Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games
Clubs
Club Garden
Apgujeong-dong
Club Garden is an electronica hotspot, with the big draw being its line-up of guest DJs such as Laurent Garnier, Mondo Grosso, Afrika Bambatta and Goldie. Near Galleria Department Store on the so-called Rodeo Street in southern Seoul. Call (02) 518-5115 or clubgarden.co.kr.
Club Evans
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch and the acoustics are good. Located near exit 1 on Sangsu Station on subway line 6 or exit 6 on Hongdae Station on subway line 2. Call (02) 337-8361 or www.clubevans.com.
Club Caliente
Itaewon
The patrons are so diverse, DJ Josh sometimes has a hard job appealing to everyone. But he keeps the dance floor going, playing a variety of standbys and new Latin music. The song selection is what keeps people coming back. Located near exit 4 of Itaewon Station subway line 6. Call (011) 9094 8484
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.
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 Hongdae area. The stone walls feature photographs and rusted steel plates cover the windows. This place is in Mapo at Sokyo-dong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
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.
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 on two floors. Find it on Itaewon's main drag across from the International Clinic. Located near exit 3 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6.
Naos Nova
A wine bar and restaurant with a design so stunning 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.
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 ecelectic mix of people. To get there: 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 starting at 7 p.m. up to 10 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.
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 and turn left and look for Gachi's red and white sign. Gachi is open from Mondays to Fridays 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday to Sunday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Call (02) 540- 7087.
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 mainly standing room-only. Visit www.clubspot.co.kr or call (02) 322-5956, (02) 3141-6876.
Casa Del Vino
Cheongdam-dong
This dark, intimate bar offers a great selection of wine, and it's a great place to chill out. It's near Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada buildings in Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Traditional
Traditional Performance
Korea House
Open run
The Korea House holds 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 on subway lines 3 and 4.
Art Exhibitions
Geheimnis de Farne
Kukje Gallery New Space
Through May 24
The works of world-renowned German artist Anselm Kiefer return to Seoul for the third time at the Kukje Gallery. Themes taken from German mythology, theology, medieval alchemy and Kabbalah can be seen in Kiefer's works. Last year, he was the first artist since 1953 to have a major art installation included in the Louvre's permanent collection. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Two Works in Progress by Christo and Jeanne Claude
Park Ryu Sook Gallery
Through April 22
Christo and Jeanne Claude are widely known for their environmental installation art. This exhibition shows a series of drawings of their on-going installation works, "The Mastaba," in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates and "Over the River," at the Arkansas River in Colorado. Call (02) 549-7574.
Trans Forms: The Way of the Tree
KT Art Hall
Through May 3
Filipino artist Loreta Medina, known for her "Treebark art," is holding her third solo exhibition in Seoul. The local platanus tree inspired her paintings, photographs and prints. Medina's work explores awareness, erasure, identity and transcendence. Visit https://www.loretamedina.com. KT Art Hall is located on the first floor of the Korea Telecom Building (Gwanghwamun Station Line 5, Exit 2).
Life is Suddenly
Kuma Gallery
Ongoing
Kuma Gallery opens with a five-artist exhibition featuring director Lee Joon-ik, Park Bul-dong, Cho Hoon, Joo In-kyung, and Hwang Hyun-ho. Lee is known for directing the hit films "King and the Clown" and "Radio Star." The gallery is located opposite the Constitutional Court of Korea in Jongno, Seoul.
Chon Byung-hyun
Gana Art Busan
Through April 27
The theme of nature dominates Chon Byung-hun's exhibit at Gana Art in Busan. He creates paintings featuring flowers, cherry blossoms and the sea, such as "Field 2007," a delicate painting of pink and red flowers. Call (051) 744-2020.
Rejected Exhibit
Space*C, Coreana Museum of Art
Through June 8
If you're interested in checking out art works that have not won any awards, head down to the Coreana Museum, located in the basement of the space*C building in Shinsa-dong (near Dosan Park). There are 1,020 works submitted by 377 artists that did not win any prizes at the first Chungye Art Competition last February. Admission is 3,000 won. Visit www.spacec.co.kr or call (02) 547-9177.
Ron Arad
Gana Art Center
Through April 20
The industrial designs of British designer Ron Arad are displayed in Seoul for the first time. His chairs, made of metal, seem more like heavy sculptures. The "Blo-Void 5 Blue" (2005) and "Bodyguard" (2006) look like metallic jellybeans, while "Big Easy Chair New Orleans" is a strong statement piece painted in bright blue. Visit www.ganaart.com or call (02) 720-1020.
Bubbles
Gallery 2
Through April 26
Pop artist Lee Dongi follows up his Double Vision exhibition from last month with Bubbles at Gallery 2. Lee is famous for creating his alter ego, Atomaus, a hybrid of the Japanese animation icon Atom and Disney's famous Mickey Mouse. Visit www.gallery2.co.kr or call (02) 3448-2112.
Landscape Algorithm
PKM Trinity Gallery
Through May 7
New York-based artist Lee Sang-nam is known for geometric, abstract art. Lee's exhibit is the first exhibition at PKM Trinity Gallery, located in the basement of the Trinity Place building, across from Galleria Department Store in Cheongdam. Visit www.pkmgallery.com.
Enriquillo Rodriguez Amiama
Galleria Bellarte
Through April 30
Enriquillo Rodriguez Amiama, an artist from the Dominican Republic, holds his first exhibition in Seoul. Galleria Bellarte specializes in Latin American art. Call (02) 739-4333 or visit cafe.naver.com/bellarte.
