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Arts & Theater

Concerts, Museums and Theater

New Years Concert with Cellist Young Song Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues on left for more information) Jan. 18 Popular cellist Young Song (Song Young-hoon) will hold a New Year concert with Universal Philharmonic Orchestra. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s “Slavonic March, Op. 31” and Dvorak’s “Concerto for Violincello and Orchestra in B minor Op. 104” among others. Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. Call (031) 897-7497 for more information. Paul Potts ‘I Have A Dream’ Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts* Jan. 11 The winner of “Britain’s Got Talent Paul Potts and genius New Age pianist Kevin Kern who overcame visual impairment will gather to hold a Share The Hopes Concert titled “I Have A Dream.” The program includes “Sundial Dream,” “The Winding Path,” “Il Mio Cuore Va” and “Cinema Paradiso” among others. Popera singer Yisabel and Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra will also appear as guests. Tickets cost 33,000 to 198,000 won. For more, call (02)2052-1386 or 1544-1555. Joe Hisaishi Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*

Dec 30, 2010

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs Underlounge Seoul Hongdae or Hongik University Area This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized crystal ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the bar or classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr. Club M2 Hongdae M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd along with models and celebrities. Packed on the weekends. Check www.ohoo.net. Cafe Mou Sinsa-dong This cafe has a rich ethnic interior that mixes inspirations that its owner got from travels to such places as Morocco and France. Its menu is limited, but features desserts. It’s located at the edge of Dosan Park. 650-9 Park View Building, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, near the Cine City Theater in Apgujeongdong. Call (02) 3444-6069. Club Heaven Yeoksam-don

Dec 30, 2010

Top 10 moments in culture

By Culture Desk 1 Gwanghwamun restored Gwanghwamun, the main entrance to Gyeongbok Palace and one of Korea’s representative symbols, was unveiled on Aug. 15 after more than three years of renovations. The unveiling came in time for the G20 Seoul Summit inNovember, as well as the 65th anniversary of the country’s liberation from colonial Japan in 1945; it thus holds great symbolic importance: built in 1395, the gate was destroyed during a 16th-century Japanese invasion. Though later reconstructed, its location was shifted during Japanese colonial rule. Criticism arose over the craftsmanship of the iconic edifice’s nameplate as cracks began to form on the surface, and the national heritage administration decided Tuesday to replace it. 2 Cultural relics reclaimed French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed in November to return ancient royal Korean documents that French troops looted during a 19th-century attack, though on a permanent lease contract that is to be renewed every five years. The agreement settles an issue that had been pending for 19 years. The bo

Dec 29, 2010

Gimusa culture center unveils renovations

By Ines Min The doors of the new culture center at an annex of “Gimusa” (the Defense Security Command) opened Monday in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) unveiled the completed renovations of the tentatively named Seogye-dong Culture Space, showing press and public the main Baik-Chang Theater at an opening ceremony. Named after two legendary, veteran actors — Baik Sung-hee and Chang Min-ho — the 400-capacity theater will serve as the rehearsal space and studio hall for the National Drama Company of Korea. A smaller theater, two studios and residency facilities comprise the remaining building space, including locker rooms and shower facilities for 108 people. The U-shaped building is painted bright red, immediately visible from nearby Seoul Station. Renovations to the Gimusa annex began in June, following an agreement with the Ministry of National Defense. Plans to transform the space were revealed last year. Cultural programs, practices and educational resources will kick off next month. Baik and

Dec 28, 2010

New ‘Billy Elliot’ debuts Saturday

Park Jun-hyeong, 11, will join the Korean production of the musical “Billy Elliot” playing the lead role on Saturday, Magistella, the production company of the musical said. He will alternate the role of a British boy who falls in love with ballet in a coal town, along with four other child actors who have been playing Billy since August. Park started to learn ballet after watching the “Billy Elliot” movie and was the first to apply for the audition. He has been training for more than two years after failing the first audition, but he will finally get the chance to be on stage. “I want to play the Billy character based on my unique interpretation,” Park said in a press release. The musical will run through February at LG Art Center. Call (02) 3446-9630.

