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"Rene Magritte - Empire of Dreams": Seoul Museum of Art will have the first retrospective of the Belgian master with an exhibition that includes over 70 oil paintings, 50 gouaches (opaque watercolor paintings), drawings and prints as well as 150 photographs and documents, offering a chance to appreciate Magritte's original, more representative approach to the surrealism. The show has brought "The Dominion of Light" and "The Art of Conversation" (1950) as well as "The Man in the Bowler Hat" (1964) and "Good Faith" (1964-65) from his best-known series of uniform and stiff-looking figures wearing bowler hats often sported by Magritte, who gave new meanings to the familiar playing with ordinary objects found in everyday lives in a variety of techniques and styles. The exhibition runs through April 1 at Seoul Museum of Art, located near City Hall Station, Subway Line No.

1 and 2. Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.

renemagritte.co.kr "Andy Warhol Graphic Works": Museum of Art, Seoul National University is holding an exhibition on Andy Warhol focusing on his graphic works.

Over 60 works of the American pop art legend that range from prints and drawings of Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor and flowers to The Souper Dress (1960) printed with his well-known soup cans) are presented across the museum. The exhibition was jointly organized by Queensborough Community College Art Gallery of the City University of New York. The exhibition runs through Feb.

10 at the museum located in Seoul National University, five minute ride from Seoul National University Station, Subway Line No. 2. Detailed accounts for the show are offered by voluntary docents three times a day.

For details, visit www.snumoa.org "Michael Joo": New York-based Korean American artist Joo, who has won the grand prize at this year's Gwangju Biennale with his installation work of a Buddha sculpture and cameras, "Bodhi Obfuscatus" (Space-Baby), is holding his first solo exhibition in Korea.

Joo is touted as one of the leading contemporary conceptual artists and uses different artist forms from sculpture to video installations, to express his curiosity and fascination of circulation and duality of ideas and phenomena, the collision of different cultures and ideas which are investigated and interpreted. The exhibition runs through Jan. 28 at Rodin Gallery, located near City Hall Station, Subway Line No.

1 and 2. Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.

rodingallery.org "Paintings of Late Joseon Dynasty": A first exclusive show on antique paintings organized by Leeum, which celebrates its second anniversary, as well as the first ever spotlighting the turbulent era, showcases over 80 artworks done by the master painters of the period. Included are paintings by Jang Sueng-eop and calligraphy of Kim Jeong-heui.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 28 at Leeum. Closed on Mondays.

Contact leeum.education@samsung.com for English guidance for a group of more than four visitors.

A symposium, lectures and special presentations for children are available during the show. The museum is located near Exit 1, Hangangjin Station, Subway Line No. 6.

For more information or reservation, visit www.leeum.org "Jean Dubuffet Retrospective: L'hourloupe Garden": A retrospective of painter Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) is being held as part of celebrating the 120th anniversary of French-Korean diplomatic ties.

The exhibition showcases over 230 pieces of the French artist's paintings, sculptures and drawings, including his most well-known series "L'Hourloupe," a term coined by Dubuffet himself to describe a surreal space. With his style, later dubbed as "Art Brut," he sought art in its raw form, expressing instinct, passion, caprice, intensity and insanity through his works. The exhibition runs through Jan.

28 at National Museum of Art, Deoksugung, located near City Hall Station, Subway Line No. Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.

deoksugung.com "Niki De Saint Phalle": Sculptor and painter Niki De Saint Phalle (1930-2002)'s first retrospective in Korea chronicles her life with over 70 works of the French rebellion, who not only questioned and confronted conventional aesthetics but also won critical acclaim and sought communication with public with her large public works such as "Stravinsky Fountain" near the Pompidou Center. The exhibition runs through Jan.

21 at Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.

moca.go.kr "Cybernetic Sensibility: Computer and Art": Daelim Contemporary Art Museum has collaborated with bitforms gallery in New York and Seoul for an exhibition that highlights media art, especially images created with computers.

The show follows the evolution of the genre displaying how the pioneers delved into the perception of configuration, and kept the works logical and rational, and those influenced by them added sensibility (thus the title) to computer art. "Cultural Memory - Joseon and Japan of Muneyoshi Yanagi": This exhibition offers an opportunity to approach the subject through the eyes of Japanese scholar Muneyoshi Yanagi, who was an eager advocate of the beauty of ceramics of Joseon Dynasty and the value of carvings inside Seokguram. Over 200 artworks collected by his private museum in Tokyo, including 80 arts and crafts of Korea from ceramics to wood and stone objects as well as 100 of Japan, are presented to Korean viewers.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 28 at Ilmin Musuem of Art, located near Gwanghwamun Station, Subway Line No. 5.

