Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Theater Series Much Closer to Audience

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter In a recent television show, renowned actor Cho Jae-hyun stressed the necessity of star-studded theater marketing in a recent to make audience turn to plays from musicals. As if his dreams of boosting local dramas came true, a growing number of people are rushing to theaters in Daehangno, central Seoul. This is because of ``Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 2'' (A Series of the Best Plays) now showing in the district. The plays started on Dec. 7 and will continue until Jan. 4 next year. The best-play series project comes four years after the 2004 ``Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 1'' put 15 best picks selected from the works performed between 1980 and 2000 on stage. The first one drew about 170,000 people over the year, contributing to boosting the theatrical drama industry in the district. For the second series, a total of 11 plays are being staged. But this year's series are getting fresh input ― a star-studded cast with the efforts by its programmer Cho, and fresher varied works. Cho returning as programmer Cho, who himself played Allen in ``Equus''

May 25, 2008

Michael Joo Returns With New Exhibit

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter After a two-year absence from the Korean art scene, New York-based artist Michael Joo is back with a solo exhibition at the PKM Gallery in Seoul. Joo's current works such as ``Africanized Composition'' and ``Flawed/Empowered'' show subtle changes, compared to the pieces shown during his 2006 exhibit at the Rodin Gallery. During the press preview at the PKM Gallery last week, Joo talked about how his work has evolved over the last two years. ``There is still a search for identity in terms of race. But the exploration includes identity of certain mediums, like sculptures and paintings. It is also about racialized identity on a much larger scale,'' he said. His works trigger multiple associations, and viewers are invited to uncover the different layers of meaning. ``Some of my humor may be in there… But my wife says I have a bad sense of humor,'' Joo laughed. Two of his works at PKM Gallery prominently feature a bunch of gray sausages on sticks. In one piece, the sausages are arranged similar to ikebana, the Japanese art of flo

May 23, 2008

Clubs, Art Exhibitions and Sports Games

Clubs The Circle Cheongdam-dong Located in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, it's notorious for turning you down unless you're dressed chic and sleek. Faithful to its name, it has a round revolving floor ― looking for your ``lost'' table gives clubbers the perfect excuse to sit down with a sexy stranger. Located on Dosan-daero near Hak-dong intersection. Call (02) 546-5933 or visit www.thecircle.co.kr. Club Answer Cheongdam-dong This might be the answer to your nightlife. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and the ones on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Or mingling with the hot bartenders at the open bar might be a fine alternative. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance of Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch a

May 22, 2008

Concerts, Museums& Performances

Classical Concerts Ian Yungwook Yoo Recital Seoul Arts Center June 2 Child prodigy-turned-virtuoso pianist Ian Youngwook Yoo returns to Korea ever since showcasing his original compositions as a 10-year-old. A winner of the 2007 International Beethoven Piano Competition in Bonn, Yoo will play music by Beethoven, Liszt and more. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. Visit www.ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 548-4480. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Heejeong Lucia Kye ― Decade 1 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts June 10 Korean clarinetist Heejeong Lucia Kye and pianist Kang Sang-woo will perform classical music duets. This is the first part of their ``Decades Series.'' They will play music from 1900 through 1909. Tickets cost from 22,000 won to 33,000 won. Visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 2658-3546. Located near exits 8 and 1 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Gum Nan-se and the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra Seoul Arts Center May 25 Join conductor Gum Nan-se and the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orch

May 22, 2008

Sungnyemun to Be Restored by 2012

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The restoration of Sungnyemun, Korea's National Treasure No. 1, will begin in 2010. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced details of the restoration plan for Sungnyemun, also known as Namdaemun, Tuesday, 100 days since it was destroyed in an arson attack in February. Officials said Sungnyemun would be restored to its original structure before Japanese imperial rule. Construction will begin in 2010 and will take three years to finish. Officials estimate the overall cost of restoration will reach 25 billion won ($24 million). ``The gate will be reconstructed in the original shape prior to Japanese imperial rule,'' Yi Kun-moo, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, said. The restoration of Sungnyemun will be based on detailed drawings made in 2006 and renovation plans for the gate in the 1960s. Most of the original structure was preserved, but the castle walls and parts of the cornerstone were damaged during the Japanese occupation in the early 1900s. Sungnyemun was built in 1398 as the main southern entrance to

