Chamber Hall, a venue specializing in classical performances ⓒSejong Center for the Performing Arts

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is one of the Seoul Future Heritage sites. A landmark next to Gwanghwamun Square and a cultural space for the performing arts, the structure is also an example of a modern interpretation of hanok. Designed by architect Eom Deok-moon and completed in 1978, the center is characterized by its eaves, columns, door patterns, “ㄷ”-shaped floor plan, and a courtyard. The outside wall of the Grand Theater has two Bicheon statues made by sculptor Kim Young-joong. Usually found in Korean tombs and Buddhist temple bells, the embossed statues respectively play the pipa, oriental mandolin, and saenghwang, a traditional Korean wind instrument. The pipe organ inside the theater is also worth a look. Overall shape was designed after the Korean traditional music instrument, Geomungo, and a Buddhist bell was installed to produce a Korean sound. It was the largest in Asia at the time of its opening.
The basement of the Sejong Center is connected to the exhibition halls of The Story of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-shin. In fact, King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-shin are among the greatest names in Korean history, and you can find their statues at Gwanghwamun Square. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is also named after King Sejong the Great.

• Recommended performance: Musical Salieri


• Based on Pushkin's play Mozart and Salieri, it depicts the famous confrontation between the genius composer Mozart and his teacher Salieri. Zelas, in addition to Mozart and Salieri, makes the musical more enriching with Yoo Tae Yang of the idol group SF9 playing the role.


• • Genre: Musical


• • Age limit: Ages 12 and older


• • Running time: 150 min (intermission: 15 min)


• • Performance period: July 11 – September 21, 2024


• • Ticket price: R seat 99,000 won, S seat 77,000 won, A seat 55,000 won, Obstructed view seat 66,000 won


• • Venue: Sejong M Theater


• • Inquiries: +82-2-588-7708


• • Website: www.sejongpac.or.kr

'ㅁ'-shaped Gugak Madang

A performance hall that preserved the beauty of Korean tradition ⓒSeoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater

Located across from Donhwamun Gate, the main entrance of Changdeokgung Palace, this hanok building specializes in gugak (traditional Korean music) shows. After entering through the lofty gate, you will find the 'ㅁ'-shaped Gugak Madang, a grassy courtyard where outdoor performances are often held. The theater is on the second floor with about 140 seats, and is designed for natural acoustics to make the most of the characteristics of Gugak. The seats are close to the stage, so you can see in all directions from any seat. Gugak artists often perform sitting on the floor, so it is recommended to sit in the front center where you can be at eye level. You'll feel like you're watching a performance in a courtyard of hanok house and not in a theater.
Performances are scheduled on a daily basis with approximately 10 to 20 shows per month. The repertoire ranges from concerts by national intangible heritage artists to fusion ones. Schedule and prices are posted on the website through December with some shows offering free admission.

Korean Traditional Music Materials at the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music

Permanent Exhibition Hall of the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music

Just across the street is the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music, a special place where you can listen to the original folk songs that farmers, fishermen and loom weavers used to hum.

• Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater Performance Info: www.sdtt.or.kr

Semicircle-shaped LG SIGNATURE A ⓒBae Ji-hoon_LG Arts Center

Night View of the Tube from the Outdoors ⓒBae Ji-hoon_LG Arts Center

The LG Arts Center SEOUL was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. It features an exposed concrete, which is the signature of his minimalist work. The center consists of LG SIGNATURE Hall, which has a capacity of 1,335 seats, and a transformable black box theatre capable of accommodating up to 365 people. Another characteristics of Tadao Ando’s design style provides a rich spatial experience from the outside to the inside the theater, giving visitors a full experience.
The space is divided into three main concepts: STEP ATRIUM, GATE ARC, and TUBE. The Step Atrium is a staircase that connects the third floor of LG Arts Center to the Magongnaru subway station. The GATE ARC is a curved wall in the lobby that serves as a symbolic door to each performance hall. The TUBE is a 10-meter-high circular passage that connects areas in a more secluded way. At each point, works such as 'Meadow ,' 'FOG CANNON,' and 'Ark 23.5' add an artistic vibe to the place.
Architectural audio tours are also available. Eight locations within the center are marked with QR codes to access the audio service. The narration is provided by actor Park Hae-soo, known for his role in The Squid Game. An audio guide in English is also available.

• Recommended performance: What I Sense in the Matter by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company


• What I Sense in the Matter was created as a part of the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company X Technology Convergence Project. It explores the relationship between assisted reproductive technologies that induce pregnancy and women's bodies through contemporary dance. It raises questions about the human body and the body as a subject of technological practice. It reflects the choreographer's experience of undergoing several fertility treatments.


