Around town 2

All 33 chapters of Hunminjeongeum will be exhibited at the National Hangeul Museum’s special exhibition. / Courtesy of National Hangeul Museum

Traditional

‘Pre & Free'

Donhwamun Traditional Theater

Until May 27

Donhwamun Traditional Theater runs a special traditional Korean music performance program, "Pre & Free," from March 3 to May 27.

Donhwamun Traditional Theater has prepared diverse performances that suit the tastes of each of the five different audience groups: children, teenagers, senior citizens, foreigners and the general public. Through "Pre & Free," the theater aims to encourage audiences to have more interest in traditional Korean music. 25 artists and bands will participate in the performances.

Tickets cost 5,000 won. For more information, visit sdtt.or.kr or call (02) 3210-7001.

‘Saturday Performance of Korean Music & Dance'

National Gugak Center

Throughout 2017

Every Saturday, Korean music and dance performances will be presented at the National Gugak Center.

For over 30 years, the National Gugak Center has provided audiences with traditional music and dance performances every Saturday. This year, the center aims to present a more profound level of traditional Korean performing arts, through programs such as "Listening to Traditional Korean Music in Depth" and "Traditional Korean Singing and Dancing Performance for the Enthusiasts." In addition, starting this year, the performances will be staged at the newly renovated Umyeondang Theater, which is designed to convey traditional sounds to audiences without using any speakers or microphones.

Tickets cost 10,000 to 20,000 won. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02) 580-3300.

Museums

‘The Opening of Korea in 1876: From Continent to Ocean'

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

Until March 26

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History holds a special exhibition that presents the opening of Korea and the transformation it brought to Korean society.

1876 was the year Korea opened itself to international society for the first time and began to form international relations with Western countries. This brought rapid modernization and changes to Korean society. The exhibition features 300 artifacts from this period, including maps, documents of foreign relations, weapons, paintings and medical instruments.

Admission is free. For more information, visit much.go.kr or call (02) 3703-9200.

‘Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum'

National Museum of Korea

Until April 9

The National Museum of Korea will exhibit 229 Egyptian treasures from Brooklyn Museum, New York, until April 9.

The exhibition consists of six sections: "Belief in the World After Death," "Egyptian Mummy," "Funerals of the Upper Class and Grave Goods," "Funeral Costs," "Animals in Ancient Egypt" and "Animal Mummy with the Spirits of Gods." Each section will include valuable relics such as Egyptian mummies, statues, coffins and masks.

This exhibition will be an opportunity to learn about the ancient Egyptians' religious beliefs and their attitude towards death.

Admission costs 13,000 won. For more information, visit museum.go.kr or call 1688-9891.

Yu Hyun-mok, Between the Reality and Film

Korean Film Museum

Until April 16

Celebrating the 7th anniversary of the death of film director Yu Hyun-mok, the Korean Film Museum presents a special exhibition until April 16.

Yu Hyun-mok is one of the greatest directors in Korean film history, who led the golden age of Korean film. He debuted as a director in 1956 with "The Crossroad," and made 46 movies during his career. By presenting Yu's relics, including scenarios, continuities, notes and desk, the museum intends to enable audiences to broaden their understanding of a great artist and his artwork.

Admission is free. For more information, visit koreafilm.or.kr or call (02) 3153-2072.

‘In the Footsteps of the Artists: Artist and Archiver'

Kimdaljin Art Archives and Museum

Until April 29

Kimdaljin Art Archives and Museum presents a special exhibition, "In the Footsteps of the Artists: Artist and Archiver" until April 29.

In this exhibition, handwritten manuscripts, letters, oil paintings, prints, pamphlets and drawings of various Korean artists from the 1930s to 1990s will be presented. Through such archival materials, visitors will be able to learn more about the everyday lives of the artists, and the times and places they lived in.

Admission is free. For more information, visit daljinmuseum.com or call (02) 730-6216.

‘Hangeul Design: Prototypes and Future of Korean Alphabet'

National Hangeul Museum

Until May 28

The National Hangeul Museum runs a special exhibition on hangeul and design until May 28.

This exhibition consists of two sections. The first section presents all 33 chapters of Hunminjeongeum, a document published and proclaimed by King Sejong that describes hangeul, through a video and artwork. The second section features 30 designs that are inspired by hangeul.

Admission is free. For more information, visit hangeul.go.kr or call (02) 2124-6200.

