2021 Dec. 1 Ticket

Hol Chum II | Hwang Chi-yeol Concert | Fantasy Tale | Apres Girl | Sumi Jo & I Musici Di Roma | Musicovery | Countdown Fantasy | Billy Elliot | Rebecca |

HOL CHUM II National Theater of Korea, Daloreum Theater

Dec. 3 and 4:Following the success of the National Dance Company of Korea’s production of “Hol Chum,” the dance troupe upgraded the performance and will stage “Hol Chum II.”

The performance features seven veteran traditional Korean dancers who have danced on the professional stage for more than 30 years. Each performer will take a turn on stage to show off traditional dances that have been reinterpreted in their own styles in an attempt to "rewrite tradition," according to the National Dance Company of Korea. The first half of the performance will showcase highlights of the first version, while the second part will feature new dances by new dancers.

More information on other dancers' performances is available on the webpage of the National Theater of Korea.

Tickets range from 30,000 won ($25.20) to 40,000 won.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6

HWANG CHI-YEOL CONCERT KBS Arena

Dec. 4 and 5:Singer Hwang Chi-yeol will hold a concert under the title “Movie.” According to the concert organizer, the upcoming concert will be “like a movie, unraveling the life story of singer Hwang Chi-yeol.”

Hwang has always said that he’s life is like a “movie.”

He had remained in obscurity for nearly a decade after his 2007 debut, but experienced a reversal of fortunes in 2016 when China’s Hunan satellite TV invited him to participate in the fourth season of “I Am a Singer,” a Chinese adaptation of the popular Korean singing competition program.

His last concert was in 2018, which was organized to mark the release of his EP “Be Myself.”

Hwang, who has a large following in Chinese-speaking countries, has showcased his new albums in other Asian regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday and at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets range from 99,000 won to 143,000 won.

Balsan Station, line No. 5, exit 5

FANTASY TALE National Theater of Korea, Daloreum Theater

Dec. 12 – Feb. 12, 2022: Kim Dong-yeon, who has created a range of hits in diverse genres, wrote and directed “Fantasy Tale” and premiered it in 2003.

Since then, the piece has matured through many runs over the past 17 years. In 2020, its first rerun in six years enjoyed immense success, leading the show to be part of this year’s National Repertory Season.

The War Clown, Love Clown and Art Clown, compete with each other to tell their version of the story of Hans, a piano player who lost his hearing in the turmoil of war, and Marie, a dancer who lost her sight — fusing the themes of war, love and art.

The performance features many elements coming together for a more lively and dynamic experience: dance, music, mime and magic.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays.

Tickets range from 55,000 won to 77,000 won.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6

APRÈS GIRL National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Grand Theater

Dec. 17 – 31: “Après girl” by the National Changgeuk Company portrays the life of Park Nam-ok (1923-2017), Korea’s first female filmmaker. The piece had its acclaimed premiere in 2020. In the 1950s, when women’s social activities were not encouraged, Park did not give up on her dream of becoming a filmmaker. Despite many hardships and despairs, she finally produced “The Widow,” a major work in Korean film history.

“Après girl” crosses between the life of Park, who created her film while carrying her baby on her back, not to mention cooking for the actors and staff. Director Kim Kwang-bo and playwright Ko Yeon-ok have worked together closely for the piece, reflecting on the issues of our immediate reality and making sure the result is entertaining for the audience as well.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and weekends.

Tickets range from 20,000 won to 80,000 won.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6

SUMI JO & I MUSICI DI ROMA Seongnam Art Center

Soprano Sumi Jo, who is celebrating her 35th anniversary of debut, will be kicking off her Korean tour together with Italian ensemble I Musici Di Roma on Dec. 11. [ALESSANDRO PETRINI]

Dec. 23:Korea’s legendary soprano Sumi Jo is holding a series of concerts across the country to celebrate the 35th anniversary of her debut together with Italian chamber orchestra I Musici Di Roma, which also celebrates its 70th anniversary. Jo recorded her latest Baroque album together with the Italian ensemble.

