Musicals, Concerts & Music Festivals

Death Note the Musical

Based on a psychological thriller manga written by Tsugumi Ohba, 'Death Note the Musical' follows Light Yagami, a genius high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook (death note) that grants the user the power to kill. The series centers around the cat-and-mouse chase between Light and the eccentric but brilliant private detective L.

Renowned musical actor Hong Kwang-ho will portray the villain-protagonist Light. Starring opposite, K-pop singer and musical actor Junsu, will play L.

Where: Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House

Tickets: 50,000 ~ 120,000 KRW ($44 ~ $107 USD)

The Musical, Chess

Based on the book written by Richard Nelson, 'The musical, Chess,' is a musical about deceit, ambition, and destined love of characters in a chess championship. Idol stars such as VIXX's Ken, CNU, Key, and Jo Kwon take on the role of a Russian grandmaster, Anatoly Sergievsky.

Where: Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets: 40,000 ~ 130,000 KRW ($36 ~ 116 USD)

Klive K-Pop Experience

Introduced as the world's first K-Pop hologram concert, Klive is bringing you a K-Pop experience that you won't forget! Featuring YG Entertainment artists such as Big Bang, PSY, 2NE1, and G-Dragon, the 'Klive K-Pop Experience' is a unique interactive spectacle. In addition to the concert, the event will also have five digital attractions, photo zones, and five experience zones specially catered to K-Pop lovers.

Location: K-live Lotte Fitin 9F

Tickets: 16,500 ~ 33,000 KRW ($15 ~ 30 USD)

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival

Calling all rock junkies! 'Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival' is an annually held outdoor rock festival and this year, they will be featuring Scorpions, Yellow Monsters, Seotaiji, Pia, 10cm, The Prodigy, Thornapple, and more! Held at Incheon Songdo Pentaport Park, 'Pentaport Rock Festival' is a three-day event and is considered as one of the biggest live music events in South Korea. Though it is mainly a rock festival, the festival also features bands that cover all sorts of genres.

Where: Incheon Songdo Pentaport Park

Ticket:

one day pass: 117,000 KRW ($105 USD)

two day pass: 162,000 KRW ($145 USD)

three day pass: 198,000 KRW ($177 USD)

2015 Soundberry Festa

This one is for the indie band lovers out there. If you're into more of the hipster scene, 'Soundberry Festa' is the perfect festival for you to visit this summer. This year, renown indie bands such as Clazziquai, No Reply, Oksang Dalbit, and Coffee Boy will be putting out their best performances yet. In addition to various Korean indie bands, singer Younha will also be at the festival, amping up the overall line up.

Where: 63 Building, Convention Center

Ticket:

one day pass: 66,000 KRW ($59 USD)

two day pass: 99,000 KRW ($89 USD)

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Events

19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

'Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival' is held annually in Bucheon City and is known as the mecca of culture, with combinations of animation, games and film. This is a dynamic film festival that brings together numerous film enthusiasts. This year, the festival will open with the movie 'Moonwalkers,' a British comedy film, featuring Rupert Grint and Ron Perlman.

Where: Bucheon City

Admission:

General screening: 6,000 ~ 12,000 KRW ($6 ~ $11 USD) ; free screenings are on a first come, first serve basis

Boryeong Mud Festival

Wipe everything you know about mud! 'Boryeong Mud Festival' is an action-packed festival popular amongst local and foreign visitors because of its' unique mud-themed activities and events. From mud massage packs, to colored mud body paintings, to mud soap-making activities, you won't look at mud the same way again!

Where: Daecheon Beach

Admission: Free (depends on facility use)

Pohang International Fireworks Festival

Summer only comes around once a year and so does the 'Pohang International Fireworks Festival.' To end your relaxing beach getaway, stop by Hyeongsangang Sports Park or Yeongildae Northern Beach to watch the night sky brighten up with thousands of fireworks. Festivities include the light parade, live beach concerts, light art contests, and much more.

Where: Yeongildae Beach in Pohang (can be seen from Hyeongsangang Sports Park, Yeongildae Northern Beach, and others)

Admission: Free

Tongyeong Great Battle of Hansan Festival

The 'Tongyeong Great Battle of Hansan Festival' is held to commemorate admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598), a legendary figure who is considered as one of greatest naval commanders in history. He showed his tactical prowess during the Imjin War (successfully defending against two Japanese invasions between 1592 and 1598). The Great Battle of Hansan (1592) is one of the four most famous sea battles in Korean history. It was also the decisive battle for the fate of the Joseon dynasty. The festival features Yi Sun-shin-related exhibitions, ocean sports, as well as geobukseon (iron-clad turtle ship) and bows.

Where: Byeongseonmadang

Admission: Free

Exhibitions

PEACEMINUSONE: Beyond the Stage Exhibition at SeMA

Idol G-Dragon collaborated with 12 noted contemporary artists to create his own exhibition, which just opened up this month and will go until August 23. The purpose of the exhibition is so that it can act as a bridge connecting pop culture with contemporary art. It was once said during an interview that the idol hoped to "blur the lines of music, fashion, and design, expressing his words through modern art." The show runs through August 23.

Where: Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)

Admission: 13,000 KRW ($12 USD) for adults