[EVENTS CALENDER]

Exhibitions



"The Exhibition of Genuine & Imitation of Korean Antique": Korean Antiques Association offers a chance to distinguish real antiques from fakes by comparing them side by side. The association showcases about 1,000 authentic antique porcelains, art and crafts along with 200 of forgeries. The exhibition runs through Dec. 30 at Suun Hoegwan in Gyeongun-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 732-2240 or visit www.hkoms.or.kr



"Masks": At the exhibition currently running at Sungkok Art Museum, viewers can find 100 photos by 48 photographers from around the world who questioned the stereotype that "photos are reproductions of reality." Works by renowned photographers like Man Ray, Diane Arbus, Brassai, Cindy Sherman, Koo Bohn-chang and Oh Heinkuhn are on display. The subjects in the photos are either disguised before being photographed, often by masks, or modified afterwards through various methods to show reality-look-alikes that are actually ambiguous and fake. The exhibition runs through Dec. 31 at Sungkok Art Museum in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. Tickets are 5,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for adolescents and kids. For more information, visit www.sungkokmuseum.com or call (02) 737-7650.



"To Thine Own Self Be True": AdJong Park, College of Art & Design Professor at Ewha Womans University, placed bunnies and eggs all over the Korean traditional style building of Gallery Art Link. The human-height bunnies and eggs made are metaphors for purity and rebirth. Park named the show after a line from Shakespeare`s "Hamlet," signifying the bunnies` pursue to find their true identities. The exhibition runs through Dec. 31 at Gallery Art Link in Anguk-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 738-0783 or visit www.artlink.co.kr



"Kwangho Cheong": Yeonhui-dong Projects present 18 pieces of Kwangho Cheong`s works. Korean artist Cheong makes giant leaves, flowers and jars with thin copper wires. He calls his works "non-sculptural sculptures," signifying that the wires are too sparsely weaved to be called a sculpture but cannot be called a painting either. The wires look like veins on his flowers and like cracks on his pots. The exhibition runs through Jan. 8 at Yeonhui-dong Projects at Yeonghui-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 324-1286 or visit www.yhdprojects.com



"Arario`s Finest": Arario Gallery is showcasing its collections to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The show is notable because the gallery`s collections are in fact those of Kim Chang-il, president of the Gallery, who is considered one of the world`s top 100 collectors. Kim was the first Korean to make the list of the world`s 100 most powerful collectors, as selected by British magazine Art Review. This show stages about 35 pieces from Kim`s collection by world-renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Marc Quinn, Neo Rauch and Tracey Emin. The exhibition runs through Jan. 10 at Arario Gallery Seoul in Sogyeok-dong, central Seoul and Jan. 24 at Arario Gallery Cheonan in Cheonan city, South Chungcheong Province. For more information, call (02) 723-6190, (041) 551-5100 or visit www.arariogallery.com



"Special Exhibition on Ahn Jung Geun": Seoul Arts Center presents 34 pieces of Ahn Jung-geun`s autographs and about 30 photographs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the independence fighter`s death. Ahn had assassinated a Japanese colonial ruler in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin 100 years ago and was executed in 1910. It is the biggest exhibition that showcases Ahn`s keepsakes and most of the exhibits are open to the public for the first time. The exhibits were contributed by collectors in and outside Korea. The exhibition runs through Jan. 24, at the Calligraphy Museum in Seoul Arts Center. For more information, call (02) 580-1651 or visit www.sac.or.kr



"Transformation in Art": The Korean Art Museum Association presents 58 paintings, sculptures, media and installation works by 19 artists who imagine different transformations that might happen in different domains of the society. Modified and distorted human and animal bodies, masked faces and ordinary objects that turn out to be extraordinary are scattered all over the museum, including the elevator and the restroom. The exhibition runs through Jan. 30 at Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Anguk-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 735-4032 or visit savina.maru.net



