Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

Gonjiam Woodwind Festival 2019: Wenzel Fuchs & Friends
Seoul Arts Center
Aug. 11

Extending upon the annual flute festival held by the Gonjiam Music Festival, this woodwind festival includes other instruments including clarinets, oboes, bassoons and more. This year's theme is music from famous movies and operas. Wenzel Fuchs, the principal clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, will be the featured performer. He along with other rising stars Emily Beynon, Elrich Koella, Rando Kim, Jeongmin Song and others will perform six songs for attending audiences.
Tickets cost 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pianist Fabian Muller will be the next performer in this series./Courtesy of Kumho Art Hall Yonsei

Beautiful Thursday Concert Series: Fabian Muller
Kumho Art Hall Yonsei
Aug. 8

The Kumho Art Hall is featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. Pianist Fabian Muller from Germany will be the next artist featured in this series. He has made a name for himself as one of Europe's best pianists with numerous international awards. In 2017, he took home five prizes at the International ARD in Munich. Muller has also performed with some of the world's finest orchestras including the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra and the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn. He has also released studio recordings, which The Guardian has deemed a "first station of a great career." At this concert he will perform works of Schumann, Brahms and Beethoven.
Tickets cost 50,000 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
Aug. 9 to 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

2019 Summer Holic Concert
Lotte Concert Hall
Aug. 9 to 11

This summer, Lotte is hosting its 2019 Summer Holic Concert, at which some of the nation's most talented vocalists will perform. This year, artists Lee Hi, Car, The Garden and Wheesung are the featured lineup. Lee Hi, who was the runner up of the first season of SBS' "K-Pop Star," has released three solo albums and received attention for her soulful vocals. Car, The Garden debuted in 2013 with his mini-album "Jackasoul" and has appeared on "You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook" on multiple occasions. Wheesung is a veteran in the Korean music industry and debuted in 1999. He has released six studio albums and many mini-albums and singles and has greatly contributed to music in the country.
Tickets cost 22,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Plays & Musicals

Another Country
Uniplex
Until 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.

Cyrano
Kwanglim Arts Center
Aug. 10 to 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.

The Korean National Contemporary Dance Company will perform "Swing" by Ahn Sung-soo./Courtesy of KNCDC

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 3pm, the National Gugak Center holds a performance showcasing Korean traditional music and dance. This series will take place all throughout 2018. Each week the series will exhibit the works of various gugak artists. Various 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 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

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.