Exhibitions

“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. 

“Rehab: Tribute to Marcel Duchamp”: Opera Gallery Seoul in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, gathered artwork by 19 acclaimed artists after Duchamp’s time who were influenced by the sensational Marcel Duchamp in more than one way. About 40 paintings, sculptures and installations created by contemporary stars and up-and-coming artists are on display. Participating artists include late French artist Arman, Bulgarian artist Christo and Young British Artists Marc Quinn and Damien Hirst. The exhibition runs through March 18. For more information, call (02) 3446-0070 or visit www.operagallery.com.

“BEING: Debbie Han 1985-2011”: Sungkok Art Museum is holding a large-scale exhibition looking back on Korean-American artist Debbie Han’s art world. It showcases about 60 of Han’s paintings, sculptures and installations through which she pondered identity issues and artistic values. The exhibition runs through March 18 at Sungkok Art Museum in Jongro-gu, central Seoul. Tickets range from 3,000 won to 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 737-7650 or visit www.sungkokmuseum.com.

“Dutch Magic Realism: Past toward Contemporary”: Museum of Art in Seoul National University presents 71 Dutch paintings and sculptures from ING Banks’s collections. The show will trace 80 years of figurative art, from Dutch realism to recent works, by displaying artworks by the European country’s representative artists including Carel Willink, Wim Schuhmacher and Philip Akkerman. The exhibition runs through April 12 at Seoul National University’s Museum of Art in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, call (02) 880-9504 or visit www.snumoa.org.

“Earth from Above -- It’s My Home”: French aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand reminds us of what we have been missing out on through photos of different landscapes that are so mystical that they seem almost fictional. At the exhibition here currently under way at Seoul Museum of Art in Seosomun-dong, central Seoul, the photographer showcases 220 breathtaking photos of the Earth captured from above. The exhibition runs through March 15. Tickets range from 6,000-10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3789-8697 or visit seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr.

“Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life”: The exhibition shows the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body by displaying more than 200 pieces of plastinated human bodies. Divided into four sections, the show presents the human life cycle and aging -- from prenatal development to old age -- by displaying a remarkable collection ranging from plastinated embryos to findings on geographic clusters around the world where the oldest living people live. The exhibition is held as open run at The War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 6,000 won to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-6235 or visit www.bodyworlds.kr. 


Dance

“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. 

“Uprising” & “In Your Rooms”: Acclaimed British choreographer and dancer Hofesh Shechter brings his representative works “Uprising” and “In Your Rooms” to Seoul in March. “Uprising,” premiered in 2006, is a fast-beat piece performed by seven male dancers. The rough music, composed by Schechter, and brilliant lights are known to mesmerize the audience. “In Your Rooms” features 11 female and male dancers, and five musicians. The shows will run from March 22-23 at LG Arts Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

“Legend of Flower 2”: Walkerhill presents a Korean cultural dinner show which mixes traditional dance with contemporary elements. The show tells a compelling, romantic tale revolving around two lovers. It features 248 outfits, 108 traditional props and instruments to add grandeur to four scenes -- flower, water and fire, wind, and golden earth. The five drum dance is the highlight of the performance. The show has an open run at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill’s “Walkerhill Theater” in Gwangjang-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 300,000 won. For more information, call (02) 455-5000 or visit www.legendofflower.com.

“Miso”: Translated as “beautiful smile,” this musical offers a compact presentation of everything Korean culture first-timers could wish for. It blends ten different kinds of traditional dances, five traditional games and a wedding ritual into the storyline based on a well-known folktale, “The Tale of Chunhyang.” There are very few spoken lines throughout the performance, making it ideal for audiences of diverse nationalities. “Miso” is showing as an open run at Chongdong Theater in Jeong-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-1500 or visit www.koreamiso.com. 

Festivals

“2012 Gwangyang International Maewha Cultural Festival”: Gwangyang city in South Jeolla Province is hosting the 15th Annual International Maewha (Korean Plum Blossom) Festival from March 17-25. Under the theme “We are the one, mingling with the maewha blossoms at the heart-fluttering spring time,” the nine-day festival will mainly take place in Seomjin village in Daap-myeon. The festival will include the International Maesil (Korean plum) Symposium; International Cuisine and Beverage Exhibition and other various cultural performances. For more information, visit www.gwangyang.go.kr/gymaehwa/.

“Hueree Spring Apricot Flower Festival”: The 2012 Hueree Spring Apricot Flower Festival will run through March 11 at Hueree Natural Park in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. The festival, which coincides with the first bloom of apricot flowers in Korea, celebrates the arrival of spring to Jeju Island. Visitors can enjoy a variety of events such as an animal show with black pigs and geese, an ox cart ride, and observation of insects. The festival also offers an opportunity to taste delicious local specialties such as grilled sweet potatoes, meat noodles, pajeon (Korean pancake with spring onions), and a rice wine flavored with apricots. Tickets range from 4,000 won to 7,000 won. For more information, visit www.hueree.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.

“The Paju Provence Light Festival”: Under the theme “A Love Story With Light,” the Grand Open Provence in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, has been decorated with some 4 million LED lamps in various shades. The festival will run through April 1 at the massive park just outside of Seoul. The festival features the nation’s largest light tunnel, a “love park” with four different hearts, which is a great place for couples, and various other light-works. Organizers have been preparing for the festival for a year and three months for perfection. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students. For more information, call (031) 945-7547 or visit www.provence.co.kr 


Theater

“The Game”: A theater adaptation of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment,” local theater company Myung Pum’s “The Game” focuses on the relationship between Raskolnikov, a murderer, and detective Porfiry. The plot pivots around the murder case of a cruel pawnbroker Alyona and her sister Lizaveta, who were killed with an axe. Though Porfiry develops a strong suspicion that Raskolnikov is the murderer, he has no proof. Daehangno’s veteran actor Nam Myung-ryeol plays the role of Porfiry, while rookie actor Oh Gyeong-tae performs Raskolnikov. The show runs March 3-11 at the Small Hall of Daehangno Arts Theater in Seoul. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 25,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 3673-2003.