Vagrant N' Substance
Arario Seoul
Baik Hyun-jhin, vocalist for the underground band Uhuhboo Project, holds a solo exhibition. His works include "Black, Black Tower," "The Icicled Inhabitants and Anarchism." Visit www.arariogallery.com.
Jung Mi-yeon
Jung Mi-yeon named her series of paintings "Ite Missa Est," after the phrase spoken by priests to signal the end of a Catholic Mass. Her paintings are a meditation on life and religion. Visit www.ganaart.com.
After The Pictorial Turn
Doosan Gallery
Through April 24
Four Korean artists, Park Min-joon, Yoo Seung-ho, Hong Kyoung-tack and Min Song-sik, are holding a group exhibition at the Doosan Gallery. Each artist is recognized for his or her distinctive style painting style, combining hyperrealism, surrealism, pop art and expressionism. Visit www.doosanartcenter.com or call (02) 708-5050.
Julian Schnabel
Gallery Hyundai
The exhibition of American artist Julian Schnabel's best art works is finally in Seoul, after touring Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. Schnabel, who nabbed the best director prize at the 60th International Cannes Film Festival for the film "Living Bell and Butterfly," is considered one of the top contemporary artists in the West. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
Selected Emerging Artists 2008
Seoul Museum of Art
Through June 15
The "Selected Emerging Artists 2008: Four Ways to Look at Art" is aimed at giving young artists a chance to show their talent. Around 104 works by 25 artists are on display. Visit https://seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr/main.html.
Annette Messager
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Through June 5
Annette Messager, born in France in 1943, creates installation art using photography, knitting, embroidery, sewing and other objects from her collections. Admission is 3,000 won. Visit www.moca.go.kr or call 02-2022-0600. National Museum of Contemporary Art is located near Seoul Grand Park (Subway Line 4). A shuttle bus is available every 20 minutes at Exit 4 of the subway station.
Jewels of Tiffany (1837-2007)
Hangaram Design Museum
Through June 6
An exhibition of exquisite jewelry designs from renowned jeweler Tiffany and Company is in Seoul for the first time. Charles Lewis Tiffany founded Tiffany and Co. in 1937 in New York. The exhibit includes an emerald and diamond brooch owned by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte III. Visit designgallery.or.kr.
Exhibition of Scarf with Art Spirit
Korea Art Center
Through April 15
In this exhibition of scarves, 20 Korean artists use silk scarves as their canvas. The Korea Art Center hopes this project will spur the creation of more Korean cultural products with artistic identity. Visit www.koreaartcenter.com or call (02) 2003-8392.
One Fine Spring Day
Gwangju Museum of Art
Through May 14
Celebrate the beauty of spring at the Gwangju Museum of Art's 56-day exhibition called One Fine Spring Day. Visit www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr or call (062) 510-0700.
Membranes & Margins
Gallery Em
Through April 19
Indian artist Prajakta Potnis is holding her first exhibition in Seoul at the Gallery E.The 27-year old artist's works include Fibrosis and Membranes. Visit www.galleryem.co.kr or call (02) 544-8148.
Hello Spring!
N Gallery
Just in time for spring season, N Gallery is holding an exhibit of refreshingly colorful paintings by nine Korean artists. Visit www.ngalleryart.com or call (70)-7430-3323.
Old Pine Tree
Savina Museum of Contemporary Art
Veteran sculptor Lee Gil-rae will display his pine tree-inspired sculptures at the Savina Museum. He is known for creating huge sculptures made of bronze pipes. Visit www.savinamuseum.com.
Antoine Bourdelle
Sculptures of French master sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, including the famous "Hercules, the Archer," will be shown in Korea for the first time. A total of 123 of Bourdelle's works from 1885 to 1929 will be on display, including 75 sculptures, 40 sketches and watercolor paintings. All the pieces are from the Musee Bourdelle in Paris, France. Tickets are 9,000 won for adults, 7,000 won for those aged 13 to 18 years and 5,000 won for children aged 7 to 12 years. Children under 7 years of age and senior citizens can get in for free. Visit www.bourdelle.co.kr (Korean) or seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr (English).
Kids
Janggeum's Dream
Universal Arts Center
April 17-27
The musical version of the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace," "Jangguem's Dream" will be a great opportunity for children to see this story of love, passion, hope and friendship. Tickets cost from 33,000 won to 44,000 won. Visit www.janggeumdream.co.kr or call (02) 3282-3629. Located near exit 4 of Achasan Station on subway line 5.
Bubble and Magic Show for Children
Seongnam Arts Center
April 15-19
Children will have a blast at this special performance with various magic and bubble tricks. All tickets cost 20,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call 1599-9921. Located near exit 1 of Imae station on the Bundang line.
Sports Games
Soccer
April 12, 2008 Saturday
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Daegu FC at 3:00 p.m.
Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeju United FC vs. Busan I Park at 3:30 p.m.
Jeju World Cup Stadium
Ulsan Hyundai vs. Gwangju Sangmu at 4:00 p.m.
Munsu World Cup Stadium
April 13, 2008 Sunday
Pohang Steelers vs. Daejeon Citizen at 3:030 p.m.
Pohang Steel Yard
F.C. Seoul vs. Suwon Blue Wings at 3:00 p.m.
Seoul World Cup Stadium
Incheon United F.C. vs. Seongnam Ilhwa at 3:00 p.m.
Munhak World Cup Stadium
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Gyeongnam FC at 3:30 p.m.
Gwangyang Stadium
Horseracing
Gwacheon Seoul Race Track
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.