17 Best Performing Arts in Seoul, South Korea

One of the city’s flashiest festivals is the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, held every October. Teams of pyrotechnicians from as far away as Sweden join forces to create an explosive extravaganza that lights up the sky over the Han River. Warning: It gets very crowded. Arrive at the park way before dark if you expect to stake out a prime viewing spot, or book ahead at one of the many top-floor restaurants or bars, such as Mariposa or VVertigo, for the best seats in Yeouido.

Each April as Yeouido comes alive with the rosy hues of azalea, forsythia, and fluffy cherry blossoms, the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is held to celebrate the beautiful annual event. The 1,641 blossoming cherry trees create a canopy of pink along the road between Hangang Park and the National Assembly Building and is Seoul's most famous avenue for blossom spotting. Although the king cherry trees are the stars of the show, the festival also includes street food vendors, kids’ activities, and music and dance performances.

The ARKO Arts Theater building, located across the park from the ARKO Art Center, was designed by architect Kim Swoo-geun and opened in 1981. The building’s purpose is to help promote performance art. Here, visitors can experience performances in two halls as well as learn about Korean music, acting, and dance. For those who are overwhelmed by performance options in the area, choosing a performance here is a safe and excellent choice.

Approximately 10 million visitors a year head to this 8-story art space for plays, musicals, and large-scale concerts, from leading names in K-pop to international acts. Past shows include Wicked, Les Miserables, and Aida among others. Many in the theater industry say its state-of-the-art equipment and layout (it's a whopping 29,492 square meters (317,449 square feet) make it one of the best places to see live entertainment. Blue Square has several restaurants and cafes, but the most notable of its amenities is the Book Lounge, a private collection of 3,000 books.

When it comes to movie theaters, South Korea's are generally better quality for the price compared to most countries in the world. CGV is a trusted franchise with locations across Korea, but this location within I'Park Mall can be set apart for its special viewing options. There is a well-reputed IMAX theater perfect for blockbuster and action movies, a Goldclass theater with reclining seats for a high-end cinema experience, and the world’s first 4DX theater with surround screens and seats that move. Order from the long list of popcorn options, sit down with a drink, and enjoy.

This state-of-the-art performance space is Korea's first theater dedicated exclusively to musicals. The design was inspired by classic European theaters, and despite the fact that the space holds 1,241 people, it manages to maintain an intimate feel, which means there's not a bad seat in the house. 

This mixed-use cultural center features small, medium, and large theaters, as well as gallery space showing rotating exhibitions by local artists. Productions vary widely from acclaimed Broadway musicals to orchestral concerts and specialty film festivals. It’s just a few blocks away from Dongdaemun Design Plaza, meaning there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area for a pre-show refreshment. Parking is available for a fee, but the venue is also easily accessed by subway.

Named after ​​Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus, Emu Artspace is a three-story cultural space that supports experimentation in the visual arts. Located a 15-minute walk from most attractions in the neighborhood, the venue has a gallery, theater, concert hall, and rooftop lounge in its quarters. Film festivals and seminars are held here on a regular basis, and the theater, which screens foreign and independent films, is a major draw for English speakers as it’s one of the few places where Korean films are screened with English subtitles. Seating is limited to 52 visitors, so try to reserve in advance on their website.

This intimate 326-seat hall offers near-daily live evening performances of traditional Korean music and dance. Schedule to see a show after visiting the nearby Deoksugung Palace.

Traditional Korean percussion inspires the modern rhythmic performances of NANTA, Korea's largest theatrical hit ever. What sets NANTA apart from other percussion performances is its humor, storyline, interaction with the audience, and the fact that it's set in a kitchen. If you took a frantic reality cooking show, mixed it with Stomp, and added a dollop of humor, this show would be the result.

Korea's National Dance, National Orchestra, and National Changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) companies all perform in this historic theater dating back to 1950, the first national theater in Asia. In addition to ballet, theater, and concerts, the theater also offers arts education classes throughout the year.

A concert hall venue with a history that dates back to 1997, Rolling Hall hosts an array of local bands as well as international acts like Grimes, Rhye, and Deerhunter. While they mostly focus on rock, indie, and alternative sounds, it’s not uncommon for jazz quartets or smaller K-pop groups to play here. The venue is equipped with a high-tech lighting system and professional grade, VTX loudspeakers better than most in Seoul. Their occupancy maxes out at 700 guests, and many concerts here are standing room only.

Home to the theater company of the same name, Sanwoollim is one of the oldest and most established small theaters in the country. They opened the doors to this Hongdae location in 1985 with the Samuel Beckett play Waiting for Godot and have since developed a reputation for being unafraid to put controversial content on stage. Note that their plays are only in Korean. There is also a cafe that holds events on the first floor and an art gallery open to all on the second floor.

Located directly across from Gwanghwamun Square, the Sejong Center is the largest cultural complex in the city. Its facilities include two art museums, three theaters, and a library—each known for hosting a range of events from classical music concerts to traditional Korean dances to more mainstream theater shows. Notably, the Center’s Grand Theater is famous as the home of Asia’s largest instrument, a 1978 pipe organ with a custom-made Buddhist bell. If catching a show doesn’t sound feasible, be sure to visit at least the exhibition hall in B2 that’s devoted to the stories of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin.

The massive arts complex includes an opera house, two theaters, and three concert/recital halls. The performances range from plays to classical music, jazz to traditional Korean music and hip-hop. The programming varies month by month, so make sure to check out the website to see what's going on. 

Each November, thousands of colorful, life-size lanterns made by artists from around the world light up the night along Cheonggyecheon Stream. Millions come to the city for the festival, one of the biggest cultural celebrations in Seoul.

This elegant concert space is one of Seoul’s most beloved chamber music halls. The oak floors and marble walls were designed by preeminent Japanese acoustic technicians, and the hall also contains the first Rieger pipe organ to be installed in a concert hall in Korea. Near daily classical concerts are on offer.