Classical Concerts

Great Mountains Music Festival & School

Alpensia Concert Hall

Through Aug. 5

The Great Mountains Music Festival & School will be held in the Gangwon Province. Renowned cellist Chung Myung-hwa and her sister violinist Chung Kyung-hwa serve as artistic directors of this chamber music festival to be held at the Apelnsia Concert Hall in PyeongChang. This year’s theme will explore the relationship between dance and music. Tickets cost 40,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 725-3394.

Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica

Seoul Arts Center

Oct. 16

Gidon Kremer, a Latvian violinist and conductor, will perform with Kremerata Baltica, a chamber orchestra he founded that consists of young musicians from Baltic countries. The orchestra won a Grammy Award in 2002 for its recording of Mozart. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more, call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr/eng.

Mariss Jansons and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Seoul Arts Center

Nov. 20-21

Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons brings the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra to present works of Beethoven to Seoul fans. On the first night, they perform Beethoven Symphony Nos. 2-3 to be followed on the second night with Nos. 6-7. Tickets cost from 70,000 won to 350,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

Big Tickets

2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival
Jisan Forest Resort
July 27-29
The best of the best rock bands, Radiohead, Owl City, The Stone Roses, Bread Eye and many more will perform at Jisan Forest Resort in Gyeonggi Province for three days of nonstop hit music. This impressive lineup will play their most popular songs to the delight of fans. Tickets cost 225,000 won. For more information, call 1577- 3363, or visit www.valleyrockfestival.com.

Park Jung-hyun Live Concert

Olympic Park

July 27-29

Park Jung-hyun, a Korean-American pop star often referred to as the Korean R&B queen, will hold a concert in celebration of her eighth album. She is considered as of the best singers in Korea and has so far released eight Korean albums, two Korean singles, three Japanese albums, and seven Japanese singles. Tickets cost 77,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 796-1383. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. (Enter through East Gate No. 2). Call (02) 410-4114 or visit www.sosfo.or.kr/english/park.

UMF Korea

Jamsil Olympic Stadium

Aug. 3-4

The biggest party on earth, the world’s premiere electronic music festival, is coming to Asia for the first time. It will be headlined with musicians who are topping the charts like Steve Aoki, Clazziquai, Tokyo Big Boy, DJ Tiesto, and many more. Tickets cost 110,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3471-8957 or visit www.umfkorea.com. Located near Jamsil Sports Complex Station on subway line No.2.

Eminem: Recovery Tour
Jamsil Sports Complex
Aug.19

Eminem, an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor, will perform in Korea for the first time in support of his album “Recovery” which was released in 2010. Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

Sensation: Ocean of White
Ilsan KINTEX
July 21

A Heineken-sponsored concert, “Sensation,” which began in Amsterdam in 2000, finally comes to Korea this summer. The concert will fill eight hours with stage shows, laser beams and dance performances. DJs include Mr. White, Funkagenda and many more to light up the night until dawn. Standing only. Tickets cost 125,000 to 180,000 won. For more information call 1544-1555 or visit www.heinekein.com/kr.

Museums

The Civilization of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul

National Museum of Korea

Through Sept. 2

Turkey is a nation where traditions of the East and the West coexist, as religions and cultures from both sides have settled and flourished there. The exhibition will display relics from the 3000 B.C. Anatolian civilization to the 19th century Ottoman Empire. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Located near exit 2, Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.istanbul2012.co.kr.

Marc Riboud
Seoul Arts Center
Through Aug. 5

Marc Riboud is a French photographer, whose best known image is “Eiffel Tower Painter” taken in Paris in 1953. He is recognized for taking photographic reports of East Asia during some of the most fundamental times in history through the perspective of ordinary people. Tickets cost 12,000 won. For more information, call (02) 532-4407.

Korean Art from the United States

National Museum of Korea

Through Aug. 5

The National Museum of Korea brings some major Korean artworks from museums in the United States such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The exhibition will feature artwork, including paintings from the Goryeo Kingdom that have never been seen by the Korean public. It will explore how Korean culture was introduced overseas. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Pop Concerts

MBLAQ

Olympic Hall

July 21-22

MBLAQ, a five-member boy band produced by world super star Rain, will perform for fans in Seoul before they start their Asian tour. In October 2009, MBLAQ released their first debut single album, and has topped the music charts in Korea. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

LeeSsang Season 2

Olympic Hall

July 14-15

Popular Korean hip-hop duo LeeSsang will collaborate with many recognized artists including rapper-singer Yoon Mi-rae, and singers Big Mama and Hwayobi. The duo has released a total of seven albums to date. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

2NE1 “New Evolution” World Tour

Olympic Gymnastics Stadium

July 28-29

The four-member girl group 2NE1, affiliated with YG Entertainment, will perform for fans on July 28 and 29 at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium in southern Seoul. Comprised of C.L., Bom, Dara and Minzy, the members will perform as part of their ongoing tour and also to celebrate the release of their new album “I Love You.” Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, call 1566-5702.

SM Town Live

Jamsil Olympic Stadium

Aug.18

SM Entertainment, home to such stars as Girls’ Generation, TVXQ, Super Junior, BOA,SHINEE, f(x) and Kangta, will host a concert featuring these K-pop stars. Tickets will go on sale from July 12 on Gmarket at www.ticket.gmarket.co.kr). Tour packages for foreign fans will become available through www.easternrooms.com. Tickets cost from 16,500 won to 99,000 won. There are also family package tickets. For more information, call 1566-5702.

