AROUND TOWN 1

‘Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra'

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Dec. 22

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a joint concert on Dec. 22 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the two celebrated orchestras will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, ‘Choral' op. 125 under the baton of Jung Myeong-hoon.

The hall is close to exit 1 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

‘Beethoven's Choral Symphony'

Seoul Arts Center

Dec. 27

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27.

The orchestra will play Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 “Choral” by Beethoven, based on the poem by Friedrich Schiller that prays for the harmony of people around the world. The score of ‘Choral' has been recorded in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Chung Myung-whun will conduct the orchestra. Soprano Hong Ju-young, mezzo soprano Paik Jae-eun, tenor Kim Charles and bass Park Jong-min will perform.

Tickets cost 10,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1588-1210.

‘Richard Yongjae O'Neill Viola Recital'

Jaeneung Culture Center

Dec. 30

Grammy-nominated violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill will perform at Jaeneung Culture Center on Dec. 30. / Courtesy of Jaeneung Culture Center

Grammy-nominated violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill will stage a concert at Jaeneung Culture Center on Dec. 30.

O'Neill has accompanied orchestras around the world, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, LA Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Seven solo albums and one best of album have been released. O'Neill appeared on TV for founding and conducting an orchestra comprised of children of marriage migrants.

Tickets cost 80,000 won. The venue is close to exit 5 of Hansung University Station, subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2138-7373 or visit www.jeijcc.org.

Boohwal

Grand Hilton Seoul Convention Center

Boohwal will hold a 30th anniversary concert on Dec. 27 at the Grand Hilton Seoul Convention Center.

Debuting in 1985, Boohwal is a rock band comprised of four members, and has released 13 albums. Led by guitarist Kim Tae-won, the band went through several lineup changes. Kim Jong-seo, Park Wan-gyu and Lee Seung-chul, now considered to be the top male vocalists, were once members of Boohwal. Some of their hits are "Heeya," "The More I Love," "Rain and Your Story" and "Never-Ending Story."

Former vocalists will collaborate with current Boohwal members this time. Kim Tae-won will talk about the history and unrevealed stories of the band as well.

The center is close to exit 1 of Hongje Station, subway line 3. Ticket prices range from 88,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 515-1217.

Soilwork

West Bridge Live Hall

Feb. 26, 2016

Legendary Swedish rock bank Soilwork will hold a concert in Korea at West Bridge Live Hall on Feb. 26, 2016.

Following their first visit to Korea in 2003 during the Busan International Rock Festival, the band will have their first solo concert in Korea. Led by vocalist Bjorn “Speed” Strid, Soilwork consists of six members. Their albums such as “Figure Number Five” and “Natural Born Chaos” drove the band into stardom in the early 2000s.

Ego-fall, a Mongol-based Oriental metal band who performed at the Busan International Rock Festival in 2015, will appear as a special guest at the concert.

The venue is close to exit 8 of Hongik University Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 716-7977.

Noel

Jangchung Gymnasium

Dec. 23-24

Ballad vocalist group Noel will have a Christmas concert on Dec. 23 and 24 at Jangchung Gymnasium.

Noel is comprised of four members. Some of their hits are "Propose," "I Miss You," "Things that I Couldn't Say," and "If it's Love." Kang Gyun-sung, a member of the group, has appeared on multiple TV programs.

The hall is close to exit 5 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Ticket price ranges from 66,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 579-0229.

Nell

Jamsil Students' Gymnasium

Dec. 24

Nell will hold a concert on Dec. 24 at Jamsil Students' Gymnasium.

Debuting in 2001, Nell is a male modern rock band composed of four members.

They have been referred to as a "Korean-style Brit Pop band" since their debut. The band has released six regular albums. Nell received the Golden Disk Awards in 2008, which is one of Korea's most prestigious music awards.

The hall is located near exit 8 of Sports Complex Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Kim Ga-on and Woongsan

Dream Forest Art Center

Dec. 26

Jazz pianist Kim Ga-on will perform with Woongsan at the Dream Forest Art Center on Dec. 26.

After graduating from the Department of Composition Studies, Kim Ga-on studied Jazz at Berklee College of Music and NYU. He started performing in Korea from 2008. Woongsan is a jazz vocalist who mainly performs in Korea and Japan. She received the Best Jazz & Crossover Album Award at the Korea Popular Music Awards in 2008 and Jazz Criticism’s Jazz Disc Grand Prize award in 2011.

The venue is close to exit 2 of Miasageori Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 18,000 won. For more information, visit www.dfac.or.kr or call (02)2289-5401.

Hi-Lite Records

AX-Korea

Hi-Lite Records, one of Korea's hip-hop labels, will have a family concert on Dec. 27 at AX-Korea.

HI-Lite Records was founded in 2010 by Paloalto. The label carries rappers and DJs including B-Free, Huckleberry P, Soul Fish and Okasion. Under the slogan of "My Life So Bright," each members of the label has been actively performing. In 2013, the compilation album "Hi-Life" was released. The label merged with CJ E&M in October 2015.

