Theater

“Mokran Unni”: Doosan Art Center is showcasing a play delving into the lives of North Korean defectors living in Seoul. Titled “Mokran Unni,” the play tells the fictional story of a young woman named Mok-ran, who used to be an elite musician in Pyongyang. Unlike what many South Koreans think, Mok-ran does not flee her home country because of poverty or famine. She misses her mother and North Korea terribly, and shows no admiration for affluent Seoulites. While the audience can’t find out what brought her to Seoul, a desperate Mok-ran tries everything she can to find a way to go back to her hometown. The show runs at Doosan Art Center in Seoul until April 7. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 708-5001 or 1544-1555.

“American Hwangap”: Korean-American playwright Lloyd Suh’s play “American Hwangap” is being performed in Seoul for the first time. The piece, which deals with a Korean immigrant family living in the U.S., was first premiered at Magic Theater in San Francisco in 2008, and was later staged in New York. The plot develops as its lead character Jeon Min-seok returns to his family ― whom he abandoned 15 years earlier ― in Texas. The uneasy family reunion coincides with Jeon’s hwangap, or 60th birthday. The piece will be performed in Korean for its Seoul run. Suh will be visiting Seoul for the opening of the show, and will meet with his Korean audience on March 31. The play runs March 30-April 22 at Guerilla Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets range from 15,000 won to 30,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 763-1268 or visit www.doyoart.com.

“Seopyeonje”: A musical adaptation of late author Lee Cheong-jun’s celebrated novel of the same title, “Seopeyeonje” is back for a second run in Seoul. The musical tells the poignant tale of “pansori” singers trying to make a living in the modern world performing their tradition vocal and percussion music. The show’s first run last year received highly acclaimed reviews, sweeping five prizes at the 2011 The Musical Awards. Popular pansori singer Lee Ja-ram and musical actress Cha Ji-yeon share the leading role of Song-hwa, while celebrated pop composer Yoon Il-sang is in charge of the music. The show runs until April 22 at Universal Art Center in Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 90,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1666-8662.

“Caffeine”: Small-scale homegrown musical “Caffeine” is back for its third run in Seoul. A typical K-romantic comedy, the show follows the rocky journey of Sejin, a barista in her 30s who has always been dumped by her past boyfriends. The story pivots around her encounter with handsome womanizer Kang Ji-min, and how the duo predictably fall in love with each other. The musical runs until April at the Culture Space NU in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1577-3363.

“Elisabeth”: After welcoming the local adaptations of Czech musical “Hamlet” and London’s West End musical “Zorro“ recently, Korea’s theater scene is seeing the arrival of another European show, this time about the real-life 19th-century legendary Austrian Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898). Starring former girl group FIN.K.L. member-turned-musical actress Ok Ju-hyun, actor Song Chang-ui and K-pop group JYJ member and rising musical star Kim Jun-su, the musical portrays the life and death of the beautiful yet unhappy empress constantly seduced by the spirit of death. “Elisabeth” runs at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall in Seoul from Feb. 9 to May 13. For tickets and information, call (02) 6391-6333 or visit www.musicalelisabeth.com


Classical Music

“Lorin Maazel & Philharmonia Orchestra”: Former music director of the New York Philharmonic Lorin Maazel returns to classical music lovers in Korea with Britain’s renowned Philharmonia Orchestra. The French maestro will lead the orchestra on April 7-8 at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall, southern Seoul. Korean-American violinist Esther Yoo will collaborate with the orchestra to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3 in G Major. The orchestra will perform two symphonies by Gustav Mahler. Philharmonia will perform Mahler’s Symphony No.5 in C sharp Minor on Apr. 7 and Symphony No.1 in D Major on Apr.8. Ticket price range from 70,000-250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3183.

“Philippe Muller’s French Cello”: French solo and chamber cellist Philippe Muller holds his first recital in Korea at Olympus Hall in Seoul on April 2. From Bach, Debussy and Faure, the acclaimed cellist invites the Korean audience to his interpretation of classical music. Muller who has been teaching students in Paris since 1979, taught Korean cellist Yang Sung-won and other renowned artists. Cellist Yang will collaborate with Muller on Barriere’ Cello Duets while pianist Kim Young-ho accompanies the French cellist. Tickets are 33,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6255-3270 or visit www.olympushall.co.kr

“The Borodin Quartet Recital”: The Borodin Quartet, one of the greatest string quartets founded in 1945 in the former Soviet Union, holds its first recital in Korea at Goyang Aramnuri’s Haydn Hall on May 4. The quartet is one of the world’s oldest string quartets. For over 67 years, the Borodin Quartet has built and maintained its reputation for performing Beethoven and Shostakovich. In this concert, the quartet will perform Beethoven’s “Grosse Fugue” Op. 133, Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 33-36 and Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 3 “QuartettSatz” in B flat. For more information, call 1577-7766. Tickets range from 20,000-70,000 won.

