Calendar

“Take Your Shirt Off”: PKM Gallery holds a solo exhibition of young artist Jeong Young-do, who expresses the cultural and moral differences he felt while going back and forth between the U.S. and Korea during his studies at Rhode Island School of Design and Temple University Tyler School of Art. In his paintings and illustrations, abstract figures subtly, but explicitly show the emotions he felt, such as confusion, pain and a sense of loss. The artist currently works in Seoul. The exhibition continues through Oct. 25 at the PKM Gallery Temporary Exhibition Space in Yulgok-ro 3, Jongno, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 734-9467.

“The 8th Cheongju International Craft Biennale”: The eighth Cheongju International Craft Biennale, the world’s biggest craft festival, showcases modern craft trends in the country’s birthplace of metal crafts, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, until Oct. 20. Under the theme of “Something OLD Something NEW,” the craft biennale will exhibit all genres of craft including metal works, ceramics, wood lacquer, textiles and glass while running academic workshops and educational programs for children. This year’s biennale focuses on the artistic aspect of craft as well as its practical uses and purposes, bringing together 6,000 works by 3,000 artists from 60 countries. Admission is 10,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for teenagers and 3,000 won for children. Tickets can be purchased online at life.ticketlink.co.kr. The exhibitions open throughout the biennale period including holidays. For more information, visit www.okcj.org.

“The Sleep of Reason”: British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman hold their first exhibition in Seoul at SongEun Art Space in Apgujeong until Dec. 7. The artists, known for some gruesome images in their artworks, have brought major pieces for the exhibition, including 19th-century portraits of wealthy men and women retouched by the artists to make their faces look as if they are decomposing. “Unhappy Feet” features innumerable miniatures of penguins that turn into predators and kill whales, polar bears and walruses in the South Pole. The adorable penguins in the movie “Happy Feet” are transformed with bloodstains around their mouths, preparing to attack a polar bear. For more information, call (02) 3448-0100.

“Robert Capa”: Rare original prints by the late Robert Capa are on exhibit in Seoul for the first time to mark the centennial of the photographer’s birth. Hailed as the world’s greatest war photographer, Capa captured moments that became iconic war images and continue to inspire many photojournalists and filmmakers to this day. The photos on exhibit consist of war images from major battles of the early 20th century and portraits of leading cultural figures of the period such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Ernest Hemingway. The exhibition continues through Oct. 28 at Sejong Art Center. Admission is 12,000 won for adults, 8,000 won for teenagers and 7,000 won for children. For more information, visit www.robertcapa.co.kr or call (02) 3701-1216.

Pop music

“The Killers”: American rockers The Killers will be hitting the stage in Seoul for their first concert in Korea. The upcoming concert is the 12th installment of the “Hyundai Card Culture Project” series, which in the past brought acts such as Keane, John Legend, Ke$ha, Jason Mraz and many others. The group released its first studio album “Hot Fuss,” in 2004, featuring “Mr. Brightside,” which became the band’s first Top 10 hit on the U.K. and U.S. Billboard music charts. Since then, The Killers have released three other studio albums ― “Sam’s Town,” “Day & Age” and “Battle Born” ― and have produced a number of hit singles such as “Human,” “When You Were Young” and “Runaways.” The Killers will perform on Oct. 5 in the Olympic Hall at Seoul Olympic Park. Ticket prices are between 77,000 won and 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Justin Bieber”: Canadian teenage pop star Justin Bieber will be making his way to Korea for his first concert here on Oct. 10 at Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium. A year after being discovered on YouTube, Bieber went on to release his debut seven-track EP “My World,” which went platinum in the Untied States. Bieber has released three full studio albums, including his most recent “Believe” which debuted at the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 music chart and recorded record sales of around 374,000 copies in its first week, giving the artist yet another certified platinum album. Ticket prices for the upcoming concert range from 99,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Global Gathering Korea 2013”: The annual Global Gathering dance music festival’s Korea lineup, themed “Dance, Right Now,” will feature big beat superstar Fatboy Slim and American DJ-producer Porter Robinson. After first establishing itself in the U.K. in 2001, Global Gathering has now spread across the world to locations including Russia, Australia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey and Belarus and is internationally recognized as one of the world’s best dance music festivals. This year’s Global Gathering Korea will be held on Oct. 12 at Everland’s Caribbean Bay in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Ticket prices range from 77,000 won to 2 million won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“K-Hiphop Nation 2013”: The K-Hiphop Nation two-day hip-hop music fest will feature some of the nation’s most popular rap stars and crews including Epik High, MC Sniper, E-Sens, Swings, Leessang, Bae Chi Gi, Bumkey, San E, Geeks and much more. The local hip-hop scene exploded last month, with disses flying in every direction as several popular rap stars, including former Supreme Team member E-Sens and Swings, decided to carry out their feuds publicly with some pretty cutthroat remarks aimed at specific members of the hip-hop community. The upcoming K-Hiphop Nation festival will be held on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium. Ticket prices range from 66,000 won for a one-day pass and 99,000 won for a two-day pass. For more information, visit www.k-hiphopnation.com.

