ⓒSejong Center for the Performing Arts

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is one of the Seoul Future Heritage sites. A landmark structure of Gwanghwamun Square and a cultural space for the performing arts, it 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 courtyard. It has a Grand Theater, which is adorned with two statues of Bicheon by sculptor Kim Young-joong on the outside walls. 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 theater features a pipe organ inside. The 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 in 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. In addition to Mozart and Salieri, Zelas also appears to enrich the play. This musical is particularly eye-catching, starring Yoo Tae Yang of the idol group SF9 as Zelas.


• • Genre: Musical


• • Age limit: Ages 12 and up


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


• • Performance period: July 11 (Wed) – Sep. 21 (Sat), 2024


• • Price: KRW 99,000 (R), KRW 77,000 (S), KRW 55,000 (A), KRW 66,000 (obstructed view)


• • Venue: Sejong M Theater


• • Inquiries: +82-2-588-7708


• • Website: www.sejongpac.or.kr

the 'ㅁ'-shaped Gugak Madang

ⓒSeoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater

Located across from Donhwamun Gate, the main entrance of Changdeokgung Palace, this hanok building is specialized in gugak (traditional Korean music) shows. If you enter through the lofty gate, you will find the 'ㅁ'-shaped Gugak Madang. It is a grassy courtyard where outdoor performances are often held. The theater is on the second basement level 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. There are approximately 10 to 20 shows per month. The repertoire ranges from concerts by national intangible heritage artists to fusion ones. Some shows are free, and the schedule is posted on the website through December.

the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music

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

ⓒLG Arts Center SEOUL

ⓒLG Arts Center SEOUL

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. From the outside to the inside, the theater offers a rich spatial experience that never gets boring. This is also a characteristic of Tadao Ando's architecture.
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 from the Magongnaru subway station. The GATE ARC is a curved wall lobby that serves as a symbolic door. The TUBE connects the individual spaces at 10 meters above the ground and is more secluded. 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 in 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 up


• • Running time: 60 min


• • Performance period: Oct. 17 (Thu) - Oct. 19 (Sat), 2024


• • Price: KRW 60,000 (R), KRW 50,000 (S), KRW 30,000 (A), KRW 20,000 (B)


• • Venue: LG SIGNATURE HALL


• • Inquiries: +82-2-6196-1600


• • Website: www.lgart.com

ⓒ>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 symbolic building here. Its design incorporates the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Its grandiose and epic structure reflects the image of Korea in the 70s when the country was during economic development. It was built five years before the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, so you can continue your theater tour while comparing the two.
On the second floor of the Haeoreum Grand Theater is the Haeoreum Book Lounge, open to 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, and the green forest of Namsan Mountain shines through. 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 type of Korean musical based on pansori. 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 up


• • Running time: 125 min


• • Available subtitles: English


• • Performance period: Sep 5 (Thu) – Sep. 15 (Sun), 2024


• • Price: KRW 50,000 (R), KRW 35,000 (S), KRW 20,000 (A)


• • Venue:Daloreum Theater


• • Inquiries: +82-2-2280-4114


• • Website: www.ntok.go.kr

ⓒNational Gugak Center

The National Gugak Center is located on the west side of the Seoul Arts Center. It is the country's first venue specializing in gugak and pursues the harmony with nature which is a characteristic of Korean architecture. The center is not a hanok but a granite building. Yet, with Umyeonsan Mountain next to it, it has a cozy and warm atmosphere. 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 through the venue has 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 it 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 in 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, playing, 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 up


• • Running time: 80 min


• • Available subtitles: English


• • Performance period: Permanent


• • Price: KRW 20,000 (A), KRW 10,000 (B)


• • Venue: Woomyeondang Hall


• • Inquiries: +82-2-2263-4680


• • Website: www.gugak.go.kr