“La Boheme”: The Korea National Opera will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year starting with a reinterpretation of Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece “La Boheme.” The country’s leading opera company will collaborate with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra led by maestro Chung Myung-hwun to stage one of Puccini’s greatest works on April 3-6 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. Soprano Kim Young-mi, a Korea National University of Arts professor, takes the title role of Mimi while tenor Kim Dong-won, a leading opera singer in Staatstheater Kassel in Germany, plays Rodolfo. Tickets for KNO’s “La Boheme” range from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-5284 or (02) 580-1300 for ticket reservation.


Pop Music

“I Hear Your Voice ― Delispice”: Korean modern rock group Delispice returns by holding a two-day concert at NH Art Hall in Seodaemun, central Seoul on April 21-22. The pop rockers released an album in Japan in February, testing their music in Asia’s largest music market. The band is giving concerts at a relatively small venue this time in Seoul because they wanted to get closer to the audience, according to its agency. Delispice will perform the hit songs “I Hear Your Voice,” “1231,” “Bombom” and “Who Killed the Bird.” The rock group also plans to release a new album soon. Tickets are 55,000 won. For more information, call 1599-2299.

“My ... Daehwa (Conversation)”: Insooni, a versatile Korean vocalist, turns to the world of classical music with renowned guitarist Denis Sungho Janssens performs a tango opera, “Maria de Buenos Aires,” by Piazzolla and a classic Bizet opera, “Habanera.” Her title songs like “Father,” “Dream of a Goose” and “Hypnosis” are rearranged for the performance, while Janssens is to play his solo pieces including “Korean Mountain,” his own composition in tribute to Korean film “Strokes of Fire (2001).” The two will give seven concerts in Korea starting March 30 at Pohang Art Center in Pohang, followed by Gwangju Art Center on April 20, Incheon Art Center on April 17 and at Daegu Art Center on May 1. The tour continues on May 2 at Ulsan Art Center, LG Arts Center in Seoul on May 30 and Busan Art Center on June 7. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 749-8821.

“Lady Gaga’s The Born This Way Ball”: U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga kicks off her “The Born This Way Ball” world tour at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, one of the biggest sports and concert venues in Korea, on April 27. The concert will be “the first-ever pop electro opera” and is the first full-fledged concert in Seoul by Gaga. Lady Gaga chose Seoul because she likes her enthusiastic and passionate Korean fans and thinks that they will best interact with her shocking performance. The 25-year-old star will perform her latest album “Born This Way” and also music from “The Fame” and “The Fame Monster” albums. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 125,000 won. For ticket reservations, visit privia.hyundaicard.com or ticket.interpark.com.

“Black and White World Tour by Lenny Kravitz”: Singer-songwriter and rock star Lenny Kravitz is to greet his Korean fans for the first time in April. The concert titled “Black and White World Tour” will take place at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa, southern Seoul, on April 13. The artist, famous for his sophisticated stage performance and exceptional vocal is currently on a world tour which kicked off in 2011. He has already performed in 11 cities in the U.S., six times in Australia and also five times in Japan. Tickets range from 88,000 won to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or call 1544-1555 for ticket reservation.

Exhibitions

“WORD, IMAGE, DESIRE”: Michael Craig-Martin, known for his colorful iconic paintings, is holding a large-scale solo exhibition at Gallery Hyundai in Sagan-dong, central Seoul. The show introduces about 20 of his latest paintings, including the 3-meter-high, 1.2-meter-wide blue hammer made of steel, his first-ever installation work to be showcased here. Looking around the exhibits, one can see that more recent objects, such as mobile phones, were added to the list of mass-produced everyday items usually featured in his paintings, which the artist considers “the real representations of the world that we’ve created.” The exhibition runs through April 29. For more information, visit www.galleryhyundai.co.kr.

“Dansaekhwa: Korean Monochrome Painting”: Korea’s monochrome paintings from the 1970s to the present will be highlighted in what is the largest such exhibition here. It will introduce about 120 artworks by 17 early monochrome artists including several representative monochrome artists such as Kim Hwan-ki, Quac In-sik, Park Seo-bo and Lee U-fan and 14 late monochrome artists including Lee Kang-so and Moon Beom. The exhibition runs through May 13 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

“Visual Anthology of Mexico”: The exhibition currently underway at Sookmyung Women’s University Museum in Cheongpa-dong, central Seoul, introduces 47 works by Mexico’s outstanding artists of the 20th century. The list of artists featured includes Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Pedro Friedeberg, Cordelia Urueta, Rodolfo Morales and Nahum Zenil. It is hosted by the Embassy of Mexico to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Korea-Mexico diplomatic relations. The exhibition runs through April 6. It is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 749-2683.

