Classical Concerts Big Tickets Museums Pop & Jazz

Classical Concerts

Great Mountains Music Festival & School

Alpensia Concert Hall

Through Aug. 5

The Great Mountains Music Festival & School will be held in the midst of nature in the mountainous province of Gangwon. Two renowned artists - cellist Chung Myung-hwa and her sister violinist Chung Kyung-hwa - serve as artistic directors of this renowned chamber music festivals in Korea. This year, the annual festival will explore the relationship between dance and music. Tickets cost 40,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 725-3394.

Big Tickets

UMF Korea

Olympic Stadium*

Aug. 3-4

The biggest party on earth, the world's premiere electronic music festival, is coming to Asia for the first time. The festival will be held with musicians who are topping the charts, like Steve Aoki, Clazziquai, Tokyo Big Boy, Tiesto, and many more. Tickets cost 110,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3471-8957 or visit www.umfkorea.com.

Museums

Korean Art from the United States

National Museum of Korea

Through Aug. 5

The National Museum of Korea brings some major Korean artworks from museums in the United States such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The exhibition will feature artwork, including paintings from the Goryeo Kingdom that have never been seen by the Korean public. The exhibition will explore how Korean culture was introduced overseas. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

Wondergirls: Wonder World

Jamsil Stadium

July 7

From "Tell Me", "So Hot" to "Nobody", songs by the Wondergirls are among the the most well known K-pop songs in the world. Their songs have risen as far as to 78th on Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 2009. A five-member girl group affiliated withJYP Entertainment finally returns to the Korean stage for a bona-fide comeback after several years in the United States. Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

LeeSsang Season 2

Olympic Park*

July 14-15

LeeSsang, a popular Korean hip-hop duo will collaborate with many recognized artists including rapper-singer Yoon Mi-rae, and singers Big Mama and Hwayobi. The duo has released a total of seven albums to date. They will perform many of their songs that ranked in the top 10 Korean music chart. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.  

Plays & Musicals

Mozart!

Sejong Center

July 10-28

Originally written in German, "Mozart!" premiered in Austria in October 1999. The Korean rendition, first held in 2010, also portrays the struggles and hardships of the Mozart. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www. sejongpac.or.kr.

La Cage aux Folles

LG Arts Center

July 4-Sept. 4

The musical based on Harvey Fierstein's award-winning novel revolves around a gay couple with complicated circumstances. Georges is a nightclub manager and his partner is Albin and the comedy unfolds when Georges' son, Jean-Michel visits them. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

Poongwallju

Culture Space NU

Through July 29

"Poongwallju", means master of wind and the moon, and it is a homegrown musical about two men and a woman during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.). Instead of traditional costumes, actors wear simple, modern black clothes to portray a love triangle involving Yeol, a charismatic male "gisaeng", or Korean courtesan, his dearest friend Sa-dam and Queen Jinseong, who has everything except for the man she loves. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Hairspray

Chungmu Art Hall

Through Aug. 5

Based on the 1988 film "Hairspray", the plot of the musical revolves around a teenager who dreams of dancing on "The Corny Collins Show". When she wins the opportunity to do so, she becomes a celebrity overnight. The songs are 1960 dance style music, rhythm, and blues. The successful musical won a total of 11 awards, including eight Tony Awards and Best New Musical. Tickets cost 20,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6601.

The National Chorus of Korea Debut Concert III

Recital Hall, Seoul Arts Center * (Refer to Venues listed on right for location/contact information)

June 11

The National Chorus of Korea is holding its third debut concert to select a new conductor for the chorus. Contestants include conductors Lee Sung-hoon and Kim Hong-soo, and the program is divided into three parts - mixed, male-only and female-only groups. Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won. For more information call 1588-7890.

Friendly Flute Ensemble 2nd Concert

Sejong Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

June 6

Nine talented flute players and a double bass player will introduce a wide variety of music from baroque to contemporary. The program includes the overture from the opera "Nabucco" by Verdi, the finale from Haydn's "Symphony No. 6 'Le Matin'," Mendelssohn
Scherzo, Op.61-1" and more. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-0945.

Sejong Soloists Society 'The Red Priest Series'

Hoam Art Hall*

June 15

Sejong Soloists Society named its 2010project "The Red Priest Series" after Vivaldi's nickname. Young internationals artists will play Vivaldi's "Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 142", "Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531", Mozart's "Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478" and Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70". Programs are subjected to change. Tickets cost 30,000. For more information, 02)751-9607.

2010 To Know, To Love

Youngsan Art Hall

June 18

Dukyoung Organization is holding a concert in the hopes of embracing Korea's multicultural communityThe Dukyoung Trio, consisting of only percussion players, will perform Dvorak's "Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 'Dumdy'"; Ensemble Rhythmico will offer "Holy Mozart" and "Mozart at the Opera"; and the Rainbow Korea Chorus will sing Korean traditional songs. Tickets cost 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call 02)586-0945. Located near exit 1 of Yeoinaru Station line 5.

