Festivals

Mount Taebaeksan Snow Festival: This festival invites tourists to the winter wonderland of Taebaek in Gangwon Province. Mount Taebaeksan, well-known for its beautiful snow-covered trees, has been the venue for the annual winter festival. The festival, which runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 1, will feature an ice sculpture exhibition, travel photo display and Korean winter folk plays. The festival will hold a winter trekking competition on Feb. 1 on two mountain courses (9.3 and 8.7 kilometers). The trekking event starts from 8:30 a.m. on the last day of the festival. For more information, visit festival.taebaek.go.kr (Korean only).

Paju Trout Festival: For those looking for a winter festival held close to Seoul, Paju Trout Festival may be an option. The festival presents popular winter activities such as ice trout fishing, catching fish by hand, snow and ice sledding, and more until Feb. 8. The entrance fee is 15,000 won for teenagers and adults and 12,000 won for children and elementary school students. The ice-fishing venue is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival can be reached by bus from Seoul Station or subway. For more information, visit www.pjtf.co.kr (Korean only).

Pyeongchang Trout Festival: Named one of the top 20 winter festivals in Korea by the Korea Tourism Organization, this festival is being held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the host town of the 2018 Winter Olympics, until Feb. 8. The festival is underway along Odaecheon Stream, known for its abundance of trout. Visitors can ice fish and eat trout sashimi or roast it on the spot. Additional activities include barehanded trout catching, ice-skating, ice ATVs rides and snow rafting. For more information, visit festival700.or.kr (Korean only).

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival: This festival is one of the most popular winter festivals in Korea, offering diverse winter activities such as ice fishing, ice sledding, ice soccer, curling and ice hockey. The festival takes place in the scenic mountain town of Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 1. The lake for fishing can accommodate up to 8,000 visitors a day. The festival runs a separate fishing zone for children and foreign tourists traveling in groups. The admission is 12,000 won for adults and teenagers, and 8,000 won for children and the elderly. For more information, visit www.narafestival.com (English available).


Theater

“Notre-Dame de Paris”: The original French production of the famous musical “Notre-Dame de Paris” is now touring Korea, marking the 10th anniversary of the show’s Korean premiere in 2006. Based on French writer Victor Hugo’s popular novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” the musical tells the story of Quasimodo, a deformed hunchback who dwells within Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and falls in love with a beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda. The Seoul run opens on Jan. 15 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. For details, call (02) 749-9037.

“Harold and Maude”: The Korean production of this American romantic dark comedy directed by Hal Ashby stars actor Kang Ha-neul, who is making his stage debut as the 19-year-old Harold. The play is a love story between Harold, who is obsessed with death, and an 80-year-old woman named Maude, played by veteran actress Park Jung-ja, who teaches Harold about living life to the fullest. The play runs through March 1 at the National Theater of Korea’s Daloreum Theater. Tickets prices range from 30,000 won to 60,000 won. For details, call (02) 6925-5600.

“Forty Carats”: The Tony Awards-winning play “Forty Carats” is American playwright Jay Allen’s adaptation of the original French comedy by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy. The play centers on the 40-year-old divorcee Ann Stanley, who goes on a vacation by herself to Greece and meets the man of her dreams ― an attractive, rich and intelligent American, Peter Latham, a 22-year-old steel heir. The play runs through Feb. 8 at Yegreen Theater, near Hyehwa Station. Tickets are 30,000 won. For details, call (02) 532-5601.

“Educating Rita”: The Korean production of the British theatrical play “Educating Rita” by playwright Willy Russell stars popular actress Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Hye-jung, both as the protagonist Rita. The play focuses on Rita, a young hairdresser, who decides to complete her education. It is at the Open University where she meets Frank, a middle-aged university lecturer, who provides her with new insights into life. “Educating Rita” runs through Feb. 1 at Daemyung Culture Factory near Hyehwa Station. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 60,000 won. For details, call (02) 3672-0900.

“Melodrama”: Popular playwright and director Jang Yoo-jeong, known for the musical-turned-film “Finding Mr. Destiny,” a box office hit in 2010, returns to the stage with her directorial debut play, “Melodrama.” The play, starring actor Park Won-sang and actress Hong Eun-hee, searches for the meaning of love through the story of two couples who are having affairs. “Melodrama” runs through Feb. 15 in Jayu Theater at Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 won and 50,000 won. For details, call (02) 762-0010 or visit www.sacticket.co.kr.

“Gone with the Wind”: The Korean production of the French musical “Gone with the Wind” raised its curtains on Jan. 9 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name and its 1939 film adaptation, the musical premiered in Paris in 2003. The ongoing Korean production stars Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun and singer-turned-musical actress Bada as Scarlett O’Hara, opposite actor Joo Jin-mo and musical star Kim Bap-lae as Rhett Butler. It continues through Feb. 15. For details, call 1577-3363.

