Club Answer
Cheongdam-dong
Equipped with state of the art sound and lighting, Club Answer is the foremost venue for electronic music in Seoul. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, the club presents world class DJs in an extensive space with modern decor to offer a memorable dance experience. Visit www.clubanswer.co.kr, for more information.
Club Heaven
Yeoksam-dong
Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, Club 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.
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 popular 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 open bar or in 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.
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.
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.
St.102
This hip-hop club often has special parties and performances. Do-rags, dreads and baseball caps turned sideways can be spotted here. 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 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 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.
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, for more information.
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. 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 and (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.
Platoon Kunsthalle
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.
Folk Performances
The Korea House
Open Run
The Korea House will be holding 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.
Robot Story
Yeonhui-dong Projects
Through Nov. 21
Artist Kim Seok returns with a solo exhibition of new and old works comprised of his large-scale, meticulous sculptures of robots in wood and plastic. The prolific artist has previously shown his art across Korea, in solo and group exhibitions ranging from the National Museum of Contemporary Art to the COEX. Located in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul. For more information, visit www.hydprojects.com or call (02) 324-1286.
Down in Fukuoka with the Belarusian Blues
Gallery Hyundai
Through Nov. 7
Web artists Young-hae Chang and Marc Voge (aka Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries) return with a new work, reinterpreting a deposition made by an 18-year-old Arthur Rimbaud to modern times. Using Flash, their poetic linguistics and innovative exploration of the form, the duo combines original music to animated texts for their distinctive work. They have previously produced commissioned pieces for the Tate, Centre Pompidou and the New Museum in New York. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
Media Artist Lee Lee-nam
Sun Gallery
Through Oct. 30
Lee Lee-nam is the recipient of this year’s Sun Art Award, designated by the hosting gallery. The artist is the first in the award’s 26-year history to work with new media, and has shown around the world from the Korean Eye exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London and at the Biennale Sevilla. Lee returns with new works, combining such well-known classics from Vincent van Gogh to Gustav Klimt, with technology to create humorous, ironic pieces. Located near exit 6 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.sungallery.co.kr or call (02) 734-0458.
Young Japanese Positions
Michael Schultz Gallery
The work of five contemporary artists — Hiroto Kitagawa, Maki Hosokawa, Ryu Itadani, Satsuki Maeda and Tetsuya Noguchi — are brought together in this group exhibition. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.schultzgallery.co.kr.
Recurrence
Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space
Legendary painter Kim Tschang-yeul returns with a large-scale exhibition of new work, continuing in his well-known theme of water drops. The 81-year-old veteran artist evinces the simplicity and beauty of the element in his quiet, introspective work. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
The Edge of a Surface
Gallery Hyundi 16 Bungee
Through Oct. 24
American artist Melora Kuhn brings her second solo exhibition of brand new works to the gallery space. Included with her characteristic portraits — supplemented with fictional twists — will be her Photo Booth Event that captures the likenesses of her visiting audience. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Visit www.16bungee.com.
Anselm Reyle
Kukje Gallery
Through Nov. 10
Famous German artist Anselm Reyle’s critique of the medium of contemporary painting will be unveiled to the Korean public for the first time in his domestic debut. Reyle, who uses a range of mixed media in his installations and sculptures, brings together such materials as aluminum foil and neon lights. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. Visit www.kukjegallery.com, for more information.
Kim Sora
Maison Hermes Dosan Park
Through Dec. 5
Artist Kim Sora is well-known in the global sphere for her works exhibited everywhere from the Venice Biennale to Los Angeles’ REDCAT art center, but her domestic exposure has fallen slack. To amend this, Kim will open her first solo exhibition in Seoul in three years, bringing to light her new direction in video installations, sculptures and performance art. Located near Dosan Park, by exit 2 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. Call (02) 544-7722.
Song Young-su: Pioneer in Korean Abstract Sculpture
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through Dec. 26
In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Song Young-su’s death, a special retrospective of more than 60 pieces will be shown, comprised of the artist’s unique melded iron works, sketches, photos and other records. Song was the first sculptor to graduate from a domestic college of fine arts following the Korean War (1950-1953), and grew to become a pioneer in his field. Special educational programs, panels and events will be held throughout the exhibition period. Located a shuttlebus-ride away from exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. Visit www.moca.go.kr for more information.
Nouage
Through Oct. 31
The late Shin Sung-hy, an internationally recognized artist who once showed at Art Basel, is known for his multi-dimensional works that involve painting, tearing canvases, and retying the pieces into a new collage (a technique the artist referred to as “nouage”). This exhibition brings once more to the public the complex works of Shin. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station; visit www.galleryhyundai.com.
Yuki Onodera
The Museum of Photography
Through Dec. 4
Renowned photographer Yuki Onodera is holding a solo exhibition of some of her most recognizable works, including pieces from her Eleventh Finger series and Potraits of Second-hand Clothes. Located near exit 2 of Mongchontoseong Station, subway line 8. On the 19th floor of Hanmi Tower. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr.
Trickster Makes This World
Nam June Paik Art Center
Twelve major artists are on exhibition at this large-scale exhibition dedicated to the worlds of imagination. Works by Korean legend Nam June Paik will be on display, as well as pieces by fellow Fluxus artist George Maciunas and pop artist Ray Johnson. Located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. For more information, visit www.njpartcenter.kr.
Media City Seoul 2010
Seoul Museum of Art, various venues
Through Nov. 17
Media City Seoul, formerly known as the Seoul International Media Art Biennale, returns to its avant-garde roots with a revamping of its name and mission: focusing on contemporary art today while looking to the future. Internationally-renowned artists are brought together for this explosive collection of imaginative and quirky event. For more, visit www.mediacityseoul.org.
8th Gwangju Biennale
Gwangju Biennale Hall
Artistic director Massimiliano Gioni revives Korea’s largest art event with an emotionally-charged exhibition. “10,000 Lives” is a retrospective on the relationship between humans and images, providing a somber — if hopeful — look into how we remember the ones we love. For more information, visit www.gb.or.kr.
Busan Biennale
Various venues
Through Nov. 20
This southern biennale returns under the theme of “Living in Evolution,” bringing together 70 artists from all over the world. Held at the Busan Museum of Art and various venues around the city, the event — curated by Takashi Azumaya — comes forth as a vibrant show. For more information, visit www.busanbiennale.org.
Voice Over Three
Art Sonje Center
Yang Haegue’s solo exhibition examines relationships between individuals through the idea of “community.” Her multimedia works explore the concept by looking at three main points: subject, other and another. Located in Samcheong-dong, near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. Visit www.artsonje.org.
Da Vinci ‘The Genius’
The War Memorial of Korea
Through Feb. 27
Historical genius Leonardo Da Vinci who produced the timeless art piece Mona Lisa will be introduced to children through this edu-tainment exhibition. Tickets cost 12,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-3173. Located near exit 12 of Samgakji Subway Station on subway line 4, 6.
Musical ‘The Three Little Piggies’
Ensemble Theater, Seongnam Arts Center
Oct. 22-23
A musical for the kids will be staged and the actors will sing live. The well-known story about the three piggy brothers will not only provide fun, but also a great lesson. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call 1588-3828.
Saturday, October 23
Peace Queen Cup final
Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province at 2 p.m.