Beginning as part of the 2005 Korea-Japan Friendship Year event, the Korea-Japan Festival was successfully hosted in both Tokyo and Seoul in 2009.
Focusing on the theme of “Ancient History and Bright Future,” the 6th Korea-Japan Festival this year will be held in Seoul Square and Cheonggye Square for two days, Oct. 2-3, while it is hosted in Roppongi Hill, Tokyo on Oct. 2.
The festival is one of the largest cultural exchanges between the two countries, prepared by thousands of Korean and Japanese people; the festival brings cultural exchanges among citizens, students, and local governments between Korea and Japan.
Subtitled “Understanding Each Other and Sharing the Future,” the festival offers an exquisite opening ceremony showcasing colorful performances; performances include ``samulnori” (Korean percussion music), traditional Korean dance, bongsan mask dance, “Ganggang Sullae” (a circle dance), “Nebuta Matsuri” (a fire festival in Japan), a Sumo Contest, J-Pop, and other traditional performances.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy a wide array of exhibitions and experience various programs (traditional plays, costumes, musical instruments, pottery, Korea-Japan Festival Information Center, Korea-Japan Local Promotion Hall, and Korea-Japan Food Market).
The event is free.
Directions: Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, Stop 533 exit 5 (walk toward City Hall) or City Hall Station, Stops 132 or 201, exit 4 walk toward the mountain).
Additional Events and Exhibitions at Seoul Plaza: Traditional Culture Programs: traditional plays (Japanese: “kendama,” “koma,” “daruma otoshi,” “wanage,” and more. Korean: “neolttwigi,” “jegichagi,” “yootnori,” “tuho,” and more), traditional costumes in Korea and Japan (“yukata” and “hanbok”), traditional Korean crafts, traditional mask crafts, traditional musical instruments in Korea and Japan, goldfish “nebuta” crafts.
Cultural Contents: Comic shops in Korea and Japan, comparisons of “saju” and “omikuji “(fortunetelling in Korea and Japan).
Special Event: Tong (mutual understanding) café.
At Cheonggye Plaza: Traditional Plays.
Food Experience: Eating food at street stalls, “Yatai” in Japan and “Jumak,” in Korea.
Participatory Event: Lucky Apple Tree Event.
Exhibition: Large Book Exhibition (comparing the food cultures between Korea and Japan).
The website is available in Korean and Japanese.
Please visit: https://www.omatsuri.kr/
The Seoul Players are returning to present the Night of 1000 plays on Oct. 2 and 9 at Roofers in Itaewon.
The show will consist of 39 original written short plays, performed at manic pace by eight groups of actors and directors. Each night features completely different plays.
The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. There are no reservations so patrons are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are 10,000 won for one night.
To get to Roofers in Itaewon, leave Itaewon Station exit 3. Walk straight to the corner. After Dunkin’ Donuts, turn right. Walk about two minutes up the street. Look for Roofers across from King Club.
Probationary Theatre’s autumn production is a new, intelligent and hard hitting comedy; “10 good reasons not to go home” is to be performed at RUF Project on Saturday Oct. 30 beginning at 7 p.m.
This is a one night only show and seats are strictly limited.
Tickets cost 15,000 won and bookings can be made via email at probationarytheatre@gmail.com
RUF Project is a 15 minute walk from Noksapyeong Station (Subway Line 6) in Seoul.