AROUND TOWN 2
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‘The Complete Performance of Pansori'
National Theater of Korea
Dec. 31
"The Complete Performance of Pansori" will be staged on Dec. 31 at the National Theater of Korea. The performance is a monthly one that has been continued since December 1984. AhnSook-seon, a master Pansori singer, will perform "Jeokbyeok-ga" this time.
Ahn is registered as the 23rd Important Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea, and has directed multiple traditional Korean performances. Jeokbyeok-ga is considered to be the most difficult and elegant sound among five surviving Pansori stories.
Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ntok.go.kr or call (02) 2280-4114.
‘Sejong Center New Year's Concert'
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 7, 2016
"Sejong Center New Year's Concert" will be held on Jan. 7, 2016 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
The center has hosted the New Year's Concert since 2013. This concert is a crossover of traditional-contemporary, and Korean-world music. Lee Ja-ram, a female Pansori artist; Harim, whose work embraces diverse traditional world music; and Min Yeong-chi, a renowned "janggu" (Korean traditional drum) performer will appear at the concert.
Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1000.
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‘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. 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.
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
‘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.
For more information, call (02) 724-0243 or visit
‘I Belong to the World'
Seoul Museum of History
Dec. 4Feb. 21, 2016
A Seoul-Odense International Exchange Exhibition, "I Belong to the World," will be held through Feb. 21, 2016 at the Seoul Museum of History. Hans Christian Anderson is a famous 19th century Danish author of children's fairy tales.
This exhibition presents 33 pieces of Anderson including the first book published in 1835, keepsakes such as a fountain pen, and drawings. "I Belong to the World" consists of two parts: The display section presents the works and life of Anderson; while the experience section presents works of artists who were motivated by Anderson's works and lets visitors assemble Lego blocks that display a scene from Anderson's fairy tales.
The museum is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.museum.seoul.kr or call (02) 724-0274.
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‘HenrikVibskov ― Fabricate
'
Daelim Museum
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Henrik Vibskov’s exhibition takes place at Daelim Museum until Dec. 31. / Courtesy of Daelim Museum
"HenrikVibskov ― Fabricate" will be held through 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."
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
‘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.
Tickets cost 4,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500 or visit
‘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.
For more information, call (02) 2020-2050 or visit
‘Monet's Impressionism Exhibition 2016'
The War Memorial of Korea
Through 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."
Tickets cost 8,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7860-2719 or visit
‘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 AhnKyu-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.
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. Tickets cost 8,000 to 14,000 won. For more information, visit www.ddp.or.kr or call (02) 2153-0000.
‘Picasso to Francis Bacon’
Seoul Arts Center
Through Mar. 1, 2016
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“Picasso to Francis Bacon” exhibits over 100 artworks of Contemporary Artists at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Cente
The exhibition consists of 100 artworks consisting of oil paintings, lithographs, and sculptures, from renowned artists, including 24 pieces from Picasso, 15 from Francis Bacon, 10 from Andy Warhol and nine from Marc Chagall. Having Koreans’ favorite artists’ works at Seoul Arts Center, people will have chance to appreciate masterpieces of Contemporary Art.
Tickets cost 6,000 won for children and 13,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit the Seoul Arts Center website, www.sac.or.kr.
The British Museum – Human Image
Through Mar. 20, 2016
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The British Museum exhibition, “Human Image” will be held until Mar. 20, 2016 at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of Seoul Arts Center
Relics from the British Museum, one of the most prestigious in the world, are now in Korea. Varying from sculptures with a history of 10,000 years to world-famous paintings, a total of 167 artworks are presented at Hangaram Art Museum inside Seoul Arts Center.
Within its theme of “Human Image,” the exhibition welcomes people with two wooden statues in the first section to express ‘Ideal Beauty.’ The following sections are: ‘Expressing the Person,’ ‘The Body Divine,’ ‘The Body Politic,’ ‘The Body Transformed’ and ‘Relationships’.
Tickets cost 8,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 522-3342 or visit humanimage.co.kr.
‘Rubens and Other Masters’
National Museum of Korea
Through Apr. 10, 2016
Liechtenstein Museum is bringing a collection of paintings, sculptures and engravings to Korea. The exhibition takes place in National Museum of Korea, starting Dec. 12 to April 10 next year. The museum will not only display the works of great artists but also provide an opportunity to understand the history and artistic culture from the 17th century.
‘Rubens and Other Masters’ presents the works of the century, featuring ‘Portrait of Clara Serena Rubens’ and Pieter Brueghel’s ‘Census at Bethlehem’.
Tickets cost 8,000 to 13,000 won. For more information, visit www.rubens2016.com or call 1688-9891.
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‘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.
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.
Tickets cost 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 464-3888.
‘EBS Kids Play Musical Farting King PpungPpung'
Gangdong Arts Center
The children's musical "EBS Kids Play Musical Farting King PpungPpung" will be staged at Gangdong Arts Center from Dec. 17 to Jan. 31, 2016.
"PpungPpung" 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.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-0623.
‘Turning MECARD’
Olympic Park Woori Art Hall
Jan. 8-Feb. 28, 2016
A television show ‘KBS TurningMecard’ is now on stage. Along the original plot from the TV show, the musical will explore further stories on stage with mechanical battles brought to reality.
Tickets costs 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
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Korean Basketball League
Friday, Dec. 25
Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Busan KT Sonic Boom
Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium
Seoul SK Knights vs. Goyang Orions
Jamsil Students' Gymnasium
Saturday, Dec. 26
Anyang KGC vs. Incheon ET Land Elephants
Anyang Gymnasium
Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders
Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium
Wonju Dongbu Promy vs. Changwon LG Sakers
WonjuChiak Gymnasium
Sunday, Dec. 27
Busan KT Sonic Boom vs. Anyang KGC
BusanSajik Indoor Gymnasium
Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Seoul SK Knights
Incheon ET Land Elephants vs. Goyang Orions
Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium
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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.