Around Town 1

Violinist Lee Ji-yoon will perform at the Beautiful Thursday Concert Series./Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall Yonsei ⓒ Nikolaj Lund

Classical Concerts

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Lee Ji-yoon
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
Jan. 16

Kumho Art Hall is featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. Violinist Lee Ji-yoon will be the next artist featured in this series. She debuted on the stage in the 2004 Kumho Prodigy Concert. She began playing violin at the age of four and studied at the Korean National University of Arts. Lee won first prize at the Carl Nielsen international violin competition. She has performed with world-renowned orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre National de Belgique, Orquesta de Valencia, Swedish Chamber Orchestra and Odense.
Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Korean Symphony Orchestra New Year's concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 31

Established in 1985, the Korean Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has been promoting Korean symphonic music through more than 90 performances every year. The KSO has also held regular joint productions with the Korea National Opera, the Korean National Ballet and the National Chorus of Korea. Since it has been designated as the resident orchestra of Seoul Arts Center, the KSO has proven itself to be the nation's leading theater resident orchestra and only house orchestra. Conducted by Chung Chi-yong, the KSO will perform with flutist Han Yeo-jin for this concert.
Tickets cost 10,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Big Tickets

Miss Trot National Tour Concert
Seongnam Gymnasium
Jan. 11

Contestants from the Korean reality TV show "Miss Trot" have returned to the stage. Nine of them, including the winner Song Ga-in, will perform the famous songs that had been aired as well as new ones that have not been on the show. Having learned the traditional Korean musical style of pansori, the winner Song debuted in 2012 as a little-known trot singer. After winning the competition, however, she became one of the most famous and beloved trot singers of Korea. Thanks to Song and other contestants' popularity, the genre of trot is enjoying a revival.
Tickets cost 88,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Kim Yeon-ja Live Concert
Seongnam Arts Center Opera House
Feb. 8

Veteran trot and enka singer Kim Yeon-ja debuted in Korea in 1974 and Japan in 1977. She performed at the closing ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul. Thanks to the performance, she rapidly gained ground in Japan and appeared on "NHK Red" and "White Song Battle," an annual New Year's Eve television special, three times. She also became extremely popular among young Koreans when her 2013 song "Amor Fati" shot back up the music charts in 2017. The song went viral on social media after her performance on KBS' Open Concert.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

K. Will National Tour Concert
Kyung Hee University International Campus Seonseung Hall
Feb. 8-9

Kim Hyung-soo, better known by his stage name K. Will, debuted in 2007. Before his debut, the singer already found fame with his viral video, covering Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" in the original key. K. Will gained popularity after his digital single "Love 119" hit No. 1 in several music charts. Since then, he has built a successful career as a singer with his frequent K-drama soundtrack appearances. The concert series that will feature his outstanding musical performances starts in Seoul and leads to Busan, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Seongnam and Suwon.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pop and Jazz

The Rhapsody Tour
Gocheok Sky Dome
Jan. 18 and 19

The legendary British rock band Queen will hold its first solo concert in Korea. Hyundai Card invites the group for the 25th edition of its Super Concert series. Queen was founded in 1971, and since then the band has released 15 studio albums. Last year, the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody," based on the story of the lead singer Freddie Mercury, reached admissions of nearly 10 million in Korea and became a major box office success. The original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor will perform at the concert as well as new member, Adam Lambert.
Tickets cost 110,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

The darkest musical ever created, "Sweeney Todd" features a barber named Benjamin Barker from the Victorian era./Courtesy of Open Review

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.

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.

The musical "Vincent Van Gogh" depicts the relationship between one of the world's most famous artists and his brother. /Courtesy of HJ culture

Vincent Van Gogh
Yes 24 Stage 1
Until March 1

Premiered in 2014, the musical "Vincent Van Gogh" is a story about the countless letters between the Van Gogh brothers, Vincent and Theo. Known for his famous works such as "The Starry Night" and "Sunflowers," Vincent Van Gogh is often remembered as a tragic figure who was able to sell only one of his works before his death. Many would focus on this tragic story, but the musical portrays Vincent's deep passion for art and struggles that were accompanied throughout his career. The unique part of the musical is that the audience can enjoy 3D images of his masterpieces projected onto the backdrop.
Tickets cost 44,000 won to 55,000 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 Tap Dance Festival
Mapo Art Center
Jan. 16-19

Sold out for the first show in March, Seoul Tap Dance Festival will be back with more diverse tap dancers and performances. The festival will be bringing a four-day show with different performances on each day. Each production will encourage audiences to relish the elegance, speed, techniques and art of tap dance by featuring contemporary tap dances, a gala concert and a talk show combined with the dance. For this festival, Korea's best tap dance groups are going to perform on the stage.
Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Traditional

Saturday Gugak Concert
National Gugak Center
Throughout 2020

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.

8-Elements
Daehangno Arts Theater
Jan. 17 and 18

Music Group Namu will present a production, "8-Elements." The title stands for the basic eight notes that are used in traditional Korean music. Showcasing its musical maturity, the group reinterprets Jongmyo Jeryeak, the royal ancestral rites music, which was designated as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. With the original approach to the ritual music, Namu will stage the performance using colorful lighting, costumes and videos to add variety to its music.
Tickets cost 20,000 won to 30,000 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 over 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.