Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Club FF
This live music venue features all kinds of music. Depending on the night, they feature funk, punk, rock or pop. Club FF 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 that 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.
Traditional
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.
Animal Theater of Joy, Anger, Sorrow and Pleasure
Gallery Chezart
Through May 25
Artist Kim Hee-jeong brings a solo exhibition depicting the grief and joy of birds. Gallery Chezart is located at Yangjae Station on subway line number 3. Visit www.blog.naver.com/gchezart for more information (Korean only).
Cupiditas
Brain Factory
Through May 30
A solo painting exhibition by Ryu No-ah focuses on the conflicts of human psychodrama on desire. The Brain Factory, a non-profit exhibition space, is located in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, near Gyeongbok-gung Station on line number 3. Call (02) 725-9520 for more information.
Under the Coral-like Blue Concrete
Factory Gallery
May 26-June 20
Vicky Sungeun Kim, an artist educated at both Columbia University and the University of London, brings her newest sculptural-installation pieces to Seoul. Factory Gallery is located in Jongno-gu. Visit www.factory483.org.
Dream in Dream
Uijeongbu Arts Center
Through May 29
An exhibition showcasing 10 famous foreign artists and 58 local artists is opening at the Uijeongbu Art Center. Artists include Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, and Lee Suk-ju. The center is located a 15-minute walk away from Uijeongbu Station on subway line 1, exit 2. Visit www.uac.or.kr.
First Decade
Seoul Museum of Art
Through May 23
The Seoul Museum of Art and Gwangju Museum of Art present an exhibition in five parts to commemorate the first 10 years of the century. The Seoul Museum of Art is located behind Deoksugung Palace at the City Hall Station on subway lines 1 and 2.
Alice in Picture Book Land
Neverland Museum in the Heyri Artists’ Village
Through June 30
The Neverland Museum has collaborated with nine local and foreign artists to bring an exhibition as eccentric and charming as Alice in Wonderland. The Heyri Artists’ Village is located in Paju. Take subway line 2 to Hapjeong Station, exit and take bus 2200 to the city. Visit www.heyri.net for more information.
Between Us: Kirogi Family
Alternative Space Geonhi
Through May 19
Lee Myung-sook presents a solo photography exhibition hosted by the Geonhi Art Foundation. Take subway lines 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station, exit 10. Visit www.geonhi.com.
White Light Black Water
Gwangju Museum of Art
Through June 6
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement, the Gwangju Museum of Art will feature works from Hong Sung-dam, a representative artist of the era. Older and new pieces created in the past decade will be shown at the museum’s Sangrok Gallery. Call (062) 613-7100.
The Moon Is the Oldest Clock
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Through July 4
Eleven artists bring together their latest works in a new exhibition by the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon. Visit www.moca.go.kr.
Harmony
N Gallery
Three international artists collaborate to bring a new exhibition to Seoul. Kim Byung-jong of Korea, Akiyama Jun of Japan and Lee Sun-don of Taiwan will showcase works at N Gallery in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province. Visit www.ngalleryart.com or call (02) 7430-3323.
Eye Trace
Doosan Gallery
Through June 17
Lee Hyung-gu is opening a solo exhibition at Doosan Gallery. The venue is located in Jongno-gu. Visit www.doosangallery.com.
Ahn Chang-hong
Leeahn Gallery
Through May 22
Ahn Chang-hong, a prolific artist active for more than two decades, is opening a show at the Leeahn Gallery. The venue is in Daegu, visit www.leeahngallery.com.
‘Good-Bye My Loneliness’
Insa Art Center
Through May 18
Woo Nam-joo presents a solo exhibition after returning to Korea for the first time in 15 years. Woo spent time studying abroad in France, Italy and Australia. Insa Art Center is located in Yongdu-dong, Dongdaemun-gu. Call (02) 953-8401.
Seed Bank
Seo Gallery
Kim Chun-hee, Park Hyeon-jin, Shin Soo-jin and Jeong Chan-boo are collaborating on an abstract, contemporary art show. Seo Gallery is located in Seocho-gu; call (02) 522-5618.
Night
Kukje Gallery
American artist Jack Pierson brings his latest found-art word sculptures to Seoul. Kukje Gallery is located in Jongno-gu; visit www.kukjegallery.com.
Comic Book Showcase
Coreana Museum of Art
Through June 27
Kim Sang-ha’s personal collection of comic books offers a rare peek into the Japanese subculture in the 8th open gallery of the Coreana Museum of Art. More than 3,000 books will be presented at the exhibition, sure to pique the interest of everyone. The museum is located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.spacec.co.kr.
What Takes Place in Memory
Gallery LVS
Indian artist M. Pravat opens a solo exhibition, presenting a look into the rising middle-class in fast-growing India. Gallery LVS is located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Call (02) 3443-7475 for details.