For details, visit www.ilmin.org "Drawn to Drawing": Seoul Olympic Museum of Art organized an exhibition that include over 80 drawing works of 40 local artists, to shed new lights on the importance of drawings and to seek a direction for its newly established SOMA Drawing Center.

The inaugural exhibition curated by Project Space Sarubia focuses primarily on drawing as an emotional, straightforward and primal medium, an attitude artists take to approach the world, underlining creative process of contemporary art. The exhibition runs through Jan. 21 at the drawing center, located near Mongchon Toseong Station, Subway Line No.

8 or Jamsil Station, Subway Line No. 2. Closed on Mondays.

For details, visit www.somamuseum.org "Wake Up Andy Warhol": Legendary pop artist Andy Warhol's original artworks, including prints of Marilyn Monroe, shoes, and his self-portrait, are on display at Ssamzie Space along with those of local artists who are inspired by the iconic artist.

Over 60 groups and individuals participate in this contemporary exhibition showing their paintings, installations and video works all over Ssamziegil building. Visitors can also participate in making silk screen pieces or collages while performances and movies on Warhol will be offered during the exhibition. "Mythical and Auspicious Animals": Dragons, giraffes, lions and turtles are among the most favored subjects in traditional Korean art, either as auspicious creatures in myths or as familiar animals upon which ancestors wished for better lives.

From the museum's collection, over 50 artworks ranging from "Old Mao" (circa 1817) painting of an imaginary animal, to a Buddhist Mirror with Stand from 19th century featuring a unicorn-lion, as well as Blue and White Porcelain Bottle from 15th century, a designated treasure no. 786, are on display. The exhibition runs through Feb.

28 at Ho-am Art Museum, located near Everland in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province. Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.

hoammuseum.org "Alain Fleischer": As a photographer, a filmmaker and the director of national film school Le Fresnoy national des arts contemporary, Fleischer has constantly experimented with novel concepts and techniques, crossing reality and imagination. The museum organized an exhibition of his works that range from photography to media installations, that chronicle his career and it also celebrates the 120th anniversary of French-Korean diplomatic ties.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 21 at Sungkok Art Museum, located near Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line No. 3.

Closed on Mondays. For details, visit www.sungkokmuseum.

com "Paris Eternellement: Willy Ronis exhibition": The first opportunity to enjoy the touring display of French photographer Ronis (1910- ) is offered at this exhibition. As a leading photojournalist, his work not only captures fresh moments in everyday lives but also conveys a warmth and understanding of human beings. The exhibition runs through Feb.

28 at Chosun Ilbo Museum, located near Gwanghwamun Station, Subway Line No. 5. For details, visit gallery.

chosun.com or www.gallerylumiere.

com "Robert Combas, Savoir Faire": Combas (1957- ), who is often called the Andy Warhol of France, brings personal memories and experiences as well as moments from history to reality using familiar images. Over 50 paintings and sculptures of the artist demonstrate how as one of the neo-expressionists in 1980s, he has combined an original style with wit and humor to produce fresh narratives. The exhibition runs through Feb.

11 at Seoul Museum of Art, located near City Hall Station, Subway Line No. 1 and 2. An English account of the exhibition is offered at 5 p.

m. everyday. For details, visit www.

seoulmoa.org "Masters of German Contemporary Art": The inaugural exhibition by Galerie Michael Schultz, a renowned gallery based in Berlin, presents the works of top-notch German artists such as Jorg Immendorf (1945- ), Sigmar Polke (1941- ) and Gerhard Richter (1932- ). The exhibition runs through Jan.

28 at the gallery located at Cheongdam intersection near Cheongdam Station, Subway Line No. 7. For details, visit www.

schultzgallery.co.kr "Malerstamm" ("Ancestors of Painters"): Jorg Immendorf, one of the most heavyweight German contemporary artists, lightheartedly captured the characteristics of his peers such as Anselm Kiefer, Karl Otto Gotz and Gerog Baselitz, and fashioned into sculptures of anthropoids of their imaginary ancestors.

The exhibit consists exclusively of sculptures done by the neo-expressionist painter. The exhibition runs through Feb. 27 at Baiksong Gallery, located near Anguk Station, Subway Line No.

