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Violist Lee Han-na, one of the ensemble members, will perform at the Kumho Asiana Soloists concert./Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall ⓒ Oscarscar

Classical Concerts

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Kumho Asiana Soloists
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
Dec. 26

The Kumho Asiana Soloists ensemble will hold its year-end concert on Dec. 26. The ensemble, which was founded in 2007, consists of young talented musicians and changes its members on a regular basis. Renowned pianists Son Yeol-eum and Cho Seong-jin are former members of the ensemble. This time, violinists Lee Je-hye, Yang In-mo and Lee Han-na, cellists Kim Min-ji and Lee Jung-ran and pianist Kim Da-sol will feature in the concert. Christmas and year-end concerts are the most beloved performances held by the Kumho Asiana Soloists. For this concert, the ensemble will play works by Schubert and Taneyev.
Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Christmas with Richard Yongjae O'Neill
Seoul Arts Center
Dec. 25

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the debut of Richard Yongjae O'Neill here in Korea. To celebrate, he will hold a year-end concert for his fans. An Emmy Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee and an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, he has achieved worldwide recognition not only as a violist but also as a musical ambassador. His performances and tours have brought him to pre-eminent international concert venues, including Carnegie, Alice Tully, David Geffen and the Kennedy Center. For this concert, he will be playing the violin as well as the viola and perform a variety of pieces.
Tickets cost 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Big Tickets

2019 Ailee concert: I am: Re-born
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
Dec. 28

Known for her powerful performance and colorful voice, Ailee is a female vocalist who debuted in 2012 in season 2 of "Dream High." She released her first single "Heaven" in the same year, and the song listed in the top 10 of several music charts. Ailee won the Best New Artist award at Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disk Awards and Melon Music Awards. She was born in the United States and started her career as a singer and composer with her friends at the age of 15. She was also well-known for her cover of Mariah Carey's "Hero."
Tickets cost 88,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

2019 Lee So-ra Concert
Blue Square IMarket Hall
Until Dec. 29

Lee So-ra is one of the most popular ballad singers in Korea. She made her debut in 1993 as a member of jazz group Strange People and released her first solo album "Lee So-ra Vol. 1" in 1995. Since then, she has released eight studio albums, collaborating with different artists. Her latest collaboration with BTS member Suga also garnered global attention. Lee hosted the KBS music talk show "Lee So-ra's Proposal" for six years and has won multiple awards at the Korean Music Awards. Singer Lim Heon-Il and drummer Lee Sang-min will also feature in the concert.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

J. Y. Park Concert
Olympic Park Olympic Hall
Dec. 28-31

J. Y. Park is the most recognized performer, composer and record producer of the K-pop industry. As founder and CEO of JYP Entertainment, Park has developed and managed outstanding K-pop singers, including Rain, Wonder Girls, Got7, Miss A and Twice. He debuted as a solo artist in 1994 and rose to fame right after the release of his first album, "Blue City." Since then, Park has released numerous studio and single albums, singles, and has collaborated with many other artists. He has also appeared in two movies and published two books. To wrap up the year, Park will hold solo concerts in Seoul, Daegu and Busan.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 154,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Nah Youn-sun, a jazz vocalist, will perform at Lotte Concert Hall on Dec. 28./Courtesy of Nplug

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.

Plays & Musicals

Annie
Sejong Center
Until Dec. 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 won to 90,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

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.

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.

Rebecca
Chungmu Art Center
Through March 15, 2020

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.

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 won to 70,000 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.

The Korean traditional performance "Korea Sim Cheong" will be playing at the Korea House Folk Theater through Dec. 31./Courtesy of Korea House Folk Theater

Korea Sim Cheong
Korea House Folk Theater
Until Dec. 31

Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation presents new performance, Korea Sim Cheong. "The Story of Sim Cheong" is a classic Korean novel that has been enjoyed by Korean readers for generations. This time, the novel is transformed by combining videos and dance under the motif of the novel. Produced by Choi Cheol-gi, who creates global productions derived from Korean content, the performance aims at showcasing traditional Korean values at home and abroad.
Tickets cost 50,000 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.