Around Town 1

Classical Concert

‘Mariss Jansons & Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks'

Seoul Arts Center

Dec. 4 and 5, 2016

The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, an internationally renowned orchestra based in Munich, Germany, visits Korea along with its chief conductor Mariss Jansons. This is the orchestra's third visit to Korea, and it intends to bring classical music fans here an opportunity to appreciate the bright and mellow sounds of the southern German orchestra and artistry of the experienced maestro. American violinist Gil Shaham will play as the soloist on Dec. 4.

Tickets cost 25,000 to 300,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 599-5743.

‘SAC 11am Concert'

Seoul Arts Center*

Until Dec. 8

On every second Thursday of each month, an "11am Concert" will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host the shows with commentary, and coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform at all of the concerts.

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

‘Amadeus Live'

Lotte Concert Hall

Dec. 16, 2016

"Amadeus," an Academy Award-winning film that portrays the life of Mozart, turns into a live concert. The concert is conducted by Neil Thomson and performed by the Seoul Tutti Ensemble and Seoul Motet Choir. In the show, audiences will be able to watch director's cut of the film Amadeus on a large HD screen, while listening to the orchestra and choir playing the famous works of Mozart live.

Tickets cost from 30,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 552-2505.

‘2016 The Little Singers of Paris Christmas Concert’

Dec. 17, 18

The only boys’ a cappella choir in the world, The Little Singers of Paris will have a Christmas concert tour in Korea.

The choir had Europe and Asia tour this year, visiting diverse countries including Switzerland, Germany, Japan, China and Russia, and received wide acclaim from international audiences. For its concerts in Korea, the choir will perform classical music, French chanson, traditional songs from various countries, Christmas carols and popular musical numbers.

Tickets cost from 33,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 597-9870.

Big Tickets

‘AIDA'

Charlotte Theater

Nov. 3 to March 11, 2017

The legendary musical "AIDA" returns this year with a new cast. It will be staged at Charlotte Theater from Nov. 3 to March 11, 2017.

The performance starts as a statue of Amneris, a female pharaoh, comes to life and transports the audience back to ancient Egypt, in a period of war between Egypt and its neighboring country Nubia, where in the midst of the power struggle there blooms a story of love. Yoon Gong-joo and Jang Eun-ah play the title role of Aida, who agonizes between her homeland and the public. Ivy and Lee Jung-hwa play Amneris, and Kim Woo-hyung and Min Woo-hyuk play Radames, who falls in love with the slave Aida.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.

Pop & Jazz

‘Kim Gun-mo 25th Anniversary Tour-Seoul’

Dec. 31

Jamsil Indoor Stadium

Celebrating his 25th anniversary since his debut, Kim Gun-mo will have a live concert at Jamsil Indoor Stadium on Dec. 31. This is his first solo concert in five years.

Kim is one of Korea’s legendary singer-songwriters, nicknamed the “National Singer.” His third album, released in 1995, sold over 3 million copies and it still is the best-sold album in Korea. In this concert, Kim will sing his hit songs along with the new songs from his recently released mini-album.

Tickets cost 77,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 542-4145.

Plays & Musicals

‘Phantom'

Blue Square

Nov. 26 to Feb. 26, 2017

"Phantom," a musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel "Phantom of the Opera," will be performed at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall from Nov. 26 to Feb. 26.

"Phantom" is about Erik, a mysterious man living in the dark cellar of a Paris opera house. One day he hears someone singing and is enchanted by her heavenly voice. Discovering that the voice was of Christine Daee, he decides to make her the new diva of the Opera Theatre and begins to give her secret lessons every night. With the help of Erik, Christine has her debut, but it is ruined by Carlotta. Erik seeks revenge on her.

Park Hyo-shin, Park Eun-tae and Jeon Dong-suk star as Erik, the Phantom. Kim So-hyun, Kim Soon-young and Lee Ji-hye share the role of Christine Daee, and Jeong Young-ju and Shin Young-sook will alternate for Carlotta.

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

‘Pericles'

Nov. 10 to Dec. 4

Shakespeare's "Pericles" will be staged at Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 10 to Dec. 4.

Set in the ancient kingdom of Antioch, the Jacobean play tells the riveting tale of King Antiochus and his daughter secretly engaging in an incestuous relationship following her mother's death. Antiochus has kept suitors from marrying his daughter by requiring that they answer a riddle correctly or face death. Pericles, Prince of Tyre, solves the riddle but discovers that its answer reveals the incestuous relationship between father and daughter. While Pericles decides not to reveal the truth, Antiochus gives him 50 days before his death sentence.

The play features a veteran stage actor and former culture minister Yoo In-chon as the play's narrator John Gower and the elder Pericles. The role of young Pericles is filled by Nam Yoon-ho and daughter Marina by Chun Sung-min.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.

‘Moon of Seoul’

Dec. 3 to 25

Sejong Center

The musical “Moon of Seoul” is based on an MBC TV drama of the same name. The original drama was aired in 1994 and gained great popularity. The musical is about ordinary people living in a poor area of Seoul. Their lives, full of dreams about success and love, will be portrayed with emotive music.

Actors Lee Pil-mo and Huh Do-young will play the main character Kim Hong-sik, an ambitious figure who actively strives for success. Actors Park Seong-hun and Lee Seung-jae will play another main character Lee Chun-seob, who wishes to live without regret.

Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1000.

‘Monte Cristo'

Chungmu Arts Center

Nov. 19 to Feb. 12, 2017

The Korean version of the musical "Monte Cristo" will be performed at Chungmu Arts Center from Nov. 19 to Feb. 12, 2017. The musical is based on novel "The Count of Monte Cristo," written by French writer Alexandre Dumas. This musical is about Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is falsely accused of a crime and goes to jail. In jail, he meets Priest Faria who becomes his mentor and tells him about a treasure on the remote Island of Monte Cristo. After he breaks out of jail, he goes to Monte Cristo and finds the treasure. With the newly gained wealth, Edmond pretends to be a nobleman, Count Monte Cristo, and sets off to Paris. In Paris, he plans to take revenge on the people who framed him. Actor Ryu Jung-han, Um Ki-joon, Kai, and Shin Sung-rok play Edmond Dantes.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-6478.

Dance

‘The Nutcracker'

Dec. 17 to 25

Since 2000, the Korean National Ballet has performed "The Nutcracker" every winter, and the show soon became a steady seller. "The Nutcracker" captivates not only children but also adults with the diverse and spectacular choreography by Grigorovich and the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. Splendid stage art and the highly advanced dancing technique of the Korean National Ballet invite audiences to the world of enchantment and fairy tale during the Christmas season.

Tickets cost 5,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.

Clubs

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.

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, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.

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, visit onceinabluemoon.co.kr or call (02) 549-5490.

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.

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 Line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.