“Mr. Show”: Following the successful premiere of “Mr. Show” this spring, the women-only adult show is back for the holiday season. Directed by renowned musical director Kolleen Park, eight good-looking Korean men perform on stage, dancing and acting their way through eight different themes, while audience members join the party. The sexy variety show is open only to women aged 19 and older. It runs through Jan. 31 in Seoul at Lotte Card Art Center near Hapjeong Station. Tickets are 60,000 won and 80,000 won. For details, visit www.mrshow.co.kr.

“Kinky Boots”: This Broadway musical that bagged six Tony Awards last year is having its first non-English-language run in Seoul. A collaboration between Broadway producers and Korean entertainment firm CJ E&M, the show is based on the 2005 film of the same title, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. In the play, Charlie, the young, straitlaced owner of a struggling British shoe factory, forms an unlikely partnership with Lola, a drag queen, to save the business. The Korean rendition of “Kinky Boots” continues through Feb. 22 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. For details, call (02) 2230-6600.

“Once”: The Korean production of “Once” is being staged at Seoul Arts Center. Based on the 2006 film of the same title, the original Broadway musical won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical of the year. For its Korean version, veteran rocker Yoon Do-hyun will play the lead role. He will play Guy, an Irish street musician and vacuum cleaner repairman who falls in love with Girl, a Czech flower seller. Both Yoon and musical actor Lee Chang-hee will play the role, while two emerging musical actresses, Jeon Mi-do and Park Ji-yeon, will play Girl. “Once” continues through March 29 at the 1,000-seat CJ Towol Theater in Seoul Arts Center. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, call (02) 577-1987.


Exhibitions

“Polar Heir”: Photographer Han Sung-pil is holding a solo exhibition on human exploitation in the Arctic and Antarctica. On display are pictures he took during trips to the North and South Poles from 2013 to 2014, especially to places where early European explorers settled and competed to extract natural resources or catch whales. The exhibition runs through Feb. 22 at Arario Gallery in Jongno-gu, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 541-5701.

“Young Korean Artists 2014”: The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is holding an exhibition showcasing young artists whose work reflects the ironies of today’s society. On view are experimental installations, videos and paintings by eight emerging artists in their 20s and 30s. The exhibition runs through March 29 at the Gwacheon branch of the MMCA. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Lee Lee-nam: Light”: Media artist Lee Lee-nam is holding a solo exhibition of works that explore the possibilities of new technology. The exhibition, titled “Light,” features installations, sculptures and video works. The artist brings classic masterpieces of Johannes Vermeer and Michelangelo back to life by incorporating multimedia technology. He lights up candles in the paintings to make blinking movements and moving shadows. He makes milk flowing from a jar in Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” look real with audio and visual features, and puts a TV instead of a cross on the back of Jesus Christ on his way to being crucified. The exhibition continues through Feb. 8 at Gana Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 720-1020.

“Pompeii: Culture of the Ancient Roman City”: The National Museum of Korea is presenting the special exhibition “Pompeii: Culture of the Ancient Roman City” until April 5. On display are some 300 sculptures, accessories, frescoes and casts that vividly capture the daily lives of Pompeii’s citizens before the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on Aug. 24, A.D. 79. Admission is 13,000 won for adults; 11,000 won for middle school, high school and university students; 8,000 won for elementary school students; and 5,000 won for preschoolers. The museum is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr.


Pop music

Michael Buble: International vocal sensation Michael Buble will be coming to Seoul for his first concert in Korea after debuting more than a decade ago. The Canadian is one of the most famous contemporary jazz vocalists, and attained worldwide stardom after the release of his chart-topping 2005 album “It’s Time,” featuring the popular singles “Home” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.” Buble has landed himself nine Grammy Awards nominations and four wins. His most recent album, “To Be Loved,” was released in April and won him a Grammy this year for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The soloist be performing live on Feb. 4 at the Indoor Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex. Ticket prices range from 99,000 won to 253,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Ed Sheeran: Up-and-coming English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is making waves in the music industry as one of the decade’s notable breakthrough artists. In 2011 he released his debut album, “+,” which went certified quintuple platinum in the U.K. The album featured the hit singles “The A Team” and “Lego House” and helped him snag the Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act awards at the 2012 Brit Awards. Earlier this year he released his second album, “X,” and landed himself a Grammy nod for Best New Artist. Sheeran will be performing his first concert in Korea on March 8 at Seoul Olympic Park’s SK Olympic Handball Stadium. Ticket prices are listed at 121,000 won and 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Naturally 7 Live in Korea”: Naturally 7 is an American seven-member male a cappella group that performs a style which the members refer to as “vocal play” ― mimicking instruments with their voices. The group formed in 1999 in New York City but remained relatively unknown before it caught a break, being selected as the opening act for Michael Buble’s ongoing Crazy Love Tour. Naturally 7 will be performing live in Seoul at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu on March 4. Ticket prices range from 77,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Christina Perri The Head of Heart Tour in Seoul”: Christian Perri is an American singer-songwriter known for her 2010 debut single “Jar of Hearts.” The song appeared on the popular dancing reality show “So You Think You Can Dance,” and went on to sell more than 3 million copies worldwide. A year later she released her debut album “Lovestrong” and went on to release her hit single “A Thousand Years.” The song was featured on the Blockbuster film “Breaking Dawn Part 2” of the Twilight Saga. “A Thousand Years” went quadruple platinum. Last year Perri released her second studio album, “Head or Heart.” The singer-songwriter will be giving a special performance, which includes a meet-and-greet session for VIP ticket holders, on March 10. General standing ticket prices are listed at 99,000 won with VIP tickets listed at 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.


