Festival

Pyeongchang Trout Festival: The festival, named one of the top 20 winter festivals in Korea by the Korea Tourism Organization, is being held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics until Feb. 8. The festival is underway along the Odaecheon Stream known for its abundant trout population. Visitors can ice fish and eat trout raw for sashimi or roast it on the spot. More winter activities are available such as catching trouts with bare hands, ice skating, riding ice ATVs (four-wheel motorcycle) and snow rafting. For more information, visit festival700.or.kr (only in Korean).

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival: This festival is one of the most popular winter festivals in Korea, offering diverse winter activities such as ice fishing, ice sledding, ice soccer, curling and ice hockey. The festival takes place in the scenic mountain town of Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 1. The lake for fishing can accommodate up to 8,000 visitors a day. The festival runs a separate fishing zone for children and foreign tourists traveling in groups. The admission is 12,000 won for adults and teenagers and 8,000 won for children and the elderly. For more information, visit www.narafestival.com (English available).

Jarasum Singsing Winter Festival: This annual trout fishing festival will be held on Jarasum Island in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, from Jan. 2 to Feb. 1. The festival offers a variety of winter activities for families, couples and friends. Programs include ice trout fishing, snow sledding, ice skating and other winter sports activities. The festival will turn the Gapyeong Bridge into a winter wonderland with snow sculptures, ice flowers and igloo cafes. The festival venue is 250 meters away from Gapyeong Bus Terminal. For more information, visit www.singsingfestival.com (Korean only).

Pop music

“The Swell Season Live in Seoul”: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, widely known for their lead roles in the Irish box-office hit indie musical film “Once,” will be reviving their 2007 onscreen chemistry with a special live performance in Seoul. The duo’s single, “Falling Slowly,” landed the film an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Hansard and Irglova will be performing on Jan. 10 and 11 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with ticket prices ranging from 66,000 won to 110,000. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“5 Nights ― Hyundai Card Culture Project 17”: As part of Hyundai Card’s ongoing Culture Project, “5 Nights” will be bringing five international rock bands for a five-day concert series. Avenged Sevenfold, Bastille, Starsailor, Rudimental and Asgeir will be making their way to Korea this New Year to rock Seoul in a large-scale, weeklong music festival. The upcoming “5 Nights” rock music series will be held from Jan. 12-17 at the Jamsil Sports Complex Culture Dome Stage. Concertgoers can purchase one-day tickets or a five-day pass, with one-day passes listed at 88,000 won and a week pass priced at 198,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Cyndi Lauper: Celebrating the 30th anniversary of her music career, 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 in Seoul. 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, often compared to the likes of Madonna, one of the most influential pop stars of her era and landed her a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The pop icon will be performing live on Jan. 23 and 24 at Seoul Olympic Park’s Olympic Hall. Ticket prices range from 66,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Michael Buble: International vocal sensation Michael Buble will be heading to Seoul for his first concert in Korea after debuting more than a decade ago. 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. The soloist will be performing live on Feb. 4 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium. Ticket prices range from 99,000 won to 253,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Dance

“The Nutcracker ― Universal Ballet”: The original production of “The Nutcracker” was created in 1892 by Marius Petipa and choreographed by Lev Ivanov. To this day, the internationally successful ballet piece remains a classic holiday tale. In 1986, Universal Ballet first presented its version of “The Nutcracker” by Adrienne Dellas in Seoul. In 1999, the ballet was reinterpreted here by choreographer Vasily Vainonen. The upcoming performance will be staged at the Universal Arts Center in Seoul until Dec. 31, with ticket prices ranging from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. Tickets can be purchased online at www.interpark.com.

“The Nutcracker” ― Korean National Ballet: The Korean National Ballet will be reprising its 14-year-old version of the classic ballet. In this version, the heroine Clara is rechristened Mary and the nutcracker, which is usually portrayed as a wooden doll onstage, is played by a child dancer, bringing the beloved character to life. KNB’s staging of “The Nutcracker” will be held at the Seoul Arts Center until Dec. 28. Ticket prices range from 5,000 won to 90,000 won and can be purchased online at www.kballet.org.

