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'Sleep No More' brings immersive ‘Macbeth’-inspired noir to Seoul
The immersive theater sensation "Sleep No More" has arrived in Seoul, launching preview performances ahead of its official premiere on Aug. 21. A hypnotic, wordless reimagining of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" set in a 1930s noir universe, the production transforms the historic Daehan Cinema in Chungmuro into the McKithan Hotel, a sprawling, dimly lit labyrinth built exclusively for the show. The experience draws additional inspiration from classic noir films, particularly the works of Alfred Hitchcoc
Aug. 3, 2025 -
Star street dancer Aiki finds new expression in musical debut ‘Frida’
Aiki is best known for her breakout on Mnet’s “Street Woman Fighter” and for her popularity as a TikTok influencer. Last month, she stepped onto an entirely new scene, making her musical debut in the original Korean production, “Frida.” For the star dancer, who has long gravitated toward spaces “where music, dance and song exist,” the stage itself is familiar. But embodying a completely different character was new territory — one she described as “therapeutic.” “I realized how limited I had been
July 31, 2025 -
Jeonju Sori Festival mixes tradition, experimentation and summer nights
The Jeonju International Sori Festival will return Aug. 13-17, filling five days with 57 programs and 69 performances of traditional Korean music, jazz, classical, contemporary music, and more. This year’s theme, “Echoes from the Homeland,” promises programming for audiences of all generations, with events staged at the Sori Arts Center and 14 cities and counties across North Jeolla Province. The festival opens with "Simcheong," a co-production with the National Changgeuk Company of Korea. Depar
July 30, 2025 -
SAC Int'l Music Festival brings global and emerging talent to Seoul for six days
From Aug. 5 to 10, the Seoul Arts Center will host the fifth edition of its International Music Festival -- its most expansive yet. The 2025 festival boasts 11 concerts featuring artists invited from around the world, alongside five chamber ensembles selected through a competitive call, and a lineup that spans symphonic powerhouses, intimate baroque ensembles and contemporary innovators. Launched in 2021 as a summer platform for local talent, the festival has since evolved into a full-fledged in
July 29, 2025 -
8 actors, 1 role: Experimental play 'Rosetta' to open in Seoul
Eight actors will take turns playing a single role in the experimental production "Rosetta," set to open in Seoul next month. The National Theater Company of Korea said "Rosetta," co-produced with the National Asian Culture Center in Gwangju, will run Aug. 23 to 31 at the Myeongdong Theater. The play follows the life of Rosetta Sherwood Hall, a US doctor and missionary who devoted herself to advancing modern medicine and education for women in Korea. The story follows Rosetta from the time she a
July 25, 2025 -
Liquid Sound strips traditional street performance to its core
In pungmul, a traditional Korean form of folk music and dance, the performer leading the troupe wears a hat called sangmo topped with a long paper streamer known as piji that can stretch nearly 180 centimeters. As the drumming builds and the rhythms swell, the streamer whirls in perfect arcs and waves, never tangling, serving as a kinetic emblem of pungmul’s identity. But what happens when you take away that visible identity, wondered Lee In-bo, director of the performance collective Liquid Soun
July 24, 2025 -
Demon boy band? These ballet dancers had already cast their spell
In the first half of this year, no ballet in Korea stirred up more buzz than “Gat,” a 70-minute contemporary ballet inspired by traditional Korean hats. Created by the newly established Yunbyul Ballet Company, “Gat” completed a six-city national tour, selling out every seat along the way — a rare feat for a fledgling company barely a year old. The second run, following its 2024 premiere, drew a wave of fans eager to see the ballerinos who rose to stardom through Mnet’s hit dance competition "Sta
July 23, 2025 -
Korean selected as guest language of 2026 Avignon Festival