Dec 28, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

Winter break treats for children and families

By Lee Hyo-won, Kwon Mee-yoo The winter vacation is here, and children might be excited about sleeping in, intense snowball fights and indulging in seasonal food. However, it’s also a ripe opportunity to squeeze in something educational yet loads of fun. Holiday programs involving museum-going, orchestral music and live performances are all lined up to entertain the restless youngsters on break from school. Day at the museum Explore various aspects of East Asian culture at the Samsung Children’s Museum in Songpa-gu. Throughout January and February, the museum will offer Japanese mask-making sessions (weekdays at 1 p.m.); a chance to create drawings using Chinese calligraphy stamps (everyday at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.); and an opportunity to learn a Chinese lion dance and make more masks (weekends at 1:45 p.m.). Call (02) 2143-3600 or visit kids.samsungfoundation.org for more information. For more fun hands-on experiences, check out the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea or the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan. Kids can learn how to make dolls, robots, and solar

Dec 27, 2010

Chung portrays patriot Ahns humanity on stage

By Kwon Mee-yoo Chung Sung-hwa has independence activisit Ahn Jung-geun down pat — down to the trademark moustache. The 35-year-old portrays the national icon in the homegrown musical “Hero,” which seeks to share the patriot’s life with an international audience next year. Premiering in 2009, this is the second presentation of the performance and Chung has been playing the patriot for both runs. “Many male actors may want to play the role of Ahn but I thought I had to audition for this,” Chung told The Korea Times during an interview, Wednesday. He debuted as a comedian in 1994, but people now remember him as a musical actor who successfully played the role of Don Quixote in the 2007 musical “Man of La Mancha.” He is now known as an actor with great depth and profundity after appearing in musicals such as “Brothers Were Brave,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and most recently “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” After being chosen for the role of the independence fighter, he visited Harbin, China, with the creative team for inspiration on how to best portray the

Dec 24, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs Club Answer Cheongdam-dong Equipped with state of the art sound and lighting, Club Answer is the foremost venue for electronic music in Seoul. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, the club presents world class DJs in an extensive space with modern decor to offer a memorable dance experience. Visit www.clubanswer.co.kr, for more information. Underlounge Seoul Hongdae or Hongik University Area This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also to be found in Shanghai. Located in the popular clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized crystal ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the open bar or in classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr. Club M2 Hongdae M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd along with models and celebrities. Packed on the weekends. Check www.ohoo.net

Dec 23, 2010

Concerts, Museums and Theater

Classical Concerts Yuhki Kuramoto & Friends Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center*(Refer to Venues listed on right for location/contact information) Dec. 25 Romantic new age pianist Yuhki Kuramoto will give a Christmas concert with So Hyang, a famous contemporary Christian music artist, clarinetist Kim Han and popera singer Kai. The program includes Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto in A major, K.622,” “Nella Fantasia” and the 1950s “When I Fall in Love,” along with a medley of Christmas carols. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 318-4301. Sumi Jo ‘Morgen’ Grand Theater, Uijeongbu Arts Center Dec. 28 The world’s best coloratura soprano Sumi Jo will hold a special year-end concert, mainly themed on traditional German numbers. In collaboration with German project ensemble Musicians from Deutsche Philharmonie Merck, the program includes master pieces from the Romantic period; Beethoven’s “Ich Liebe Dich,” Schbert’s “Der Erlkonig” and more. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Uijeongbu Station on subway line 1. For more informat

Dec 23, 2010

Weekender A guide to Seoul countdown hotspots

By Culture Desk Welcoming the New Year brings a multitude of emotions and vows. The masses are making resolutions, embarking on fresh beginnings and looking toward that gleaming hope on the horizon — but first, the conclusion of the past year must be sent off in style. So whether you’re looking to kick back with a 24-hour art marathon screening in the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art or rock out to the beats of local K-pop stars, bid a memorable farewell to 2010. Make way, 2011! Classical contentment The Seoul Arts Center and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul will host their annual New Year’s Eve concerts, offering lineups of spectacular shows and events for the big countdown. The programs are particularly star-studded this year and music lovers may find it difficult to choose between the two. The Seoul Arts Center will offer something thoroughly classic. The concert will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Concert Hall, with esteemed violinist-professor Kim Nam-yun and a string orchestra comprised of her students. Two of her distinguishe

Dec 23, 2010
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