Exhibitions“Meditation & Healing”: N Gallery presents works by South Korean artist Kim Hong-tae. Kim has consistently created, for the past two decades of his career, paintings of simple surfaces and lines which ponder the themes “primitive and child.” At the exhibition, visitors can view about 30 of Kim’s abstract paintings on the theme and also some landscape paintings. The exhibition runs through April 5 at N Gallery in Seohyeon-dong, Gyeonggi Province. Fore more information, call (070) 7430-3323~5 or visit www.ngalleryart.com.
“Primitiveness+Child’s Mind” by Kim Hong-tae (N Gallery)
“Homing Painters”: Lotte Gallery sheds light on three renowned South Korean modern artists: Kim Ki-chang, Park Sang-kwang and Lee Ung-no. Visitors can look back on the historical traces of Korean modern paintings through the exhibits including 11 pieces by Kim, 11 by Park and 15 by Lee. All exhibits are from the collection owned by Pee Jeong-hwan, president of Shindong Market. The exhibition runs through April 1 at Lotte Gallery on the 12th floor of Lotte Department Store in Sogong-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 726-4428~9.
“Golden Mean of Jeju Living”: South Korean artist Lee Wal-chong who has been living on Jeju Island for the past 22 years, is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. Though he is best known for his colorful paintings featuring his life on the island, this exhibition covers all of the media the artist created, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and even incense burners. For more information, call (02) 519-0800 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
“Song for Nobody”: Bae Young-whan’s solo exhibition at Plateau in Taepyeongro, central Seoul, looks back on the last 15 years of his artistic career. The artist, who represented Korea at the 2005 Venice Art Biennale, filled the 43-square-meter exhibition space with 26 works that share the same theme, but are very diverse in genre and materials. His chandelier work “Insomnia -- Song of Dionysos” which appeared in director Im Sang-soo’s 2008 movie “The Housemaid,” is on show. The exhibition runs through May 20. Tickets range from 1,000 won to 3,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7595 or visit www.plateau.or.kr.
“Dutch Magic Realism: Past toward Contemporary”: Museum of Art in Seoul National University presents 71 Dutch paintings and sculptures from ING Banks’s collections. The show will trace 80 years of figurative art, from Dutch realism to recent works, by displaying artworks by the European country’s representative artists including Carel Willink, Wim Schuhmacher and Philip Akkerman. The exhibition runs through April 12 at Seoul National University’s Museum of Art in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, call (02) 880-9504 or visit www.snumoa.org.
“Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life”: The exhibition shows the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body by displaying more than 200 pieces of plastinated human bodies. Divided into four sections, the show presents the human life cycle and aging -- from prenatal development to old age -- by displaying a remarkable collection ranging from plastinated embryos to findings on geographic clusters around the world where the oldest living people live. The exhibition is held as open run at The War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 6,000 won to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-6235 or visit www.bodyworlds.kr.
Dance
“Rising Star”: Hanguk Performing Arts Center selected six dancer/choreographers to be featured at the “2012 HanPAC Rising Star.” The goal of the program is to offer young talent a chance to grow. The first team, composed of Hwang Su-hyeon, Geum Bae-seob and Yun Pu-reum will showcase from March 16 to 17 and the second team of Jeon Seong-jae, Ji Gyeong-min and Lee Jae-young will present their creations from March 23-24, both at Arko Arts Theater in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. Admission is 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3668-0007 or visit www.hanpac.or.kr.
Six choreographers who will be featured at “2012 HanPAC Rising Star” (HanPAC)
“The Lady of the Camellias”: Renowned South Korean ballerina Kang Su-jin, a principal dancer in Germany’s Stuttgart Ballet, and her dance company will showcase in Korea with “The Lady of the Camelias” from June 16-17 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The ballet, based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel, is choreographed by John Neumeier and features music by Chopin. Ticket sales opened on March 15. Tickets range in price from 50,000 won to 250,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.clubbalcony.com.
“The Sleeping Beauty”: Universal Ballet will present the masterpiece “The Sleeping Beauty” for the first time in six years at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The beautiful tale of Prince Desire, who kisses, wakes and marries Princess Aurora, who was cursed into a deep slumber, is based on Charles Perrault’s “La Belle au bois dormant” with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. It will run from April 5-8. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or 1544-1887 or visit www.universalballet.com.
“Uprising” & “In Your Rooms”: Acclaimed British choreographer and dancer Hofesh Shechter brings his representative works “Uprising” and “In Your Rooms” to Seoul in March. “Uprising,” premiered in 2006, is a fast-beat piece performed by seven male dancers. The rough music, composed by Schechter, and brilliant lights are known to mesmerize the audience. “In Your Rooms” features 11 female and male dancers, and five musicians. The shows will run from March 22-23 at LG Arts Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
Festivals
“2012 Gurye Sansuyu Festival”: Gurye-gun in South Jeolla Province will host its annual Sansuyu (cornus fruit) Festival from March 23-25 in the Jirisan hot springs area. Held under the theme of “Finding the Eternal Love,” the festival will present a wide range of traditional performances as well as hands-on programs such as sansuyu dish samplings, a foot bath program and a photo contest. Visitors will be able to enjoy the scenery and fragrance of sansuyu tree blossoms throughout the festival venue. For more information, visit www.sansuyu.go.kr.
