“Chum, Chunhyang” and “Giselle”: The Korean National Ballet and the National Dance Company of Korea are presenting the romantic ballet “Giselle” and traditional Korean dance “Chum, Chunhyang” at the National Theater of Korea from Oct. 17 to 23. It is the first time that the two dances will be performed at the same venue, the National Theater of Korea, on alternate days. “Chum, Chunhyang” will be performed on Oct. 17, 19, 23, while “Giselle” will be staged on Oct. 18, 20, 22. For more information, call (02) 2280-5830.

“Ballet Roland Petit”: The Korean National Ballet is presenting three masterpieces by French master choreographer Roland Petit (1924-2011): “The Woman of Arles,” “Carmen” and “The Young Man and Death.” Trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, Petit is known for his original and creative ballets. Among the three pieces staged during the upcoming performance, “Carmen” is the best-known work by Petit. Based on Bizet’s opera “Carmen,” Petit’s ballet is known for its cinematic and musical-like qualities. Meanwhile, “The Young Man and Death” features a young man who chooses to take his own life after being tortured by love. “Ballet Roland Petit” runs from Oct. 11 to 13 at Seoul Arts Center’s opera theater. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181.

“SIDance”: The annual Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance) is returning in October, featuring 51 dance companies from 16 countries. The opener this year is a performance by Canadian troupe Cas Public, with its stylish variation of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” Other invited troupes include France’s Cie Heddy Maalem, Finland’s Dance Theatre Auraco and Italy’s Ambra Senatore. This year’s SIDance runs from Oct. 7 to 27 at Gangdong Arts Center, Seoul Arts Center and Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center. For tickets and information, call (02) 3216-1185.

“This is Modern”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is staging its contemporary dance piece “This is Modern” this October. The piece is a collection of three contemporary ballets: “Petit Mort” and “Six Dances” (Sechs Tanze) by Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian, and “This is Your Life” by Korean choreographer Huh Yong-soon. Compared to classical ballets, the show is said to spotlight the different dancing styles and flair of each dancer. “This is Modern” runs from Oct. 24-27 at Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.


Classical music

“Itzhak Perlman Recital”: Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman will return to Korea to perform Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1 in D major for Violin and Piano, Op. 12, No. 1; Grieg’s Sonata No. 3 in C minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 45 and Tartini (arranged by Kreisler)’s “Deveil’s Trills” at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. Perlman, inarguably one of the most acknowledged violinist of our time, became not only a musical but social icon when he appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” showing his fight against polio. He won the Leventritt Competition in 1964, nabbed several Grammys and won Kennedy Center Honors in 2003. Tickets are priced between 60,000 won and 180,000 won and can be purchased at www.sacticket.co.kr or www.clubbalcony.co.kr.

“Pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet Recital”: French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is holding his first recital in Korea at Seongnam Arts Center on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. The winner of the 1986 International Beethoven Piano Competition will feature Ravel’s “Gaspard de la Nuit,” Haydn’s Piano Sonata in C major Hob XVI35, Bartok’s Piano Sonata and Debussy’s Prelude Book.1. He received Choc de L’annee with his Haydn recording. Tickets are priced between 30,000 won and 100,000 won. Reservations are available at ticket.interpark.com. For more information call (031) 783-8000.

“Rigoletto”: “Rigoletto,” one of the most popular operas by Italian opera master Verdi, will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater from Nov. 22 to 24, with a star-filled cast including George Gagnidze taking the title role of Rigoletto and Elena Mosuc as Gilda. This will be the first time both world class singers perform in Korea. Stefan Pop, the “new Pavarotti,” will be appearing as Duke of Mantova. Internationally acclaimed Verdi specialist Bruno Aprea will participate as the conductor leading the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and Mario De Carlo will direct the drama. The “dream team” performed at the La Scala in November last year. The opera portrays a tragedy among court jester Rigoletto, his daughter Gilda and playboy Duke of Mantoba. For more information, call (02) 542-0350. 

“Lang Lang Piano Solo & Concerto”: Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang will be back on the Korean stage on Nov. 20 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall at 8 p.m. He will be performing with the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra led by maestro Kim Dae-jin in a program that includes Chopin’s Ballades Nos. 1-4 and Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1 in C major Op.15. Known for his flamboyant but technically impeccable playing, Lang Lang performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and many other internationally-renowned stages and events. Tickets are priced between 60,000 won and 170,000 won. For more information call (02) 541-3183.

