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 those 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 toi Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr.
Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also found in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s flashy with loud club music and lights. It’s spacious and a supersized crystal ball hangs 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.
Club M2
Hongdae
M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd of models and celebrities. Packed on weekends. Check out www.ohoo.net.
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. 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.
St.102
This hip-hop club often has special parties and performances. There are many Korean homies here with dorags, 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 Seogyodong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
Rocky Mountain Tavern
Itaewon
A down-to-earth place, the club was started by a couple of Canadians. With a spacious, wooden bar, the tavern is spread out on two floors. Find it in 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, expect to hear funk, punk, rock, or pop. Funky Funky attracts an eclectic mix of people. To get there: Walk down 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 a mainly standing room-only place. 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 it’s a great place to chill out. It’s near Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada buildings in Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Folk Performances
The 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, subway lines 3 and 4.
Art in Bloom 2009: The Storming Party in Art Museum
Seoul Museum of Art
Through June 14
Fresh and vibrant Pop Art works by rising Korean artists and art groups such as Kim Ye-sol, Byun Dae-young, Kim & Hyun and Sticky Monster Lab are on display at the Seoul Museum
Itemtity
Gallery Em
Through June 13
Lee Si-woo created the term “itemtity,”a combination of item and identity, to refer to the exploration of identity in his paintings. Visit www.galleryem.co.kr or call (02) 544-8145.
Kim Han-sun
Gallery Woolim
Through May 12
Kim Han-sun combines history and culture in creating art pieces featuring the Korean cavalry. This is Kim’s 13th solo exhibition. Visit www.artwoolim.com or call (02) 733-3788.
Ghosting
I Gong Gallery, Daejeon
Through May 13
Kim Dong-jin applied anaglyph images, which are made of two-color layers of red and cyan, to his paintings. He calls his anaglyph images “ghosting,”a technical optics term for afterimage. Call (042) 489-0234.
Green
Gallery 2
Through June 6
Green may be the title of Kim Byung-hoon’s solo exhibition, but the color green is nowhere to be found in his C-print art works featuring plants and trees. Visit www.gallery2.co.kr.
Liaison - House
Brain Factory
Through May 17
Park Dae-sung’s installation works feature miniature wooden houses. Call (02725-9520)
Waist Down ― Skirts by Miuccia Prada
Prada Transformer
Through May 24
The Prada Transformer, a temporary structure built on the grounds of Gyeonghui Palace, opened with this exhibition featuring 65 of the most outstanding skirts from Prada's collections since 1988. Admission is free, but advanced reservation is required. Visit www.prada-transformer.com. For non-Koreans, call (02) 737-4773 or email booking.transformer@prada.com.
In Between
Gallery Cha
Through May 28
Jang Hee-jin and Sang Eun-sung are showcasing their artwork at Gallery Cha, Tongui-dong, Jongno. Call (02) 730-1700.
Hwang Seon-tae
Dr. Park Gallery
Through May 31
Hwang Seon-tae presents his series of ``glass-photos'' at Dr. Park Gallery, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. He describes the glass-photos as his own ``thinking space,'' with each piece composed of a photo, glass and wood. Visit www.drparkart.com.
Drawn Out From a 10 Year Old Journal
Weibang Gallery
Yang Dae-won is holding a solo exhibition at Weibang Gallery, Whadong, Jongno-gu. Visit www.weibanggallery.com.
Dominique Mulhem
Yea Sung Gallery
French artist Dominique Mulhem studied art at the National Superior Fine Arts School of Paris and is holding a solo exhibition in Seoul at the Yea Sung Gallery. Call (02) 738-3630 or email yeasung-gallery@hanmail.net.
What You See is What You See
KT Gallery
May 12-29
Photographs by Park Jong-guk and Karsten Trappe are on display for this exhibition at KT Gallery, on the second floor of KT Art Hall.
Julian Opie
Kukje Gallery
Leading British artist Julian Opie is known for his use of computerized imagery, creating human figures with black flat lines. His solo exhibition is held at Kukje Gallery, located near Gyeongbok Palace. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Equinox
Kim Chong-yung Sculpture Museum
Through May 21
Park Won-joo is presenting his unique sculptures at the Kim Chong-yung Sculpture Museum, located in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno. Visit www.kimchongyung.com.