Classical music

Hilary Hahn recital: Two-time Grammy-winning American violinist Hilary Hahn is holding her first solo recital in Seoul in eight years. She will perform on Jan. 20 at Seoul Arts Center. The program consists of Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105; Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G minor, L. 140; Bach’s Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E Major; and the artist’s selection of 27 small pieces. Ticket prices start from 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-2512 or visit www.mastmedia.co.kr. 

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra: Under the baton of artistic director Chung Myung-whun, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a special encore concert on Jan. 18 at Seoul Arts Center, playing fan favorites from the past season’s repertory. It will perform Wagner’s “Tannhauser Overture,” Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) with Kim Sun-wook on piano and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, call 1588-1210 or visit www.seoulphil.or.kr.

“2015 International Pianist Series”: Kumho Art Hall is hosting a series of recitals starring celebrated pianists from around the world. Irish pianist and conductor Barry Douglas will be playing a number of Romantic-era pieces on Jan. 22. The promising young French pianist Lise de la Salle will be performing on March 19. Tickets are available at 30,000 won or 40,000 won with discounts for students. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 6303-1977.

Vienna Boys’ Choir: The Vienna Boys’ Choir will be touring five cities in Korea, starting in Jeonju on Jan. 16. In Seoul, the choir will give two concerts at Nowon Arts Center in Junggyebon-dong, northeastern Seoul, on Jan. 23 and at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong on Jan. 25. The program consists of church music, waltzes, folk music and some well-known numbers from film soundtracks. The Jan. 25 concert will start at 5 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center. Tickets prices range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For details, call 1577-5266 or visit www.clubbalcony.com.

Steve Barakatt & Herald Philharmonic: New age composer and pianist Steve Barakatt will present his symphonic work “Ad Vitam Aeternam” to Seoul audiences on March 8 at Seoul Arts Center. Accompanied by the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor Kim Bong-mee, the Canadian musician will also play some of his greatest hits, such as “Rainbow Bridge” and “Flying.” The concert will start at 5 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Seoul Art Center. Ticket prices start from 40,000 won. For details, call (02) 580-1300.

Gustavo Dudamel & LA Philharmonic: Gustavo Dudamel, one of the most sought-after conductors now, will lead the LA Philharmonic Orchestra in two Seoul concerts in March. They will perform at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on March 25 and 26. The program consists of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 in A minor, John Adams’ “City Noir” and Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 340,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6303-1977 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Dance

“Multiplicity, Forms of Silence and Emptiness”: Kicking off the 2015 ballet season, Universal Ballet Korea will be staging Nacho Duato’s “Multiplicity, Forms of Silence and Emptiness” as its season opener. The 1999 ballet is one of Duato’s best-known works and landed the choreographer the prestigious Benois de la Dance prize. As a homage to one of classical music’s greatest, Johann Sebastian Bach, the two-act ballet tells the story of Bach’s music by combining baroque music and modern choreography. Performances will be held at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from March 19-22. For more information, visit www.universalballet.com.

“Giselle”: The Korean National Ballet will be starting the year with its performance of “Giselle,” one of the ballet world’s most classic and beloved tales of love and heartbreak. One of the most frequently performed and haunting ballet masterpieces of the Romantic era, “Giselle” touches upon a wide spectrum of human emotions including happiness, love, heartache, pain and forgiveness. Giselle is an emotionally and physically fragile village girl who falls hopelessly in love with her Prince Charming. Her world is shattered when she finds out that she is not the only woman in his life. The KNB’s production of “Giselle” will be held at the Seoul Arts Center from March 25-29. For more information, visit www.kballet.org.