Thing to do
Gwangjang Market
One of Seoul's oldest traditional markets, dating from 1905, where rows of food stalls serve mung bean pancakes, mayak gimbap and noodles beside fabric merchants.
NANTA Myeongdong Theatre
Seoul's long-running non-verbal comedy show, in which chefs drum on pots, pans and chopping boards, performed daily in a theatre in the heart of Myeongdong.
At a glance
- Type
- Non-verbal comedy show
- Area
- Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea
- Official site
- nanta.co.kr
Good to know
- No language barrier
- Daily shows
- Wheelchair seats on request
- Ages over 12 months
Why we recommend it
NANTA is a non-verbal performance in which a team of cooks races to prepare a wedding banquet in a single evening, turning knives, pots, pans, plates and chopping boards into percussion instruments. It first opened in Seoul in 1997 and has since become one of the country's best-known stage productions, performed for international audiences and in dedicated theatres. The show draws on samul nori, the traditional Korean percussion style, but you need no knowledge of Korean or of the art form to enjoy it.
The Myeongdong theatre is on the third floor of the UNESCO Building, on one of the main shopping streets, and has hosted the show in its current run since 2009. The performance combines fast rhythmic drumming with slapstick comedy, acrobatics and impressive knife work as vegetables are chopped on stage at great speed. There is some audience participation, with people from the crowd occasionally invited on stage, and the atmosphere is cheerful and noisy.
Because there is no spoken dialogue, NANTA suits families, groups with mixed languages and anyone who wants an evening of entertainment after a day of sightseeing. Children over 12 months are admitted, with those under three free, though the volume may be too much for very small children. The theatre offers student discounts with proof of age.
There are shows every day, usually at 17:00 and 20:00 on weekdays, at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 on Saturdays, and at 14:00 and 17:00 on Sundays and holidays, but schedules can change, so check the official site. Online sales close two hours before the show, and tickets can be collected or bought at the box office from an hour before curtain up. Online cancellations are free until 24 hours before the performance. Photographs are only allowed during the curtain call. Wheelchair spaces are available on request in advance, but there are stairs inside the auditorium and the aisles are narrow.
The theatre is a short walk from Myeongdong Station on Line 4 and Euljiro 1-ga Station on Line 2. There is no parking, so come by public transport. Myeongdong's street food stalls, cosmetics shops and Myeongdong Cathedral are on the doorstep, and Namsan is a short walk away.
NANTA Myeongdong Theatre FAQs
Do you need to understand Korean to enjoy NANTA?
No. The show is non-verbal, telling its story through rhythm, comedy and acrobatics.
What are the show times?
Usually 17:00 and 20:00 on weekdays, 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 on Saturdays, and 14:00 and 17:00 on Sundays and holidays; check the official site as times can change.
Can children attend?
Yes. Children over 12 months are admitted, and under-threes go free; anyone over three needs a ticket.
How do you book?
Book online until two hours before the show, or buy and collect tickets at the box office from an hour before.
Can you cancel?
Online bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the show.
Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
There are two wheelchair spaces that must be requested in advance, but the auditorium has stairs and narrow aisles.
Can you take photos?
Only during the curtain call; filming during the performance is not allowed.
How do you get there?
Walk from Myeongdong Station on Line 4 or Euljiro 1-ga Station on Line 2; there is no parking.