Club Garden
Apgujeong-dong
Club Garden is an electronica hotspot, with the big draw being its line-up of guest DJs such as Laurent Garnier, Mondo Grosso, Afrika Bambatta and Goldie. Near Galleria Department Store on the so-called Rodeo Street in southern Seoul. Call (02) 518-5115 or clubgarden.co.kr.
Club Evans
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch and the acoustics are good. Located near exit 1 on Sangsu Station on subway line 6 or exit 6 on Hongdae Station on subway line 2. Call (02) 337-8361 or www.clubevans.com.
Club Caliente
Itaewon
The patrons are so diverse, DJ Josh sometimes has a hard job appealing to everyone. But he keeps the dance floor going, playing a variety of standbys and new Latin music. The song selection is what keeps people coming back. Located near exit 4 of Itaewon Station subway line 6. Call (011) 9094 8484
Club M2
Hongdae
M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd along with models and celebrities. Packed on the weekends. Check www.ohoo.net.
St.102
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.
Moonyang Bar
This place is an Asian-inspired lounge on the third floor of a building on Parking Lot street in Hongdae area. The stone walls feature photographs and rusted steel plates cover the windows. This place is in Mapo at Sokyo-dong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
Cafe Mou
Sinsa-dong
This cafe has a rich ethnic interior that mixes inspirations that its owner got from travels to such places as Morocco and France. Its menu is limited, but features desserts. It's 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.
Rocky Mountain Tavern
A down-to-earth place, the club was started by a couple of Canadians. With a spacious, woody bar, the tavern is spread out on two floors. Find it on Itaewon's main drag across from the International Clinic. Located near exit 3 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6.
Naos Nova
A wine bar and restaurant with a design so stunning 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.
Funky Funky
This live music venue features all kinds of music. Depending on the night, they feature funk, punk, rock, or pop. Funky Funky attracts an ecelectic mix of people. To get there: Walk down to the alley with Club Tool on the corner and turn right. Visit clubff.cyworld.com.
Above
This medium-sized wine bar in the alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, is one of Itaewon's swankiest hangouts. The candlelight, tiled indoor pond and the designs on the door seem Moorish. Located at 19-25 Itaewon-dong store 22-ho. Call (02) 749-0717.
Once in a Blue Moon
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 starting at 7 p.m. up to 10 p.m. The place exudes an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere, which 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 www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.
Gachi
Salsa music enthusiasts can dance the night away here. The beat of salsa music will lead you to the club. To go to Gachi, get off at Apgujeong Line 3 and go out exit 5. After walking past six streets, look for Matilda Club and Bar on the seventh street and turn left and look for Gachi's red and white sign. Gachi is open from Mondays to Fridays 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday to Sunday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Call (02) 540- 7087.
The Spot
If you like punk or alternative music, then you should hit The Spot. It is a live music venue located next to the playground near Hongik University. The Spot is a small basement bar, and it is mainly standing room-only. Visit www.clubspot.co.kr or call (02) 322-5956, (02) 3141-6876.
Casa Del Vino
Cheongdam-dong
This dark, intimate bar offers a great selection of wine, and it's a great place to chill out. It's near Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada buildings in Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Traditional Performance
Korea House
Open run
The Korea House holds a series of traditional performances. The entrance fee is 29,000 won. Each performance includes a traditional Korean dinner. Visit www.koreahouse.or.kr or call (02) 2266-9101. Located near exit 3 of Chungmuro Station on subway lines 3 and 4.
Joel Shapiro
Gana Art Center
Through Feb. 24
American sculptor Joel Shapiro is best known for his dynamic sculptures. He uses simple rectangular blocks to create man-like figures in his works. The exhibit will also be shown at Gana Art Busan, 4th floor of Haeundae Novotel Hotel starting Feb. 28 to March 30. Visit www.ganaart.com.
Pause
Galleria Bellarte
Through Feb. 29
In his solo exhibit ``Pause,'' Korean artist Paek Won-sun uses a technique of veiling in his paintings. He has chosen horses as a recurring theme in his recent works. He already has 19 solo exhibitions in Seoul, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo and New York. Call (02) 739-4333.
Drawing Now 01
SOMA Drawing Center Space, SOMA Museum of Art
Through March 23
An exhibition of drawings by eight Korean artists, namely Ryu Ji-sun, Shim Jeong-eun, Yoon Yeo-beom, Lee Jae-heon, Sung Yu-jin, Ahn Jinu, Lee Sun-kyung and Im Chun-hee. Visit www.somadrawing.org or call (02) 425-1077.
