their parents are getting ready to celebrate the ``month of family'' ― Children's Day falls, May 5; and Parents' Day, May 8.
Rather than worry over gifts, children and their parents can spend time together watching various performances and creating good memories.
Here are some recommendable family performances and events with special discount packages this month.
This fantastic magic show presented by Rick Thomas will be one of the largest magic shows presented in Seoul, after David Copperfield's show in 2004. It is the first time in Seoul for Thomas, regarded as one of the best illusionists to visit Korea. Thomas is known for his long-running sold-out performances in Las Vegas since 1997. He will present various magic tricks and levitation. The show will provide family discounts. Those who book more than two tickets will be allowed to have one child between the ages of five and 13 enter free of charge. The performance will be at the Olympic Hall in the Olympic Park from May 2-12. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 548-4480 or visit www.seoularts.com.
The Korean masterpiece novel, ``Sonagi'' (Shower) by Hwang Sun-won has been re-created as a musical. Yu Hee-seong, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre, who was recognized for his capability in producing the successful musical, ``Annie,'' at the Sejong Center in late 2007, is now bringing ``Sonagi'' to the stage. The musical will run through May 5 at the Sejong M Theater in central Seoul. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1772.
The homegrown musical, ``Soridoduk,'' written by Cho Gwang-hwa will give a hopeful message to children. Cho is known for his previous musical ``Claws of Angel.'' The musical starring veteran musical actors Nam Kyung-joo and Choi Jung-won revolves around the story of a little girl, Achim, who was left a deaf mute following shock when her singer father was killed in an accident. She gradually recovers her voice after encountering a genius songwriter Yu-jun and her father's songs through him. Her mom, In-gyeong, is played by Choi and Yu-jun is played by Nam. This month, the musical will give free tickets for fathers who bring their elementary school children. For weekdays, children from ages seven to 18 can get a 20 percent discount. ``Soridoduk'' is being staged at the Hoam Art Hall until May 25. Tickets cost from 35,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.soridoduk.com.
The magical ``Snow Show'' by Slava Polunin, a Russian clown, will offer the audience the chance to feel the innocence of being a child. The show's spectacular last scene will give special experience for the audience; teardrops from a clown's eyes will wet a love letter and turn into snowflakes, which then turn into snowstorm blown onto the audience. No boundary is felt between the audience and the performers. The show will hit Seoul at the Universal Arts Center from May 8-11 after being performed at the Oulim Nuri Art Complex in Gyeonggi Province until May 5. For ticket reservations, call 1544-3937.
Russian theatrical troupe Licedei will present a comic-mime performance revolving around family members. The original title of "The Family" was ``Semianyki'' which means ``family'' in Russian. The non-verbal performance will be staged by Russian clowns wearing makeup and pastel-colored costumes. There is a 20 percent discount on tickets bought by families with five members. The performance will run through May 5. For more information, call (02) 501-7888.
Russian theatrical troupe Licedei will present a comic-mime performance revolving around family members. The original title of "The Family" was ``Semianyki'' which means ``family'' in Russian. The non-verbal performance will be staged by Russian clowns wearing makeup and pastel-colored costumes. There is a 20 percent discount on tickets bought by families with five members. The performance will run through May 5. For more information, call (02) 501-7888.
Oneuli is the main character of the 2008 musical drama for children by the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts. The story unfolds around a 1,000-year-old crane that descended from the heavens to nurture Oneuli, a little girl, under its wings with a glowing jewel. The tale of ``Oneuli'' is based on the Jeju folk mythology work ``Woncheongang Bonpoori.'' On the journey to Woncheongang, Oneuli meets friends with unsolved problems. A musical drama ``Oneuli'' features the Folk Music Troupe, the Dance Troupe and the Creative Music Troupe. Also, visitors can enjoy Korean paper arts and craft, ``Making Oneuli Korean Paper Dolls'' outside the theater and Korean classic music through ``Take a Tour and Experience Traditional Instruments'' at the Museum of Traditional Music. The drama will be staged at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-3300 or visit www.ncktpa.go.kr.
Parents might worry about education rather than entertainment even on Children's Day, but this musical gives both entertaining and educational effects to children seeing the performance. ``No No Story'' is the first musical, which is designed to prevent traffic accidents particularly those involving children. The musical portrays how much children are exposed to traffic accidents and how to keep themselves safe. About 500,000 people have seen the show since its premiere in 2006. In this musical, children can learn traffic safety through funny songs and dances. The musical will run from May 1 to Aug. 31 at Sangsang Nanum Theater in Daehangno in Seoul. Tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 762-0810.