Maksim Mrvica Concert
Seoul Arts Center*
July 6
Maksim Mrvica, a Croatian pianist nicknamed “The Piano Player,” is also a composer. Mrvica rose to fame immediately after the release of his first album and has since become a leading electric pianist of his generation. Some of his best known compositions are “The Bumblebee” and “Crotian Rhapsody.” Tickets cost 55,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6292- 9370.
Great Mountains Music Festival & School
Alpensia Concert Hall
July 26 - Aug. 5
The Great Mountains Music Festival & School will be held in the midst of nature in the mountainous province of Gangwon. Two renowned artists — cellist Chung Myung-hwa and her sister violinist Chung Kyung-hwa — serve as artistic directors of this renowned chamber music festivals in Korea. This year, the annual festival will explore the relationship between dance and music. Tickets cost 40,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 725-3394.
Gidon Kremer & Kremerata Baltica
Oct. 16
Gidon Kremer, a Latvian violinist and conductor, will perform with Kremerata Baltica, a chamber orchestra he founded that consists of young musicians from Baltic countries. The chamber orchestra won a Grammy Award in 2002 in Classical Music for recording Mozart.” They are returning to Korea after three years for a performance that will be a mixture of contemporary musical melodies and classical repertoire. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
The Fantasia: 2012 Insooni Concert
Uijeongbu Sports Stadium
June 23
Insooni is one of the most recognized singers in Korea. After debuting nearly 30 years ago, the diva has released a total of 19 albums and has performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York. Known for her rich and distinguished voice, Insooni recently won first place with her inspirational and extraordinary performance of the song “Father” on the program I Am a Singer.” Tickets cost 66,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1688-5246.
Sensation: Ocean of White
Ilsan KINTEX
July 21
A Heineken-sponsored concert, “Sensation,” began in Amsterdam in 2000 and has finally made its way to Korea. The concert will fill 8 hours with stage shows, laser beams and dance performances. DJs include Mr. White, Funkagenda and many more will light up the night until dawn. Standing room only. Tickets cost 125,000 to 180,000 won. For more information call 1544-1555 or visit www.heinekein.com/kr.
2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival
Jisan Forest Resort
July 27-29
The best of the best rock bands, Radiohead, Owl City, The Stone Roses, Bread Eye, and many more will perform at Jisan Forest Resort. This impressive line up of artists will play their most popular hit songs to the delight of fans. Tickets cost 225,000 won. For more information, call 1577- 3363, or visit www.valleyrockfestival.com.
UMF Korea
Olympic Stadium*
Aug. 3-4
The biggest party on earth, the world’s premiere electronic music festival, is coming to Asia for the first time. The festival will be held with musicians who are topping the charts, like Steve Aoki, Clazziquai, Tokyo Big Boy, Tiesto, and many more. Tickets cost 110,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3471-8957 or visit www.umfkorea.com.
Seoul in Rossetti’s Eyes
Seoul Museum of History
Through July 1
Carlo Rossetti was an Italian diplomat who came to Korea 110 years ago at the age of 26. Despite his short stay of only 200 days, he left a number of footprints in Seoul. The exhibition displays numerous photographs Rossetti took in Korea and with Koreans. Discover Seoul through the eyes of Rossetti. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 724-0274 or visit www.museum.seoul.kr.
The Civilization of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul
National Museum of Korea
Through Sept. 2
Turkey is a nation where traditions of the East and the West coexist, as religions and cultures from both sides have settled and flourished there. The exhibition will display relics from the 3000 B.C. Anatolian civilization to the 19th century Ottoman Empire. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Located near exit 2, Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02)2077-9000 or visit www.istanbul2012.co.kr.
Korean Art from the United States
Through Aug. 5
The National Museum of Korea brings some major Korean artworks from museums in the United States such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The exhibition will feature artwork, including paintings from the Goryeo Kingdom that have never been seen by the Korean public. The exhibition will explore how Korean culture was introduced overseas. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.