Yoshihiro Suda
PKM Gallery
Through March 12
Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda makes delicate wood sculptures of flowers and plants. His actual-sized wooden sculptures of camellias, magnolias and azaleas will be on display at PKM Gallery. His works have already been shown in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and the United States. Visit www.pkmgallery.com or call (02) 734-9467.
Inter Viewing Paintings
SOMA Museum of Art
The artistic sensibilities that differentiate Eastern-style paintings and Western-style ones can be seen at this exhibit that feature works by Korean and foreign artists. Visit www.somamuseum.org or call (02) 410-1060.
Kwon Ki-soo
Park Ryu-sook Gallery
The brightly colored works of Korean pop artist Kwon Ki-soo are on display at Park Ryu-sook Gallery. Kwon created a smiling stick figure named ``Donggree'' that is featured in his paintings. Visit www.parkryusookgallery.co.kr or call (02) 549-7575.
Amedeo Modigliani & Jeanne Hebuterne
Aram Art Gallery
Through March 16
Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani frequently used his common-law wife Jeanne Hebuterne as the subject of his paintings. The tempestuous love affair between Modigliani and Hebuterne ended in tragedy, but the passion can still be seen in Modigliani's striking paintings. Tickets are 10,000 for adults, but discounts are available for children and senior citizens. Visit www.2008modi.com or call (031) 960-0180.
Synthetic Experience
Atelier Hermes
Korean artist Koo Dong-hee is holding a solo exhibition, her first in Seoul in two years. Her works have been shown in Germany, Ireland, Italy, China and the Netherlands. Call (02) 544-7722.
Great Legacy of European Modern Art
Seongnam Arts Center, Museum of Art
The works of Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Henri Matisse and other contemporary European painters are on display at the Seongnam Arts Center Museum of Art in Bundang. Tickets are 7,000 won for adults and 6,000 won for students. Visit www.snart.or.kr or call (31) 783-8000.
Description in Korean Art
Ho-am Art Museum
Through March 2
The exhibit features a collection of 16th to early 20th century Korean traditional paintings, as well as the stories or poems that inspired them. Admission is 4,000 won. Visit hoammuseum.org or call (031) 320-1801.
Debris
Kukje Gallery
Through Feb. 26
Korean artist Hong Seung-hye's theme for her solo exhibit revolves around ``debris.'' She disassembled her old art works from the ``Organic Geometry'' series, and used them to create installation work with aluminum pipes. For the artist, the word ``debris'' evokes nostalgia and rebirth. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 735-8449.
Lin Tianlu
Pyo Gallery
Through Feb. 23
Rising Chinese artist Lin Tianlu holds his first solo exhibition in Seoul. His ``Variation Adjustment'' series will be on display at Pyo Gallery. Visit www.pyogallery.co.kr.
The Room 2008
Gallery Velvet
Through March 3
Korean artist Yang Youn-hwa's theme for her solo exhibition is ``artist's studio.'' The exhibition features ten paintings and drawings, as well as the full-scale installation of a studio. Everything in the studio is reversed. Visit www.velvet.or.kr or call (02) 736-7023.
Candida Hofer
Kukje Gallery New Space
German artist Candida Hofer's photographs show the interiors of libraries, museums and churches from all over the world. With the absence of people in her photographs, she aims for an idealized space. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Choi Young-lim-Munakata Shiko Exhibit
Deoksugung National Museum of Contemporary Art
Through March 30
The museum's first exhibit of 2008 features the works of Japanese artist Munakata Shiko and Korean artist Choi Young-lim, who are good friends. Munakata is a famous printmaker whose works influenced Choi. The extent of their friendship was revealed when several letters sent between the two were found. Visit www.moca.go.kr.
Hyper Realism
Arario Gallery, Cheonan.
Through March 9
Multi-media artist Jeon Joon-ho is bringing his ``Hyper Realism" exhibition to Korea. It was first shown at the Perry Rubenstein Gallery in New York City, 2007. Among his works are ``The White House," ``Player 13" and ``Hyper realism (Statue of Brothers)." Admission is 3,000 won. Visit www.arariogallery.co.kr. or call (041) 551-5100.
Kim Kyu-ho
The Museum of Photography, Seoul
Kim Kyu-ho, who has studied and held exhibitions in Paris, France, is showing his stunning photographs in Seoul. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr or call (02) 418-1316.
