Roadkill and romance: themes of the season

One of the more unusual Christmas Eve party themes this year is “Santa Got Run Over by a Mini.” It’s not hard to figure out who the party’s main sponsor is ― BMW, the maker of the Mini.
The Woo Bar at W Seoul hotel, eastern Seoul, will exhibit a shining red Mini Cooper, complete with sexy Santa-girl models, but unfortunately only toy versions of the car will be available as party prizes, said Miggi Chi, the party planner.
Having been the victim of a traffic accident, the story goes, Santa has no choice but to give away undelivered bags of assorted gifts ― more than 100 of them, including Makeup Forever sets, Hermes perfume, Adidas bags and clothing, Aveda products and possibly airline tickets ―to social butterflies who pay the 30,000 won ($26) in admission. Profits from the raffle tickets will be donated to Korea Food for the Hungry International, a civic group.
This year, acts of Christmas charity will have a groovy, danceable backdrop. From the glistening silver DJ booth of the Woo Bar, DJ Jinwook of Sway and Joel Lai from Hong Kong’s Bar Drop will spin classic and funky tribal house music, from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. tomorrow night. For tickets or information, call (02) 544-4367 or e-mail swaypro@hotmail.com.
The other end of the social scale of the capital was less creative with its party plans, but the popular club M2 in Hongdae, northwestern Seoul, will surely attract a lot of couples looking for fun ― and singles looking to become couples ― at its “Romantic Christmas Party.” Partiers will be body-grinding along with techno mixes by a string of M2 resident DJs, including Yeon Jun, Todd, Woongza, Baram, and more. For the romantic Christmas mood, there will be a showcase by a local gospel band, “Heritage Faith.” Admission, which includes free entrance to Club Q-Vo, costs 15,000 won before 10:30 p.m., 20,000 won after 10:30 p.m.
Q-Vo, located above Club M2, is taking an even simpler tact with “Funky Night,” but the party, according to the promoter, will move from dance to laughter as comedians from a popular Korean comedy show, “Utchatsa,” will show up to work the crowd. A ticket costs 15,000 won before 10 p.m., 20,000 won after 10 p.m.
For inquiries, call 011-9887-6076 or visit the Web site, www.ohoo.net.

by Ines Cho