Theater

“Arirang”: The upcoming production of the highly anticipated Korean musical “Arirang” will mark a historic moment as it will bring to life the words of renowned Korean novelist Jo Jung-rae and his epic 12-volume novel. The musical tells the tale of Japan’s colonization of the peninsula and comes after years of failed attempts to adapt the 20,000-page novel into a screenplay. The musical will be held at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from July 16 to Sept. 5. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com. 

“Elisabeth”: The local reinterpretation of the original Viennese musical “Elisabeth” will be returning to the musical stage, with popular K-pop star Se7en taking on his debut musical role as “death” or “der tod.” All eyes are on the K-pop star as he is filling in the shoes of mega Hallyu star Kim Jun-su of JYJ, who was previously cast in the same role during the show’s 2012-2013 run. The musical tells the tale of an Austrian empress and her growing obsession with death as her life progresses. The musical is on an open-run until Sept. 6 at Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information call, (02) 6391-6333.

“Chess: The Musical”: With lyrics by the renowned Tim Rice, “Chess” is set during the Cold War at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Amid the political turmoil, the world chess championship in Thailand captures the world’s attention when American grandmaster Freddie prepares to play Soviet grandmaster Anatoly. The Korean cast features K-pop idols Jo-kwon and Key in the role of Anatoly and musical actors Shin Sung-woo and Lee Kun-myung as Freddie. “Chess” runs until July 19 at the Sejong Center, with ticket prices ranging from 40,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, visit www.musicalchess.co.kr. 

“Urinetown: The Musical”: To pee or not to pee, that is the question in the satirical comedy Broadway musical “Urinetown.” After a horrible drought causes a massive water shortage, private toilets become a thing of the past, leaving only public toilets controlled by a megacorporation that forces patrons to pay to use the restroom. Those who break the law are banished from society forever and sent to a deserted colony called “Urinetown.” The local rendition of the musical is on an open run until Aug. 2 at the Hongik University Daehangno Art Center. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.iseensee.com.

“Jesus Christ Superstar”: The globally popular musical rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” is the beloved love child of Broadway legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The musical is loosely based on the life of the last week of Jesus’ time on Earth, highlighting the personal and political struggles of Judas and Jesus and then the crucifixion. The Korean version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” runs at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul until to Sept. 13. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“Phantom”: An American musical based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel “Phantom of the Opera” got its Korean premiere in April, with singer Park Hyo-shin and international soprano Im Sun-hae in the lead roles. Produced by the Seoul-based EMK Musical Company, the Korean rendition of “Phantom” kicked off on April 28 and will continue through Aug. 2 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. Tickets cost 50,000 won to 140,000 won. For details, call (02) 577-6478.

“Death Note”: A new musical based on the Japanese cartoon and film series of the same title, “Death Note” will open in Seoul in June, two months after its world premiere in Japan. The Korean rendition stars two of the country’s top musical actors, Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Jun-su. The music is composed by Frank Wildhorn (“Jekyll and Hyde”), with the book and lyrics by Ivan Menchell (“Bonnie and Clyde”) and Jack Murphy (“Monte Cristo”). “Death Note” is being staged until Aug. 9 at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. For inquiries, call (02) 1577-3363.

“Chicago ― Original Cast”: The original Broadway cast for “Chicago” ― the longest-running American musical in Broadway history ― will be making its way back to Seoul this summer. The six-time Tony Award winner is a dynamic tale of passion, lust and murder against the backdrop of 1920s Chicago in the roaring jazz music era. The production features cast members from the U.S. Tour Company and is being held at the National Theater of Korea until Aug. 8. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Exhibitions 

“Flowers and Dalhangari”: Galerie Gaia brings together two artists whose creations celebrate the aesthetics of the Joseon era’s simple, round porcelain moon jars. The exhibition presents the “Song of Life” paintings series by artist Kim Byung-jong that reflects primitive images found in folk paintings and Eastern philosophy. Voluminous moon jars made by artisan Kang Min-soo are on display together with the paintings. The exhibition runs until July 13 at Galerie Gaia in Insa-dong, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 733-3373.

