Classical Music

“Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra New Year’s Concert”: Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra, founded in 1978 by artistic producer Peter Guth, will perform with soprano Im Sun-hae and hold its fourth performance in Korea on Jan. 18. The orchestra performed here as recently as January this year. The orchestra has been touring throughout Europe, Asia and America with a wide repertoire. In the upcoming concert, the orchestra will be performing pieces by composers Johann Strauss, Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss Vater, Vittorio Monti, Franz Lehar, Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss. Tickets for the concert, held at the Seoul Arts Center, will range from 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

“Harpist Jung Kwak’s Christmas Concert”: Harpist Kwak Chung is the only artist professionally playing both classic and electric harp and has become well-known by appearing in maestro Zubin Mehta’s concerts. Her upcoming concert will consist of “Libertango” by Piazolla, “Concierto De Aranjuez” by Rodrigo and “Boogie Woogie” by Deltour. The musician plans to donate profits from this concert to the hospital for disabled children. Tickets to the concert, which will be held at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 24, range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 780-5054.

“Min Yoo-kyung’s Mozart Violin Concerto Series II”: Violinist Min Yoo-kyung will perform Mozart’s violin concerto series, following her premier performance two years ago. The audience will have a good opportunity to appreciate Mozart’s five violin concertos and the “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra.” Tickets for the concert, which will be held at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 26, range from 10,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 706-1481.

“Chung Kyung-wha: ‘She is Back’”: Korea’s world-renowned violinist will perform on Dec. 26 in Seoul in her first solo recital in the country in nine years. Suffering a finger injury five years ago, Chung has not been able to hold a solo performance for years, focusing on her role as a teacher at the Juilliard School in New York. Chung will be performing with American pianist Kevin Kenner, whom she calls “a great partner,” playing Mozart’s “Violin Sonata No. 21 in E Minor K. 304,” Brahms’ “Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op 78 Regenlied,” Bach’s “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, Air on the G String” and Cesar Frank’s “Violin Sonata in A Major.” Tickets for Chung’s Seoul concert, to be held at the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 26, range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 518-7343. 

Festival

“Seoul Electronic Music Festival”: The second Seoul Electronic Music Festival will be held at Kintex, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, on Jan. 14. Headlining the show is renowned electro-funk duo Crystal Castles, whose music was made popular via the British TV series “Skins.” British trance music group Above & Beyond will also appear. The rest of the lineup consists of popular local bands such as the famed Idiotape, which appeared at the Global Gathering two years in a row and received a great deal of positive acclaim. Fore more information, call (02) 323-2838 or visit www.semf.co.kr.

“Countdown Fantasy 2011-2012”: The Countdown Fantasy festival will be held on Dec. 30 and 31 at the Ax-Korea in Seoul, joined by 22 teams including 10CM, Clazziquai, The Peter Pan Complex and Daybreak. The first such festival was held last year, joined by hundreds of indie-music fans. During the festival, artists will not only perform, but hold autograph events and award ceremonies to “come down from stage” and join the audience. For more information, visit www.mintpaper.com.

“The 106th Seoul Comic World”: An event for amateur cartoonists will be held in Seoul on Dec. 24-25, giving them the chance to exhibit and sell their creations to the visitors. Since the first event held in 1999, the Comic World has been growing into one of the most important events for the growing number of cartoonist-wannabes in Korea. For more information about the event held at the SETEC, southern Seoul, call (02) 3142-2137. 

“High Light Festival 2012 Countdown”: The High light festival 2012 Countdown, an indoor hip hop and electronic music festival, will be held at Sheraton Grande Walkerhill’s Vista Hall and Walkerhill Theater on Dec. 31 from 10 p.m. through 4 a.m. next morning. Hip-hop group Far East Movement will be the headliner and other artists -- Sebastian, DJ Virman from Far East Movement, DJ Feadz, Justin Michael, Idiotape, Beat Burger and DJ Yup -- will also join the party. Reserved tickets are 132,000 won and 143,000 won at door. For details, call (02) 323-2838.


Theater

“God of Carnage”: The Korean adaptation of celebrated French playwright Yasmina Reza’s black comedy “God of Carnage” is being staged in Seoul for the second time. The play begins as two pairs of middle-class parents meet to discuss why one couple’s child broke the front teeth of the other couple’s child. Though both parties try to remain “civilized” and “well-mannered” in the beginning of the meeting, they end up becoming childish and end up physically attacking each other while drunk. The film adaptation of the play, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster, opened in theaters in the U.S. last week. The show runs until Feb. 12 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. For tickets and information, call (02) 1544-1555. 

