Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
AROUND TOWN 2
Clubs
The Octagon
Nonhyeon
Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.
Club Volume
Itaewon
Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong
Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.
Club Answer
Cheongdam
Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides a spacious interior and brilliant lighting systems, with world renowned DJs filling the stage. Club Answer is located in the classy area of Cheongdam, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr.
Club Ellui
One of the largest clubs in Asia and located under Hotel Ellui, world-class DJs such as Alex Kenji and Ferry Corsten feature in weekend lineups. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call 1577-9669 or visit www.ellui.net.
Luv Superlounge
Nestled in the heart of Itaewon, Luv Superlounge offers a wide selection of drinks, and a solid sound system with resident DJ Andi Numan from New Zealand. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 794-8898 or visit ko-kr.facebook.com/luvsuperlounge.
Club Double Eight
Sinsa
Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to a whole new level. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with global DJs. Located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803 or visit cafe.naver.com/doubleeight.
Club Mute
Club Mute is a boutique club with exquisitely designed decorations and a custom-tailored sound system. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 796-6853 or visit www.clubmute.com.
Platoon Kunsthalle
Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space offering various facilities, including a large, open hall, library lounge, art studios and a bar and restaurant for multi-purpose events. It is open from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 1 a.m. and DJ nights are on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m. Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 3447-1191 or visit www.kunsthalle.com.
Dojo
Work hard, play hard, sleep later! Lying underground Noxa in the thriving Kyonggridan neighborhood, Dojo is the latest edition to the clubbing nightlife in Seoul. Popular local DJs offer nonstop tunes for energetic dancing until dawn with weekday drink specials and enthusiastic crowds of longtime expats. For more information, call (02) 790-1334.
Traditional
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea will perform “Baebijangjeon,” a traditional Korean opera at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul May 3-10. / Courtesy of National Theater of Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Baebijangjeon’
National Theater of Korea
May 3-10
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea will perform “Baebijangjeon,” a traditional Korean opera based on traditional folklore revolving around the story of Aerang, a female entertainer looking to seduce a regional officer, who tries to stay faithful to his deceased wife. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Tickets are 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.
‘Bongsan Talchum’
May 26
“Bongsan Talchum,” a traditional Korean mask dance, will be performed at the National Theater of Korea May 26. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk University Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 5,000 won for students and 10,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 566-6356 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.
Art Exhibitions
‘Troika — Persistent Illusions’
Daelim Museum
Through Oct. 12
London-based art collective Troika, consisting of Eva Rucki, Conny Freyer and Sebastien Noel, displays their works including video arts, sculptures, drawings and installation works at the Daelim Museum April 10-Oct. 12. Located near exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 720-0667 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org.
‘Seoul Photo 2014’
COEX
April 17-20
“Seoul Photo 2014,” the biggest photo fair in Asia, will be held at the COEX in southern Seoul April 17-20. Located near exit 5 of Samseong Station, subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 6000-8560 or visit www.seoul-photo.com.
‘The Growing Manual’
Seoul Museum of Art
Through April 20
The Seoul Museum of Art is holding an exhibition featuring the works of Son Hye-min and John Reardon, who are currently working in Seoul and London respectively. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-8942 or visit sema.seoul.go.kr.
‘Contact’
Buk Seoul Museum of Art
Through May 18
The Buk Seoul Museum of Art in northern Seoul holds a photo exhibition displaying 160 portrait photos from its collection through May 18. Located near exit 3 of Junggye Station, subway line 7. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-5270 or visit
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‘Goyang Artist 365’
Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center*
Through April 28
The Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province, features works of artists residing in Goyang through April 28. Admission is free. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.
“Lotus” by Je Mi-young will be displayed at Gallery DOS in central Seoul on April 16-22. / Courtesy of Gallery DOS
Je Mi-young
Gallery DOS
April 16-22
Artist Je Mi-young displays her new works at Gallery DOS in central Seoul. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 737-4678 or visit www.gallerydos.com.
‘LIFE Photo Exhibition’
Busan Cultural Center
Through April 12
An exhibition featuring iconic photos from the American magazine LIFE, published from 1883 to 1936, is diaplayed at the gallery in Busan. The displayed items include images of historical figures like Kim Gu, Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill and also of some of the defining moments in contemporary world history. Located near exit 5 of Daeyeon-dong Station, Busan subway line 2. Tickets cost 8,000 to 12,000 won. For more information, call (051) 612-6619 or visit www.seelife.co.kr.