Dance

Romeo and Juliet
Seoul Arts Center
July 7-14

Local ballet fans can soon watch Kenneth MacMillan’s most dramatic and thought-out ballet performance in “Romeo and Juliet.” Universal Ballet, a leading ballet troupe in Korea, will stage work based on the heartbreaking love story. The audience will be inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic romance delivered through dance. Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Swan Lake

Seoul Arts Center

July 26-29

Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater presents “Swan Lake.” Set to the passionate music of Russian master composer Tchaikovsky, the work has been one of the favorites for ballet fans. Watch the beautiful love story, where Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette’s marriage promise is broken when an evil genius attempts to destroy their love. Tickets cost 100,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2650-7481.

Pierre Rigal: Theater of Operations
LG Art Center
Sept. 14-15

After Pierre Rigal, a French dancer and choreographer, visited Korea last year, he was deeply inspired by the local dancers. He will be collaborating with local dancers to bring the audience a different and distinct performance. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Yeoksam Station on subway line 2. Call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com/EngHome/index_.aspx.For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

2012 American Ballet Theatre: Giselle

Seoul Arts Center

July 18-22

“Giselle,” one of the most popular ballets, will be performed in Korea for the first time by the American Ballet Theatre. It tells the story of a peasant girl named Giselle. Julie Kent and Paloma Herrera will play Giselle. Kent and Herrera are two of the biggest stars of the New York-based company. Herrera joined the company at 16 and became a principal only three years later. Also taking the lead role of Giselle is Korean dancer Seo Hee, who is the company’s first Korean to rise to the soloist rank. Tickets cost 16,500 to 400,000 won. For more information, call (02) 598-3119 or visit www. sac.or.kr.

Exhibitions

Cynical Resistance

Hakgojae Gallery

Through July 25
Hakgojae Gallery introduces eight young Chinese artists born in the 1970s and 80s. The artists seem to be free from fundamental, abstract discussions on the political system, but they portray their views on people and society through more discreet ways. The exhibit features some 60 works from paintings to installations. Located near Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 720-1524.

MOVE: Art and Dance since 1960s

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea

Through Aug. 12

“MOVE: Art and Dance since 1960s” portrays the relationship between art and dance from the 1950s to the present. Through dancers and choreographers who create sculptures that relate to movements of visitors, this exhibition will allow visitors who began simply as spectators to become participants. Located near exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2188-6124.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Plateau
Through Sept. 28

A retrospective of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, the Cuban-born American artist who left a strong imprint in contemporary art, is being held at Plateau. The artist’s fear of death, seeking eternity and love for his AIDS-infected lover are all reflected in his works. His signature candy pile, “Untitled” (Placebo) and “Untitled” (Rossmore II) are also on display. Visitors are free to take posters or candies from the exhibit. They are then eventually refilled by the gallery. For more information, visit www.plateau.or.kr or call 1577-7595.

SeMA Gold 2012: Hidden Track

Seoul Museum of Art

Through Aug. 26

Established artists in their 50s and 60s have set and unique artistic styles. However, they do have desire to break out from the style and “SeMA Gold 2012: Hidden Track” gives them a chance to express their hidden aspirations. Participating artists include Lim Ok-sang, Ahn Gyu-chul, Rhee Ki-bong and Oh Hein-kuhn. Located near City Hall Station on subway lines 1 and 2. For more information, visit www.seoulmoa.org or call (02) 2124-8800.

Plays & Musicals

Wicked

Blue Square

Open Run

Broadway blockbuster “Wicked” debuted in 2003 and is based on “The Wizard of Oz.” It is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and details the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North, and showing unexpected new sides to both characters. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more, call 1577-3363.

Man of La Mancha

Charlotte Theater

Through Oct. 7

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century masterpiece, “Don Quixote,” this memorable musical is based on Dale Wasserman’s book “Man of La Mancha.” It is a well known Broadway musical that has won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Award. Located nearJamsil Station on subway line No. 2. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more, call 1544-1555.

Mozart!

Sejong Center for Performing Arts

Through Aug. 4

Originally written in German,“Mozart!” premiered in Austria in October 1999. The Korean rendition was first staged in 2010 and portrays the struggles and hardships of Mozart. Tickets cost 30,000 to 130,000 won. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Call 1544-1887 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr/english. or visit www. sejongpac.or.kr.

La Cage aux Folles

LG Arts Center

Through Sept. 4

The musical based on Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning novel revolves around a gay couple with complicated circumstances. Georges is a nightclub manager and his partner is Albin. The comedy unfolds when Georges’ son, Jean-Michel visits them. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

Poongwallju

Culture Space NU

Through July 29

“Poongwallju” means master of the wind and the moon and is a homegrown musical about two men and a woman during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.). Instead of traditional costumes, actors wear simple, modern black clothes to portray a love triangle involving Yeol, a charismatic male “gisaeng,” or Korean courtesan, his dearest friend Sa-dam and Queen Jinseong, who has everything except the man she loves. Located near Hyewha Station on subway lines No. 3 and 4. Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more, call 1544-1555.

Chicago, the Musical

D-Cube Arts Center

Through Oct. 7

Musical Chicago is known for delivering the hottest stage in the world. Some of the most recognized singers, Insooni and Ivy, will take to the stage as the most important characters. Chicago, which is based on actual criminals and crimes reported in 1926, played more than 6,200 performances on Broadway. Located near Sindorim Station on subway lines No. 1 and 2. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555.