around town

Classical Concerts

ROTTINI Debut Concert: Hero of Voice
Seoul Arts Center*
Oct. 7

Four of Korea's top opera singers, Park Ji-min, Joseph Lim, Lim Chang-ham and Aldo Heo, have come together in a group called Rottini. Rottini has successfully reached out to the international audience, and took first place at the New York Opera Competition. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit 222.sac.or.kr/eng.

Museums

Maya 2012
National Museum of Korea
Through Oct. 28

Maya 2012 focuses on the life and death of the Mayans. The exhibition is organized in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mexico, and Korea and Guatemala. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

2012 Korea Artist Prize
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Through Nov. 11

Without a definite theme, "2012 Korea Artist Prize" presents art works of four artists selected as SBS Foundation Sponsored Artists. Because the artists were asked to present any works they were able to manifest, the exhibition introduces works of four distinct themes. Located near exit 2 of Seoul Grand Park Station on line 4. Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

Pop & Jazz

The Way of Love
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park
Nov. 24-25

Touring in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Seoul, 2AM will mark their last performance of their tour in Seoul. The most recognized song by 2AM is "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die". The group is also a popular representative of K-pop. Tickets cost 66,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 410-1601 or visit www.olympicpark.co.kr.

2012 Lee Byeong-woo Guitar Concert
Sejong Center
Oct. 20

Guitarist-composer Lee Byeong-woo will hold a concert at the Sejong Center on Oct. 20. Making his debut in 1986, Lee has composed music for many films including "The King and the Clown" (2005), "The Host" (2006), "Mother - 2009" and "Haeundae" (2009). The guitarist will perform the title song for "GT on the Road Season 2" and tracks from his new album, which is to be released at the end of this year. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 582-4098.

Plays & Musicals

Les Miserables
Yongin Poeun Art Hall
Nov. 3-25

Astonishingly powerful musical "Les Miserable", based on the novel by Victor Hugo, was first launched in London 25 years ago. It is the second longest running musical in history. The story is set in 19th century France, a time when struggles for redemption and revolution was rampant. Tickets cost 50,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (031) 260-3355 or visit www.eng.yicf.or.kr.

Chicago, the Musical
D-Cube Arts Center
Through Oct. 7

Some of the most recognized singers, Insooni and 'Ivy', will take to stage as the leading characters in the musical based on actual criminals and crimes reported in 1926. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555. Located near Sindorim Station on subway lines No. 1 and 2. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

Wicked
Blue Square
Through Oct. 7
Broadway blockbuster "Wicked" debuted in 2003 and is based on "The Wizard of Oz". It is a rendition of the novel by Gregory Maguire and details the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North. Tickets cost 50,000 to 160,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line No. 6. For more information, call 1577-3363.

Man of La Mancha
Charlotte Theater
Through Dec. 31

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' 17th century masterpiece, "Don Quixote", this memorable musical is based on Dale Wasserman's book "Man of La Mancha". Located near Jamsil Station on subway line No. 2. Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

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Traditional

Cultural shows
Korea House
Open run

Korea House regularly holds a series of traditional performances featuring dance, "pansori" (Korean opera) and more. Tickets cost 50,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines No. 3 and 4. For more information, call (02) 2266-9101.

Kim Duk-soo's Traditional Yeonhui Performance 'Pan'
Gwanghwamun Art Hall
Open run

"Pan", which opened in May 2008, is a traditional Korean performance expressing on stage a Korean clown's joyful and pleasant emotions in harmony with traditional instruments, drama and circus acts. Since its first performance in 2008, the theater has prepared a new version of the show and opened it to the public in 2009. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line No. 3. For more information, call (02) 722-3416.

Art Exhibitions

The Monsterius
Arario Gallery Seoul Samcheong
Through Oct. 7

Lee Seung-a holds an individual exhibition four years after "The Monster"in 2008. The monsters the artist sketches represent the darkness within the human psychology and the society. Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, call (041) 551-5100 or visit www.arariogallery.co.kr.

2012 Korea Artist Prize
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through Nov. 11

Without a definite theme, "2012 Korea Artist Prize" presents art works of four artists - Gim Hong-sok, Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho as a team, Lim Min-ouk and Yee Soo-kyung. Because the artists were asked to present any works they were able to manifest, the exhibition introduces works of four distinct themes. Located near exit 2 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line No. 4. Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr/engN.

Ham Jin: Planet
PKM Gallery Bartleby Bickle & Meursault
Through Oct. 26

"Planet" is a solo exhibition featuring large scale sculptures by Ham Jin, one of the most accomplished young sculptors in Korea. Known as a miniature sculpting artist, Ham Jin explores a new area in sculpting involving larger dimensions and greater depth. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line No. 3. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 734- 9467.

Familiar Scenery
Opera Gallery, Seoul
Through Sept. 30

Opera Gallery is an international gallery with branches worldwide. Its Seoul branch will hold an exhibition titled "Familiar Scenery" featuring landscapes only by Korean artists. Works by four artists share a common theme, Deja vu, which occurs when imagination and reality coincide. The artists managed to put together their peculiar perception of typical and ordinary scenery. For more information, call (02) 3446- 0070 or visit www.operagallery.com.

Homage to Jung Sun
Pyo Gallery Seoul
Through Sept. 28

Pyo Gallery presents Cha Ou-hi's solo exhibition, "Homage to Jung Sun". The artist's several years stay in Berlin has impacted her art style. She is best known for spending quite some time on her art, using several pencil sketches and several layers of paint. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 543- 7337.

Kimsooja: To Breathe
Kukje Gallery
Through Oct. 10

The art world of Kim Soo-ja is beyond just visual perception. Rather, her art explores the psychological and philosophical aspects of humanity. The exhibition displays around 10 videos made solely by the artist. Some of the works include "Mumbai: A Laundry Field" and "Breathe: Invisible Mirror". Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line No. 5. For more information, call (02) 735- 8449 or visit www.kukjegallery.com.

Remember Me
Gallery Hyundai
Through Oct. 14

"Remember Me" is the largest group exhibition presented by Gallery Hyundai, and involves six internationally well-known artists such as Chung Seo-young, Ai Weiwei, and Simon Dybbroe Moller. The exhibition introduces a variety of art styles, including video, paintings, and much more. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 734-6111 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com.

Modern Masterpieces from the Museum Collection: Poetry and Dreams
National Museum of Art, Deoksugung
Through Dec. 2

The 1950s to the early 20th century was a period of extreme difficulty in Korea that was followed by massive improvements and transformation. The National Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on works by Korean artists who drew inspiration, hope and changes during this era of Korean adversities. The exhibition will present around 100 works by more than 50 artists. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

Deoksugung Project
National Museum of Art, Deoksugung
Through Oct. 28

In order to solidify the historical significance of the storied Deoksu Palace, artwork by contemporary Korean artists is to be installed there. A total of nine various pieces, ranging from sculpture to visual art, portray different perspectives on how the artists perceive history. Tickets cost 3,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6114 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

Different Special
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art
Through Oct. 7

"Different Special" brings together artworks of 41 disabled artists from three nations - Korea, the United States and Japan for one exhibit. The artworks are all creatively made by artists who suffer from developmental disabilities. Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (031) 481-7007 or visit www.gmoma.co.kr.