A weekend of love, song and couple shirts

If you can’t serenade your sweetie, get someone else to do it for you. This Valentine’s weekend, musicians from old-time balladeers to rockers and musical stars will perform in the name of love.

Lee Seung-chul: Love Love Love
Saturday, 4 and 8 p.m.
Seoul Olympic Park, Olympic Hall
(02) 550-2500
Lee Seung-chul first came onto the music scene in 1985 as the lead vocalist of the group Revival. He went solo in 1989, and almost 20 years later continues to make people swoon with love songs. A crowd of more than 3,000 is expected as he launches his Valentine’s performance with a rendition of the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love,” before moving on to his own songs.
Prizes will be given, including a diamond necklace for a couple who demonstrates the best kiss and chocolate for couples with matching rings.

Yoon Do-hyun Band
Valentine Concert
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Blue Club, Jeju Island, (064) 723-1405
If you’re lucky enough to be on balmy Jeju Island this week, check out this club. Yoon Do-hyun, rock star and host of an “unplugged” TV show, will be performing with his band. The band has released more than five albums, but reached its widest audience with “Oh Pilseung Korea” (Oh Victory Korea), the de facto national chant during the 2002 World Cup. For Valentine’s, the song roster includes hits like “Saranghalggeoya,” “Ijeulgge” and “Jayu.” Tickets are 30,000 to 40,000 won.

Yoshikazu Mera Valentine Concert
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall
(02) 525-6929
Yoshikazu Mera, the counter-tenor behind the title song for the Hayao Miyazaki animated film “Princess Mononoke,” is coming to Korea. This 32-year-old Japanese singer has made a name for himself singing Western and Japanese classical music, spirituals, folk songs and songs from musicals. This time, he’ll be performing songs from “Beauty and the Beast” and some Japanese songs like “Kanpyo,” accompanied by piano and a string orchestra. Lucky attendees will win vases, perfume and scented soaps. Tickets are 40,000 to 60,000 won.

The Most Romantic
Saturday, 5 p.m.
Sejong University, Daeyang Hall,
(02) 749-1300
With a title like “The Most Romantic,” there’s a lot to live up to. Organziers have lined up singers Kim Hyun-cheol, Park Gi-young and Cho Gyu-chan, plus New Age pianist The Rain for a guest performance. Guests are encouraged to propose to their significant others during the concert. Guests are also encouraged to wear couple shirts; photos will be taken in the lobby before the show.

Kim Won-jung Valentine’s Concert
Tonight, 8 p.m.
Kumho Art Hall, (02) 6303-1919
The star of the Korean musical “The Last Empress” will be visting Korea for a Valentine’s concert. The musical has been staged in New York and Los Angeles as well as Seoul. For her solo performance here, the soprano will be singing mostly from “George Gershwin’s Songbook.” This book, which first appeared in 1932, presented his songs in a vocal score and transcribed for piano, accompanied by cartoon illustrations by Constantin Alajalov.
Gershwin rarely played a song the same way twice, and Kim is sure to add her own touch to his famous songs, with lyrics by his brother Ira. The night will begin with “The Man I Love” before she sings songs like “Somebody Loves Me,” and “That Certain Feeling.” Tickets are 30,000 won.

by Joe Yong-hee

Tickets can be booked on www.ticketpark.com, or www.ticketlink.co.kr.