The Circle
Cheongdam-dong
Located in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, it's notorious for turning you down unless you're dressed chic and sleek. Faithful to its name, it has a round revolving floor ― looking for your ``lost'' table gives clubbers the perfect excuse to sit down with a sexy stranger. Located on Dosan-daero near Hak-dong intersection. Call (02) 546-5933 or visit www.thecircle.co.kr.
Club Answer
This might be the answer to your nightlife. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and the ones on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Or mingling with the hot bartenders at the open bar might be a fine alternative. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance of Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.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.
Club NB
Gangnam
This hip-hop hot spot is a cornerstone of Seoul nightlife. ``Noise Basement'' often holds special parties and performances and you can find Korean homies here with do-rags, dreads and baseball caps turned sideways. Located near Kyobo Bookstore (exit 6 of Gangnam station on subway line 2). Call (02) or visit www.clubnb.com. Check out other NB chains in Hongdae.
Underlounge Seoul
It's the local club of a hip Japanese chain that's also to be found in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it's all flashy with loud club music and lights. It's pretty spacious with a supersized mirror ball hanging over your head. DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the open bar or classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr.
Moonyang Bar
This place is an Asian-inspired lounge located 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.
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, expect to hear funk, punk, rock, or pop. Funky Funky attracts an eclectic 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
Apgujeong-dong
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
This dark, intimate bar offers a great selection of wine, and is a great place to chill out. It's near the 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.
Traditional Wine Making Demonstration
Namsangol Hanok Village
6-9 p.m., every Saturday
In the courtyard of Namsangol Hanok Village, visitors can see demonstrations of how traditional Korean wines were made. Usually made from rice, traditional wines were considered, if taken in moderation, good for the body. Located near exits 3 and 4 of Chungmuro station on subway lines 3 and 4. Call (02) 2266-6923.
Korean Classical Music & Dance
8-9 p.m. everyday
You can listen to traditional Korean chamber music, including the piri (cylindrical oboe), haegeum (two-stringed fiddle), ajaeng (seven-string zither bowed with a rosined stick), as well as pansori (Korean opera) and dance. The daily performance takes place at Anchae in Younghyo Park's House in the Hanok Village, located near exits 3 and 4 of Chungmuro station on subway lines 3 and 4. Call (02) 2266-6923.
Experience Hanok Life
11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays
At Namsangol Hanok Village, a well preserved Joseon (1392-1910) nobleman's house, visitors are able to see and experience traditional Korean daily life, such as making jipsin (straw shoes), doenjang (bead curd) and jelly. Located near exits 3 and 4 of Chungmuro station on subway lines 3 and 4. Call (02) 2266-6923.
Now Jump: Nam June Paik Festival
Nam June Paik Art Center
Through Feb. 5
Located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, the Nam June Paik Art Center is dedicated to the late Paik (1932-2006) and his legacy as the ``father of video art.'' ``Now Jump,'' features not just Paik's works such as ``TV Garden'' and ``Elephant Cart,'' but also works by 113 artists and nine groups from 19 countries. Admission is 7,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for middle and high school students and 3,000 won for elementary school students. Visit www.njpartcenter.kr.
Golden Mean of Jeju Living
Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space
Through Nov. 5
Lee Wal-chong depicts Jeju's idyllic life in delicately colored traditional folk paintings, on display at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com or call (02) 519-0800.
Handmade Memories
Kukje Gallery
Through Nov. 15
Jung Yeon-doo presents a new series of works ``Handmade Memory Capsules'' at a solo exhibition at Kukje Gallery. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Past Due
Gallery Em
Korean-born American artist Jon Widman is holding a solo exhibition, featuring his works ``Faces,'' ``Spines'' and ``Pages.'' Visit www.galleryem.co.kr or call (02) 544-8145.
Bae Hyo-nam
Gallery Jant
Through Oct. 25
Powerful sculptures by Bae Hyo-nam are currently on display at Gallery Jant, Seohyeon-dong, Bundang. Call (031) 783-7931.
Landscapism
Michael Schultz Gallery
Through Nov. 8
A new exhibit featuring works by Sven Druehl, an artist and art historian, is on-going at Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul. Visit www.scultzgallery.co.kr.
Flowers that Never Fade
National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea
Through Nov. 3
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of artist Son Sang-ki, an exhibition of his works is being held at Gallery 7 of the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Visit www.moca.go.kr.
