Theater

“A Tale of Two Cities”: “A Tale of Two Cities,” a musical based on the novel of the same title by Charles Dickens, is being restaged in Seoul after its first run in the city last year. The piece is set against the conflicts between the rebels and aristocracy during the French revolution and its parallel world in 18th-century London. It tells the story of Sydney Carton, a shrewd young English lawyer who develops a strong, unrequited love for Lucie Manette, a young, loving French woman who grew up in England. The show runs from June 18 to Aug. 11 at Charlotte Theater in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“American Idiot”: Broadway musical “American Idiot,” an adaptation of punk rock band Green Day’s seventh studio album of the same title, will be staged for the first time in Korea. Green Day’s 2004 studio album enjoyed enormous popularity worldwide, selling over 15 million copies with more than 6 million sold in the U.S. alone. The rock musical album tells the story of three young men and their struggles to make sense of the world and find meaning in their lives post-9/11. The musical follows the album’s plot; its script was cowritten by Billie Joe Armstrong and director Michael Mayer. “American Idiot” will be performed from Sept. 5 to 22 at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

“La Dame au Violoncelle”: TV actress Lee Jae-eun, who started her career as a child actress, is making a comeback with a play written by French playwright Guy Foissy. Titled “La Dame au Violoncelle (The Lady of the Cello),” the drama tells the story of an unhappy, depressed woman who is accused of murdering her husband. It is said to be a story of “the quest for happiness.” The play runs from June 5-30 at You-Theater in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Les Miserables”: The all-Korean production of Cameron Mackintosh’s legendary musical “Les Miserables” is being performed in Seoul. Based on 19th-century French writer Victor Hugo’s timeless novel of the same title, the musical tells the story of Jean Valjean ― a hapless French peasant who serves 19 years in prison for stealing a piece of bread for his starving family in turbulent 19th-century France. After being released, he manages to assume a new identity and becomes mayor of a town. While trying to avoid being recaptured by Javert, a police inspector, he agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of Fantine ― a sick, abused prostitute who had to sell her hair and teeth to make a living. “Les Miserables” is currently on an open run at Blue Square’s Samsung Electronics Hall in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 90,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.lesmis.co.kr.

“Those Days”: Late folk-rock singer Kim Kwang-seok’s (1964-1996) music is being made into a musical. The piece, titled “Those Days,” features a total of 30 songs written by the late artist, while telling the story of the daughter of a Korean president who goes missing on the day of the 20th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations. It features popular musical and TV actors Yoo Jun-sang and Oh Man-seok, as well as actresses Kim Jeong-hwa and Bang Jin-ui. The show runs from April 4 to June 30 at Daehangno Musical Center in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7016-2470.

Festivals

“2013 Chuncheon Makguksu and Dakgalbi Festival”: A festival about two famous local dishes ― makguksu, a Korean buckwheat noodle dish served in a chilled broth and dakgalbi, stir-fried marinated chicken ― will be held in front of Chuncheon Station in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province from June 29 to July 7. The festival will hold a makguksu eating contest, a cooking class, and folk craft art making sessions during the festival. It also offers free makguksu and dakgalbi to more than 100 visitors between 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. during the festival period. For more information, visit www.mdfestival.com (available only in Korean). 

“2012 Boryeong Mud Festival”: The annual mud festival in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, will be held from July 19 to 28 at Daecheon Beach. In its 16th year, the mud festival has become one of the few internationally known festivals, attracting over 2 million visitors from in and out of Korea. With mud from the Boryeong mud flats, visitors can experience the well-known health effects of mud on skin and play in the mud with friends and other participants. The festival will offer a variety of fun events featuring mudslides, mud fights, a mud tub, mud fountain and colored mud zone. For more information, visit www.mudfestival.or.kr.

“Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival”: Korean’s all-time favorite snack ― chicken and beer ― will be officially celebrated at a festival dedicated to the best snack combination in Daegu from July 18-21. The Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival, held at Daegu Duryu Stadium, will start with offering free fried chicken, organized by eight sponsors, including the famous fried chicken restaurant chain Kyochon Chicken and beer brands like Hite Jinro and Tsingtao. The festival will also feature a comedy performance by famous Korean comedian Jeon Yoo-seong on “souls of dead chickens,” followed by other dance and music concerts throughout the festival. For more information, http://www.chimc.or.kr/2013 (available only in Korean).

Exhibitions

“Kairos”: Artist Moon Ji-yeon paints on both sides of a canvas ― the front image shown to viewers when the LED light is off and the other that appears through the back side of the canvas when the light is on. In her paintings, what you see on the surface of the canvas is not all there is. Visitors need LED lighting to bring out the hidden image on the back ― a desolate urban landscape, characterized by a jumble of utility pole cables, transforms into a forest where a deer runs under the shining sun. That’s the complete image when two contrasting scenes merge with lighting. The artist behind such exploration of blending painting with other mediums holds a solo exhibition at Chung Jark Gallery in Sinsa-dong, Seoul until June 30. For more information, call (02) 549-3112 or visit www.chungjark.com.

