2008. 12. 18 Event Calendar
PYO ART GALLERYTo Dec. 31:”Jonathan Borofsky Exhibition.” American artist Jonathan Borofsky, best known for his Hammering Man public sculptures, is holding a solo exhibition of his smaller-scale works in Itaewon-dong.
The indoor display at Pyo Gallery includes works that touch upon humanism.
Borofsky’s latest collection of “Human Structures,” which was also exhibited in Beijing for three months before and after the Olympics, is a series of connected semi-transparent, life-size human modules.
Compared to his previous gray-tone and monochromatic works, this series is brighter and more cheerful.
His aspiration in creating this display, he says, is to connect individuals to each other, reminding us that we are dependent on one another and unity is our bonding force.
To get to the gallery, walk away from the Hyatt Hotel to the traffic lights and turn left. The gallery is located on the corner next to the dress designer’s showroom.
Noksapyeong Station, line No. 6, exit 1 or Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2
(02) 543-7337, www.pyoart.com
ARARIO GALLERY CHEONAN
To Jan. 24: “Li Jikai’s Solo Exhibition.” Li has already been introduced to Korean art lovers through a show of Chinese artists’ works at the Doosan Art Center in 2007.
His successful sales at a recent Hong Kong Sotheby’s auction as well as his solo exhibition at Beijing’s Today Art Museum earlier this year have solidified Li’s position in the art world.
In contrast to the propagandistic art of his contemporaries, Li delves into the fundamental question of human existence and expresses the loneliness present in the lives of people today.
Li narrates his own personal stories in his paintings. Rhetorical questions such as “Who am I?”, “Where do I come from?” and “Where am I headed?” crowd the artist’s mind as he desperately longs to maintain the sort of absolute purity one possesses as a child.
Li depicts himself as a Peter Pan figure in Neverland; however, his paintings show a sense of isolation, loneliness, fear, anxiety and an unavoidable encounter with reality as the artist realizes that the age of purity has already passed by.
Li’s art is a mysterious balance between violence and sensitivity, softness and poignancy.
The gallery is located in Cheonan, South Chung-cheong Province.
(041) 551-5100, www.arariogallery.co.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, TOWOL THEATER
Saturday to Dec. 30: “Musical - Christmas Carol.” Loosely based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this production has been one of the most popular family musicals here since 2003.
Performed for the fifth time by the Seoul Performing Arts Company, Christmas Carol is based around the theme of recovering the humanity easily lost in our materialistic society.
This year’s musical will feature performances from marginalized people in Korean society, such as the disabled, people of mixed race and children in juvenile reformatory institutions.
Tickets range from 30,000 won ($22.26) to 70,000 won.
The show is staged at 3 and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 580-1300, www.sac.or.kr
MAPO ART CENTER
Tuesday to Jan. 25: “Sex Is Zero.” A musical based on the hit sex-comedy film of the same title is coming to the stage.
Top producer Oh Eun-seon of Bada Musical Company, together with director Lee Won-jong and composer Heo Soo-hyun have teamed up to breathe new life into this well-known comedy.
As the trend of “movicals” is nothing new in Korea, this version of “Sex Is Zero” will offer a slightly different story with a few hidden twists to surprise audiences and deliver some original humor.
Yoo Chae-young and Choi Seong-guk, both known for their comedic skills, will headline the musical.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 60,000 won.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays (except for Mondays), 4 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 and 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Daeheung Station, line No. 2, exit 2
(02) 3274-8502, www.mapoartcenter.or.kr
NATIONAL THEATER OF KOREA
Dec. 25 to 28: “Chunhyang - True Love.” Theater Seoul, Korea’s largest English theater outfit for children, will present a musical based on a traditional Korean legend.
With actors aged between 9 and 18, the group has already enjoyed success in festivals in New York, Edinburgh, Shanghai and Singapore.
For this production, the young actors will perform a musical in English, originally derived from a traditional local legend.
Chunhyang is the daughter of a poor widow in the southern provincial town of Namwon. She meets and falls in love with Mong-ryong, a scion of a noble family.
But their blossoming romance is rudely interrupted when he has to leave with his father who is transferred to an official position in Hanyang (now Seoul).
Shortly thereafter, Chunhyang’s town gets a lecherous new governor. On hearing about Chunhyang’s beauty, he attempts to make her his concubine.
But Chunhyang stubbornly resists him, leading to her imprisonment. It soon becomes apparent that the governor intends to kill her, but love comes to her rescue.
The teenage actors will perform the musical accompanied by traditional Korean music, wearing hanbok made from hanji paper.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 60,000 won.
The show begins at 3 p.m. on Dec. 25 and 28, 6 p.m. on Dec. 26, and 3 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 27.
Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2
(02) 747-0035, www.smusical.com
HOAM ART CENTER
Friday to Saturday: “Seo Young-eun’s Romantic Live Concert.” With a voice described “as sweet as candy and chocolate,” Seo Young-eun has long been regarded as one of Korea’s most romantic live performers.
