2009.12.02 TICKET
Kim Gun-mo, known as the Korean Stevie Wonder, returns to the stage once more with his Soul Groove tour, which will take place over the weekend at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park. See MUSIC, below. Provided by Media Line
NATIONAL CENTER FOR KOREAN TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS, Umyeondang Theater
Thursday and Friday: “Taepyeongga Traditional Performance.” The 74th Regular Concert at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts features new compositions and arrangements by the NCKTPA’s Creative Music Troupe.
The performance will feature a number of different styles of traditional Korean instrumental music, including gagok, which is a representative vocal genre appreciated by the scholars of the Joseon period (1392-1910). It uses sijo, or traditional Korean poetry with fixed forms, for its texts. Performed since around the 16th century, in the early Joseon period, gagok has been passed on to today, undergoing many changes and generating variations.
Gagok is always accompanied by a chamber ensemble comprised of wind and string instruments, and composed for both men and women.
A feature of gagok is that any sijo text, depending on its content and poetic rhythm, can be sung to any of the gagok melodies. During a performance, gagok pieces were traditionally sung by a man and woman alternating the lines, except for the last piece, “Taepyeongga,” which is performed by both singers together.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 8,000 won ($8) to 10,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 580-3300, www.gugak.go.kr
MAPO ARTS CENTER, Art Hall MAC
Friday: “Yozoh’s ‘It’s Love O’Clock’ Concert.” Known for her sweet upbeat vocals and her performances with the Sogyumo Acacia Band, Yozoh presents a winter concert for her fans.
Expect to hear songs such as “After Breakfast,” “Morning Star” and “Harmonica Sound” from her full-length solo album “Traveler,” which was released in 2008 on the indie label Pastel Music.
Since this Korean female singer debuted about 10 years ago, she has worked with big-name artists such as Eric from the group Shinhwa, Humming Urban Stereo, Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Min-woo. On top of that, her music has been featured on soundtracks for the hit dramas, “Coffee Prince” and “New Heart,” as well as commercials.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 44,000 won to 55,000 won.
Daeheung Station, line No. 6
(02) 3274-8600, http://ticket.auction.co.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, Concert Hall
Saturday: “New York Harlem Singers of Christmas in Korea.” This ensemble of gospel singers will present a special Christmas-themed concert at the Seoul Arts Center.
For this December’s concert in Seoul, the ensemble has prepared a wide selection of songs ranging from classic jazz numbers by Duke Ellington to modern ballads like “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. As a special tribute to the King of Pop, the program will also include some famous titles from the late Michael Jackson. The group will also sing a variety of Christmas carols.
The ensemble, comprised of seven vocalists and two instrumentalists, is led by one of the most influential musicians in the African-American music community, Linda Twine. Twine is known for her role as the artistic director of several Broadway musicals, including Oprah Winfrey’s production of “The Color Purple.”
Twine personally trains the New York Harlem Singers, and the group strives to preserve the cultural values and sounds of their ancestors. The New York Harlem Singers have been spreading their gospel throughout the world with notable performances in Europe, South America and Asia.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exits 4 and 5
(02) 580-1301, www.sac.or.kr
KINTEX, Goyang
Saturday: “Cho Yong-pil Concert.” Legendary Korean singer Cho Yong-pil is holding his annual Year’s End concert.
Cho is widely recognized as one of the greatest singers in the history of modern Korean music. He has spent much of his recent career focusing solely on live performances, rather than on television appearances. On average, Cho gives about 30 concerts a year.
Cho has always had diverse musical tastes. He jump-started his musical career by forming a band called Atkins, which was a country and western group that played for the U.S. Army. He later founded the rock group Kim Trio. His debut single, “Come Back to Busan Port,” which was released in 1975, became a hit song in Korea and then later in Japan.
Cho’s annual Year’s End concert has been promoted as one of the biggest must-see performances of the year. He will be performing a selection of songs from his repertoire of endless hits from his extraordinary 30-year career.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Daehwa Station, line No. 3, exit 3
(02) 1588-3154, http://ticket.interpark.com
OLYMPIC PARK, Olympic Hall
Saturday and Sunday: “Kim Gun-mo - Soul Groove.” Kim Gun-mo, who is also known as the Stevie Wonder of Korea, will give an encore performance following his successful tour in April.
Kim is known for possessing a musical versatility that covers a vast range of genres, including pop, soul, reggae, house, blues, ballad, electronica and slow jam. He has managed to awe his listeners with memorable hits and his ability to balance mainstream trends with his signature voice.
The 41-year-old veteran holds the record for the biggest selling album in Korea with his third studio album, which sold over 2.8 million copies. Some of his hit singles include “Excuse,” “Wrongful Meeting” and “Jjangga.”
The concert starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 110,000 won.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3
(02) 720-8500, http://ticket.interpark.com
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, Concert Hall
Sunday: “Bambini di Praga.” The Bambini di Praga is a talented Czech children’s choir, better known as “The Sparkling Jewel of Europe.” They are making the long journey to Korea for this special Christmas concert to help get everyone into the spirit of the holidays.
The choir is composed of mostly 12- to 20-year-old girls, and they have performed at many venues in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia and elsewhere around the world.