3. For details, visit www.bsartgallery.

com "Hungry God-Indian Contemporary Art": A rare opportunity to witness a rather unknown, more sophisticated side of fast-rising Indian contemporary art is offered in Busan. This exhibition of unprecedented scale and quality has invited leading pack of 12 Indian artists such as Subodh Gupta (1964- ), Atul Dodiya (1959- ) and Nalini Malani (1946- ) and the works range from paintings, sculptures and installations to photographs and video works. The exhibition runs through Feb.

19 at Busan Museum of Modern Art in Busan, located near Museum of Modern Art Station, Subway Line No. 2. Closed on Mondays.

For details, visit art.busan.go.

kr "On Paintings": The show features three local painters, who are approaching the core of the genre with their own styles according to the curators, asking why the art world is suddenly paying such attention to paintings. Lee Kwang-ho's portraits and Moon Sung-sic's paintings of trees demonstrates hyper-realism, a concept often confused with paintings, yet Roh Choong-hyun's decolorized landscape paintings emphasize how decent painters, like these three, have not just techniques but also philosophy. The exhibition runs through Jan.

31 at Kukje Gallery, located near Anguk Station, Subway Line No. 3. For details, visit www.

kukjegallery.com "Eric Clapton Live in Seoul": Eric Clapton, one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music, will bring his legendary blues music to the Olympic Gymnasium Stadium, southeastern Seoul, on Jan. 23, as part of his current world tour.

Clapton has recently teamed up with another master guitarist, J.J. Cale, for a new album, "The Road to Escondido.

" Clapton, who was born in Surrey, England, in 1945, won 18 Grammy Awards during his 40-year music career. Tickets are 60,000 won to 180,000 won. Exit No.

3, Olympic Park Station on Subway Line No. 5. For more information, call 1544-1555.

"Il Divo's Romantic Tour in Korea": The multi-national pop-classical quartet will give concerts at Olympic Hall of Seoul Olympic Park, southeastern Seoul, on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27.

Formed in 2003, the group has been conquering both hearts and charts all around the world, selling more than 13 million albums. For the upcoming double bill, the quartet will present songs from their latest "Siempre" album, along with four to five brand new ones. Tickets range from 66,000 won to 165,000 won.

Exit No. 3, Seoul Olympic Park Station on Subway Line No. 5.

For more information, call (02) 783-0114. "Marcus Roberts Trio Concert": Roberts, one of the most versatile and creative jazz artists of his generation, will offer a concert at the Seoul Arts Center concert Hall on Jan 27, together with contrabass player Roland Gueri and drummer Jason Marsalis. Pianist Marcus Roberts was blind from the age four and took up the piano when he was eight.

After graduating from Florida State University in 1985, he won the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition in 1987 and has since established himself as an accredited jazz musician. Tickets are 30,000 won to 100,000 won. Exit No.

5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No. 3. For more information, call (02) 888-2698.

"Lim Hyung-joo Bavarian Chamber Orchestra's New Year's Concert": Poppera tenor Lim Hyung-joo who has signed a $1 million recording deal with EMI Classics last month, will perform with the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra, at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, 8:30 p.m. on Jan.

31. Tickets start from 30,000 won. Exit No.

5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No. 3. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

"Hoobastank Concert": The new bright star in the American rock sky is set to rock Seoul with their first concert at Melon-AX in Gwangjang-dong, eastern Seoul, on Jan. 25. Formed in California by vocalist Doug Robb and guitarist Dan Estrin, who came to know each other at a high school band competition, the post grunge rock band rose to stardom as soon as it made its debut in 2001.

Its debut album achieved platinum sales and its second album released in 2003 also sold more than 2 million copies. Tickets are 77,000 won. Exit No.

2, Gwangnaru Station on Subway Line No. 5. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

"Acteon Dido and Aeneas": From Feb. 8, Opera Atelier of Toronto will present three nights of "Acteon" and "Dido and Aeneas" at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House in southern Seoul. Founded back in 1985 by husband and wife duo Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Zingg, the opera company specializes in 17th and 18th century Baroque opera, ballet and drama, which they perform in the style of the time, including the original choreography and costumes.

Tickets are 30,000 won to 110,000 won. Exit No. 5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No.

3. For more information, call (02) 580-1243. "Claw of An Angel": Versatile actor Yoo Jun-sang returns to the stage with the homegrown musical "Claw of Angel" which will be presented from Jan.

