Around Town - Famous clubs in Seoul

Around Town

Clubs

The Octagon

Nonhyeon

Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.



Club Volume

Itaewon

Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635.



Once in a Blue Moon

Apgujeong

Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and the Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.



Club Answer

Cheongdam

Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides spacious interior and brilliant lighting systems, filling the stage by world’s renowned DJs. Club Answer is located in prosperous area of Cheongdam, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr.



Club Ellui

Cheongdam

One of the largest clubs in Asia and located under Hotel Ellui, world-class DJs such as Alex Kenji and Ferry Corsten feature in weekend lineups. Located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call 1577-9669 or visit www.ellui.net.



Luv Superlounge

Itaewon

Nestled in the heart of Itaewon, Luv Superlounge offers a wide selection of drinks, and a solid sound system with resident DJ Andi Numan from New Zealand. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 794-8898 or visit ko-kr.facebook.com/luvsuperlounge.



Club Double Eight

Sinsa

Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to a whole new level. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with global DJs. Located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803 or visit cafe.naver.com/doubleeight.



Club Mute

Itaewon



Club Mute is a boutique club with exquisitely designed decorations and a custom-tailored sound system. Located near exit 1 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 796-6853 or visit www.clubmute.com.



Platoon Kunsthalle

Apgujeong

Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space offering various facilities, including a large, open hall, library lounge, art studios and a bar and restaurant for multi-purpose events. It is open from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 1 a.m. and DJ nights are on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m. Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 3447-1191 or visit www.kunsthalle.com.



Dojo

Itaewon

Work hard, play hard, sleep later! Lying underground Noxa in the thriving Kyonggridan neighborhood, Dojo is the latest edition to the clubbing nightlife in Seoul. Popular local DJs offer nonstop tunes for energetic dancing until dawn with weekday drink specials and enthusiastic crowds of longtime expats. For more information, call (02) 790-1334.



Traditional



‘Jami’

Samcheonggak

Through June 28

A special “gugak” or traditional Korean music performance takes place at Samcheonggak and guests will be able to enjoy the concert over a gourmet lunch. The performance will feature a different artist every weekday. Kang Eun-il, a player of “haegeum,” a traditional string instrument, performs on Mondays, and gugak percussion ensemble Dutole performs on Tuesdays. Ryu, an ensemble of wind and string instruments, will play on Wednesdays, folk band Arisu on Thursdays, and Project Rock Acoustic, which mixes electronic music with gugak, will perform on Fridays. Samcheonggak is located at Seongbuk-dong, Seoul and a shuttle bus is provided. Tickets cost 50,000 to 70,000 won including concert and Korean table d’hote. For more information, call (02) 765-3700 or visit www.samcheonggak.or.kr.



‘Dance, Chunhyang’

National Theater of Korea

Through June 16

The National Dance Company of Korea is performing “Dance, Chunhyang,” based on “Chunhyangjeon” that was passed down as “pansori” (traditional Korean narrative music) and then published in print during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). In this traditional love story of a young couple, Jang Yoon-na is Chunhyang, the daughter of a “gisaeng” (courtesan) and Cho Yong-jin plays Mongryong, the son of the governor of Namwon, North Jeolla Province. Choreographed by Bae Jung-hye and directed by Kook Soo-ho. Located near exit 2 of Dongguk University Station, Subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

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Jang Geun-suk to appear in Japan radio

 

Actor Jang Geun-suk will be broadcasting live in Japanese for two hours on a Japanese radio program on May 30, the Sankei Sports reported Thursday.

Jang, 25, will be behind the mic starting at 10 p.m. that day on Nippon Broadcasting’s radio program titled “Jang Geun-suk’s All-Night Nippon Gold.”

Other Korean stars have appeared on the show, including the late actor Park Yong-ha and the K-pop group Big Bang, but their shows were recorded before airing.

Jang, who has starred in K-dramas “Hwang Jin-i,” “You’re Beautiful” and “Mary Stayed Out All Night,” is popular both in Korea and Japan.