"Joo Myung Duck Photography -- Landscape": Joo Myung-duck is a renowned Korean photographer who has been shooting for nearly 50 years. He is famous for his documentary photos that focus on social issues and disappearing cultural traditions. At this exhibition, however, Joo focuses on landscapes. Instead of following the Western way of photographing landscapes, Joo discovered a Korean way of doing it. The exhibition is the second of the three special exhibitions on the photographer that Daelim Contemporary Art Museum has planned. The first was held last year and the last will take place next year. This exhibition runs through Feb. 7 at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum at Tongi-dong, central Seoul. Tickets are 5,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for students and 2,000 won for kids. For more information, call (02) 720-0667 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org



"Martin Creed Solo Exhibition": Often it takes more than just artistic skill to become a world-renowned artist. After talking with Martin Creed, you might wonder if an artist needs to be philosophical as well. The British artist is a leading conceptual artist. A little younger than the Young British Artists, the 41-year-old`s works range from sculptures, paintings, and installations to neon lights, sounds and films. Currently, his most famous and recent are showing at his first-ever solo exhibition in Korea. The exhibition runs through Feb. 12 at Artsonje Center in Hwa-dong, central Seoul. Tickets are 3,000 won for adults and 1,500 won for students. For more information, call (02) 733-8945 or visit www.artsonje.org



"Love and Pop Art": 63 Sky Art Gallery presents works by five world-renowned pop artists including Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. The exhibition is divided into five sections -- "Writing Love," "Telling Love," "Feeling Love," "Longing Love," "Drawing Love" -- dedicated to each artist. The exhibition runs through March 7 at 63 Sky Art Gallery in Yeouido-dong, central Seoul. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 11,000 won for adolescents and 10,000 won for kids. For more information, call (02) 789-5663 or visit www.63.co.kr



"Andy Warhol, the Greatest": More than 400 works that are lent from The Andy Warhol Museum in Pennsylvania are on display in this exhibition. Organized in 19 different divisions, the pieces cover Warhol`s lifetime from his famous Campbell soup can silk screens to works featuring deaths and portraits of famous figures like Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson or Mao Zedong. The most notable part of the exhibition is the "Time Capsule, Mirror that reflects the Era of Warhol" section. Visitors can take a peek into person Warhol instead of the artist Warhol. The exhibition runs through April 4 at Seoul Museum of Art in Seosomun-dong, central Seoul. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 10,000 won for adolescents and 8,000 won for kids. For more information, call (02) 548-8690 or visit www.warhol.co.kr



"Lee Seung-hwan`s 20th Anniversary": Ballad maestro Lee Seung-hwan will hold a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary since his debut at the Fencing Gymnasium of the Olympic Park in southern Seoul tonight Tickets cost from 55,000 to 132,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 2261-1393~4.



"Movement, on a Theme by Yiruma": Popular Korean New Age pianist Yiruma known for his familiar tunes, like "May Be" which were featured in multiple television advertisements, holds a concert titled, "Movement, on a Theme by Yiruma," as part of his nationwide tour which continues through Dec. 26. The Seoul concert at Seoul Arts Center will mark the end of his tour.

Tickets run from 44,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2658-3546 or go to www.interpark.co.kr



"Sarah Chang Recital: Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang gives her first solo recital here in 10 years on Dec. 28 at Seoul Arts Center. The artist who recently released her 18th album, "Brahms and Bruch Violin Concertos," will play for the recital tunes including Brahms Violin Concerto No. 3 and Frank Violin Concerto.

Tickets for the concert run from 60,000 won to 160,000 won. For details, call (02) 541-6235.



"Cultwo Show Crazy Christmas": Said to be the largest-scale among all shows the Jung Chan-woo and Kim Tae-gyun duo has held so far, the concert, running through Dec. 31 at COEX Atlantic Hall, will feature their most witty comedy gigs that have gained positive responses from their previous nationwide tour here. The duo, meanwhile, also shows their rather serious sides by turning into singers each performing rock and ballad songs like "Aein Iseoyo (I Have a Lover)." Tickets run from 44,000 won to 99,000 won. For reservations, go to www.interpark.co.kr



"Muse: The Resistance Tour in Seoul": 2010 will get off to a rocking good start when British arena rock group Muse returns to Seoul for their long-awaited concert on Jan. 7 at the Olympic Park Gymnasium in southern Seoul. With critics comparing their latest album to that of classic Queen, the large venue Olympic Park Gymnasium will be the optimal venue for the band`s frontman Mathew Bellamy to go for the dramatic.

