When we say Korea, you'll probably think of Korean dramas, K-pop and shopping... But there are countless performances in Korea that are held throughout the year, ranging from traditional cultural performances to modern dance such as the famous b-boy shows! Some of the more well-known ones that have even travelled globally include Nanta, Jump and more. What better way to experience the local culture than to catch a local show/performance right? During our trip, organized by KTO Singapore, we caught some of the lesser known (but equally entertaining) performances in Seoul and Gyeongju!
1. My Grandpa Is A Superstar
One of the many (and we really do mean, MANY) small-theatre performances located in the bustling university area of Hyehwa/Daehak-ro, this musical was definitely one of the most unique experiences of our Korean trip! Don’t worry about the language barrier because the theatre actually provides subtitles in THREE languages – English, Chinese and Japanese. Yep, we were pretty impressed with the services.
We absolutely loved the cosy environment – the theatre seats only 90 at any one time and it was a really different experience from the usual musicals held in huge theatres. The showtime was around 90 minutes and we enjoyed every minute of it. From funny antics to wonderfully expressive facial expressions, the talented cast performed their hearts out singing and dancing on the small stage. There were also hilarious audience interactions with the cast throughout the entire musical!
The story follows a grandpa with dreams of becoming a superstar (of course), and the obstacles he encounters along the way.
Price: 40,000won
Show times: Tues to Sat – 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. Sundays – 2pm and 4pm.
Address: 50, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul Daehangno Marronnier Small Theater
Directions: Around a 10-min walk from Hyehwa subway station.
2. K-Pop Hologram Concert at Klive
What’s the next best thing to catching a live Kpop concert? Well, it used to be watching it on TV, but not anymore with the hologram concert! Mimicking an actual K-pop concert atmosphere and environment, the hologram concert is a pretty affordable option for all K-pop lovers out there. We watched the “YG Family” concert with some of our favourite K-pop artistes – PSY, BIGBANG and G-Dragon!
Throughout the concert, there are even some interactions with the audience and if you take a photo at the photo booth before the concert starts, you might just walk away with a freebie! Besides the hologram concert, there are also other activities and mini exhibitions in the building - digital attractions, photo spots and a photo booth with Big Bang as well as a gift shop to get your souvenirs. Other concerts include JYP Nation and BIG BANG Special.
#HHWT tip: You can enjoy one of the best views of Dongdaemun Design Plaza from the K-live terrace. We heard the view is even more spectacular at night!
Price: 15,000won for afternoon shows, 33,000won for evening shows. You can also purchase tickets online for a discounted rate!
Operating Hours: November: Tues to Sun: 1.30pm to 9.30pm
*Closed every Monday, Closed on the day of Lunar New Year's Day and Korean Thanksgiving Day
Address: Lotte Fitin, 264, Eulji-ro 6-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Directions: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines No. 2,4,5) Exits 11,12
3. Flying
Who says you need to understand Korean to fully enjoy a Korean performance? Not this performance, that’s for sure! Flying is non-verbal performance that combines gymnastics, cheerleading, b-boy and dance into a wonderfully action-packed show.
Created by the director behind ‘Nanta’ and ‘Jump’, Flying features a hwarang warrior who travels in time to capture a mischevious dokkaebi (demon/orgre in Korean folklore), and they both end up in the midst of a high school cheerleading squad practising for their cheerleading finals. Of course, hilarity ensues when the two groups interact! If you're seated in the front rows, you might even get a chance to head up on stage ;)
Price: Regular - 18,000won, Student - 15,000won
Show times: 2.30pm, daily
Address: Gyeongju Expo Park Culture center, (130 Cheongundong), Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-270, South Korea
Directions: From Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, take bus 10 or 100. Get off at Gyeongju World Culture Expo bus stop (경주세계문화엑스포공원 정류장). OR
From Singyeongju KTX Station, take bus 700. Get off at Gyeongju World Culture Expo bus stop (경주세계문화엑스포공원 정류장).
4. Pang Show
This non-verbal performance will leave you in stitches from beginning to the end! The fun starts right before the performance where you’ll get to bake your very own bread. We learnt how to make red bean buns and it was loads of fun!
While your buns are left to bake in the oven, you get to board the E-LAND cruise (yes, you heard us right, the show is onboard a cruise!) and enjoy the interactive Pang show, inspired by the popular Korean drama “King of Baking, Kim Tak-gu”.
After the short and hilarious performance, you get to walk around the cruise and enjoy the gorgeous night view of downtown Seoul. And of course, once the cruise docks at Yeouido park, you get to bring home your freshly baked buns!
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Price: 38,000 won
Operating Hours: 5pm, 8pm
Address: 290, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Directions: Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 3. Walk for 315m upon exiting, following the Yeouidong-ro street. Take a left turn at the three-way intersection then go straight for 157m. Turn right at the second alley and go straight to arrive at the ferry dock on your left.
5. SILLA: Basilla
Located in Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park (which deserves a few hours of exploration on its own), the Silla performance is an amazing cultural look at the encounter of civilization through the Silk Road from Persia to Silla. Inspired by the Persian epic poem, ‘Kush Nama’, this beautiful performance is about the love between a Persian prince and a Sillan princess, as well as the history of heroes who defended the two countries.
Be prepared to be blown away by the intricate costumes and stunning stage sets. We hear that this particular performance is really popular with visitors and tourists. In case you're wondering how you can understand the performance, subtitles are provided in three different languages – English, Chinese and Japanese! Basilla means ‘a better Silla’. The Persians called Silla, ‘Basilla’, as they had thought it like an Utopia. The performance also went all the way to Tehran and the locals fell in love with it!
#HHWT Tip: After the performance, you also get a chance to take a photo with the actors :D The show runs approximately 70 minutes and we’ll definitely recommend heading to the park to explore for a bit before the performance starts.
Price: VIP – 50,000won, R Zone – 30,000won, S Zone – 20,000won
Get your tickets online!
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 7.30pm. Closed on Sundays.
Address: Gyeonggamno 614 (Cheongun-dong 130), Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Directions: From Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, take bus 10 or 100. Get off at Gyeongju World Culture Expo bus stop (경주세계문화엑스포공원 정류장). OR
From Singyeongju KTX Station, take bus 700. Get off at Gyeongju World Culture Expo bus stop (경주세계문화엑스포공원 정류장).
Huge thanks to Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) Singapore for making this trip possible!