One of the highlights of the choir’s performances is the diversity of styles in the music they present - including pop, jazz, 19th-century choral works, folk songs and Christmas carols.
Since 1985, Bambini di Praga has released more than 30 recordings, and their Czech and Moravian Christmas recordings have been especially admired around the world.
During the Bambini di Praga’s performance in Seoul, the choir will include in their repertoire Christmas carols from the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Poland, the Ukraine, Spain, the U.S., England and Korea.
The performance will take place at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 80,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exits 4 and 5
(02) 548-4480, www.sac.or.kr
PERFORMANCE
EDA, Perfroming Art Hall
Through Jan. 31: “Equus.” Renowned theater company Yeongeukyeoljeon will perform Peter Shaffer’s critically acclaimed play, “Equus,” which is about a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious and sexual fascination with horses.
Yeongeukyeoljeon went through an extensive pre-production process, with over 2,200 actors auditioning for parts. In the end, only a total of 12 talented actors and actresses were cast in the play.
While the production faithfully follows the characters and the story line of the original, director Jo Jae-hyeon also incorporates his own artistic vision.
This production will give those who have seen the original Equus a different look at Shaffer’s masterpiece, while first-time viewers will be able to appreciate the high production value and strong performances of the actors.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and at 3 and 7 p.m. on weekends.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 45,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 1 or 2
(02) 762-0010, www.e-eda.com
SEOUL NAMSAN GUGAKDANG
Saturday and Sunday: “An Overnight Gugak Performance with Dokkaebies.” Stay up all night for a special gugak (traditional Korean music) marathon with the folks from the TV show, “2 Days and 1 Night.”
Attendees will spend 14 hours celebrating the end of 2009 and the start of 2010.
Keeping with the Korean tradition of getting rid of the bad luck accumulated during the year and greeting the new year with a sense of renewed hope, the show will introduce the myths of the Korean ghosts called dokkaebi.
Throughout the marathon performance a variety of traditional Korean performing arts will be showcased, including salpuri dance, pansori singing and samulnori performance.
The audience will get a chance to participate in the events and win special prizes.
This event will start at 5 p.m. on Saturday and end at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Tickets cost 20,000 won.
Chungmuro Station, line No. 3 or 4, exit 4
(02)2261-0513~5, www.sngad.or.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, Towol Theater
Sunday to Jan. 2: “Quiz Show.” The Seensee Company raises the curtains for their ambitious new musical, “Quiz Show” on Sunday.
The musical pinpoints the emotional conflicts, social discrimination and hardships that the younger generation goes through when searching for a job. The musical’s protagonist is Min-soo, who works part-time at a convenience store and has to deal with irritating customers. After Min-soo’s grandmother passes away, he becomes a professional quiz show player in an effort to repay the debts that were passed onto him.
Quiz Show features powerful choreography and hypnotic music and lyrics that draw on the lives of the story’s characters, and presents its story in a way that viewers young and old from all over the world can relate to.
The musical started in 2007 after Seensee Company purchased the rights from the author of the novel on which the musical is based, Korean writer Kim Young-ha.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. on weekends.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 60,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exits 4 and 5
(02) 580-1300, www.sac.or.kr
SPORTS
Korean Basketball League
Wednesday
Mobis Phoebus vs. LG Sakers
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
Dongbu Promy vs. Daegu Orions
Wonju Chiak Gymnasium, 7 p.m.
Thursday
KT Sonic Boom vs. Samsung Thunders
Busan Sajik, 7 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. ET Land Elephants
Jeonju Gymnasium, 7 p.m.
Friday
Mobis Phoebus vs. KT&G Kites
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. SK Knights
Daegu Indoor Gymnasium, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Samsung Thunders vs. ET Land Elephants
Jamsil Indoor Stadium, 3 p.m.
KT Sonic Boom vs. Dongbu Promy
Busan Sajik, 3 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. LG Sakers
Jeonju Gymnasium, 5 p.m.
Sunday
Daegu Orions vs. KT Sonic Boom
Daegu Indoor Gymnasium, 3 p.m.
ET Land Elephants vs. KT&G Kites
Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium, 3 p.m.
SK Knights vs. Mobis Phoebus
Jamsil Indoor Stadium, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
LG Sakers vs. Dongbu Promy
Changwon Gymnasium, 7 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. Daegu Orions
Jamsil Indoor Stadium, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
FESTIVALS
2nd CJ Picture Book Festival
Through Dec. 24: This festival at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center celebrates the universal art of illustrated books through an exhibition and animated film screenings. Over 100 picture books from all over the world will be featured. Admission is free.
City Hall Station, line No. 2, exit 9
(02) 2151-6500, www.cjbook.org
Seoul Independent Film Festival, Indie Space
Dec. 10 to Dec. 19: Now in its 35th year, the Seoul Independent Film Festival offers moviegoers a chance to delve into Korea’s indie culture. Festival organizers hope to encourage Koreans to look beyond conventional cinema and to inspire and stimulate the domestic market. A total of 34 shorts and 11 feature films were chosen to compete in the festival, out of a record 722 films submitted. In addition to Korean films, the festival will feature the work of Filipino filmmakers.
Movie times vary.
Tickets cost 5,000 won.
Myeongdong Station, line No. 4. exit 10
(02) 362-9513, www.siff.or.kr/eng/
Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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