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| The musical "Billy Elliot" is being staged at D-Cube Arts Center through May 7, 2018. / Courtesy of Seensee Company |
Classical Concerts
‘Vienna Boys Choir'
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall
Jan. 27 and 28
The Vienna Boys Choir is visiting Korea for New Year's Concerts at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Jan. 27 and 28. The choir of boy sopranos and altos is based in Austria, and is one of the world's best-known choirs with a history dating back 500 years. Famous composers such as Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert have written for the choir. There are approximately 100 choristers between the ages of ten and fourteen who are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other countries. The boys are divided into four touring choirs to perform about 300 concerts each year before almost 500,000 people around the world. The songs the choir will perform at the New Year's Concert will be of 13th to 19th century European music.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.
Big Tickets
‘Joey Badass'
Yes24 Live Hall
Jan. 24
American rapper Joey Badass will visit Korea for the first time for a concert at Yes24 Live Hall on Jan. 24. Born in New York in 1995, Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott found fame under the pseudonym Joey Badass as part of the Pro Era hip-hop collective. His debut release, a mixtape titled '1999,' earned him critical acclaim and a place in the industry. His debut studio album "B4.DA.$$" was released in January 2015, and he put out his second studio album "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" last April.
Joey Badass gained popularity in Korea back in 2015, when he released a collaborative single with Korean hip-hop group Epik High's Tablo and producer Code Kunst under the name "Hood."
Tickets cost 88,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.yes24.com or call (02) 1544-6399.
Pop & Jazz
‘The xx "I See You" Seoul 2018'
SK Olympic Handball Gym
Feb. 13
English indie pop band The xx is coming to Korea for a concert at SK Olympic Handball Gym on Feb. 13. The xx, formed in 2005 in London, consists of Romy Madley Croft (guitar, vocals), Oliver Sim (bass, vocals) and Jamie Smith also known as Jamie xx (beats, MPC, record production). They are best known for their distinct and unique minimalistic sound that blends the likes of indie pop, indie electronic, dream pop and electro-rock and the dual vocalist setup of both Croft and Sim. Their music employs soft, echoed guitar, prominent bass, light electronic beats and ambient soundscape backgrounds. They released their third album "I See You" in 2017 which received critical acclaim and peaked at No.2 on the Billboard 200. The concert at SK Olympic Handball Gym, which is named after their third album, is part of their world tour.
Tickets cost 121,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 563-0595.
Plays & Musicals
‘Sister Act'
Blue Square
Until Jan. 21
For the first time in Korea, the musical "Sister Act" is being presented at Blue Square through Jan 21.
The musical "Sister Act" is based on the hit 1992 film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. After having a regional premiere in 2006 in Pasadena, California, the original West End production opened in 2009 and subsequent productions have been seen on Broadway and in many countries around the world. The musical depicts the story of Deloris van Cartier, a famous disco singer, who is put into witness protection in a convent. While struggling through the restrictions of her new lifestyle, she finds comfort in the church's choir and ends up inspiring the church and the community. Opera singer Dene Hill will play the role of van Cartier.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
‘Titanic'
Charlotte Theater
Until Feb. 11
The musical "Titanic" is presented at the Charlotte Theater through Feb. 11. It is based on the historic disaster and is set on the ocean liner RMS Titanic which sank on April 15, 1912, after it collided with an iceberg during its maiden voyage. There were an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew aboard the ship, and more than 1,500 died, making it one of the deadliest commercial maritime disasters in modern history.
Music and lyrics were written by Maury Yeston, and the story was written by Peter Stone. Actors Kim Yong-su, Wang Si-myung and Lee Hee-jung appear in this musical.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-5212.
‘Sandglass'
Chungmu Art Center
Until Feb. 11
Chungmu Art Center showcases the new musical "Sandglass" until Feb. 11. It is based on one of the highest-rated Korean television series of the same name which aired on SBS in 1995. "Sandglass" is the story of two men whose friendship is put to the test through the 1970s and 1980s, one of Korea's most politically tumultuous periods. Park Tae-soo, tough and loyal, grows up to become a gangster. Kang Woo-suk, smart with firm moral values, grows up to become a prosecutor. Yoon Hye-rin, the beautiful and spirited daughter of a very wealthy casino owner, is a classmate of Woo-suk in college. Hye-rin is introduced to Tae-soo via Woo-suk and they fall in love. The relationship among three friends is affected by the political and civilian oppression of the 1970-80s and ends in tragedy.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
‘Anna Karenina'
Until Feb. 25
Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater
Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater presents the musical "Anna Karenina" until Feb 25. The musical "Anna Karenina" is about a virtuous woman in 1870s Russia who is married to a government official 15 years older than her. Anna falls in love with the handsome and charming Count Alexis Vronsky, but she is torn by her loyalty to her husband and small son. Meanwhile, Vronsky had first courted Ekaterina "Kitty" Alexandrovna Shcherbatsky, who chose him over gentleman farmer Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin. When Vronsky falls in love with Anna instead, Kitty becomes ill, and Levin, heartsick, withdraws to his country estate. Kitty and Levin finally declare their love for each other.
