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Theater
“Danton’s Death”: Seoul Arts Center is presenting “Danton’s Death,” the first play written by German dramatist Georg Buchner (1813-1837), set during the French Revolution. The play presents the last few days of the French revolutionary leader, Danton. Korean artist Lee Ja-ram, who is known for her pansori works, will make her theater acting debut as a street performer. The show is directed by Romanian theater director and teacher Gabor Tompa. “Danton’s Death” runs from Nov. 3 to 17 at Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater. English subtitles are provided. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
“Bungee Jump”: “Bungee Jump,” a musical adaptation of filmmaker Kim Dai-seung’s 2001 unusual romance “Bungee Jumping on Their Own,” is currently being performed in Seoul. The 2001 film featured the late actress Lee Eun-joo and hallyu heartthrob Lee Byung-hun, and deftly linked the themes of magic and curse of first love, reincarnation and even homosexuality. The show tells the story of a man who lost his first love to a car accident in the 1980s. The show runs until Nov. 17 at Doosan Art Center. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, visit www.doosanartcenter.com.
“Music Show Wedding”: Popular musical producer Song Seung-hwan, whose 1997 nonverbal piece “Nanta” became a global hit, has returned with another foreigner-friendly work. Titled “Wedding,” Song’s latest musical is also nonverbal; its actors and actresses sing, dance, act and play more than 20 musical instruments. The one-of-a-kind performance is specifically designed to draw foreign audiences. The show is a comical theatrical portrait of an ordinary Korean wedding, where the bride’s father isn’t particularly fond of his future son-in-law. Song follows the groom’s hilarious efforts to impress his father-in-law prior to the wedding ceremony, mixed with rhythmic music and dance. “Wedding” runs until Dec. 31 at Music Show Wedding Theater in Hongdae area in Seoul. For tickets and information, call (02) 739-8288.
“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 French writer Victor Hugo’s popular novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” the musical tells of Quasimodo, a deformed hunchback who dwells within the 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” runs until Nov. 17 at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall. 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.
Pop music
“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.
“2013 Psy Concert All Night Stand”: Psy will be ringing in the holiday season by holding a special four-day solo concert series in December. The upcoming performances will mark his first concert in Korea in nearly eight months after his globally broadcast “Happening” show in April, where he attracted around 45,000 concert goers and more than 130,000 fans who tuned in online for the live feed. The rapper has been busy this year promoting single “Gentleman,” which has also been nominated for the Video of the Year award at this year’s inaugural YouTube Music Awards. Psy’s special four-day solo concert series will be held from Dec. 20-22 and on Christmas Eve at Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online, with prices ranging from 77,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
“HotSechGodRG Concert: Legend Back”: The 90s are making a return with the project group HotSechGodRG holding its first concert next month. HotSechGodRG is a collaboration group made up of some of the country’s most popular pastime idols Moon Hee-jun and Tony An from H.O.T, Sechs Kies’ Eun Ji-won, g.o.d’s Danny Ahn, and NRG’s Cheon Myeong-hun. The group made its official debut through the release the group’s first music video ― a remake of NRG’s debut song “I Can Do It! ― back in May. The union of the 90s rivaling stars both shocked and excited fans who have now been offered a rare opportunity at taking a live stroll down memory lane. HotSechGodRG first concert will be held on Dec. 24 and 25 at Central City Millennium Hall in Seoul. Tickets are 132,000 won and can be purchased online. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
“James Blake: Live in Seoul”: James Blake is a young singer-songwriter and producer from London whose critically acclaimed eponymous debut album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2011. Blake released his second studio album titled “Overgrown” earlier this year and it went on to win the 2013 Mercury Prize, surprisingly beating out heavy favorites including the legendary David Bowie. The album was ranked at the top of the U.S. Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and No. 8 of the U.K. Albums Chart. Blake will be performing live in Seoul on Jan. 19 at the Uniqlo AX Hall. Tickets can be purchased online, with prices listed at 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
Festivals
“Boseong Green Tea Light Festival”: A light festival will take place at the famous tea plantation in Boseong, South Jeolla Province from Dec. 13 to Feb. 2, 2014. The vast tea plantation will be decorated with thousands of colorful light bulbs. One of the highlights of the winter light festival is the 120-meter-high “Millennium Tree,” decorated with more than 100,000 lights, which made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000. The lights will go on from 5:30 p.m. to midnight every day. Admission is free. An opening ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 in Yeongcheon-ri, followed by an event that will invite visitors to walk through a long light tunnel. For more information, call (061) 850-5211.
“The Garden of Morning Calm Chrysanthemum Exhibition”: More than 300 kinds of chrysanthemum are on view in the 33,000-square-meter outdoor Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. The garden is designed to reflect the beauty of a traditional Korean garden in harmony with its surrounding nature. The exhibition ends Nov. 30. For more information, call (031) 584-6701 or visit www.morningcalm.co.kr.
“Gunsan International Migratory Bird Festival”: Bird lovers will flock to Gunsan International Migratory Bird Festival from Nov. 22-24 to see migratory birds at the vast mudflats and reed fields in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. The festival offers a rare chance to observe more than 50 kinds of winter migratory birds, often flying in spectacular formation, at the bird-watching area built on the banks of the Geum River. The festival features hands-on programs such as craft-making sessions for children. For more information, call (063) 454-5680, or visit www.gmbo.kr.
