The Octagon
Nonhyeon-dong
Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon-dong, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.
Club Volume
Itaewon-dong
Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong-dong
Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and the Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong-dong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit
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Club Answer
Cheongdam-dong
Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides spacious interior and brilliant lighting systems, filling the stage by world’s renowned DJs. Club Answer is located in prosperous area of Cheongdam-dong, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311 or visit
Club Ellui
One of the largest clubs in Asia and located under Hotel Ellui, world-class DJs such as Alex Kenji and Ferry Corsten feature in weekend lineups. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call 1577-9669 or visit
Luv Superlounge
Nestled in the heart of Itaewon, Luv Superlounge offers a wide selection of drinks, and a solid sound system with resident DJ Andi Numan from New Zealand. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 794-8898 or visit ko-kr.facebook.com/luvsuperlounge.
Club Double Eight
Sinsa-dong
Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to a whole new level. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with global DJs. Located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803 or visit cafe.naver.com/doubleeight.
Club Mute
Club Mute is a boutique club with exquisitely designed decorations and a custom-tailored sound system. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 796-6853 or visit
Platoon Kunsthalle
Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space offering various facilities, including a large, open hall, library lounge, art studios and a bar and restaurant for multi-purpose events. It is open from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 1 a.m. and DJ nights are on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m. Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 3447-1191 or visit
Dojo
Work hard, play hard, sleep later! Lying underground Noxa in the thriving Kyoungridan neighborhood, Dojo is the latest edition to the clubbing nightlife in Seoul. Popular local DJs offer nonstop tunes for energetic dancing until dawn with weekday drink specials and enthusiastic crowds of longtime expats. For more information, call (02) 790-1334.
Ensemble Sinawi
Mapo Arts Center
Jan. 23
“Gugak” (traditional Korean music) band Ensemble Sinawi holds a concert at Mapo Arts Center. The concert will feature “gayageum” (a 12-string Korean zither), “ajaeng” ( a Korean bowed 8-string zither), traditional Korean percussion, piano, and “pansori” (traditional Korean narrative song). The band won the 2012 KBS Best Gugak Group Award, one of the biggest traditional culture events in Korea. The band released their second studio album “Into the Time” last December. Located near exit 2 of Daeheung Station, subway line 6. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3274-8600 or visit
‘600 Year’s Binari’
Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex*
Jan. 26
To celebrate its 600th anniversary of being named Goyang by King Taejong of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) in 1413, masters of traditional Korean music will perform at the Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. “Pansori” (traditional Korean narrative song) virtuoso Ahn Sook-sun, Kim Duk-soo’s traditional Korean percussion group and singer Harim will perform. Tickets cost 10,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit
‘Dance, Chunhyang’
National Theater of Korea
Through June 16
The National Dance Company of Korea is performing “Dance, Chunhyang,” based on “Chunhyangjeon” that was passed down as “pansori” (traditional Korean narrative music) and then published in print during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). In this traditional love story of a young couple, Jang Yoon-na is Chunhyang, the daughter of a “gisaeng” (courtesan) and Cho Yong-jin plays Mongryong, the son of the governor of Namwon, North Jeolla Province. Choreographed by Bae Jung-hye and directed by Kook Soo-ho. Located near exit 2 of Dongguk University Station, Subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visitwww.ntok.go.kr.
‘The Colors of Manhwa’
Insa Art Center
Jan. 23-28
From online comics to traditional comic books, 19 selected “Manhwa” or Korean comics artists hold an exhibition to introduce their interesting and unique paintings. Forty seven original paintings are on display including Lee Hyun-se, the creator of “A Daunting Team,” which was a smash hit and made into a movie of the same title in 1986 and Hyung Min-woo who is known for the international best seller “Priest.” Located near exit 6 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 736-1020 or visit
‘Illumination: Light in Today’s Art’
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through Jan. 27
The exhibition introduces pieces of light art including photos, paintings, motion pictures, sculptures, and installations. Along with 15 Korean artists including Paik Nam-june and Hong Seung-hye, it shows uses of light in contemporary art. Tickets cost 8,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit
‘Art Across America’
National Museum of Korea
Feb. 5-May 19
The National Museum of Korea will exhibit paintings and craftworks from the American Revolution to World War II. Collections from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Terra Foundation for American Art will be on display, in which not only the works of the artists who represent modern art such as Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol but also those of artists like Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe and Marry Cassatt who are Americans’ most favorite are included. Located near exit 4 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and the Jungang line. For more information, call (02) 2077-9275 or visit
Tim Burton Exhibition
Seoul Museum of Art
Through April 14
Film director Tim Burton’s paintings and artwork are on show in central Seoul. Artwork from his movies “Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Frankenweenie,” and about 700 of his sketches, drawings and photographs will be on display. Located near exit 1 of City Hall Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 8,000 won for children under 12, 10,000 won for students under 18, and 12,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 325-1077 or visit sema.seoul.go.kr.
‘Revolving Stage: Contemporary Video Art in China’
Arario Gallery Cheonan
Through Feb. 24
Arario Gallery Cheonan is holding an exhibition of modern video artists in China. Jiang Pengyi, Sun Xun, Wang Gongxin, Wang Jianwei and Wu Junyong have created experimental art-work in opposition to the Cultural Utilitarianism of China. This exhibition shows how the artists reinterpret China, which is undergoing drastic change. Located near Chungcheong Shinsegae Department Store in Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Admission is free for children under 8, 2,000 won for students and 3,000 won for adults. For more information, call (031) 551-5100 or visit arariogallery.com.
