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. 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.
Saturday Morning Concert with Tea ‘Morning of SamcheongGak’
SamcheongGak
Through Dec. 31
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. “Haeguem player” Won Na-kyoung will be on stage on Nov. 26 with a program consisting of Korean traditional court and folk music and folk song tunes from the Gyeonggi area such as “Gin Arirang, Noratgarak, Changbu Taryeong, Bang-a Taryeong.” 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.
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 of 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.
Art Exhibitions
Where’s My Friend’s Home
Nam Seoul Museum of Art
Through Feb. 19
The exhibition, designed to give young audiences an opportunity to appreciate art in an easy and entertaining way during the winter vacation, aims to excite their curiosity towards the museum itself by turning into an imaginary space. The program consists of four parts: “Entering,” “Lingering,” “Being Lost” and “Meeting.” Located near exit 6 of Sadang Station on subway lines 2 and 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-8800 or 8924.
Kwon Ki-soo ’Reflection’
Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space
The exhibition titled “Reflection Series” will shed light on new pieces created by artist Kwon Ki-soo, best known as the creator of the famous character “Dong gu ri.” Kwon has extended his artistic realm by focusing on illusionary images, utilizing painting, sculpture, video and installation art. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 519-0800.
Josef Schulz ‘The Glory of Nature’
Gallery Lumiere
Through Dec. 11
Josef Schulz, born in Poland in 1966, is a creative artist taught by Bernd & Hilla Becher who gave rise to revolutionary changes of the German photography history from straight-shooting photography to an experimental one. Schulz’s photography series “Terraform,” expected to be displayed for the first time in Korea, consists of pieces with majesty of the Swiss Alps, taken and edited with analog and digital methods respectively. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 517-2134.
The Garden of Her
Noam Gallery (Insadong)
Dec. 14-27
Artist Kong Kyung-yun, also known as Rose Kong, has built a solid career ever since returning to Korea from the U.S. in 2001 and deciding to acquire classical Korean painting skills for her future work. Her paintings attempt to capture the vibrant and beautiful moments in the human world. Admission is free. Located near exit 6 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 720-2235.
Zadok Ben-David ‘Blackfield’
Artclub 1563
Through Feb. 10
Israeli artist Zadok Ben-David has tried to visualize what he has observed in the world with careful consideration of nature and life, using his simple and unique methods. The artist tries to symbolize peace and humanism through his pieces contrasting between life and death. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Seocho Station on subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 584-5044.
SUITMAN Past, Present, Future
Gallery Factory
Through Dec. 17
SUITMAN, also known as Kim Young, immigrated to the United States and worked as a creative director for advertising company Dentsu. Establishing his new identity through the new name “SUITMAN,” he has passionately expressed his artistic inspiration stemming from the boundaries between business and art. Located near exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 733-4883.
Seo Min-jeong ‘Sum in a Point of Time II’
Gallery Absinthe
Through Dec. 16
This private exhibition, planned as SeMA’s (Seoul Museum of Art) supporting program for rising artists, sheds light on Seo Min-jeong’s project which has been developing for the past 16 years in Germany and Japan.
Seo minimizes parts of the soon-to-be demolished buildings, intentionally blows them up and attempts to catch the paused moments of the explosion to persuade audiences to think about things that are removed without careful consideration. Admission is free. Located near exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. Admission is free. For more information, call (02)-548-7662~3.
The Masters
Opera Gallery
Celebrating the 4th anniversary since its grand opening, the gallery prepared an exhibition entitled “The Masters” to display the pieces of world-renowned artists in modern art history from post impressionism in the 19th century to modernism. Claude Monet, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Raoul Dufy, Fernand Leger, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann and Robert Indiana are featured. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 3446-0070.
2011 Seoul Square Media Canvas ‘Always on My Mind: Home’
Seoul Square Media Canvas
Through Dec. 12
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 6 and 11 p.m., Seoul Square Media Canvas, a large LED screen installed on the exterior of the Seoul Square building across from Culture Station Seoul 284 (the former Seoul Station), screens over 20 Korean and Australian media artists’ works attempting to newly interpret “home” in common as a complex space involving various socio-cultural issues. 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.
Tell Me Tell Me: Australian and Korean Art 1976-2011
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and Australia, this exhibition was designed in cooperation with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. Setting 1976 as the starting point for the exchange of artistic values between the two countries as four Korean artists participated in the 2nd Sydney Biennale and video artist Paik Nam-june visited Australia that year, the exhibition highlights the astonishing moments of modern art in either nation from then to today. Over 130 pieces created by 47 Korean and Australian artists are on display. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Located near exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000.
WORK IN PROGRESS — Karl Lagerfeld Photography Exhibition
Daelim Museum
Through March 18
Working as head fashion designer and creative director for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld has expressed his artistic spirit in various sectors from photography to publishing and film. This exhibition will be a good opportunity to see his ability as a photographer covering a wide range of genres from portraits to architecture and scenery. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 720-0667.
The Court Painters of Joseon Kingdom
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Through Jan. 29
Focusing on the historical pieces of “Hwawon,” court-designated painters of 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.
Translated
Korea Foundation Cultural Center Gallery
Changdong Art Studio
Through Dec. 10
The 11 artists who participated in the 2011 International Residence Exchange Programs presented by the National Art Studio are expected to visually “translate” their thoughts and feelings gained while experiencing other countries’ culture over two months. This year’s program has been prepared in cooperation with six art institutions from New Zealand, Germany, France, and Australia and consists of works by five foreign artists. Admission is free. Located near exit 9 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 or 2 (KF Gallery) and exit 2 of Changdong Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 995-0488 or 0995.
TV Commune
Nam June Paik Art Center
Through Jan. 24
Considering the upcoming rapid changes in the 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.” Including historical works by famous video artist Nam June Paik (1932-2006), those of his contemporaries such as Dara Birnbaum and David Cronenberg will also be on display. 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.
Kids
Annie
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Dec. 15-29
Presented by Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater, the musical “Annie” tells the story of an orphaned girl, who desperately waits for her parents with half of a heart-shaped locket. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114.
Sports Games
Bastketball
Saturday Dec. 10
Incheon ET Land Elephants vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy
Incheon Samsan Indoor Gymnasium at 3 p.m.
Changwon LG Sakers vs. Anyang KGC
Changwon Indoor Gymnasium at 3 p.m.
Ulsan Mobis Fevers vs. Seoul SK Knights
Ulsan Dongcheon Gymnasium at 5 p.m.