Exhibitions
“Engrave”: Artist Kang Hyung-koo presents new portraits, clay sculptures and drawings in a solo exhibition at Arario Gallery Seoul until Dec. 20. The highlight of the exhibition includes portraits of Western and Asian cultural icons such as Korean artist Yun Du-suh from the Joseon period, Leonardo Da Vinci, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Kang also presents clay sculptures of Auguste Rodin, Vincent Van Gogh and Marilyn Monroe and dozens of caricature-style pencil drawings of famous figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Auguste Rodin and Mahatma Gandhi, which give a hint of his working process that leads to the completed portrait. For more information, call (02) 571-5701.
“Seoul Photo Festival”: The Seoul Photo Festival unveils a rare compilation of portraits of Seoul citizens dating back to 1883, as 2013 marks the 130th year since the introduction of photography in Korea. The photo exhibition features more than 600 portraits showing scenes behind major historical and social events in Seoul from the Japanese colonial era (1910-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), rapid economic development (1960-1980) and diverse social aspects of today such as the shift to a multicultural society. The photo exhibition is on view until Dec. 1 at Seoul Museum of Art in Deoksugung-gil, Seoul. For more information, visit seoulphotofestival.com.
“Jesus and Deaf Lamb”: One of the most famous biblical scenes ― baby Jesus in the arms of Mary surrounded by Wise Men from the East ― doesn’t feature the usual Western biblical representation in the late artist Woonbo Kim Ki-chang’s Jesus paintings. At a thatched-roof house, home for commoners in the Joseon period (1392-1910), Jesus appears as a happy child in the arms of Mary, wearing a rainbow-striped jeogori ― the traditional Korean children’s jacket. The Eastern Wise Men worshipping the newborn are dressed in official robes of Joseon ministers. Such paintings interpreting Jesus in Korean culture are on view at Seoul Museum’s “Jesus and Deaf Lamb” exhibition that marks the centennial birthday of the artist Kim Ki-chang (1914-2001) at Seoul Museum in Buam-dong, Jongno, Seoul, until Jan. 19, 2014. For more information, call (02) 395-0100 or visit www.seoulmuseum.org.
“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. Highlights 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.
Classical music
“Magdalena Kozena’s Private Musicke”: Mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozena will perform at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. Dubbed the “first lady of classical music” for her skillful vocals and her marriage to Sir Simon Rattle, Kozena will perform 18 pieces including Vitali’s “O bei lumi,” Marini’s “Con le Stelle in Ciel” and Monteverdi’s “Si dolce e il tormento.” Kozena garnered international attention when she won the International Mozart Competition in 1995 and became a member of Vienna Volksoper. Tickets are priced between 50,000 won and 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.
“Lang Lang Piano Solo & Concerto”: Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang returns to 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 yet 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.
“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 for both world-class singers to 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 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.
“Mischa Maisky with Seoul Philharmonic”: Famed cellist Mischa Maisky will be back on the Korean stage with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Dec. 11 at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. They will perform Max Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei for violin and Orchestra,” Saint Saens’ Cello Concerto No.1; and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto. The orchestra will be led by the SPO’s vice-conductor Sung Si-yeon. The Jewish-Latvian cellist gained international stardom, winning various competitions throughout the 1960s and ‘70s. In 1972, he settled in Israel and has since trotted around the world to share his love for music ―- with or without the best orchestras at the best concert halls -― and has released numerous bestselling records including the Bach suites. Seats are priced between 50,000 won and 150,000 won and the show begins at 8 p.m. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.
Dance
“Mother”: Dance Company DTS Ballet will present its oldest repertoire, “Mother,” in celebration of their 10-year anniversary. The dance, featuring a mother’s unconditional love and sacrifice, premiered in 2003 as the troupe’s first performance shortly after being founded. This year’s performance will be specially joined by Koh Young-hee, a North Korean defector who was a principal dancer for a Pyongyang-based troupe. Her mother and choreographer Bae Geum-ee was said to have been taught by Korea’s legendary modern dancer Choe Seung-hee (1911-1967). The show runs on Nov. 22 and 23 at Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. All tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit www.dts-ballet.com or call 010-3262-4802.
“Schwanengesang”: Local troupe Lee Tae Sang Dance Project is presenting “Schwanengesang,” a dance that deals with young victims of sex abuse. Choreographer Lee’s works have been featured Sat the International Munchen Festival in Germany, International Kontakt Budapest Dance Festival in Hungary and ImpulsTANZ Vienna Dance Festival in Austria. “Schwanengesang” runs from Nov. 29 to 30 at Gangdong Arts Center in Seoul. All tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, email ballet0639@hotmail.com.
“The Nutcracker”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is getting ready to attract fans with its popular rendition of “The Nutcracker.” First performed by UBC in 1986, the show is based on 19th-century German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann’s version of the story and French ballet choreographer Marius Petipa’s dance. UBC has cast some 10 of its finest dancers, including principal dancers Hwang Hye-min and Eom Jae-yong. The show, which tells the story of a young girl’s favorite Christmas toy coming alive and whisking her away to a magical kingdom, is one of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet compositions along with “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty.” The show runs from Dec. 20-31 at Universal Art Center in Neung-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.uac.co.kr.
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Articles by Korea Herald