• • Genre: Dance


• • Age limit: Ages 13 and older


• • Running time: 60 min


• • Performance period: Oct. 17- 19, 2024, 2024


• • Ticket price: R seat 60,000 won, S seat 50,000 won, A seat 30,000 won, B seat 20,000 won


• • Venue: LG SIGNATURE HALL


• • Inquiries: +82-2-6196-1600


• • Website: www.lgart.com

Panoramic View of the Audience from the Stage at Haeoreum Grand Theater ⓒThe National Theater of Korea

The National Theater of Korea is located in the middle of Namsan Mountain in Seoul, surrounded by nature. It consists of Haeoreum Grand Theater, Daloreum Theater, Byeoloreum Theater, and Haneul Round Theater, where the theater's professional troupes perform a variety of repertoire. The Haeoreum Grand Theater is the main building with its design incorporating the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Its grandiose and epic structure reflects the image of Korea in the 70s when the country was on-going economic development. It was built five years before the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, so you can compare two designs while continuing your theater tour.
Haeoreum Book Lounge, on the second floor of the Haeoreum Grand Theater, is a space open for everyone to take a break. In particular, the 'Artist's Library' shelves are filled with books recommended by the artistic directors and performers of the National Theater. The 'Theater Now' shelves are decorated with books related to the theater’s repertory season performances. The seats face the window with a view of the green forest of Namsan Mountain. Outside of Seoul, the National Theater of Korea can also be experienced at Immersive Studio ByeolByeol in the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do. The repertoire of the National Theater of Korea is presented in an immersive and exciting way.

• Recommended performance: Madame Ong


• Changgeuk is a pansori-based Korean musical. Madame Ong is one of its steady sellers. The main character of the original classic is the Korean Don Juan Byeongangsoe, but the story is told from the perspective of his lover, Madame Ong.


• • Genre: Changgeuk (Theater + Musical)


• • Age limit: Ages 20 and older


• • Running time: 125 min


• • Available subtitles: English


• • Performance period: September 5-15, 2024


• • Ticket price: R seat 50,000 won, S seat 35,000 won, A seat 20,000 won


• • Venue: Daloreum Theater


• • Inquiries: +82-2-2280-4114


• • Website: www.ntok.go.kr

Woomyeondang Hall, with a narrower gap between the audience and the stage ⓒThe National Gugak Center

TThe National Gugak Center is located on the west side of the Seoul Arts Center. It is the country's first venue to specialize in gugak and is designed to harmonize with nature which is a characteristic of Korean architecture. Even though the center is a granite building and not a hanok, it has a cozy and warm atmosphere with Umyeonsan Mountain next to it. The layout of each building follows the plan of a Korean temple, and the eaves are a concise interpretation of the beauty of a hanok. In addition to the architectural significance, resonance of the concert hall has also been taken into account. It was built to be suitable for the performance of traditional Korean music, based on the Sujecheon and Jongmyo Jeryeak (royal ancestral ritual music in the Jongmyo Shrine) played at the Korean court. The relatively new Pungnyu Sarangbang, a traditional theater, has a traditional grid pattern on its exterior. You can enjoy the performance as if you were sitting on a wooden floor hall or in Sarangbang, guestroom in hanok.
The National Gugak Museum is conveniently located inside the National Gugak Center, so you can visit after enjoying the show. There are many sound exhibits that you can listen to, such as the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage Jongmyo Jeryeak performed at the National Gugak Center, and Sound of Korea, recorded over 13 years by sound artist Kim Young-il, making it a great place for international visitors.

• Recommended performance: Saturday Gugak Concert


• Saturday Gugak Concert is a permanent performance held every Saturday at the Woomyeondang Hall of the National Gugak Center. It's a great opportunity to see a variety of traditional Korean performances, including singing, musical instrument performance, and dancing, all in one place. The stage is filled with the performance groups of the National Gukak Center, such as Court Music Orchestra, Folk Music Group, Dance Theater, and Contemporary Gukak Orchestra, providing a wide spectrum of quality shows.


• • Genre: Gugak


• • Age limit: Ages 8 and older


• • Running time: 80 min


• • Available subtitles: English


• • Performance period: Permanent


• • Ticket price: A seat 20,000 won, B seat 10,000 won


• • Venue: Woomyeondang Hall


• • Inquiries: +82-2-2263-4680


• • Website: www.gugak.go.kr