A Tale of Two Cities returns after 12 years, first tickets on sale 16 September

Key points

• A new production of the musical A Tale of Two Cities by Shownote runs from Wednesday 11 November 2026 to Monday 8 February 2027 at the BBCH Hall in Kwanglim Art Center, Seoul.
• Sydney Carton is played by Kai, Ko Eun-sung and Shin Sung-rok; Charles Darnay by Baek Hyung-hoon, Jin Tae-hwa and Noh Yoon; Lucie Manette by Sunmin, Lee Ji-hye and Kim Su-yeon.
• The first on-sale is at 2pm on Wednesday 16 September and covers performances from 11 to 22 November. Seats are 160,000 won for VIP, 140,000 for R, 110,000 for S and 80,000 for A.

The musical adapted from Charles Dickens's novel is returning to the Korean stage. According to the official performance page of Shownote, which plans and produces the show, this season opens on Wednesday 11 November 2026 and continues to Monday 8 February 2027 at the BBCH Hall in Kwanglim Art Center. It is the first full production of the work here since the 2014 staging at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea, twelve years ago. SBS presents.

The first chance to buy is this Wednesday. According to the on-sale notice the seller Melon Ticket posted on 11 September, booking opens at 2pm on Wednesday 16 September for performances from opening night on 11 November to Sunday 22 November. Only the first twelve days of a run lasting almost three months are being released, so anyone hoping for opening week has effectively this one on-sale.

Tickets come in four grades. VIP seats are 160,000 won, R 140,000, S 110,000 and A 80,000, and Shownote's own page and the seller's notice quote the same figures. Discounts are 30% for students on R, S and A seats including one companion, 30% for holders of national merit status for themselves, and 30% for disabled patrons — grades 1 to 3 including one companion, grades 4 to 6 for themselves. Anyone who cannot produce the supporting document pays the difference against the full price at the venue, and the ticket grade cannot be changed.

The show turns on Sydney Carton, the cynical barrister, played in rotation by Kai, Ko Eun-sung and Shin Sung-rok. Charles Darnay, the French aristocrat who settles in London, is played by Baek Hyung-hoon, Jin Tae-hwa and Noh Yoon, and Lucie Manette, whom both men love, by Sunmin, Lee Ji-hye and Kim Su-yeon. Madame Defarge, at the centre of the revolution, is cast with Lee Young-mi and Kim So-hyang. Also in the company are Kim Yong-su as Doctor Manette, Choi Ho-joong as John Barsad, Shim Jae-hyun as Ernest Defarge, Lee Jong-moon as Jarvis Lorry, Choi Na-rae and Na Yu-jin as Miss Pross and Kim Dong-heon as Jerry Cruncher.

Curtain times vary by day. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are at 7.30pm, Wednesday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 2pm and 7pm, with no Monday performances. The schedule can differ by date, so the specific performance should be checked before booking. The running time is 170 minutes including a 20-minute interval, and admission is for ages 8 and over. The seller's description says new numbers by Frank Wildhorn have been added to Jill Santoriello's existing score. Neither the second on-sale for performances from 23 November nor the cast schedule by date has been announced.

As of 13 September this production is not registered in the KOPIS performance database, and no performance is recorded at Kwanglim Art Center over the same period either, so schedule and seating details have to be checked on Shownote's own page and the seller's detail page for now.

Performance details

Ticket prices

Casting

When does the first A Tale of Two Cities on-sale start?

At 2pm on Wednesday 16 September, through Melon Ticket.

Which performances does this on-sale cover?

From opening night on Wednesday 11 November to Sunday 22 November. Only the first twelve days of a run of almost three months are being released, and no second on-sale has been announced for performances from 23 November.

How much are tickets?

Four grades: VIP at 160,000 won, R at 140,000, S at 110,000 and A at 80,000. Shownote's page and the seller's notice quote the same figures.

What discounts are available?

30% for students on R, S and A seats including one companion; 30% for holders of national merit status for themselves; and 30% for disabled patrons, covering one companion for grades 1 to 3 and the patron alone for grades 4 to 6. Without the supporting document the difference against full price is payable at the venue, and the grade cannot be changed.

Where is it playing?

The BBCH Hall at Kwanglim Art Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, which holds 998 seats in the KOPIS venue record.

Who plays Sydney Carton?

Kai, Ko Eun-sung and Shin Sung-rok, in rotation. The cast schedule by date has not been announced.

How long is the show?

170 minutes including a 20-minute interval. Admission is for ages 8 and over.

When was it last staged in Korea?

In 2014, at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea. This production is the first since, twelve years later.