“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

“Musical Winter Sonata”: Based on KBS’ 2002 mega hit drama series of the same name, “Musical Winter Sonata” is a heart-wrenching love story. Using the beautiful winter scenery of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province as a sentimental background, the show tells the story of two people unable to let go of their first loves. The TV version received an enthusiastic reception both home and abroad, especially in Japan. The musical is directed by Yoon Suk-ho, who directed the TV series, while Oh Eun-hee composed the music. The show runs until March 18, at Myungbo Art Hall in central Seoul. Tickets cost 50,000 won. For tickets and information, call (02) 1544-1555, or (070) 7019-6707. 


Classical Music

“Paik Hae-sun’s recital”: One of Korea’s favorite pianists, Paik Hae-sun will hold recitals in major cities here for the first time in three years. The former Seoul National University professor was the first Korean to win third place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1994, in which no first prize was awarded. The artist will play the second book of Debussy’s “Images” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great French composer. She’ll also play French composer Olivier Messiaen’s “Le Colombe” from Preludes and “Le Loriot (Golden Oriole)” from “Cataolgue of Birds,” and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31. Paik’s 2012 Piano Recital kicks off in Busan at the Busan Cultural Center on March 21 and continues at Geoje Arts Center in South Gyeongsang Province March 21, at the Seoul Arts Center on March 27 and Suseong Artpia in Daegu on March 29. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266.

“Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma”: Star cellist Yo-Yo Ma with Silk Road Ensemble will greet Korean fans on March 12 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. The cellist will perform with artists playing traditional instruments from around the world -- from Korea and India to Brazil -- as part of their efforts to blend Eastern and Western classical music. This is their first concert in Korea in two years. They are to perform folk and creative musical pieces such as “Mountains are far away,” “Folk Song from Mido Mountain,” “Taranta Project,” and “Suite from Book of Angels.” Russian, Mongolian, Argentinean and American composers have written original pieces for the Silk Road Project. Korea’s Kim Dae-sung was also commissioned to compose, and to play the music at the upcoming concert. Call 1577-5266 for more information. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 170,000 won.

“NOVUS String Quartet”: NOVUS String Quartet, one of the most notable chamber music ensembles in Korea, will perform at Kumho Art Hall in Gwanghwamun on March 15 to celebrate its fifth year on the stage. NOVUS Quartet members are comprised of violinists Kim Jae young and Kim Young-uk, violist Lee Seung-won and cellist Moon Woong-whee. The members got to know each other when studying music at Korea National University of Arts. The young artists are currently taking Konzertexamen degree course under the guidance of Christoph Poppen at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts Munich in Germany. They will perform chamber music including Haydn’s String Quartet in F minor, Ligeti’s String Quartet No. 1 and Dvorak’ String Quartet No.13 in G major. Tickets are 8,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6303-1977.

“Kim Sun-wook’s recital of Beethoven’s 32 sonatas”: Pianist Kim Sun-wook will perform Beethoven’s 32 sonatas, considered some of the greatest achievements ever composed for piano, for two years starting next month. The first stage of the planned eight recitals will be held at the LG Arts Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, on March 29. The pianist, who is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, will play the first four pieces in chronological order for his first recital at LG and will continue performing the rest at the same venue until next year. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com. Tickets are 30,000-70,000 won.


Pop Music

“Jane Birkin Sings Serge Gainsbourg”: Jane Birkin, one of France’s most beloved artists, also comes to Seoul for the first time in eight years. At her concert titled “Jane Birkin Sings Serge Gainsbourg” the 66-year-old singer and actress will pay homage to her former partner and mentor. Birkin and Gainsbourg were in passionate relation for 13 years and have a daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg has become a top French actress and singer. Birkin who is also famous for having a Hermes bag named after her will sing for Korean fans her hit music pieces including “Je T’aime … Moi Non Plus.“ The concert will take place on March 22 at Ax Korea in Gwangjang-dong, northeastern Seoul. Tickets are all 110,000 won, tax included. For more information, call (02) 6339-1232 or 1544-1555.

“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.

“Budapest Saxophone Quartet”: The Budapest Saxophone Quartet from Hungary will perform at Chungmu Art Hall on March 12 in collaboration with renowned Korean artists including Soprano Kim Hee-jung, Pianists Ha Soon-won and musical actress Choi Jung-won. Formed in 1995, the quartet was the first group of four saxophonists to play not only classical music but also other music genres such as jazz and pop. In 2009, the quartet performed in Korea with legenday film music composer Enrio Morricone who was on his Asian tour. The upcoming event is their first exclusive concert in Korea. The Budapest Saxophone Quartet has won six international prizes and also won 1st prize at the performance competition of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music Budapest, Hungary twice. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3025.

“Love Songs By Steve Barakatt”: New age pianist and composer Steve Barakatt will hold a concert on March 3 at the Seoul Arts Center, under the title “Love Songs By Steve Barakatt” to celebrate both Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 and White Day, which falls on March 14. The program will include his popular works including “The Whistler’s Song,” “Flying,” “I’m Sorry” and “Rainbow Bridge.” Vocalists Shayne, who gained fame through TV show “Star Audition: The Great Birth,” will join him on stage. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. Call 1577-5266 for more information.