“The Flowering of Print Culture: Ancient Woodblock Printing”: The National Folk Museum of Korea presents old printing blocks and prints that are part of the collection of the Museum of Ancient Asian Woodblock prints in Myeongjusa Temple. The temple, known for its outstanding collection of old prints of Asia, mainly Korea, Japan and China, showcases rare original printing blocks and prints, including illustrations of Joseon’s “Five Moral Rules” and a Chinese woodblock print of a beautiful woman from the Qing Dynasty and a Japanese print depicting the landscape of Saruhashi bridge for the exhibition. It runs until July 20 at the National Folk Museum of Korea. For more information, visit www.nfm.go.kr.

“A Moonlight stroll in the Ancient Palaces”: Sa Suk-won is holding a solo exhibition presenting a new series portraying royal palaces in Seoul. Born and raised in Seoul, Sa has frequently visited royal palaces to escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. His unique renditions of palace images feature animals such as an owl, horse, tiger and lion painted in vivid colors. Through these animals, the artist creates mystery and humor in his paintings. The exhibition runs from June 12 to July 12 at Gana Art Center. For more information, call (02) 720-1020.

“Wilderness into a Garden”: British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare is holding a solo exhibition at Daegu Art Museum, bringing 80 works of art including sculptures, installations and video works under the six themes of money, play, empire, conflict, environment and love. The artist criticizes imperialism and the colonialism of the West through the installations of mannequins wearing traditional African costumes in bright colors, an attempt by the artist to connect with Korea’s history and culture that suffered under colonialism. The exhibition runs until Oct. 18 at Daegu Art Museum in Daegu. For more information, visit www.daeguartmuseum.org.

“Devout Patrons of Buddhist Art”: The National Museum of Korea sheds light on the devout patrons of Buddhist art who commissioned artists and temples to make some of the great works of Buddhist art from the Three Kingdoms period (B.C. 18-A.D. 935) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The exhibition reveals stories and wishes behind the makings of Buddhist paintings, sutras and statues. It runs through Aug. 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

“Vivian Maier X Garry Winogrand”: Sungkok Art Museum is holding a photo exhibition of two great American street photographers, Vivian Maier (1926-2009) and Garry Winogrand (1928-1984), for the first time in Asia. The exhibition reveals the unknown world of Maier, who worked as a nanny in Chicago for 40 years while secretly taking more than 100,000 photographs. Her pictures, hidden in storage, were discovered by filmmaker John Maloof, who later created the film “Finding Vivian Maier” in 2013. The exhibition also features 85 photographs by renowned photographer Garry Winogrand from New York, whose works portrayed American life from the 1950s through the 1980s. The section titled “Women Are Beautiful” shows spontaneous photos of women Winogrand took on the streets of New York. The exhibition runs from July 2 to Sept. 20 at Sungkok Art Museum on Gyeonghuigung-gil, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 737-8643.

Dance

“Rice”: The internationally recognized Taiwanese choreographer Lin Hwai-min is presenting his renditions about rice and nature at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from Sept. 11-12. Lin’s dance troupe Cloud Gate Theater will feature projections of paddy fields and chronicle the cyclical changes of nature in an homage to farmers. Ticket prices for “Rice” range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For details, contact (02) 2005-0114.

“Ballet with Commentary ― Don Quixote”: Following “Swan Lake,” the Korean National Ballet will be performing another classic masterpiece, “Don Quixote.” The plot follows the storyline of Cervantes’ classical novel of the same title, as Don Quixote embarks on a journey for love and adventure. “Don Quixote” with commentary will be staged from Sept. 17-20 at National Theater of Korea. For details, visit www.kballet.org.

“Chang Mu International Dance Festival in Seoul”: The ARKO Performing Arts Center is hosting a series of dance performances around the world from July 27 to Aug. 4. The festival will begin with opening stages by a presenter of Maori contemporary dance, Atamira Dance Company. More than 20 dance companies and choreographers from countries including Korea, Japan, Finland and Indonesia are gearing up for the festival. Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. Discounted packages and student discounts are also available. For more information, contact (02) 3668-0007.

