Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

Ji Yong

Seoul Arts Center*

Jan. 15

Pianist Ji Yong will have a recital in Seoul. This is to celebrate his latest album “Bach Exhibition,” released on Oct. 11, 2012. He will perform pieces from his album such as Bach’s “Fantasia in C minor,” “Fantasia in C minor” (BWV 906), and Bach and Busoni’s “Chaconne from Parita No. 2 in D minor.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-9606 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Jan. 17

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Chung Myung-whun, will hold their first concert of the year in Seoul. The orchestra will play Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor,” and “Symphony No. 5,” featuring pianist Kim Sun-wook. A live recording of the concert will be made. Tickets cost 10,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3700-6332.

Helene Grimaud

Jan. 29

French pianist Helene Grimaud will hold a recital in Seoul. In this concert, she will play numbers from her recent album “Resonances,” Mozart’s “Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor,” Berg’s “Piano Sonata Opus 1,” Liszt’s “Piano Sonata in B minor,” and Bartok’s Folk Dances.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Jan. 5-6

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Zubin Mehta, will play Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3,” Rimsky Korsakov’s “Spanish Capriccios OP. 34,” “Variazioni, Andante con Moto,” Johann Strauss’s “Gypsy Baron,” “Annen Polka,” and Brahms’s “Symphony No. 1 in C minor” in this New Year gala concert. Tickets cost 50,000 to 380,000 won. For more information, call (02) 749-8821 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

2013 Gum Nanse Festival

Chungmu Art Hall

Jan. 30 - Feb. 2

Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Gum Nanse, will hold concerts in Seoul. With different themes each day, the orchestra will perform numbers from musicals, opera, jazz, soundtracks and ballet. Located near exit 9 of Sindang Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6624 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.

Big Tickets

Patti Smith

Uniqlo AX

Feb. 2

American singer-songwriter Patti Smith will hold a concert in Seoul. This concert is to celebrate her 11th studio album “Banga,” released on June 1, 2012. The 65-year-old Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer will sing pieces from his latest album such as “This is the Girl,” and “Nine,” and her hit “Because the Night” in her first concert in Korea. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-0595 or visit www.uniqlo-ax.com.

Museums

Tim Burton Exhibition

Seoul Museum of Art

Through April 14

Film director Tim Burton’s paintings and artwork are on exhibit in central Seoul. Artwork from his movies “Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Frankenweenie,” and about 700 of his sketches, drawings and photographs will be on display. Located near exit 1 of City Hall Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 8,000 won for children under 12, 10,000 won for students under 18, and 12,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 325-1077 or visit sema.seoul.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Yang Bang-ean

Yongin Poeun Art Hall

Jan. 12

Korean-Japanese pianist Yang Bang-ean, also known as Kunihiko Ryo, will hold a concert in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. With the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Park Sang-hyun, he will perform his hits “Frontier,” “Wings of Mirage,” and pieces from his solo albums and soundtracks. Located near exit 1 of Jukjeon Station, Bundang line. Tickets cost 50,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (031) 260-3355 or visit yicf.or.kr.

Adam Lambert

Feb. 17

American singer-songwriter Adam Lambert will hold a concert in Seoul. He debuted in 2009 through TV audition program American Idol. In his first visit to Korea, he will sing such hits as “Whataya Want from Me,” “Time for Miracles,” “Better than I Know Myself,” and “Cuckoo.” Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 119,000 won. For more information, call (02) 407-2589 or visit www.uniqlo-ax.com.

Kim Dong-ryul

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Jan. 17-19

Ballad singer Kim Dong-ryul will hold a concert in Seoul. This is an encore of his nationwide recital of last year. He has released 12 studio albums and 2 live albums since he debuted in 1993. He will sing his hits “An Essay of Memory,” “The Truth in Wine,” “It Was Like That in Those Days,” “The Words of Loving You,” and “Because You Don’t Love Me.” Tickets cost 77,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpack.or.kr.

10cm

Olympic Gymnasium, Olympic Park*

Feb. 23

Acoustic duo 10cm holds a concert to celebrate its second studio album “Fine Thank You and You?” Debuted in 2010, the band won the Best Pop Single at 8th Korean Music Awards in 2011 with a song “Tonight I’m Afraid of the Dark.” Comprised of vocalist Kwon Jung-yeol and guitarlist Yoon Cheol-jong, the group will perform their hits such as “Americano,” “So Nice,” “Hold Me” and “Tonight.” Tickets cost 55,000 to 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-7110 or visit www.interpark.com.

