Around Town 2

‘Arirang, Knocking on the Heart of World'

National Gugak Center

Dec. 15-17

"Arirang, Knocking on the Heart of World" will be performed at the National Gugak Center from Dec. 15 to 17.

Under the theme of popular folk song "Arirang," over 300 artists from diverse genres and countries will stage their interpretations. This includes not only traditional gugak artists, but also jazz, classical, K-pop and hip hop performances.

Dancers will join as well, such as b-boy crew Gamblerz and popping crew Animation.

The hall is nearest to exit 1 of Bangbae Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2246-0071.

‘Geumsijo Golden Phoenix'

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Dec. 17

"Geumsijo Golden Phoenix" will be performed at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 17.

The performance is based on the novel "Geumsijo" by Lee Mun-yeol in 1981. Lee expressed his views about what true art is by describing differing artistic viewpoints between the two main characters Go-juk and Seok-dam.

The hall is near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 10,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1188 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Chae Soo-jung, the master singer of Pansori will perform at the Sejong Chamber Hall on Dec. 19. / Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

‘Midday Pansori'

Sejong Chamber Hall

Dec. 19

Midday Pansori is held every third Thursday of this month at the Sejong Chamber Hall with a different theme each time. The performance aims to draw audiences of all generations with its reinterpretations of traditional Korean music.

The Dec. 19 performance will be "Heungbu and Nolbu Split a Gourd in Two," based on the traditional pansori "Heungbuga," a didactic story of Heungbu and Nolbu. "Heungbuga" is considered the most popular pansori story of all time.

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

‘Symbol of the Empire, Hwangudan Altar and its Rite'

National Palace Museum of Korea

Through Dec. 31

The National Palace Museum of Korea will hold a special exhibition, "Symbol of the Empire, Hwangudan Altar and its Rite" until Dec. 31.

King Gojong established Hwangudan Altar, where the Rite of Heaven was to be executed, while declaring the founding of the Korean Empire in 1897. This is considered to be the symbol of Joseon’s independence from China, as the Rite of Heaven was abolished in King Sejo's reign because only an empire could perform it.

A considerable amount of the area was demolished during the Japanese occupation. Remnants remain near the Westin Chosun Hotel.

The museum is closed on Mondays. It is near exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. For more information, visit www.gogung.go.kr or call (02) 3701-7500.

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

National Hangeul Museum

Through Jan. 31, 2016

The National Hangeul Museum hosts the special exhibition "A New Name in a Digital World, Code-Named Hangeul: D55C AE00" until Jan 31, 2016 to celebrate its first anniversary.

This exhibition will display how typewriters, corpuses, fonts and software were developed for the Korean language, as well as the principle behind the informatization of the Korean language and the meaning of Korean dictionaries.

The museum is near 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

The National Museum of Korea is hosting an exhibition on Neolithic culture in Korea running until Jan. 31, 2016.

During this prolific time in early human and technological development, the Neolithic Era witnessed the beginning of agriculture, spawning 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 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 a famous prehistoric settlement site unearthed in 1925.

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

‘A Journey to the Modern Seoul City Wall'

Seoul City Wall Museum

Through Feb. 14, 2016

Seoul City Wall Museum will hold the special exhibition "A Journey to the Modern Seoul City Wall" until Feb. 14, 2016.

The exhibition will reflect on the modern Seoul City Wall with visual aids, such as newspaper articles, travel guides and music. It will also exhibit pictures taken by foreigners and share their viewpoints on Seoul.

The museum is close to exit 2 of Muakjae Station, subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 724-0243 or visit www.museum.seoul.kr.

‘The Story of Byeongangsoe 2015: In Search of the Others'

Art Space Pool

Through Dec. 13

“The Story of Byeongangsoe 2015: In Search of the Others’ by Song Sang-hee will be displayed until Dec. 13 at the Art Space Pool. / Courtesy of Art Space Pool

"The Story of Byeongangsoe 2015: In Search of the Others" will be held from Nov. 12 to Dec. 13 at the Art Space Pool.

The works of Song Sang-hee will be displayed, featuring the stories of people not fully recognized by historians through films, installations, and drawings. Song mainly dealt with people under colonization and oppression, prisoners of war and comfort women in the "Song of Byeongangsoe."

For more information, call (02) 396-9636 or visit www.altpool.org.

‘Typojanchi 2015: The 4th International Typography Biennale'

Culture Station Seoul 284

Through Dec. 27

"Typojanchi 2015: The 4th International Typography Biennale" will be held at Culture Station Seoul 284 until Dec. 27.

Director Kim Kyeong-seon believes the distinctive cultural characteristics of the city are best represented in typography. Artists exhibit their works on the true characteristics of the city through characters and symbols.

The venue is close to exit 1 of Seoul Station, subway lines 1 and 4. For more information, call (02) 3407-3500 or visit typojanchi.org/2015.

‘Henrik Vibskov ― Fabricate'

Daelim Museum

"Henrik Vibskov ― Fabricate" will be held until Dec. 31 at Daelim Museum.

Vibskov is a fashion designer and artist from Northern Europe. He continually destroys existing frameworks and invents his own style at yearly collections from Paris Fashion Week. Vibskov has performed at various exhibitions worldwide, working on pictures, installations, videos and performances.

This exhibition will present 300 works, including pieces from his representative fashion collection, and reestablish the notion of clothing from "garment" to "free and open expression."

The museum is closed on Mondays. It is near exits 3 and 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3. Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, visit www.daelimmuseum.org or call (02) 720-0667.

‘Paint on Light'

Whanki Museum

The Whanki Museum will exhibit the works of Jin Yoo-yeong until Dec. 31.

