[November 21 (Fri) 6:30 PM Ballet The Nutcracker] Running Time: 88 minutes The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director Haedon Lee) announced that, in partnership with the Seoul Arts Center (SAC), it will present the final work of the Liberation Day 80th Anniversary Performing Arts Content Screening SAC Series with a screening of the National Ballet of Korea’s The Nutcracker on Friday, November 21, at Ari Hall on the Center’s 3rd floor. This year’s featured film is the celebrated choreography by Yuri Grigorovich known as the “living legend” who led the Bolshoi Ballet for 33 years. His 1966 version, premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre, is renowned for its grand and spectacular staging, demanding choreography, and engaging storyline that invites audiences of all ages into a magical fairytale world. The work, co-produced by the Seoul Arts Center and the National Ballet of Korea, has been a long-standing bestseller, maintaining a 13-year full-house record since its premiere at the SAC Opera House in 2000. This screening brings that legacy to the screen. The Nutcracker offers an array of delights for audiences of all ages. In Act I, charming characters and dolls beloved by children come to life, while Act II presents a series of national dances performed by dolls from different countries celebrating the wedding of the Prince and Marie. Musically, Tchaikovsky’s brilliant orchestration shines throughout the work. He heightens the winter atmosphere with a chorus in the “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” and introduces the newly invented celesta brought directly from Franceto create the shimmering sound of the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Each national dance is vividly expressed through distinctive musical colors, such as the lively Chinese dance highlighted by the piccolo and the bold Russian dance driven by strings and winds. The diversity of waltzes, including the “Waltz of the Flowers” and “Waltz of the Snow,” evokes the joy of being invited to a Costume Party. Before the screening, a special talk will be held to enhance audience understanding and enjoyment. Stephanie Kim, a Korean American ballerina from Los Angeles, will introduce the story of The Nutcracker and offer insights into the ballet genre. The talk begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:00 p.m. Presented annually around the world each December, The Nutcracker is an ideal family-friendly program, and this screening offers audiences the rare chance to experience the National Ballet of Korea’s world-class performance on screen. This year’s event will also feature a Costume Party theme, inviting attendees to dress as characters from the performance or in attire that reflects the winter season. All guests who participate in costume will receive a special gift prepared by the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles.

[November 5 (Wed) 6:30 PM Classical Music with Commentary Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra Masters Series I] Running Time: 115 minutes The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director Haedon Lee) announced that, in partnership with the Seoul Arts Center (SAC), it will screen Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra Masters Series I on November 5 at Ari Hall on the 3rd floor of the Center as part of the “80th Anniversary of Liberation Performing Arts Content Screening Seoul Arts Center Series.” This screening is the third installment of the Seoul Arts Center series and features a program conducted by Sunwook Kim, widely known as a pianist, who steps onto the podium as a conductor. This performance has drawn attention for its refined structural sensitivity and rigorous interpretation. In works such as Beethoven’s symphonies, he presents a mature musical vision by balancing logic and emotion embedded in the score, supported by the Gyeonggi Philharmonic’s solid ensemble. The “Masters Series” is one of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic’s signature annual programs, showcasing the orchestra’s identity and artistic depth through works by master composers spanning from the classical to the contemporary. In this “Masters Series I,” the program includes Wagner’s Overture to Act I of Lohengrin, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica.” The 115-minute screening will run without an intermission, offering audiences an opportunity to discover Sunwook Kim’s artistic development and musicality as a conductor. Notably, prior to the screening, Professor Kyurim Rhie of UCLA who participated in the LA Philharmonic’s “Seoul Festival” this past June will offer a pre-talk providing context on classical music and Sunwook Kim.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 Location: Colburn School Zipper Hall 5:00~6:00 pm VIP Reception (Private) 5:30 ~ 7:00 pm Cultural Presentation 7:00 ~ 8:30 pm Performances The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director: Haedon Lee) will host “APEC 2025 Korea Cultural Night” on Tuesday, October 28, at 5:30 PM at Colburn School Zipper Hall to commemorate the APEC Summit in Gyeongju. The APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit, first held in Seattle in 1993, rotates annually among its member countries. In 2025, it will be hosted in Gyeongju, South Korea. This event is organized to celebrate the upcoming summit, wish for its successful hosting, and promote strong friendships among APEC member nations and their communities. During the event, attendees can enjoy a variety of traditional performances from APEC member countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and Thailand (7:00~8:30 PM). Prior to the performances, from 5:30~7:00 PM, cultural booths representing each country will be set up in the outdoor area of Zipper Hall, offering a rich variety of sights and experiences. As the host country, South Korea will present various traditional art performances. Before the main program, cultural booths will offer visitors a variety of experiences, including promotion of APEC events, traditional crafts, tasting of Korean foods, and sample workshops, providing a rich cultural experience before the performances begin.

