Around Town 1

Hilary Hhan

Seoul Arts Center*

Jan. 20, 2015

Grammy-winning American violinist Hilary Hhan will hold a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Jan. 20, next year. She will play R. Schumann’s “Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105,” C. Debussy’s “Violin Sonata in G minor, L. 140” and J. S. Bach’s “Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E Major.” Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-2512 or visit www.mastmedia.co.kr.

Sumi Jo

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Dec. 30

Soprano Sumi Jo will hold a year-end concert with cellist Yang Sung-won, tenor Yoon Young-seok, pipe organist Shin Dong-il and violinist Anna Fedorova at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Dec. 30. The program includes Camile Saint-Saens’s “Le Cygne,” Bart Howard’s “Fly Me to the Moon” and J. S. Bach’s “Toccata e Fuga in D minor BWV 585.” Tickets cost 40,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

‘The Bat’

Dec. 11 to 14

Korean rendition of opera “The Bat” will be staged by the Korea National Opera at the Seoul Arts Center from Dec. 11 to 14. / Courtesy of The Korea National Opera

The Korea National Opera company will stage Korean rendition of Johann Strauss II’s operetta, “The Bat” at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Dec. 11 to 14, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit www.nationalopera.org.

‘The Little Singers of Paris'

Dec. 19-20

World-famous French boys' choir "The Little Singers of Paris" will perform at Seoul Arts Center from Dec. 19 through 20. They will sing some well-known classical music, Sanctus, musical scores, French chansons and Christmas carols. Tickets costs range from 33,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 523-5391 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Chung Myung-whun

Dec. 27

Renowned conductor Chung Myung-whun will hold his very first piano recital at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27. He will play scores from his newly released album "Piano," which includes Debussy's "Clair de Lune," Chopin's "Nocturne in D Flat Major," Schumann's "Arabeske" and Mozart's "Twelve Variations on ‘Ah, Vous Dirai-Je, Maman,' K. 265." Tickets cost 44,000 to 132,000 won. For more information , call (032) 433-4595 or visit

www.sac.or.kr

.

‘2014 Christmas Concert ­ Yuhki Kuramoto and Friends'

Dec. 25

Japanese pianist Yuhki Kuramoto will hold christmas concert at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 25. / Courtesy of Credia

Beloved Japanese pianist and composer Yuhki Kuramoto will hold a Christmas concert with violist Richard Yong-jae O'neill and the DITTO Orchestra led by conductor Adriel Kim at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Dec. 25. They will play Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty Op. 66 ­ Waltz," "Le Grand Tango" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Tickets cost 30,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Seo Tai-ji

Olympic Park*

Dec. 30-31

Iconic K-pop star Seo Tai-ji will hold a year-end concert at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul on Dec. 30 and 31. The 42-year-old artist will sing songs included in his latest studio album “Quiet Night.” Tickets cost 143,000. For more information, call 1588-1407 or visit www.wellmadestarm.com.

Eric Benet & Ailee

Dec. 13

American R&B vocalist Eric Benet will hold a collaborative concert with K-pop singer Ailee at the Olympic Park on Dec. 13. / Courtesy of Private Curve

American R&B singer Eric Benet and K-pop diva Ailee will perform together at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul on Dec. 13. The two will sing their duet song their duet song, “Almost Paradise.” Tickets cost 99,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-0595 or visit www.privatecurve.com.

‘Collecting Asian Objects in Colonial Korea'

National Museum of Korea

Through Jan. 11, 2015

The National Museum of Korea features some 200 artifacts of Asian countries that the Museum of Japanese Government-General of Korea collected when Korea was under Japanese rule for 35 years from 1910-1945 through Jan. 11, next year. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4 or Jungang line. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9553 or visit www.musuem.go.kr.

‘Appenzeller's Company'

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum

Open Run

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum, which opened in 2008 in a 100-year-old Western-style building, designated as Seoul Monument No. 16, holds a special exhibition celebrating its 6th anniversary of opening. The exhibition features photos, books and various objects from the late 19th to early 20th century of Joseon Kingdom era (1392-1910). Located near exit 10 of City Hall station on subway line 2. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 319-5578 or visit appenzeller.pcu.ac.kr.

‘2014 Soundberry Christmas’

63 Convention Center

Dec. 24 to 25

An annual “Soundberry Christmas” concert, featuring prominent local artists including Daybreak, Vanilla Acoustic, Dear Cloud, and Lalasweet, will be held at 63 Convention Center on Dec. 24 and 25. Located near exit 1 of Yeouinaru Station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 66,000 for one day and 99,000 won for two days. For more information, call 1544-1813 or visit www.facebook.com/soundberryfesta.

10cm

Dec. 26-30

Acoustic duo 10cm will hold a solo concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from Dec. 26 to 30, promoting their newly released third album, "3.0." Tickets cost 77,000. For more information, call (02) 563-0595 or visit www.privatecurve.com.