In “You’re Beautiful,” he starred with other K-pop stars Lee Hong-ki of FT Island and Jung Yong-wha of CNBLUE. Jang is fluent in Japanese, and appeared on talk shows on Fuji TV and Asahi TV last year.

He is also a singer and periodically performs in Japan.

During the May 30 radio show, Jang will tell anecdotes about the making of his second Japanese studio album, “Nature Boy.” He will also connect live with his Japanese audiences.

This year, he opened a shop in Tokyo, in response to his popularity in Japan.

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Sorae Ecology Park Full of Nature's Bounty

Sorae Ecology Park Full of Nature's Bounty

The Sorae Ecology Park in Incheon is a treasure trove of remarkable vistas -- a salt farm, mud flats and wetlands -- that can't found in city areas.

◆ Salt Farm

The salt farm, which was created when the country was under Japanese colonial period (1910-45), ranked as the nation’s largest until the 1970s. On the surface, it consists of uniformly-shaped square or rectangular ponds that allow the salt to crystallize. But the materials that lie underneath each pond range from soil and pots to tiles, hinting at differences in how the salt is made, with some being sun-dried.

The farm is no longer in commercial use, but salt is still produced there to educate visitors and provide them with souvenirs of their trip.


◆ Mud Flats

Next to the park are partially submerged mud flats that visitors can walk in barefoot. However, they cannot catch any shellfish there because the difference between high and low tide is not big enough. Some stretches that run near a stream by the observation deck play host to a diverse range of wildlife, with wild ducks and buff-backed herons creating tranquil vistas from afar.

◆ Wetlands

Tourists can stroll down the promenade for about an hour to take in more of the wetlands and their changing environment, scenery, flora and fauna. The freshwater area harbors a forest of reeds, while a variety of fish attract birds in the brackish water zone that joins up with the sea. Another popular spot features three 7.5-m windmills in idyllic surroundings.

At the exhibition center, visitors can learn more about the salt farm, mud flats and wetlands in the park. Access to the observatory is also free of charge.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 11 to connect the park with Sorae Port based on an investment of W2 billion (US$1=W1,111). With the park already connected to Incheon Grand Park, the new connection will help create a wider ecological zone.

For more information, call 032-440-5892 or visit the park's website at ww.incheon.go.kr/sorae.

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Gyeongbok Palace Opens for Night Tours

Gyeongbok Palace Opens for Night Tours

Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul is extending its opening hours by four hours until 10 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday to offer visitors the chance to experience one of the country's most historic spots at night.

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Rookie K-Pop Boys B.A.P. Add Manhattan Stop to U.S. Tour

Rookie K-Pop Boys B.A.P. Add Manhattan Stop to U.S. Tour

 

Rookie boy band B.A.P.'s concert in New York on Friday went off with a bang and an ocean of glow sticks, with fans lining up early just to catch a glimpse of the six-member boy group.

The band, which only debuted a year ago, began their U.S. tour on May 7 in Los Angeles and followed up with concerts at San Francisco and Washington D.C. Tickets for the latest gig at the Best Buy Theater were all gone within 10 minutes of being made available.

The concert began with "Warrior," the title song of their first album, and continued with 17 other songs for one hour and 40 minutes, keeping the audience of 2,400 dancing and cheering throughout.

They were able to embark on a U.S. tour due to their rapidly swelling popularity. It was arranged as part of a project which CJ E&M, one of Korea's largest entertainment companies, is working on to help talented singers get a chance to promote themselves overseas

The company held an event in Irvine, California last October that saw 10,000 local fans gather to sample Korean food, movies, and a K-pop concert that also included a signing event with the stars.

Impressed by the size of the crowd, Verizon, one of the biggest mobile carriers in the U.S., wanted to invite some of the singers who performed there to join its annual concert series, the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) tour, giving B.A.P. their big break in the U.S.

The APAHM tour is a month-long celebration in May to promote the culture and traditions of Asian immigrants. Verizon serves as a sponsor.