For more information on the concert, call Interpark 1544-1555 or visit ticket.interpark.com.



"Hyundai Card Super Concert VII: Green Day": Pop punk superstars Green Day will finally cross the pacific to hold their first ever concert in Korea on Jan. 17 at the Olympic Park Gymnasium in southern Seoul armed with a set list from their critically acclaimed rock opera record "21st Century Breakdown." In addition to cuts from their latest release, Billy Joe Armstrong and his two partner sin crime Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt will revisit old classics from previous albums. For more information on tickets, visit www.hyundaicard.com or ticket.interpark.com.



"2010 Shin Youn-ok Grand Tour": Korean soprano Shin Young-ok returns to Korea, celebrating her 20th anniversary of debut, for a nationwide tour starting Jan. 9 at Goyang Oulim Nuri Concert Hall. Following her performances in Jinju, Gunpo and Busan, Shin will give another concert at Seoul Arts Center Jan. 29.

For the upcoming tour, Shin will play diverse tunes from well-known opera arias as well as traditional Korean songs. Local Prime Philharmonic led by female conductor Yeo Ja-kyung accompanies Shin.

Tickets run from 77,000 won to 150,000. For more information, call (02) 529-1923.



"Killers Live in Seoul": American alternative rock band The Killers is set to put on a Vegas-inspired performance in Seoul on Feb. 6 at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park. The band`s frontman Brandon Flowers promises to display some of the band`s hometown vibe when they rock Seoul with their penchant for the glitz and glam. Tickets to "The Killers Live in Seoul" are 77,000 and 99,000 won. Show begins at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.``



Musicals



"My Sweet Seoul": The long-awaited musical version of the best-selling novel, "My Sweet Seoul," by Jung I-hyun, will be staged at Theater Yong in the National Museum of Korea through Dec. 31. The show, like the novel, deals with the love and worries of a single woman in her 30s living in the city. Musical actor Kim Woo-hyung, and actresses Park Hye-na and Lee Jung-mi will star in the show.

Tickets cost from 50,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-5955.



"A Christmas Carol": The popular Christmas show hits stage this year until Dec. 31 at Woori Art Hall in Olympic Park in south-eastern Seoul. It adapts a story from renowned British writer Charles Dickenson`s novel, while its mellow and soft music was created by Czech composer Zdenek Bartak who also created tunes for the company`s "Romeo and Juliet."

The show concerns old and bitter Scrooge, who at first ruined other people`s Christmases but later regretted his behavior and started living a better life through a learning experience.

Tickets run from 20,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 722-8885.



"Hero": "Hero," which centers around the patriotic deeds of An Jung-geun, is on stage through Dec. 31 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, marking the 100th anniversary of An Jung-geun`s assassination of the first Japanese Prime Minister of Korea, Hirobumi Ito, in 1909. The story of An has been told through other artistic genres before, yet it is the first time it has been made into a musical. Musical actors Ryu Jung-han and Jung Sung-hwa double in the role of An. Tickets are from 40,000 won to 90,000 won. For details, call (02) 2250-5920.



"Spring Awakening:" The Tony Awards-winning musical from Broadway premieres in Korea at Doosan Arts Center in Yeonji-dong, Seoul. The show highlights the confrontation between teenagers who have just started to discover their sexuality and adults who try to suppress them with their authority. It discusses diverse topics including abortion, rape and suicide. The Korean production revives everything from the Broadway show. Musical actors Kim Mu-yeol and Jo Jung-suk play the two leading roles, Moritz and Melchior, respectively. It will be shown through Jan. 10. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. To find out more, go to www.springawakening.co.kr or call (02) 744-4011.



