Around Town 1
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‘King Jumong'
Seoul Arts Center*
June 6-7
The Korea National Opera will hold a production of "King Jumong" at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on June 6-7. Written and composed by Park Young-keun and the first piece of the New Year for the eminent opera company, "King Jumong" tells the story of the enigmatic and mystical figure of King Jumong, and his arduous path towards becoming the founder of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo as he is known today. Born from the brief yet passionate union of Yu-hwa, daughter of the river god Habaek, and Haemosu of Buyeo, Jumong grew up in the palace of King Geumwa, masquerading as a commoner to escape the resentful hatred of Geumwa's eldest son. Once he discovers an insidious plot to murder him, Jumong flees to Jolbon to hatch a plan to establish a new kingship, leaving behind his beloved family and setting in motion the beginning of the legend of King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo. In this rendition, the role of Jumong will be played by Woo Ju-ho. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5282 or visit
Pavel Haas Quartet
LG Arts Center
June 16
The Pavel Haas Quartet, a Czech string quartet founded in 2002, will hold a concert at the LG Arts Center on June 16. The quartet derives its name from the Czech composer whose life and work was brutally cut short when he became one of the countless casualties of the Holocaust during the Second World War. While the inspiration of the group's name may seem dour, their accomplishments nonetheless pay great homage to the renowned composers of the past. Since winning the prestigious Paolo Borciani Competition in Italy in 2005, the Pavel Haas Quartet has enjoyed more than its fair share of fame, fortune, and accolades, even garnering the most coveted award of Recording of the Year at the 2011 Gramophone Awards. For this particular performance, the quartet will play Schulhoff's "String Quartet No.1," Dvorak's "String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96, American," and end with Janacek's "String Quartet No. 2, Intimate Letters." Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information call (02) 2005-0114 or visit
‘On the Road’
Olympic Stadium*
July 12
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2Cellos, a rising Croatian cello duo, will be holding their very first concert in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on July 12. / Courtesy of Geni Contents
2Cellos, a rising Croatian cello duo, will be holding their very first concert in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on July 12. Comprised of friends and former musical rivals Luka Sullic and Stjepan Hauser, 2Cellos gained global attention in 2011, when their instrumental cover of Michael Jackson’s legendary hit, “Smooth Criminal” went viral on YouTube, garnering more than three million views in the first two weeks. Since then, the pair has toured the world, released three albums, and appeared on notable television talk shows and series. Ticket prices range from 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 568-8831 or visit blog.naver.com/genicontents.
Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra
July 2
The Russian National Orchestra will hold a concert under the astute baton of Mikhail Pletnev at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on July 2. The orchestra has risen in both acclaim and popularity with the wider public since its thunderous premiere in 1990. Its accomplished conductor, Mikhail Pletnev, is no stranger to such critical adulation either, for he has led a starry career as a concert pianist prior to his current position, beginning with his win at the Tchaikovsky Competition at the age of 21. The orchestra will perform Glinka's "Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture," Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in b flat minor, Op. 23," and Rachmaninoff's "Symphony No. 2 in e minor, Op. 27." Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-6234 or visit
‘Adriana Lecouvreur'
May 29-31
The Nuova Opera Company will stage a production of "Adriana Lecouvreur," a four-act opera by Italian composer Francesco Cilea, at the Seoul Arts Center from May 29 to 31 as part of the official lineup in the 6th Korea Opera Festival. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 581-5404 or visit
Johannes Moser and William Youn Duo Concert
June 5
German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser and Korean pianist William Youn will hold a joint concert at the Seoul Arts Center on June 5. Johannes Moser has performed with the world's leading orchestras, delighting audiences across the globe with his deft ability to expand the reach of the classical genre, often languishing within the stuffy confines of tradition. As a young and relatively established artist, Moser is also heavily involved in various outreach programs geared towards young classical enthusiasts, from kindergarten onwards. For his part, William Youn has also been featured extensively in concertos with preeminent world orchestras, and frequently performs on the fortepiano at classical festivals. The two will collaborate on J. Brahms' "Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38" and D. Shostakovich's "Cello and Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 40." Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-5142 or visit
‘Paik Kun-woo & Die Dresdner Philharmonie'
June 26-27
The Dresdner Philharmonie, conducted by Michael Sanderling, a German violoncellist and the philharmonic's baton wielder since 2011, will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center featuring Korean pianist virtuoso Paik Kun-woo from June 26 to 27. Like most respected orchestras, the Dresdner Philharmonie, an ensemble based in Dresden, Germany, boasts a long and fabled history; it was established in 1870. Since its first concert in November of its founding year, the Dresdner Philharmonie has mesmerized audiences worldwide with their sonorous renditions of Brahms and Beethoven. Paik Kun-woo, for his part, has not done too shabby a job as a heavy hitter in his field. Since his electrifying debut at the tender age of ten with the Korean National Orchestra, Paik has performed worldwide with some of the most well-regarded orchestras across the globe, in addition to accumulating multiple awards along the way that attest to his brilliance. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 240,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.
