GS Arts Center to open in April with American Ballet Theatre
Park Sun-hee, CEO of GS Cultural Foundation, speaks during a press conference announcing the opening of the GS Arts Center at GS Tower in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of GS Arts Center
GS Arts Center will open its doors in April, breathing new life into a venue that had long been a cornerstone of Korea’s performing arts scene. The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) returns to Korea after 13 years to headline the opening festival, alongside a lineup of genre-defying artists.
The theater, located at GS Tower in Yeoksam-dong in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, originally operated as LG Arts Center for 22 years since 2000. However, when LG moved the venue to Magok-dong in western Seoul in 2022 — aligning with its R&D hub, LG Sciencepark — the fate of the Yeoksam theater remained uncertain. The venue’s ownership shift stemmed from the 2004 corporate split between LG Group and GS Group, after which GS Tower became part of GS’ holdings. While there was speculation that the space might be repurposed for commercial use due to its prime location, GS Group opted to commit to cultural contributions.
"GS Arts Center is part of GS Group’s social contribution efforts, marking our 20th anniversary," Park Sun-hee, CEO of GS Cultural Foundation and former head of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, said during a press conference at GS Tower, Tuesday.
"The new name pays homage to its predecessor, LG Arts Center, which played a pivotal role in shaping Korea’s performing arts scene."
A scene from "La Boutique" by American Ballet Theatre / Courtesy of Emma Zordan
The GS Cultural Foundation was established in 2024 to spearhead this initiative, underlining GS Group’s belief in the power of the arts. While the core structure of the theater remains, the venue has undergone upgrades, including a revamped lobby, expanded seating from 1,100 to 1,200 seats and enhanced backstage facilities for artists.
For its inaugural performance, ABT, one of the world’s premier ballet companies, will showcase its signature blend of classical and contemporary repertoires, including "Theme and Variations" by George Balanchine, "In the Upper Room" by Twyla Tharp, "La Boutique" by Gemma Bond and "Mercurial Son" by Kyle Abraham.
"We wanted to announce the grand opening with one of the greatest ballet companies in the world," Park explained.
Adding a layer of homegrown pride, ABT’s lineup includes Korean dancers such as principals Seo Hee and Ahn Joo-won, along with soloists Park Sun-mi and Han Sung-woo.
A scene from William Kentridge's "Waiting for the Sibyl" / Courtesy of Stella Olivier
Artists Series
The Artists Series stands at the core of GS Arts Center’s vision. Designed to introduce genre-bending, boundary-defying artists, the inaugural lineup features two globally acclaimed creators.
South African artist William Kentridge, known for his multidisciplinary approach, will present "Sibyl," comprising "The Moment Has Gone," a short film with live music, and "Waiting for the Sibyl," a visually impactful chamber opera, on May 9 and 10, as well as "Oh To Believe in Another World," an animated film accompanied by Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, performed by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, on May 30.
Spanish choreographer Marcos Morau, a visionary in contemporary dance, will showcase "Afanador," a tribute to Spanish flamenco through the lens of photography, "Pasionaria," a futuristic reflection on human emotions in an artificial world, and "Totentanz," a reimagination of medieval dance rituals through installation, video and live performance.
Marcos Morau and La Veronal's "Totentanz - Morgen ist die Frage" / Courtesy of Lorenza Daverio
At a press conference, Park repeatedly emphasized “borderless” and “curious” as guiding principles for GS Arts Center’s artistic direction.
"The Artists Series is about expanding audiences," she said. "We want to engage people who enjoy exhibitions, travel and fine dining — curious minds who might not normally attend theater performances but would be intrigued by these groundbreaking works."
While the debut season features international figures, Park also hinted at plans to invite outstanding Korean artists in future editions of the series.
GS Arts Center is also partnering with Korean National Ballet (KNB) and Seoul Jazz Festival to further establish its presence.
The KNB's "The Kylian Project," running from June 26 to 29, will showcase three early works by Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian, including "Forgotten Land," "Falling Angels" and "Sechs Tanze."
Seoul Jazz Festival will also bring performances to the venue, including a concert by Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Marcus Gilmore on May 20, followed by Pat Metheny’s "Dream Box/MoonDial Tour" from May 23 to 25. These performances will precede the festival’s annual outdoor edition from May 30 to June 1, further positioning GS Arts Center as a versatile cultural hub.
Beyond its curated programming, GS Arts Center will be home to major productions as well. The Broadway musical "The Great Gatsby," produced by Shin Chun-soo, will make its Korean premiere in July, followed by "Life of Pi," the acclaimed West End adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel, in November.