Jin is one of many artists whom the Whanki Museum sponsors. She considers fine art as a tool to represent her ego. This exhibition will show the dynamics of Jin's work and try to present the artist's ideal of fine art through different lights.

The museum is closed on Mondays. Audiences can join an interpretative exhibition on weekends. Tickets cost 3,000 to 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 391-7701 or visit www.whankimuseum.org.

‘New Romance'

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul Branch

Through Jan. 24, 2016

"New Romance" will be held until Jan. 24, 2016, at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

"New Romance" is a joint exhibition between Korea and Australia. With the advent of the post-human era, artists show anxiety towards a new existence and reflect on moral issues in the human world. Artists from Korea and Australia interpret the situation from their own perspectives through paintings.

The museum is near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3, and exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500 or visit www.mmca.go.kr.

‘Crossing Plane: Unit, Layer, Nostalgia'

Ilmin Museum of Art

"Crossing Plane: Unit, Layer, Nostalgia" will be held until Jan. 31, at Ilmin Museum of Art. The exhibition consists of three themes and each themed floor has its own topic. Ten artists will exhibit their distinctive interpretations of art.

The museum is near exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 2020-2050 or visit www.ilmin.org.

‘Monet's Impressionism Exhibition 2016'

The War Memorial of Korea

Dec. 11 ― Feb. 8, 2016

The War Memorial of Korea will exhibit the works of Claude Monet from Dec. 11 to Feb. 8, 2016.

Claude Monet is a French artist from the 1800s to early 1900s and one of the creators of impressionism. He focused on the principle of light, exploring how the same subject looks different by changes of light. His works include "Women in the Garden," "Impression, Sunrise," "Haystacks, (Sunset)," and "Water Lilies."

The museum is closed on Mondays. It is near exits 1 and 12 of Samgakji Station, subway lines 4 and 6, and exit 1 of Namyeong Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 8,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7860-2719 or visit www.lovemonet.com.

‘Invisible Land of Love'

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Korea

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Korea is exhibiting the works of Ahn Kyu-chul until Feb. 14.

This exhibition is a part of the MMCA Hyundai Motor Series to support domestic artists. Since the 1980s, Ahn has expressed his deep thoughts about life and arts in his works.

The title "Invisible Land of Love" is excerpted from a poem by Ma Jong-gi, showing Ahn's will to reveal the value of non-existence. Eight works of Ahn will be exhibited inspired by literature, architecture, music, performance and fine arts. Some of the works will allow audience participation.

The museum is near exit 6 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3, exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3, and exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500 or visit www.mmca.go.kr.

Alessandro Mendini ― The Poetry of Design

DDP

Through Feb. 28, 2016

The DDP is exhibiting the works of Alessandro Mendini at the DDP until Feb, 28, 2016.

Alessandro Mendini is a worldwide-renowned designer and this exhibition of his single works is his first in East Asia. Six hundred works will be displayed under the direction of Mendini himself. These pieces have a story as if each artwork is a phrase from a greater poem.

The hall is closed on Mondays. The DDP is located at exit 1 of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, subway line 2. Tickets cost 8,000 to 14,000 won. For more information, visit www.ddp.or.kr or call (02) 2153-0000.

‘Petrushka'

D. Margarita Maru Theater

Through Dec. 19

The traditional Russian puppet play “Petrushka” will be performed every Saturday until Dec. 19 at D. Margarita Maru Theater. / Courtesy of the Old Box

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

‘Family Musical Humpty Band’

Lotte Department Store Cheongnyangni Branch

Dec. 26

The family musical “Humpty Band” was devised to develop kids’ English skills and expression abilities. Audiences can easily sing and dance with the music. The songs include ten worldwide famous children’s songs. The hall is close to exit 4 of Cheongnyangni Station, subway line 1. Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 543-0733.

‘Experience Magic Show'

V Magic Hall

"Experience Magic Show" is performed at V Magic Hall until Dec. 31. Spectators can climb onstage and join the magic show. Further, they can take a picture at the "trick-eye" session. The hall is near exit 7 of Gunja Station, subway lines 5 and 7. Tickets cost 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 464-3888.

‘EBS Kids Play Musical Farting King Ppung Ppung'

Gangdong Arts Center

Dec. 17­Jan. 31, 2016

The children's musical "EBS Kids Play Musical Farting King Ppung Ppung" will be staged at Gangdong Arts Center from Dec. 17 to Jan. 31, 2016.

"Ppung Ppung" is the oldest kids program airing on EBS. Breaking the cliche of good triumphing over evil, the musical focuses on the pure emotions of children itself. Collaborating with EBS technicians, performances will stimulate the five senses of children.

There are no plays on Mondays. Ticket price ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 won. The center is close to exit 4 of Godeok station, subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 586-0623.

Korean Basketball League

Friday, Dec. 11

Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Goyang Orions

Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.

Wonju Dongbu Promy vs. Jeonju KCC Egis

Wonju Chiak Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12

Seoul Samsung Thunders vs. Changwon LG Sakers

Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium at 2:00 p.m.

Busan KT Sonicboom vs. Incheon ET Land Elephants

Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium at 4:00 p.m.

Anyang KGC vs. Seoul SK Knights

Anyang Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13

Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy

Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium at 2:00 p.m.

Incheon ET Land Elephants vs. Jeonju KCC Egis

Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium at 4:00 p.m.

Goyang Orions vs. Changwon LG Sakers

Goyang Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m.

Let's Run Park Seoul

Let's Run Park Seoul holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It is located by Seoul Racecourse Park Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 509-1114 or visit www.kra.co.kr.