Clubs, art exhibitions and sports games
Clubs
Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that also has a branch in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized mirror ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you hang out at the bar or in classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik University. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr.
Boutique Club 52
Itaewon
Once called Function inside Macaroni Market, Club 52 boasts a chic and modern interior with the DJ spinning the beats for the hippest crowd from the center of the dance floor. Featuring top DJs from both home and abroad, two bars inside the club serving the coolest cocktails including some made with Hendrick’s gin, and a high-class interior, Club 52 is always the place for good times.
Club Volume
Located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station, Club Volume offers the finest venue for specially themed weekly events and talented international DJs for unforgettable nights of dancing and debauchery. Reborn after extensive renovations to maintain its reputation as a quality club with a superior sound system, luxurious setting and stylish people, Club Volume was listed by TIME magazine among the 10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul. Call 1544-2635 for more information.
Le Nuit Blanche
Cheongdam-dong
Formerly Club Answer, Le Nuit Blanche is a posh restaurant, theater and club. Located in front of the 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 perform at the club. Call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.lenuitblanche.com.
Cafe Mou
Sinsa-dong
This cafe has a rich ethnic interior that mixes inspirations from such places as Morocco and France. Its menu is limited, but features desserts. It is 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.
Berlin Cafe & Lounge
Almost hidden atop a hill at the mouth of Itaewon, this terrace with a view offers deliciously themed dinner platters, strong cocktails and DJs on the weekends. The kitchen is open late and the waitstaff is attentive. The modern decor, floral touches and artistic ambiance add to the dining experience. Call (02) 749-0903 for reservations.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong-dong
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 that 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 visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr for more information.
Platoon Kunsthalle
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 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.
Noxa Lounge
KyoungLiDan
A restaurant and bar serving home-style Italian cuisine along with basic cocktails, wine and a large selection of non-alcoholic drinks, Noxa offers the best patio seating in the neighborhood with a cosmopolitan flair. Call (02) 790-0776 for more information.
Gachi
Salsa enthusiasts can dance the night away here. To get to Gachi, get off at Apgujeong Line 3 and get out at Exit 5. After walking past six streets, look for the 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 and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call (02) 540-7087.
St.102
Hongdae
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.
Naos Nova
Huam-dong
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.
Kyotofu
With a stark, modern interior and unique menu options with tofu-based ingredients, this restaurant and sake lounge offers a hip dining experience. Call (02) 749-1488 for reservations.
Club FF
This live-music venue features all kinds of music. Depending on the night, they feature funk, punk, rock or pop. Club FF attracts an eclectic mix of people. Walk down to the alley with Club Tool on the corner and turn right. Visit clubff.cyworld.com.
Traditional
Korea House performances
Korea House
Open run
Korea House regularly holds a series of traditional performances featuring dance, “pansori” (Korean opera) and more. Tickets cost 50,000 won. The venue offers various hands-on activities such as making kimchi. For more information, visit www.koreahouse.or.kr or call (02) 2266-9101. Located near Exit 3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines 3 and 4.
Kim Duk-soo’s Traditional Yeonhui Performance ‘Pan’
Gwanghwamun Art Hall
“Pan,” which opened in May 2008, is a traditional Korean performance expressing on stage a Korean clown’s joyful and pleasant emotions in harmony with traditional instruments, drama and circus acts. Since its first performance in 2008, the theater has prepared a new version of the show and opened it to the public in 2009. The second version is now being presented. Located near exit 1 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 722-3416.
Miso
Chongdong Theater
This Korean musical tells the romantic story a young couple in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1897) falling in love with each other, describing the transformation of love as chronicling the four seasons and using Korean musical instruments and dance. The musical was created in 2008, and the second version has been running since 2010. Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. Located near exit 5 of Seodaemun Station, subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 751-1500.