Pop music

“The Cry [100°C]”: Hip-hop performance “The Cry” is back in a remixed form for its 2015 show. With an all-star lineup including Block B’s Zico, Gray, Loco, Giriboy, Olltii and Cheetah, this year’s show will focus on rap. All of the artists have been better known for their raps on other artists’ songs than their own tracks. At “The Cry,” their skills will be brought front and center. In particular, Cheetah, the only female rapper in the show, has become a fast-rising star after appearing on “Unpretty Rapstar.” “The Cry” will take place on July 25 at AX-KOREA. Tickets are 77,000 won for both standing and seated. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“Nate Ruess”: The lead singer of the New York indie pop trio Fun. will head to Korea for his first solo concert. The performance will be a leg of Ruess‘ tour to promote his solo project album “Grand Romantic,” which was released on June 16. Ruess’ performance will reflect the alternative pop style of Fun. heard in hits like “We Are Young” and “Some Nights,” while showing his range as a soloist. The concert will take place on July 28 at the Yes24 MUV Hall in Seoul. Tickets are standing only at 77,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“Epik High -- Now Playing”: The hip-hop trio Epik High, known for witty and poetic lyrics and catchy melodies, will give a concert in Seoul after wrapping up tours in Asia and North America. They will perform in a small theater in order to communicate as closely as possible with their fans, and will design the concert to include theatric themes of action, human, melodrama, horror, sci-fi and eroticism. The concert hits the stage eight times over six days, from July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 7-9 at Sogang University’s Mary Hall Theater. Tickets are 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“Imagine Dragons Live in Seoul”: American alternative rockers Imagine Dragons will be holding their first solo concert in Seoul as part of their world tour promoting their second album “Smoke + Mirrors.” The band, which catapulted itself to stardom with the debut album “Night Visions” in 2012, visited Seoul last year to perform the theme song “Warriors” for the “League of Legends” world championship round. Imagine Dragons takes the stage at Olympic Hall in Seoul’s Olympic Park on Aug. 13. Tickets range from 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

Classical music

“2Cellos Live in Korea”: Internationally renowned cello duo 2Cellos -- Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser -- will present their unique cello renditions on July 12 at Olympic Hall in Seoul Olympic Park. The program features pieces ranging from a cello cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” which brought the duo global fame in 2011, to pieces from their recently released album. Tickets cost 55,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, contact (02) 568-8831.

“Twelve pianists”: An ensemble of 12 Korean male pianists is making their debut concert on July 8 at the IBK Chamber Hall in Seoul Arts Center. The program features compositions by such musical greats as Russia’s Shostakovich, France’s Ravel, Argentina’s Piazzolla and Hungary’s Liszt. Ticket costs 10,000 won and 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3443-5702.

“Opera Gala Concert”: Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by a bevy of Korean opera singers actively performing in Europe, will present an opera gala concert at Seoul Arts Center on July 12. Under the baton of the conductor Kim Duck-gi, celebrated opera singers will feature beloved arias from renowned operas such as Italian composer Umberto Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier” and “Hansel and Gretel” by German composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For details, contact (031) 392-6422.

Seoul Pops Orchestra: The Seoul Pops Orchestra, the oldest pops orchestra in Korea, will hold performances in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Korea’s Independence from Japan’s colonial rule at Seoul Arts Center on July 14. Under the stewardship of chief conductor Ha Sung-ho, musicians will play a program that mixes genres of Western and Korean classical music. Pop singer So-hyang and three classical vocalists will make guest performances. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 170,000 won. More details are available at www.seoulpops.com.

“Itzhak Perlman Violin Recital”: Itzhak Perlman, one of the most renowned violinist virtuosos in the world, is going to give the audience his classical violin performance, accompanied by Rohan De Silva, the famous Sri Lankan pianist, on Nov. 15 at Seoul Arts Center. Apart from scheduled violin concertos by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and Maurice Joseph Ravel, the rest will be spontaneously performed on the spot. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 180,000 won. For more information, contact (02) 1577-5266.