‘2014 SeMA Gold Nobody’
The Seoul Museum of Art in downtown Seoul holds an exhibition focusing on the works of three overseas Korean artists — Jo Sook-jin, Yoon Jin-me and Min Yong-soon. Located near exit 11 or 12 of Seoul City Hall Station, subway line 2. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-8938 or visit sema.seoul.go.kr.
Wildlife: Master of Photography
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Through May 25
A photo exhibition featuring captured images of wild animals worldwide will be displayed at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul through May 25. Tickets cost 10,000 won for children, 11,000 won for students and 12,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 6263-2620 or visit www.wildlifekorea.com.
Jung Yeon-doo
PLATEAU, Samsung Museum of Art
Through June 8
Media artist Jung Yeon-doo holds a solo exhibition, featuring some 40 of his artworks, including “Hero,” “Evergreen Tower,” “Tokyo Brand City” and “Six Points.” Tickets cost 2,000 to 3,000 won. Located near exit 8 of City Hall Station, subway line 1 or 2. For more information, call (02) 2259-7793 or visit www.plateau.or.kr.
‘Photosight’
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
Through June 29
The exhibition features some of the iconic pieces kept at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea and Art Bank, Korea. Located near exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station, subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2188-6095 or visit www.moca.go.kr.
‘Color, Visit the Art Gallery’
March 27-June 29
The Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center will highlight color, light and atmosphere through artwork from various Korean artists. Tickets cost 3,000 to 5,000 won. For more information, call (031) 960-0180 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.
Part of “Thor” by Richard Mirando will be on display at the Opera Gallery in southern Seoul through April 20. / Courtesy of Opera Gallery
‘The Great American Icons’
Opera Gallery
An exhibition featuring works of American pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein is taking place at the Opera Gallery in southern Seoul through April 20. Admission is free. Located near exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, subway Bundang line. For more information, call (02) 3446-0070 or visit www.operagallery.com.
‘Spirit of Chun Kyung-ja’
Open Run
The Seoul Museum of Art displays the works of Chun Kyung-ja in its permanent exhibition hall. Among the 93 in the collection donated by Chun, the museum displays 32 cherry-picked pieces, including her self-portraits, various portraits of women, landscapes and sketches. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-8959 or visit www.sema.seoul.go.kr.
Kids
‘Great Discovery of Picture Book’
Seongnam Arts Center*
The children’s exhibition features 100 years of iconic images from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the works of Mo Willems, an American writer and illustrator of children’s books. Willems has written several books, including “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “There Is a Bird on Your Head.” Tickets cost 6,000 to 12,000 won. For more information, call 1588-7211 or visit www.snart.or.kr.
Gyeonggi Children’s Museum
Yongin, Gyeonggi Province
Gyeonggi Children’s Museum in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is inviting children with various activities and education programs. Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (031) 270-8600 or visit www.gcmuseum.or.kr
Gwacheon National Science Museum
Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province
The museum has revamped its programs, highlighted by a wider variety of natural history items such as dinosaurs and also items on space technology. Located near exit 5 of Seoul Grand Park Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 2,000 won for children and 4,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 3677-1500 or visit www.sciencecenter.go.kr.
The Children’s Museum
National Museum of Korea
The Children’s Museum run by the National Museum of Korea provides an opportunity for children to see the lifestyles of Koreans in the past. The museum also exhibits duplicated versions of Korea’s national treasures, which visitors can touch. In the “hands-on” activity room, children can play traditional Korean music instruments. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and Jungang Line. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr.
‘Dialogue In The Dark’
Vertigo
The “Dialogue In The Dark” is a quirky exhibition that challenges visitors to experience works of art work amid dim lighting. Located near exit 3 of Shinchon Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 10,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 313-9977 or visit www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com.
Sports Games
Football - K League Classic
Saturday, April 12
Ulsan Hyundai FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC
Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 2:30 p.m.
Gyeongnam FC vs. FC Seoul
Seoul World Cup Stadium at 4 p.m.
Jeju United FC vs. FC Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelyard at 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 13
Sangju Sangmu FC vs. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC
Tancheon Sports Complex at 2 p.m.
Busan IPark FCvs. Jeonnam Dragons FC
Gwangyang Football Stadium at 2 p.m.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings FCvs. Incheon United FC
Incheon Football Stadium at 4 p.m.
Baseball
Friday, April 11
Lotte Giants vs. KIA Tigers
Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
NC Dinos vs. LG Twins
Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
SK Wyverns vs. Samsung Lions
Daegu Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Nexen Heroes vs. Hanwha Eagles
Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Daegu Baseball Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
Daegu Baseball Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
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 Park Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 509-1114 or visit www.kra.co.kr.