After starting her career as a jazz artist, Seo burst onto the local music scene in 1997, becoming a mainstay of the ballad industry with songs such as “I’m No More Alone,” “Let’s Smile,” “Good, Good” and “Cocktail Love.”
Over 11 years, her clear, smooth vocals and showy stage manner have made her concerts a favorite destination for young couples in the throes of love.
This winter concert will mark Seo’s first appearance in 2008, following her last concert in 2007 to celebrate the release of her seventh album. This weekend’s long-awaited concert will give fans a truly romantic Christmas.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 66,000 won.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
City Hall Station, line No. 2, exit 9
(02) 751-9606, www.hoamarthall.org
SEOUL ARTS CENTER CONCERT HALL
Sunday: “Rajaton - Concert.” Although many Koreans might not have heard of Rajaton, this Finnish a capella group has been on top of the pop album charts in their home country since their breakthrough album, “Spring.”
Since Rajaton’s debut, the group has also won numerous prestigious a capella awards.
Rajaton in Finnish means “infinite,” and likewise, its music knows no boundaries, ranging from mysterious Northern European music verging on Europop, to jazz, pop and even rock.
The unique Rajaton style is unlike normal a capella music, which places emphasis on the general blending of the group’s harmony. Rajaton, however, finds its musical harmony with each member’s unique vocals.
The group tries to reflect individual characteristics and skills and find their own commonality. This enables them to deliver a more lively harmony.
Rajaton consists of sopranos Essi Wuorela and Virpi Moskari, alto Soila Sariola, tenor Hannu Lepola, baritone Ahti Paunu and bass Jussi Chydenius.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 80,000 won.
The concert starts at 1 p.m.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station,
line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 599-5743, www.vincero.co.kr
OLYMPIC PARK FENCING STADIUM
Saturday to Sunday: “2008 The Shin Seung-hun Show - A White Night.” Shin Seung-hun, the King of Ballads, is back with new music after a two-year hiatus.
Compared to previous songs, the ballads in Shin’s new album “Radio Wave” are stronger and bolder in sound, and have been well-received by fans, who have praised the new direction.
Since debuting in 1991, Shin has performed over 100 large-scale concerts, pleasing audiences with renditions of his famous hits, “Invisible Love” and “You, Shown in Smile.”
With the title “A White Night,” this concert will warm and touch the hearts of fans.
Tickets range from 44,000 won to 110,000 won.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, 7 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3
1588-1555, www.interpark.co.kr
KOREAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Today
SK Knights vs. Mobis Phoebus
Jamsil Students, 7 p.m.
KTF Magic Wings vs. LG Sakers
Busan, 7 p.m.
Tomorrow
Daegu Orions vs. Samsung Thunders
Daegu, 7 p.m.
ET Land Black Slamer vs. KCC Egis
Incheon Samsan, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Dongbu Promy vs. KTF Magic Wings
Wonju Chiak, 3 p.m.
LG Sakers vs. SK Knights
Changwon, 3 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. KT&G Kites
Ulsan Dongcheon, 3 p.m.
Sunday
Daegu Orions vs. SK Knights
Daegu, 3 p.m.
KT&G Kites vs. KTF Magic Wings
Anyang, 3 p.m
ET Land Black Slamer vs. Dongbu Promy
Incheon, 5 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. KCC Egis
Jamsil, 3 p.m.
Tuesday
Daegu Orions vs. LG Sakers
Daegu, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
KTF Magic Wings vs. Samsung Thunders
Busan, 7 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Ulsan Dongcheon, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
2008 HI SEOUL FESTIVAL, Downtown Seoul
Friday to Jan. 18: Organized by the Seoul metropolitan government and Seoul Foundation of Arts and Culture, the Hi Seoul Festival in 2008 has already celebrated the seasons of spring, summer and autumn and will conclude this month with the winter festival.
Under the theme “Snow White Winter in Seoul,” the 30-day festival will be held at downtown locales such as Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza and other urban landmarks.
Attractions such as a Silvery Screen, Wishing Tree, Pure White Pond and Digital Stream will be held at Cheonggye Plaza. At Seoul Plaza, a skating rink, Light Column of Promise, Star-Sparkling Chair and a special photo zone will provide visitors with plenty to do.
The Wishing Tree is a special tree for young and old alike to hang their wishes from its branches. The boulevard from Gwanghwamun to Sungnyemun [Namdaemun] will be lit with glittering lights on some 350 ginkgo trees for the Silvery Streets of Seoul.
Landmark buildings such as Dongnimmun (Independence Gate), the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Council building will be magically transformed with lights throughout the festival.
Each building will be lit in either the color of blue, red or yellow, the colors signifying the concept of purity.
(02) 3290-7150, www.3hiseoulfest.org
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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