“The Nutcracker” ― Seoul Ballet Theatre: The Seoul Ballet Theatre will be taking a Korean approach to its latest rendition of “The Nutcracker. James Jeon, the famed founder of SBT, has reinterpreted the classic Russian tale by making the music more up-tempo, as well adding a few cultural elements such as traditional hanbok costumes, Korean folk dances and the “janggu” (Korean drum). The ballet will be held for two days at the Suwon SK Atrium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Dec. 27 and 28. Ticket prices are listed at 20,000 won and 30,000 won and can be purchased at www.interpark.com. 

“Cavalia”: Big Top, the world’s biggest touring tent, has been erected near Olympic Stadium in Jamsil-dong for the equestrian circus “Cavalia.” Created by Normand Latourelle, one of the cofounders of the famed Cirque du Soleil, Cavalia is an innovative production that boldly explores the boundaries of equestrian arts and acrobatic feats. Staged by the original Canadian cast and some 50 beautiful horses, the show continues through Dec. 28. Tickets cost 50,000 won to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 418-2456 or visit www.cavalia.co.kr.

Exhibitions

“Lee Lee-nam: Light”: Media artist Lee Lee-nam holds a solo exhibition of media works that explore possibilities of new technology. The exhibition, titled “Light,” features installations, sculptures and video works that go beyond the typical two dimensions. The artist brings classic masterpieces of Johannes Vermeer and Michelangelo back to life by incorporating media technologies. He lights up candles in the paintings to make blinking movements and move shadows. He makes milk flowing from a jar in Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” look real with audio and visual features, and puts a TV on the back of Jesus Christ instead of a cross on his way to Calvary before he was crucified. The exhibition continues through Feb. 8 at Gana Art Center in Jongno, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 720-1020. 

“Pompeii: Culture of the Ancient Roman City”: The National Museum of Korea is presenting the special exhibition “Pompeii: Culture of the Ancient Roman City” until April 5. On display are some 300 sculptures, accessories, frescoes and casts that vividly capture the daily lives of Pompeii’s citizens before the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on Aug. 24 in A.D. 79. Admission is 13,000 won for adults, 11,000 won for middle school, high school and university students, 8,000 won for elementary school students and 5,000 won for preschoolers. The museum is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr.

“Dialogue with Morandi”: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is presenting works by Italian master painter Giorgio Morandi. The exhibition features about 40 of Morandi’s oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and sketches, selected from the collection of Museo Morandi in Bologna, Italy. The works were created during the mature phase of his artist’s career, from the 1940s to the 1960s, and portray everyday objects, such as bottles, as well as landscapes. The exhibition continues through Feb. 25 at the Deoksugung branch of the MMCA in Seoul. For more information, call (02) 2022-0600.

Linda McCartney Retrospective: Daelim Museum in Seoul is holding a retrospective on photographer Linda McCartney until April 26. The first retrospective here of the celebrated photographer shows McCartney’s earlier works, including portraits of popular musicians such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, family photos depicting her happy life with Paul McCartney and their children, and later works that capture the beauty of daily life and nature. Admission is 5,000 won for adults. The museum is located next to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. For more information, visit www.daelimmuseum.org.

Theater

“Melodrama”: Popular playwright and director Jang Yoo-jeong, known for the musical-turned-film “Finding Mr. Destiny” which was a box office hit in 2010, returns to the stage with her directorial debut play, “Melodrama.” The play, starring actor Park Won-sang and actress Hong Eun-hee, searches for the meaning of love through two couples in an affair. “Melodrama” runs through Feb. 15 in Jayu Theater at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 won and 50,000 won. For details, call (02) 762-0010 or visit www.sacticket.co.kr. 

