2009.1.8 Event Calendar
SEO GALLERYTuesday to Feb. 26: “Heropia Exhibition.” Seo Gallery is kicking off 2009 with an exhibition of work by young male artists.
The featured artists include Kim Ji-min, No Sae-hwan, Park Yong-sik, Lee Jung-geun, Lee Jae-wook, Jang Jae-rok and Chu Do-yang.
As the title of the exhibition - “Heropia” - implies, these artists are planning to display their creative, free and unique artistic boundaries. Expect to see No’s urban photography, Park’s animal sculpture photos and Lee’s Gothic cathedral series.
Beginning with this exhibition, Seo Gallery is planning to provide a pathway for artists to further develop themselves.
Seoul National University of Education Station, lines No. 2 and 3, exit 1
(02) 583-5612, www.seogallery.com
THE SIUTER ART INFINITE SPACE
Tuesday to Feb. 15: “Book Book Book Idol Land Exhibition.” What exactly is “modern book art?” It is a unique field on the boundary between book art and modern art.
As the value of books becomes more significant, the focus has shifted into the illustrating and designing of books. The more artistic the book is, the higher the value of the book, thus blurring the line between book art and modern art.
From children’s book art to book binding, some 50 artists from all over the world will showcase unique and interesting book art pieces. There are also special hands-on events prepared on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission ranges from 3,000 won ($2.30) to 30,000 won.
From Gyeongbok Palace, take green bus 7022 or 0212 to Gugi-dong.
Gyeongbokgung Station, line No. 3, exit 3
(02) 394-2596, www.siuter.com
NATIONAL THEATER OF KOREA
To Jan. 25: “Musical: I Really, Really Like You.” One of the most popular musicals of 2008, Korea’s very own “Mamma Mia!” is back for the new year after a national tour around the provinces.
The musical is based on the hit “Really, Really” movie series that was popular with teens in the 1970s and ’80s. It deals with the hopes and romances of teenagers, cleverly intertwined with classic Korean pop songs.
The lively acting and singing of the performers, along with the live band, should appeal to theater-goers of all ages.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
The show is staged at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 and 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6
02)2280-4115, www.ntok.go.kr
KEPCO ART CENTER
Friday to Feb. 8: “Musical: Rent.” The Broadway musical, based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Boheme,” will be staged in Korea.
The musical, originally created by American composer and playwright Jonathan Larson, tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create under the shadow of AIDS in New York’s Lower East Side.
The musical was first staged off Broadway in 1996. After a successful opening stint, the production was moved to Broadway and proceeded to pick up a host of accolades including a Tony Award for best musical.
With an ethnically diverse cast and a brazen approach to tackling controversial topics, the musical brought the traditionally conservative medium to a younger generation.
In Korea, the role of the poor yet passionate musicians will be played by an all-star cast consisting of Yoo Seung-hyun of “Singles” and “Hello Franceska” as Roger and Bae Ji-hoon of “Peter Pan” and “Empress Myungsung” as Mark.
Cho Min-ah of the pop group Jewelry and Ko Myung-suk of “Grease “and “Hairspray” double-cast as Mimi.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 60,000 won.
The show is staged at 8 p.m. on weekdays (except Mondays) and 3 and 7:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Yangjae Station, line No. 3, exit 1
(02)2105-8133, www.kepco.co.kr/artcenter
WONDER SPACE NEMO THEATER
Friday to March 8: “Turn Your Back and Leave.” Created by famous Korean playwright Lee Man-hee, this tear-jerker is coming back to the stage this winter with three quality actors, Yoo Oh-sung, Jin Kyung and Song Seon-mee.
“Turn Your Back and Leave” is the story of two lovers. But it is not just a simple love story about meeting and departing.
By showing how these two people truly respect and love each other, the story touches on the topic of human existence.
The play, first shown in 1999, proved immensely popular among critics and theater-goers, scooping up the awards for best drama, best actor and best actress at the Dong-A drama awards ceremony.
The story was subsequently turned into a film titled “Promise,” and later into a television soap opera called “Couple.”
Yoo Oh-sung, a veteran of the stage and screen, will play the role of Gong Sang-doo, the honest, warm character in this sad love story. Yoo is said to be a chameleon-like actor who can shift effortlessly between such characters as a suave playboy and a poor, sick father.
Tackling a dramatic role for the first time on stage, Song Seon-mee of “Best Days of Daughters-in-law,” “The Mafia, The Salesman” and “Woman on the Beach” will share the role of Chae Hee-ju, Gong’s lover, with Jin Kyung, an actress with extensive stage experience.
Tickets cost 35,000 won for all seats.