Saturday Morning Concert with Tea ’Morning of SamcheongGak’
Through Dec. 31
SamcheongGak
SamcheongGak, a traditional Korean cultural venue established in 1972, has been holding regular morning concerts on the last Saturday of each month. Audiences can enjoy traditional Korean music with special seasonal Korean teas. In October, Kim Ji-hyun is set to play “saenghwang” and “taepyeongso” to present Korean woodwind sounds. Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 5 of Jonggak Station on subway line 1. A shuttle bus from subway stations to Samcheonggak is provided. For more information, call (02) 765-3700 or visit https://www.samcheonggak.or.kr.
Art Exhibitions
2011 Sulwha Cultural Exhibition
Beyond Museum
Through Nov. 10
Sponsored by cosmetic company Amore Pacific, this 5th exhibition, with the title “The Garden of Imaginative Tales,” aims to shed light on the value of traditional art and crafts. It draws on the belief that culture is a single intimate complex having no genre boundary. Audiences are expected to enjoy a variety of pieces from modern installation artists’ works to traditional crafts. In particular, Empress Myeongseong's letter written in “Hangeul” will be displayed. For more information, call (02) 794-1558.
Museum Link _ Art of Communication: Anri Sala, Yang Ah Ham, Philippe Parreno, Jorge Pardo
National Museum of Art, Deoksugung Annex
Through Dec. 4
This exhibition is part of "Museum Link," a project in cooperation with Arko Art Center and Seoul Olympic Museum of Art. Under the theme of communication, the exhibition aims to introduce four world-renowned artists' pieces covering a wide range of genres from new media to a film, installation and design art and their aesthetic views on communication in contemporary society. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Located near exit 2 of City Hall Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 2022-0600.
Eun Nim Ro (갤러리 측에서 공식 명칭은 화요일까지 문자로 알려준다고 합니다)
Gallery Hyundai
Nov. 1 - 23
Artist Ro Eun-nim's recent pieces (from 2009 to this year) describing the natural figures of butterflies, fish, birds and plants will be on display. The refined paintings of Ro, called “the poet of pictures” and “a bridge connecting the meditation of the Orient with Germany's expressionism,” promises to provide audiences with clean and fresh energy. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 3210-2100 or 2085.
The Library of Artists
Avenuel, Lotte Department Store
Through Nov. 15
Four Korean artists ― Choi Eun-kyung, Ahn Yun-mo, Im Soo-sik and Seo Yu-ra ― display their works created with the common theme “books.” This exhibition provides an opportunity to think about the meaning a book holds to contemporary artists. The book is portrayed as the subject of human desire symbolizing good and evil. Located near exit 7 of Euljiro1-ga Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 726-4428~9.
The Court Painters of Joseon Kingdom
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Through Jan. 29
Focusing on the historical pieces of “Hwawon”, the greatest painters’ group formed to carry out national duties related to the arts during the Joseon kingdom (1392-1910), the exhibition aims to introduce the artists involved. The exhibition is divided into two sections: “The Court Painter’s Brush: Forming Royal Authority and “The Court Painter’s Brush: Painting Joseon.” Tickets cost 7,000 won. English translating service will be provided at 2 p.m. every weekend. Located near exit 1 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 2014-6901.
Souvenirs From Earth on the Seoulsquare Media Canvas
Seoulsquare Media Canvas
Through Nov. 30
Souvenirs from Earth (SFE) is the only art television station broadcasting a wide range of art programs, aiming at transforming the television screen to a medium of newly-visualized culture. SFE, inspired by Korean video artist Paik Nam-june (1932-2006), is introduced in Korea officially for the first time and its selected films are screened on the Seoulsquare Media Canvas through Nov. 30. Located near exit 8 of Seoul Station on subway line 1 or exit 10 of Seoul Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 6456-0188.
