AROUND TOWN 2

‘Midday Pansori'

Sejong Chamber Hall

Nov. 19

Midday Pansori is held every third Thursday from September to December at the Sejong Chamber Hall with different themes. The performances aim to draw audiences of all generations featuring reinterpretations of traditional Korean music.

"Love, Chunhyang" will be held on Nov. 19. "Chunhyangga" is based on a love story between Chunhyang and Mongryong. "Chunhyangga" is considered to be the most beautiful among five surviving stories in terms of music.

Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1000 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

‘Blind'

Gyeonggi Arts Center

Nov. 21

“Blind” will be staged at the Gyeonggi Arts Center on Nov. 31. / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Arts Center

The Gyeonggi Arts Center will stage a production of "Blind," a pansori drama, on Nov. 21.

Simply put, pansori refers to an inherently Korean genre of musical storytelling wherein a drummer plays a barrel drum and the accompanying vocalist sings to the beat of the drum in a particular, wailing fashion.

Of the five surviving stories of the Korean pansori lore, "Simcheongga" is widely considered to be the most tragic. In short, it tells the story of a daughter, Simcheongga, who spends her days caring lovingly for her blind father, Simbongsa. Simcheongga's filial piety is a running theme throughout this fable of woe, for it is ultimately through Simcheongga's devotion that her father miraculously regains his sight.

"Blind" centers on the life story of Simbongsa, providing pansori devotees with an imagined backstory of Simbongsa's life prior to his daughter's fabled tale. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call (031) 289-6424 or visit www.ggad.or.kr.

‘Precious Music – The Gut Series’

Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater

Nov. 7 – Nov. 21

“Precious Music – The Gut Series” will be performed at Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater every Saturday from Nov. 7 to Nov. 21.

“Gut” is a Korean traditional ceremony to calm the spirits of the dead. The master of “gut” will show diverse styles of ceremony from local areas under the topic “Baridegi,” the song that shamans sing to send the dead soul to the afterlife.

The theater is close to exit 3 and 4 of Chungmuro Station, subway line 3 and 4. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2261-0501 or visit www.hanokmaeul.or.kr.

‘Sillim-dong Youths. Toil Today, Success Tomorrow'

Seoul Museum of History

Sept. 11- Nov. 8

“Sillim-dong Youths. Toil Today, Success Tomorrow” will be held at the Seoul Museum of History through Nov. 8. / Courtesy of Seoul Museum of History

Seoul Museum of History holds an exhibition "Sillim-dong Youths. Toil Today, Success Tomorrow" through Nov. 8. Sillim-dong is a statutory division of Gwanak District, Seoul and is close to Seoul National University. It was a residential village until the early 1980s, when it became known as "state exam village" ("gosi-chon"), where many professional private institutes and affordable student accommodation are located and where people go to prepare for state exams.

In fact, there are more people visiting the village to study for the state exam than actual village residents. This exhibition attempts to show the changes in this part of Seoul in line with the country's modernization. For more information, visit eng.museum.seoul.kr.

‘Noh, Japanese Traditional Performing Art'

National Museum of Korea

Oct. 6-Nov. 22

The National Museum of Korea is holding the special exhibition "Noh, Japanese Traditional Performing Art" through Nov. 22.

Noh, which started in the late 14th century, is a masque performance in which performers sing and dance to a slow rhythm. It is regarded as the essence of Japanese culture. Noh was designated by UNESCO in 2001 as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This exhibition features masques and clothing that were used onstage and paintings portraying the performance. For more information, call (02) 2077-9556 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

‘Buddhist Hanging Scroll at Chengryongsa Temple'

June 2-Nov. 29

The National Museum of Korea presents the thematic exhibition "The Buddhist Hanging Scroll at Chengryongsa Temple" through Nov. 29. "Buddhist Hanging Scroll" is a big Buddhist painting used for rituals at the temple.

This exhibition is one of a series of exhibitions on Buddhist culture and will display the 17th-century painting at Chengryongsa Temple. The painting depicts the Vulture Peak Assembly preaching the Sutra of the Lotus. The exhibition commentary service is provided at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call (02) 2077-9493 or visit

www.museum.go.kr

.

