Movie Music in the Concert Hall: 4 Year-End Soundtrack Concerts

While the full film 〈Home Alone〉 plays on screen, an orchestra and choir perform the music live. Conducted by Kim Sungjin, with the Ditto Orchestra and Noi Opera Chorus scheduled to perform, it's an official film concert that sets John Williams's music alongside Kevin's antics and his family's story. It suits audiences who'd rather experience the moments when scenes and music lock together than hear a few soundtrack pieces on their own.

The Seoul performance is on Sunday, December 13 at 5 p.m. in the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. It runs 120 minutes including a 15-minute intermission, and admission starts from elementary school age. Regular prices are 50,000~110,000 won, and some B-class seats carry a restricted-view notice. Since you'll be watching a screen too, rather than just comparing the lowest prices, check the seating guide to see how the screen and stage look from the seat you pick.

A show to pick on a day you'd rather enjoy music from many Disney animated films in one place than follow a single story at length. Musical actors' singing and the Ditto Orchestra's playing accompany animation footage on a big screen. What sets it apart, and what to choose by, is that it's an officially licensed concert weaving together melodies and scenes from several films, unlike 〈Home Alone〉, which is presented as a full screening of one movie.

It runs 120 minutes on December 25 at 5 p.m. at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, with regular prices of 50,000~120,000 won. Children 36 months and older can enter, but the organizer recommends ages 4 and up. The official viewing guide states that the show is performed in the original English with no Korean subtitles. Think about whether your kids will mainly enjoy songs they know or whether understanding the lyrics matters, and if you're bringing children, also check the notice about the steep 3rd-floor seating.

A concert where melodies you know well from Ghibli films are transformed in a jazz trio's arrangements. You can enjoy recalling the feel of the originals while following the rhythms and improvisation, so it's a good starting point even for people who love animation music but aren't yet used to jazz concerts. Rather than choosing it for a screening, this is a stage where you tune in to how the three players unfold the music.

This entry is the Seoul 〈Ghibli Meets Jazz〉 performance on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Yeongdeungpo Art Hall. Its program name differs from 〈Christmas Meets Jazz〉 on the same Korea tour. It's for ages 7 and up, runs 100 minutes, and has no intermission. Seats come in three classes, from 88,000 won for VIP to 66,000 won for S, so check the Seoul show title and date together on the booking screen to avoid mixing it up with other cities or the carol program.

If you love film soundtracks but also want to hear musical numbers and carols, take a look at Christmas Jazz Night. This year's theme is 〈Broadway to Hollywood〉, presenting familiar music arranged for a jazz orchestra sound. Rather than focusing on one particular film, it suits audiences looking forward to melodies from different works connected through jazz rhythms and improvisation.

The concert is on Thursday, December 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Jangcheon Hall, Kwanglim Art Center. It's open to ages 7 and up and runs 100 minutes without an intermission. Regular prices are 79,000 won for VIP and 69,000 won for R seats. Check the hall name at the booking site so you don't pick a different venue just because the building name matches. Set apart from film concerts centered on watching a movie on screen, it's a good option for filling Christmas Eve with a variety of soundtracks and big band playing.