Around Town 1

Pianist Sergei Babayan will be the next performer featured in the Beautiful Thursday series./Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall Yonsei ⓒ Marco Borggreve

Classical Concerts

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Sergei Babayan
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
Dec. 12

In 2019, the Kumho Art Hall will be featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. Armenian pianist Sergei Babayan will be the next artist featured in this series. He currently resides in the US, but studied music in Armenia and then at the Moscow Conservatory. He has performed all over the world in some of the most prestigious music halls like Carnegie Hall in New York. Babayan has received critical acclaim from various outlets such as Radio France and BBC. At this concert, he will play works by Chopin.
Tickets cost 60,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

Fabio Luisi and the KBS Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center
Dec. 13

The KBS Symphony Orchestra was established in 1956 and is one of Korea's major ensembles. It performs hundreds of concerts a year both domestically and abroad as well as inviting international musicians as soloists. For this performance, it will be led by Italian conductor Fabio Luisi. Since then he has served as the artistic director and conductor for many orchestras including the Graz Symphony Orchestra and L'Orchestra de la Ruisse Romande. For this concert, they will perform works of Glinka and Tchaikovsky. Violinist Kim Bomsori, who studied at Seoul National University and The Julliard School, will be the soloist for the evening.
Tickets cost 30,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Big Tickets

2019 Davichi Concert
Blue Square IMarket Hall
Dec. 13-15

Davichi is a two-member vocal group that debuted in 2008 made up of Lee Hae-ri and Kang Min-kyung. Upon their debut, they immediately gained recognition for their powerful vocals and won Best New Artist in their first year at several of Korea's major music award ceremonies such as the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the Golden Disk Awards. Since then they have released three full studio albums, six mini-albums and many singles and collaborations with other artists. They have given over 10 headlining concerts throughout their career, and will be performing their next one in Seoul.
Tickets cost 110,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Psy All Night Stand 2019
KSPO Dome
Dec. 20-24

Known internationally for his 2012 viral video "Gangnam Style," which currently has over 3 billion views, Psy is known domestically for his energetic showmanship and sense of humor. He has been active in the music industry since 2001 and after eight years at YG Entertainment, he left in 2018, founding his own label P-Nation this year. He currently has eight studio albums, countless singles and has collaborated with numerous artists including Snoop Dogg and G-Dragon. He will be performing in concert to wrap up 2019 in the days leading up to Christmas.
Tickets cost 121,000 to 143,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

AKMU Tour in Seoul
Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace
Dec. 14 and 15

Akdong Musician (AKMU) is a sibling duo that debuted under YG Entertainment after winning the audition program "K-Pop Star" in 2014. The members Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun gained lots of attention for their musicality and their soothing vocals, and compose and produce much of their own music. To date they have released three studio albums and have also appeared on various television programs such as "You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook." This will be their fourth tour.
Tickets cost 110,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pop and Jazz

Nah Youn-sun World Tour: Immersion
Lotte Concert Hall
Dec. 28

Nah Youn-sun is a jazz vocalist who grew up with both her parents having careers in music and musical theater. In 1995, she moved to Paris to study music at the National Institute of Music in Beauvais. Since then, she has performed all around the world in over 500 concerts. Nah has released 10 studio albums to date and has also received many awards such as the 6th Korea Best Pop Music Jazz Album Award in 2009.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

The musical "Sweeney Todd" will be playing at the Charlotte Theatre through Jan. 27./Courtesy of Od Musical Company

Plays & Musicals

Sweeney Todd
Charlotte Theater
Until Jan. 27, 2020

One of the darkest musicals ever created, "Sweeney Todd" takes place in the Victorian era and is about Benjamin Barker, a barber who has returned to London after 15 years of exile. Angry and vengeful, he swears to wreak havoc on those who ever crossed his path, including the judge who sentenced him to his exile. He creates a new identity, Sweeney Todd, and begins his bloodthirsty quest for revenge. The lead role of Sweeney will be played by Cho Seung-woo, Hong Kwang-ho and Park Eun-tae.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Rebecca
Chungmu Art Center
Through March 15

This musical is based on the book of the same name. Rebecca was the late wife of Maxim De Winter, a wealthy aristocrat who has just remarried the narrator, who is young and naive. The unnamed narrator feels that she is unworthy to take the place of Rebecca, who was incredibly beautiful and elegant. In growing into her place as Maxim's wife, the narrator faces the disapproving housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, as well as living up to Rebecca's legacy. Maxim will be played by Ryu Jung-han, Um Ki-joon, Kai and Shin Sung-rok.
Tickets cost 70,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Family musical "Annie" will play from Dec. 14 through 29./Courtesy of Sejong Center

Annie
Sejong Center
Dec. 14-29

"Annie" first hit the stage in 1977 and became a classic Broadway musical. The story revolves around Annie, an 11-year-old orphan who longs to find her birth parents. The orphanage she lives in is run by Miss Hannigan, a strict woman who makes the girls' lives miserable. When billionaire Oliver Warbucks tries to adopt Annie, a jealous Miss Hannigan tries to thwart the process. The story was adapted into the 1982 film and another in 2014. It is considered one of the most iconic family musicals.
Tickets cost 20,000 to 90,000. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555

Grease
D Cube Art Center
Until Feb. 2, 2020

This American musical first hit Broadway in 1971 and follows the stories of 10 teenagers attending Rydell High School. During summer break, the popular boy Danny meets and falls in love with the new girl in town, Sandy. However when the fall semester begins, the two are in different social cliques, going against the status quo. The Pink Ladies, a group of popular girls at school, bring Sandy into their group of friends and try to help her work things out with Danny. The musical focuses on the social pressures of teens in the late 1950s.
Tickets cost 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Dance

Seoul Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
Gangdong Art Center
Dec. 19-25

Founded in 1995, the Seoul Ballet Theatre is one of Korea's top professional ballet companies. The company not only performs classics, but also creates its own productions in-house. This winter season, they will perform "The Nutcracker," one of the most famous ballet productions in the world. Made in 1892, the ballet is about a young girl's journey to defeat the evil Mouse King with the help of a wooden Nutcracker. The ballet has been adapted into film, including the most recent Disney rendition in 2018.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000. 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.

Tago, Mad-Man and Drum
Seongsu Art Hall
Dec. 13-15

Tago is a performance group that was established in 2015. Consisting of eight members, it brings together traditional Korean drumming with modern and innovative performance art. They operate on the motto, "we play for the brighter world," and strive to bring Korean audiences a fresh, entertaining performance based on traditional roots. They have appeared on Mnet, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have had their own headlining performances.
Tickets cost 35,000 won. 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

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.