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‘Lucky Day'
Jamsil Stadium
June 13
Insooni, Korea's original and indisputable ‘Queen of Soul' or ‘R&B Diva,' will be holding a concert at Jamsil Stadium on June 13. As one of Korea's foremost and most established musical talents, Insooni, with her rich, throaty voice, and larger-than-life personality both on and off stage, has achieved so much in the Korean music industry, both great and small; her accomplishments run the gamut of winning first place on MBC's crowd-pleaser program I am a Singer to performing at Carnegie Hall in 2010. In addition to her resonant vocals, her tenacity in overcoming the manifold challenges she has faced over the years for her multiethnic background and attaining her present-day fame and fortune through her own hard work has surely raised her esteem in the eyes of the public. She will be performing, among other songs, several of her almost canonical tunes, such as "If It's the Night, Every Night," "Friend," and "A Goose's Dream." Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1599-4290 or visit www.skplanet.com.
IdinaMenzel
May 30
IdinaMenzel, the American Broadway superstar, will be holding her first concert in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on May 30. Menzel, or Adele Dazeem, as she has forever become consecrated in popular culture, first rose to prominence with the role of Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist with a penchant for complicating her love life, in "Rent," then became more widely known to mainstream audiences with a spectacular turn as Elphaba, the misunderstood witch who later becomes notoriously known as the Wicked Witch of the West, in "Wicked." Of course, one would be remiss in neglecting to mention "Frozen" when talking about Menzel's renewed popularity, given that "Let it Go," the runaway hit of the aforementioned animated film, has catapulted her name to new heights. Fans can rest assured that among the songs Menzel will perform will be many of her Broadway and Disney hits. Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 552-2505 or visit senakorea.com.
Pharrell Williams
Aug. 14
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Pharrell Williams, the genius behind the numerous hit singles from the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Madonna, will be performing for the very first time in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on August 14. / Courtesy of All Access
Pharrell Williams, the genius behind numerous hit singles from the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Madonna, will be performing for the very first time in Korea at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 14. Over his twenty-year career in the music industry, Pharrell has truly earned his title as a musical polymath: he is a singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and even works as a fashion designer in his spare time. In the earlier part of his career, he often acted as the behind-the-scenes engineer of the aforementioned hits, but in recent years, Pharrell has come into his own with global chart-toppers “Blurred Lines in 2013” and “Happy” the following year, and his momentum has yet to stop. Ticket prices range from 99,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.allaccess.co.kr.
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‘Polish Art: An Enduring Spirit’
The National Museum of Korea
June 5-Aug. 30
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“Stefan Batory at Pskow” by Jan Matejko will be on display at the National Museum of Korea from June 5 to Aug. 30. / Courtesy of The National Museum of Korea
In collaboration with the National Museum in Warsaw, the National Museum of Korea will be holding a special exhibition, “Polish Art: An Enduring Spirit,” from June 5 to Aug. 30. This exhibition will be the first of its kind on Korean shores, with its primary objective being to introduce the artistic traditions and rich history of a country whose influence in shaping the European aesthetic identity is indisputable, but whose contributions have long since faded into the background. Thus, through the more than 200 pieces sourced from 17 different institutions that will be on display, visitors will have the invaluable opportunity to essentially ‘rediscover’ the veiled essence of Polish art. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9483 or visit www.museum.go.kr.
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‘I Am You Are Me'
BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall
June 12-21
Korean-American singer Park Jung-hyun, or Lena Park will be holding concerts at the BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall from June 12 to 21 as part of her first domestic tour of the year. With her distinctively clear voice and astounding vocal range, Park has over the years rightfully earned her place among the top echelons of the Korean, and arguably global music industry. While she has maintained an active presence within her field, releasing successful and widely enjoyed singles and studio albums, it was arguably after her victorious stint on the first season of the immensely popular Korean singing competition program I am a Singer that she was able to attain her goddess-like status. Ardent fans can rest assured that they will be hearing a variety of Park's songs, from past hits such as "In a Dream," "P.S. I Love You" and "Thank You," in addition to new material from her most recent album. Ticket prices range from 99,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit www.cjenm.co.kr.
