4 Best Performing Arts Venues in Seoul, South Korea

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.

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.

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.