Choi Baek-ho

Blue Square

Jan. 19-20

Veteran singer Choi Baek-ho, having debuted in 1976, last October released 19th studio album “On the Road Again.” He combined jazz, Latin music, tango, and swing in his new album. He will sing his hits such as “Regarding Romantic,” “My Way,” “Father,” “Hey,” “My Mind to Nowhere,” and “Yeongilman Friend.” Located between exit 2 and 3 of Hangangjin Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 80,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 549-5520 or visit www.bluesquare.kr.

Park Wan-kyu

Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*

Vocalist Park Wan-kyu holds a concert in southern Seoul. He debuted in 1997 as a member of rock group Boowhal, and participated in the group’s 5th studio album “Discovery of Fire.” As a soloist, he released four studio albums and many singles. In his concert titled “Rewind,” he will sing songs from Boowhal and his own hit numbers such as “Love Over Thousand Years” and “Alone.” For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit

www.interpark.com.

Plays & Musicals

‘The Promise’

National Theater of Korea

Jan. 9-20

The musical, “The Promise,” sponsored by the Ministry of National Defense, is based on Korean War (1950-1953). The musical is about soldiers who sacrifice themselves for the country. Lee Teuk of K-pop boy band “Super Junior,” actor Ji Hyun-woo, and Kim Moo-yeol will perform as soldiers of the ROK army. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University, subway line 3. Tickets cost 44,000 to 77,000 won. For more information, call 1666-8662 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

‘Assassins’

Doosan Art Center

Through Feb. 3

The musical “Assassins” about American presidential assassinations is on view at Doosan Art Center, central Seoul. It deals with nine presidential assassinations, questioning why they repeatedly happen. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4033 or visit www.doosanartcenter.com.

‘Bring Me My Chariot of Fire’

Jan. 30 - Feb. 3

The play “Bring Me My Chariot of Fire,” written by Korean-Japanese play writer Jung Eui-shin, will go on stage. The play is set in Gyeongseong, an old name of Seoul in the early 20th century, and is about friendship of traveling entertainer Soon-woo (Cha Seung-won) and Naoki (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) who runs night school for poor people. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University, subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

‘Rudolf’

Through Jan. 13

The musical, “Rudolf,” which is based on novel “Nervous Splendor,” deals with the Mayerling incident in 1889. It was composed by Frank Wildhorn. The cast features Ahn Jae-wook, Im Tae-kyung and Park Eun-tae as Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Oak Joo-hyun, Choi Yu-ha and Kim Bo-kyung portray Rudolf’s lover, Mary Vetsera. Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6601 or visit www.musicalrudolf.co.kr.

‘Our Bad Magnet’

Daehangno Art One Theater

Through Jan. 27

A production of Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell’s “Our Bad Magnet,” is underway in Daehangno, central Seoul. The play focuses on four friends who have known each other since the age of 9 in Girvan, Scotland. Now 29-year-old men, Fraser, Paul and Alan reunite, recalling memories of their late friend, Gordon. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 35,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call 1566-7527 or visit interpark.com.

‘Aida’

D-CUBE Arts Center

Through April 28

Inspired by the Verdi opera of the same title, “Aida” won four Tony Awards in 2000. The Korean rendition features Sonya and Cha Ji-yeon as Aida, Jung Sun-ah and Ahn Siha as Princess Amneris of Nubia, a daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt, and Kim Joon-hyun and Choi Soo-hyung as Radames, the Egyptian captain. Celebrated director Kollen Park directs the Korean version to music composed by Sir Elton John. Tickets cost 60,000 to 120,000 won. Located exit 1 of Sindorim Station, subway lines 1 and 2. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit

www.d3art.co.kr.

Dance

‘Dialogue and Sound’

Arko Arts Theater

Jan. 8-9

Jung Ji-yoon Dance Theatre Company will hold contemporary dance performance “Dialogue & Sound” in Seoul. In this performance, choreographer Jung Ji-yoon focuses on our conversation that can hurt each other or share the joy. Located near exit 2 of Hyewha Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 15,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6405-5700 or visit www.hanpac.or.kr.