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.
Anaya
Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater
Feb. 16-17
Anaya, a fusion band which blends the Korean traditional “gugak” genre with contemporary music, performs at the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater. Guitarist Heo Hoon, “daegeum” (bamboo flute) player Min So-yun and drummer Jang Seok-won back up vocalist Bae Ju-hee and rapper Park Jong-il to create a sound that borrows influences from dance music, hip hop and “pansori,” Korean traditional vocal and percussion music. The band, which has been together since 2005, became popular after it participated in the sound track of the 2008 hit movie “Old Partner.” It recently released its second studio album five years after its debut work. Located near exit 3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines 3 and 4. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7562-3844 or visit sngad.sejongpac.or.kr.
Sejong Korean Music Orchestra with Kim Young-im
Hwaseong Arthall
Feb. 16
The Sejong Korean Music Orchestra, led by conductor Park Ho-sung, will hold a lunar New Year’s concert with “pansori” (traditional Korean narrative song) virtuoso Kim Young-im. The company will perform “A Beautiful Life,” an orchestral music composed by Kim Sun-je and “Hwarang,” composed by Baek Kyu-jin. Pansori master Kim will sing “Binari” and “Nanani” with the company. Located near exit 2 of Byeongjeom Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, call (031) 267-8873 or visit art.hcf.or.kr.
‘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.
‘Modern Art in Text Book’
ARAM Art Gallery
Feb. 20-May 26
The Goyang Cultural Foundation will hold its “Modern Art in Text Book” exhibition from Feb. 20 at the Goyang city gallery. The displays will be aimed at helping youngsters understand the history and heritage of Korean art. The exhibition will be divided into three parts. The first section will feature the paintings of prominent Korean artists such as Park Soo-geun and Lee Joong-sup, whose works were mainly inspired by nature. The second part will be devoted to abstract and expressionist artists including Yoo Young-kuk. The third part of the display is devoted to the influences of art in everyday life including consumer products and the urban environment. Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 3,000 won. For more information, call (031) 960-0180 or visit
‘New Contemporary Art from China’
Arko Art Center
Through March 31
The exhibition celebrates the diplomatic relations between Korea and China, which celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2012. Arts Council Korea, China’s Culture Ministry, and the Chinese embassy collaborated for the exhibition, which highlights the work of prominent Chinese artists Xu Bing and Yuan Yuan. Located near exit 2 of Hye-hwa Station, subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 760-4850 or visit
‘Memory of Landscape I Have Never Seen’
The National Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace
Through April 21
Czech modern art is to be introduced to Korea for the first time. A total of 107 paintings from 28 Czech artists from the National Gallery in Prague are on display at the National Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace. The exhibition is comprised of three parts: part one displays a collection drawn from 1905 to 1917; part two is from 1918 to 1930; and part three is from 1931 to 1943. Notable artists featured are Emil Filla, a leader of the avant-garde movement in Prague , and Frantisek Kupka, a pioneer of of the early Abstract Art Movement and co-founder of Orphic Cubism. Located near exit 2 of City Hall Station, subway lines 1 and 2. Tickets cost 12,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2022-0600 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 are 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.
‘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 display 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.
‘Intersection’
Gallery Jijihyang, Asia Publication Culture & Information Center
Through Feb. 13
Four artists are holding an exhibition under the theme “consideration of books and nature” at Gallery Jijihyang in Asia Publication Culture & Information Center, Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Kang Chang-hoon, Suh Ju-sun, Cho Yeon and Lee Hong-ki have displayed their work, made up of their own interpretations of books and nature. Admission is free. For more information, call (031) 955-0055 or visit
‘Musei Vaticani’
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center*
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 “CharityMichelangelo 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 information, call 1544-8755 or visit
Lee Yeop
Keumsan Gallery
Through Feb.16
Fashion designer Lie Sang-bong who has dressed many people stands in front of the audience under the lens of photographer Lee Yeop. Lee, who has worked with the designer for the past the 10 years, focused the camera on the designer, not his 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
‘New & Now: SeMA’s New Acquisitions 2012’
Through March 17
The Seoul Museum of Art features some of its new collection added in the past 12 months. The museum acquired 198 pieces in 2012, and 46 of them, including paintings and sculptures, will be displayed in the current exhibition. The rest of the new acquisitions have been saved for the opening exhibition of the museum’s new branch, which will take place in July. Located near exit 1 of Seoul City Hall Station, subway lines 1 and 2. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2124-8800 or visit seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr.
‘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, Feb. 8
Changwon LG Sakers vs. Jeonju KCC Egis
Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Seoul SK Knights
Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Seoul Samsung Thunders vs. Busan KT Sonicboom
Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
Incheon ET-Land Elephants vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy
Wonju Chiak Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
Anyang KGC vs. Goyang Orions
Goyang Gymnasium at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Changwon LG Sakers vs. Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium 2 p.m.
Seoul SK Knights vs. Jeonju KCC Egis
Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium at 2 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 Racecourse Park Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 509-1114 or visit