Wanna paint the town red? Incheon is ready for you

When in Incheon, do as the Incheonites do. Party at Bupyeong Plaza or Munhak Plaza.

The areas are two of Incheon's most festive places to enjoy the World Cup. During the soccer matches, even those played outside of Incheon, various outdoor events are held at the two areas, such as traditional performances, a hip-hop graffiti festival and even a Miss University pageant.

The Korean team will play its last game of the first round, against Portugal, in Incheon on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Before the game, or during if you do not have tickets, check out these two areas to enjoy the World Cup and Incheon.

MUNHAK PLAZA

More than 10,000 Red Devils, Korean soccer fans, gathered downtown at Munhak, adjacent to Incheon's World Cup stadium, on June 3 to watch the Korea versus Poland match on the stadium-sized screen installed there. When Korea played the United States on Monday, the rain caused fewer people to attend. Organizers are expecting up to 10,000 fans for the Korea-Portugal match Friday.

While the crowds are not as thick when the games are not being broadcast, daily cultural festivals and information technology exhibitions keep the people coming. "We want to show that Incheon is an international city, and a leading IT area," one organizer said.

To create an international flair, the organizers created an international folk festival. Eighteen troupes from 12 countries have been performing since the festivities began on June 1. Dancing, singing, food and traditional customs are emphasized so that fans from abroad can cheer their teams.

On Friday, Koreans will perform traditional dances at 6 p.m. A modern musical starts at 7 p.m., followed by a viewing party at 8 p.m.

The last day of the festivities, Sunday, will feature a singing contest for Incheon residents. The first round is at Bupyeong Plaza. The finalists will have a sing-off at Munhak's big stage.

Other attractions include photo exhibitions on soccer and Incheon, soccer paintings and an IT zone. There are also outdoor classical music concerts and performance artists.

BUPYEONG PLAZA

While the mainstream events are at Munhak, Bupyeong attracts a younger crowd with events such as a rock concert, a graffiti festival and a pageant. The events end Sunday.

On Thursday, the Incheon Pops Orchestra is holding an outdoor concert at 4 p.m.

The rocker Doo Won-kyung headlines the Star Rock Festival on Saturday. The hip-hop graffiti festival Saturday and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., features dancing. For those who prefer other music, There is a salsa, tango, samba and rumba festival on Friday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with experts on hand to provide tips. And on Thursday, Incheon's Miss University pageant will be held here.

For more information, visit Incheon's Web site at www.incheonplaza.co.kr

by Joe Yong-hee