“Ivan Fischer & Budapest Festival Orchestra”: Budapest Festival Orchestra is returning to Korea for the fourth time in six years. Conducted by Hungarian conductor and composer Ivan Fischer, the ensemble will be performing at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Accompanied by Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires, the 33-year-old orchestra will be presenting three pieces from Mozart, Chopin and Dvorak. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 250,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (02) 599-5743.

“Kang Choong-mo Piano Recital”: Globally renowned pianist Kang Choong-mo is resuming his performances in Korea starting Nov. 3 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall at 8 p.m. In addition to presenting pieces by Busoni as a tribute to the Italian composer’s 150th birthday, Kang will be performing works by legendary composers and musicians, including Granados, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Brahms and others. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (02) 780-5054.

“San Francisco Symphony”: The world-renowned San Francisco Symphony will be performing at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. The concert will be conducted by the symphony’s music director Michael Tilson Thomas, who has been lauded by the San Francisco Examiner as “an enthusiastic ambassador for classical music.” The performance will be accompanied by award-winning classical pianist Lim Dong-hyek. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 280,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call 1577-5266.

“Clara-Jumi Kang & Son Yeol-eum”: Critically-acclaimed Korean violinist Clara-Jumi Kang and pianist Son Yeol-eum will be holding a duo concert presenting Brahms and Schumann pieces at the Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. Born in Germany, Kang is an award-winning violinist who has performed with world-class composers and chamber musicians, including Chung Myung-whun, Gidon Kremer, Jian Wang and more. Born and raised in Korea, Son first gained international recognition when she was chosen as the soloist for New York Philharmonic’s Asia tour in 2004. Tickets range from 30,000 won to100,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (070) 8879-8485.

Theater

"Kinky Boots": The hit Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” is making its way back to Seoul once again. Based on the book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein and with music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, the musical tells the true story of Charlie Price who goes to oddly extreme ends to save his father’s shoe factory. The local production will star Lee Ji-hoon, Kim Ho-young, Jung Seong-hwa and Kang Jong-seok. “Kinky Boots” will be staged from Sept. 2 to Nov. 13 at the Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Peste”: New local musical “Peste” is hitting the stage this summer. Based on the tragic tale of French author Albert Camus’ “The Plague” combined with the sounds of legendary K-pop icon Seo Tai-ji, it tells the horrifically graphic tale of the deadly plague that sweeps the Algerian coastal city. It stars Son Ho-young of g.o.d., Kim Da-hyeon, Park Eun-seok, Kim Do-hyun, Oh So-yeon, Linzy of Fiestar and Jeong-min of Boyfriend. “Peste” will be staged until Sept. 30 at the LG Arts Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“Bare, The Musical”: The critically acclaimed Off Broadway production “Bare, The Musical” has returned to Seoul. The musical follows the story of the secret romantic relationship of two high school students at a Catholic boarding school, Peter and Jason. While Peter wants to make their relationship public, Jason is reluctant for fear of losing his popular social status. The local rendition of the performance stars Jung Won-young, Kim Seung-dae, Seong Du-seop and Suh Kyung-soo. “Bare” will be staged at the Doosan Art Center’s Yongkang Hall in Seoul until Sept. 4. Ticket prices are listed at 66,000 won and 88,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

“Sweeney Todd, The Musical”: The gruesome tale of a man filled with vengeance, the musical tale of the demon barber of Fleet Street is hitting the Seoul stage. Sweeney Todd follows the life of Benjamin Barker, who, after being wrongfully accused of a crime, takes vengeance on the people of London by murdering the patrons of his barbershop. Starring Ock Joo-hyun, Cho Seung-woo, Yang Jun-mo and Jeon Mi-do, the musical will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in Songpa-gu until Oct. 3. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.  

Exhibitions

“Personal Collection”: Atelier Hermes presents a solo exhibition of Jeong Geumg-hyung, winner of the 16th Hermes Foundation Misulsang. The prestigious art award, sponsored by the global fashion brand, has selected artist Jeong known for her interactive performances with exercise machines and mannequins that gradually transform into erotic actions. The exhibition, which runs until Oct. 23, showcases objects Jeong has used in her performances and stages on-site performances by Jeong on selected dates. For more information, call (02) 3015-3258.

“The Unfamiliar Walk”: Artist Lee Young-baek, who became known for his sold-out, imposing 2011 exhibition at the Korean pavilion of the 54th Venice Biennale, is holding a solo exhibition at Hakgojae Gallery with new works. The show features mirror installations and video works that reflect dualities of Korean society and the world seen through social media. This show traverses different genres in art ranging from sculpture and painting to media art, using various types of materials such as mirrors, aluminum sheets, motors and absorbents. The exhibition runs until Sept. 25. For more information, call (02) 720-1524.

“Unforseen”: Art and modern dance meet in a joint experimental performance project between the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea and the National Dance Company of Korea. The performances presented by 13 artists and teams are staged spontaneously at various spots of the museum, or presented in an exhibition format at the museum. The performances will combine unique features of contemporary art and dance traversing diverse fields of arts from visual art, film, poetry and dance media to sound. The performances run from Aug. 17 to Oct. 23 at the MMCA’s Seoul museum at 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Archive of Mind”: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is hosting artist Kim Soo-ja’s solo show as part of its annual exhibition program sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company. The exhibition showcases the latest works by Kim, including site-specific installations, videos, sculptures and photos that explore the body and the mind. The exhibition runs until Feb. 5 at Gallery 5 and the museum’s courtyard. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Body Flower”: Australian artist Emma Hack, known for body-painted illusionary artwork, is holding a solo exhibition at Savina Museum of Contemporary Art through Oct. 30. The museum is showcasing 49 photographs the artist created since 2005. The nine different series of photographs are themed with natural elements and reveal painted bodies camouflaged against background images. For more information, visit www.savinamuseum.com.

