Theater

“Hedwig”: The Korean adaptation of John Cameron Mitchell’s rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is being staged for its seventh run. The musical, which tells the story of an East German transgender singer, has been performed in Korea a total of 1,256 times since its opening run in April 2005. For the current run, actor Oh Man-seok, who was cast in the leading role in the 2005 run, is once again starring as the singer. Actor Park Gun-hyung, who recently made his TV appearance in MBC drama “I Do, I Do,” is sharing the role with Oh. “Hedwig” runs until Oct. 21 at KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in southern Seoul. Tickets cost 55,000 won to 66,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555. 

“What I Keep till the Very End”: Among the many short stories late author Park Wan-suh wrote, her 1994 piece “What I Keep till the Very End” is considered as one of her most personal works. The story was written largely based on the author’s painful loss of her son in a car accident in 1988, just three months after his father’s death. He was 26 years old at the time and was attending a prestigious medical school in Seoul. The novella is now being staged as a monodrama in Seoul, featuring veteran actress Son Sook in the lead role. The actress has previously starred in three monodramas in the past, including last year’s “Shirley Valentine.”“What I Keep till the Very End” runs until Sept. 23 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. For tickets and information, call 3272-2334.

“Chicago”: Veteran singer and musical star Insooni (Cats) and heavyweight musical actress Choi Jung-won (”Mama Mia,“ ”Guys and Dolls“) are returning as Velma Kelly, the vaudevillian and murderess in “Chicago.” First opened in 1975, the “celebrity criminal” musical, which delves into the corruption of the authorities dealing with a murder case and a cabaret singer in Chicago in the 1920s, is Broadway’s fourth-longest-running show. The Seoul production’s music is directed by popular conductor and actress Kolleen Park, who will also conduct a 14-member band that performs live along with the cast. “Chicago” runs until Oct. 7 at the D-Cube Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won. For tickets and more information, call 1544-1555.

Dance

“Theatre of Operations”: French choreographer Pierre Rigal was invited by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company in 2010 to hold workshops for dancers in Seoul. He was deeply moved and impressed by the dancers’ skills and enthusiasm during his stay in Korea. Nine Korean dancers were selected for “Theatre of Operations,” his original piece delving into contradictions of war, human civilization. The upcoming show was choreographed by Rigal specifically for those dancers. After the two-day run in Korea, the team will start their European tour. Starting November, they will perform a total of 28 shows in a number of cities in France and Switzerland. “Theatre of Operations” runs from Sept. 14-15 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

“Talk to Igor” and “The Last Supper”: Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is staging newly-created performances choreographed by two prominent local artists. One is Jeon Mi-sook’s “Talk to Igor,” which delves into the theme of modern marriage. The piece has been choreographed by Jeon to the music of Stravinsky. Choreographer Chung Eui-sook, on the other hand, has been inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s 15th century mural “The Last Supper” to create a piece of the same title. Twelve dancers will star as the 12 apostles, and express their reaction to Jesus’ announcement that one of them would betray him. The performances will run from Sept. 8-9 at Theater YONG, which is located in the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Tickets cost 15,000 won. For tickets and information, call 1544-5955.

Classical music

“Yundi Piano Recital in Seoul”: Star Chinese pianist Yundi Li returns to Korea with Beethoven sonatas on Oct. 31 at Seoul Arts Center. Yundi rose to fame after he won the first prize at the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2000. He was 18 then. Chopin’s compositions have been his signature pieces but now the 30-year-old pianist brings his favorite Beethoven sonatas including “Moonlight,” “Pathetique” and “Appassionata.” Tickets are 50,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

“Park Concert ― Piano Paradiso”: Three New Age pianists from Korea, Canada and Japan ― Yiruma, Steve Barakatt and Yuhki Kuramoto ― will open the autumn with an outdoor concert at the Olympic Park in Seoul on Sept. 8. The three artists who all have strong fan bases here will perform their No. 1 hits. Kuramoto will perform “Lake Louise” and “Romance” while Barakatt presents “Rainbow Bridge” and “The Whistler’s Song” which were featured in TV dramas and commercials. Yiruma will also perform “When the Love Falls” which was featured in the hit drama “Winter Sonata.” Tickets are 20,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.clubbalcony.com.

“Pianist Seo Hye-kyung Recital”: Acclaimed pianist Seo Hye-kyung, famous for her passion for music despite her fight with cancer, will hold a recital at Seongnam Arts Center on Sept. 15. Starting with Beethoven’s Rondo Op. 51-1 in C Major and Chopin’s Etude Op. 25-1 “Aeolian Harp,” the pianist will perform Franz and Libermann’s Four songs of Robert Franz Op. 91 for the first time in Korea. Tickets are from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (031) 783-8000.