Sansuyu is in full bloom at Gurye-gun (Korea Tourism Organization)
“2012 Gwangyang International Maewha Cultural Festival”: Gwangyang city in South Jeolla Province is hosting the 15th Annual International Maewha (Korean Plum Blossom) Festival through March 25. Under the theme “We are the one, mingling with the maewha blossoms at the heart-fluttering spring time,” the nine-day festival will mainly take place in Seomjin village in Daap-myeon. The festival will include the International Maesil (Korean plum) Symposium; International Cuisine and Beverage Exhibition and other various cultural performances. For more information, visit www.gwangyang.go.kr/gymaehwa/.
“2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival”: World-famous rock bands Radiohead and The Stone Roses will visit Korea in July to participate in the 2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival. Radiohead have released eight full-length albums since their debut in 1993 and their hit “Creep.“ The Stone Roses were a pioneering alternative rock group that rose to prominence in the late-1980s. The rock festival is scheduled to take place from July 27th through July 29th at Jisan Forest Resort in Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province from July 27-29. For more information, visit valleryrockfestival.mnet.com.
“The Paju Provence Light Festival”: Under the theme “A Love Story With Light,” the Grand Open Provence in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, has been decorated with some 4 million LED lamps in various shades. The festival will run through April 1 at the massive park just outside of Seoul. The festival features the nation’s largest light tunnel, a “love park” with four different hearts, which is a great place for couples, and various other light-works. Organizers have been preparing for the festival for a year and three months for perfection. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students. For more information, call (031) 945-7547 or visit www.provence.co.kr
Pop Music
“Charice Live in Seoul”: Charice, a YouTube star who was introduced to the world through South Korean TV show “Star King” in 2007 is returning to the Korean audience. Titled “Charice Live in Seoul,” the singer will hold her first concert in Seoul on March 21 at AX Hall Korea in Gwangjang-dong. She was praised by Oprah Winfrey as “the most talented girl in the world” and introduced to top-notch producers and singers such as David Foster and Celine Dion. In 2010, Charice released her first international album titled after her name. The album landed in eighth place on the Billboard 200, making her the first Asian singer to hit the Top 10. The ticket price for both standing and balcony seats is 88,000 won. For more information and ticket reservation, call 1544-1555.
Charice (Warner Music)
“Lady Gaga’s The Born This Way Ball”: U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga kicks off her “The Born This Way Ball” world tour at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, one of the biggest sports and concert venues in Korea, on April 27. The concert will be “the first-ever pop electro opera” and is the first full-fledged concert in Seoul by Gaga. Lady Gaga chose Seoul because she likes her enthusiastic and passionate Korean fans and thinks that they will best interact with her shocking performance. The 25-year-old star will perform her latest album “Born This Way” and also music from “The Fame” and “The Fame Monster” albums. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 125,000 won. For ticket reservations, visit privia.hyundaicard.com or ticket.interpark.com.
“Jane Birkin Sings Serge Gainsbourg”: Jane Birkin, one of France’s most beloved artists, also comes to Seoul for the first time in eight years. At her concert titled “Jane Birkin Sings Serge Gainsbourg” the 66-year-old singer and actress will pay homage to her former partner and mentor. Birkin and Gainsbourg were in passionate relation for 13 years and have a daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg has become a top French actress and singer. Birkin who is also famous for having a Hermes bag named after her will sing for Korean fans her hit music pieces including “Je T’aime … Moi Non Plus.“ The concert will take place on March 22 at Ax Korea in Gwangjang-dong, northeastern Seoul. Tickets are all 110,000 won, tax included. For more information, call (02) 6339-1232 or 1544-1555.
“Black and White World Tour by Lenny Kravitz”: Singer-songwriter and rock star Lenny Kravitz is to greet his Korean fans for the first time in April. The concert titled “Black and White World Tour” will take place at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa, southern Seoul, on April 13. The artist, famous for his sophisticated stage performance and exceptional vocal is currently on a world tour which kicked off in 2011. He has already performed in 11 cities in the U.S., six times in Australia and also five times in Japan. Tickets range from 88,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or call 1544-1555 for ticket reservation.
Classical Music
“Beethoven Chamber Music with Winds”: Kumho Art Hall Chamber Music Society, a group of professional classic artists in Korea, will give its first concert on March 29 at Kumho Art Hall in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The group, led by director Kim Dae-jin, the country’s leading pianist, will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s chamber music with winds including “Gassenhauer,” a trio piece in B-flat major, Quintet in E-flat major and Septet in E-flat major. The group plans to hold other concerts on June 21, on Sept. 27 and Dec. 20. Tickets are 30,000 won and 8,000 won for students under age 18. For more information, call (02) 6303-1977.
