Around Town 2
A gorgeous night view of Gyeonbok Palace is now available for visitors to enjoy. / Courtesy of Gyeongbok Palace
Traditional
‘Gyeonbok Palace Special Summer Open Night in 2017’
Gyeonbok Palace
Aug. 13 to Sep. 2 (7:30p.m. ~ 10p.m.) except Aug. 15, 22, 29
A beautiful night tour of Gyeonbok Palace, situated in the heart of Seoul, is now available for visitors to enjoy. It offers a very unique experience and better understanding about the historical and cultural value of the palace.
The event goes on regardless of weather, so be prepared in case it rains.
Admission is 3,000 won. Free admission is available for those who make internet reservations and wear hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. For more information, visit
or call (02) 1544-1555.
‘Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More'
Jeongdong Theater
Until Oct. 29
Jeongdong Theater will present the dance drama "Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More," which features diverse traditional Korean dances and a creative story inspired by Korean folktales.
The show features a story of the beautiful and courageous palace dancer Seo-ryeon and her lover, General Do-dam, the best warrior in the country. With spectacular traditional dance and music, the show will bring the audience to ancient Korea.
Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit jeongdongtheater.com or call (02) 751-1500.
‘Saturday Performance of Korean Music & Dance'
National Gugak Center
Throughout 2017
The National Gugak Center continues to feature Korean music and dance performances every Saturday.
Every Saturday for over 30 years, the National Gugak Center has provided audiences with traditional music and dance performances every Saturday. This year, the center aims to present a more profound experience of traditional Korean performing arts, through programs such as "Listening to Traditional Korean Music in Depth" and "Traditional Korean Singing and Dancing Performance for the Enthusiasts." In addition, starting this year, the performances will be staged at the newly renovated Umyeondang Theater, which is designed to convey traditional sounds to audiences without using any speakers or microphones.
Tickets are 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02) 580-3300.
Museums
‘Democracy Achieved: The Power of People'
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Until Sept. 3
As this year marks 30 years of democracy in South Korea, an exhibition on June Democracy Movement of 1987 and consolidation of democracy in Korean society will be held at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History.
The exhibition consists of four sections. The first and second sections, "Establish" and "Consolidate," present struggles and processes of implementing and developing democracy in Korean society. The third and last sections, "Embrace" and "Dream," exhibit remaining challenges and prospects.
Admission is free. For more information, visit much.go.kr or call (02) 3703-9200.
‘Beyond the Border and the Boundaries: Stories of Korean Nurses who went to Germany'
Seoul Museum of History
Seoul Museum of History is holding a special exhibition on the story of Korean nurses who immigrated to Germany in the 1960s and 70s.
During the 1960s and 70s, around 10,000 Korean nurses went to Germany, both to support their families and bring economic benefits to Korea. This exhibition presents the stories of the nurses, as well as their endeavors to cross the boundaries of culture and gender, and create a harmonious multicultural society, through diverse photographs, records and artifacts.
Admission is free. For more information, visit museum.seoul.kr or call (02) 724-0274.
‘Courtly Tradition: The Art of Wrapping in the Joseon Dynasty'
National Palace Museum of Korea
The National Palace Museum of Korea presents a special exhibition on the art of wrapping in the royal court of Joseon.
In Joseon, the royal court paid a lot of attention to wrapping diverse objects from everyday items to treasures used in court rituals, presenting the elegance and dignity of the royal family. This exhibition presents numerous artifacts including wrapping clothes, boxes and pouches, revealing the wisdom and artistry of Koreans of the past.
Admission is free. For more information, visit gogung.go.kr or call (02) 3701-7500.
‘Escher: The Magician of Art'
Sejong Museum of Art
Until Oct. 15
For the first time in Korea, works of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher are being exhibited at the Sejong Museum of Art until Oct. 15.
Escher is famous for his mathematically inspired, surrealistic artwork, which received universal acclaim from the public as well as experts in various fields such as design, illustration, mathematics and architecture. His works enable audiences to look at the world from a different perspective.
Admission costs 13,000 won. For more information, visit sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 784-2117.
