Richard Yongjae O’Neill & Dong Hyek Lim

Seongnam Arts Center Dec. 17

Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, who nabbed the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, joins acclaimed pianist Lim Dong-hyek for the upcoming end-of-the-year performance. The concert is set to feature Schubert’s “Impromptus, Op. 90, D.899” and “Arpeggione Sonata,” as well as Rachmaninoff’s “Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19.”

Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. Call (031) 783-8000 for more information.

Son Yeol-eum’s Curtain Call Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall Dec. 28

Renowned German-based Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum will host a year-end concert featuring Alkan’s “Variations on a Theme of Steibelt,” Op. 1, alongside popular pieces by Mozart and Rachmaninoff. Accompanied by Svetlin Roussev on violin, Cho Sung-hyun on flute, Ham Kyeong on oboe, and You Jee-in on cello, this event promises a blend of classical excellence and contemporary flair.

Tickets cost from 40,000 to 110,000 won. Call (02) 733-0301 for more information.

Krystian Zimerman Piano Recital Lotte Concert Hall

Jan. 3-10, 2024

Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman, acclaimed as one of the finest musicians of his generation, will return to Korea at the beginning of 2024 following a string of sold-out performances in 2022. Having learned piano from age 5 under his father’s tutelage, he won the IX International Chopin Piano Competition in 1975 as the youngest competitor at the age of 18. Zimerman was ranked 11th best pianist in history by the BBC magazine in 2019. The upcoming program includes performances of Chopin’s “Nocturne” and Debussy’s “Estampes.”

Tickets cost from 72,000 won to 180,000 won. Call (02) 541-2512 for more information.

Jo Su-mi New Year’s Special Concert

Aram Nuri Arts Center

Jan. 13, 2024

The Goyang Cultural Foundation in Gyeonggi Province marks its 20th anniversary with a New Year’s Concert featuring internationally acclaimed soprano Jo Su-mi. Known for her illustrious 37-yearlong career, Jo, who was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2003, will appear onstage to perform opera pieces from “La Fille du Regiment” and “Das Land des Lachelns,” as well as original, romantic Korean melodies.

Tickets cost from 110,000 to 130,000 won. Call 1577-7766 for more information.

VIXX Live Fantasia: Continuum Jangchung Arena

Dec. 9-10

Since its debut in 2012, boy band VIXX has successfully carved out its niche in the competitive K-pop industry. Originally a sextet, the group currently consists of four members: N, Leo, Ken and Hyuk. The three members, except for N, will join the stage to greet their fans at their upcoming concert, “Continuum,” at Jangchung Arena.

Tickets cost 154,000 won. Call (02) 579-0229 for more information.

Cirque du Soleil: Luzia Jamsil Sports Complex Until Dec. 17

Founded in Quebec, Canada, in 1984 by former street performers, Cirque du Soleil stands as the world’s leading circus and entertainment producer. Its 38th original production, titled “Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico,” dives into a fantastical world set in a fictional landscape of Mexico. The show is filled with dynamic acrobatic performances carried out mid-air and in a waterfall.

Ticket cost from 70,000 won to 290,000 won. Call (02) 541-6236 for more information.

PSY All Night Stand 2023 KSPO Dome

Dec. 22-24

Korea’s celebrated star PSY announces a three-day performance to celebrate the upcoming winter holidays at KSPO Dome. The event promises to be a showcase of his greatest hits and crowd favorites, offering audiences an engaging, all-night musical experience. The dress code for this year’s event is capsaicin, or chili peppr extract — interpret that however you will!

Tickets cost from 143,000 won to 165,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.

Sungsikyung KSPO Dome Dec. 29-31

Veteran singer-songwriter Sung Si-kyung will host a year-end concert at KSPO Dome. Since his debut in 2001, he has dazzled his fans with iconic ballad tracks such as “Two People,” “On the Street” and “Every Moment of You.” Beyond his music,

he has gained popularity with multiple show appearances and “mukbang.”

Tickets cost from 121,000 won to 154,000 won. Call (02) 567-2027 for more information.

2023 Lee Seung-yoon Concert Bluesquare Mastercard Hall Dec. 29-31

Singer-songwriter Lee Seungyoon first appeared onstage in 2011 at the MBC College Music Festival where he advanced to the finals. But it wasn’t until a decade later in 2021 when he became the winner of the popular JTBC audition show, “Sing Again,” with his unique vocals that he made his name known to the public. This year, he nabbed the K Global Best Rock Award at the K Global Heart Dream Awards. Lee will mesmerize his fans with his year-end concert at Bluesquare Mastercard Hall.

Tickets cost from 121,000 to 132,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.

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Kim Chang-wan Band & Crying Nut Bluesquare Mastercard Hall

Dec. 13

The Kim Chang-wan Band, established in 2008 by Sanulrim’s singer-songwriter Kim Chang-wan, will share the stage with Korea’s punk band, Crying Nut, at the upcoming performance at Bluesquare Mastercard Hall. Crying Nut, credited with pioneering the punk genre in Korean music scene, is famous for hits like “Oh! What a Shiny Night” and “Let’s Ride a Horse.”