Anna's choice of love over duty leads to tragedy: Her affair with Vronsky is revealed, and she is shunned; eventually, she throws herself in front of an oncoming train.
Actors Ock Joo-hyun, Jung Sun-ah and Lee Ji-hoon will appear in this musical.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 02-541-6236.
‘Bare the Musical'
Baekam Art Hall
Until Feb. 25
Baekam Art Hall presents "Bare the Musical" until Feb. 25. "Bare the Musical" is a rock musical with a unique sung-through pop score, heart-pounding lyrics, and a cast of bright young characters.
The story follows a group of students at a Catholic boarding school as they grapple with issues of sexuality, identity and the future. Peter and Jason have fallen in love with each other, but Jason, a popular athlete, fears losing his status if it is discovered he is gay. Unpopular Nadia, Jason's sister, is contemptuous of Ivy, a beautiful girl with a questionable reputation. As the group attempts to put up a production of Romeo and Juliet, tensions flare, self-doubt simmers, and God's path seems more difficult to find than ever.
Tickets cost 55,000 to 77,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1588-5212.
‘The Last Kiss'
LG Art Center
Until March 11
LG Art Center presents the musical "The Last Kiss" through March 11. The musical is based on the true story of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and music by Frank Wildhorn. As the pressures of the monarchy fall upon his shoulders, Prince Rudolf is in political and personal conflict with his father, Emperor Franz Joseph, and his marriage to Princess Stephanie of Belgium is crumbling when he meets and falls in love with the 17-year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera. Their secret relationship doesn't escape the attention of Prime Minister Eduard Taaffe, who hopes to use his knowledge of the affair to destroy Rudolf's political career. This ends with the historic event called "Mayerling incident," the death of Prince Rudolf and Baroness Vetsera at the Mayerling hunting lodge in 1889.
Actors Kai, Jeon Dong-seok, Leo and Suho will play the role of Rudolf.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-6478.
‘Billy Elliot'
D-Cube Arts Center
Until May 7
The musical "Billy Elliot," based on the 2000 film of the same name directed by Stephen Daldry, is staged at D-Cube Arts Center through May 7.
The music is by Elton John and the lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around Billy, a British orphan who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and achievements are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the 1984-85 U.K. miners' strike in Northeastern England.
Five child actors who have gone through competitive auditions followed by two years of training will play the role of Billy.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.
Dance
‘Next Step'
National Theater of Korea, Haneul Theater
March 15 to 17
The National Theater of Korea will present "Next Step," a project aiming to discover and nurture future choreographers from the members of the National Dance Company of Korea from March 15 to 17. The project accompanies the entire process of creation, including preproduction research engaged with educational workshops with experts from different disciplines, building the concept of the piece, and creating the actual stage performance. The dancers involved in the Next Step, launched by the National Dance Company of Korea for the first time, will aim to create a completely new form of dance through their unique analysis, deconstruction, reconfiguration and reinterpretation of the traditional dance repertories of the National Dance Company of Korea, ultimately searching for the possibility of expanding the boundary of Korean traditional dance.
Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.
Clubs
Club Octagon
Nonhyeon
Located near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, Club Octagon is notable for its stylish interiors and elite clientele. The club features a performance stage, lounge bar and dining area and is the perfect place to unwind on a night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.
Club Globe Lounge
Itaewon
Club Globe Lounge is famous among women looking for a place to throw birthday parties or enjoy a light dinner. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., it serves as a bar, changing into a club after 10 p.m. Every Thursday, Club Globe Lounge has a Happy Hour buffet for guests. Club Globe Lounge is located near the Hamilton Hotel by exit 2 of Itaewon Station on Line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127.
Club Evans
Hongik University
Club Evans is a live music club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It also operates jazz recording studios, where it produces albums for many local jazz artists, and a jazz academy. Club Evans holds jazz concerts and music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Opening at 7:30 p.m., Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station on Line 6. For more information, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong
Once in a Blue Moon, one of the best-known jazz clubs in the city, features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong Intersection and Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong. For more information, visit onceinabluemoon.co.kr or call (02) 549-5490.
Club Answer
Cheongdam
Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, features music by some of the city's best DJs and a spacious interior with a state-of-the art lighting nightly. Club Answer is located in Cheongdam, a posh Seoul district known for its party culture, near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311.
Club Double Eight
Sinsa
Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to new heights. Located in Gangnam, near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.
