Around Town 2

• Published Jun 4, 2015 4:33 PM KST
• Updated Jun 4, 2015 4:33 PM KST

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 AndiNuman 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.

Dojo

Work hard, play hard and 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.

‘Red’

National Theater of Korea

June 11-13

The National Dance Company of Korea will stage a production of “Red” from June 11 to 13. This piece marks the exciting first collaboration of Choi Jin-wook, the principal choreographer of the dance company, ImPil-seong, director of “Scarlet Innocence,” Mowg, music director for various respected films, such as “The Crucible,” “Masquerade,” and “Miss Granny,” and Park Seung-gun, the esteemed costume designer for top brand pushBUTTON. Set to the invigorating sounds of the aforementioned music director, “Red” tells the story of an inherently human emotion that controls us all: desire. Ticket prices range from 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

‘All (is) Vanity’

Seoul Museum of Art

Through Aug. 9

The Seoul Museum of Art is currently holding an exhibition on the symbolism of Vanitas in the arts through August 9. Vanitas refers to a particular school of artistic symbolism, popularized in seventeenth-century Europe, particularly in Flanders. Translated from Latin as “vanity,” in its antediluvian sense of the word, Vanitas works of art sought to demonstrate the utter futility of life on Earth and the pursuits, pleasures, and aspirations of earthly life. Consequently, the most common motifs found in early Vanitas paintings included the human skull, burning candles, and decaying flowers. While such morbid references may seem unpleasantly macabre and a distant, outdated reality, one can draw plenty of parallels to the seventeenth century’s preoccupation with man’s mortality with the twenty-first century’s consumerist and impersonal societal landscape. To be sure, the benefits of modern existence are manifold. Yet while such advantages can only come with the adoption of a fast-paced, individualistic life, they are often enjoyed to the detriment of interpersonal connections. As such, no other time in history does the idea of fleeting value and consequence as embodied by the Vanitas genre seem more appropriate than in the hollow meaninglessness of 2015.For more information, call (02) 395-0100 or visit www.seoulmuseum.org.

‘Hanjin Shipping: The Box Project 2015’

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

Through Sept. 13

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul is holding a special exhibition for the annual “Hanjin Shipping Box Project” through Sept. 13. Installations by Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, “Port of Reflections,” will be displayed. Located near exit 2 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2. Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500 or visit www.mmca.go.kr.

‘Magnum’s First’

The Museum of Photography, Seoul

Through Aug. 15

To herald in the 130th anniversary of bilateral relations between Korea and France in 2016, a retrospective photography exhibition will be held at the Museum of Photography from April 4 to Aug. 15. Organized in part by Magnum Photos, one of the world’s most eminent photography agencies, “Magnum’s First” will feature photo-essays composed of original black and white vintage prints shot by the eight iconic photo journalists featured: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Marc Riboud, IngeMorath, Ernest Haas, Jean Marquis, Werner Bischof, Robert Capa and Erich Lessing. Located near exit 2 of Mongchontoseong Station on subway line 8. For more information, call (02) 0418-1315 or visit www.photomuseum.or.kr.

‘Special Exhibition of Donated Works of Jung Tak-young’

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung

Through June 28

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is currently showcasing a special collection of works by Korean artist Jung Tak-young at its Deoksugung branch in Seoul through June 28. Jung Tak-young is widely regarded as Korea’s expert in abstract ink paintings, an art form he has labored over since the beginning of his distinguished and illustrious career. The exhibition is divided into four separate sections, each dedicated to works created during a specific time in Jung’s life, and stands as a singular opportunity for visitors to vividly visualize the dynamic evolution of Jung’s aesthetic approach. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2022-0600 or visit www.mmca.go.kr.

‘Huh Young-man: The Secret of Creations’

Seoul Arts Center*

Through July 19

A retrospective of the work of Huh Young-man, Korea’s most prominent “manhwa” (comics) artist, is being held at the Seoul Arts Center through July 19. After splashing onto the cartoon and comics scene in 1974 through a competition hosted by the HankookIlbo, The Korea Times’ sister paper, Huh became a veritable household name with the publication of action-adventure comic “Gaksital,” translated as bridal mask. Since then, Huh’s works have been recognized and cherished for their literary value and general fun. Indeed, some of his comics have been adapted to the silver screen, while several of his smaller cartoon strips have even become serialized in local dailies. Tickets cost 12,000 won for adults, 10,000 won for teenagers and 8,000 won for children. For more information, call 070-7533-8998.

‘Ways of Recording’

Gallery Baton

Through June 27

Gallery Baton is hosting an exhibition of five artists titled “Ways of Recording” through June 27. With the advent of photography as the prime medium utilized to record and capture time as accurately and precisely as possible, painters and purveyors of other channels were released from their former duties, and instead were encouraged to pursue other forms of artistic expression that placed considerable emphasis on each artist’s own imagination and creative energy as a means to frame personal memories from an unflinchingly personal perspective. As previously mentioned, this exhibition will provide an opportunity for a host of emerging Korean and international artists to display their work and personal approach. For more information, call (02) 597-5701 or visit www.gallerybaton.com.

‘Visual Scandal’

KT&G Sangsangmadang Gallery

Through Aug. 30

A comprehensive exhibition featuring a lifetime's worth of work by preeminent graphic artist Raymond Savignac is currently being held at the KT & G Sang SangMadang Gallery through August 30. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who is unable to identify an original Savignac poster, for his use of explosively vivid colors, and humorous wit and simplicity are emblematic of the French illustrator's modus operandi. Tickets cost 7,000 won. For more information, call (02) 330-6223 or visit

www.sangsangmadang.com.

‘Andy Warhol Live’

DDP

Through Sept. 27

A retrospective exhibition, the very first of its kind in Korea, on the iconoclastic work of American artist Andy Warhol is currently on display at DDP through September 27. While best known as a behemoth figure in the visual art movement of the 1960s known as pop art, Andy Warhol dabbled in many forms and media of art, such as printmaking, silk screening, film, and music. He first kicked off his career in the 1950s with his whimsical drawings for commercial advertisements, a period during which he began to hone his artistic style. Among the countless cultural relics from Warhol’s collection on display will be his most prominent paintings from the 1960s, which depict objects, events, and personalities that typify the iconic culture and status of America, such as Campbell’s Soup Cans, Coca-Cola bottles, mushroom clouds, and Marilyn Monroe. Tickets cost 15,000 won for adults, 12,000 won for teenagers, and 8,000 won for children. For more information, call (02) 515-5662 or visit www.ddp.or.kr.

Fernando Botero

July 11-Nov. 4

The Seoul Arts Center will be holding an exhibition of Fernando Botero's work from July 11 to November 4. Botero is a figurative artist and sculptor from Colombia. He is prevalently considered to be the most recognized artist alive today hailing from Latin America. Botero's endearing artistic style, which sees him molding or painting figures in extremely rotund, corpulent form, has enchanted people from all walks of life for many decades, and will be sure to captivate Korean visitors as well. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

The Children’s Museum

National Museum of Korea

Open Run

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.

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.

KBO League

Friday, June 6

Kia Tigers vs. Lotte Giants

Sajik Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

KT Wiz vs. HanwhaEagles

Hanwha Life Eagles Park at 6:30 p.m.

Doosan Bears vs. Nexen Heroes

Mokdong Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

SK Wyverns vs. LG Twins

Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

Samsung Lions vs. NC Dinos

Masan Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 6

Sajik Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.

Hanwha Life Eagles Park at 5 p.m.

Mokdong Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.

Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.

Masan Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.

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.