While World Cup fever will sweep away the soccer fans, a spectrum of cultural events, from ballet to traditional theater, has been prepared for art lovers during the period.

The National Center for Traditional Performing Arts presents "The Dream of a Dynasty: Music of Peace," a hybrid of royal music, dance, song, costume and sentiment, from June 7 to 11. The 90-minute show narrates a feast thrown by Joseon period King Jeongjo for his mother in 1795, after experiencing the tragic death of his father. Also a Korea-Japan Court Music Exchange Concert will be held at Busan Culture Center from June 27 to 28.

"The Apricot Blossom in Genkainada" gives a new twist to traditional Korean opera. Directed by designated human cultural asset Seong Chang-sun, the show is based on true love story of a Korean captive in Japan at the time of Hideyoshi's invasion in 1592. After touring Gwangju, Daegu and Seoul from June 2 to 16, the opera will be staged at Tokyo Art Theater from June 21 to 23.

Percussion musicians from countries competing at the World Cup final come together at the Seoul Drum Festival 2002, bringing rhythms from Samba to Jazz. The festival will kick off May 28 at the outdoor stage of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and concerts will be held everyday at 7:30 until June 5.

Traditional Korean dancer Im I-jo and Japanese master Fuzima Toyotaro will showcase traditional dances and creative numbers at Hanjeon Artspool Center on May 28 and 29.

(Lee Gyu-hyeon, while@chosun.com )