“Guess How Much I Love You”: The Korean adaptation of “Guess How Much I Love You,” a musical based on the children’s book of the same title by British writer Sam McBratney, is being staged once again in Seoul. The show premiered in Korea in January at Wonderspace Triangle Theater in Daehangno, Seoul, and was staged in more than eight venues nationwide, including KBS Ulsan Hall and MBC Art Hall in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. A story of two hares telling how much they love each other, the simple tale offers both life lessons and touching insights for both grownups and children. The show runs from Jan. 6 until Feb. 26 at Dongyang Art Hall in southern Seoul, near Sinsa subway station line no. 3. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 6711-1400.

“How Far Have You Come?”: Korea’s iconic folk diva Yang Hee-eun is once again on the musical stage with her veteran actress sister Yang Hee-Kyung, celebrating the 40th anniversary of her debut. The musical “How Far Have You Come?” delves into the life of Yang, following how she became who she is today. The show features C’est si Bon, a famous music salon in Mugyo-dong, Seoul, in the 1970s, where Yang made her debut as a singer along with some of the most talented young musicians of her generation. Yang will perform about 30 of her hits, including “Morning Dew” and “Love, about its Loneliness” during the show.
The show premiered at Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno back in July. The second run, currently at the National Museum of Korea, runs until Dec. 31. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, call 1666-8662,

“200 Pound Beauty”: Former girl group S.E.S. member Bada stars as an obese singer who turns into a beauty by receiving a series of plastic surgeries, in the musical adaptation of the famous 2006 romantic comedy film of the same title. The show, which was first premiered in local theaters in 2008, also started its Japanese tour in October. Telling the story of Han-byul, the former overweight lip-sync vocalist who becomes a popular singer after getting a plastic surgery-makeover, the show delves into the theme of self worth and universal desire for affection. KARA member Park Gyu-ri shares the role with Bada.
The show runs from Dec. 6 to Feb. 5 of next year at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. For tickets and information, call (02) 1544-1555.

“EVITA”: The Korean adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical chronicling the life of Eva Peron -- the second wife of Argentinean president Juan Peron -- is returning for its second edition. Musical actresses Jeong Seon-a and Lisa will share the role of Eva Peron, an ambitious woman who became one of the most influential figures in Argentina’s history. Born as an illegitimate child to a wealthy man and his mistress, Peron grew up in poverty as her father chose not to support her. She eventually turned herself into a famous actress and became the first lady of the nation after marrying a man who was 25 years her senior. Her husband and Argentinean president Juan Peron will be played by veteran actor Park Sang-won. The show runs from Dec. 9 to Jan. 29 of next year at LG Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363, or visit www.musicalevita.co.kr.

“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 of next year, at Myungbo Art Hall in central Seoul. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1544-1555, or (070) 7019-6707. 


Pop Music

“Damien Rice”: Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice will hold his first concert in Korea on Jan. 11, pleasing music lovers in Korea who have been waiting for ages to hear his husky, throaty voice live. Best-known here for “The Blower’s Daughter,” off his debut album “O (2002)” and featured in the 2004 film “Closer,” Rice will be performing some of his favorites including “Cannonball,” “9 Crimes,” “Elephant” and “Rootless Tree.” Rice is the fifth artist to perform in the Hyundai Card Culture Project for international artists, which also included MIKA and John Legend. Tickets to the concert, which will be held at the Olympic Park, Olympic Hall, will range from 132,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

“Pat Metheny”: U.S. jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny will perform with double-bassist Larry Grenadier on Jan. 13 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Metheny, the winner of 18 Grammy Awards, is considered one of the most critically acclaimed jazz musicians of the 1970s and ‘80s. The musician recently released the solo album “What’s It All About,” which consists of cover songs. The concert will offer some of his representative songs as well as new pieces. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-0595.