Pop music

“Global Gathering Korea 2013”: The annual Global Gathering dance music festival’s Korea lineup, themed “Dance, Right Now,” will feature big beat superstar Fatboy Slim and American DJ-producer Porter Robinson. After first establishing itself in the U.K. in 2001, Global Gathering has now spread across the world to locations including Russia, Australia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey and Belarus and is internationally recognized as one of the world’s best dance music festivals. This year’s Global Gathering Korea will be held on Oct. 12 at Everland’s Caribbean Bay in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Ticket prices range from 77,000 won to 2 million won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“K-Hiphop Nation 2013”: The K-Hiphop Nation two-day hip-hop music fest will feature some of the nation’s most popular rap stars and crews including Epik High, MC Sniper, E-Sens, Swings, Leessang, Bae Chi Gi, Bumkey, San E, Geeks and much more. The local hip-hop scene exploded last month, with disses flying in every direction as several popular rap stars, including former Supreme Team member E-Sens and Swings, decided to carry out their feuds publicly with some pretty cutthroat remarks aimed at specific members of the hip-hop community. The upcoming K-Hiphop Nation festival will be held on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium. Ticket prices range from 66,000 won for a one-day pass and 99,000 won for a two-day pass. For more information, visit www.k-hiphopnation.com.

“Busker Busker”: Superstar K3 runner-up Busker Busker brewed up a storm with its latest second studio album. Shortly after the album was released, all nine of its tracks were ranked No. 1-No. 9 on most major online music services. In commemoration of the group’s follow-up album, Busker Busker has kicked off a nationwide tour and will be heading in Daegu on Oct. 20, followed by two concert performances in Seoul on Nov. 1 and 2. Busker Busker’s upcoming Daegu show will be held at the Daegu EXCO with ticket prices listed from 77,000 won to 99,000 won. The band’s Seoul concerts will be held at the Gymnastics Stadium at Seoul Olympic Park. Ticket prices range from 77,000 won and 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Sensation: Wicked Wonderland”: “Sensation” is a live music and performance event that was first developed in Amsterdam 13 years ago. Over the years the event, which has been referred to as “The biggest club on Earth,” grew in popularity and has been brought all over the world to more than 30 countries and has been seen by millions. This year’s Sensation with the theme of “Wicked Wonderland” will be held on Nov. 30 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online, with prices ranging from 99,000 won to 200,000 won. VIP packages are also available. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Exhibitions

“Video Vintage”: An extensive video art collection is on exhibit at the Gwacheon Museum of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. A total of 72 video works that date from the early 1960s to 1980s examine the birth of video art, its expansion into other media in art and connection with the television era. Some of the highlight works include “Button Happening” by Nam June Paik, “The New Wave” by Fred Barzyk, “The Eternal Frame” by ANT FARM and T.R. Uthco. The exhibition continues through Dec. 31. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Take Your Shirt Off”: PKM Gallery holds a solo exhibition of young artist Jeong Young-do, who expresses the cultural and moral differences he felt while going back and forth between the U.S. and Korea during his studies at Rhode Island School of Design and Temple University Tyler School of Art. In his paintings and illustrations, abstract figures subtly, but explicitly show the emotions he felt, such as confusion, pain and a sense of loss. The artist currently works in Seoul. The exhibition continues through Oct. 25 at the PKM Gallery Temporary Exhibition Space in Yulgok-ro 3, Jongno, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 734-9467.

“The Sleep of Reason”: British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman hold their first exhibition in Seoul at SongEun Art Space in Apgujeong until Dec. 7. The artists, known for some gruesome images in their artworks, have brought major pieces for the exhibition, including 19th-century portraits of wealthy men and women retouched by the artists to make their faces look as if they are decomposing. “Unhappy Feet” features innumerable miniatures of penguins that turn into predators and kill whales, polar bears and walruses in the South Pole. The adorable penguins in the movie “Happy Feet” are transformed with bloodstains around their mouths, preparing to attack a polar bear. For more information, call (02) 3448-0100.

