Pop music

“Let’s Rock Festival”: The upcoming “Let’s Rock Festival” is gearing up to feature some of the country’s most notable indie bands in a two-day outdoor rock fest. The festival will include headlining acts Clazziquai Project, Peppertones, Zitten, Sister’s Barbershop, Crying Nut, No Brain, Guckkasten and Rose Motel as well as more than 30 other acts. The two-day indie music festival will be held at the Nanji Hangang Park on Sept. 20 and 21. Ticket prices are listed at 66,000 won for a one-day pass and 99,000 won for a two-day pass. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Mamas Gun: Returns 2014”: The London-based electro funk band Mamas Gun is slated to return to Korea and hold another solo concert in September. The five-piece English rock band made its debut in 2008 and has released two albums: “Routes to Riches” (2009) and “The Life and Soul” (2011). Although the band has not yet reached the mainstream in the U.K., the bandmates have managed to find success in the Asian market. The solo concert will be held at the Uniqlo AX Hall in Seoul on Sept. 26. Tickets for the show are listed as 77,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“John Legend: The All of Me Tour”: The globally renowned U.S. R&B singer John Legend is making his way back to Seoul for an intimate acoustic solo concert in September. The nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter has released countless hits over his illustrious 13-year musical career, including his most recent single “All of Me.” In 2007, Legend was honored with the Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The R&B artist will be performing live at the Uniqlo AX Hall in Seoul on Sept. 28. Tickets for the show are listed at 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Grand Mint Festival”: This year’s annual two-day Grand Mint Festival will feature veteran rock band Sister’s Barbershop, popular acoustic duo 10cm, Glen Check, Romantic Punch, Verbal Jint, the Peppertones, Peterpan Complex and many more. The upcoming festival will be held at Olympic Park in Seoul, and will have five different stages. The 2014 Grand Mint Festival will be held on Oct. 18 and 19. Ticket prices are listed at 88,000 won for a one-day pass and 140,000 won for a two-day pass. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.


Dance

“Cross Cut”: The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is slated to stage its upcoming return performance of “Cross Cut.” The show is a modern, subjective dance piece that will feature sets of Korean traditional dance, contemporary, ballet and street dancing. This year’s production “Cross Cut” will be held for one day only at the Bupyeong Arts Center in Incheon on Oct. 1. Ticket prices are listed at 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“The Love of Chunhyang”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is staging its original ballet “The Love of Chunhyang” in September, in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Based on the famous Korean folktale “Chunhyangjeon,” the ballet tells the story of Chun-hyang, a low-class courtesan’s daughter who is rewarded for staying faithful while imprisoned for refusing to be a governor’s mistress during her husband’s absence. The show runs from Sept. 27 to 28 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114.

“The Seventh Symphony & The Rite of Spring”: The Korean National Ballet is prepping for its upcoming staging of the “The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky and Uwe Scholz’s “Seventh Symphony.” The performance combines the dance performance of Beethoven’s famous “Seventh Seven” score and the classic choreography of “The Right of Spring,” which was originally created by the American dancer and choreographer Glen Tetley in 1974. The KNB’s upcoming performance of “The Seventh Symphony & The Rite of Spring” will be staged from Oct. 16 to 19 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Classical music

“Romantic Paris”: The KBS Symphony Orchestra will present a Paris-themed chamber music concert at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Sept. 13. Titled “Romantic Paris,” the concert will feature the works of five French composers from the 18th and 19th centuries, including Ravel’s “Pavane pour une infante defunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess)” and Poulenc’s “Sinfonietta.” Conductor Baek Yoon-hak will hold the baton. Tickets run from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. For details, call (02) 6099-7400.

Korea International Wind Band Festival: A weeklong festival of wind music will take place next month in Seoul and its surrounding cities. It will start with a free opening concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Sept. 12. Highlights include four special concerts at Seoul Arts Center from Sept. 14-17, featuring composer and conductor Johan de Meij, trumpeter Joe Burgstaller, clarinetist Helen Goode-Castro and ensemble German Brass. A big Marching Show will mark the grand finale on Sept. 18 at Olympic Park in Jamsil-dong, Seoul. For more information, visit the festival website at www.windband.or.kr.

German Radio Philharmonic: Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, or the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 25. Led by British conductor Karel Mark Chichon, the orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Korean pianist Sohn Yeol-eum and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.

