Around Town 1

As a part of the Hyundai Card Culture Project, American duo The Chainsmokers will be in Korea for concerts, to held in Busan and Seoul on Sep. 11 and 12. / Courtesy of Live Nation Korea & Hyundai Card

Classical Concerts

‘Disney Beauty and the Beast Live to Film'

Lotte Concert Hall

Aug. 26 to 28

Music from Disney's famous film "Beauty and the Beast" will be performed live at the Lotte Concert Hall from Aug. 26 to 28.

"Beauty and the Beast" is a 2017 musical film based on Disney's 1991 animated film of the same title. The film is famous for its beautiful original soundtrack. Its theme song "Beauty and the Beast" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1992, and numerous other songs including "Belle," "Gaston" and "Be Our Guest" garnered wide acclaim.

In this event, the film "Beauty and the Beast" will be presented on a wide screen, while its soundtrack will be played live by Korea Coop Orchestra in sync with the film.

Tickets cost 40,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit lotteconcerthall.com or call (02) 552-2505.

‘Kun-Woo Paik Beethoven Piano Sonata Cycle'

Seoul Arts Center

Sep. 1 to 8

Legendary Korean pianist, Paik Kun-woo, will perform all 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven in a series of concerts held from Sep. 1 to 8 at the Seoul Arts Center.

Paik Kun-woo started his career as a pianist at the age of 10. Since then, he has performed with various artists and orchestras around the world. In 2007, he successfully performed and recorded the complete 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven at the age of 61. Ten years have passed since then, yet he returned to the task with superb technique and in-depth interpretation on Beethoven's work.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

‘The Chainsmokers: Memories…Do Not Open Asia Tour 2017’

Busan KBS Hall & Seoul Jamsil Indoor Gym

Sep. 11 and 12

As part of their world tour, the American EDM duo The Chainsmokers (Alex Pall and Drew Taggart) will visit Korea for two concerts on September 11 at Busan KBS Hall, and September 12 at Seoul Jamsil Indoor Gym.

With their music style known as blurring the line between indie, pop and dance music, and hip-hop, The Chainsmokers have gained worldwide popularity since 2014. They won an American Music Award in 2016 and their song “Don’t Let me Down” won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2017. For Korean audiences, this concert is the first opportunity to appreciate The Chainsmokers’ live performance.

Tickets cost 88,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, visit

ticket.interpark.com

/ ticket.yes24.com or call (02) 1544-1555 / (02) 1544-6399.

Pop & Jazz

‘2017 Tribowl Jazz Festival’

Songdo Tribowl, Incheon

Aug. 25 to 27

From August 25 to 27, 2017, the Tribowl Jazz Festival will be held in Songdo Tribowl, Incheon. Many famous artists including Rhu Bok-sung, Song Yeong-ju, and Elena Somare will be performing. Some other types of performances such as ballet and tap dance will be included in the festival’s three-day lineup. Also an art market and food market will be featured through the festival days.

Ticket price varies from 20,000 to 91,000 won depending on how many entry days it covers. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (032) 760-1096~7.

Plays & Musicals

‘Arirang'

Until Sep. 3

The musical "Arirang," which depicts the lives of Koreans during the Japanese colonial occupation, will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center until Sept. 3.

In the southwestern part of Korea, which is the peninsula's largest granary, the Japanese are taking control of land and crops, leaving Koreans in extreme poverty. While some courageously stand up against the occupiers, others work for them for their personal benefit. Actors Ahn Jae-wook, Yoon Gong-joo and Kim Soung-nyeo appear in this musical.

Tickets cost 40,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.

‘Cats'

National Theater of Korea

Until Sept. 10

Broadway's legendary musical "Cats" is being presented at the National Theater of Korea until Sept. 10.

One special night, all the cats of the Jellicle tribe gather and dance, waiting for their leader, Old Deuteronomy, to select a cat to be reborn into a new life in heaven. One of them is Grizabella, who was once beautiful and glamorous, but now is scorned and despised by other cats. When Grizabella sings the famous number "Memory," in retrospect of her life and hoping for a new future, the other cats accept her back again into the community, and Old Deuteronomy chooses her to ascend to heaven. Actress Laura Emmitt pays Grizabella, and Brad Little plays Old Deuteronomy.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-3363.