‘Musei Vaticani’
Through March 31
A total of 73 works including paintings, decorative arts, and sculptures from the Early to High Renaissance are on show. Famous artwork from the High Renaissance period such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “St. Jerome in the Wilderness,” Raffaello Santi’s “Charity”and Michelangelo Buonarroti’s “Pieta” will be also on display. Tickets cost 6,000 won for preschoolers, 8,000 won for elementary students, 10,000 won for middle and high school students, and 15,000 won for adults. For more, call 1544-8755 or visit
‘Transcending Vision: American Impressionism 1870-1940’
Through March 29
To celebrate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Korea, 130 American Impressionism paintings by 90 artists are exhibited. American Impressionism first started at the Hudson River School and then developed in various regions. The pieces are on display according to the artists’ main schools and regions for the purpose of representing the history of American Impressionism. Tickets cost 4,000 to 12,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
Lim Choong-sup
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Installation artist and sculptor Lim Choong-sup is holding a solo exhibition called “Luna, and Her Thousand Reflections.” Lim attained a bachelor’s degree in painting at Seoul National University and left for the United States in 1973. He has been working in such diverse genres as painting, sculpture, media art, and installation for over 50 years. This exhibition presents some 70 pieces including previously undisclosed works. Located near exit 2 of Seoul Grand Park Station, subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit
‘The 12th SongEun Art Award Exhibition’
SongEun Art Space
Through Feb. 28
The SongEun Art Space is displaying works by the winners of the 12th SongEun Art and Cultural Foundation awards. Artists Beak Jung-ki, Choi Sun, Ha Tae-bum and Yoon Bo-hyun were chosen among some 600 applicants. Through the end of February, pieces by the four will be on display, and one will be selected as a grand winner before the group exhibition ends. The winner will have the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition within two years at the gallery. Located near exit 11 of Cheongdam Station, subway line 7. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 3448-0100 or visit
‘Van Gogh in Paris: A Dialogue with Modernism’
Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
Through March 24
Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh’s works are on show in Seoul. This exhibition focuses on the painter’s time in Paris (March 1886-February 1888) where he changed his style from Realism to Modernism. Most of the masterpieces are from the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands including one of the museum’s finest pieces, “Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat” (1887). Tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 724-2900 or visit vangogh2.com.
Lee Yeop
Keumsan Gallery
Jan. 23-Feb.16
Fashion designer Lie Sang-bong who has dressed many people in his clothes stands in front of the audience under the lens of photographer Lee Yeop. Lee, who has worked with the designer for past 10 years, focused the camera on Lie Sang-bong himself, not Lie’s clothes or models in some 20 pieces. The exhibition consists of three parts: “Lie Sang-bong’s Line,” “Lie Sang-bong’s Horror” and “Lie Sang-bong’s Fantasy.” Located near exit 4 of Myeongdong Station, subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 3789-6317 or visit
Kim Young-il
Atelier Hermes
Through March 19
Kim Young-il, a photographer and owner of a “gugak” (traditional Korean music) record shop, noticed that only three portraits of the Joseon Kingdom period (1392-1910) were by women. In “Precious People,” Kim shows women in “hanbok” (traditional Korean dress) in his photos. During the 10-week exhibition, there also will be various traditional Korean music performances including one by pansori master Park Song-hee and the artist will share them through media such as Facebook and YouTube. Located near exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Bundang line. For more information, call (02) 544-7722.
‘I Am an Artist’
Art Center Ida
In this exhibition, 11 renowned artists’ original pictures and about 100 works for children’s books are on display. Three ateliers, classified thematically, are open to the audience. Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station on the Sinbundang line. For more information, call (02) 3143-4360 or visit
Rolling Ball Children’s Museum
Anyang Kidsmom Center
Open run
In Rolling Ball Children’s Museum, children can play with “rolling balls,” a kind of kinetic art, using a variety of tools. Located near exit 8 of Indeogwon Station, subway line 4. Tickets cost 9,000 won. For more information, call 1544-9986 or visit
Garuya Garuya
COEX Artium
This children’s exhibition allows visitors to play with flour. Activities include baking bread, playing with utensils used for flour, making dough, drawing pictures using flour and more. Tickets cost 17,000 to 23,000 won. Discounts are also available. For more information, call (02) 738-8289.
Basketball
Friday, Jan. 18
* Changwon LG Sakers vs. Busan KT Sonicboom
Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
* Goyang Orions vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders
Jamsil Indoor Stadium at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19
*Incheon ET-Land Elephants vs. Seoul SK Knights
Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
*Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Jeonju KCC Egis
Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
*Anyang KGC vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy
Wonju Chiak Gymnasium 4 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 20
*Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders
Jamsil Indoor Stadium at 2 p.m.
*Seoul SK Knights vs. Busan KT Sonicboom
Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
*Changwon LG Sakers vs. Anyang KGC
Anyang Gymnasium at 4 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 Race course Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 509-1114 or visit