“Romeo et Juliette”: The Korea National Opera will present nightly performances of the French opera “Romeo et Juliette” at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Oct. 2-5. Based on William Shakespeare’s play of the same title, the opera by French composer Charles Gounod is most recognized for its four beautiful duets between the lovers, as well as Juliette’s waltz. The upcoming production is directed by Elijah Moshinsky, who helmed the KNO’s “Don Carlos” last year. Renowned tenor Francesco Demuro will sing opposite Russian soprano Irina Lungu as Romeo and Juliette, with the other pair being Korean singers Kang Jung-woo and Anna Sohn. Julian Kovatchev will conduct the Korean Symphony Orchestra. Tickets run from 10,000 won to 150,000 won. For details, visit www.nationalopera.org.

Lim Dong-min and Lim Dong-hyek recital: Brother pianists Lim Dong-min and Lim Dong-hyek will hold their first joint recital in nine years to present the complete Chopin concertos at Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 4. Dong-min, the older brother, will play the first concerto, while Dong-hyek will take on the composer’s second concerto both with Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor Sung Shi-yeon. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 or visit kimf.co.kr.

Theater

“Happy Bok-hee”: This play, set in a tranquil suburban town on a lake, centers on 20-year-old Bok-hee, who lost her father, a well-respected general. The general’s dying wish to the residents of the town is to take good care of Bok-hee. The neighbors pledge to make Bok-hee happy, but as time goes by, they start to care only about their desires and possessions. As the play takes a downward trajectory due to human greed, it offers an understanding of the relationship between evil and good, and between reality and fiction. “Happy Bok-hee” will run through Sept. 21 at Namsan Arts Center, near Myeongdong Station on Line 4. Tickets are 25,000 won for adults and 18,000 won for students. For details, call (02) 758-2150 or visit www.nsartscenter.or.kr.

“The Devil”: An original Korean musical based on the theme of the Faustian bargain, “The Devil” will premiere at Doosan Art Center on Aug. 22. Set in 20th-century New York, it tells the story of three characters ― John Faust, his girlfriend Gretchen and the devilish character “X.” Directed by Lee Gina, with music by Woody Park and Lee Ji-hye, the production stars Michael Lee and Han Ji-sang as X and Cha Ji-youn as Gretchen. “The Devil” will run through Oct. 12 at Yonkang Hall of Doosan Art Center near Exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station on Line 1. Tickets are 50,000 won and 80,000 won. For details, call 3444-0677.

“Priscilla”: A jukebox musical from Australia, “Priscilla” is getting a Korean premiere. Full of well-known pop songs like “It’s Raining Men,” “True Colors,” “Material Girl” and “I Will Survive,” the show tells the story of two drag queens and a transsexual who travel from Sydney to a remote town in the Australian desert aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla, to put on a drag show. The cast includes Cho Sung-ha, a TV actor making his musical debut, Korean-American musical actor Michael Lee, 2AM member Jo Kwon and singer-turned-musical actor Lee Ji-hoon. “Priscilla” runs through Sept. 29 at LG Arts Center near Exit 7 of Yeoksam Station. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won. For details, visit www.musicalpriscilla.co.kr or call 1577-3363.

“Wicked”: A Korean rendition of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked” is currently being staged at Charlotte Theater in Seoul. It tells the story of two different witches in the Land of Oz, the green-skinned, struggling and often-alienated Elphaba and the beautiful and popular blonde Glinda. Kim Sun-young and Park Hye-na play Elphaba opposite Kim So-hyun and Kim Bo-kyung as Glinda. “Wicked” runs until Oct. 5. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.wickedthemusical.co.kr.

“Chicago”: The Korean rendition of the timeless Broadway hit “Chicago” is currently being staged at D-Cube Art Center, located near Exit 1 of Sindorim Station, Lines 1 and 2. Singer Ivy plays Roxie Hart, the wannabe cabaret star, opposite charismatic Choi Jung-won as Velma Kelly. It runs until Sept. 29 and ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.d3art.co.kr.

