Iconic 1980s pop star Cyndi Lauper will be making her way back to Korea for the first time in 26 years, hosting two solo shows at the Seoul Olympic Park’s Olympic Hall on Jan. 23 and 24.

Often compared to the likes of Madonna, Lauper’s 1983 debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” became the first debut album by a female artist to have four Top 5 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “She Bop” and “All Through The Night.”

The singles made Lauper one of the most influential pop stars of her era, and the tracks off her debut album ― which landed her a Grammy Award for Best New Artist ― are still recognized as the artist’s most ionic work. 

Lauper, 61, has since released nine studio albums including her most recent, “Memphis Blues” in 2010. Earlier this year the artist was also awarded another Grammy for Broadway musical album “Kinky Boots,” which she wrote and composed the music for.

The singer will be hosting her local concerts as part of her ongoing “She’s So Unusual: 30th Anniversary Tour,” which kicked off in June last year and has since brought her to 56 cities across the globe.

Tickets to Lauper’s upcoming 30th Anniversary solo concert shows can be purchased online starting Thursday, with prices ranging from 66,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, visit interpark.com.

After Lauper’s concerts kick the new year off with a bang, multiple Grammy Award-winning jazz-pop vocalist Michael Buble will be holding his first concert in Korea on Feb. 4, at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul.

Buble will come to Seoul as part of his fifth world concert tour, which will also take him to the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan in his first ever large-scale Asia concert sweep. 

The Canadian is one of the most famous contemporary jazz vocalists, and attained worldwide stardom after the release of his chart topping 2005 album, “It’s Time,” featuring popular singles “Home” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.”

Buble has landed himself nine Grammy Awards nominations, including four wins. His most recent album, “To Be Loved,” was released in April and won him a Grammy this year for the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Tickets to his concert will go on sale on Dec. 23, with prices ranging from 99,000 won to 253,000 won. For more information, visit interpark.com.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)