New year’s eve parties from East to West

Cool countdown events await the party animals of Seoul for New Year’s Eve. The word in the capital’s most sociable crowd is that the biggest attraction will be in the eastern end of Seoul at W Hotel.
At the Vista Hall located in the hotel’s basement is “Eastronika 2006 Countdown Party,” where a string of star DJs from Korea and Japan will showcase their latest electronic music all night. Partygoers will get to sample very danceable classic house, which is the result of months of musical collaboration between Korean and Japanese DJs that appeared on the recently released album “Eastronika.”
The album features the two main DJs of the party: Jinu from Rollercoaster and Little Big Bee, otherwise known as Seo Young-chul, a Korean-born Japanese artist. The album also includes 24 other DJs who are currently active such as Japan’s Konishi Yasuharu, formerly a member of Pizzicatto Five, and Sunaga T Experience, and Korea’s Casker, Jinwook, Saint Binary, Romantic Couch and Decode. Both the album and the party intend to cultivate talented DJs from Japan and Korea ― this is important considering that the global market is dominated by Western DJs. The album, to be released in Japan in March, also introduces virtually unknown Korean DJs to Japan’s music scene.
Revelers at Vista Hall will vote to select one Eastronika Party Girl, who will be invited to Tokyo’s Club Yellow on Jan. 20 when the record label Flower throws its 10th anniversary party. Admission, which includes one free drink, is 30,000 won ($26) in advance and 35,000 won at the door. For tickets, call 1544-0737 or visit the Web site, www.ticket.interpark.co.kr.
Upstairs, the posh restaurants and bars of the W Hotel are venues of upscale parties for those who like to sip unlimited champagne and dine on gourmet meals before and after midnight. The party planner Riskei organized “Orbit 2006 New Year’s Party” at Namu and Kitchen restaurants and Woo Bar. For the price of 180,000 won per person, the countdown event, which kicks off at 7 p.m., features a six-course Japanese fusion dinner at Namu, unlimited champagne and wine over a live band from Canada, Jive Crank, followed by lounging and dancing in Woo Bar with Lisa Shaw from New York and Silva from Tokyo. Kitchen, a casual restaurant, will also turn into an arena of entertainment with DJ Jinmoo from Germany and the Powerflower, Neo Soul band from Korea and more. The party at Kitchen costs 40,000 won in advance, 50,000 won at the door. For inquiries, visit the Web site, www.riskei.co.kr or www.ticket.interpark.co.kr.
At the western end of Seoul, the New Year’s sun also rises. The “2006 Countdown” at Club M2 near Hongik University, northwestern Seoul will host its usual big night for the fans of M2 resident DJs like Unkle, Yeon Jun, Dylan James, Aya, Baram, Todd and more. The special guest, Drifter Crew, will give a freestyle session and dance performance.
Admission, which includes free entrance to Club Q-Vo, a hip-hop club upstairs, is 15,000 won before 10 p.m. or 20,000 won after 10 p.m. For inquiries, call Cho Ha-na at 011-9887-6076.

by Ines Cho