"Jack the Ripper": The acclaimed musical is a mystery thriller based on the facts of the 1888 murders in London`s East End and inspired by the 1913 novel, "The Lodger" by Marie Belloc-Lowndes. It features an impressive cast -- including experienced singers Kim Won-jun and Ahn Jae-wook as well as actors Yoo Jun-sang and Kim Bup-rae. The show will run from Jan. 8-31 at Universal Arts Center in Neung-dong, Seoul. Tickets run from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02)764-7858



"Wedding Singer": The Broadway musical adaptation of same-titled movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore premieres here at Chungmu Arts Hall in central Seoul. Actors Hwang Jung-min and Park Gun-hyung double in the role of the wedding singer Robby Hart who once dreamed of but failed in becoming a famous musician. The show will also feature well-known tunes from the movie, including "Grow Old With You."

The show will run through Jan. 31. Tickets are from 30,000 won to 75,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-7888.



"Legally Blonde": The Broadway musical that revived the film version of the movie with the same title premieres at COEX Artium in Samsung-dong, Seoul. The Korean production features an impressive cast. 2006 Miss Korea Lee Honey, Jessica of girl group Girls` Generation and actress Kim Ji-woo each play Elle Woods who enters Harvard Law School breaking the prevailing stereotype of "dumb blonde." The show runs through March 4. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call 902) 738-8289.



"The Phantom of the Opera": The Korean production of the mega-hit West-end musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," returns through Aug. 8 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil-dong, Seoul. A British troupe performed here in 2005 featuring popular musical actor Brad Little as the phantom. This year`s show will be more spectacular than previous years, with a reinforced set and stage settings. Musical actress Kim So-hyun from the show`s 2001 premiere run stars as Christine. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 140,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-7888.



"Hairspray": Presented by local Seensee Musical Company, the Korean production of Broadway`s hit-musical "Hair Spray" is running at KEPCO Arts Center until Feb. 7. Based on the 1988 movie it is the story of a fat and ugly girl Tracy gradually realizing her dream of becoming a television entertainer. A movie adaptation in 2007 was a huge success. Comedian Park Kyung-lim plays Tracy.

Tickets run from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987.



Dramas



"The Merchant of Venice": Myeongdong Theater shows Shakespeare`s classic comedy, "The Merchant of Venice," until Dec. 31 as its year-end performance. The production, which is directed by Lee Yoon-taek and choreographed by Kate Flatt who also worked for "Les Miserables," will be unique and suitable for the younger generation`s taste. Tickets run from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call 1644-2003 or go to www.MDtheater.or.kr



"University of Laughs": The hit play from last year by theater venture group Yeongeukyeoljeon is restaged until Jan. 31 at Eda 1 Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Based on the popular Japanese novel by Koki Mitani, the piece depicts a seven-day confrontation between an inspector trying to ban comic plays and a scriptwriter who values humor above all in his works, and the friendship that later develops between the two. Tickets run from 25,000 won to 40,000 won. For details, call (02) 766-6007.



"Story of an Old Thief": The popular play from Yeongeukyeoljeon returns at two venues -- Daehangno and Gangnam. "Story of an Old Thief," a satirical piece which sheds light on social and political issues with humor, has received favorable responses since premiering in 1989, making actors like Mun Sung-geun and Yoo Oh-sung popular. For this year`s version, veteran theater actors Park Jun-seo and Choi Jae-sup join the cast. The play is showing as an open run at Sangmyung Arts Hall in Daehango and COEX Artium in Samsung-dong, Seoul. Tickets are 25,000 won and 35,000 won. For details, call (02) 766-6007.



Dance



"The Nutcracker": Leading ballet troupes stage their versions of popular Christmas repertoire, "The Nutcracker," which is often called one of the three best classical ballets along with "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty," around the year-end.

Local Korea National Ballet and Universal Ballet Company each perform the piece through Dec. 27 and 31 at Goyang Aramnuri Theater and Universal Arts Center, respectively.

Seoul Ballet Theater, meanwhile, presents a Koreanized version from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3 at Seoul Changdong Theater.



"Cirque Nut": A new kind of "Nutcracker," one of the nation`s favorite year-end performances, which combines factors of art circus, widely known through Cirque du Soleil, and classical ballet is showing here. The show aims at achieving both popularity and artistry by doing so, while creating a new kind of genre. It features some 50 Belarusian circus artists and ballet dancers.

The show will be staged through Dec. 31 at the Big Top at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 522-9762 or go to www.cirquenut.com