“Rebecca”: A suspenseful musical from Austria, “Rebecca” will be staged in Korea for the second time from Sept. 6 to Nov. 9 at Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Based on the 1938 gothic novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, the musical is written by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, a duo well-known in Korea for their works “Mozart!” and “Elisabeth.” The tragic tale revolves around Manderley, a stately mansion owned by Maxim DeWinter, who lost his wife, Rebecca, in an accident. The memory of the beautiful dead wife keeps haunting him, his new bride and the mansion’s mysterious and obsessive housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. The cast features some big-name musical actors and actresses including Oh Man-seok, Oak Joo-hyun and Shin Young-sook. Tickets run from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For details, call (02) 6391-6333.

Festival

Icheon Ceramics Festival: The history of Korean ceramics dates back to the Bronze Age and has produced a long and illustrious tradition of beautiful pottery. Icheon has been one of the major production bases of fine ceramics since the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Visitors can buy ceramics and also make some themselves in addition to watching ceramic pieces being made by masters of Korea and other countries. The festival runs through Sept. 21 in Seolbong Park, Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. For more information, call (031) 638-8610, or visit www.ceramic.or.kr. 

2014 Andong International Mask Dance Festival: The biggest celebration and showcase of the traditional mask dance will be held in Andong Hahoe Village from Sept. 26-Oct. 5. The festival has showcased traditional mask dance performances from the Andong region of North Gyeongsang Province since it started in 1997. This year’s festival will hold lion-themed performances under the theme of “Jumping! Pumping! Lion.” International mask dance troupes are invited as well. The Chinese and Japanese teams will hold a collaborative lion performance with a Korean team. Other programs include outdoor mask dance performances and more than 500 performances held throughout the festival period. For more information, visit www.maskdance.com (English available).

Geumsan Insam Festival: This festival holds diverse programs revolving around ginseng in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province, the largest producer of ginseng in Korea. Some of the most popular programs include ginseng spa treatments and health therapies. Visitors can also experience other types of therapies such as an Indian Ayurveda retreat and a Mongolian acupressure treatment. Exhibitions and ginseng food booths will heighten the festival mood. The festival runs from Sept. 19-28. For more information, call (041) 750-2114, or visit www.insamfestival.co.kr.

Yukuijeon Festival: This festival offers a chance to revisit the old market in Seoul that flourished in Jongno and the adjacent Cheonggye area during the Joseon era. Yukuijeon were stores that sold six items including paper, linen, silk, cotton and fish. Organizers will set up stalls selling the six items on the streets in the area. Cultural programs including traditional performances and craftsmanship classes will add to the festive mood. Food stalls will delight visitors seeking Korean traditional tastes. The festival will be held from Sept. 20-21 along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. For more information, visit www.yukuijeon.com (Korean only).

Exhibitions

Gwangju Biennale: The 10th Gwangju Biennale kicked off on Sept. 5 with 413 works by 111 artists from 38 countries under the theme of “Burning Down the House.” The biennale examines the potential of art as a movement by exploring contemporary artists’ efforts to address personal and public issues, according to Jessica Morgan, artistic director of Gwangju Biennale 2014. The exhibition will continue through Nov. 9 at the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall and other venues throughout the city. For more information, visit www.gwangjubiennale.org.

“Beyond and Between”: This exhibition to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, reveals its trove of centuries-old Korean artifacts and modern artworks. The museum seeks to connect the 230 works on display by pairing them according to similar concepts and expressions. Highlights include Buddhist statues and metalwork from the Three Kingdoms period (fourth-seventh centuries) and Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) grouped with a skeleton-like sculpture by Alberto Giacometti and an abstract painting by Mark Rothko in Museum 1. The exhibition runs through Dec. 21. Admission costs 10,000 won for adults and 6,000 won for teenagers. For more information, visit http://leeum.samsungfoundation.org.

“Edvard Munch and the Modern Soul”: This exhibition presents 99 works by Munch created in diverse mediums throughout his artistic career, ranging from oil paintings, drawings and lithographs to photographs. They include Munch’s most famous works: “The Scream,” “Madonna,” “The Dance of Life” and “Starry Night.” The exhibition is a good chance to gain insight into the artist’s life. The panoramic view of his works shows how his style changed over the course of his career, highlighting his gift to express emotions and characters in symbolic images. The exhibition will run until Oct. 12 at Hangaram Museum in the Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost 15,000 won for adults, 12,000 won for teenagers and 10,000 won for children under 12. For more information, visit www.munchseoul.com.