Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also to be found in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized crystal ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the bar or classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr.
Club M2
Hongdae
M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd along with models and celebrities. Packed on the weekends. Check www.ohoo.net.
Club Heaven
Yeoksam-dong
Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, Heaven is gaining a reputation as a clubber’s paradise with star DJs and a celebrity clientele. Electronic music is the main menu, with laser light and paper confetti shows aplenty on the side. The club caters to partying at any hour of the night: the “main stage” on the first floor is open until 6:30 a.m., while club hoppers can enter the upper level’s “after stage” after 4:30 a.m. Call 1644-8466.
Cafe Mou
Sinsa-dong
This cafe has a rich ethnic interior that mixes inspirations that its owner got from travels to such places as Morocco and France. Its menu is limited, but features desserts. It’s located at the edge of Dosan Park. 650-9 Park View Building, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, near the Cine City Theater in Apgujeongdong. Call (02) 3444-6069.
Naos Nova
Itaewon
A wine bar and restaurant with a design so stunning, that it was featured in several interior design magazines before its doors even opened to the public. Its location across from Namsan Park gives it a wonderful, cool atmosphere. Visit www.naosnova.com (448-120 Huam-dong Yongsan-gu, Seoul) or call (02) 754-2202.
Le Nuit Blanche
Cheongdam-dong
Formerly Club Answer, Le Nuit Blanche is introduced as a posh restaurant, theater and club. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, Le Nuit Blanche offers Cirque du Soleil-type performances at its theater restaurant. World class DJs from all over the world are invited to perform at the club. Call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.lenuitblanche.com.
Platoon Kunsthalle
Apgujeong-dong
Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space where visitors can enjoy various facilities, including an event hall, library lounge, art studios and a bar and restaurant. Open from Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. DJ nights on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m. Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. Visit www.kunsthalle.com or www.platoon.org.
Gachi
Salsa music enthusiasts can dance the night away here. The beat of salsa music will lead you to the club. To go to Gachi, get off at Apgujeong Line 3 and go out exit 5. After walking past six streets, look for Matilda Club and Bar on the seventh street, turn left and look for Gachi’s red and white sign. Gachi is open from Mondays to Fridays 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call (02) 540 7087.
St.102
This hip-hop club often has special parties and performances. There are many Korean homies here with do-rags, dreads and baseball caps turned sideways. Visit st102.cyworld.com. 360-18 Seogyo-dong, Hongdae or call (02) 335-7166.
Moonyang Bar
This place is an Asian-inspired lounge on the third floor of a building on Parking Lot street in the Hongdae area. The stone walls feature photographs and rusted steel plates cover the windows. This place is in Mapo at Seogyo-dong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
Rocky Mountain Tavern
A down-to-earth place, the club was started by a couple of Canadians. With a spacious, woody bar, the tavern is spread out over two floors. Find it on Itaewon’s main drag across from the International Clinic. Located near exit 5 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6.
Funky Funky
This live music venue features all kinds of music. Depending on the night, they feature funk, punk, rock, or pop. Funky Funky attracts an eclectic mix of people. Walk down to the alley with Club Tool on the corner and turn right. Visit clubff.cyworld.com.
Above
This medium-sized wine bar in the alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, is one of Itaewon’s swankiest hangouts. The candlelight, tiled indoor pond and the designs on the door seem Moorish. Located at 19-25 Itaewon-dong store 22-ho. Call (02) 749-0717.
Once in a Blue Moon
Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night usually starting at 7: 30 p.m. The place exudes an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere which is perfect for a romantic date. It is located on the street between the Hakdong intersection and the Galleria intersection in Apgujeong-dong. Call (02) 549-5490 or www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.
The Spot
If you like punk or alternative music, then you should hit The Spot. It is a live music venue located next to the playground near Hongik University. The Spot is a small basement bar, and it is a mainly standing room-only place. Visit www.clubspot.co.kr or call (02) 322-5956, (02) 3141-6876.
