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.
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.
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.
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.
Itaewon
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.
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.
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. Call (02) 540-7087.
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.
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 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.
Korea House
Open Run
Korea House regularly holds a series of traditional performances featuring dance, “pansori” (Korean opera) and more. Tickets cost 50,000 won. The venue offers various hands-on activities such as making kimchi. Visit www.koreahouse.or.kr or call (02) 2266-9101. Located near exit 3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines 3 and 4.
Korea Cultural House
Dec. 29-30
Percussion project group Taa will stage various experimental “gut” (traditional Korean exorcisms) performances to welcome in the New Year. Tickets cost 10,000 won for students and 20,000 won for adults. Located near exit 3 and 4 of Samseong Station on subway line 2. Call (070) 7695-9770 or 1544-1555 for more information.
KB Youth Sky Theater, The National Theater of Korea
Dec. 31
Master singer of “pansori” (traditional Korean music) An Suk-seon presents a New Year’s Eve performance of “Sugungga,” a tale of animals that live in water and on land. She will take on all the roles in full, narrated by professor Choi Dong-hyun, a pansori expert. Tickets costs 20,000 won. Located near exit 6 of Dongguk Uni. Station on subway line 3. Call (02) 2280-4114 for more information.
The National Theater of Korea
Through Dec. 29
The National Changguk Company of Korea presents a “changguk” (traditional Korean opera) version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” with the National Dance Company of Korea. While the overall flow of the original remains intact, the characters and backgrounds reflect Korean culture and tradition. Located near exit 6 of Dongkuk Univ. Station on subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Call (02) 2280- 4115.
Dr. Park Gallery
Through Jan. 16, 2011
Kim Jin-chul is holding a solo exhibition at the Dr. Park Gallery in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Kim is consumed by subjects that lend themselves to photorealism, with landscapes, young women with tousled blond hair and a sense of being at odds with Eastern tradition. Call (031) 775-5600 or visit www.drparkart.com for more information.
Gallery Hyundai
Through Jan. 23, 2011
Kim Duk-ki opens his first solo exhibition in two years, focusing on themes of “The Peaceful Hearth” and “Home.” About 40 new paintings are displayed with more than 50 ceramic art works, showcasing the artist’s career. Located near exit 2 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3. Call (02) 519-0800 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com for more information.
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*(See venues on previous page for more information)
Through Feb. 25, 2011
An exhibition presents more than 200 pieces of great modern artists from Louise Bourgeois to Damien Hirst, as chosen by the international art magazine “Parkett.” Various experiential rooms, gallery talks, and modern art lessons are planned for children and students. Tickets cost 8,000 won for adult and 4,000 won for students. For more information call (02) 580-1609.
Kukje Gallery
Through Jan. 20, 2011
This exhibition highlights 40 years of Park Seo-bo’s artistic career, with a special focus on his “Ecriture” period and “Esquisse” drawings. More than 50 works are on display in both of the gallery’s spaces, establishing the artist’s historical importance and innovative techniques. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Call (02) 735-8449 or visit www.kukjegallery.com.
Song Eun Art Space
The new Song Eun Art Space is offering a rare chance to see the highlights of American pop artist Tom Wesselmann’s career. The solo exhibition includes iconic painting “Great American Nude” and “Smoking,” with a total of 17 pieces spanning from 1964 to 2004 on display. Call (02) 3448-0100 or visit www.songeunartspace.org for more information.
Sungkok Art Museum
Park Hwa-young is holding his last invitation exhibit at Sungkok Art Museum for 2010, titled “C.U.B.A.” This complex media project is not directly related the Central American country, but was inspired by Cuba’s colonial past and revolutionary spirit. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for Students. For more information, call (02) 737-7650. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5, or exit 7 of Gyeongbok Palace Station, line 3.
16 Bungee, Gallery Hyundai
Through Jan. 2
Seo Eun-ae is showcasing oriental paintings in her solo exhibition. The artist reconstitutes mankind’s conventional thoughts on Utopia in modern way, via traditional ink-and-wash painting techniques. New works are displayed through portable mini landscape paintings and artwork in mother-of-pearl. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. For more, call (02) 722- 3503.
Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through Mar. 15, 2011
Friedensreich Hundertwasser, known for building the hobbit town in the “Lord of Rings” trilogy, is holding a special exhibition in his first display in Korea. More than 60 original paintings and eight construction models, original graphics and tapestries are on display. The architect, artist and environmentalist will donate three percent of all general admission fees to the World Vision organization. For more information, call (02) 545-3944.