23 until March 4 at Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center. Yoo's new musical took its motivation from a mythical story of angels believed to have suffered a great deal of pain by pulling out their toenails not to become the devil. Already described in the title, the musical shows this ambivalence of human nature and the suffering human beings with the story of Ee-du, a violent gangster who accidentally kills his innocent, good spirited twin brother Il-du in the southern port city of Yeosu some 20 years ago.

Tickets are 35,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 764-8760 or visit www.aga99.

co.kr "Rent": Korean heartthrob Cho Seung-woo returns to the stage with the Broadway musical "Rent" currently on at the Seensee Musical Theater in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. Cho plays Roger, a musician desperate to write one great song before he dies of AIDS, while his elder sister, Seo-yeon, a musical actor, takes the role of a performance artist, Maureen.

It is the first time they will perform in a musical together. Based on Puccini's "La Boheme," Cho's new musical brings taboo subjects such as homosexuality, drugs and AIDS to the fore and also celebrates life and the chance to experience love and friendship. Tickets are 35,000 won and 40,000 won.

For more information about the musical, visit www.iseensee.com "Mamma Mia": The best musical of 2006 as chosen by Korean online voters last year will greet fans at Sungnam Arts Center, from this weekend.

The smash hit, based on the music of Abba, features one of Korea's musical stars Choi Jung-won and Yi Tae-won as Donna and Lee Jung-mi as Sophie. Tickets are 40,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit www.

mamma-mia.co.kr or call 1588-7890.

"Nunsense Nutcracker": The traditional ballet gets modern twists and comedy at musical "Nunsense Nutcracker," which is currently on at Angelic Theater located at Mok-dong, western Seoul, until Feb. 15. Borrowing the same story line from the mega-hit musical "Nunsense" and coming on the heels of the latest "Nunsense" sequel, the comedic musical would make audiences laugh their head off with the story of nuns practicing the ballet performance after they accept a request from a Catholic cable channel.

The musical is being staged Song Yong-tae, a long time musical star who was chosen as best actor for this year's Korea Musical Award, takes the role of father Virgil and Cho Gap-kyung, singer and entertainer for local TV programs, plays sister Robert Anne. Tickets are 40,000 won and 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2651-3001.

"Grease": A Korean-version of the Broadway musical featuring the themes of love, friendship, rebellion and sexual exploration during adolescence. It is currently on at the Dongsoong Arts Center in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. The musical starts with students returning after summer vacation.

The boys - Danny Zuko, Kenickie, Roger, Sonny LaTierri and Doody - are members of the "Burger Palace Boys." The girls form the "Pink Ladies" (Betty Rizzo, Jan, Marty and Frenchy). Danny tells about a girl he met over the summer, Sandy, but he downplays their relationship as a fling when she approaches him at school.

Heartbroken, Sandy tries to get him back by recalling the happy moments in the well-known score "Summer Nights." The musical features singer Park Hye-kyung and comedian Hong Rok-gi as Kenickie and Rizzo. Tickets are 35,000 won to 55,000 won.

Exit No.1, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4.

For more information call 1588-5212 or visit www.odmusical.com "Evita": A Korean-version of the musical portrayal of Maria Eva Duarte Peron, a former Argentine first lady in the '50s.

The show is currently on at the LG Art Center, southern Seoul, until Jan. 31, 2007. Musical stars, Bae Hae-sun and Kim Sun-young take the role of Evita, the most remembered and influential Argentine first lady while Nam Kyung-joo plays the role of Che Guevara, an anti-Peron activist that exposes Eva's follies.

Popular television actor Song Yong-chang also takes the role of charismatic Juan Peron. Tickets are 30,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 501-7888.

"Lion King": Japan's Shiki Theatre Company, one of the world's most renowned musical troupes, is playing Walt Disney's musical adaptation of "The Lion King" at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul. The winner of the Tony Award's "Best Musical" will also mark the opening of the the nation's first "musical only" venue at the Lotte Hotel World. Tickets are priced 35,000 won to 90,000 won.

Exit No. 3, Jamsil Station on Subway Line No. 2.

For details, call (02) 411-5073. "Full Monty": A musical adaptation of "The Full Monty," the highest grossing British film ever. Now translated into Korean, the Korean casts tries to add more color in the musical.

The story begins with Jerry Lukowski, a divorced and unemployed auto plant worker, on the verge of losing his rights for joint-custody for his son Nathan when he fails to provide financial support for several months. Desperately seeking extra money, Jerry groups with five of his fellow factory layoffs to strip in a club as a last-ditch attempt to save face. However, the six men are captivated by the fears of turning their bodies into victims of judgment, especially when they are forced to go for "the full monty" just to overcome the lack of physical attraction.