Domestic Era
Gallery Sun Contemporary
Through June 5
Shin Dong-won presents a solo exhibition of his porcelain relief works on domestic life. Gallery Sun Contemporary is loacted in Insa-dong; take subway line 3 to Anguk Station, exit 6. Visit www.suncontemporary.com.
Images of Korean Motifs
Book Sadang Gallery
Sangmyung University is hosting 19 artists in their exhibition “Images of Korean Motifs.” The event will be held at the main university library. Call (02) 2287-7026.
Pink City
Gallery Root
Kim Boo-yeong brings another solo exhibition to Seoul this spring. Kim spent several years living and presenting her art in Paris, France. The exhibition focuses on her works depicting children. Visit www.galleryroot.co.kr.
X-Ray Photo Art
Keumsan Gallery
May 15-June 6
Doctor Chung Tae-seop brings new works to his X-ray series in a solo show. Keumsan Gallery is located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Visit www.keumsan.org.
OHOHH
Gallery Plant
Through May 26
Hwang Se-jun opens a solo exhibition in Seoul. Gallery Plant is in Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu. Visit www.galleryplant.kr.
Phantoms
Atelier Hermes
Renowned French installation artist Bertrand Lavier will be presenting old and new works at Atelier Hermes, located on the third floor of the Hermes flagship store, near Dosan Park, southern Seoul.
Being a Queen
The Museum of Photography, Seoul
Chun Kyung-woo is holding a solo show at the Museum of Photography. The museum is located at the 19th and 20th floors of Hanmi Tower, Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr.
Time Is a Mirror
Gallery b’ONE
Kim Mi-kyung, graduate of the New York Parsons School of Design, is opening her first solo exhibit at Gallery b’ONE. The gallery in Hwa-dong, Jongno, Seoul. Visit www.gallerybeone.kr.
Martin Wehmer
Michael Schultz Gallery
Through May 21
German artist Martin Wehmer presents his next solo exhibition in Seoul at the European-focused art gallery. Michael Schultz Gallery is in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.schultzgallery.co.kr.
Radiance
PKM Gallery
Through June 11
Park Chan-kyong presents his works on the loss of the “Korean utopia” in his latest solo exhibition. PKM Gallery, in collaboration with Bartleby Bickle & Meursault, is located in Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu. visit www.pkmgallery.com.
Family Musical “Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town”
Dome Art Hall, Children’s Grand Park
Through May 16
The Broadway family musical “Thomas and Friends” will be staged in Korea by the original creative team. The show is set on the Island of Sodor where Thomas and other train engines are preparing for a big circus event. Tickets cost from 35,000 to 50,000 won. For More information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 1 of Children’s Grand Park Station on subway line 7.
Fart King Ppwung Ppwung
Seoul Kyoyuk Munhwa Hoekwan Theater
EBS program “Fart King Ppwung Ppwung,” becomes a children’s musical featuring fun songs. Tickets cost from 25,000 to 45,000 won. Call (02) 501-7888. Located near exit 7 of Yangjae Station on subway line 3.
Baseball
Saturday, May 15
KIA Tigers vs. Hanhwa Eagles
Hanbat Stadium at 5 p.m.
Lotte Giants vs. LG Twins
Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.
Doosan Bears vs. SK Wyverns
Munhak Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.
Samsung Lions vs. Nexen Heroes
Mokdong Baseball Stadium at 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 16
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.
Ouhi Cha’s La Boite de la Memoire
Watergate Gallery
Ouhi Cha returns to Korea for the first time in two years at Watergate Gallery. The show will present myriad drawings, paintings and large installations before traveling to Chang Art in Beijing, this June. Watergate is in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.watergate.co.kr.
Kim Ji-won
PKM Trinity Gallery
Through June 4
Kim Ji-won returns with a solo show of her new works at PKM Trinity Gallery this spring. The PKM Trinity Gallery is in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. For more information go to www.pkmgallery.com
Park Soo-keun
Gallery Hyundai
Gallery Hyundai commemorates the 45th anniversary of the renowned Park Soo-keun’s death with an exhibition. Park, a historic figure in modern Korean art, became known at an international level posthumously. Gallery Hyundai is located in Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
Kwak Su-yeon
Gallery Erl
June 1-July 1
Kwak Su-yeon is holding a solo exhibition on new works that critique human greed, consumption and hypocrisy at the Gallery Erl ― through the satirical use of animals as her main subject. Gallery Erl is located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.galleryerl.com.
Tokujin Yoshioka: Spectrum
museum.beyond Museum
Internationally renowned Tokujin Yoshioka brings his beautifully simplistic works to Seoul ― including the famous “Tornado,” a piece constructed of 15,000 clear plastic straws ― in his first solo exhibition here. The museum is located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Visit www.beyondmuseum.com.