Around Town 1

‘Do You Like Brahms?’

Olympus Hall

Through Apr. 21

Following the success from Olympus Lecture Concert Season 1, a second season is being performed with the music of Brahms. The Musikamia ensemble will lead all the performances until the last one on April, featuring its vocalists and piano section. The ensemble aims to express the sense of purity in their performance, which Brahms always pursued within his music.

Brahms composed a number of pieces for piano, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestra, and for vocal and chorus — many of his works have become staples of modern repertoires. Though his music is firmly rooted in the structures of the Baroque and classical masters, Brahms created a new approach to harmony.

The ‘Do You Like Brahms’ concert will alternate themes each week, presenting a wide variety of his works.

Admission is 33,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6255-3270.

‘SAC 11am Concert’

Seoul Arts Center*

Through Dec. 8

“SAC 11am Concert” will be held once a month throughout 2016 at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Center

On every 2nd Thursdays of each month, an “11am Concert” will be staged at Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host performances with commentaries. Coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will be performing in all concerts.

Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra

Seongnam Arts Center*

Jan. 20

The Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gum Nan-se will hold a New Year’s Special Concert at Seongnam Arts Center.

The performance features Beethoven’s “Fantasia” for Piano, Choral and Orchestra, along with Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Stravinsky’s “Appearance of Kastchei’s Monster Guardians” and “Disappearance of Kastchei’s Palace and Magical Creations.”

Tickets cost 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Jan. 28-29

Italian conductor Riccardo Muti with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will visit Korea for concerts at Seoul Arts Center on Jan. 28 and 29.

On Jan. 28, the performance will consist of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 “Titan.” On the next day, Muti and the Orchestra will present Prokofiev’s Symphony No.1, Hindemith’s “Concert Music for String Orchestra and Brass” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4.

Tickets cost 70,000 to 360,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Rebecca’

Through Mar. 6

“Rebecca” is a musical based on the classic Daphne du Maurier novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s Oscar-winning film of love and obsession.

In this romantic thriller, the story revolves around “I.” Maxim de Winter brings his new wife “I” home in Manderley and introduces her to the manipulative housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. Thinking that the new woman is an unworthy replacement for Maxim’s first wife Rebecca, she constantly harasses “I.” It soon becomes apparent that Manderley is a house of devastating secrets, and the mystery of Rebecca may be the greatest of them all.

Casts from previous productions, Um Ki-joon, Shin Young-sook and Kim Bo-kyung, perform in 2016 “Rebecca,” along with new faces, Song Chang-eui, Song Sang-eun.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-6478 or visit musicalrebecca.co.kr.

Yim Jae-beom

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Feb. 13-14

Yim Jae-beom is holding two 30th anniversary concerts at the Sejong Center on Feb. 13 and 14 under the title, “After the Sunset: White Night.” His last concert was in 2013. As the legendary vocalist has put in two-and-a-half years of preparation for his 30th anniversary, it is expected to be one of his better concerts.

Breaking a long break after the collaboration album with Ali in 2011 and his concert in 2013, he will perform all-time favorites, “For You,” “Pain” and “Confession.”

Tickets cost 88,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

‘VOKAL’

Blue Square Samsung Card Hall

Jan. 22-23

Ok Joo-hyun will celebrate her 10th anniversary with two concerts in Seoul. She plans to perform popular numbers from multiple musicals she starred in, with a full orchestra backing her.

This anniversary program puts emphasis on “vocal” itself with the title “VOKAL” using her name, “Ok.”

Tickets cost 90,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 515-0314 or visit www.interpark.com.

Shin Hye-sung

Feb. 20-Mar. 13

While being a part of famous boy band Sinhwa, Shin successfully debuted as a solo vocalist in 2005. This year, he will release a 10th anniversary album, “Delight” on Jan. 12, and will hold concerts titled “Weekly Delight” for a month on weekends, starting on Feb. 20.

Admission is 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8380 or visit www.interpark.com.

‘Chicago the Musical’

D Cube Art Center

Through Feb. 6

“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.

‘The Orchestra Pit’

LG Arts Center*

Through Feb. 28

An orchestra pit is the area in theater in which instrumentalists perform. ‘The Orchestra Pit’ is a musical depicting what happens there, showing an array of crazy incidents. Derived from Mitani Kouki’s “Okepi,” the Korean version stars Hwang Jung-min and Oh Man-seok in the main role of conductor, along with actors, Seo bum-seok, Yoon Gong-ju, and Park Hye-na.

Performances last until Februrary 28 at the LG Arts Center.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For further information, call (02) 6925-5600 or visit www.lgart.com.

‘Troops on the Tree’

Seoul Arts Center

Inoue Hisasi and Hori Rhyta’s “Troops on the Tree” will be staged in Korea. / Courtesy of The Best Plays Inc.

A Japanese play ‘Troops on the Tree’ is having its Korean premiere at Seoul Arts Center. This theatrical work centers on the life of soldiers, dealing with killing others during a war. Inoue Hisasi, who is often called the Japanese Shakespeare and Hori Ryuta wrote the original play directed by Kurimaya Tamiya, which was well received in Japan. In Korea, Kang ryang-won directs the show.

Tickets cost 35,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 766-6007.

‘Frankenstein’

Chungmu Art Hall

Through Mar. 20

The 2016 version of ‘Frankenstein’ will be held at Chungmu Art Hall until March. It is one of the world’s most recognized horror musical productions, following the tale of Victor Frankenstein. The show is designed dark and grim as it depicts Victor’s tragedies of being destroyed and reborn as a monstrous creature.

Yu Jun-sang who played Victor Frankenstein in the original Korean premiere is back on the role this year. Park Gun-hyung, Han Ji-sang, and Park Eun-tae also star.

“Frankenstein” is to be performed daily except on Mondays. Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1666-8662 or visit www.cmah.or.kr.

‘Dracula’

Sejong Grand Theater

Jan. 23-Feb. 9

“Dracula,” a thrilling drama of suspense and Gothic romance will be presented at Sejong Grand Theater from Jan. 23 to Feb. 9. The performance will feature Kim Junsu as Dracula, alternating with Park Eun-suk. Im Hye-young and Kang Hong-suk will each play Mina Murray and Van Helsing.

Based on Bram Stocker’s novel of the same title, the story follows the famed vampire as he lusts for new blood. Its musical numbers faithfully convey the spirit of the original novel and deftly build up the drama, creating a highly entertaining performance.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

‘MATA HARI’

Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall

Mar. 25-Jun. 12

Musical “Mata Hari” will be held at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall from March to June. / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company

The musical “Mata Hari at the Moulin Rouge” will premiere in March at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall from Mar. 25 to Jun. 12.

This 25-billion-won production includes some of the biggest names in the musical business, including composer Frank Wildhorn and Broadway director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun. Ok Joo-hyun and Kim So-hyang will perform the title role of Mata Hari and Um Ki-joon, Song Chang-eui and Leo from VIXX will play Armand, the man who Mata Hari loved.

The musical will let the Korean audience have the first chance to explore the life of Mata Hari — a femme fatale of the early 20th century, an exotic and tragic beauty, a romantic heroin and a mysterious spy.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-6478 or visit www.musicalmatahari.com.

‘Once Upon a Time in Ballet’

Mapo Art Center

Feb. 27-28

Derived from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Wise Ballet created a modern ballet program about love. Their performances will be dressed with popular music from films, and refashion some scenes from them. “Once Upon a Time in Ballet” will not only present creative dance moves but also show a mixture of jazz and street dance.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3274-8600 or visit www.mapoartcenter.co.kr.

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 visitwww.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.