5 Spaces, 5 Colors
Moran Museum of Art
In each of the rooms in the museum, five art critics each selected an artist to hold an exhibition on. The five artists are sculptor Jeong Hyun, photographer Hong Seong-do, print artist Kim Hong-sik, sculptor Lee Jae-hyo and media artist Baruch Gottlieb. Each artist interprets the five traditional Oriental directions and colors of life. Call (31) 594-8001.
Verner Panton
Hangaram Design Museum
Late Danish furniture and interior designer Verner Panton's designs from the exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany are being exhibited to celebrate Seoul Art Center's 20th anniversary. Panton's modern, witty and bright colored furniture is now on display. Tickets are 8,000 won for adults, 6,000 won for elementary to high school students and 4,000 won for kindergarten students. Call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.vernerpanton.kr.
One Fine Day
Rodin Gallery
This exhibition brings together the works of 12 Korean, Chinese and Japanese artists. One Fine Day hopes to give viewers an opportunity to explore the similarities and differences of seeing life in different places. Artists such as Choi Ho-chul, Bang Byoung-sang, Vhen Shaoxiong and Yin Xiushen depict the lives of urban dwellers. The works of Jin Kurashige, Park Joo-yeon and Chun Sung-myung explore the psychological crises experienced by people. Admission is 3,000 won. Visit www.rodingallery.org or call (02) 2259-7781.
transPOP: Korea Vietnam Remix
ARKO Art Center
Sixteen artists from Vietnam, Korea and the United States examine the rich historical and contemporary ties among the three countries. The group exhibition examines the intersection of transnational Asian popular culture and the legacies of historical trauma in Korea and Vietnam. Visit www.arko.or.kr or call (02) 760-4724.
Close to You
Cyan Museum of Art
Through April 27
Six Korean artists show their distinct and varied styles in a group exhibition ``Close to You." The participating artists are Ahn Jong-yuen, Bae Dong-hwan, An Zong-de, Noh Sang-dong, Lee Lee-nam and Lee Hun-chung. Visit www.cyanmuseum.org or call (054) 338-9393.
Van Gogh: Voyage Into Myth
Seoul Museum of Art
The first retrospective of Vincent Van Gogh's works (1853-1890) in Korea features 67 of the Dutch artist's masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum and Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands. Among the masterpieces on display are Self-portrait (1887), Irises (1890) and Church in Auvers (1890). It is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends, holidays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 10,000 for students (13-18 years old), and 8,000 won for children (7-12 years old). Visit ww.vangoghseoul.com.
Kandinsky and Russian Masterpieces
Hangaram Museum, Seoul Arts Center
Through Feb. 27
Masterpieces by Russian artist Vassily Kandinsky and other well-known Russian artists from the late 19th century and early 20th century are on display in Seoul. There are representative works from Russian realism to avant-garde movements. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won (for 12-17 year olds) 7,000 won (for children 6-11 year olds). Museum is closed on the last Monday of every month. Visit www.2007kandinsky.com.
Shin Sang-ho Exhibition
Clayarch Gimhae Museum
The exhibition introduces a world of ceramics by artist Shin Sang-ho, who works to close the gap between architecture and ceramics through his extensive and diverse pieces. It runs under three themes: Dream of Africa, Structure & Force and Fired Paintings. Visit www.clayarch.org.
A Thousand Magic Characters
Seoul Education Culture Center
Through March 1
Learn Chinese Characters fun and easy through musical. ``A Thousand Magic Characters,'' a book swept Korea, is now staged with songs and dances. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 7 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3 (shuttle available).
Basketball
Feb. 16, 2008 Saturday
Daegu Orions vs. Mobis Phoebus at 3 p.m.
Daegu Indoor Stadium
SK Knights vs. Samsung Thunders at 3 p.m.
Jamsil Student Indoor Stadium
KCC Egis vs. KTF MagicWings at 3 p.m.
Jeonju Indoor Stadium
Feb. 17, 2008 Sunday
Dongbu Promy vs. Daegu Orions at 3 p.m.
Wonju Chiak Stadium
ET Land Black Slamer vs. KT&G Kites at 3 p.m.
Incheon Samsan Indoor Stadium
KTF MagicWings vs. LG Sakers at 5 p.m.
Busan Sajik Stadium
Mobis Phoebus vs. SK Knights at 5 p.m.
Ulsan Dongcheon Stadium
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 Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02)509-1114 or visit at www.kra.co.kr.