Kim Se-woo and Seo Young-joo take the role of Jerry while well-known comedian Chung Jun-ha plays Jerry's best friend, Dave. It will run through Feb.25 at Yonkang Hall in Seoul.

Tickets are priced 30,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information and reservation, call (02) 516-1501 or visit www.fullmonty.

co.kr "Romeo et Juliette": A musical adaptation of Shakespeare's classic by a French musical troupe will hit the stage at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts in Seoul from this weekend until Feb. 27.

The musical tells a tragic tale of star-crossed love in a modern approach and has been staged in 16 countries since its premier in 2001 in France with over 4 million audiences watching the show. Tickets are 50,000 won to 200,000 won. For detailed information call (02) 541-2614.

"Saturday Night Fever": The West-end musical performed by casts from London is on at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul and at the Opera House in Daegu on Mar. 9-18. The musical is based on the film of the same title (1977) and attempts to reflect the uncontrollable desire of all young people to escape from a boring life and seek a new one, while playing well-known pop favorites by the Bee Gees.

In 2004, a Korean version of the musical gained widespread popularity thanks to the charismatic performance of Park Gun-hyung who is now a famous movie star. Tickets are 40,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information call (02) 532-2188 or visit www.

interpark.com for reservation. "Hedwig": An award-winning Korean version of the off-Broadway musical about a transsexual rock star runs through Jan.

28 at Club SH, Daehangno in Seoul. The musical, which has built a cult-like status in Korea thanks chiefly to the strong popularity of actor Cho Seung-woo, features new stars Lee Seok-jun, Kim Soo-yong and Cho Jung-seok as Hedwig. Tickets are priced 35,000 won to 45,000 won.

Exit No. 2, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4.

For further information, call (02) 3485-8700 or visit www.hedwig.co.

kr "Subway": Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, one of the biggest and luxurious hotels here, tries to establish a new setting in the hotel industry with its new show, "Subway," a two-hour performance featuring excerpts from musical hits. Starring Korean musical star Jeon Soo-kyung and West End Productions on the same stage, it showcases dynamic musical hits from around the world. The show includes highlights from musical Mama Mia, Chicago and Evita.

Set in a subway backdrop, the story takes the audience on a subway ride around the world. The subway stops at various hotspots where international musical hits have been performed. The show is staged twice daily, at 5:30 p.

m. and 8:00 p.m.

, at Kayagum Hall on the lower lobby of Sheraton Grande Walkerhill. Prices range between 95,000 won to 135,000 won which includes a five-course dinner and are 65,000 won for just watching the show with a glass of wine. For more information and reservation, call (02) 455-5000.

"I DO I DO": The Korean version of the Broadway musical is currently on the stage at the KT G Sangsang Art Hall located at Samsung-dong, southern Seoul. Written by Harvey Schumidt and Tom Jones, authors of hit-musical "Fantasticks," the musical centers on the story of marriage presented by only two actors who take roles of a wife and a husband. The musical begins with the wedding day of Michael and Agnes.

It then tells of their 50 years of marriage that had troubles, laughter and reminiscence. The star of the smash musical "Mamma Mia," Park Hae-mi takes the role of Agnes, a full-time homemaker, while Lee Byung-joon, a longtime musical actor, plays Michael, an ambitious writer. Tickets are 40,000 won to 70,000 won.

Exit 2, Samsung Station, Subway Line No. 2. Call (02) 334-5211 for more information.

"Fairy in the Wall": A mono-drama performed by Kim Sung-nyo, one of Korea's seasoned actresses, hits the stage this weekend at Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul. Based on a Japanese drama written by renowned playwright Hukuda Yosiyuki, the drama tells a tragic but heart-touching story of a family during and after the Korean War (1950-53). The drama starts with a child telling that there is a fairy living inside of the wall at her place during the war.

The girl, after all, realizes that the fairy was her dad, believed to be dead, and that he was hiding from then anti-communist government chasing after him. Kim takes 30 different roles at the drama while accompanying Korean traditional dance or music. The actress won several award in 2005 for her dedicated performance for the drama.

All tickets are 35,000 won. For more information, (02) 747-5161 or visit www.michoo.

co.kr "Agnes of God": A local version of the popular American play by John Pilmeier is currently being restaged until Feb. 7 at Chongdong Theater near Duksoo-gung, downtown Seoul.