Kumho Art Hall Chamber Music Society (Kumho Art Hall)
“Paik Hae-sun’s recital”: One of Korea’s favorite pianists, Paik Hae-sun will hold recitals in major cities here for the first time in three years. The former Seoul National University professor was the first Korean to win third place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1994, in which no first prize was awarded. The artist will play the second book of Debussy’s “Images” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great French composer. She’ll also play French composer Olivier Messiaen’s “Le Colombe” from Preludes and “Le Loriot (Golden Oriole)” from “Cataolgue of Birds,” and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31. Paik’s 2012 Piano Recital kicks off in Busan at the Busan Cultural Center on March 21 and continues at Geoje Arts Center in South Gyeongsang Province March 21, at the Seoul Arts Center on March 27 and Suseong Artpia in Daegu on March 29. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266.
“Kim Sun-wook’s recital of Beethoven’s 32 sonatas”: Pianist Kim Sun-wook will perform Beethoven’s 32 sonatas, considered some of the greatest achievements ever composed for piano, for two years starting next month. The first stage of the planned eight recitals will be held at the LG Arts Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, on March 29. The pianist, who is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, will play the first four pieces in chronological order for his first recital at LG and will continue performing the rest at the same venue until next year. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com. Tickets are 30,000-70,000 won.
“The Great 3B Series ― Bach”: Seoul Arts Center will hold “The Great 3B Series” which explores the music of three great composers: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. This year the focus is on Bach ― his concertos and symphonies ― with the Korean Chamber Orchestra led by its artistic director and violinist Kim Min leading the performances. The first of the six-concert Bach series will be on March 22. The concert will feature the Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, 4 and 6 and Orchestral Suite No. 2 and 3. The second concert on May 24 will feature Philippe Bernold, first prize-winner of the Jean-Pierre Rampal International Flute Competition in 1987, while violinist Kim Nam-yoon and violist Lee Kyung-sun will perform with the Korean Chamber Orchestra on Sept. 27. Ten pianists including Park Jong-hwa, Choi Seung-hye and Chae Yoon-young will perform with the chamber orchestra on concertos for harpsichords on Nov. 22. The orchestra will hold two concerts on Dec. 30 featuring the Suwon Civic Chorale. Tickets are from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For details, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sacticket.co.kr.
Theater“Seopyeonje”: A musical adaptation of late author Lee Cheong-jun’s celebrated novel of the same title, “Seopeyeonje” is back for a second run in Seoul. The musical tells the poignant tale of “pansori” singers trying to make a living in the modern world performing their tradition vocal and percussion music. The show’s first run last year received highly acclaimed reviews, sweeping five prizes at the 2011 The Musical Awards. Popular pansori singer Lee Ja-ram and musical actress Cha Ji-yeon share the leading role of Song-hwa, while celebrated pop composer Yoon Il-sang is in charge of the music. The show runs until April 22 at Universal Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 90,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1666-8662.
A scene from the musical “Seopyeonje” (Musical Lang)
“The Game”: A theater adaptation of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment,” local theater company Myung Pum’s “The Game” focuses on the relationship between Raskolnikov, a murderer, and detective Porfiry. The plot pivots around the murder case of a cruel pawnbroker Alyona and her sister Lizaveta, who were killed with an axe. Though Porfiry develops a strong suspicion that Raskolnikov is the murderer, he has no proof. Daehangno’s veteran actor Nam Myung-ryeol plays the role of Porfiry, while rookie actor Oh Gyeong-tae performs Raskolnikov. The show runs March 3-11 at the Small Hall of Daehangno Arts Theater in Seoul. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 25,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 3673-2003.
“Caffeine”: Small-scale homegrown musical “Caffeine” is back for its third run in Seoul. A typical K-romantic comedy, the show follows the rocky journey of Sejin, a barista in her 30s who has always been dumped by her past boyfriends. The story pivots around her encounter with handsome womanizer Kang Ji-min, and how the duo predictably fall in love with each other. The musical runs until April at the Culture Space NU in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1577-3363.
“Elisabeth”: After welcoming the local adaptations of Czech musical “Hamlet” and London’s West End musical “Zorro“ recently, Korea’s theater scene is seeing the arrival of another European show, this time about the real-life 19th-century legendary Austrian Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898). Starring former girl group FIN.K.L. member-turned-musical actress Ok Ju-hyun, actor Song Chang-ui and K-pop group JYJ member and rising musical star Kim Jun-su, the musical portrays the life and death of the beautiful yet unhappy empress constantly seduced by the spirit of death. “Elisabeth” runs at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall in Seoul from Feb. 9 to May 13. For tickets and information, call (02) 6391-6333 or visit www.musicalelisabeth.com
“Musical Winter Sonata”: Based on KBS’ 2002 mega hit drama series of the same name, “Musical Winter Sonata” is a heart-wrenching love story. Using the beautiful winter scenery of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province as a sentimental background, the show tells the story of two people unable to let go of their first loves. The TV version received an enthusiastic reception both home and abroad, especially in Japan. The musical is directed by Yoon Suk-ho, who directed the TV series, while Oh Eun-hee composed the music. The show runs until March 18, at Myungbo Art Hall in central Seoul. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1544-1555, or (070) 7019-6707.