Around Town 1

Pianist Rudolph Buchbinder will perform in Seoul on May 10./ ⓒ Marco Borggreve

Classical Concerts

Gyeonggi Philharmonic Master Series IX: Beethoven and Brahms
Seoul Arts Center
May 31

Founded in 1997, the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra has performed all over the world including China and the U.S. At this performance they will be performing works of Beethoven and Brahms, led by Maestro Massimo Zanetti. Zanetti is an Italian conductor who joined the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018 as the music director. He has also worked with other world-famous ensembles such as the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and the Russian National Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra performs 10 major concerts per year. Pianist Cho Jae-hyuk, cellist Song Young-hoon, and violinist Kim Chee-yun will be the soloists at this concert.
Tickets cost 10,000 to 40,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

Rudolph Buchbinder & Beethoven
Gangdong Arts Center
May 10

Rudolph Buchbinder is an Austrian pianist who has been performing for over 50 years. He studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and has performed in world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall. He has also performed with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra among many others. He has an impressive recording discography of over 100 works, including his famous recording of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. He is one of the legendary figures to have performed the entire repertoire of these sonatas at the Salzburg Festival. He will be performing a few of them at the upcoming concert in Seoul.
Tickets cost 50,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Big Tickets

Park Hyo-shin Live 2019 Lovers: Where is Your Love?
KSPO
June 29 to July 13

Park Hyo-shin is one of the nation's most famous ballad singers and musical actors today. He was born in 1981 and made his debut in 1999, after which his music career skyrocketed. With 440,000 copies of his debut album sold, Park showed incredible potential from the very start of his career. To date he has released seven studio albums along with several compilation and cover albums. He has won the Golden Disc Awards, the KBS Music Awards and the Cyworld Digital Music Awards to name a few. He starred in musicals "Elisabeth," "Mozart!" and "Phantom" among several others.
Tickets cost 77,000 won to 164,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Nichkhun Solo Concert: Home in Seoul
Ewha Womans University, Samsung Hall
May 11 and 12

Nichkhun will be giving a solo concert in May at Ewha Womans University. He is part of the JYP boy band 2PM, which debuted in 2008 and has become one of the nation's most iconic idol groups. He has also appeared in various TV programs such as "Idol Army" and "We Got Married" and has made appearances in multiple films and dramas. In 2018 he released his first full solo album called "ME." Prior to his album, he produced and released many solo singles in Thai and in Japanese. Nichkhun has been recognized by Mnet, MBC, KBS, and other major names in the industry for his contributions to the Korean entertainment industry for his presence on variety shows, acting and music.
Tickets cost 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Beautiful Mint Life 2019 Music Festival
Olympic Park
May 11 and 12

Indie music collective Mint Paper celebrates its 10-year anniversary with Beautiful Mint Life 2019 Music Festival. Each year, Mint Paper puts on several music festivals and many other performances. There will be four performance locations in total: the Mint Breeze Stage, Cafe Blossom House, Loving Forest and the Mint Culture Gymnasium. Performers will include label members including Younha, 10cm and Soran.
Tickets cost 77,000 won to 123,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Seoul Jazz Music Festival will be at Olympic Park on May 25 and 26. /Courtesy of Private Curve.

Pop and Jazz

Seoul Jazz Festival 2019
Olympic Park
May 25 and 26

This is the 13th annual Seoul Jazz Festival to take place, bringing together artists from all over the world to celebrate jazz music in Korea. This year's lineup features over 30 artists ranging from vocal to instrumental performers. International artists include Wynton Marsalis, Omara Portuondo and Christian Bride, while Korean artists include Dean, Crush and Lee Hi. Sponsored by BMW, We Make Price and Edelweiss, the SJF is set to be enjoyable for all festivalgoers.
Tickets cost 165,000 won to 245,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Plays & Musicals

Another Country
Uniplex
May 21 to Aug. 11

This play was originally written by Julian Mitchell, an English playwright. The play revolves around a gay student named Guy Bennett, who attends an English public school. After another gay student at the school hangs himself after being outed, Bennett is the next target of persecution from social pressures and school prefects. Bennett's best friend Judd is a Marxist who tries to help him. The two realize the difficulties of being outcasts and the flaws of the British class system. The Korean adaptation will show at Uniplex by a talented cast including Lee Dong-ha, Park Eun-seok and Yeon Joon-seok in the role of Bennett.
Tickets cost 44,000 won to 66,000 won.

Jekyll and Hyde
Charlotte Theater
Until May 19

Based on the novel "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson, this musical takes place in London in 1885. Dr. Jekyll is a famous scientist who will soon marry the love of his life, Emma. Dr. Jekyll performs an experiment in which he creates Mr. Hyde, his alter-ego, a more evil version of himself. As time goes on, Mr. Hyde grows stronger, making it difficult for Dr. Jekyll to gain control of himself as well as his love life. When Mr. Hyde begins to murder people in the town, Dr. Jekyll must do everything it takes to save those he loves from the monster he created. The cast will include musical stars such as Cho Seung-woo and Hong Kwang-ho as the role of Dr. Jekyll.
Tickets cost 70,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Musical King Arthur
Chungmu Arts Center
Until June 2

This French musical took stage for the first time in 2015 in Paris. It recounts the legend of King Arthur, one of the most renowned figures in European history. The story begins from the day that young Arthur pulls the Excalibur (a magical sword) out of a rock and becomes the new king of Britain. While many pledge their allegiance to the new king, others oppose, as Arthur was not born to nobility. Due to this opposition, war begins in the kingdom. It is up to King Arthur to show the world that he is indeed the "Chosen One" and has a claim to the throne. During his battles, Arthur meets Guinevere and falls in love. The musical is a dramatic portrayal of both his adventures on the battlefield as well as his passionate love story.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Anna Karenina
Blue Square
May 17 to July 14

This musical is set in 1870s in Russia and revolves around Anna, who is unhappy in her marriage. When she meets the young and handsome Count Vronsky, she falls in love with him, starting a complicated and secret relationship. Count Vronsky has love complications of his own, after having pursued a different woman at court before meeting Anna. The musical is based on the original novel by Leo Tolstoy, and was adapted into a musical with music by Konstantin Khvatynets. A star-studded Korean cast including Kim So-hyun and Cha Ji-yeon playing the role of Anna will perform the Korean adaptation of this musical.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Korea National Contemporary Dance Company: Step Up
Seoul Arts Center
June 6 to 16

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (KNCDC) seeks to bring its audiences contemporary genres while retaining its traditional dance roots. Step Up will be divided into four parts, each created by a different choreographer: "Transformation" by Lee Eun-kyung, "Dinner" by Lee Jae-young, "Og" by Jung Chul-in, and "Disappearing Strongly" by Choi-Kang Project. Each of the artists brings their creativity to the table with diverse themes ranging from expression of knowledge to different perspectives. A total of 11 dancers will take the stage for Step Up.
Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

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 Vibe
Cheongdam

Opened on August 24, 2018, Cheongdam brings to partygoers its latest club. Its new facilities have a modern vibe. The club plays both EDM and hip hop music and has already had a guest performance by trending hip hop artist Sik-K at its opening party. For more information, call 010-8671-6323.

Club NB
Hongik Unversity

Noise Basement is one of the oldest clubs in the Hongik University area and is owned by YG Entertainment Company. NB has two locations, NB1 and NB2, which are located right across the street from one another. Both locations play hip hop music and incorporate both old and new hip hop into their sets. For more information, call 02-326-1716.