AROUND TOWN 1

‘Do You Like Brahms?’

Olympus Hall

Through Apr. 21

Following the success from its 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 in 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 ensemble, 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

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.

‘Rebecca’

Seoul Arts Center

Through Mar. 6

The musical “Rebecca” will be until March 6 at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company

“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 the 2016 “Rebecca,” along with new faces, Song Chang-eui, Song Sang-eun and Cha Ji-yeon.

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

‘MATA HARI’

Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall

Mar. 25-Jun. 12

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 only 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.

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.

Soilwork

West Bridge Live Hall

Feb. 26

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

Following their first visit to Korea in 2003 during the Busan International Rock Festival, the band will hold 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 Mongolian based Oriental metal band who performed at the Busan International Rock Festival in 2015, will appear as a special guest.

Tickets cost 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 716-7977.

Shin Hye-sung

Blue Square Samsung Card Hall

Feb. 20­Mar. 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.

‘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 MitaniKouki'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’

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.

‘Let the Right One In’

A theatrical production, “Let the Right One In” will be staged until Feb. 28 at CJ Towol Theater. / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Center

The National Theatre of Scotland’s ‘Let the Right One In’ will be staged until Feb. 28 at CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center.

This theatrical production follows the plot from the original novel of the same title, featuring Oskar, a bullied boy and Eli, a peculiar girl. For its Korean version, Park So-dam and Lee Eun-ji star as Eli and Ahn Seung-gyun and Oh Seung-hoon play Oskar.

Tickets cost 33,000 to 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit

www.sac.or.kr.

‘Next to Normal’

Doosan Art Center

Through Mar. 13

The musical ‘Next to Normal’ is being staged at Doosan Art Center’s Yonkang Hall until Mar. 13. Kolleen Park and Jung Young-ju play the main role of the struggling mother Diana, revealing the stories of her mental illness and its effects on her family.

Tickets are priced at 66,000 won and 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4033 or visit

www.ticket.interpark.com.

‘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’

Jan. 23­Feb. 9

Sejong Grand Theater

‘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.

‘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.

‘Already Not Yet’

Apr. 1-2

Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (KNCDC) will perform ‘Already Not Yet’ on April 1st and 2nd at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of KNCDC

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (KNCDC) will perform ‘Already Not Yet’ on April 1st and 2nd at CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center.

The performance focuses on the flashing moment of time where ‘already’ and ‘yet’ collapses ― illustrating the process of two different dimensions of time coming across each other.

Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6196-1616 or visit www.kncdc.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.