Casa Del Vino
This dark, intimate bar offers a great selection of wine, and it’s a great place to chill out. It’s near the Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada buildings in Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Folk Performances
The Korea House
Open Run
The Korea House will hold a series of traditional performances. The entrance fee is 29,000 won. Each performance includes a traditional Korean dinner. Visit www.koreahouse.or.kr or call (02) 2266-9101. Located near exit 3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines 3 and 4.
Adjective Life in the Nonsense Factory
Art Sonje Center
Through April 25
Ham Yang-ah, who has been working in the Netherlands since 2006, is presenting new works of chocolate sculptures, multimedia installations and videos at the exhibition “Adjective Life in the Nonsense Factory” on the second floor of the Art Sonje Center. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tickets are 3,000 won for adults and 1,500 won for students. Visit www.artsonje.org/asc or call (02) 733-8945.
Horn and Tail
Gallery Plant
Through April 15
Lim Min-ouk’s “Portable Keeper,” a video of performance art from 2009, is being shown at Gallery Plant, Hwa-dong, Jongno. Visit www.galleryplant.kr or call (02) 722-2826.
Fog Dossier
Jeuno JE Kim, an artist based in Sweden, worked with curator Che Kyong-fa on a research project that explores people’s relation to history and the different personal and public archives that offer new points of view. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tickets are 3,000 won for adults and 1,500 won for students. Visit www.artsonje.org/asc or call (02) 733-8945.
Chaosmos
Noam Gallery
Through March 16
Song Jung-in attempts to express the image of “chaosmos” in her three-dimensional installations that feature tangled red threads. Chaosmos combines of the contradictory concepts of chaos and the cosmos. Noam Gallery is located in Insa-dong. Call (02) 720-2235.
Particles of Dark Matter
Gana Art Space
Jang Yong-sun’s scorched stainless steel sculptures, which resemble cell nuclei, make a bold statement at Gana Art Space. “The first works started from crowding together life-full, cell-like shapes. I wanted to turn the ‘breath’ of life into a form, a seemingly transcendental and cosmic image,” Jang said. Call (02) 734-1333.
Ku Myeong-seon Solo Show
Gallery Viol
Through April 10
Ku Myeong-seon is holding a solo show at Gallery Viol, located in Wha-dong, Jongno. Visit www.galleryviol.com.
Lee Dong-uk
Opera Gallery
Through March 30
Lee Dong-uk has a solo show at Opera Gallery Seoul. Visit www.operagallery.com.
Creatures of Habit
Jay Gallery & Na Gallery
April 7-17
The International Artists Community’s second show “Creatures of Habit” will feature 24 artists from seven countries ― Brunei, Canada, Chile, Korea, Lebanon, the U.K. and the U.S. The exhibition is being held at Jay and Na Gallery, located in the basement of SK HUB Plaza, near Anguk Station Line 3, exit 6.
The Period of Childhood
Jeong Wa-hyun’s first solo exhibition features vibrantly colored works that provoke feelings of nostalgia for one’s childhood. Noam Gallery is located in Insadong, downtown Seoul. Call (02) 720-2235.
Sound of Reaction
Brain Factory
Through March 21
Sim Jun-seub created an interactive and sound installation featuring pipes at Brain Factory, Tongui-dong, Jongno. Visit www. brainfactory.org.
Play Mob
Art Space Hue
Through March 26
Shin Jae-hyun is holding a solo show at Art Space Hue, located in Seogyo, Mapo, Seoul. Visit www.artspacehue.com.
Les Fleurs
Kukje Gallery
Through March 31
Renowned French artist Louise Bourgeois is holding a solo show of flower drawings and sculptures at Kukje Gallery. Bourgeois is considered one of the most important living artists of the 21st century. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Eronomist
Gallery Jung
Through March 10
Gallery Jung, located in Sinsa, Gangnam, is holding an exhibition titled “Eronomist,” featuring works by Jo Hun and Choi Gyeong-tai. Visit www.galleryjung.co.kr
New Vision
Gallery LVS
Through March 24
Gallery LVS is presenting a group exhibition of works by Lee Kyeong-ha, Kim Mi-jung and Shin Soo-young. Lee is showing a painting “A Tough Tree Trunk,” while Shin presents “Milk-livered boys,” and Kim is showing “A Merry Go Round.” Visit www.gallerylvs.org.