“Home within Home”: Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art is showcasing 43 of Suh Do Ho’s representative home-themed installations, sculptures, drawings and videos at his solo exhibition. Home seems to be a never-ending source of inspiration for the artist who is still living a nomadic life, dividing time among Seoul, New York and London. The museum’s choice of Suh for the opening exhibition this year is not surprising as he has stood out in the past decade as one of the most internationally acclaimed and active South Korean artists. The exhibition runs through June 3. Tickets range from 7,000 won to 13,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.

“Golden Mean of Jeju Living”: South Korean artist Lee Wal-chong who has been living on Jeju Island for the past 22 years, is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. Though he is best known for his colorful paintings featuring his life on the island, this exhibition covers all of the media the artist created, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and even incense burners. The exhibition runs through .... For more information, call (02) 519-0800 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com.

“Song for Nobody”: Bae Young-whan’s solo exhibition at Plateau in Taepyeongro, central Seoul, looks back on the last 15 years of his artistic career. The artist, who represented Korea at the 2005 Venice Art Biennale, filled the 43-square-meter exhibition space with 26 works that share the same theme, but are very diverse in genre and materials. His chandelier work “Insomnia -- Song of Dionysos” which appeared in director Im Sang-soo’s 2008 movie “The Housemaid,” is on show. The exhibition runs through May 20. Tickets range from 1,000 won to 3,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7595 or visit www.plateau.or.kr.

Dance

“Spartacus”: Korean National Ballet presents the tragic tale of “Spartacus.” Packed with dynamic, manly choreography by Yuri Grigorovich, the ballet is expected to be a long-awaited changed of pace for ballet-goers who are tired of bubbly, romantic ballet. It will run from April 13-15 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.

“Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival 2012”: More than 200 dancers from seven countries will dance their hearts out at the 2nd Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival. Classes on improvised dance is available during the festival period as well. The festival runs from April 9-14 at Seoul Art Space of Mullet and Arko Small Theater in Hyehwa-dong, central Seoul. The Busan version of the festival will take place from April 14-17 at LIG Art Hall in Busan Metropolitan City. For more information, call (02) 3674-2210 or visit www.ipap.co.kr.

“The Lady of the Camellias”: Renowned South Korean ballerina Kang Su-jin, a principal dancer in Germany’s Stuttgart Ballet, and her dance company will showcase in Korea with “The Lady of the Camelias” from June 16-17 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The ballet, based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel, is choreographed by John Neumeier and features music by Chopin. Ticket sales opened on March 15. Tickets range in price from 50,000 won to 250,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit www.clubbalcony.com.

“The Sleeping Beauty”: Universal Ballet will present the masterpiece “The Sleeping Beauty” for the first time in six years at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The beautiful tale of Prince Desire, who kisses, wakes and marries Princess Aurora, who was cursed into a deep slumber, is based on Charles Perrault’s “La Belle au bois dormant” with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. It will run from April 5-8. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or 1544-1887 or visit www.universalballet.com. 

Festivals

“Jinhae Gunhangje Festival”: Jinhae-gun in Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province, will hold the annual Jinhae Gunhangje Festival from April 1 to 10. Held in early April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the festival draws more than 2 million tourists every year. Visitors will be able to enjoy a dreamy walk under the tunnel created by the cherry blossoms. Varous events including a military band parade, a Korean Wave star concert, and multi-media fireworks show will accompany the festival. For more information, visit gunhang.changwon.go.kr.

“2012 Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival”: Under the subtitle “Light of Wangin, Opening the Way of Culture,” the 15th Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival will kick off in April. The festival is held to commemorate the achievements of Wangin, a Baekje scholar who spread the nation’s culture to Japan. The annual festival is enjoyed by Japanese tourists as well as Yeongam citizens. Various traditional games like tug-of-war and ganggangsulae, plays like “Pumba Pumba,” hands-on experience programs and parades will add to the fun during the festival. The festival will run from April 6-9 at the historic site of Wangin in Yeongam City, South Jeolla Province. For more information, visit www.wangin.org.

“Cheongsando Slow Walk Festival”: Cheongsando Island, the slow city site in South Jeolla Province, holds its annual Slow Walk Festival in the month of April, featuring the main walk course along the Cheongsando slow road stretching more than 42 kilometers. Participants who collect over a certain number of stamps during their walk will receive a commemoration badge, and those who finish get a completion certificate. Programs such as seashell crafts, traditional fishing net building and local specialty sampling are also offered at the festival. The festival will run from April 1-30 at Cheongsando slow road in Wando-gun South Jeolla Province. For more information, visit www.slowcitywando.com.

“2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival”: World-famous rock bands Radiohead and The Stone Roses will visit Korea in July to participate in the 2012 Jisan Valley Rock Festival. Radiohead have released eight full-length albums since their debut in 1993 and their hit “Creep.“ The Stone Roses were a pioneering alternative rock group that rose to prominence in the late-1980s. The rock festival is scheduled to take place from July 27th through July 29th at Jisan Forest Resort in Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province from July 27-29. For more information, visit valleryrockfestival.mnet.com.