‘Cyrano'

LG Arts Center

Until Oct. 8

The musical "Cyrano," based on the play of the same title by French dramatist Edmond Rostand, will be presented at the LG Arts Center.

In mid-17th century Paris lives a man named Cyrano, who has amazing literary talents. He is in love with beautiful Roxane, but cannot confess his feelings because of an inferiority complex. Unaware of Cyrano's feelings, Roxane falls in love with Cyrano's handsome friend, Christian. On behalf of Christian, who is a terrible writer, Cyrano ghostwrites wonderful love letters to Roxane. Actors Ryu Jung-han and Hong Kwang-ho play Cyrano.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-5212.

‘Napoleon'

Charlotte Theater

Until Oct. 22

For the first time in Asia, the musical "Napoleon" will be presented at the Charlotte Theater until Oct. 22.

Musical "Napoleon" was created by composer Timothy Williams and writer Andrew Sabiston. Since its premiere in 1994, it was staged in numerous places around the world including the West End and Broadway. The musical depicts turbulent life of Napoleon, as well as his complex relationships with his wife Josephine and chief diplomat Talleyrand.

Michael K. Lee, Im Tae-kyung and Han Ji-sang will play the role of Napoleon.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-3363.

‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

Hongik Daehangno Art Center

Until Nov. 5

Hongik Daehangno Art Center will run a rock musical, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" from Aug. 18 to Nov. 5.

Hedwig, a transgender woman who fronts a rock band, tours around the U.S. with her band, "Angry Inch." She abuses her husband Yitzhak, and expresses extreme hatred towards Tommy Gnosis, a famous rock star and former lover, who abandoned her after learning about her gender identity. On stage, she decides to reveal the story of her past to the audience.

Actor Oh Man-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok plays Hedwig.

Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3485-8700.

‘Rebecca'

Blue Square

Until Nov. 12

A musical full of suspense, "Rebecca", will be presented at the Blue Square until Nov. 12.

A young woman, "I", marries a man named Maxim de Winter, who is suffering from the tragic loss of his first wife, Rebecca. When "I" moves in to Maxim's place, she soon realizes that the place is heavy with a grave atmosphere. "I" fears she is an unworthy replacement for beautiful and mysterious Rebecca. However, the situation takes a new turn when Rebecca's corpse is found in a lake.

Actor Chung Sung-hwa and Um Ki-joon plays Maxim, while Kim Keum-na and Lee Ji-hye plays "I".

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

Dance

‘The Temperature of Gaze'

Aug. 26 and 27

With an aim of presenting people's view of each other and themselves, and sending a message of diversity and tolerance, the contemporary dance piece "The Temperature of Gaze" will be performed by Ubin Dance at the National Theater of Korea on Aug. 26 and 27.

The performance consists of three parts. In the first park, "Dark Energy," the dancers express negative energy in society which limits and controls individuals' unique characteristics and behavior. The second part, "I am Not," reveals numerous aspects of an individual that is formed by different relationships and social roles. The final part, "Marriage," portrays institutional discrimination that can be easily found in our society.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (010) 3129-4243.

Clubs

Club Octagon

Nonhyeon

Located near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, Club Octagon is notable for its stylish interiors and elite clientele. The club features a performance stage, lounge bar and dining area and is the perfect place to unwind on a night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on 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 on Line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127.

Club Evans

Hongik University

Club Evans is a live music club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It also operates jazz recording studios, where it produces albums for many local jazz artists, and a jazz academy. Club Evans holds jazz concerts and music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Opening at 7:30 p.m., Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station on Line 6. For more information, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.

Once in a Blue Moon

Apgujeong

Once in a Blue Moon, one of the best-known jazz clubs in the city, 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 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, features music by some of the city's best DJs and a spacious interior with a state-of-the art lighting nightly. Club Answer is located in Cheongdam, a posh Seoul district known for its party culture, near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311.

Club Double Eight

Sinsa

Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to new heights. Located in Gangnam, near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.