“Salon Concert Namsan”: A small concert for “gugak,” or traditional Korean music, is currently being held every Monday and Tuesday evening at Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater near Namsan, Seoul. Featuring the country’s famous gugak musicians, the concert takes place in a “hanok” room, part of the theater that fits only 20 audience members. The concert is a reenactment of Joseon’s “pungnyu” culture, or the cultural events appreciated by Joseon’s high society. The audience will get a chance to talk to gugak musicians while drinking tea after the concert. Tickets are 50,000 won. The concerts run through Nov. 27. For more information, call (02) 2261-0511~2 or visit sngad.sejongpac.or.kr.

Exhibitions

“To Breathe”: Kukje Gallery presents the latest documentary and installations of the New York-based Korean artist Kim Sooja. The exhibition, which continues through Oct. 10, will feature about 10 works by Kim including the new documentary film “Thread Routes” and a video installation “Mumbai: A Laundry Field.” Well-known as a multi-performer who combines performances, video and installations, Kim is expected to show life, culture and history of specific places around the world through everyday objects or activities such as thread and laundry. For more information, call (02) 3210-9885. 

“Han Mook”: Gallery Hyundai Gangnam is holding a retrospective of the living legend of the Korean abstract art Han Mook. The 99-year-old Paris-based artist presents about 40 works that represent each decade of his artistic career including some works he is unveiling to the public for the first time. His works consist of geometric patterns with lively colors in the background to illustrate his perception of space as “a moving and living state.” Han Mook’s retrospective runs from Aug. 22-Sept. 16 at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 2287-3500 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com.

“Dung-seob, Go to Renaissance!”: Seoul Museum, a private museum founded by pharmacy business magnate and art collector Ahn Byung-gwang, holds its inaugural exhibition focusing on Korea’s modern painters such as Lee Jung-seob, Han Mook and Park Ko-suk from Sept. 29-Nov. 21. The exhibition sheds light on painters who were active in the 1950s to 1970s and contributed to the cultural renaissance in Korea. Along with the special exhibition, another exhibition featuring some top names such as abstract painter Yoo Young-guk, media artist Paik Nam June and female painter Chun Kyung-ja will be held throughout the year. Seoul Museum is located in Buam-dong, northern Seoul. For more information, call (02) 395-0100 or visit www.seoulmuseum.org.

“Nostalgia is an extended feedback”: Nam June Paik Art Center holds a retrospective of pioneering video artist Paik Nam June until Jan. 20 next year in celebration of Paik’s 80th birthday. The exhibition features his major works as well as works by other artists who share Paik’s artistic goals that shed light on Paik’s philosophy that combines man, machine and nature. Major works displayed at the exhibition include “The Rehabilitation of Genghis Kahn,” an assemblage of a TV set, a bicycle and other materials made into a human-like form, “Marco Polo,” a human-form robot riding a car, and “Happy Hoppi,” a depiction of a Native American on a scooter wearing a glowing headdress and holding a bow and arrow. The art center is located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. For more information, call (031) 201-8571 or visit njpartcenter.kr.

“The Civilization of Maya”: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Korea’s diplomatic relations with both Mexico and Guatemala, the National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition featuring some 200 relics from the Mayan civilization. The exhibition features a number of spiritual ornaments and statues. One of the shell ornaments from 7th or 8th century Guatemala symbolizes the god of death, and has a face that resembles a skull. An earthenware statue from 11th-15th century Mexico, on the other hand, is of the god of the sun. The Mayans called the god “Kin,” which meant a day, time and the sun. The statue of the god wears a necklace decorated with five dots, which symbolize the center of the universe and the four directions: east, west, north and south.“The Civilization of Maya” runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 28 at the museum’s special exhibition gallery. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr.

“Best Wishes, Auspicious Symbols in Chinese Art”: In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, the National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition featuring some 100 Chinese artifacts used to wish good fortune. The pieces have been selected from collections from different museums and private individuals. Titled “Best Wishes, Auspicious Symbols in Chinese Art,” the exhibition’s featured items include handicrafts decorated with images of Daoist immortals and auspicious animals, such as bats and dragons, with messages such as “Wealth and Honor,” “Living Ten Thousand Years” and “Prosperity of Descendants.” The messages well reflect the wishes of the ancient Chinese people, who yearned for longevity and happiness. Happiness and longevity continue to be two of the foremost wishes of the Chinese people today, according to the museum. The exhibition runs until Sept. 23 at the museum’s Chinese Art Gallery. For more information, call (02) 2077-9558.