BCGKMRY
Through April 4
MeeNa Park is holding a solo show of her recent paintings from the BK and Dingbat series, plus an installation of 200 drawings throughout her 10-year career. Kukje Gallery is located in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno, downtown Seoul. Visit www.kukjegallery.com.
Wow! This Is Not A Joke, It’s Art?
Gallery Bundo, Daegu
Through March 17
Richard Jochum, who is also a studio member at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, is presenting his media works at Gallery Bundo, Daebong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Visit www.bundoart.com.
The Depth of Surface
16 Bungee
Na Jeom-soo is holding a solo show at 16 Bungee, located in Sagan-dong. 16 Bungee seeks to introduce experimental art to a wider audience.
Ectoplasma
Gallery 2
Through March 27
Jackson Hong is displaying a new series of works, featuring everyday objects like a plunger and a box of cornflakes, at Gallery 2. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visit www.gallery2.co.kr.
Gazing Beyond
Gallery b’One
Through March 25
Gallery b’One is opening its doors with an exhibition featuring works by Ah Doo-jin, Kim Mi-kyung and Roh Hyun-tark. The gallery is located in Hwa-dong, Jongno. Call (02) 732-1273 or visit www.gallerybeone.kr.
What We Found in an Abandoned Garage
Gallery Factory
Through April 18
Installations by Jung Su-young and charcoal works by Sandro Setola from the Netherlands are being presented at Gallery Factory. Visit www.factory483.org.
Delicious Candle
Coreana Museum of Art
“Delicious Candle” is the newest exhibition of candles at the open gallery of the Coreana Museum of Art. Visit www.spacec.co.kr.
Stage Reality
Salon de H
Through March 20
Salon de H, located in Cheongdam-dong, is hosting a group exhibition of works by five Korean artists. Visit www.artcompanyh.com.
Andre Masson
Die Galerie
Works by French surrealist artist Andre Masson (1896-1987) are on display at Die Galerie, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday; and until 6 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.die-galerie.co.kr.
Electronic Nostalgia: Broken Dream
Sungkok Art Museum
Kim Young-heon is holding a solo show at Sungkok Art Museum. Visit www.sungkokmuseum.com.
Bahk Zong-sun Solo Exhibition
Gallery Seomi
Through March 19
Unique designs by Bahk Zong-sun are on display. Bahk was one of the Korean artists that Gallery Seomi took to 2009 Design Miami. Visit www.seomituus.com or call (02) 511-7305.
Accumulated Traces
Yoon Kalim is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery Factory, as part of the “2010 Factory Emerging Artist Show.” Visit www.factory483.org.
Family Ballet ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Oulim Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex
May 4-5
Seoul Ballet Theater (SBT) will stage “Alice in Wonderland” this May. The story is based on Lewis Carroll’s classic novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” James Jeon, who is the president choreographer of SBT, focused on entertaining a younger audience when he created this ballet. Tickets cost from 12,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-7766.Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3.
Family Musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Woongjin Think Big Art Hall
The Wizard of Oz becomes a children’s musical combined with Nanta performance. See what happens to Dorothy and her friends with the Wicked Witch of the West in Oz. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 50,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 738-8289. Located near from Seollueung Station on subway Bundang line.
Czech Puppet Play ‘Don Giovanni’
Hoam Art Hall
March 17- 21
Czech puppet play “Don Giovanni” will come to Korea this March with its original casts. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 338- 3513. Located near exit 9 of Seoul City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2.
Anthony Brown’s ‘Happy Art Museum’
Theater 1, Changjo Art Center
March 13- May 30
Changjo Art Center presents a fun play based on Anthony Brown’s children book where children can enjoy reading books with easy songs to sing along to. All tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 747-7001. Located near exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
Basketball
Saturday, March 13
KCC Egis vs. Samsung Thunders
Jeonju Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 14
Dongbu Promy vs. LG Sakers
Wonju Chiak Stadium at 3 p.m.
The Gwacheon Seoul Race Track holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday. Get off at Seoul Racecourse Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02)509-1114 or visit at www.kra.co.kr.