“Robert Capa”: Rare original prints by the late Robert Capa are on exhibit in Seoul for the first time to mark the centennial of the photographer’s birth. Hailed as the world’s greatest war photographer, Capa captured moments that became iconic war images and continue to inspire many photojournalists and filmmakers to this day. The photos on exhibit consist of war images from major battles of the early 20th century and portraits of leading cultural figures of the period such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Ernest Hemingway. The exhibition continues through Oct. 28 at Sejong Art Center. Admission is 12,000 won for adults, 8,000 won for teenagers and 7,000 won for children. For more information, visit www.robertcapa.co.kr or call (02) 3701-1216.

Festivals 

“Sunchang Fermented Soybean Festival”: Sunchag, a town well-known for producing Korea’s best traditional fermented sauces ― fermented red pepper paste and soybean paste, hold the 8th festival that celebrates hundreds of years of the traditional sauce-making. The festival holds various food events such as a food competition using fermented sauces; an attempt at the longest dried soybean block, or “meju,” used for making soybean sauce and soybean paste; and cooking events using red pepper paste. The festival is held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at Sunchang Gochujang (red pepper paste) Village. For more information, visit www.jangfestival.co.kr.

“Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival”: Salt-pickled seafood, or jeotgal in Korean, often made with shellfish, tiny shrimp and fish offal ― such as roe, intestines and gills, are the staples of Korean dining tables. Ganggyeong, a fishing village on the west coast of South Chungcheong Province, is known for high-quality jeotgal and is home to a festival celebrating the humble side dish. During the festival, Oct. 16-20, various jeotgal is sold at discounts of up to 30-40 percent. For more information, call (041) 746-5662 or visit www.ggfestival.co.kr.

“Icheon Rice Cultural Festival”: Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, is famous for its high-quality rice that was once served to Korea’s royalty. The festival, to be held Oct. 30-Nov. 3 at Seolbong Park, Incheon, will include a reenactment of the parade that transported rice to Hanseong, Joseon’s capital, for presentation to the king, a huge rice cauldron that is capable of cooking rice for hundreds of people, and a straw craft contest. Traditional music, dance and folk drama performances will entertain visitors, who will also have the chance to buy newly harvested Icheon rice. For more information, call (031) 644-4125 or visit www.ricefestival.or.kr.

“The World Traditional Medicine Fair and Festival”: The world’s first fair dedicated to Oriental medicine will take place in Sancheong, a village on Jirisan Mountain, until Oct. 20. The festival, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the publication of Donguibogam, the ancient Korean medical book, showcases the latest Oriental medicine trends, treatments and health information. Visitors will also get the chance to receive free consultation and treatment at the festival. The venues are Donguibogam village and a Korean traditional medicine town in Sancheong district, South Gyeongsang Province. For more information, visit www.tramedi-expo.or.kr (English available), or call (055) 970-8600.

Theater

“Notre-Dame de Paris”: The Korean rendition of the famous French-Canadian musical “Notre-Dame de Paris” is currently being performed in Seoul. Based on famed French writer Victor Hugo’s popular novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” the musical tells of Quasimodo, a deformed hunchback who dwells within Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and falls deeply in love with a beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda. Local stars Yoon Hyeong-ryeol and Hong Gwang-ho are sharing the role of Quasimodo, while Bada and Yoon Gong-ju share the role of Esmeralda. “Notre-Dame de Paris,” currently being performed at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall, runs until Nov. 17. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Wicked”: After playing an unhappy Austrian empress (Elisabeth) and a mysterious, obsessive housekeeper (Rebecca), musical actress Oak Ju-hyun has now been cast to play the famous green-skinned witch in Broadway musical “Wicked.” The upcoming run, featuring an all-Korean cast, is the first Korean-language edition of the musical. The musical tells the story of two very different witches in the Land of Oz ― green-skinned, struggling and often-alienated Elphaba and beautiful and popular blonde Glinda. The show is a ravishing spectacle and fantasy, mixed with a touching account of one’s experience of a difficult youth, life-changing friendship and growing up. “Wicked” will open on Nov. 22 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“Bonnie & Clyde”: Broadway musical “Bonnie & Clyde” is being staged in Seoul for the first time. The musical features the infamous love story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the well-known American robbers who traveled the central United States during the Great Depression. The show had its Broadway premiere in 2011 and won two Tony Award nominations in 2012. “Bonnie & Clyde” runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0688.