2016.08.03 Ticket
Not all ballets are about elegant ballerinas doing pirouettes in tutus. The Korean National Ballet is presenting the quintessential male ballet “Spartacus,” pictured above, where muscular male dancers take powerful steps and make enormous jumps. See, THEATER. [KOREAN NATIONAL BALLET]
SPARTACUS
Main Hall Hae, National Theater of Korea
Aug. 26-28: The Korean National Ballet is presenting the story of Spartacus, a Roman slave who is forced to fight as a gladiator to regain his freedom. He plans a revolt with his fellow slaves, which ends with a one-on-one duel with Crassus, who is holding Spartacus’ wife as his slave in his villa. The piece impresses with its dynamic, deeply emotional choreography, and it has been voted by ballet fans as the most anticipated show of the season.
The shows on Friday starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays on 3 p.m.
Tickets range from 10,000 to 30,000 won.
Dongkuk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2 for the shuttle bus
Bus 02 or 420, The National Theater of Korea bus stop.
NOTRE DAME DE PARIS
Samsung Electronics Hall, Blue Square
To Aug. 21: Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, this ambitious musical is a combination of unforgettable songs, stage design and story.
The original creators of the French musical participated in the Korean production.
The cast includes actors Hong Kwang-ho and Michael Lee, as well as singers K.Will and Chung Dong-ha.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends.
There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 to 150,000 won.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2.
WICKED
Opera House, Seoul Arts Center
To Aug. 28: The blockbuster Broadway musical “Wicked” is coming to Korea with an exciting cast:
Cha Ji-yeon and Park Hye-na will play Elphaba, while Jung Sun-ah and Ivy will play Glinda.
The musical gained a strong following after its premiere in Korea in 2012 and an 11-month run in 2013.
This year, the musical is also going to Daegu for five weeks.
Performances start at 8 p.m. on weekdays; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.
42ND STREET
CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center
To Aug. 28: “42nd Street” is an eye-catching and glamorous American classic is full of tap dancing that entertains both the eyes and ears.
This summer’s show marks 20 years since the musical debuted in Korea, with updated dance sequences and additional scenes.
Actors Song Il-gook and Lee Jong-hyuk will play the main role of Julian Marsh.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal, line No. 3, exit 5.
GISELLE
Chungmu Art Center
Aug. 12-14: This poignant love story has been a favorite Romantic ballet since its premiere in 1841 in Paris.
Giselle is an innocent young girl living in a small village. She falls in love with Albrecht, who she soon discovers wooed her despite being betrothed to another women. Giselle dies of shock and becomes one of the “willies,” or ghosts that haunt a nearby graveyard. But when the queen of the willies demands she kill Albrecht, she forgives him instead.
The show starts at 8 p.m. at Friday; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekend.
Tickets cost 20,000 won to 80,000 won.
Sindang Station, lines No. 2 and No. 6, exit 9.
TRADITONAL PERFORMANCE
SCENT OF INK
Main Hall Hae, National Theater of Korea
Oct. 6-8: Tradition meets the modern with “Scent of Ink,” which offers a whole new perspective on Korean dance.
The performance expresses the spirit of scholars by focusing on four men who feel as if they are in an ink painting.
The group expresses the four seasons. It’s traditional dance, but the company adds modern elements to counter the impression that tradition is inherently stuffy or old fashioned.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and on 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 20,000 to 70,000 won.
Dongkuk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2 for the shuttle bus.
Bus 02 or 420, The National Theater of Korea bus stop.
Andong, Northern Gyeongsang Province
Sept. 30 to Oct. 9: The traditional form of Korean mask dance known as talchum will be showcased at this festival in Andong, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Unlike other forms of dance, viewers are invited to participate during performances of talchum, which is one of the form’s unique characteristics.
The area around the festival is known for being home to 317 Korean cultural assets, including numerous seowons (traditional education centers).
A timetable for the festival will be available at www.maskdance.com starting one month before it kicks off.
Visitors can purchase tickets at the venue.
Tickets cost 7,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for students and seniors.