“2AM: The Last Time”: The famous four-member boy band will hold a holiday concert on Dec. 24, 25, reintroducing themselves to the fans after a year-long hiatus. 2AM is one of the two subgroups that branched out from the 11-member boy band One Day, produced by entertainment powerhouse JYP Entertainment. The other is 2PM. Tickets to the concert, which will be held at the Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium, will range from 55,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555, or visit www.ticket.interpark.com

“Jang Pil-soon Live 2011”: Singer-songwriter Jang Pil-soon will hold a concert on Dec. 27 along with her long-time music colleagues Guitarist Han Choon-ho and bassist Kim Jung-ryul. The trio will be performing various folk, modern rock and electronic songs to show off the female vocalist’s powerful voice. Jang, considered a “goddess of folk songs” in Korea along with Han Young-ae, debuted in 1989. The concert will be held at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts. For information, call (02) 563-0595.


Exhibitions

“Photography of Limb Eung Sik”: The exhibition reveals 200 photographs taken by the late photographer Limb Eung-sik, who brought significant change to the art of photography in Korea. Some articles Limb left behind, including his cameras, letters and books, are also on display. The exhibits not only show Limb’s life and career, but also the process of development of Korean photography and even reflect the nation’s history. It runs through Feb. 21 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksugung, in central Seoul. Tickets range from 2,000 won to 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr. 

“David LaChapelle in Seoul”: Celebrated photographer David LaChapelle’s most comprehensive solo exhibition in Asia is under way at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Design Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. It features over 200 of his signature celebrity and fashion photos as well as his latest works that weigh more on purely artistic and critical values, but retain their wit and daring. The exhibition runs through Feb. 26. Tickets range from 6,000 won to 13,000 won. For more information, call (02) 566-0835 or visit www.dicseoul.com.

“The Masters”: Opera Gallery Seoul is showcasing 40 masterpieces by some of the greatest artists of recent times. The exhibition includes works by Claude Monet, Fernand Leger, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Auguste Rodin, Georges Braque, Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Yves Klein, Keith Haring and Tom Wasselman. This is the first time that a high-profile exhibition is being held by the chain in Seoul while most of the Opera Gallery branches hold big-name exhibitions every year. The exhibition runs through Dec. 31. For more information, call (02)3446-0070 or visit www.operagallery.com.

“Tell Me Tell Me: Australian and Korean Art 1976-2011”: The National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, is holding a cultural exchange exhibition with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney. Taking the year 1976, when important Korean artists visited Australia with their works for the Biennale of Sydney, as the starting point, the exhibition introduces 130 works by key contemporary Korean and Australian artists. The exhibition runs through Feb. 19, 2012. Admission is 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

“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.

“The Court Painters of Joseon Dynasty”: In celebration of its seventh anniversary, Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, brought together 110 paintings by “hwawon,” or court painters of the Joseon Dynasty. It showcases works by master painters like Kim Hong-do, Jang Seung-eop, Shin Yun-bok and Kim Deuk-sin, who are well-known among the Korean public due to their immense influence. It runs through Jan. 29. Tickets range from 4,000 won to 7,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.

Dance

“Endless Voyage”: “Endless Voyage” offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the graceful moves of four celebrated dancers on the same stage. Korea National Ballet’s star ballerina Kim Joo-won, Universal Ballet Company’s principle dancers Ohm Jae-yong and Hwang Hye-min and the choreographer and members of the National Dance Company of Korea will each put on different shows. It will run Jan. 4-5 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

“The Nutcracker”: Korea National Ballet and Universal Ballet Company together present the Christmas season favorite “The Nutcracker.” UBC’s “The Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 31 at Universal Art Center in Neung-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000-100,000 won. For tickets, call 1544-1555 or visit www.uac.co.kr. KNB’s show runs through Dec. 25 at Seoul Arts Center. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org. 

“Mid-time Fantasy Dance Performance”: The National Theater of Korea holds a Korean traditional dance performance every Tuesday at 11 a.m. There are eight different repertoires including a fan dance and a dance with “jango,” a type of Korean drum. The performance is being staged as an open run at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. Admission is 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

“Miso”: Translated as “beautiful smile,” this musical offers a compact presentation of everything Korean culture first-timers could wish for. It blends ten different kinds of traditional dances, five traditional games and a wedding ritual into the storyline based on a well-known folktale, “The Tale of Chunhyang.” There are very few spoken lines throughout the performance, making it ideal for audiences of diverse nationalities. “Miso” is showing as an open run at Chongdong Theater in Jeong-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-1500 or visit www.koreamiso.com.