[October 22 (Wed) 6:30 PM Opera with Commentary Chunhyang’s Great Escape] Running Time: 96 minutes The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director Haedon Lee), in collaboration with the Seoul Arts Center (SAC), announced that it will screen the opera 'Chunhyang's Great Escape' on October 22 at Ari Hall on the Center’s third floor, as part of the “Seoul Arts Center Series: Performing Arts Content Screenings in Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation.”This event marks the second installment of the Seoul Arts Center Series. 'Chunhyang's Great Escape' reimagines one of Korea’s most beloved classic characters, presenting her story in a fresh and contemporary light. The opera offers a witty, humorous, and modern reinterpretation of the timeless Chunhyangjeon, transforming the familiar tale into a playful “next-generation” version. Unlike traditional operas performed in foreign languages, 'Chunhyang's Great Escape' is sung entirely in Korean, allowing audiences to focus more deeply on the story itself. As with the aria “So What If It’s Old-Fashioned,” sung by Hyangdan and Bangja, the work’s clever lines and humorous lyrics delivered with charming melodies invite laughter and highlight the opera’s irresistible appeal. Set in Namwon, Jeolla Province during the Joseon Dynasty, the opera also embraces the region’s rich dialect, adding lively authenticity and local color to the performance. With a brisk 90-minute runtime and no intermission, the production offers an enjoyable, accessible experience even for those who may find traditional opera lengthy or difficult to follow. The stage design promises a creative blend of tradition and modernity featuring minimalist and symbolic props, alongside costumes that reflect the grace of Joseon-era aesthetics with a contemporary flair. Through these visuals, audiences will be transported to the vibrant spring scenery of Namwon in full bloom. Before the screening, mezzo-soprano Joo Won Chae, currently pursuing her doctoral studies at USC, will provide an introduction and commentary on the opera.

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director Haedon Lee), in collaboration with the Korea National Opera (General Director & Artistic Director Sang-ho Choi), will present Opera Voyage at Zipper Hall, Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This concert is part of the “Touring K-Arts” program, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. It is jointly presented by the Korean Cultural Centers in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and Canada. In addition, the LA concert will serve as the pre-opening performance of the 52nd LA Korean Festival, bringing the beauty of Korean opera and tradition closer to local audiences. The North American tour will be held across six performances in four cities New York, Washington, D.C., Ottawa, and Los Angeles. Among these, the LA performance is particularly noteworthy as a key stage for vibrant cultural exchange between Korea and the United States. By introducing the stage of the Korea National Opera not only to the Korean American community but also to the broader mainstream audience, the event is expected to elevate the global profile of Korean arts and foster pride within the Korean community. This performance will be led by the Young Artist Program members of the Korea National Opera Studio. Established in 2021, the program nurtures the next generation of opera singers by providing systematically designed training and hands-on stage experience to talented vocalists selected through auditions. For this North American tour, the lineup includes sopranos Heejung Kim and Naoon Koo; tenors Seonghyeon Kim and Jaeyeol Kim; baritones Younghoon Kim and Seungbin Park; along with pianist Sohong Park. Together, these rising stars will present a vibrant and powerful performance, embodying the future of Korea’s opera stage. The Opera Voyage concert features a diverse program, including the Korean opera Soul Mate (Cheonsaeng Yeonbun), well-known opera arias, Korean art songs, and folk songs. Part I presents a gala concert of composer Junhee Lim’s opera Soul Mate. This work explores the universal theme of “marriage” through the lens of traditional Korean wedding culture and melodies. Commissioned by the Korea National Opera, it premiered in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2006, leaving a strong impression on international audiences, who praised it as “an ideal combination of Korea’s rich culture with European elements.” Part II includes beloved opera arias such as “Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) and “Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen” from Korngold’s Die tote Stadt (The Dead City). Alongside these are Korean art songs and folk favorites, including Kim Dong-jin’s Shin Arirang, Kim Sung-tae’s Dongshimcho (Child’s Heart), and Cho Doo-nam’s Boat Song.