Busker Busker
Olympic Park*
The runner-up winner on “Superstar K Season 3,” celebrated trio band Busker Busker is holding their second concert. Their hit songs, “Cherry Blossom Ending” and “Yeosu Night Sea,” which are currently at the top on music charts, will be performed live under the theme “Youth Bus.” Tickets cost 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.
Fourplay
June 28- 29
Blue Square
Fourplay, a contemporary jazz quartet from the United States, will perform for Korean fans. The Grammy-nominated group received the Congressional Record from the U.S. congress, distinguishing it in the music industry. Fourplay seeks to limitlessly touch all dimensions of musical appreciation through jazz. Tickets cost 88,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 830-6106.
LeeSsang Season 2
July 14-15
LeeSsang, a popular Korean hip-hop duo will collaborate with many recognized artists including rapper-singer Yoon Mi-rae, and singers Big Mama and Hwayobi. The duo has released a total of seven albums to date. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.
Eminem: Recovery Tour
Aug.19
Eminem, an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor will perform in Korea for the first time in support of his album “Recovery” released in 2010. Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.
Romeo and Juliet
July 7-14
Local ballet fans can soon watch Kenneth MacMillan’s most dramatic and thought-out ballet performance in
“Romeo and Juliet.” Universal Ballet, a leading ballet troupe in Korea, will stage work based on the heartbreaking love story. The audience will be inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic romance delivered through dance. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
Pierre Rigal: Theater of Operations
LG Art Center
Sept. 14-15
Pierre Rigal, a French dancer and choreographer, is currently the most acknowledged dancer in Europe. After Rigal contributed in a workshop held in Korea last year, he was deeply inspired by the local dancers. He will be collaborating with local dancers to bring to the audience a different and distinct performance. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
2012 American Ballet Theatre: Giselle
July 18-22
“Giselle,” one of the most popular ballets, will be performed in Korea for the first time by the American Ballet Theatre. The ballet tells a story of a peasant girl named Giselle. Julie Kent and Paloma Herrera will play Giselle. Kent and Herrera are two of the biggest stars of the New York-based company. Herrera joined the company at age 16 and became a principal only three years later. Also taking the lead role of Giselle is Korean dancer Seo Hee, who is the company’s first Korean to rise to the soloist rank. Tickets cost 16,500 to 400,000 won. For more information, call (02) 598-3119 or visit www. sac.or.kr.
Mozart!
Sejong Center
July 10-28
Originally written in German,“Mozart!” premiered in Austria in October 1999. The Korean rendition, first held in 2010, also portrays the struggles and hardships of the Mozart. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www. sejongpac.or.kr.
La Cage aux Folles
LG Arts Center
July 4-Sept. 4
The musical based on Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning novel revolves around a gay couple with complicated circumstances. Georges is a nightclub manager and his partner is Albin and the comedy unfolds when Georges’ son, Jean-Michel visits them. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.
Wicked
Open Run
Broadway blockbuster “Wicked”debuted in 2003 and is based on “The Wizard of Oz.” It is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and details the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North, and showing unexpected new sides to both characters. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call 1577-3363.
Man of La Mancha
Charlotte Lotte Theater
Through Oct. 7
Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century masterpiece, “Don Quixote,” this memorable musical is based on Dale Wasserman’s book “Man of La Mancha.” It is a well known Broadway musical that won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Award. The Classic song “The Impossible Dream” is the theme song. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.
Poongwallju
Culture Space NU
Through July 29
“Poongwallju,” means master of wind and the moon, and it is a homegrown musical about two men and a woman during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.). Instead of traditional costumes, actors wear simple, modern black clothes to portray a love triangle involving Yeol, a charismatic male “gisaeng,” or Korean courtesan, his dearest friend Sa-dam and Queen Jinseong, who has everything except for the man she loves. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.
Musical Hairspray
Chungmu Art Hall
Based on the 1988 film “Hairspray,” the plot of the musical revolves around a teenager who dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” When she wins the opportunity to do so, she becomes a celebrity overnight. The songs are 1960 dance style music, rhythm, and blues. The successful musical won a total of 11 awards, including eight Tony Awards and Best New Musical. Tickets cost 20,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02)2230-6601.