Sweet Sorrow

Ewha Womans University Welch-Ryang Auditorium

Dec. 20-25

Iconic ballad vocal quartet Sweet Sorrow will hold a solo concert titled "Happy End" at the Welch-Ryang Auditorium of Ewha Womans University from Dec. 20 through 25. Located near exit 3 of Ewha Womans Univ. Station on subway line 2. Tickets cost 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit music.its-new.co.kr.

‘Winter Days'

Konkuk University New Millennium Hall

Dec. 20

Indie band Acoustic Collabo, singers Zitten and Kim Ji-su will perform together at the New Millennium Hall in Konkuk University on Dec. 20. Located near exit 2 of Konkuk University Station on subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 to 88,000. For more information, call (02) 473-8235 or visit www.facebook.com/pnstree.

‘Jazz Christmas'

Dec. 21

American pianist Ronn Branton will hold an annual holiday jazz concert with his fellow musicians including saxophonist Richard Rho and bassist Ryan Mcgillicuddy at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 21. They will play classic Christmas carols such as "Christmas Time is Here," "The Christmas Song" and "Jingle Bells." Tickets cost 35,000 to 55,000. For more information, call (02) 888-2698 or visit www.musicalpark.com.

Park Hyo-shin

Dec. 13-14

Veteran R&B singer Park Hyo-shin will perform at the Olympic Park on Dec. 13 and 14, celebrating the 15th anniversary of his debut. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 55,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit www.cjenm.com.

‘Jekyll & Hyde'

Blue Square

Through Apr. 5

A Korean production of a musical thriller based on the novel "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson will be staged at Blue Square through Apr. 5 in 2015, celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Korean stage. Renowned actor-turned-musical singer Jo Seung-woo will star as Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. Composer Frank Wildhorn's original musical scores will be played. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.odmusical.com.

‘All Shook Up'

Hongik Art Center

Through Feb. 1

Musical "All Shook Up" will be staged at Hongik Art Center in northern Seoul through Feb. 1. Numerous songs of legendary rock & roll singer Elvis Presley, from "C'mon Everybody" to "Love Me Tender," are included in the musical score. Singer Son Ho-young stars as Elvis. Located near exit 2 of Jongno 5-ga Station on subway line 1. Tickets cost 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1566-1823 or vist www.hongikartcenter.com.

‘Great Expectations'

Myeongdong Theater

Dec. 3 to 28

The stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations" will be staged at the Myeongdong Theater in central Seoul from Dec. 3 to 28. English subtitles will be provided on Dec. 13 and 27. Located near exit 6 of Euljiro 1-ga station on subway line 2. Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000. For more information, call 1644-2003 or visit www.mdtheater.or.kr.

‘Cats'

Incheon Culture & Arts Center

Dec. 12-14

The original cast of Broadway hit musical "Cats" will perform at the Incheon Culture & Arts Center in Incheon, west of Seoul from Dec. 12 to 14. Located near exit 6 of Arts Center station on Incheon subway line. Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0766 or visit www.seolcompany.com.

‘La Cage Aux Folles'

LG Arts Center*

Dec. 9-Jan. 11, 2015

"La Cage Aux Folles," a Broadway hit musical comes to the Korean stage at the LG Arts Center from Dec. 9 to Jan. 11, next year. Based on Jean Poiret's play of the same title, the musical revolves around Albin and Georges, the gay couple and singers of the club, La Cage Aux Folles, and their beloved son Jean-Michel, who brings his fiance and her ultra-conservative parents. Musical actor Chung Sung-hwa will star as Albin. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1666-8662 or visit www.lacage.co.kr.

‘Marie Antoinette'

Charlotte Theater

Through Feb. 1, 2015

The Korean rendition of the musical "Marie Antoinette" will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul from Nov. 11 to Feb. 1 next year. Based on the novel "Queen Marie Antoinette" by Shusaku Endo, the musical portrays the dramatic and scandalous life of the last queen of France. Singer-turned-musical actress Oak Joo-hyun will star as Antoinette. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil station on subway line 2 and 8. Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-6478 or visit www.charlottetheater.co.kr.

‘The Nutcracker'

Universal Arts Center

Dec. 19-31

The Universal Ballet Company will bring Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" to the stage at the Universal Arts Center from Dec. 19 to 31. The story revolves around a young girl Clara and a nutcracker, who magically turns into prince on Christmas Eve. Located near exit 4 of Achasan station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7124-1737 or visit www.universalballet.com.

‘Swan Lake'

Sejong Center for Performing Arts*

The Russia Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will perform Tchaikovsky's romantic ballet "Swan Lake" at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts from Dec. 12 to 14. Based on the Russian folk tales, "Swan Lake" portrays story of Odette, a princess who has been put under a curse that can only be broken by her true love. Tickets cost 50,000 to 300,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2650-7922 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.