Around Town 1

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

Violinist Akiko Suwanai will be the next performer featured in this series. /Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall Yonsei

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Akiko Suwanai
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
May 16

In 2019, the Kumho Art Hall Yonsei will be featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. The next concert will feature violinist Akiko Suwanai, a Japanese violinist, who won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1990 at just 18 years old. She studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, the Julliard School of Music and the Universitat der Kunste Berlin. She has also recorded several studio albums and performed with world-renowned orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. At the concert, she will perform several works by Beethoven. She will be accompanied by pianist Yoko Kaneko.
Tickets cost 50,000. 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.

Twice World Tour 2019 'Twicelights'
KSPO
May 25 and 26

Twice is a nine-member K-pop girl group formed by JYP Entertainment in 2015. They debuted after the members competed for a spot in the group in the television show Sixteen. The group has become massively popular in Korea and Japan, with two full studio albums and two compilation albums. They also have several extended plays. Twice has been recognized on a number of occasion through their awards: they have won Asia Artist Awards, Gaon Chart Music Awards, and Golden Disk Awards just to name a few. They will perform for fans this May in Seoul as part of their world tour.
Tickets cost 121,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

2019 World Hip-Hop Festival
The War Memorial of Korea
May 25 and 26

Hip-hop fans will be able to enjoy their favorite hip-hop artists at the upcoming festival on May 25 and 26. Featured artists include Swings, Kid Milli, Yoon Mi-rae, and Gray. These are some of the nation's top hip-hop artists, some of which have had experience in the music industry in the United States. On the second day of the festival, American rapper Lil Pump will take the stage. Lil Pump has two studio albums and almost 20 singles out so far. He received much attention for his song "Gucci Gang" which made the Billboard Hot 100 list. He has also collaborated with many other famous rappers such as 2 Chainz and Offset.
Tickets cost 119,000 to 219,000. 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.

The KNCDC will be performing 'Step Up' from June 6 to 16./Courtesy of KNCDC

Dance

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.