Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

Gangnam Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center
Sept. 3

The Gangnam Symphony was founded in 1997 and is one of Korea's top ensembles. They performed in LA and Riverside in 2003, and have worked with both domestic and international musicians. For this concert, they will be joining hands with Hungarian conductor Sandor Gyudi to perform works by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Bartok. Violinist Kim Dong-hyun will be the featured soloist at the concert. Making his debut as a soloist at the young age of 13, Kim has been recognized as one of the nation's rising stars in the classical music industry.
Tickets cost 10,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pianist Park Jong-hai will be one of the three performers at the next concert of this series./Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall Yonsei

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Park Jong-hai, Tobias Feldmann, Shim Joon-ho
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
Aug. 29

The Kumho Art Hall is featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. Pianist Park Jong-hai, violinist Tobias Feldmann and cellist Shim Joon-ho will be the next performers featured in this series. Park began his studies at the age of six in the United States and later moved to Germany to study under Arie Varie. He has won many international competitions and has performed with famous ensembles worldwide. Feldmann is a violinist who has studied at Hochschule fur Musik in Berlin. He was concertmaster at the National Youth Orchestra of Germany for two years and has performed all over the world. Shim was the first Korean musician to win the 40th International Jeunesses Musicales Competition. He has been studying at Korea's top art institutes and is currently studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music. The three musicians will perform works by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky at this concert.
Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Big Tickets

Wiz Khalifa Live in Seoul
KSPO Dome
Sept. 7

Wiz Khalifa is an American artist who debuted in 2006. From his debut album "Show and Prove" which sold over 10,000 copies, Wiz Khalifa has received great popularity. In 2010, his single "Black and Yellow" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. He has released seven studio albums and has also featured in several films. Wiz Khalifa has won several Billboard Music Awards and has been nominated for many Grammy Awards. At this concert he will be joined by guest artists Joey Badass and Rejjie Snow. This concert is for audience members ages 19 and up.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Nell Club Concert 2019
Hana Tour V-Hall
Until Sept. 1

Nell is one of the nation's top bands and debuted in 2001. There are four members: Kim Jong-wan, Lee Jae-kyong, Lee Jung-hoon, and Jung Jae-won. While they started out performing at clubs in Seoul, Seo Tai-ji, a famous Korean singer and songwriter, discovered them and helped them sign to a record label. The group has released 10 studio albums in total as well as several mini-albums and multiple singles. They have also won many prestigious music awards including the Golden Disk Award and the Mnet Asian Music Awards. They will be performing every weekend until September at Hana Tour V-Hall.
Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

This festival will take place for two days on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Nanji Hangang Park./Courtesy of SA Communication.

Someday Festival
Nanji Hangang Park
Aug. 31 to Sept. 1

Some of Korea's favorite artists will be performing this summer at the Nanji Hangang Park for music lovers of all genres. The festival will be split into two days, which a diverse line-up ranging from ballad music to hip-hop. Day 1 will have artists such as Kyu Hyun of Super Junior, Akdong Musician and Eric Nam while Day 2 will feature Beenzino, Henry and Ha:tfelt among many others.
Tickets cost 88,000 won to 109,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pop and Jazz

The Chainsmokers Live in Seoul
KSPO Dome
Sept. 6

The Chainsmokers is a two-member production team from the United States with members Alexander Pall and Andrew Taggart. Formed in 2012, the group reached massive popularity with the single "#Selfie" and since then has skyrocketed to world fame with the singles, "Roses," "Don't Let Me Down" and "Closer." The group has released two studio albums so far and is to release their third later this year. They have gone on two world tours and have won many prestigious awards in the music industry such as a Grammy Award and a few Billboard Awards.
Tickets cost 77,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

This musical will be showing at Chungmu Arts Center until Oct. 20./ Courtesy of SEM Company