The hall is near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5 and exit 2 of Gangbyeon Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 55,000 in advance and 60,000 at the door. For more information, call (02) 6092-3711.

Coffee Boy

Ilchi Art Hall

Dec. 19-31

Coffee Boy will hold a concert at the Ilchi Art Hall from Dec. 19-31.

Debuting in 2010, Coffee Boy is a male ballad singer-songwriter renowned for his lyrical music. His hits are "It's Enough," "I Will Be on Your Side" and "Can I Get Married."

The hall is close to exit 4 of Apgujeongrodeo Station, Bundang Line, and exit 4 of Gangnam-gu Office Station, subway line 7 and the Bundang Line. Tickets cost 44,000 won. For more information, call (031)969-9192.

Park Jung-hyun and Fly to the Sky

Kyung Hee University Hall of Peace

Dec. 29-31

Park Jung-hyun and Fly to the Sky will have a joint concert at Kyung Hee University Hall of Peace from Dec. 29-31.

Since her debut in 1998, Park has been beloved for her distinctive voice. She is an R&B vocalist with hits such as "In a Dream," "My Day" and "P.S. I Love You." Park showed up in the reality audition TV show "I am a Singer." Fly to the Sky is a male R&B vocalist duo. The group made its debut in 1999 and released albums that cross diverse genres beyond R&B.

The hall is close to exit 1 of Hoegi Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 88,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

‘Muhan Dongryeok'

Daehangno TOM Theatre 1

Through Jan. 3, 2016

The musical “Muhan Dongryeok” will be staged until Jan. 3 at Daehangno TOM Theater 1. / Courtesy of Marketing Company Achime

The musical "Muhan Dongryeok" will be performed until Jan. 3, 2016 at Daehangno TOM Theatre 1.

The story is about young and discouraged 20-year-olds, such as Jang Seon-jae who can't get a job, Kim Sol who has only maintained herself with part-time jobs over four years, and Jin Ki-han who pretends to prepare for the civil servant bar exam but in reality is addicted to computer games.

They live in a common rent house, where they become close. The musical is a remake version of the web cartoon "Muhan Dongryeok" by Joo Ho-min. The theater is located near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

‘A Dwarf Who Loved Snow White'

KT&G Sangsang Art Hall

"A Dwarf Who Loved Snow White" will be staged until Jan. 3, 2016 at KT&G Sangsang Art Hall.

The musical has been staged over 3,000 times in 135 performing centers and is praised as "a fairy tale for adults." It depicts the story of Snow White and the youngest dwarf "Ban-dal," who has crush on Snow White but does not want to confess his love to her.

The hall is close to exit 2 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or (02) 556-5910.

‘Chicago the Musical'

D Cube Art Center

Through Feb. 6, 2016

"Chicago the Musical" will be performed until Feb. 6, 2016, at the D-Cube Art Center.

The musical has been performed in more than 34 countries over 19 years, becoming the second-longest-running performance on Broadway in 2014. The cast includes famous Korean stars IVY, Cho Jeong-won, Lee Jong-hyeok and Sung Gi-yun.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

‘Don't Sigh'

Daehangno Arts Theater

Dec. 26-27

The dance performance “Don’t Sigh” will be performed at Daehangno Arts Theater on Dec. 26-27. / Courtesy of PDPC

This is the first special performance by Physical Design Performance Company. It uses dance to portray the psychological purification process of breathing. People inhale and exhale in different ways in different situations. When someone is in a difficult situation, he or she breathes deeply. The performance was motivated from the complex feelings behind a sigh.

The theater is near exit 1 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call 010-9145-4354.

Club Octagon

Nonhyeon

Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The club offers a stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.

Club Globe Lounge

Itaewon

Club Globe Lounge is famous among women looking for a place to throw birthday parties or enjoy a light dinner. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., it serves as a bar, changing into a club after 10 p.m. Every Thursday, Club Globe Lounge has a Happy Hour buffet for guests. Club Globe Lounge is located near the Hamilton Hotel by exit 2 of Itaewon Station, subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127 or visit globeloungekr.com.

Club Evans

Hongik University

Club Evans is a live jazz club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It operates jazz recording studios and a jazz academy as well, producing albums for many local jazz artists. Club Evans provides jazz concerts and leads music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station, subway line 6. It opens at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (02) 337-8361 or visit

www.clubevans.com.

Once in a Blue Moon

Apgujeong

Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best-known and well-established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong Intersection and Galleria Department Store in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit

www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.

Club Answer

Cheongdam

Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides a spacious interior and brilliant lighting system with entertaining DJs on stage nightly. Club Answer is in the classy area of Cheongdam, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. It is located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311 or visit

www.clubanswer.co.kr.

Club Double Eight

Sinsa

Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to its heights. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. It is located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803 or visit cafe.naver.com/doubleeight.