Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is 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 music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized crystal ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the 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 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 Heaven
Yeoksam-dong
Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, Heaven is gaining a reputation as a clubber’s paradise with star DJs and a celebrity clientele. Electronic music is the main menu, with laser light and paper confetti shows aplenty on the side. The club caters to partying at any hour of the night: the “main stage” on the first floor is open until 6:30 a.m., while club hoppers can enter the upper level’s “after stage” after 4:30 a.m. Call 1644-8466.
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
Itaewon
A wine bar and restaurant with a design so stunning, that 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.
Le Nuit Blanche
Cheongdam-dong
Formerly Club Answer, Le Nuit Blanche is introduced as a posh restaurant, theater and club. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, Le Nuit Blanche offers Cirque du Soleil-type performances at its theater restaurant. World class DJs from all over the world are invited to perform at the club. Call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.lenuitblanche.com.
Platoon Kunsthalle
Apgujeong-dong
Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space where visitors can enjoy various facilities, including an event hall, library lounge, art studios and a bar and restaurant. Open from Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. DJ nights on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m. Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. Visit www.kunsthalle.com or www.platoon.org.
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, turn left and look for Gachi’s red and white sign. Gachi is open from Mondays to Fridays 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call (02) 540 7087.
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 the Hongdae area. The stone walls feature photographs and rusted steel plates cover the windows. This place is in Mapo at Seogyo-dong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
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 over two floors. Find it on Itaewon’s main drag across from the International Clinic. Located near exit 5 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6.
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 eclectic mix of people. 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 usually starting at 7: 30 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.
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 the Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada buildings in Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Folk Performances
The Korea House
Open Run
The Korea House will hold 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.
Ectoplasma
Gallery 2
Through March 27
Jackson Hong is displaying a new series of works, which feature everyday objects like a plunger and a box of cornflakes, at Gallery 2. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visit www.gallery2.co.kr.
Sound of Reaction
Brain Factory
Through March 21
Sim Jun-seub has created an interactive sound installation featuring pipes at Brain Factory, Tongui-dong, Jongno. Visit www. brainfactory.org.
Play Mob
Art Space Hue
Through March 26
Shin Jae-hyun is holding a solo show at Art Space Hue, located in Seogyo, Mapo, Seoul. Visit www.artspacehue.com.
Les Fleurs
Kukje Gallery
Through March 31
Renowned French artist Louise Bourgeois is holding a solo show featuring drawings and sculptures of flowers at Kukje Gallery. Bourgeois is considered one of the most important living artists of the 21st century. Visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 733-8449.
Eronomist
Gallery Jung
Through March 10
Gallery Jung, located in Sinsa, Gangnam,is holding an exhibition titled “Eronomist,” featuring works by Jo Hun and Choi Gyeong-tai. Visit www.galleryjung.co.kr
New Vision
Gallery LVS
Through March 24
Gallery LVS is presenting a group exhibition featuring works by Lee Kyeong-ha, Kim Mi-jung and Shin Soo-young. Lee is showing the painting “A Tough Tree Trunk,” while Shin presents “Milk-livered Boys,” and Kim is exhibiting “A Merry Go Round.” Visit www.gallerylvs.org.
Wow! This Is Not A Joke, It’s Art?
Gallery Bundo, Daegu
Through March 17
Richard Jochum, who is also a studio member at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, is presenting his media works at Gallery Bundo, Daebong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. Visit www.bundoart.com.
The Depth of Surface
16 Bungee
Na Jeom-soo is holding a solo show at 16 Bungee, located in Sagan-dong. 16 Bungee seeks to introduce experimental art to a wider audience.
BCGKMRY
Through April 4
MeeNa Park is holding a solo exhibition of her recent paintings from the BK and Dingbat series, plus an installation of 200 drawings made throughout her 10-year career. Kukje Gallery is located in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno, downtown Seoul. Visit www.kukjegallery.com.
Woman and the City
Czech Info Centre
Through March 13
A selection of photographs by renowned Czech fashion photographer Jiri Turek is on display at the Czech Info Centre, on the third floor of the Castle Praha Building, Hongdae. His photographs have been featured in Elle, Premiere and other top magazines, as well as on album covers for record labels EMI, Sony Music and Universal Music. Admission is free. Visit www.czechinfo.or.kr.
Gazing Beyond
Gallery b’One
Through March 25
Gallery b’One is opening its doors with an exhibition featuring works by Ah Doo-jin, Kim Mi-kyung and Roh Hyun-tark. The gallery is located in Hwa-dong, Jongno. Call (02) 732-1273 or visit www.gallerybeone.kr.
What We Found in an Abandoned Garage
Gallery Factory
March 25-April 18
Installations by Jung Su-young and charcoal works by Sandro Setola from the Netherlands are being presented at Gallery Factory. Visit www.factory483.org.
Delicious Candle
Coreana Museum of Art
Through April 18
“Delicious Candle” is the newest exhibition of artful candles at the open gallery of the Coreana Museum of Art. Visit www.spacec.co.kr.
