2009. 3.25 Event Calendar
GALLERYKUKJE GALLERY
To Sunday: “Wandering.” An exhibition of new paintings by contemporary Japanese artist Hideaki Kawashima is currently being held here.
As an artist, Kawashima pursues an intuitive process, allowing himself to paint directly on the canvas without any planning, and finishing only when the image seems naturally complete. Thus, “Wandering” can be seen as a reflection of the artist’s philosophy about his artistic process.
Kawashima’s paintings consist of variations on a single feminine ghost-like face with exaggerated eyes and no body, floating against a plain background.
At first view, his subject matter may seem to reflect contemporary Japanese pop culture images of stylized feminine beauty as found in anime characters.
But his work is distinct; he does not appropriate iconographic elements.
He has created his own personal vocabulary drawn from his inner world.
If we look deeper, the pale faces and expressive eyes of his subjects may begin to remind us of the makeup worn by actors in Japanese Kabuki theater and many elements of traditional Buddhist painting also become evident in his technique and style.
The exhibition is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1
(02) 733-8449, www.kukje.org
COEX MALL
To Sunday: “Seoul Living Design Fair.” Under the theme of “Green Style,” DesignHouse Inc. collaborated with COEX to produce this 15th annual exhibit, which is based on the creation of an environmentally-friendly living environment that is also stylish and modern.
The exhibit also focuses on how designs that are comfortable and healthy for the mind and body can also be pleasing to the rest of the five senses.
Korea’s best designers and artists will be participating and providing information on the future of green design, which will be the main trend in many upcoming designs. The exhibition will provide opportunities to buy artwork and meet with the designers.
Tickets range from 8,000 won ($5.57) to 15,000 won.
The exhibition is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Samsung Station, line No. 2, exit 5 or 6
(02) 2262-7192~9, www.livingdesignfair.co.kr
MUSIC
OLYMPIC PARK GYMNASIUM
Wednesday: “Oasis Live in Seoul.” Luckily for Korean fans, Oasis will perform as planned in Korea on April Fool’s Day for the band’s second visit to Korea in three years.
Oasis has been part of British pop royalty since releasing their debut album “Definitely Maybe” in 1994 and then following up with the huge worldwide commercial success that was “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” in 1995.
Following in the footsteps of legendary groups like the Beatles and Queen, their rock star attitude has become the band’s trademark.
Musically speaking, however, Oasis has raised the bar in the industry, recording numerous sales records along the way. Songs like “Some Might Say,” “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” “Whatever,” “Roll With It,” “Wonderwall,” and “Stand By Me” have become tantamount to national anthems.
Tickets range between 55,000 won to 88,000 won.
The concert starts at 8:30 p.m.
Olympic Park Stadium Station, line No. 5
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com.
MUNWHA ILBO HALL
To Thursday: “Yun Hee-jung and Friends ? 90th Jazz Story.” Korean jazz singer Yun Hee-jung is holding yet another highly-anticipated show.
In local jazz circles, Yun is highly praised for her stage presence and enticing voice.
Yun has been known to invite her friends to join her on stage, and this time is no different. She will be joined by Kim Sook-hyung of Hanlim Electronics and the musical actor Huh Joon-ho.
Yun and her guests will perform a few jazz classics as well as jazz arrangements of popular songs such as “Sowol Road,” “964 Paper Cranes,” “You Raise Me Up,” “South Of The Border” and “Love is Here To Stay.”
The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost 50,000 won.
Seodaemun Station, line No. 5, exit 5
(02) 3701-5754, http://hall.munhwa.com
COEX CONVENTION CENTER
Wednesday to April 5: “Lee Sun-hee Live Concert.” Korea’s all-time favorite diva is back with a concert titled “Invitation”.
Lee Sun-hee, is celebrating the release of her 14th album, “To Love,” which contains the song “You Too,” featuring local hip-hop artists Drunken Tiger.
Besides songs from the latest album, Lee will also showcase of some her crowd pleasers from the past such as “To J” and “Beautiful Country.” She will also entertain the audience with some of her favorite pop songs by other artists.
Lee is also known to many for singing “Fate,” which was featured on the soundtrack from the 2005 film “The King and The Clown.”
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 99,000 won to 120,000 won.
Samseong Station, line No. 2, exit 5 or 6.
(02) 2631-1580, ticket.interpark.com.
THEATER
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
To Tuesday: “Zanna Don’t!” is a show “with love for all,” says The New York Times.
The wit, satire and comedy of “Zanna Don’t!” captures the hearts of everyone who has ever been in love. Set in a topsy-turvy town where the majority of the world is homosexual, with heterosexuals subject to heterophobia, two young students try to break the mold when they discover they are attracted to the opposite sex.
Thanks to the Magical Matchmaker Zanna, who casts a spell at the prom, the prejudice is overcome.
This whimsical performance that turns the minority into the majority will leave you laughing while also giving you something to think about.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 60,000 won.