Park Jung-ja and Sohn Sook, two veteran theater actresses and influential figures in the country's cultural scene, return to stage in the same roles they took 15 years ago. In the 2007 version of the drama, Park, 64, takes the role of Mother Miriam Ruth who confronts a psychiatrist during the investigation over Sister Agnes indicted of killing her new-born baby. To dramatize the conflicts and differences in beliefs, Sohn, 62, will play Martha Livingstone, the court-appointed psychiatrist who battles to solve the miracle pregnancy through science.

"Agnes of God" is a psychological drama that digs deep into the human soul and questions the existence of God and miracles, triggered by a mysterious incident involving an ignorant nun who gives birth and insists the dead child was the result of a virgin birth. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.

on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (no performance on Monday) and 7 p.m. on weekends.

The drama will stage a Wednesday show only for homemakers. Tickets are 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3272-2334.

"Liar": A Korean rendition of British playwright Ray Cooney's play "Run for Your Wife," about a taxi driver named John Smith who is married to Mary and Barbara. With the help of a neighbor, he tries to keep two suspicious police detectives from finding out his secret, while keeping his two wives from finding out about each other. The two-act farce has been performed more than 164 times, selling more than 37,000 tickets only for this year.

Currently, the play is being performed at Dongyang Theater in Shinsa-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets are 20,000 won and 25,000 won. Exit No.

2, Shinsa Station, Subway No.3. For more information, call (02) 515-6510.

"ChangMu International Arts Festival": The ChangMu Dance Company, one of Korea's renowned modern dance troupes, holds the 14th ChangMu International Arts Festival at the Arko Arts Center in Daehangno, downtown Seoul, on Jan. 19-29. The modern dance festival will bring together prominent groups from China, Japan, Indonesia and Korea to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ChangMu Dance Company.

Among the participants are Sankai Juku, a butoh dance company from Japan, the Beijing Modern Dance Company from China, Sardono Dance Theater of Indonesia and Korea's Arzid Modern Dance Company. The festival committee also plans to hold a two-day conference on Asian contemporary dance on Jan. 26 and 27.

The panel comprised of experts on choreography will address the theme of defining the identity of Asian contemporary dance, said ChangMu company officials. Tickets are 15,000 won to 50,000 won. Call (02) 704-6420 for more information.

"2007 World Ballet Star Festival In Seoul": Ballet dancers currently performing with major dance troupes across the world will be in Seoul next month for performances on Jan. 25-26 at Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center. The ballet festival will feature 12 internationally acclaimed dancers, including Irina Dvorovenko of the American Ballet Theater, Roberta Marquez of the Royal Ballet in England, Igor Zelensky of the Kirov Ballet in St.

Petersburg, Russia, and Christophe Duquenne of the Paris Opera Ballet. Yoo Ji-yeon, a Korean ballerina currently performing with the Kirov Ballet, will also participate in the two-day festival. Tickets are 40,000 won to 250,000 won.

For more information, call (02) 581-2963 or visit www.wdcseoul.com "B-Boy Korea": Nonverbal break dance show is currently on stage at the Star Six Chongdong Art Hall in Jeong-dong, downtown Seoul.

Choreographed by Korea's best b-boy, "poppin Hyunjun" and directed by actor-turned-producer Song Seung-hwan of PMC Production. Combining traditional Korean music or gukak and Western movements, the performance tries to differentiate Korean b-boying from Western culture. The venue is located near Seodaemun Station, Subway Line No.

5, Exit 5. Tickets are priced at 40,000 won and 50,000 won. There is no performance on Mondays.

For more information call (02) 739-8288 or visit www.i-pmc.co.

kr "Quidam": The acclaimed show presented by world-famous Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil, hits the stage on March 29 at Jamsil Sports Complex, southeastern Seoul. With a cast of 54 performers, the show involves breathtaking circus acrobatics such as juggling, contortionists and aerial acrobatics, featuring an inspirational character "Quidam" which leads audiences to an unknown, mythical but adventurous world. Quidam, Latin for anonymous passerby, describes a mysterious character in an alienated world.

The show, led by the gothic character, was created in 1996, inspired by the people of New York City - walking past each other with their heads down, not communicating. Tickets are 55,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information and ticket reservation visit www.

quidam2007.co.kr or call 1544-1555 or 1588-7890.

The show runs for two and half hours. Children aged under five are advised not to attend the show. The performance runs from March 29 to June 3.