Tickets cost 130,000 won. Call (0507) 1363-4614 for more information.

EPEX 2nd Concert: So We Are Not Anxious

Bluesquare Mastercard Hall Dec. 16-17

EPEX, an eight-member K-pop boy group that made its debut in 2021, will hold its second concert in December, “So We Are Not Anxious.” The group’s name, a portmanteau of “eight” and “apex,” signifies the coming together of eight artists to reach the pinnacle of their musical journey. The group’s popular tracks include “Lock Down” and “Do 4 Me.”

Tickets cost 110,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.

Soran Winter Concert: Wishlist KBS Arena

Dec. 22-24

Formed in 2009 under the leadership of vocalist Ko Young-bae, the indie rock band Soran will stage a Christmas concert, titled “Wishlist,” featuring its members — Ko, Seo Myeon-ho on bass, Pyeon Yu-il on drums and Lee Tae-wook on guitar. The concert will include the live debut of the four-member band’s new song slated for imminent release.

Tickets cost from 110,000 won to 121,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.

Jaurim’s ‘Midnight Express’ Jangchung Arena

Dec. 29-31

Renowned rock band Jaurim celebrates its 26th anniversary with an extended concert series from the end of 2023 to the beginning of next year. The band features Kim Yoonah on vocals, Lee Sun-kyu on guitar and Kim Jin-man on bass. This performance is notable as it is the first by the band since the establishment of its official fan club, “Love Maneuver.”

Tickets cost from 110,000 won to 132,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.

Little Women Dream Art Center Until Jan. 14, 2024

The beloved 155-year-old classic “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott has come to stage as a play with a two-month run. First performed as a short tryout in 2020, which was quickly sold out, this adaptation follows the journey of four sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy — exploring themes of dreams, growth and the essence of “home.”

Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 66,000 won. Call (070) 4190-1289 for more information.

Sister Act

D-cube Arts Center Until Feb. 11, 2024

For 18 years since its 2006 premiere, the mega-hit musical “Sister Act,” based on the globally beloved film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, has been staged in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Japan, among others. Over the years, the musical, which revolves around a lounge singer hides herself in a California convent after witnessing her mobster lover commit murder, has secured wins and nominations in 25 categories at the Tony Awards and the Olivier Awards.

Tickets cost from 80,000 to 170,000 won. Call (02) 6391-6333 for more information.

Rent

Coex Shinhan Card Artium Until Feb. 25, 2024

The 2023 staging of the critically acclaimed musical “Rent” in Korea features a mix of returning and new talents. Last season’s performers Jang Ji-hoo, Jeong Won-young and Bae Doo-hoon are joined by newly cast actors including Baek Hyeong-hun and Kim Hwan-hee. Loosely based on Puccini’s 1896 opera “La Boheme,” “Rent” revolutionized the modern musical landscape by openly addressing the topics of HIV/AIDS and drugs and the LGBTQ+ community.

Tickets cost from 70,000 won to 140,000 won. Call (02) 577-1987 for more information.

A Doll’s House: Part 2 Yangcheon Culture Center Until Dec. 9

The Second Nature Dance Company returns this December with the second iteration of its experimental dance performance, “A Doll’s House.” Premiered in 2021, the original show explored the expanded world of digitization at the height the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the pandemic has come to an end, the returning performance asks the question — how are we navigating and living our lives again?

Tickets cost 20,000 won. Call (02) 2021-8949 for more information.

This Is Tap

Gyeonggi Gugak Center Dec. 15

Tap dance, characterized by rhythmic foot movements created with metal-tipped tap shoes, offers an engaging experience for audiences of all ages. This upcoming performance at Gyeonggi Gugak Center is organized to showcase the lively footwork and cheerful sounds of tap dance against jazz, K-pop and beatboxing.

Tickets cost 5,000 won. Call (031) 230-3262 for more information.

Ballet Fantasia in Christmas Gyeonggi Arts Center

Dec. 19

“Ballet Fantasia in Christmas” presents a performance filled with highlights from iconic works like “Don Quixote,” “The Nutcracker,” “Harlequinade” and “Le Corsair” — all enhanced via the integration of video and media art. Under the artistic direction of Lee Go-eun, the cast of 12 award-winning dancers will turn the night into an unforgettable one.

Tickets cost from 40,000 to 60,000 won. Call (031) 230-3267 for more information.

The Nutcracker

Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater Dec. 9-25

The Korean National Ballet, Korea’s first professional ballet company founded in 1962, will stage the iconic work “The Nutcracker” at the Seoul Arts Center to mark the year’s end. Since its premiere in 1892 in Russia, the two-act ballet, composed by Tchaikovsky, has remained a timeless classic, perfect for those embracing the Christmas season.

Tickets cost from 5,000 won to 100,000 won. Call 1544-1555 for more information.