Around Town 2
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Club 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.
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.
‘Hwanhee'
Gyeonggi Arts Center
Through Aug. 22
The Gyeonggi Arts Center is currently hosting a series of traditional Korean dance and musical performances through August 22. This exciting venture, which got off to a vigorous start with a thunderous performance on March 21, centers on telling traditional Korean tales through the medium of traditional dance and music. A selection of past performances include: "Eunwolloo," a story that hinges on the parallels of loneliness of human nature to that of the moon; "Buchaechum," also known as the fan dance, which constitutes one of the most frequently performed Korean folk dances, usually performed by a group of female dancers in coordination; and "Nongakmoo," a dance, typically enjoyed by farmers in the bygone years, that was performed with extra alacrity so as to invigorate them while working in the field and alleviate their exhausted spirit. Tickets cost 14,000 won. For more information, call (031) 230-3200 or visit www.ggac.or.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.
‘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, Inge Morath, 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.
‘The Republic of Korea: Embracing North Korean Posters'
Modern Design Museum
Through July 21
The Modern Design Museum is currently holding an exhibition titled "The Republic of Korea: Embracing North Korean Posters" through July 21. In honor of the seventieth anniversary of Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule, this exhibition will display posters that encapsulate each decade since the division of the Korean peninsula from both countries as a point of comparison. Tickets cost 3,000 won for adults, and 2,000 won for children. For more information, call (070) 7010-4346 or visit www.designmuseum.or.kr.
‘The Liminal Space'
Gallery Baton
Through Aug. 1
“The Panopticon Pool” by David O’Kane will be on display at Gallery Baton through Aug. 1. Courtesy of Gallery Baton
Gallery Baton is currently holding an exhibition that highlights the work of three up-and-coming Irish painters through August 1. Among the featured painters: Carol Anne McGowan, a graduate from N.C.A.D. in 2006, has been featured at various prominent venues and exhibitions, such as the Kunstraum Kreuzberg/ Bethanian in Berlin and the Royal Hibernian Academy's 178th Annual Exhibition in Dublin. In addition, David O'Kane studied in Leipzig under Professor Neo Rauch, a preeminent German artist, and has lived up to the public's regard for his rising star with numerous awards, scholarships, and residencies. Meanwhile, Eamon O'Kane, who rounds out the Irish artistic trifecta, works mostly with themes of memory and travel, and dabbles in large-scale panoramas in his work. For more information, call (02) 597-5701 or visit www.gallerybaton.com.
‘Playmobil Art'
Seongnam Arts Center
July 25-Oct. 11
The Seongnam Arts Center will be holding an exhibition centered on Playmobil toys through July 25 to October 11. Familiar to millions of children around the world, Playmobil figurines first made their debut in 1975, and have come to rival other successful toy lines. The exhibition will incorporate a myriad of artists from Korea, France, Italy, and Austria, who will rework classic paintings and photographs, running the gamut of Monet to the Beatles' famed Abbey Road snapshot, by using Playmobil toys to replace the subjects. Tickets cost 12,000 won for adults, 10,000 won for students, and 8,000 won for children. For more information, call (02) 3143-4360 or visit
‘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 Sangsang Madang 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.
