Mapo Arts Center unveils 2026 season built around 'irreplaceable' live performances in the age of AI
Mapo Arts Center, one of Seoul’s most culture-forward districts, will fill 2026 with what it calls “irreplaceable performances in the era of AI,” bringing together high-profile artists and newly curated series, including two new plays and a new classical matinee program.
In a statement released Thursday, the Mapo Foundation for Arts and Culture said it is building a year-round lineup of around 200 performances across genres. From theater and classical music to ballet, it aims to balance artistic quality with broad audience appeal.
A key addition to the 2026 season is a new classical matinee series, the “MAC Morning Concert,” which will run from March through December on the fourth Wednesday morning of each month. The program will be hosted by veteran concert guide Kim Yong-bae, with conductor Kim Kwang-hyun and the 55-member Orchestra M joining as regular collaborators, offering what the center describes as a refined midweek concert experience for local audiences.
The center is also strengthening its curated classical programming through major recitals and festival events. Pianist Sun Youl, selected as the 2026 M Artist-in-Residence, will present two recitals in June and September. The 11th M Classic Festival, scheduled for September and October, will feature pianist Paik Kun-woo in a recital marking his 70th debut anniversary on Sept. 10, followed by soprano Hwang Su-mi on Sept. 17.
Additional highlights include a duo recital by pianist Kim Do-hyun and harpist Lee Su-bin on Oct. 22.
Theater will take on a larger role in 2026, with two new productions premiering at the venue. One of the highlights is “Two Scenes,” a co-production between the foundation and theater company Playfactory Mabangzen, led by renowned director Koh Sun-woong. Running Nov. 13 to 21 at Art Hall MAC, the meta-theatrical work begins with a real-life death at a shared office and traces the question, “Why did no one stop it?” as it examines silence and complicity through the process of reconstructing the case on stage.
Another creative group Ballplayclub will present the new play "Mimi's Petty Love Affair" in June and the award-winning "Dried Pepper and Peach Scent Lipstick" in October. The lineup also features polished adaptations of international classics such as "Beginning" (April 10–11) and "A Streetcar Named Desire" (June 12–14). In addition, the center will run public programs, including a youth theater festival scheduled for September through December, as part of efforts to broaden the theater audience base.
In gugak, or Korean traditional music, acclaimed pansori singer Lee Ja-ram will present her gala “Jakchang 2007/2015” on April 2, followed by the hit changgeuk production “Salome,” running Aug. 2123.
Dance is another major pillar. The creative ballet “Gat,” inspired by Korean traditional hats, returns March 28-29 after selling out every performance on its nationwide tour last year. The center will also host the “ABT Studio Company Ballet Gala” on April 17-18, featuring Park Yoon-jae, who became the first Korean to win the Prix de Lausanne in 2025.
Beyond the main stage, Mapo will run its indie musician discovery program “Indiscovery” from May to October, followed by the “Indiscovery Festa” in November. Family audiences will also be invited through the “Happy Mapo Waggle Waggle” festivals in May and July.
Koh Young-geun, CEO of the Mapo Foundation for Arts and Culture, said the 2026 lineup was designed for residents to enjoy high-quality productions without traveling far, adding that the season will offer a balanced mix of proven works and new titles making their first appearance at the venue.
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