Schumann's 200th Anniversary Series 1

Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center*

June 26

A vocal performance will be held in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schuman, featuring songs inspired by the love story between the composer and his wife, the pianist Clara. Soprano Jang Hyung-joo, a professor at Yonsei University, and Kim Sae-il, the winning tenor from the 8th International Lied Competition of the Japan Schubert Society, will sing duets including "Liebhabers Staendchen, Op. 34-2" and "Tanzlied, Op. 78-1". Tickets cost 20,000 won to 30,000. For more information, call 1577-7766.

Beethoven Cycle 4

Gyeonggi Arts Center

June 4

The Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra will play Beethoven's masterpieces including "Symphony No.4 in B major, Op.60" and "Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61", which were composed during the happier periods of the composer's life. Kim So-ok, a noted violinist in Europe, will appear as soloist. Tickets cost 5,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit artsuwon.or.kr or call (031) 228-2813~5. Located near Suwon Station on subway line 1.

Sweet Yawning

Sowol Art Hall

Through June 28

The Sookmyung Gayageum Orchestra presents a concert specially designed to facilitate prenatal education. The concert will feature modern versions of traditional music used for prenatal education in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). All tickets cost 15,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 701-4879. Located near exit 9 of Wangsimni Station on subway lines 2 and 5.

Chang Han-na's 'Absolute Classic'

Seongnam Arts Center *

Aug. 14-28

Cello virtuoso and debutant conductor Chang Han-na will hold the 2010 season of "Absolute Classic", an international music festival for youths. This year, her teacher, world famous Maestro Lorin Maazel, will participate in the event. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 70,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 2232-1148.

Opera 'Aida'

Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center*

June 16-19

The 1st Korea Opera Festival presents "Aida" by the Sol'Opera next month. The show is directed by Paolo Bosisio and Antonio de Lucia and features a cast of top Italian and Korean singers including tenors Mario Malagnini and Lee Jeong-won. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-5266.


Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

Aram Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex*

Through June 13

Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex is holding an exhibition where contemporary artists present works under the theme of the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Tickets cost 2,000 won for students and 3,000 won for adults. Visit www.artgy.or.kr or call 1577-7766.

Dialogue in the Dark

Vertigo

Open Run

The exhibition recreates the everyday life of the visually impaired as visitors have only a guiding voice and walking stick to carry out different activities in pitch darkness. Tickets cost 30,000 won for adults and 20,000 won for children. Call 1544-1555. Located near exit 3 of Sinchon Station on subway line 2.

6th Busan Int'l Dance Festival

Special stages near Haeundae, Busan Cultural Center, Busan University, Grand Hotel.

June 4-8

Inaugurated in 2005, the Busan International Dance Festival (BIDF) is back with more variety and a higher standard of performances. The festival this year hosts 56 troupes from 10 countries including Russia, China, Estonia, Venezuela, the U.S. and India giving fresh diversity to the event. Call (0505) 555-2949. Located near Haeundae subway station near Paradise Hotel.

Baby: Battle B-boy

June 4 -open run

Hongdae B-boy Theater

The energetic break dance show will offer lots to watch with a great story. An unskilled B-boy, Han, is an outcast in his team, but one day, his life changes when he learns Korean traditional dance from a girl whom he met during practice. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 323-5233. Located near exit 5 of Hongik University station line number 2.

MODAFE 2010

Arko Arts Theater, Daehangno Arts Theater

Through June 8

The 2010 Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) will bring dancers from around the world together under the slogan, "Gender-Distance". This year, 28 teams from 11 countries will bring stunning energy to this event. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 30,000 won. Visit www.modafe.org or call (02) 765-5352. Both theaters located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.

Vibe: Vibe in Praha

Olympic Hall, Olympic Park*

June 18,19

Famous Korean R&B duo Vibe is holding a promotional concert for it's 4th Album "Vibe in Praha". All four new songs on the album as well as the group's hit songs will be performed. Tickets cost from 44,000 won to 88,000 won. Call (02) 3485-8700.

Lee Seung-chul

Jamsil Olympic Stadium

June 5

Korean pop star Lee Seung-chul will hold his 25th anniversary concert. The concert will feature his best songs, including those appearing on soundtracks of famous dramas, reinterpreted into new classic and rock styles. Tickets cost from 25,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-4992. Located near exits 6 or 7 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2.


Brothers Were Brave

Coex Artium

Through June 20

The Korean musical "Brothers Were Brave" is on stage. The musical is about two brothers Suk-bong and Ju-bong trying to receive their deceased father's inheritance. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 80,000 won. Call (02) 738-8289. Located near exit 6 of Samseong Station on subway line 2.

Billy Elliot

LG Arts Center*

Aug. 13- Open Run

One of the decade's top-class sensational musicals, "Billy Elliot", will be staged in Korea as the first non-English production in Asia. In England during the historic 1984-85 miners' strike, Billy pursues his dream to become a ballerino in secret. Tickets cost from 50,000 to 130,000 won. Call (02) 3446-9630.

All Shook Up

Hanjeon Art Center

Through June 20

The Korean version of the Broadway jukebox musical "All Shook Up", which was inspired by the hit songs of Elvis Presley, is on stage at Hanjeon Art Center. Tickets cost from 50,000 to 90,000 won. Call 1588-5212. Located near exit 1 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3.

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