Star chef curates fine dining banquet at Sejong Center lobby
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is launching Sejong Inspiration, a new program series designed to break away from conventional theater spaces and performance formats. By transcending traditional boundaries of the stage, the initiative seeks to integrate diverse genres and expand the scope of artistic expression.
The first event under Sejong Inspiration, Heritage Banquet, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra — Korea's first traditional music ensemble, founded in 1965 — and takes place April 17 at the Grand Theater lobby at 7:30 p.m.
Heritage Banquet will offer a multisensory experience, exploring the history and artistic vision of traditional Korean orchestral music through taste. Star chef Choi Hyun-seok, head chef at fine dining restaurant Choi Dot who is also known for appearances on Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' and JTBC's 'Chef & My Fridge," will curate the banquet.
Inspired by the orchestra's six-decade journey, Choi has crafted a special five-course fusion Korean menu that reinterprets traditional flavors in a contemporary style. Stand-out dishes include the sujebi vongole, a fusion of hand-torn Korean noodles with Italian influences; braised short ribs inspired by Korea's traditional five-color (obangsaek) aesthetic; and a dessert inspired by "sumaksae" — a roof-end tile featuring a smiling human face, famously known as the 'Smile of Silla.'
Heritage Banquet is limited to 50 participants and runs for approximately 100 minutes. Tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. for Sejong Season subscribers and members, with sales opening to the general public on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at 200,000 won ($136).
Deep dive into sound on stage, in darkness
On April 28, the Listening Stage event will invite audience members to explore the depth of sound and spatial resonance from the stage, nestled in the 70 bean bags provided.
With the theater plunged into complete darkness, attendees will recline beneath 102 overhead battens, immersing themselves in a transformative sound experience.
The event is centered around three musical pieces: Maurice Ravel's 'Bolero,' Arvo Part's 'Fur Alina' and Keith Jarrett's 'The Koln Concert.' The pieces will also be featured in the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's upcoming May performance of Johan Inger's 'Walking Mad & Bliss.'
To enhance the auditory experience, an immersive audio system with approximately 50 speakers will be installed across the stage and ceiling, creating a 360-degree spatial sound environment.
Listening Stage runs for 90 minutes and is limited to 70 participants. Presale begins April 9 for subscribers and members, with general sales opening April 10. Tickets are priced at 30,000 won ($20).
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