“Nam June Paik Show”: Large-scale installations by Nam June Paik, including a few rarely seen in previous exhibitions of Paik’s works, are on display at the commemorative exhibition that celebrates the late artist’s 84th birthday. Highlight pieces of the exhibition, which opened on July 20 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, include large video art installations “Turtle” and “M200,” which consist of many television monitors that each show imposing images created and edited by Paik. The exhibition runs until Oct. 30 at DDP. Tickets range from 5,000 won for children to 15,000 won for adults. For more information, visit www.ddp.or.kr.

Lee Jung-seob: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is presenting a solo exhibition of Korean art master Lee Jung-seob to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. The exhibition showcases some 200 paintings and 100 pieces of related documents on loan from some 60 museums and collectors, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Divided into major periods of his artistic career from the 1930s to 1940s, the exhibition guides viewers through Lee’s tumultuous personal life and the early modern history of Korea. The Lee Jung-seob exhibition runs until Oct. 3 at the MMCA’s Deoksugung Palace museum. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.

“Three Jewels: Buddhist Art of Korea”: Ho-Am Art Museum is holding an exhibition that highlights Korean Buddhist art until Nov. 6. The exhibition presents Buddhist paintings, sculptures and craftworks that portray teachings and the lives of two major subjects of worship in Korean Buddhism -- the Sakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. The museum, located near Everland, operates a shuttle bus from the Everland ticket office to the museum every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are priced at 4,000 won for adults and 3,000 for teenagers. For more information, visit www.hoammuseum.org. 

Pop Music

“Clazziquai Project”: Korean band Clazziquai Project, an experimental group that combines genres such as electronic, acid jazz and house, is holding its first concert in three years at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall. The band will showcase songs from its seventh album, slated for release on Sept. 20. The album comes two years after the group’s last album, “Blink.” Comprised of three members DJ Clazzi, Horan and Alex, Clazziquai has released a handful of hit songs such as “Be My Love” and “She Is.” Tickets are priced at 90,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com.

“Pia & Drug Restaurant”: Rock bands Pia and Drug Restaurant, formerly known as the Jung Joon Young Band, are putting up a joint concert on at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall. Five-member band Pia, formed in 1998, is known for its wide range of alternative rock including nu metal, emocore and synth sounds. Notable singles include “Storm Is Coming,” “Shine,” “Jaoseon” and the July release “Midnight Run.” Drug Restaurant is a four-member band that focuses on garage and post-punk rock. Its songs include “Sunset,” “Alibi,” “Mistake” and “Sexy Bomb.” Pia will perform for the first 80 minutes, while Drug Restaurant will play for the next 80 minutes. Tickets are priced at 66,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com.

“The Cribs”: English garage rock band The Cribs will be performing in Korea at Itaewon’s Hyundai Card Understage on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. The band, originally from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, consists of twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and their younger brother Ross Jarman. The band became active on the concert circuit in 2002 and has since released six studio albums. From 2008 to 2011, guitarist Johnny Marr of English rock band The Smiths joined as a full-time member of the group. The Cribs’ hits include “Men’s Needs,” “Mirror Kissers,” “I’m A Realist” and “We Share the Same Skies.” Its most recent studio album “For All My Sisters” was released in March 2015. Concert tickets are priced at 88,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com.

“Lee Sun Hee -- The Great Concert”: Legendary Korean pop songstress Lee Sun-hee will hold a concert on Sept. 2 and 4 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Lee, who debuted in 1984 and has sung hit songs like “To J,” “Fate” and “When the Love Falls,” is heralded as an iconic diva and one of Korea’s most-skilled vocalists.  Lee, 51, released her 15th studio album “Serendipity” in 2014. Tickets range from 99,000 won to 154,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. Lee will also be touring major cities in Korea in the upcoming months. 

Dance

“Napoli”:  Seoul Ballet Theatre will perform Danish ballet master and choreographer August Bournonville’s early masterpiece “Napoli” at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. Marking its Korea premiere, “Napoli” chronicles the unrelenting love between a young Italian woman and a poor fisherman. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (02) 396-5188.

“Seoul International Dance Festival”: Seoul Selection of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO will be hosting the 19th annual Seoul International Dance Festival from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15. From the French dance company Carolyn Carlson Company to the Madrid-based Larumbe Danza, contemporary dancers from across the globe will gatherfor the multi-week festival to showcase modern performances that highlight both Western and Eastern arts. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won, and can be reserved at sidance.org. For inquiries, call (02) 3216-1185.

“Burki & Com Company”: Contemporary Czech dance group Burki & Com Company will present “The Wilds: The Vanity of Plumage” at the Mapo Art Center in Seoul from Oct. 6-7 at 8 p.m. Choreographed by Jana Burkiewiczova, the performance explores the innate contradictions that make up human nature. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won, and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (02) 3274-8600.

“Sleeping Beauty”: Korean National Ballet will perform “Sleeping Beauty” at the Seoul Arts Center Opera House from Nov. 3-6. After presenting Rudolf Nureyev’s rendition in 2004, the group is back with a different take of the classic fairy tale, choreographed by Marcia Haydee, a former prima ballerina of Stuttgart Ballet. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won and can be reserved at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call (02) 587-6181.