2010.12.15 TICKET
The Korean version of the musical “Annie” starts tomorrow and runs until Dec. 28 at the Grand Theatre of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The show is being presented by the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater. See THEATER, below. Provided by the center
MUSIC
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Club Eden
Saturday: LCD Soundsystem, the stage name of James Murphy, will perform at Club Eden’s second anniversary event. Murphy has released three critically acclaimed albums: “LCD Soundsystem” (2005), “Sound of Silver” (2007) and “This is Happening” (2010).
His first two albums were nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Electronic/Dance Album in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The song “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House,” a single off of the first album, was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for Best Dance Recording.
Admission is only for people ages 21 and over.
The club opens at 9 p.m.
Tickets are 40,000 won ($35).
Gangnam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 6447-0042, www.eden-club.co.kr
2000-2010 KUMHO ART HALL HIGHLIGHT
Kumho Art Hall
Thursday and Dec. 23: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Kumho Art Hall is presenting previous performers, including the Chamber Music Society featuring Kim Dae-jin, Oh Yun-ju, David Kim and others (Thursday), and the Kumho Asiana Soloists on Dec. 23.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets for Thursday’s concert are 30,000 won. Tickets for the Dec. 23 concert range from 8,000 won to 30,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 7
(02) 6303-7700, www.kumhoarthall.com
JUNG KWAK
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Dec. 26: Harpist Jung Kwak presents a benefit concert for the United Help for International Children organization, which funds surgery for disadvantaged children. The two-part program includes Schumann’s “Traumerei,” Elgar’s “Salut d’Amor” and Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.” The Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and flutist Lee So-young are the featured guests.
The club opens at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 780-5054, www.sac.or.kr
OPERA GALA CONCERT
Seoul Arts Center, Opera Theater
Dec. 29 and 30: The Korean National Opera has collected the most popular songs performed in a variety of operas performed this year and made a concert out of them to say adieu to the year 2010. Highlights of next year opera pieces will also be introduced. Some pieces that will be performed include Mozart’s “Fuor Del Mar,” Donizetti’s “Regnava Nel Silenzio,” Verdi’s “Plebe Patrizi Popolo,” and more. The Korean Symphony Orchestra will be performing with sopranos Park Eun-ju, Lim Sae-kyung, mezzo-soprano Jung Su-yeon, and tenors Kim Jae-hyung, Jung Ho-yun, Chun Byung-ho and Kang Shin-mo.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
SEOUL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Dec. 30: Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 will be performed by conductor Chung Myung-whun and mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill.
Chung made his debut in 1974 as the first Korean to take the award for piano in the Tchaikovsky Competition. Cargill is recognized around the world and is the winner of the 2002 Kathleen Ferrier Award.
The Seoul Philharmonic will be joined by several special guests, including the National Chorus of Korea, Nara Opera Choir and World Vision Korea Children’s Choir.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 9: Ryuichi Sakamoto returns for his first appearance in Korea since 2000. The concert features two pianos - one that Sakamoto will play, while the other will play recordings of Sakamoto’s songs. The concert features songs from Sakamoto’s recent albums “Playing the Piano” and “Out of Noise,” both from 2009.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 160,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 555-5743, www.sac.or.kr
ROCK LEGEND SHIN JOONG-HYUN
Daehangno Small Theater
To Jan. 15: The legendary 72-year-old guitarist known in Korea as the godfather of rock presents a month of concerts. He chose Daehangno Small Theater because it was where he performed in 1960 at the height of his career. He will perform his hits “Lover in the Rain,” “One Cup of Coffee,” “My Love,” “Beauty” and more.
Last December, Shin became the first Asian musician to have a tribute guitar made for him by Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
He will play the tribute guitar, which was named the “Shin Joong-hyun Tribute Stratocaster,” at the concert.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays.
Tickets are 50,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 764-4444
THEATER
THE MARRIAGE OF FIAGARO
Arko Arts Theater, Main Hall
To Dec. 26: This production celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shilhum Theater.
It stars renowned theater actors Suh In-suk and Lee Young-bum. It is directed by Ku Tae-hwan.
This performance is for people ages 13 and up.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; at 3 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.