“Gauguin and After: Voyage into the Myth”: Masterpieces of the French post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin are on exhibition in Seoul. The exhibition, which runs from Friday to Sept. 29 at the Seoul Museum of Art, is the first-ever comprehensive survey of Gauguin’s artistic career presented to a Korean audience. It showcases about 60 artworks on loan from 30 major museums around the world, created during the two major periods of the artist ― Brittany, Paris (1873-1891) and Polynesia (1893-1903) ― that include well-known masterpieces “Vision of the Sermon,” “The Yellow Christ,” “Where Do We Come From, What Are We, Where Are We Going,” and some sculptures and paper works. Admission is 13,000 won for adults; 10,000 won for teenagers and 8,000 won for children. The exhibition is closed on Mondays. For more information, call 1588-2618.

“Muneyoshi Yanagi’s Collection”: A collection of Korean folk crafts put together by late Japanese collector Muneyoshi Yanagi (1889-1961) is on exhibit in Seoul, shedding light on how Korean aesthetics were viewed in imperial Japan. The exhibition, currently held at Deoksugung Palace Museum of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, showcases 139 works and documents collected by Yanagi, who was one of the first in his country to accept Western influence on art and literature during the early 1900s, and who is also known for his affinity for Korean ceramics. The artifacts are on loan from the Japan Folk Crafts Museum in Tokyo. The exhibition continues through July 21. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114.

“The Guardians of Buddhism”: The National Museum of Korea is exhibiting paintings and other artifacts highlighting the sacred figures of Buddhism who are ranked lower than Buddha or Bodhisattva but are equally important. The show comprises six sections, each section focusing on a different guardian with different blessings and meanings. The exhibition is held through Sept. 8 at Buddhist Arts Hall from Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000.

Classical music

“Concerto for Peace”: The “Concerto for Peace” will be held at the Seoul Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on June 23 at 5 p.m. featuring world-class musicians and the KBS Symphony Orchestra led by Christopher Warren-Green. The concert will present Webber’s “Oberon-Overture”; Saint-Saens’s “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, Op. 28”; Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei, Op. 47”; Sibelius’ “Finlandia Op. 26” and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56. Lithuanian violinist Julian Rachlin, internationally acclaimed cellist Lynn Harrell and Korean pianist Kim Dae-jin will join the stage. Tickets are priced at between 40,000 won and 160,000 won. Reservation is available at www.sejongpac.or.kr. For more information (02) 718-0918. 

“Great Mountains Music Festival and School 2013”: The Great Mountains Music Festival and School 2013 will introduce works of Nordic composers and musicians as well as commissioned works for the festival and operatic highlights from July 14-Aug. 6 in Pyeongchang, Cheolwon, Wonju and other parts of Gangwon under the theme “Northern Lights.” Noted musicians from around the world including pianists Paik Hae-sun, Robert McDonald and Kevin Kenner; violinists Chung Kyung-wha, Kim Nam-yun, Koichiro Harada, Christel Lee and Clara-Jumi Kang; cellists Chung Myung-wha, David Geringas, Gary Hoffman and Jian Wang; violists Roberto Diaz and Hun-Wei Huang; bassist Michinori Bunya; as well as ensembles such as Fantasia Quintet; Novus String Quartet and St. Michel Strings will perform at the remote mountainside resort. They will play pieces by Grieg, Britten, Mozart, Schumann, Paganini, Dvorak, Verdi, Beethoven, Shostakovich and Faure as well as relatively unfamiliar northern European composers including Einojuhani Rautavaara and Dag Wiren. Ticket reservation is open at www.interpark.com. For more information, visit www.gmmfs.com.

“Great Composer Tchaikovsky”: A concert dedicated to the legendary Russian composer Tchaikovsky will be held at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on June 28. Acclaimed conductor Kim Dae-jin will lead the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Minor Op. 23 and Symphony No. 2 in C Minor Op. 17 “Little Russian.” Rising star pianist Kim Kyu-yeon will join the orchestra for the first piece. The concert is part of the SAC’s yearlong project highlighting the Russian composer. More concerts are scheduled for Sept. 26, Oct. 23 and Nov. 14. Tickets, priced between 20,000 won and 40,000 won, can be purchased at www.sacticket.co.kr. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