Dance

“Ballet Roland Petit”: The Korean National Ballet is presenting three masterpieces by French master choreographer Roland Petit (1924-2011): “The Woman of Arles,” “Carmen” and “The Young Man and Death.” Trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, Petit is known for his original and creative ballets. Among the three pieces staged during the upcoming performance, “Carmen” is the best-known work by Petit. Based on Bizet’s opera “Carmen,” Petit’s ballet is known for its cinematic and musical-like qualities. Meanwhile, “The Young Man and Death” features a young man who chooses to take his own life after being tortured by love. “Ballet Roland Petit” runs from Oct. 11 to 13 at Seoul Arts Center’s opera theater. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181.

“SIDance”: The annual Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance) is returning in October, featuring 51 dance companies from 16 countries. The opener this year is a performance by Canadian troupe Cas Public, with its stylish variation of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” Other invited troupes include France’s Cie Heddy Maalem, Finland’s Dance Theatre Auraco and Italy’s Ambra Senatore. This year’s SIDance runs from Oct. 7 to 27 at Gangdong Arts Center, Seoul Arts Center and Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center. For tickets and information, call (02) 3216-1185.

“This is Modern”: Korea’s Universal Ballet Company is staging its contemporary dance piece “This is Modern” this October. The piece is a collection of three contemporary ballets: “Petit Mort” and “Six Dances” (Sechs Tanze) by Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian, and “This is Your Life” by Korean choreographer Huh Yong-soon. Compared to classical ballets, the show is said to spotlight the different dancing styles and flair of each dancer. “This is Modern” runs from Oct. 24-27 at Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Theater

“Wicked”: After playing an unhappy Austrian empress (Elisabeth) and a mysterious, obsessive housekeeper (Rebecca), musical actress Oak Ju-hyun has now been cast to play the famous green-skinned witch in Broadway musical “Wicked.” The upcoming run, featuring an all-Korean cast, is the first Korean-language edition of the musical. The musical tells the story of two very different witches in the Land of Oz ― green-skinned, struggling and often-alienated Elphaba and beautiful and popular blonde Glinda. The show is a ravishing spectacle and fantasy, mixed with a touching account of one’s experience of a difficult youth, life-changing friendship and growing up. “Wicked” will open on Nov. 22 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“Bonnie & Clyde”: Broadway musical “Bonnie & Clyde” is being staged in Seoul for the first time. The musical features the infamous love story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the well-known American robbers who traveled the central United States during the Great Depression. The show had its Broadway premiere in 2011 and won two Tony Award nominations in 2012. “Bonnie & Clyde” runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0688.

“Avenue Q”: The American adult puppet musical is a coming-of-age tale featuring the anxieties and struggles associated with entering adulthood. The show, which also features “Sesame Street”-inspired puppets along with the actors and actresses, is famous for its adult-themed subject matter, such as pornography, racism and homosexuality. “Avenue Q” runs from Aug. 23 to Oct. 6 at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

Classical music

“Itzhak Perlman Recital”: Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman will return to Korea to perform Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1 in D major for Violin and Piano, Op. 12, No. 1; Grieg’s Sonata No. 3 in C minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 45 and Tartini (arranged by Kreisler)’s “Deveil’s Trills” at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. Perlman, inarguably one of the most acknowledged violinist of our time, became not only a musical but social icon when he appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” showing his fight against polio. He won the Leventritt Competition in 1964, nabbed several Grammys and won Kennedy Center Honors in 2003. Tickets are priced between 60,000 won and 180,000 won and can be purchased at www.sacticket.co.kr or www.clubbalcony.co.kr.

