2011.1.12 TICKET
Above is a scene from the musical “Aida,” which is being performed at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House after a five-year absence from Korea. The role of Aida is played by Ock Joo-hyun, a former member of girl group Fin.K.L. See THEATER, below. [NEWSIS]
MUSIC
ROCK LEGEND SHIN JOONG-HYUN
Daehangno Small Theater
To Saturday: The legendary 72-year-old guitarist, known in Korea as the godfather of rock, finishes off his month of concerts through this Saturday. He chose Daehangno Small Theater because it was where he performed in 1960 at the height of his career.
He will play 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. each night.
Tickets are 50,000 won ($44.30).
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 764-4444
MARY J. BLIGE
Kyung Hee University’s Peace Hall
Sunday: American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige jets into Seoul for her first concert here.
Blige, who has won nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, will sing some of her greatest hits, including “Family Affair,” a song that became extremely popular in Korea after it was featured in a cell-phone television commercial. The set list also includes “Be Without You” and “I Am.”
The concert starts at 5 p.m.
Tickets range from 66,000 won to 165,000 won. (02) 3775-1588
JOE HISAISHI
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Theatre
Jan. 18 and 19: Joe Hisaishi is a Japanese composer and conductor known for composing film scores for many of director Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films, including “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea” (2008), “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004), “Princess Mononoke” (1997) and “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988).
This concert includes songs from the soundtrack for Takeshi Kitano’s film “Kikujiro” (1999).
He will be accompanied by the Korean Symphony Orchestra.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 187,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 518-9272, www.sejongpac.or.kr
VIENNA STRAUSS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 20: Start the new year by listening to the Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra conducted by Willy Buchler. The orchestra was founded by Johann Strauss specialist Peter Guth 30 years ago and is known for its authentic interpretations of Strauss’ music. The program includes “Die Fledermaus,” “Champagner Polka” and “Russischer Marsch,” Op. 426.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 599-5743, www.sac.or.kr
KOREAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 27: The Korean Chamber Orchestra and Busan Boys Orchestra will perform works by Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven and more. The program includes Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” overture; Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5”; Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello,” Op. 56; Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons: Winter and Summer”; and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor “From the New World.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 150,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 732-3090, www.sac.or.kr
BRAVO! JAZZ LIFE CONCERT
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 28: Korea’s first generation of jazz musicians will perform together following their appearance last month in the documentary “Bravo! Jazz Life” by Nam Mu-sung. The film documents the musicians’ struggle to do what they love - play music. The movie culminates in a concert organized by a group of younger jazz musicians showcasing the talents of their elders.
Songs from the documentary will be performed at the Jan. 28 concert, including “Mo’better Blues,” “Whisper Not” and “Moonglow.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 33,000 won to 77,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 6377-1250, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
HERO
The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae
To Jan. 15: Winner in six categories at the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korea 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.
Jeong Seong-hwa, Yang Jun-mo and Sin Seong-rok rotate in the role of Ahn Jung-geun.
Performances are at 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
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 SONG OF THE MERMAID
Seoul Arts Center, Towol Theater
Jan. 21 to 23: “The Song of the Mermaid,” celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, was created by Kim Sun-hee, the founder of the Kim Sun-hee Ballet Company and a professor of dance at Korea National University of Arts.
This performance features all the ballerinas who previously performed in the leading role.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 3216-1185, www.sac.or.kr
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater
To Jan. 30: The legendary story of the three musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, returns to Korea, following sold-out houses the last time it was presented here.
Based on the 1884 novel by Alexandre Dumas, the play tells the story of d’Artagnan and his friends, the three musketeers.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; at 4 and 8 p.m. on 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
BILLY ELLIOT
LG Arts Center
To Feb. 27: Based on the movie of the same name, and with music by Elton John, this musical has been a mega-hit worldwide. This is the first non-English language production of the show, which was previously produced in Britain, Australia and the United States. Four young men will alternate in the title role, including Im Sun-woo, who is the youngest person ever to play the character. It was nominated in 15 categories at the 2009 Tony Awards and ended up winning 10 of the major awards, including best musical.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 3446-9630, www.musicalbillyelliot.co.kr
AIDA
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
To March 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. Will Radames chose love or success?
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. from Monday to Friday, 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
JEKYLL AND HYDE
Charlotte Theater
To March 31: The first Korean-language performance of “Jekyll and Hyde” was in 2004. Since then, this musical has been a favorite with Korean audiences.
Jekyll and Hyde is set in London in 1885. Henry Jekyll is a doctor and scientist who lives with his sick father and decides to devote his life to finding a cure for his mental illness. When he decides to experiment on himself, he starts to form his frightening other half - Hyde.
Cho Seung-woo and other three actors star as Jekyll.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays, at 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Jamsil Station, line No. 2 or 8, exit 3
Go past the front entrance of the Lotte Hotel.
(02) 1588-5212, www.jekyllnhyde.co.kr
TRADITIONAL KOREAN PERFORMANCE
GEOMGOSORI
Seoul Namsan Gugak Center
Today to Sunday: The folk story “Geomgosori,” written by Moon Sook-hyun, originated during the Three Kingdoms period and will be told this week with the accompaniment of a geomungo (zither). Music is provided by the traditional music group Jeongga Akhoe.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 3 p.m. on the weekend.
Tickets are 25,000 won.
Chungmuro Station, line Nos. 3 and 4, exit 4
(02) 2261-0512~15, www.sejongpac.or.kr
GONGMYEONG CONCERT
Seoul Namsan Gugak Center
Jan. 18 to 23: The band Gongmyeong - with members Park Seung-won, Song Kyung-geun, Lim Yong-ju and Kang Sun-il - fuses traditional and modern music.
In this concert, they will play some of their songs on bamboo instruments. There will also be opportunities for the audience to try out the instruments on stage.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, at 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are 25,000 won.
Chungmuro Station, line Nos. 3 and 4, exit 4
(02) 2261-0512~15, www.sejongpac.or.kr
FESTIVALS
FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Dahyanggak and Butjae Tea Plantations, Boseong, South Jeolla
To Feb. 6: Boseong, some 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Seoul, is one of the major tea production areas in South Korea. Installations include large Christmas trees, illuminations and a tunnel of light called the “Milky Way Tunnel of Love.” These lights are set along green-tea plantation paths and offer fantastic night views.
(061) 850-5223, www.boseong.go.kr/ko/culture/events/light_festival.
PYEONGCHANG TROUT FESTIVAL
Pyeongchang, Gangwon
Saturday to Jan. 31: Pyeongchang is an alpine county with an abundance of snowfall and is a haven for winter sports. Throughout January, the county holds a trout-fishing festival on a 33,000-square-meter lot situated 700 meters above sea level (2,300 feet).
(033) 336-4000, www.festival700.or.kr.
*Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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