“Gone with the Wind”: The Korean production of the French musical “Gone with the Wind” will raise its curtains on Jan. 9 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name and its 1939 film adaptation, the musical premiered in Paris in 2003. The upcoming Korean production will star Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun and singer-turned-musical actress Bada as Scarlett O’Hara, opposite actor Joo Jin-mo and musical star Kim Bap-lae as Rhett Butler. It runs through Feb. 15. For details, call 1577-3363.

“Mr. Show”: Following the successful premiere of “Mr. Show” this spring, the women-only adult show is back for the holiday season. Directed by renowned musical director Kolleen Park, eight good-looking Korean men perform on stage, dancing and acting their way through eight different themes, while audience members join the party. The sexy variety show is open only to women aged 19 and older. It runs through Jan. 31 in Seoul at Lotte Card Art Center near Hapjeong Station, on Line Nos. 2 and 6. Tickets are 60,000 won and 80,000 won. For details, visit www.mrshow.co.kr.

“Kinky Boots”: A Broadway musical that bagged six Tony Awards last year is having its first non-English-language run in Seoul. A collaboration between Broadway producers and Korean entertainment firm CJ E&M, the show is based on the 2005 film of the same title, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. In the play, Charlie, the young, straitlaced owner of a struggling British shoe factory, forms an unlikely partnership with Lola, a drag queen, to save the business. The Korean rendition of “Kinky Boots” continues through Feb. 22 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. For details, call (02) 2230-6600.

“Once”: The Korean production of “Once” is being staged at Seoul Arts Center. Based on the 2006 film of the same title, the original Broadway musical won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including the trophy for the year’s best musical. For its Korean version, veteran rocker Yoon Do-hyun will play the lead role. He will play Guy, an Irish street musician and vacuum cleaner repairman who falls in love with Girl, a Czech flower seller. Yoon will rotate with musical actor Lee Chang-hee for the role, and two emerging musical actresses, Jeon Mi-do and Park Ji-yeon, will play Girl. “Once” continues through March 29 at the 1,000-seat CJ Towol Theater in Seoul Arts Center. Ticket prices are 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, call (02) 577-1987.

“Notre-Dame de Paris”: The original French production of the famous musical “Notre-Dame de Paris” will tour Korea, marking the 10th anniversary of the show’s Korean premiere in 2006. Based on French writer Victor Hugo’s popular novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” the musical tells the story of Quasimodo, a deformed hunchback who dwells within Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and falls in love with a beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda. Starting in Daegu in December, it will tour multiple cities for three months. It will come to Seoul’s Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 15. For details, call (02) 749-9037.

Classical music

Vienna Boys’ Choir: The Vienna Boys’ Choir will be touring five cities in Korea, starting in Jeonju on Jan. 16. In Seoul, the choir will give two concerts at Nowon Arts Center in Junggyebon-dong, northeastern Seoul, on Jan. 23 and at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong on Jan. 25. The program consists of church music, waltzes, folk music and some well-known numbers from film soundtracks. The Jan. 25 concert will start at 5 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For details, call 1577-5266 or visit www.clubbalcony.com. 

Chung Myung-whun recital: Maestro Chung Myung-whun is holding his first solo piano recital tour in Korea. He will perform at Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27 at Goyang Aramnuri in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Jan. 10, and at Daejeon Arts Center in Daejeon on Jan. 12. Chung was an internationally famed pianist before switching fully to conducting in 1979. The concert’s program mostly features short piano pieces by Brahms and Chopin. For details, call (02) 558-4588.

“Jo Su-mi and Winter Fantasy”: On Dec. 30, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will present a special year-end concert with soprano Jo Su-mi. The program will consist of 19 pieces, including classical music, opera arias and well-known numbers from famous musicals and TV dramas. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 130,000 won. For details, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra: Under the baton of artistic director Chung Myung-whun, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a special encore concert on Jan. 18 at Seoul Arts Center, playing fan favorites from the past season’s repertory. It will perform Wagner’s Tannhauser Overture, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” with Kim Sun-wook on piano, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, call 1588-1210 or visit www.seoulphil.or.kr.