In the Moment
Gallery Cha
Through Nov. 1
This exhibition features photographs by Roh Sean and paintings by Yoon Hye-jung. Call (02) 730-1700.
Shin Kyoung-hee
Gallery Doll
Through Oct. 26
Rising print artist Shin Kyoung-hee is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery Doll. Visit www.gallerydoll.com or call (02) 739-1405.
Lee Gil-woo, Lee Sang-sun
Urban Art
Through Oct. 30
Artists Lee Gil-woo and Lee Sang-sun are holding a joint exhibition at Urban Art gallery. Visit www.urbanart4u.com or call (02) 511-2931.
Beautiful Revolution
UNC Gallery
In Lee Hee-myoung's works, ``the world evolves from dominance towards recesiveness." She overturns the natural order of the world, giving power to ``inferior" beings. Visit www.uncgallery.com or call (02) 733-2798.
Lee Bul
PKM Trinity Gallery
Through Nov. 20
Renowned Korean artist Lee Bul returns to Seoul for a solo exhibition of her innovative works at PKM Trinity Gallery in Cheongdam-dong. Visit www.pkmgallery or call (02) 515-9496.
Hans Broeck Show
Seomi & Tuus Gallery
Dutch artist Hans Broeck is holding a solo exhibition at the Seomi & Tuus Gallery in Cheongdam-dong. Visit www.seomituus.com or call (02) 511-7305.
Junebum Park
Through Nov. 2
Promising video artist Junebum Park is staging a solo exhibition unveiling 16 new works at Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space. The works are based on video images he took himself. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com or call (02) 519-0800.
Stones
Gallery Kong
Through Nov. 9
This solo exhibition features works of Kim Soo-kang, who takes photographs of stones and captures the stones' gentle shades of white and gray. Call (02) 738-7776.
Friction
Gallery Space
Through Nov. 16
Gallery Space re-opens with a solo exhibition by artist Park Ki-won. His work ``Friction" covers the gallery's floor with fine stainless steel threads crisscrossing in irregular patterns. Visit www.space-culture.net or call (02) 3670-3628.
1,025: With or Without Person
Arko Art Center
An exhibition featuring works of Yun Suk-nam is ongoing at the Arko Art Center. In relation to the exhibit, the 6th Chino Kaori Memorial New Vision lecture will be held on Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. Visit www.arkoartcenter.or.kr.
All Life Force is From Lumiere and Water
Cafe Miel
Japanese artist Asuka Haruyama integrates washi or Japanese traditional paper and light-emitting diodes (LED) in her works. Her works are on display at Cafe Miel, in Cheongdam-dong. Visit www.miel.kr or call (02) 548-7832.
New SF
Gallery 2
Artist KDK, whose real name is Kim Do-kyun, is holding a new exhibition ``New SF.'' Visit www.gallery2.co.kr.
Embracing Evening
Museum of Photography, Seoul
Through Dec. 6
Kang Woon-gu captures the Korean countryside in stark black and white photographs displayed at the Museum of Photography, southern Seoul. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr or call (02) 418-1315.
5th Seoul International Media Art Biennale
Seoul Museum of Art
Media City Seoul 2008 will showcase how art and technology meet in innovative works by artists from all over the world. The main theme this year is ``Turn and Widen" referring to the growing influence of media art around the world. Sixty-nine artists from 26 countries, including Korea, Japan, China, Australia, France, United States, Netherlands and Denmark are participating in the event. Visit www.mediacityseoul.co.kr.
Annual Report: A Year in Exhibitions
Gwangju Biennale, Gwangju
The 7th Gwangju Biennale will mainly feature works by artists and exhibitions held between January 2007 to September 2008. Exhibitions, performances, film screenings, music and theater events are held at the Biennale Hall, Gwangju Museum of Art, Uijae Museum of Korean Art, Cinema Gwangju and the Daein traditional market. Visit www.gb.or.kr.
Expenditure
Busan Biennale, Busan
As part of the Busan Biennale, a contemporary art exhibition is held at the Busan Museum of Modern Art, while a sea art festival is staged at Gwangalli Beach. Various sculptures are installed at the APEC Naru Park. Visit https://www.busanbiennale.org.
Far Line 38
Mongin Art Center
Leading Japanese contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima holds an exhibition with his works such ``Far Line 38,'' where he took photographs of Koreans at the 38th parallel dividing the Korean peninsula. Visit www.mongin.org or call (02) 736-1446.