‘Summer Madness 2015: The Strings’
Woori Financial Art Hall
July 4-5
Daybreak, the darling of Korea’s indie rock music scene, will be holding a concert at Woori Financial Art Hall from July 4 to 5. Since their debut in 2007, the group, which is comprised of lead singer Lee Won-seok, guitarist Jung Yoo-jang, bassist Kim Sun-il, and Kim Jang-won on keyboards, have achieved a great deal of fame outside the mainstream. The quartet will perform many of their most beloved tracks, such as “Love Actually.” Ticket prices range from 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555.
‘No Problem!’
Baekam Art Hall
The Solutions, a Korean pop band, will be holding a concert at Baekam Art Hall on June 13. The four-man band, consisting of Park Sol on lead vocals, Naru on the guitar, Kwon Oh-kyung on the bass, and Park Han-sol on the drums, was formed in 2012, receiving a thunderous reception. In spite of their relative inexperience, The Solutions have been touted as the future of pop music in Korea, thanks to their mellifluous fusion of different musical inspirations and sounds, such as late 1990s Britpop and arguably grating yet addictively bubbly music of Japanese pop. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.bandthesolutions.com.
Sugarbowl
YES24 Muv Hall
Sugarbowl, an indie rock band fronted by male vocalist Ko Chang-in, will be holding a concert at YES24 Muv Hall on June 13. With a repertoire of romantic love songs and understatedly affecting lyrics, it's no wonder that Sugarbowl has become a renegade hit with the 20-year-old female demographic. While not necessarily as lionized as their ‘idol' counterparts in the Korean music scene, their polished songwriting abilities and overall high level of musical quality demonstrate the emergence of a market for non-syrupy, more innovative music in Korea. Among the many songs they will be performing is their smash hit, "Love Pieces." Tickets cost 44,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3678-2864 or visit www.facebook.com/sugarbowlpage.
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‘Jesus Christ Superstar'
Charlotte Theater
June 12-28
The Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul will be staging a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" from June 12 to 28. Written by the prolific duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the rock opera was first performed on Broadway in 1971 to a surprisingly lukewarm response, with some religious groups censuring the production teams and writers for their interpretation of Jesus's sacrifice. In spite of its ecclesiastical subject matter and thematic elements, "Jesus Christ Superstar" has grown to become a fan favorite to this day with its tongue-in-cheek treatment of such a loaded story, as well as pop culture references and colloquial language scattered throughout the piece. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus's life and his penultimate crucifixion, "Jesus Christ Superstar" focuses on the political, ideological, and interpersonal rivalry between Jesus and Judas Iscariot, whose name in the modern context is evocative of cold-blooded betrayal. Michael Lee and Park Eun-tae will star as Jesus, while the role of his wily opponent, Judas, will be assumed by Choi Jae-rim, Yoon Hyeong-ryeol, and Han Ji-sang, respectively. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-3363 or visit www.clipservice.co.kr.
‘The Goddess is Watching’
Uniplex
June 20-Nov. 11
Uniplex on Daehak-ro will be staging a production of “The Goddess is Watching” from June 20 to Nov. 11. First performed in January 2013, “The Goddess is Watching” was a renegade hit, winning the Script Prize at the 2013 Korean Musical Awards. It is set during the tumultuous years of the Korean War, and centers on six, fresh-faced South and North Korean soldiers stranded together on an uninhabited island. To take their minds off their parched throats and grumbling stomachs, they talk about their deepest wishes and aspirations for the future, striking a common chord for their surprisingly similar desires. Moreover, in order to soothe the frayed nerves of one particularly traumatized soldier, the other comrades conjure up a fictional goddess and guardian angel to look over them as they attempt to survive and leave the inhospitable island. Ticket prices range from 44,000 to 66,000 won. For more information, call (02) 766-2115 or visit www.uniplex.co.kr.
‘Death Note’
Seongnam Arts Center
June 20-Aug. 9
A production of “Death Note” will be staged at the Seongnam Arts Center from June 20 to Aug. 9. Adapted from the colossally popular Japanese manga series of the same name, “Death Note” revolves around Light Yagami, a bored yet highly intelligent teenager who stumbles upon a supernatural notebook that grants its owner the ability to kill anyone whose name and face he or she knows. Armed with such a formidable weapon, Light proceeds to ‘cleanse the world of all evil’ and exterminates every individual whom he deems to be unfit for his ultimate plan for a ‘new world,’ free from evil and darkness. The inexplicable series of deaths of criminals soon piques the interest of L, an enigmatic and incredibly skilled international investigator who is lured by Light into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game. Ticket prices range from 90,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-3663 or visit www.clipservice.co.kr.
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‘Swan Lake'
June 24-28
The Korean National Ballet led by renowned director Kang Sue-jin will stage Tchaikovsky's classical ballet ‘Swan Lake' at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from June 24 to 28. The story, spanning four acts, tells the story of a princess, Odette, who turns into a swan following a devil's curse. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit
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