“BBC Symphony Orchestra & Richard Yongjae O’Neill”: The world-famous BBC Symphony Orchestra will team up with American violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill on Oct. 8 at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on 8 p.m. and Daejeon Culture and Arts Center on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The band led by Sir Andrew Davis will feature Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” and “Enigma Variations,” Walton’s “Viola Concerto” and Britten’s “Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes.” Tickets are priced between 50,000 won and 250,000 won and are available at www.clubbalcony.co.kr and www.sacticket.co.kr. For more information, call 1577-5266.

“Gautier Capucon Cello Recital”: The “French Noble Cellist” Gautier Capucon will hold a recital to Frank Braley’s piano at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. He will feature Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5; Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D. 821; Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano as well as Britten’s Sonata for Cello and Piano. Born in 1981, Capucon was a cellist in the European Community Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, playing under conductors including Bernard Haitink, Pierre Boulez and Claudio Abbado between 1997 and 1998. Tickets are priced from 50,000 won to 120,000 won and can be bought at www.sacticket.co.kr. For more information call (02) 599-5743.

“Rigoletto”: “Rigoletto,” one of the most popular operas by Italian opera master Verdi, will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater from Nov. 22 to 24, with a star-filled cast including George Gagnidze taking the title role of Rigoletto and Elena Mosuc as Gilda. This will be the first time both world class singers perform in Korea. Stefan Pop, the “new Pavarotti,” will be appearing as Duke of Mantova. Internationally acclaimed Verdi specialist Bruno Aprea will participate as the conductor leading the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and Mario De Carlo will direct the drama. The “dream team” performed at the La Scala in November last year. The opera portrays a tragedy among court jester Rigoletto, his daughter Gilda and playboy Duke of Mantoba. For more information, call (02) 542-0350.

Festivals

“Busan Jagalchi Festival”: Jagalchi Market in Busan is the largest fishery and marine product market in Korea. The market’s lively atmosphere makes it a unique experience for many visitors. Food stalls serve fresh catch and sashimi at market prices. The annual Busan Jagalchi Festival runs from Oct. 10-13. For more information, call (051) 243-9363 or visit www.ijagalchi.kr. 

“Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival”: Salt-pickled seafood, or jeotgal in Korean, often made with shellfish, tiny shrimps and internal organs of fish ― such as roe, intestines and gills, are the staples of Korean dining tables. Ganggyeong, a fishing village on the west coast of South Chungcheong Province, is known for high-quality jeotgal and is home to a festival celebrating the humble side dish. During the festival, Oct. 16-20, various jeotgal is sold at discounts of up to 30-40 percent. For more information, call (041) 746-5662 or visit www.ggfestival.co.kr.

“Icheon Rice Cultural Festival”: Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, is famous for its high-quality rice that was once served to Korea’s royalty. The festival, to be held Oct. 30-Nov. 3 at Seolbong Park, Incheon, will include a reenactment of the parade that transported rice to Hanseong, Joseon’s capital, for presentation to the king, a huge rice cauldron that is capable of cooking rice for hundreds of people, and a straw craft contest. Traditional music, dance and folk drama performances will entertain visitors, who will also have the chance to buy newly harvested Icheon rice. For more information, call (031) 644-4125 or visit www.ricefestival.or.kr.

“The World Traditional Medicine Fair and Festival”: The world’s first fair dedicated to Oriental medicine will take place in Sancheong, a village on Jirisan Mountain, until Oct. 20. The festival, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the publication of Donguibogam, the ancient Korean medical book, showcases the latest Oriental medicine trends, treatments and health information. Visitors will also get the chance to receive free consultation and treatment at the festival. The venues are Donguibogam village and a Korean traditional medicine town in Sancheong district, South Gyeongsang Province. For more information, visit www.tramedi-expo.or.kr (English available), or call (055) 970-8600.