‘Africa, the Vibrant Continent'

Bank of Korea Money Museum

Until May 31

The Bank of Korea Money Museum is running a special exhibition, "Africa, the Vibrant Continent," until May 31.

Currencies contain diverse pictures that represent each country. Therefore, currencies enable us to learn about the culture and history of different nations. By presenting currencies of numerous African countries, the Bank of Korea Money Museum provides an opportunity to enhance knowledge and understanding of Africa and its 54 countries. The exhibition consists of 12 sections, and each section uncovers history, struggle for independence and democracy, beautiful wildlife, amazing culture, interesting economics and the great peoples of African nations.

Admission is free. For more information, visit museum.bok.or.kr or call (02) 759-4881.

Art Exhibitions

‘Le Corbusier Special Exhibition'

Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Design Museum

For the first time in Korea, works of the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier will be presented in Hangaram Design Museum of Seoul Arts center through March 26.

Le Corbusier is known as the pioneer of modern architecture. He founded the basic theories and principles of modern architecture and city planning, created apartment housing, and strongly influenced the form of housing in cities. 17 of his architecture projects are registered as UNESCO world heritage sites.

In this special exhibition, 500 pieces of his paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and videos will be presented. The visitors will also be able to take a look at one of his representative architectures, "The Chapelle of Notre-Dame-du Haut" through a virtual reality video.

Admission costs 15,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 532-4407

‘Da Vinci Codex'

Culture Station Seoul 284

Culture Station Seoul 284 holds a special exhibition on artworks inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Codex, until April 16.

As an artist, architect and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci left "The Codex," a collection of manuscripts on his scientific inquiries. This exhibition features paintings, designs, architecture and media art that are based on the Codex, created by six teams of artists. Through the integration of diverse genres and technologies, the artworks represent the fundamental value of the Codex: harmony and convergence of different fields. The exhibition will offer audiences an opportunity to appreciate da Vinci's ideas and creativity from various points of view.

Admission costs 17,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 779-5773.

‘Youth'

D Museum

Focusing on youth culture and the way it influences different fields of contemporary art, D Museum presents a special exhibition, "Youth," until May 28

Youth culture has inspired numerous contemporary artists in different fields, including music, photography, fashion and video art. Through around 240 art pieces by 25 artists, this exhibition provides a look at youth culture and its meanings. It includes works of Dash Snow, who captures rebellious characteristics of youth and their angst and agony, as well as photographs by Ryan McGinley who documents the liberty, vitality and passion of youth.

Admission costs 8,000 won. For more information, visit daelimmuseum.org or call (070) 5097-0020.

Saimdang, Her Garden

Seoul Museum

Until June 11

Paintings of Shin Saimdang, the one and only woman artist of Joseon Dynasty whose name still remains today, will be exhibited at the Seoul Museum until June 11.

This exhibition focuses on Saimdang’s paintings of plants and animals in her garden, which show her delicate and detailed portrayal of nature. Along with her paintings, the Seoul Museum presents numerous artistic critiques she has received throughout history, shedding a new light on her artistry.

Admission costs 9,000 won. For more information, visit seoulmuseum.org or call (02) 395-0100.

‘Samramansang: from Kim Whanki to Yang Fudong’

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul

Until Aug. 13

Under the title of “Samramansang,” MMCA Seoul presents artworks it has newly acquired over the last four years.

From 2013 to 2016, the MMCA has obtained 932 pieces of artwork, and 130 of them will be displayed in this exhibition. The selection ranges from works by the late modern artists to those created by young artists of the 21st century.

Admission costs 4,000 won. For more information, visit mmca.go.kr or call (02) 3701-9500.

Kids

‘Franky and Friends'

Coex Art Hall

Until April 2

Children's musical "Franky and Friends" will be staged at Coex Art Hall until April 2.

A little bear named Franky refuses to have beans for dinner, and eats greasy food served by a witch instead. That night, he has a stomachache. Franky and his friends try to figure out why he became so sick. With a humorous story, the musical teaches children the importance of a healthy diet.

Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3672-0900.

Sports Games

March 18

Seoul SK Knights vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders

Jamsil Students' Gymnasium

Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Anyang KGC

Jeonju Indoor Gymnasium

Incheon ET Land Elephants vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy

Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium

March 19

Seoul SK Knights vs. Goyang Orions

Busan KT Sonicboom vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders

Busan Sajik Indoor Gymnasium

Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy

Ulsan Dongchun Gymnasium

Horseracing

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 kra.co.kr.