‘A New Name in a Digital World, Code Named Hangeul: D55C AE00’

National Hangeul Museum

Oct. 6 – Jan. 31, 2016

The National Hangeul Museum hosts the special exhibition “A New Name in a Digital World, Code Named Hangeul: D55C AE00” to celebrate the 1st anniversary of its foundation through Jan 31, 2016.

This exhibition will display how the code, typewriter, corpuses, fonts and software were developed, the principle behind the informatization of the Korean language, and the meaning of Korean dictionaries.

The museum is close to exit 2 of Ichon Station, subway line 4. For more information, visit

www.hangeul.go.kr

or call (02) 2124-6322.

‘Neolithic Culture in Korea'

The National Museum of Korea

Oct. 20-Jan. 31, 2016

The National Museum of Korea will host an exhibition titled "Neolithic Culture in Korea" from Oct. 20 to Jan. 31, 2016.

During this prolific time in human and technological development, the Neolithic Era witnessed the beginning of farming, which spawned a true revolution. Human beings during this period began to display signs of cultural and behavioral progression, which included the use of wild and domestic crops and domestication of animals for farm use.

In terms of cultural development, Neolithic societies, especially in the East Asian region, began to produce early pottery and carvings, which preceded the later bounteous development and advancement of pottery art in Asian cultures.

On display will be numerous artifacts excavated from Dongsam-dong and Amsa-dong, the latter of which is famous for a prehistoric settlement site that was established after diagonal-line earthenware that corresponded to those of the Neolithic Era was discovered in 1925, and even more recent archaeological finds.

For more information, call (02) 2077-9463 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

‘Since 1970, Where, in What Form, Shall We Meet Again'

Whanki Museum

Through Nov. 4

The Whanki Museum is holding an exhibition titled "Since 1970, Where, in What Form, Shall We Meet Again" through Nov. 4.

Kim Whan-ki, exalted as a pioneering abstract artist of Korea, was famous for mixing oriental concepts and ideals with abstraction. While his earlier work consisted mainly of semi-abstract paintings that still gave form to recognizable shapes and constructions, his later works dealt primarily in the artistic style of deep abstraction, namely lines, spaces, and diverse hues and patterns.

Centering on Kim's most celebrated work, "Where, in What Form, Shall We Meet Again," the exhibition seeks to encapsulate the spirit, direction, and countless forms of Korean art since the 1970s. Tickets cost 7,000 won for adults, and 5,000 won for students. For more information, call (02) 391-7701 or visit whankimuseum.org.

‘East Asia Feminism: FANTasia'

Seoul Museum of Art

Through Nov. 8

The Seoul Museum of Art will host an exhibition, "East Asia Feminism: FANTasia," through Nov. 8.

This exhibition asks questions about the status of women, especially women in East Asia. In the Western-centric viewpoint, women in East Asia have been alienated, seen as "invisible others." The title word "FANTasia," which is derived from the words "fantasy" and "Asia," refers to how East Asian women have been regarded as "unknown fantasies." The exhibition showcases the work of 14 artists from various Asian countries, such as Korea, China, Japan and Singapore.

The Seoul Museum of Art is closed on Mondays. For more information, call (02) 2124-8934 or visit sema.seoul.go.kr.

‘Toby Ziegler'

Oct. 7-Nov. 8

PKM Gallery

PKM Gallery is holding an exhibition by Toby Ziegler through Nov. 8.

Toby Ziegler graduated from Central St. Martin's School of Art and has held numerous exhibitions, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Belvedere Museum and Minsheng Art Museum. He is inspired by the art works before and after the Renaissance, and he reinterprets the works by dissolving and editing the original paintings using 3D digital programs.

The exhibition is his first in Korea and features his new paintings, which were inspired by Thomas Gainsborough's "Evening Landscape ― Peasants and Mounted Figures." Toby Zigler will visit the exhibition.

The gallery is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.pkmgallery.com or call (02)734-9470.

‘Bathhouse'

Through Nov. 12

Space K Seoul

Space K Seoul will hold an exhibition by Caroline Walker through Nov. 12.

Walker is from Scotland and graduated from the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. Her interest is the relationship between the images of traditional femininity and contemporary daily life.