The Avignon Festival, one of the world’s most vibrant performing arts festivals, announced Wednesday that it has selected Korean as its official guest language for the 2026 edition. This is the first time an Asian language has been chosen as the guest language. “The Avignon Festival welcomes an Asian language that is now enjoying worldwide popularity. South Korean culture fascinates the world: K-pop, cinema, series, literature. But beyond this soft power, we want to show the richness of Korean p
July 23, 2025 -
Belgian National Orchestra to make Korea debut, reuniting with pianist Paik Hae-sun after 34 years
The Belgian National Orchestra will make its long-awaited Korean debut this fall. From Sept. 24 to 30, the ensemble will present six performances across the country, beginning at Seoul Arts Center. The program will feature Paik Hae-sun, one of Korea’s most iconic pianists and a renowned educator, in a long-anticipated reunion with the orchestra after 34 years. Paik will join the BNO and conductor Antony Hermus to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Their last collaboration d
July 23, 2025 -
Six EMK musicals coming to Disney+ next month
Some of Korea’s most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are soon to be available via streaming. The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — “Elisabeth,” “Phantom,” “Monte Cristo,” “The Man Who Laughs,” “Xcalibur” and “Marie Antoinette” — will be released on Disney+ next month for users in Korea. Among them, "Monte Cristo," "Phantom" and "Elisabeth" have already been made available through a variety
July 21, 2025 -
Park Sae-eun, fellow Paris Opera Ballet etoiles bring favorites to Korea
Building on a banner year for international ballet galas in South Korea ― with the American Ballet Theater in April and the UK’s Royal Ballet in early July ― the Paris Opera Ballet is also making its return this summer. From July 29 to Aug. 1 at the Seoul Arts Center and Aug. 3 at the Daejeon Arts Center, the POB Etoiles Gala will bring an unprecedented number of the company’s top dancers to Korean stages. Leading the gala is Park Sae-eun, who in 2021 became the first Asian dancer to be named an
July 21, 2025 -
Soprano Hwang Sumi offers self-curated 'Soundtrack' trilogy ― song, opera, cinema
In the latter half of 2025, soprano Hwang Sumi will take the reins of Lotte Concert Hall’s matinee series as both curator and performer. Titled “Soundtrack,” the three-part concert series will showcase the artist’s range across the classical, operatic and cinematic genres ― each installment exploring a different facet of the 39-year-old soprano's musical identity. For the internationally renowned soprano and respected educator, the project marks a meaningful expansion of her role. “I’ve always a
July 21, 2025 -
Chung Kyung-wha to launch Korea and US recital tour with Kevin Kenner, her 'soulmate in music'
Korean violin legend Chung Kyung-wha, now 77 and in the 58th year of her illustrious career, will embark on a recital tour this fall, joined by longtime musical partner pianist Kevin Kenner. The tour includes four performances across Korea in September as well as four concerts in North America in November. The Korean leg of the tour kicks off in Pyeongtaek on Sept. 13, followed by stops in Goyang on Sept. 21, Seoul on Sept. 24 and Tongyeong on Sept. 26. The US tour marks Chung’s return to New Yo
July 18, 2025 -
Jacky Cheung to perform first-ever concert in South Korea at Inspire Arena
Jacky Cheung will be bringing his celebrated "60+ Concert Tour" to South Korea this fall, marking his first time performing in the country. The performance will take place at Inspire Arena on Sept. 13, marking Cheung’s debut concert in South Korea after more than four decades of international stardom. Tickets will be available starting July 22 via Nol Interpark Ticket and on July 23 through Damai.cn. Cheung, 63, rose to fame after winning the 18th District Amateur Singing Festival in Hong Kong i
July 18, 2025 -
Korean production of 'The Cherry Orchard' sets off on global tour
Following its sensational premiere in Seoul, the Korean production of "The Cherry Orchard" will embark on an international tour this fall, beginning with performances in Hong Kong and Singapore. The original Seoul cast, led by Cannes-winning Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo, will reprise their roles, joined by fellow original cast members Sohn Sang-gyu, Choi Hee-seo, Lee Ji-hye, Nam Yun-ho, Yoo Byung-hun, Park Yu-rim, Lee Sae-jun and Lee Ju-won. The adaptation directed by Simon Stone and produced b
July 17, 2025