‘Sandro Chia: Fantasy and Myths'
Seoul Arts Center*
Through Oct. 4
The Seoul Arts Center will hold an exhibition of the work of the Italian artist July 3-October 4. Born a year after the bloody end of the Second World War, Sandro Chia is commonly touted as the "international reference of Italian transavantgarde art" as the leading figure in a movement that has spawned so many Italian neo-expressionist maestros. After traveling through Europe and India following his graduation from the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence in 1969, Sandro Chia began exhibiting his work as "mythical conceptual art." This exhibition will be making its run in Seoul after successful turns in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, and New York. It is divided into four sections that will each delve more deeply into the inspiration, style, and psychology of a most enigmatic yet brilliant artist. Tickets cost 13,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1666-3539 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
‘Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’
July 31-Nov. 1
The Seoul Arts Center will hold an exhibition honoring the unparalleled genius of Antoni Gaudi from July 31-Nov. 1. While he is chiefly known for the as of yet incomplete Sagrada Familia, the Roman Catholic church located in Barcelona, Spain, that is adorned with the trademark forms of Gaudi’s combined Gothic and Art Nouveau artistic vision, Gaudi was also an accomplished carpenter, artist and all-around architect who paid meticulous attention to each and every detail that went into his creations. Immediately following his death, Gaudi’s work suffered an extended period of neglect, for critics vehemently censured his excessively baroque style. Since the 1950s, however, Gaudi has enjoyed a rejuvenation of popularity, consecrated by both experts and laymen for his unique perspective and distinctive approach. Indeed, between 1984 and 2005, seven of his works were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Tickets cost 15,000 won for adults, 13,000 won for university students, 10,000 won for students and 8,000 won for children. For more information, call (070) 4191-2200 or visit www.antonigaudi.co.kr.
‘Africa Art Fair 2015’
Hyundai Arts Center
Through Aug. 23
Wooden sculptures of Bobo people from Burkina Faso are currently on display at the Hyundai Arts Center through Aug. 23. / Courtesy of Hyundai Arts Center
The Hyundai Arts Center is hosting the 2015 Africa Art Fair through August 23. Since the days of European colonialism, Africa has continued to shoulder a reputation as a hub of poverty, rampant crime, and overall ill repute, a notion that is decisively more cogent than more positive images of a thriving people and culture. Yet in spite of such a plethora of misconceptions concerning the region, African artists, woodworkers, and sculptors from yore and the present have managed to create a prolific and vibrant artistic tradition. Thus, this fair aims to introduce African art to viewers who are largely unaware of its existence. More than 300 paintings, sculptures and various artworks by preeminent African artists, the likes of E.S. Tingatinga and N’doye Douts, will be on display. Tickets cost 8,000 won. For more information, call (052) 202-6299 or visit www.hhiarts.co.kr.
Fernando Botero
Through 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. Tickets cost 13,000 won for adults, 10,000 won for adolescents and 8,000 won for children. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.
‘World Press Photo'
Busan Cultural Center
Aug. 1-30
Australian photographer Raphaela Rosella’s contest-winning photo for the 2014 World Press Photo contest will be on display at the Busan Cultural Center from Aug. 1 to 30. / Courtesy of World Press Photo
The Busan Cultural Center will host an exhibition of photography taken and created by World Press Photo, an independent based in Amsterdam that most famously holds the world's largest and most prestigious press photography contest. Past entries from previous years will be on display for viewers to enjoy, including the finalists for this year's photography contest. Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2038-2267 or visit www.wpph.co.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.
K-League Classic
Saturday, July 11
Jeju vs. Jeonbuk
Jeju at 7 p.m.
Seoul vs. Pohang
Seoul at 7 p.m.
Ulsan vs. Gwangju
Ulsan at 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 12
Incheon vs. Seongnam
Incheon at 6 p.m.
Daejeon vs. Jeonnam
Daejeon at 7 p.m.
Busan vs. Suwon
Busan at 7 p.m.
KBO League
Friday, July 10
Hanhwa vs. LG
Jamsil at 6:30 p.m.
KIA vs. SK
Moonhak at 6:30 p.m.
NC vs. Nexen
Mokdong at 6:30 p.m.
Doosan vs. Lotte
Sajik at 6:30 p.m.
Samsung vs. KT
Suwon at 6:30 p.m.
Jamsil at 6 p.m.
Moonhak at 6 p.m.
Mokdong at 6 p.m.
Sajik at 6 p.m.
Suwon at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 14
KT vs. Doosan
LG vs. KIA
Gwangju at 6:30 p.m.
Lotte vs. Hanhwa
Cheongju at 6:30 p.m.
SK vs. NC
Masan at 6:30 p.m.
Nexen vs. Samsung
Pohang at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15
Thursday, July 16
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.