‘Junk x User's Guide'
National Folk Museum of Korea
Until Oct. 31
With an aim to cast a new light on the implications of garbage in our life, the National Folk Museum of Korea presents a special exhibition, "Junk x User's Guide" until Oct. 31.
This exhibition presents diverse garbage from the past, which closely reflects the lifestyle, culture and society of Korea in its time. Also, the event introduces numerous ways to reuse and recycle garbage, drawing people's attention to pollution problems in Korea and around the world.
Admission is free. For more information, visit nfm.go.kr or call (02) 3704-3114.
Art Exhibitions
‘Café Society _ Summer Edition'
Seoul Museum
Until Sept. 10
A special exhibition that combines the theme of cafes and art will be held at the Seoul Museum until Sept. 10.
"Cafe Society _ Summer Edition" presents the diverse lifestyles of young adults with the theme of cafe. The exhibition consists of seven sections. The first section, "Romantic Cafe 1950s," features the works of 10 great Korean artists from the modern era including Chang Ucchin, the father of Korean abstract painting, and Park Saeng-kwang, who converged traditional Korean themes and contemporary art. The second to fourth sections display passion, sorrow, failure and dreams of young people through around 100 pieces of artwork by 34 artists from Korea and abroad.
Admission costs 9,000 won. For more information, visit seoulmuseum.org or call (02) 395-0100.
‘Karim Rashid: Design Your Self'
Seoul Arts Center
Until Oct. 7
Hangaram Design Museum of the Seoul Arts Center runs an exhibition on the works of Karim Rashid until Oct. 7.
Karim Rashid is known as the revolutionist and democrat of 21st century design, and has endeavored to create "design for everyone," which can be enjoyed by people of different ages and backgrounds. This exhibition presents 350 designs and original sketches, as well as large-scale works specially created for a Korean audience.
Tickets cost 14,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 734-4360.
‘The Shelby House’
Daelim Museum
In this exhibition, the whole of Daelim Museum, from the entrance to the exhibition spaces and the garden, is transformed into the Selby House. Selby is renowned for his passion for working in diverse fields ranging from fashion to design, film, architecture and cooking. His uniquely upbeat, uninhibited works evoke positive energy and provide artistic inspiration amid the monotony of everyday life.
Todd Selby's works will be exhibited until Oct. 29. Admission costs 6,000 won. For more information, visit
or call (02) 720-0667.
Kids
‘Pinkfong and Shark Family'
Shinhan Card FAN Square
Until Aug. 27
The children's musical "Pinkfong and Shark Family" will be staged at the Shinhan Card FAN Square from July 24 to Aug. 27.
In a peaceful world under the sea lives a shark family. One day, the baby shark disappears, and the father shark asks Pinkfong, a magical pink fox, for help. To help the father shark find his baby, Pinkfong begins a long journey to the sea, crossing the jungle and meeting numerous animal friends. During the journey, Pinkfong's star necklace suddenly starts to shine and a miracle occurs.
Tickets cost 44,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-3363.
Sports
KBO League
Aug. 19 and 20
NC Dinos vs. Nexen Heroes
Gocheok Sky Dome
Samsung Lions vs. LG Twins
Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium
Lotte Giants vs. Hanwha Eagles
Daejeon Hanwha Eagles Park
SK Wyverns vs. Kia Tigers
Gwangju-Kia Champions Field
Doosan Bears vs. KT Wiz
Soowon KT Wiz Park
K League Classic
Aug. 19
Suwon FC vs. Gangwon FC
Suwon World Cup Stadium
Jeju United vs. Jeonnam Dragons
Juju World Cup Stadium
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Gwangju FC
Jeonju World Cup Stadium
FC Seoul vs. Ulsan Hyundai Horangi
Seoul World Cup Stadium
Aug. 20
Daegu FC vs. Sangju Sangmu FC
Daegu Football Stadium
Incheon United vs. Pohang Steelers
Incheon Football Stadium
Horseracing
Let's Run Park Seoul
Let's Run Park Seoul holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It is located by exit 3 of Seoul Racecourse Park Station on Line 4. For more information, visit kra.co.kr or call (0s2) 509-1114.