Stage Reality
Salon de H
Through March 20
Salon de H, located in Cheongdam-dong, is hosting a group exhibition of works by five Korean artists. Visit www.artcompanyh.com.
Choi Won-suk & Rhee Jae-young Exhibition
Gallery Em
Through March 12
Choi Won-suk and Rhee Jae-young are presenting their photographic art work at Gallery Em, Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. Choi’s series is called “The Playground,” while Rhee’s is “Self-Analysis.” Visit www.galleryem.co.kr.
Andre Masson
Die Galerie
Works by French surrealist artist Andre Masson (1896-1987) are on display at Die Galerie, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday; and until 6 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.die-galerie.co.kr.
Electronic Nostalgia: Broken Dream
Sungkok Art Museum
Kim Young-heon is holding a solo show at Sungkok Art Museum. Visit www.sungkokmuseum.com.
Bahk Zong-sun Solo Exhibition
Gallery Seomi
Through March 19
Unique designs by Bahk Zong-sun are on display. Bahk was one of the Korean artists that Gallery Seomi took to 2009 Design Miami. Visit www.seomituus.com or call (02) 511-7305.
Accumulated Traces
Yoon Kalim is holding a solo exhibition at Gallery Factory, as part of the “2010 Factory Emerging Artist Show.” Visit www.factory483.org.
The Triumph of Failure
Noam Gallery
Through March 9
Noam Gallery is hosting a group exhibition featuring new works by five lens-based artists: Martin Bardell, Chung Hee-seung, Sam Holden, Tess Hurrell and Jochen Klein. “The Triumph of Failure” seeks to explore defeat as a concept in contemporary photography. There are 22 photographs, three videos and 1 installation at the gallery, located in Insadong. Visit www.noamgallery.com.
Oh! Masterpieces
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art
The museum is showing its newly acquired artworks and collections in its first exhibition of the year. Among the 58 acquisitions are works by Korean artists Suh Se-ok, Lee Sang-nam, Bae Young-hwan and Cho Sung-mook. The museum is located in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Call (031) 481-7000.
New Painting Exhibition
Urban Art
Kwon Ki-soo, known for the quirky colorful Dongguri character, is unveiling new works at his show at Urban Art, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.urbanart4u.com or call (02) 511-2930.
Korean Folktales Tiger and Magpie Exhibition
Pyeongchang Art
To welcome the Year of the Tiger, Pyeongchang Art has organized an exhibition of paintings featuring tigers and magpies. Admission is free. Call (02) 3216-0034.
Artists With Arario
Arario Seoul, Arario Cheonan
Works by artists such as Kang Hyung-koo, Shine Kong, Osang Gwon, Lee Hyung-koo, Leslie de Chavez and Tallur L.N are on display at both Arario Seoul (through March 31) and Arario Cheonan (through March 21). Visit www.arariogallery.com.
Earth, Water, Fire, Air
Atelier Hermes
Through March 28
Atelier Hermes’ first exhibition for 2010 features works by Kim Soo-ja. The gallery, located near Dosan Park, is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed on Wednesdays.
Kang Duck-sung
Philip Kang Gallery
Through March 6
Kang Duck-sung is holding a solo show of his colorful mixed media installations at Philip Kang Gallery, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.philipkanggallery.net.
Death and Faith
Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul
German fashion designer and artist Wolfgang Joop is presenting an array of works, such as his marble sculptures “From Dawn till Dusk III” and hand-embroidered works “Eternal Love,” in his show at Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul. He is known for his brands Joop and Wunderkind. The gallery is located at the Nature Poem building, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.schultzgallery.co.kr or call (02) 546-7955.
Class of 2010
Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space
Through March 7
Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space is showcasing the works of 20 young artists at this group exhibition. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com or call (02) 519-0800.
Doggy Poo
OU Theater, Dogok 2 Munhwa Center
Based on Kwon Jung-saeng’s book, “Doggy Poo” is taking the stage at OU Theater. The story is told both in English and Korean in a way that children can easily understand. All tickets cost 20,000 won. Visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 3447-0426. Located near exits 1 and 4 of Maebong Station on subway line 3.
Family Ballet “Alice in Wonderland”
Oulim Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex
May 4-5
Seoul Ballet Theater (SBT) will stage “Alice in Wonderland” this May. The story is based on Lewis Carroll’s classic novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” James Jeon, who is the president choreographer of SBT focused on entertaining a younger audience when he created this ballet. Tickets cost from 12,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-7766.Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3.
Basketball
Saturday, March 6
Ulsan Mobis vs. Dongbu Promy
Ulsan Dongcheon Stadium at 3 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. SK Knights
Jeonju Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
ET Land Elephants vs. Daegu Orions
Incheon Samsan Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
KT&G Kites vs. Samsung Thunders
Anyang Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 7
KT SonicBoom vs. KT&G Kites
Busan Sajik Stadium at 3 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. Daegu Orions
Jamsil Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
LG Sakers vs. Ulsan Mobis
Changwon Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
SK Knights vs. ET Land Elephants
Jamsil Student Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
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.