Kang Hyung-koo
Arario Seoul
Kang Hyung-koo, considered one of the leading portraitists in Korea, creates larger-than-life portraits of famous figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Salvador Dali. Visit www.arariogallery.com
David Korty
I III Art
Through May 30
American artist David Korty is holding his first solo show in Seoul at the I III Art gallery in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.imartgallery.com.
’72, Goam, Venice
The Museum of Photography, Seoul
The Hanmi Foundation of Arts and Culture organized a retrospective of paintings, collages and prints by the late renowned painter Lee Ungno. Lee combined traditional brush painting with abstract modernism in his acclaimed works. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr or call (02) 418-1315.
My Favorite
Urban Art
Through May 15
Different types of characters appear in the paintings, sculptures and multimedia works of seven Korean artists in this exhibition. Kwon Ki-soo is famous for the cheeky Dongguri character. Visit www.urbanart4u.com.
Martin Mannig, Slawomir Elsner,
Joanna M. Wezyk
German artist Martin Mannig’s works combine elements of traditional German tales and modern subcultures, while Polish artist Joanna M. Wezyk’s paintings are haunting meditations on the past and present in abandoned gothic cathedrals. Slawomir Elsner creates elaborate drawings depicting war and disasters. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02)735-8449.
Open Your Third Eye
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through June 7
Contemporary Indian art is on display at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, in Gwacheon. To get there, get off at Seoul Grand Park, Line 4, Exit 4. A shuttle bus brings visitors to the museum. Visit www.moca.go.kr.
New Acquisitions 2008
National Musuem of Contemporary Art
The National Museum of Contemporary Art is showing off 212 new works it acquired last year and added to its already extensive art collection. Among the new acquisitions are drawings by Lee Joong-sub and photographs by Kim Il-chang and Kim Han-yong. Part One of the exhibition runs through June 7, and Part Two runs June 16-Aug 30. To get there, get off Seoul Grand Park Station, line No.4, exit 4. Visit www.moca.go.kr/index.htm.
Adagio for Springs
Arario Gallery, Cheonan
Shine Kong’s paintings from the “Yestoday” series exude an air of whimsy. Visit www.arariogallery.com
Art & Synesthesia
The Art & Synesthesia exhibition aims to give museum-goers a new experience in viewing art by allowing them to also touch and smell the artwork on display. A total of 24 Korean artists have participated in the exhibition. Visit www.seoulmoa.org or call (02)2124-8800.
Rama Lama Ding Dong
Atelier Hermes
Atelier Hermes is presenting an exhibition of the collaborative works of two Korean pop artists, Meena Park and Jackson Hong. The gallery is located on the third floor of the Hermes flagship store in Sinsa-dong. Call (02) 544-7722.
Portraits of Great Korean Imperial
Family
The Museum of Photography Seoul
Rare, original photographs of the Joseon Dynasty’s last royal family taken from 1897-1910 are displayed at the Museum of Photography. Tickets cost 5,000 won. Visit www.photomuseum. or.kr.
Bremen Town Musicians
National Museum of Korea
Through May 10
Four animals head to Bremen to be a Bremen Town musicians. The musical presents various animation shows and musical instruments. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark. com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.
Pororo and the Chamber of the Secret
Seoul Education Culture Center
Pororo sets out to make a secret work in his lab called “the Chamber of the Secret. The Musical offers children the chance to participate in the performance. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 7 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3.
Football
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Pohang vs. Jeju
Pohang Steelyard Stadium at 3 p.m.
Jeonbuk vs. Seoul
Jeonju Worldcup Stadium at 4 p.m.
Seongnam vs. Busan
Seongnam Stadium at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Daegu vs. Jeonnam
Daegu Stadium at 3 p.m.
Gyeongnam vs. Gangwon
Changwon Stadium at 3 p.m.
Ulsan vs. Incheon
Ulsan Munsu Stadium at 3 p.m.
Suwon vs. Gwangju
Suwon Worldcup Stadium at 3 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 Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02)509-1114 or visit at www.kra.co.kr.