This is her first exhibition in Korea and will display the 13 new works inspired by bathhouses in Budapest. She connects the symbolism of water to femininity.

The venue is closed on weekends. For more information, call (02) 3496-7595 or visit www.spacek.co.kr.

‘Choi Jong-tae Retrospective'

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon

Through Nov. 29

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will hold a retrospective in honor of Korean sculptor Choi Jong-tae from Sept. 1 to Nov. 29 at its Gwacheon branch.

Regarded as one of the most influential sculptors of Korean abstract art, Choi has held more than 20 exhibitions, both in Korea and internationally, since his first solo exhibit in 1964. In addition to his sculptures in wood, marble, and bronze, Choi is also a writer and painter, demonstrating his versatility as a veritable artiste.

Tickets cost 2,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit

www.mmca.go.kr

‘A Delicious Life: Curiosity Cabinet’

DDP Gallery MUN

Nov. 6 – Nov. 29

“A Delicious Life: Curiosity Cabinet” will be held from Nov. 6 to Nov. 29 at DDP Gallery MUN.

Nine artists will feature in the exhibition, the purpose of which is to discover new aspects of food by conducting artistic experiments with chefs, designers and artists. It will show how artistic food can be.

The gallery is closed every Monday. It is located close to the exit 2 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station. For more information, call (02) 2153-0000 or visit

www.ddp.or.kr

‘Hutos Nado Wants to Be Taller Too'

KBS Suwon Art Hall

Through Nov. 15

"Hutos ­ Nado wants to be taller too" will take place through Nov. 15 at KBS Suwon Art Hall. The family musical, which is based on a children's TV program that started from 2010, tells the story of Hutos' friends, who are trying to grow taller. The musical encourages the young audience to join the dances, songs and exercises.

KBS Suwon Art Hall is close to Exit 6 of Suwon City Hall Station, Bundang Subway Line. For more information, call (031) 216-5201.

‘Robot Train'

Children's Grand Park

Nov. 14 ­ Dec. 6

"Robot Train" will be performed from Nov. 14 to Dec. 6 at Children's Grand Park. "Robot Train" is a performance that transforms trains into robots. Multiple stage settings will be displayed, such as a real train showing up and a new KYX model.

There are no plays on Mondays. Children's Grand Park is close to exit 1 of Children's Grand Park Station, subway line 7 and exit 4 of Achasan Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 35,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, call 070-8848-5555.

‘Petrushka'

D. Margarita Maru Theater

Oct. 17 ­ Dec. 19

“Petrushka” will be performed through Dec. 19 at the D.Margarita Maru Theater. / Courtesy of Old Box.

"Petrushka" will be performed every Saturday from Oct. 17-Dec. 19. "Petrushka" is a traditional Russian puppet play. The story is about the journey of Petrushka in Korea to make Korean friends. The theater is close to exit 1 of Bangbae Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02)2637-0315.

K-League Classic

Saturday, Oct. 31

Chungju vs. Ansan

Chungju Stadium at 1:40 p.m.

Bucheon vs. Anyang

Bucheon Stadium at 2:00 p.m.

Daegu vs. Seoul E

Daegu Stadium at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1

Sangju vs. Gyeongnam

Sangju Civil Stadium at 2:00 p.m.

Goyang vs. Gangwon

Paju Public Stadium at 2:00 p.m.

Korean Basketball League

Friday, Oct. 30

Seoul Samsung Thunders vs. Jeonju KCC Egis

JamsilIndoor Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

Incheon ET Land Elephants vs. Changwon LG Sakers

Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium 2:00 p.m.

Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Busan KT Sonicboom

Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium at 4:00 p.m.

Anyang KGC cs. Seoul SK Knights

Anyang Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m.

WonjuDongbuPromy vs. Incheon ET Land Elephants

WonjuChiak Gymnasium at 2:00 p.m.

Seoul Samsung Thunders vs. GoyangOrions

Jamsil Indoor Stadium at 4:00 p.m.

Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Ulsan Mobis Phoebus

Jeonju Indoor Stadium at 6:00 p.m.

LetsRun Park Seoul

LetsRun Park Seoul 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 www.kra.co.kr.