MUSIC
JYP NATION CONCERT
Jamsil Indoor Stadium
Aug. 6-7: Artists from the popular entertainment agency JYP will be gathering for the 4th JYP Nation stage this August in Seoul. Audiences of all ages are able to enjoy the star-studded line-up, including well-known artists such as veteran girl group Wonder Girls, Jo-kwon, 2PM, MissA’s Min and Fei, Baek Ah-yeon, G.Soul and the founder J.Y. Park himself. JYP’s younger acts Park Ji-min, GOT7, Bernard Park, DAY6 and TWICE will also be present. This year’s concert will again showcase various special collaborations that can only be seen at JYP Nation concerts. The Wonder Girls, 2PM and TWICE will headline this year’s show.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 99,000 to 110,000 won.
Sports Complex Station, line No. 2, exits 6 and 7.
LOTTE CONCERT HALL OPENING NIGHT
Lotte Concert Hall
Aug. 19: Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for the official opening of the Lotte Concert Hall inside Lotte World Mall.
The orchestra will be led by its former principal conductor and artistic director, Chung Myung-whun.
Lotte Concert Hall is designed in the so-called vineyard style, allowing audience members to get the same quality resonance wherever they’re sitting.
Chung and the orchestra are scheduled to perform “Le Chant des Enfants des Etoiles” by Chin Un-suk, a contemporary Korean classical composer, as well as Beethoven’s “Overture Leonore No.3 OP.72a” and Saint-Saens’s “Symphony NO.3 in C minor, Op.78 Organ.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won ($35) to 200,000 won.
Jamsil Station, line No. 8, exit 11.
GUSTAV MAHLER - SYMPHONY OF A THOUSAND
Lotte Concert Hall
Aug. 25 and 27: Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 is a massive undertaking - the scale has lent it the nickname “Symphony of a Thousand” - and it’s rarely performed in Korea. But for two shows, 1,000 musicians and 860 choir singers will take it on under conductor Lim Heon-jeong. Lim, who is the artistic director and conductor of the Korean Symphony Orchestra, is said to be the only conductor who has directed the piece twice in Korea.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 90,000 won to 150,000 won.
Jamsil Station, line No. 8, exit 11.
JO SU-MI RECITAL - LA PRIMADONNA
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Aug. 28: Soprano Jo Su-mi marks her 30th anniversary as an opera singer this year. Jo, who debuted in 1986 as Gilda for the opera “Rigoletto,” will perform with pianist Jeff Cohen. The coloratura soprano has won various international prizes since graduating from the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
She will sing “Caro Nome” from the opera “Rigoletto,” the song that she first used to impress European audiences. Other famous pieces like “The Doll Song,” “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls” and “Concerto pour Une Voix” will also be performed.
The concert starts at 5 p.m.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 150,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Sept. 2-4: Korea’s queen is back to entertain fans with three days of concerts. Lee Sunhee debuted in 1984 with the song “To J,” which immediately became a hit. She’s now known by many as the “National Diva” or the “Queen of Female Vocalists,” and has established her name in the music industry with her impressive and emotional catalogue. She is also a songwriter, having written many of the tracks on her later albums.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 99,000 to 154,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 7 or 9.
PARK CONCERTS 2016 - DISNEY IN CONCERT
Olympic Park, 88 Jandi Madang
Sept. 4: For the last three years, Disney in Concert has been giving families with children an evening outdoors where they can listen to their favorite Disney songs. Last year’s show saw many children come dressed as Elsa from “Frozen,” Simba from “The Lion King” and Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.”
Every year, a special guest performs alongside the Disney Concert performers and Ditto Orchestra, and this event will feature young singer Oh Yeon-jun. Oh gained popularity after appearing on an Mnet program as a singing prodigy. He stole the show with Disney tracks like “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas” and “Reflection” from “Mulan,” which he is expected to reprise.
The concert starts at 5 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 240,000 won.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3.
FESTIVAL
INCHEON PENTAPORT ROCK FESTIVAL
Songdo Pentaport Park
Aug. 12-14: Beginning in 2006, this annual festival has been inviting top acts to Korea every summer, including Psy, Muse and the Prodigy.
This year, the festival is back once more with Nell, Suede, Weezer, Panic! at the Disco, Two Door Cinema Club, At The Drive In, Zion.T and many more.
Tickets are on sale for 117,000 won for a one-day pass, 162,000 won for two days and 198,000 won for three days at the early-bird price.
International Business District Station, Incheon line No. 1.
*Event information collected from the Korea Tourism Organization. Tickets are available at ticket.interpark.com/global or by calling 1544-1555.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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