The show is staged at 8 p.m. on weekdays (except Mondays) and 3 and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Hyewha Station, line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 763-1355, www.wonderspace.co.kr
KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY PEACE HALL
Saturday: “Yoonsang Live Concert.” After a six- year absence, Yoonsang is staging a much-anticipated concert with his some of his close friends,
Yoo Hee-yeol, Kim Dong-ryul and Cho Won-seon.
Debuting in 1987 as a producer for Kim Hyun-sik, Yoonsang released his first solo album in 1991. He released five albums before taking a break in 2003, touching people with his “smooth and delicate” songs. In 2007, Yoonsang went to the U.S. to study at Berklee College of Music and New York University Graduate School.
Upon his return to Korea, Yoonsang released a new album, “Song Book,” last month containing some of his hits and other less popular songs that are meaningful to the artist. The songs were rearranged as duets with up-and-coming musicians.
This concert will continue in the collaborative vein with guest musicians and singers. Since his last concert was in 2001, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how he’s changed both as a musician and a live performer.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 88,000 won.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Hoegi Station, line No. 1, exit 1
1544-1555, www.interpark.co.kr
SEJONG CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Sunday: “Beethoven Virus in Live.” “Beethoven Virus,” a popular local soap opera, will now be performed as a live concert.
Beethoven Virus screened on MBC from September through November last year. The drama focused on the story of an amateur orchestra and the lives of the members who have a passion for their instruments and try to play on, regardless of the situation.
Capitalizing on the soap opera’s buzz and the popular groundswell for classical music the drama’s producers claimed it created, the upcoming concert will feature pianist Seo Hye-kyung, soprano Kim Eun-joo, tenor Na Seung-seo and mezzo-soprano Lee Ah-kyung together with the 60-member Incheon Opera Choir.
The concert begins in Seoul before touring 10 cities around the country.
Tickets range from 33,000 won to 77,000 won.
The concert starts at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 3991-700, www.sejongpac.or.kr
OLYMPIC PARK OLYMPIC HALL
Sunday: “Ne-Yo Live Concert in Seoul.” The current king of R&B is coming back to Korea after his triumphant visit last year, as part of a world tour.
When Ne-Yo debuted at the age of 25, he immediately put his name on the top of the charts. With albums “In My Own Words” and “Because of You,” Ne-Yo also quickly became a hit among Koreans.
With his third album “Year of the Gentleman” featuring the hit-single “Closer”, Ne-Yo wrote a new chapter in Korean pop chart history, occupying the No. 1 spot of every music chart.
From smooth R&B to hip-hop, Ne-Yo will once again make the stadium feel as fun as a club. Top dancers and stylists will also ensure Ne-Yo’s concert is unforgettable.
Tickets range from 77,000 won to 110,000 won.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3
1544-1555, www.interpark.co.kr
KOREA BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Today
Samsung Thunders vs. Daegu Orions
Jamsil, 7 p.m.
ET Land Black Slamer vs. Dongbu Promy
Incheon Saman, 7 p.m.
Tomorrow
KCC Egis vs. SK Knights
Jeonju, 7 p.m.
KT&G Kites vs. Mobis Phoebus
Anyang, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Dongbu Promy vs. KTF Magic Wings
Wonju Chiak, 3 p.m.
LG Sakers vs. Samsung Thunders
Changwon, 3 p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Daegu, 3 p.m.
Sunday
SK Knights vs. LG Sakers
Jamsil, 3 p.m.
KT&G Kites vs. Daegu Orions
Anyang, 3 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. KTF Magic Wings
Ulsan Dongchun, 5 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. Dongbu Promy
Jeonju, 3 p.m.
Tuesday
Mobis Phoebus vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
LG Sakers vs. KTF Magic Wings
Changwon, 7 p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. Dongbu Promy
Daegu, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
SANCHEONEO ICE FESTIVAL, Gangwon Province
Saturday to Jan. 27: With the theme “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories,” the mountain trout ice festival is back.
The Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a unique winter festivity that organizers claim attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Programs are organized into four major categories, along the themes of ice and snow.
Sancheoneo or mountain trout, is a freshwater fish that only lives in icy-cold waters. The unique patterns on its back make the fish more beautiful; it is also known as “the queen of valleys.”
Activities include ice fishing, in which a hole is cut into the ice of the stream; lure fishing, and the chance to catch fish with your bare hands.
There are also snow and ice experience programs such as ice sledding, snow sledding, snow castle building, snow sculptures and ice tubing.
There will be a creative sled-making contest, a showcase of individually crafted sleds, and cultural events such as the “Eolgomi’s Day” ceremony, weekend concerts and animation shows.
Most of the programs are accessible for free or only cost a maximum of 5,000 won per person. The festival will be held at Hwacheon River and around five villages in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province.
From Seoul, take a bus from Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Hwacheon, Gangwon.
Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal Station, line No. 2, exit 3.
(033) 440-2319, www.narafestival.com
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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