Plays & Musicals

City of Angels
Chungmu Arts Center
Until Oct. 20

Set in Hollywood in the 1940s, "City of Angels" is a musical with two simultaneous storylines, one in reality, the other within a film. Stine is a young writer who has been assigned to write a screenplay for a mystery drama film. The musical follows his journey while at the same time showing the screenplay. The vibrant Hollywood reality juxtaposes with the black-and-white detective film, making for an exciting and dynamic musical storyline. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1989 and has won numerous awards such as the Tony Awards.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Cyrano
Kwanglim Arts Center
Until Oct. 13

"Cyrano" the musical is based on the 1897 book by Edmond Rostand. It takes place in Paris in the 17th century and is about Cyrano, an extremely talented poet. Cyrano is in love with Roxane, a beautiful woman, but has a rival suitor, Christian, who is also Cyrano's friend. Christian does not realize Cyrano's affection for Roxane, and turns to him for help in using words to court her. The musical hit Broadway for the first time in 1973 and has since then been a well-loved show for audiences around the world.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Mamma Mia!
LG Arts Center
Until Sept. 14

Well-loved musical "Mamma Mia!" will hit the Korean stage this summer. A musical based on the songs of legendary group ABBA, the musical includes hits such as "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes it All," and "Take a Chance on Me." It was adapted into a film in 2008, which was also widely popular. The plot revolves around Sophie, who is getting married but does not know who her birth father is. By delving into the story of three of her mother's past loves, Sophie learns more about her mother and her possible birth fathers. The Korean cast includes Luna and Lee Su-bin as Sophia as well as Choi Jung-won and Shin Young-sook as Donna.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Marie Antoinette
D-Cube Arts Center
Aug. 24 to Nov. 17

This musical first hit the stage in Japan in 2006 and is based on an original story by Shusaku Endo. It was adapted into a musical by lyricist Michael Kunze and composer Sylvester Levay. The story revolves around two women, the queen of France and a poor woman named Margrid Arnaud. Taking place in the late 18th century, the musical shows how the French Revolution drastically changed the status of these two women. Marie Antoinette will be played by Kim So-hyun and Sophie Kim, while Margrid Arnaud will be played by Chang Eun-ah and Kim Yeon-ji.
Tickets cost 70,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Dance

Korean National Contemporary Dance Company: Swing
Seoul Arts Center
Aug. 30 to Sept. 1

The Korean National Contemporary Dance Company seeks to bring its audiences contemporary genres while retaining its traditional dance roots. For this performance, they will be bringing back artistic director Ahn Sung-soo's "Swing," which saw record sales in 2018. The performance incorporates swing music and contemporary dance, and will be accompanied by the Gentleman & Gangsters, a Swedish jazz band. Chosun Ilbo acclaimed the performance as "a dance performance which feels like you're watching a musical." There will be 15 dancers in total onstage for "Swing."
Tickets cost 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Traditional

Saturday Performances
National Gugak Center
Throughout 2019

Every Saturday at 3 p.m., the National Gugak Center holds a performance showcasing traditional Korean music and dance. This series will take place all throughout 2019. Each week the series will exhibit the works of various gugak artists. Performances throughout the month of August will include the piri, pansori and sanjo. There will also be a traditional fan dance at the end of the month.
Tickets cost 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information, visit www.gugak.go.kr or call (02)-580-3300.

Umyunsan Music Festival
National Gugak Center
Until Sept. 7

This summer the National Gugak Center is putting on weekly performances for audiences to enjoy traditional Korean music and dance culture. Several performances so far have included features from the Contemporary Gugak Orchestra and The Greatest Masque, with upcoming performers being Stone Jazz, the Seoul Performing Arts Company and SE:UM, to name a few. Prior to performances, there will be traditional Korean games for audiences to enjoy and further immerse themselves into Korean traditions.
Admission is free. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02)-580-3300.

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

Cheongdam brings to partygoers its latest club, opened on Aug. 24, 2018. 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. Visit fb.com/official.clubvibe for more information.