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksu Palace
Through March 1, 2011
The Albertina Museum Collections from Vienna are on loan to the National Museum of Contemporary Art for an exhibition of classic work ranging from Picasso to Miro, Chagall to Kandinsky. The four-part showcase divided into four segments explores 121 paintings, sculptures and drawings, providing an exploration into the major Western art movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. General admission is 11,000 won; located behind Deoksu Palace in downtown Seoul. For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr or call (02) 2188-6069.
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through Feb. 27
More than 300 pieces by the world’s top photographers “discovered” by French publisher Robert Delpire are on display in Korea in the first world-tour exhibition featuring the likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Helmut Newton. More than 150 photo books, four short films and 185 prints delineate Delpire’s influential 60 years in the art field. General admission is 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 710-0765 or visit www.delpirekorea.co.kr (Korean only).
Seoul Museum of Art
Through Mar. 27, 2011
The exhibition, organized by Hankook Ilbo-The Korea Times Media Group, will display some 160 masterpieces by Marc Chagall. The full seven-piece series comprising his decorations in Moscow’s Jewish Theater will make their Asian debut. Located near exit 10 of City Hall Station, subway line 2. For more information, call (02) 2124-8800.
Arko Art Center
Arko Art Center presents installation artist Yee Soo-kyung’s special exhibition, alongside performances by Jung Marie — which inspired Yee. A meeting of the visual and aural arts will be a sight to see. “Jeongga” performances are held Fridays to Sundays. General admission for the exhibition is 2,000 won, performance tickets are 10,000 won for performance. Located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. Call (02)760-4850 for more information.
Artsonje Center
Through Feb. 13, 2011
Nine popular manga artists are featured in this spatially-designed exhibition that reflects the artistic potential of the medium. Organized in collaboration with art groups from Japan, Korea, Australia and the Philippines, the exhibition will travel to each respective country. Located near exit 1 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Call (02)733-8945 or visit www.artsonje.org.
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through Dec. 26
In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of legend Song Young-su’s death, a retrospective of more than 60 pieces is being shown, comprised of the artist’s unique melded iron works, sketches and photos. Song was the first sculptor to graduate from the domestic college of fine arts following the Korean War (1950-1953), and grew to become a pioneer in his field. Located a shuttle bus ride away from exit 4 of Seoul Grand Park Station on subway line 4. Visit www.moca.go.kr.
Daelim Contemporary Art Museum
Through Mar. 13, 2011
The legendary industrial designer Dieter Rams and his team is showcasing more than 400 works, including design products, models, sketches and video images. A special seminar with the famed Braun designer will be held Saturday at the KT Olleh Square, central Seoul. Located near exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.daelimmuseum.org or call (02) 720-0667.
War Memorial of Korea
Through Feb. 27, 2011
Historical genius Leonardo Da Vinci, who produced the timeless painting of the Mona Lisa, is introduced to children through this edu-tainment exhibition. Tickets cost 12,000 to 15,000 won. Located near exit 12 of Samgakji Station on subway lines 4 and 6.
M Theater, Sejong Center for Performing Arts*
One of Shakespeare’s major plays “The Merchant Of Venice” is on stage in Seoul Metropolitan Theater’s second Shakespeare series for children. American director Shira Milikowsky will give special lectures on the play. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1136~7, or visit www.seoultheater.com.
Hoam Art Hall*
Through Jan. 9, 2011
This family musical is a seasonal treat presenting various “wow factors,” including snowfalls inside the theater, a flying boy and even a surprise appearance of the Snowman dressed in traditional Korean costume “hanbok.” The Korean show is the world’s first licensed performance outside the United Kingdom edition. Tickets cost 35,000 to 55,000 won. Call (02) 3274-8600.
Basketball
Saturday, Dec. 25
Wonju Dongbu Promy vs. Ulsan Mobis Phoebis
Wonju Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
Changwon LG Sakers vs Incheon Etland Elephants
Changwon Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders
Jeonju Indoor Stadium at 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 26
Changwon LG Sakers vs. Seoul SK Knights
Incheon Etland Elephants vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy
Incheon Indoor Staduim at 3 p.m.
Anyang KT&G Kites vs. Busan KT Sonicbooms
Anayang Indoor Stadium at 5 p.m.