In the Heat of the Sun
The exhibition aims to introduce young Chinese artists who are expected to enhance modern Chinese art, focusing on the pieces created by “post-1970’s Chinese artists” who went through the rapid changes of politics, economy and society during their childhood. The exhibition, titled “In the Heat of the Sun,” attempts to talk about the artists’ childhood memories accumulated during that period and see in what ways their captured memories have been expressed through each art work. Admission is free. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 734-6111~3.
Anthony Caro
Kukje Gallery
Through Oct. 30
The gallery will display world-renowned British sculptor Anthony Caro’s pieces from 1998 that have not yet been presented in Korea. This 88-year-old artist has actively and passionately taken part in art production despite his age, and is highly admired by many art experts for his achievements in modern minimalism. This is his third exhibition held at the gallery. Admission is free. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 735-8449.
The News after the News
Total Museum
As the second project for the MOG Culture Project, the museum is holding an exhibition of work by Romanian visual artist Dan Perjovschi, nicknamed the “world drawing genius.” Perjovschi has become famous through drawing satirical cartoons and graffiti pieces. This exhibition will be a chance to explore how the artist reinterprets the Korean news with his own satirical and distinctive drawing and illustrations. Tickets cost 9,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line 3.
TV Commune
Nam June Paik Art Center
Through Jan. 24
Considering the rapid changes in media environment with the termination of analog broadcasting in 2012, this exhibition introduces works showing the influence of television in our lives and the concept of “interaction” that TV has been holding in certain .” Including historical works by famous video artist Paik Nam-june (1932-2006), those of his contemporaries such as Dara Birnbaum and David Cronenberg will also be on display. In addition to these, today’s artist focusing on media art, such as Martin Arnold, Ha Tae-bum and Im Heung-soon will be introduced. Tickets cost 4,000 won. Located near exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station on subway line 9 (using bus number 5001, 5003). For more information, call (031) 201-8500.
Jean-Michel Othoniel ’My Way’
Plateau, Samsung Museum of Art
Through Nov. 27
The museum is holding a solo exhibition titled “My Way” by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel through Nov. 27. It will show the aesthetic values expressed through the artist’s installation pieces. Based on personal experience and trauma, Othoniel embodies unique materials such as sulfur, wax and glass to express his creative world for the past 25 years. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Located near exit 8 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2. For more information, call 1577-7595.
Artist of the Year 1995-2010
National Museum of Contemporary Art
The exhibition is to reflect on the past 16 years of contemporary art in Korea. The museum has selected 23 artists who have tried to explore new artistic areas using their own creativity. The exhibition will not only display the representative pieces of the 23, but films including each artist’s monologue and comments will also be introduced. Tickets cost 3,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park (Daegongwon) Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000.
Faces
63 Sky Art Museum
Through Nov. 13
Focusing on “faces” as the main theme, the exhibit features seven selected portrait artists. The museum attempts to show how human faces have been so beloved by many artists in that they are able to directly reflect the inner workings of subjects. The exhibition, composed of 61 pieces, includes such artists as Alex Katz, Julian Opie, Lee Soo-dong, Kim Min-kyoung and Yoon Gi-won. Tickets cost 12,000 won. Located near exit 6 of Daebang Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 789-5663.
Kids
Reading Through Art, Imagery Diary
Hello Museum
Through Nov. 20
To help children understand contemporary art in an easy and entertaining way, the museum is showing pieces by seven young artists’ expressed in the form of a diary of images. The exhibition aims to educate children with lectures led by a professional educator specifically for children’s audiences. Tickets cost 5,000 to 20,000 won. Located near exit 5 of Seolleung Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 562-4420.
Sports games
Football
Sunday Oct. 30
Daejeon Citizen vs. Gwangju FC
Daejeon World Cup Stadium at 3 p.m.
Busan iPark vs. Gangwon FC
Busan Asiad Main Stadium at 3 p.m.
Daegu FC vs. Ulsan Hyundai FC
Daegu Stadium at 3 p.m.
Incheon Utd. vs. Sangju Sangmu Phoenix
Incheon World Cup Stadium at 3 p.m.