“DITTO Festival”: The annual DITTO Festival focusing on chamber music is back with bigger names and events through June 30 at Seoul Arts Center and LG Arts Center. This year, Bach will be highlighted. Ensemble DITTO members ― violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, violinists Stefan Pi Jackiw and Daniel Chong, pianist Ji Yong and cellist Michael Nicholas ― will be joined on the lineup by guest stars such as bassist DaXun Chang, pianists Francesco Tristano and Lim Dong-hyek, violinist Zia Hyunsu Shin, conductor Adriel Kim, flutist Cho Sung-hyun and the Ditto Chamber Orchestra. Powerhouses such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with “Chinese sensation” pianist Yuja Wang as well as violinist Anne Sophie Mutter with her 14 proteges will also be part of the festival as special performers. Tickets, priced between 30,000 won and 100,000 won, can be purchased at www.sacticket.co.kr, www.interpark.com and www.clubbalcony.co.kr. For more information about the festival, visit www.dittofest.com.

Dance

“Tchaikovsky: The Mystery of Life and Death”: The Korean National Ballet is staging “Tchaikovsky: The Mystery of Life and Death,” a ballet that features the life of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the famous Russian composer whose ballet scores, such as “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty” are still adored worldwide. The piece, choreographed by Russian choreographer Boris Eifman, deals with Tchaikovsky’s depression, disastrous marriage to his wife Antonia, as well as his homosexuality. The show runs from June 28 to 30 at Seoul Arts Center’s opera theater. For more information, call (02) 583-6181.

“The Dog and The Shadow”: The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company is staging its latest work “The Dog and The Shadow” this month. The piece is loosely inspired by a story from Aesop’s Fables of the same title and explores how memories shape us into who we are. In the fable, a dog carrying a piece of meat in his mouth sees his own reflection in the water while crossing a stream. Thinking it is another dog with another piece of meat, he opens his mouth to bark and seize the food. But as he does so, the meat falls into the stream. The dance interprets the dog’s own reflection as one’s accumulated ― and sometimes romanticized ― memories, and delves into why we are often fascinated by them. “The Dog and The Shadow” runs from June 28 to 30 at CJ Towol Theater of Seoul Arts Center. All tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3472-1420.

“Onegin”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is presenting John Cranko’s three-act ballet using Tchaikovsky’s music in an arrangement by Kurt-Heins Stolze. It is based on Alexander Pushkin’s 19th-century novel “Eugune Onegin,” which features the tragic love story of a young, but selfish and arrogant man. Two American Ballet Theater dancers ― Korean-born Seo Hee and Roberto Bolle ― have been invited to perform the leads. “Onegin” runs from July 6 to 13 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.universalballet.com or call (02) 540-1300.

Pop music

“What I Wish From the Spring”: The Position, also known as Lim Jae-wook, is having his first solo concert on June 22 at Ewha Womans University. With his sad and delicate voice, the singer is well known for his megahit song “I Love You,” released in 2000, along with a blockbuster music video featuring Cha Seung-won and Shin Ha-gyun. At the concert, he will be performing several hit songs including “For you,” “Summer Time,” “Desperado” and “I Love You” as well as his newly released songs from his latest EP album, which was released March 28. Tickets are priced at 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“2013 Ansan Valley Rock Festival”: As Korea’s biggest rock festival, the Valley Rock Festival presents some of the best line-ups of big musicians from Korea and abroad such as this year’s headliners The Cure, NiN, Skrillex, the Foals, the XX, My Bloody Valentine, Idiotape, Peppertones and many others. This year’s festival has moved from Jisan Resort to the Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park. The three-day festival will be held from July 26 to 28. Ticket prices are 120,000 won for one-day pass, 230,000 won for three-day pass and 245,000 won for three-day pass plus an admission ticket to the camping ground. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“2013 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival”: The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is an annual three-day music festival that features some of the hottest acts in the international and local music scene. Since its inauguration year in 2006, the festival has been responsible for bringing in top acts such as Muse, The Black Eyed Peas, The Strokes, Korn, Hoobastank and many others. This year’s festival will be held at the Incheon Songdo 23 Geunrin Park from Aug. 2 to 4 and will feature headlining acts including Fall Out Boy, Suede, Deul Guk Hwa, Porno Graffitti, Glasvegas, Mama Guns and more. Ticket prices are 89,100 won for a one-day pass, 128,700 won for a two-day pass and 148,500 won for a full three-day pass. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“2013 Shinhwa Grand Finale: The Classic”: Korea’s longest running idol group Shinhwa will be celebrating its 15-year anniversary with a special two-day concert performance in Seoul as part of the group’s Asia tour. The six members of Shinhwa recently released their eleventh album, “The Classic,” on May 16 and the album’s lead track “This Love” landed them the Triple Crown on M! Countdown as well as eight other first place titles on various music programs. Shinhwa will hold their upcoming concert at the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Stadium on August 3 and 4. Tickets to the show range from 66,000 won to 143,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.