Masters of the 20th Century: Latin American Art
National Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace
The exhibit shows 120 works by 84 Latin American artists, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It provides a broad overview of the development of the Latin American art scene from the early 20th century to the 1970s. Admission is 10,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for students Visit www.laart.kr or www.moca.go.kr/deoksugung.moca.html.
2008 Hermes Foundation Missulsang
Atelier Hermes
The 2008 Hermes Foundation Missulsang features the works of Kim Shin-il, Song Sang-hee and Ham Yang-ah. Atelier Hermes is located in Shinsa-dong, Gangnam. Closed on Wednesdays. Call (02) 544-7722.
Rubens, Baroque Masterpieces
Gwangju Museum of Art
Seventy-five pieces from the Baroque collection of the Vienna Academy Museum are in Korea for the first time ― 19 of them being works by Rubens. Closed on Mondays. Visit https://www.korearubens.co.kr.
Architectural Ceramics ― OLD
Clayarch Gimhae Museum
Through Feb. 8, 2009
The Clayarch Gimhae Museum is hosting an exhibition focused on architectural ceramics by ten artists from Korea, U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Japan. The exhibition also features photographs by Belgian photographer Mark De Fraeye. The museum is located in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. Visit www.clayarch.org or call (055) 340-7000.
Kapuluan: Islands of Vision
Gallery Nuri, Korea Foundation Cultural Center
Through Oct. 18
Four artists from the Philippines are holding an exhibition ``Kapuluan: Islands of Vision." Participating artists include William Gaudinez, Samuel Penaso, Jimmy Vista and Loreta Medina. Admission is free. Visit www.kfcenter.or.kr.
Reality+Image
Gana Art Center
Through Oct. 19
Korean artist Kim Kang-yong creates mixed media works that are filled with grid-like walls and disassembled piles of bricks. Visit www.ganaart.com or call (02) 720-1020.
Group Exhibition
N Gallery
N Gallery features the works of Chun Jun-yeup, Seo Soo-young and Jeung Boung-ki in a group exhibition. Visit www.ngalleryart.com.
Zhou Tiehai
PKM Gallery
Chinese artist Zhou Tiehai appropriate the iconic Joe Camel character from the popular cigarette ads, and used them in his works. Visit www.pkmgallery.com.
Science Illusion Exhibition
Seoul National Science Museum
Through March 1
Experience the world of lights at the Science Illusion Exhibit from Japan. Kids can learn the wonders of electricity and also enjoy artwork made with lasers, holograms, LEDs and other interactive systems. Tickets cost from 8,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-8732. Located near exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
Puppet Musical Little Donkey
Seoul Open Theater Changdong
Oct. 24-26
A charming musical about friendship ``Little Donkey'' is coming to Seoul. Join donkey on a quest for missing socks that flew away in a storm. The musical is based on the award-winning Dutch children's story by Rindert Kromhout and will offer touching and delightful songs, along with lovable characters. Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, visit www.https://ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 594-4025. Located near exit 1 of Changdong Station on subway line 1 or 4.
Family Musical Momo
Changjo Concert Hall
Open Run
Momo is a delightful little girl who has the gift of listening. She helps people find their way out of problems by simply listening to them. But everything changes as the Men in Grey arrive at the village. The meaning of time is altered to a hectic and sterile concept, leaving Momo on a quest to bring back the pleasant village and the meaning of time to their righteous place. All tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 747-7001. Located near exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
K-League Soccer
Oct. 18, 2008 Saturday
Jeju United FC vs. Daegu FC at 2:30 p.m.
Jeju Complex Stadium
Gyeongnam FC vs. Pohang Steelers at 3 p.m.
Masan Stadium
Seongnam Ilhwa FC vs. Busan I-Park at 7 p.m.
Tancheon Complex Stadium
Suwon FC Blue Wings vs. Gwangju Sanmu FC at 7:30 p.m.
Suwon World Cup Stadium
Oct. 19, 2008 Sunday
Chunnam Dragons vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Morots FC at 3:30 p.m.
Gwangyang Stadium
FC Seoul vs. Daejeon Citizen FC at 3 p.m.
Seoul World Cup Stadium
Incheon United Fc vs. Ulsan Hyundai FC at 3 p.m.
Incheon World Cup 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.