Pop music

“Keane Concert in Seoul”: British alternative rock band Keane will hold their first concert in Seoul on Sept. 24 at Handball Stadium at Olympic Park. The four-member band with Tim Rice-Oxley on piano and bass, Tom Chaplin on vocals and guitar, Richard Huges on drums and Jesse Quin on bass and percussion is currently on world tour. Keane rose to fame with its debut album “Hopes and Fears” in 2004. The band’s hit song “Somewhere Only We Know” was featured in U.S. drama series “Grey’s Anatomy.” Tickets range from 99,000 won to 125,000 won. For more information, call (02)3141-3488 or visit www.superseries.kr.

“Hallyu Dream Festival”: The annual Hallyu Dream Festival will be held at Gyeongju Citizen Stadium in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from Sept. 21-23. The three-day event will feature not only popular idol groups but also veteran Korean singers including Bobby Kim, Nam Jin, Maya, Can and Tae Jin-ah. The list of K-pop groups include BEAST, KARA, 4 Minute, Afterschool, T-ara, Sistar, BtoB, EXID, Davichi, Rainbow, Infinite, MBLAQ, A Pink, U-KISS and Ailee. For more information about the festival, call (053) 950-3333 or visit hallyudreamfestival.or.kr.

“Jarasum International Jazz Festival”: The 9th Annual Jarasum International Jazz Festival is scheduled to take place on Jarasum and in downtown of Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, from Oct. 12-14. The festival will feature professional jazz bands including The Jimmy Cobb, Larry Coryell, Joey DeFrancesco All Star Trio, Duke Ellington Orchestra, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, jazz guitarist John Scofield and many others. A three-day pass is 60,000 won. For more information, visit jarasumjazz.com or call (031) 581-2813~4.

“Michael Bolton Concert in Seoul”: Pop star Michael Bolton holds two concerts in Busan and in Seoul on Oct. 15 and 17, respectively, as part of his world tour. Bolton gained huge popularity in Korea in the ‘80s and ‘90s with his songs “Love is a Wonderful Thing,” “How am I Supposed to Live Without you,” “When a Man Loves a Woman” and many others. The 59-year-old singer will perform at Jamsil Gymnastic Stadium in Seoul and at BEXCO Auditorium in Busan. Tickets for the Seoul concert are from 66,000 won to 180,000 won while tickets for the Busan show are priced at 140,000 won and 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 407-2589 or 1544-1555 for reservations.

Festivals

“Jeonju International Sori Festival”: “Sori” is a Korean word referring to archetypal human voices with which humans communicate with nature and the universe. It also refers to the combination of the human voice and instrumental sounds, which forms Korea’s musical heritage. The annual Jeonju Sori festival, held from Sept. 13-17 in Jeonju, South Jeolla Province, blends Korea’s musical heritage, including pansori performances developed in the ancient city of Jeonju, with the world. Music lovers will have an opportunity to experience music of Korea and from around the world. More information is available at www.sorifestival.com or by calling (063) 232-8398.

“Geumsan Insam (Ginseng) Festival”: Geumsan is famous for its high-quality ginseng. The Insam Festival, held every September since 1981, is a traditional cultural event in which villagers pray for a good harvest the following year. Programs include ginseng harvesting, performances of traditional arts and rituals, concerts, an international ginseng trade fair, a ginseng cooking competition and more. The festival runs from Sept. 14-23 in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province. For more information, visit www.geumsan.go.kr/html/tour/festival/festival_0204.html or call (041) 750-2413.

“Shim Hoon Sangrok Cultural Festival”: The literature festival commemorating the modern Korean novelist Shim Hoon and his novels will be held from Sept. 12-16 in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. The festival, which will take place at Namsan Sangrok Memorial Tower, Daedeok Waterside Park, Pilgyoung Temple, will include literary contest for children and teenagers and a choir concert on Sept. 14 at the waterside park. It will also announce the winner for the Shim Hoon Literary Award. For more information, call (041) 357-4151.

“Hyoseok Cultural Festival”: The annual literature festival will commemorate the modern Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok and his popular novel “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom.” The festival will take place in the main setting of his novel, a small village in Bongpyeong, Gangwon Province from Sept. 7-16. The festival will offer various literary programs including an exhibition of poems, a literature night, a Hyo-seok essay contest as well as many hands-on experiences including cooking with buckwheat. Visitors will also have a chance to visit the author’s birthplace and memorial hall. For more information, call (033) 335-2323 or visit www.hyoseok.com