The performance on Dec. 24 is at 3 p.m.
Tickets range from 25,000 won to 70,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
(02) 889-3561~2, www.hanpac.or.kr
POET YI SANG DEC. 12
Hwaseong Art Hall
Saturday to Dec. 26: Actor Bae Su-bin (SBS’s “Shining Inheritance” and MBC’s “Jumong”) stars in this show about the life of legendary poet Yi Sang.
Yi, who died at the age of 27, is one of Korea’s most celebrated post-modern poets and this year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. He experimented with new literary forms and undertook an exploration of his identity at a time when most other writers were writing about the political issues of the time.
The performance is for people ages 16 and up.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 19.
Otherwise, performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and at 3 and 7 p.m. on weekends.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 30,000 won.
Byeongjeom Station, line No. 1, exit 1 or 8
(031) 267-8888, http://hcf.or.kr
ANNIE
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts,
Grand Theatre
Tomorrow to Dec. 28: The Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater presents an encore production of “Annie,” three years after its Korean premiere. The 2007 production received the Best Foreign Musical Award at the Korea Musical Awards.
Performances are at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1772, www.sejongpac.or.kr
THE SNOWMAN
Hoam Art Hall
To Dec. 31: The Korean-language version of “The Snowman,” a musical based on the children’s book of the same name by English author Raymond Briggs, returns for an encore performance after its premiere here in March 2009. The musical is a classic tale about the adventures of a boy and his snowman. Created in 1986 in London, the musical has been a popular holiday favorite there ever since.
Performances are at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 35,000 won to 55,000 won.
City Hall Station, line No. 1 or 2, exit 9
(02) 751-9607~10, www.hoamarthall.org
HERO
The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae
To Jan. 15: Winner in six categories at the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korean Musical Awards, this original musical about colonial-era resistance fighter Ahn Jung-geun returns to the stage once again. This year’s production features new high-tech effects such as 3-D images and a real train that rises into the air.
The role of Ahn Jung-geun is played alternately by Jeong Seong-hwa, Yang Jun-mo and Sin Seong-rok.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. On Dec. 24, performances are at 3:30 and 8 p.m., and on Dec. 31 there is one performance at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2 Take a shuttle in front of Taegeukdang.
(02) 2290-5900, www.ntok.go.kr
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater
Today to Jan. 30: The legendary story of Athos, Porthos and Aramis returns to Korea.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; at 4 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and at 3 and 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 120,000 won.
Sindang Station, line No. 2, exit 1
Walk 150 meters (about 500 feet) toward Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station.
(02) 2230-6624, www.musicalthreemusketeers.com
AIDA
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
To Mar. 27: “Aida” returns to Korea after a five-year absence. The story of Ethiopian princess Aida is one of forbidden love. Aida is captured and sold into slavery in Egypt, where Egyptian military commander Radames falls in love with her. As the military commander of Egypt, Radames is forbidden to love a woman from a different country and he struggles to choose between her and his service to the Pharaoh. To make matters worse, the Pharaoh’s daughter Amneris is in love with him.
The role of Aida is played by Ock Joo-hyun, a former member of girl group Fin.K.L.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Imae Station, Bundang line, exit 1
(02) 1544-1555, www.snart.or.kr
TRADITIONAL KOREAN PERFORMANCE
SAMUL GWANGDAE
The National Theater of Korea, KB Haneul Youth Theater
Dec. 19: Samul Gwangdae, a samulnori percussion quartet, performs with leading artists in jazz, traditional Korean music, Gyeonggi folk music and taepyeongmu (“great peace dance”). The show ends with a shaman ceremony.
The performance starts at 5 p.m.
Tickets are 30,000 won.
Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2, and take a shuttle in front of Taegeukdang
(031) 916-2323, www.samulegd.com
FESTIVALS
SEOUL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
CGV Sangam, Seoul
To Friday: The Seoul Independent Film Festival (SIFF) is an annual competitive independent film festival dedicated to showcasing films of all genres and promoting films that challenge traditional mindsets and provide new visions. Sixty-four films will be screened during the festival, including film dramas, documentaries, animations and experimental films.
(02) 362-9513, www.siff.or.kr.
*Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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