The show begins at 8 p.m. on weekdays, and at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1783, www.sejongpac.or.kr
SM ART HALL
To April 5: “The Island.” Based on a true story, “The Island” was written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona in 1974.
The play is about apartheid-era race relations in South Africa, where the inmates of an unnamed prison on the infamous Robben Island struggle for survival while lodging in a Big Brother-like prison monitored by high-tech cameras.
This new version of the play highlights the themes of freedom of speech and assembly, which are woven throughout the narrative.
This powerful play made its first appearance in Korea in 1977. It was directed by Yun Ho-jin, who chose to focus on the parallels between the difficulties encountered by the play’s protagonists and the realities of Korean life in the 1970s, which centered on survival. It is for this reason that the new version of the play has been described as a “softer version” of the original. Tickets range from 25,000 won to 35,000 won.
Olympic Park Stadium Station, line No. 5
(020) 764-8760, www.interpark.co.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER
Saturday to April 12:“The Snowman.” The Award-winning fairy tale musical “The Snowman” is coming to town as a musical.
The Snowman has been one of the top of musicals in Britain for the past 16 years. The musical centers on the tale of a boy who makes a snowman one day. Later that night, the snowman comes to life and the boy and snowman go on an exciting journey together. A musical team from Britain is behind this production, which is sure to lure families to the theater with its sumptuous scores and fantastic props.
The Snowman was firstly published as fairy tale back in 1978 by Raymond Briggs, and was made into an animated film in 1982.
The musical runs Tuesdays to Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and 2 and 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 40,00 won to 80,000 won.
(02) 3774-12671, www.sac.or.kr
SPORTS
KOREAN BASEBALL FEDERATION
Today
Doosan Bears vs. Lotte Giants
Jamsil, 1 p.m.
SK Wyverns vs. Heroes
Moonhak, 1 p.m.
Samsung Lions vs. LG Twins
Daegu, 1 p.m.
KIA Tigers vs. Hanwha Eagles
Gwangju, 1 p.m.
Thursday
LG Twins vs. Hanwha Eagles
Jamsil, 1 p.m.
Samsung Lions vs. Heroes
Daegu, 1 p.m.
KIA Tigers vs. Doosan Bears
Gwangju, 1 p.m.
Lotte Giants vs. SK Wyverns
Sajik, 1 p.m.
Friday
LG Twins vs. Hanwha Eagles
Jamsil, 1 p.m.
Samsung Lions vs. Heroes
Daegu, 1 p.m.
KIA Tigers vs. Doosan Bears
Gwangju, 1 p.m.
Lotte Giants vs. SK Wyverns
Sajik, 1 p.m.
Saturday
LG Twins vs. KIA Tigers
Jamsil, 1 p.m.
SK Wyverns vs. Doosan Bears
Moonhak, 1 p.m.
Hanwha Eagles vs. Heroes
Daejeon, 1 p.m.
Lotte Giants vs. Samsung Lions
Sajik, 1 p.m.
Sunday
LG Twins vs. KIA Tigers
Jamsil, 1 p.m.
SK Wyverns vs. Doosan Bears
Moonhak, 1 p.m.
Hanwha Eagles vs. Heroes
Daejeon, 1 p.m.
Lotte Giants vs. Samsung Lions
Sajik, 1 p.m.
www.koreabaseball.co.kr
FESTIVALS
CHEONGDO BULLFIGHTING FESTIVAL, Cheongdo County, North Gyeongsang
Friday to Tuesday: The Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival will take place in North Gyeongsang this weekend.
Bullfighting has grown into one of the nation’s leading festival events, and this year’s festival has a lot more to offer than just bullfighting.
Events range from a picture contest to a range of different hands-on experiences such as juggling. There are also mime and rock band performances.
In addition, those participating in this year’s events will have a chance to taste hanwoo, or home-grown beef.
Visitors can also peruse exhibitions displaying traditional agricultural machinery and those celebrating the bull, which was once integral to Korean agriculture.
In Korea, bullfighting is a tradition that is thousands of years old. These days, it is an immensely popular sport.
To get to the festival take the KTX from Seoul Station to Cheongdo.
Seoul Station, lines No. 1 and 4
(054) 370-6376
SEOUL TOKPPOKI FESTIVAL, Seoul
Saturday to Sunday: Under the slogan “Adding flavor to the world” this festival celebrates tteokbokki, one of Korea’s favorite foods, and aims to share the taste of this spicy treat with the rest of the world.
The festival hopes to help open the market for tteokbokki, spicy broiled rice cakes, and make this a global food product.
The food even has a new spelling that festival organizers hope will help make the word easier to pronounce: “tokppoki.”
The festival will offer various programs ranging from the history of the tokppoki to how it is made, and will show off the different flavors tokppoki can take on, according to different regions in Korea.
Also featured will be the Korean rice used to make tteok, the processed rice that is the main ingredient of tokppoki. Other activities include tokppoki eating contests, tteok cutting, cooking lessons and chances to meet celebrities who are also fans of the Korean delicacy.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Yangjae Station, line No. 3, exit 7
(02) 503-5044, www.topokki.com
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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