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Young KL Singers’ Tokyo x Seoul tribute lights up Pentas 1 while Desmond Sim’s Hungry explores family, ritual and memory at Pentas 2
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLpac) is turning up the cultural volume this June with two emotionally-charged productions that span continents, genres and generations. From high-energy K-pop and J-pop anthems to a quietly powerful family drama inspired by ritual and remembrance, audiences are set for a double bill of music, movement and meaning.
J-pop and K-pop meet choral power in Tokyo x Seoul: Icons & Idols
The award-winning Young KL Singers return with their first-ever J-pop and K-pop tribute concert, Tokyo x Seoul: Icons & Idols, running from June 11 to 14 at Pentas 1, KLpac. The production is jointly presented by KLpac and The Actors Studio.
Directed by Ian Chow, the concert brings together nearly 40 vocalists in a bold reimagining of iconic pop hits from Japan and South Korea, blending choral arrangements with dance, fashion and design. Chow is joined by co-directors Mak Chi Hoe and Kenny Shim, promising a multi-sensory journey through four decades of East Asian pop culture.
The repertoire spans eras and emotions, from classics such as Kyu Sakamoto’s Sukiyaki and Hikaru Utada’s First Love to modern favourites such as Radwimps’ Sparkle from Your Name and Masaki Suda’s Machigaisagashi. Japanese music legends Ryuichi Sakamoto and Joe Hisaishi are also featured, adding cinematic weight to the lineup.
On the K-pop side, the concert opens with Rose and Bruno Mars’ APT., alongside hits by Exo and IU. The programme also celebrates the global rise of K-pop, following milestones such as BTS’s long-awaited return and Exo’s upcoming reunion performance in Malaysia.
Adding to the significance, the show coincides with BTS’s 13th debut anniversary on June 13, making it a meaningful moment for Armys.
Dance plays a central role, with choreography by the Kenny Shim Dance Collective, supported by styling from Beatrice Looi, set design by Gan Cynthia, lighting by Lim Ang Swee and sound by JJ Tan. The production also receives support from The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur.
Tickets range from RM58 (preview night) to RM150, with concessions available via CloudJoi.
Hungry turns ritual and memory into a family reckoning at Pentas 2
From June 18 to 21, KLpac shifts tone with Hungry, a Singaporean family drama by award-winning playwright Desmond Sim, staged at Pentas 2.
The production is directed by Christopher Ling, who reunites with Sim’s work after previous stagings of Postcards from Rosa and The Swimming Instructor. Ling describes Hungry as a deeply meaningful collaboration, marking Sim’s first new play in 11 years.
Set against the backdrop of the Hungry Ghost Festival, the story follows a family of four confronting love, loss and emotional distance while navigating ritual and tradition. Everyday offerings, from food to incense, become a reflection of memory and connection, blurring the line between the living and the dead.
The play stars Mark Beau de Silva as Dan, Anrie Too as the mother, Gabriel Tham as Win, a son on the autism spectrum, and Virtuoes Romana as younger brother Ted. As tensions unfold, the family grapples with questions of care, belonging and emotional survival, revealing how each character is quietly “hungry” for love, recognition and understanding.
Complementing the production is The Hungry Ghost Festival, Kuching, a free photography exhibition at the Pentas 2 foyer. Featuring works by Sarawak-based street photographer Jee Foong, the showcase documents rituals around the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple in Kuching, offering audiences a visual extension of the play’s themes.
Tickets for Hungry are priced from RM68, with concessions and a family bundle available via CloudJoi.
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