The album titled “Lux. 3570” is set to be released just before the tour kicks off on Dec. 11. They’ll be performing some of the songs on the new album including Scarlatti’s “Sposa son disprezzata from Pastiche Opera ‘Bajazet,’” Bach’s “Aria from Orchestral Suite for strings n.3 in D Major BWVJ068” and Haendel’s “'Se Pieta’ from the Opera ‘Giulio Cesare’ HWV17,” among others.

Jo’s tour will hit seven different cities before ending in Seongnam Arts Center in Gyeonggi on Dec. 23. Tickets for all the stops on the tour — Seoul Arts Center, Incheon, Busan, Sejong, Eumseong and Iksan — have already sold out apart from Seongnam. Tickets for the last concert will go on sale from Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won.

Imae Station, Bundang line, exit 1

MUSICOVERY Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, M Theater

Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra is holding a year-end concert titled ″Musicovery.″ [SEOUL METROPOLITAN TRADITIONAL ORCHESTRA]

Dec. 29:Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra is holding a year end concert titled “Musicovery.” It’s a documentary-style concert, looking back on the year of the pandemic and is divided into five themes: “Everyday Life,” “Contrast,” “Coexistence,” “Family” and “Hope.”

Hwang Sun-mi directed the documentary that will be played on the backdrop behind the orchestra. A total of five pieces will be played under each theme. Two of them have been commissioned to young gugak, or traditional Korean music, composers for the concert.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won, and can only be purchased via the Sejong Center’s ticketing site or by calling (02) 399-1000.

Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 8

COUNTDOWN FANTASY Kintex Hall 7-8

Dec. 31 – Jan 1, 2022: With 2021 coming to a close, concert organizers are reviving their year-end countdown events following the government’s eased social distancing regulations.

At the Kintex Hall in Gyeonggi, about 14 artists and groups will be holding a series of concerts to countdown to the New Year. According to the organizers, the event will be like a “fairytale,” so participants can finish the year on a magical note.

Participating artists include Ateez, Jukjae, Adoy, Dreamcatcher, Jeong Se-woon, Lucy, Surl, 10cm, Daybreak, Soran, Epik High, VMC, Huckleberry P and N.Flying.

Only those who are fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test result from the prior 48 hours can attend the event.

The concert begins at 2 p.m.

Tickets cost 99,000 won.

Daehwa Station, line No. 3, exit 2

BILLY ELLIOT D-Cube Arts Center

Through Feb. 2, 2022:“Billy Elliot” is back.

The story takes place in the 1980s, during a coal miners’ strike in Northern England. Billy happens to stumble across ballet during one of his boxing classes, and his life is changed forever after he discovers his love, and talent, for dance.

“Billy Elliot” is a heartwarming and humorous story about a young boy and his family trying to fulfill their dreams through music and choreography.

The kids who have been cast to alternate the role of Billy are, Kim Shi-hoon, Lee Woo-jin, Jeong Kang-hyuk and Joo Hyun-joon.

Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 150,000 won.

The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends.

Sindorim Station, lines No. 1 and 2, exit 1 or 5

REBECCA Chungmu Art Center, Grand Theater

Through Feb. 27, 2022:The Korean production of a hit musical “Rebecca” is back in Seoul.

The musical is based on a Gothic romance novel by Daphne du Maurier, but it is reportedly also inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film “Rebecca.”

The musical, which combines romance and suspense, first hit the stage in Vienna in 2006.

Set in a mansion called Manderley, "Rebecca" tells the story of Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower who lost his wife Rebecca in a drowning accident and cannot get over the traumatic incident. Maxim marries another woman but his new wife learns a disturbing secret that Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper of the mansion, still worships the late Rebecca.

When the musical was first staged in Seoul, it was the highest-selling musical for five consecutive weeks. It still attracts musical aficionados, who have already watched it multiple times.

Musical director Robert Johanson has been at the helm of the production since its premiere.

Four actors including Min Young-ki, Kim Jun-hyun, Enok and Lee Jang-woo will alternate the role of Mr. Winter, while actresses Shin Young-sook and Oak Joo-hyun will play Mrs. Danvers.

The show begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets range from 70,000 won to 150,000 won.

Sindang Station, line No. 6, exit 9

*Most tickets are available at ticket.interpark.com/global or by calling 1544-1555.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]