May 20, 2008

Exhibit to Restore Sungnyemun Opens

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Korean sculptors, dignitaries and celebrities have joined the efforts to restore Sungnyemun ― also known as Namdaemun ― Korea's National Treasure No.1, at the opening ceremony of the ``Korean 100 Sculptors Exhibition'' Monday, the 100th day after it was destroyed in an arson attack. The exhibition hosted by Korea's Sculptors Forum and the Hankook Ilbo, a sister company of The Korea Times, opened in a special hall on the first floor of the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel, and will continue until June 20. Hundreds of dignitaries including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the ceremony. Hankook Ilbo President Lee Jong-seung and Korea's Sculptors Forum President Yuon Je-dong delivered the opening speeches to mark the 100th day of the fire at the gate. To boost fund raising to support the restoration, the exhibition features 100 sculptures from 100 prominent artists and four works of photographer Kim Joong-man. All 100 works are on sale and the proceeds will be donated to restore the National Treasure. Sungnyemun was built in 1398 as t

May 19, 2008

Myeongdong Theater Lures Shoppers, Foreigners

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Until the mid-1970s Myeongdong was synonymous with ``street of culture,'' like the current Daehangno, in which artists and actors used to hang around. But the district has now become one of Seoul's main shopping districts featuring mid-to high-priced retail stores and international brand outlets. It is even the center of major financial services. To restore the old reputation, a handful of artists have made efforts to turn the district into the cultural epicenter again. The Myeongdong Art Center opened its doors on May 15 with the successful donation campaigns of many celebrities and art lovers. Prominent actors such as An Sung-ki and Cho Jae-hyun and comedian Lee Young-ja gave donations. Donators will have their names put on seats. According to the center, 272 out of 410 seats have already been taken. The center, which was remodeled from the old Funky House, is now equipped with 410 seats located on the third to fifth floors in the UNESCO building. The center puts a local play, ``A Dwarf Who Loved Snow White'' on stage as t

May 18, 2008

Artontv Offers Art Thru Internet

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter ``Artontv,'' a recently opened Internet Web site focused on art, is expected to help people explore the Korean art scene more quickly and easily. The site will carry major art exhibition schedules, events, news, interviews with artists and other information related to the Korean art industry, all through UCC (User Created Content) or video clips. ``We realized the limit of paper-based art information guides. Living in an era where UCC is part of our lives, we came up with a Web site that offers various art-related clips,'' said Kim Kyung-a, the CEO of the Korean Arts Network International (KANI), at a press conference held in Seoul Wednesday. Kim was the former editor of the monthly art magazine ``Art in Culture.'' ``Through this site, people will have the opportunity to experience Korean art more easily than before. Our aim is to broadcast Korean art all over the world,'' Kim said. There are four sections on the main page that you can access ― ``Art on View'' and ``Art Spot'' are dubbed the Red Zone, while ``Your Videos'' and ``F

May 16, 2008

Experience Energy with NDT II Ballet

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Nederland Dans Theater II (NDT II) is offering their interpretation of the works of legendary choreographers for Korean fans this weekend at the Seongnam Arts Center. The Dutch troupe was launched in 1959, when ballet and contemporary dance began merging in Europe. It was one of the first dance troupes to ignore the boundaries of traditional ballet and contemporary dance, paving the way for creative and distinctive works. NDT II will present the works of choreographers who are respected for their works during the transition period ― Jiri Kylian's ``Sleepless,'' Ohad Naharin's ``Minus 16'' and Hans van Manen's ``Simple Things.'' NDT II is part of Nederlands Dans Theater, which comprises three teams; NDT I (dancers who are 23 years old or older), NDT II (17 to 22 years old), and NDT III (40 years old or older). Won Jin-young, the only Korean dancer in the troupe, will appear in all three performances. ``I had the chance to see the movements of contemporary dance at the Lausanne Concours in 2005. I was captivated by the movements an

May 16, 2008

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs The Circle Cheongdam-dong Located in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, it's notorious for turning you down unless you're dressed chic and sleek. Faithful to its name, it has a round revolving floor ― looking for your ``lost'' table gives clubbers the perfect excuse to sit down with a sexy stranger. Located on Dosan-daero near Hak-dong intersection. Call (02) 546-5933 or visit www.thecircle.co.kr. Club Answer Cheongdam-dong This might be the answer to your nightlife. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and the ones on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Or mingling with the hot bartenders at the open bar might be a fine alternative. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance of Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch a

May 15, 2008

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

Theater Series Much Closer to Audience

Michael Joo Returns With New Exhibit

Clubs, Art Exhibitions and Sports Games

Concerts, Museums& Performances

Sungnyemun to Be Restored by 2012

Exhibit to Restore Sungnyemun Opens

Myeongdong Theater Lures Shoppers, Foreigners

Artontv Offers Art Thru Internet

Experience Energy with NDT II Ballet

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Most Read in Lifestyle