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Jonghyun returns with fixed nose

Jonghyun returns with fixed nose

May 23,2013

	Jonghyun of SHINee

Jonghyun of SHINee will return to the stage through music program “M Countdown” on cable channel Mnet today after being away from the entertainment scene for more than a month.

He was taking a break to recover from an accident where he broke his nose.

Early last month, he drove into a guardrail on Dongho Bridge as he was traveling to his dormitory after visiting home.

While Jonghyun focused on getting some necessary treatment, the other four members of the group have continued promoting their new song “Why So Serious?” which is the title song of the second release of its third regular album named “The Misconceptions of Me,” following the previous release of “The Misconceptions of You.”

Fans are waiting to see the performance of the group today as it will be the first time all five members sing the song “Why So Serious?” together onstage. The group will have an event titled “SHINee Debut 5th Anniversary Special Party! SHINee Day” on Saturday.

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H.O.T heartthrob finds his place as judge and mentor

H.O.T heartthrob finds his place as judge and mentor

May 23,2013

	The four judges of “The Voice of Korea” also act as coaches for contestants on the popular reality television program. Provided by M-net

As singing-audition shows continue to flood the market, it is not just the viewers who’ve had to adjust their tastes. The method of unearthing new talent is changing too, and along with it, the role of renowned singers.

In the wake of such changes in show business, former idol singer Kangta found a chair that suits him just fine on “The Voice of Korea.”

Ahead of two final episodes of Season 2, the former H.O.T member talked about his role as one of four coaches alongside singers Shin Seung-hoon, Baek Ji-young and Gil.

“It’s great to see there are so many ways that a singer can enter into the industry now, and it shows that K-pop is evolving and becoming more professional, and audition shows obviously play a big part in that,” said the Hallyu singer.

“Our contestants are musicians who’ve been doing music for a long time before the show,” explained the 33-year-old, who emphasized that apart from having a lineup of professional musicians, the show’s other appeal was trading in the role of judges for coaches.

“Of course the coaches do select their recruits, but in some ways they are being scrutinized too, in their role as mentors.

“There is greater emphasis on the relationships and communication process between coaches and their contestants as they work together to put on a great show,” Kangta said.

And as a product of an entertainment agency himself, the star said there was still something that only an agency can fulfill in the life of a young, aspiring singer.

“Those who appear on ‘The Voice of Korea’ are singers who know exactly what kind of music they want to pursue. And from the agency’s perspective, they know exactly what they’re getting through watching the singers on the shows.

“But when a singer is young and needs long-term training, then I think it’s better for them to go to an agency. There, they’ll be able to receive the professional help and training,” he said.

But pros and cons aside, Kangta emphasized that the singer must have personal goals.

“I think what’s most important is deciding as a singer what kind of music you want to pursue,” he said.

But he admits that if he were a young performer today, he would have been tempted to try out for one of the shows.

“I probably would have, but because I wanted to be a singer from a young age [he debuted at 16], I think an agency was the right choice for me,” he said.

And because he’s been such a successful coach and he’s still a big deal in China, many have wondered if he’d take part in audition shows there.

“There were proposals, but my Chinese is not at a level where I can dispense insightful tips to aspiring singers. Also because I’m committed to this show I didn’t think I’d have time to go abroad,” he explained.

Having invested so much into “The Voice of Korea,” Kangta admits that there are times when emotions get the best of him.

	Kangta, second from right, stands with the final three members of his team from “The Voice of Korea.”

At a taping early in the month, Kangta was caught on TV crying while saying goodbye to two contestants, making him one of the most-searched keywords coupled with the words “tears” on that day.

“I never imagined that I’d cry like that on TV. When I was in H.O.T I cried a lot, but after that, I didn’t really. But the other night, I couldn’t help it,” he said.

And he admits that saying goodbye doesn’t get any easier with time.

“Eliminating a team member is heartbreaking. As a coach, you know how hard they worked and also the fact that they’ve come so far to drop them,” said Kangta adding that as the finals come around, it makes him feel uneasy.

“But I guess in the end, the best singer will win.”

And because there can only be one winner, Kangta admits that the future of those who are eliminated is something he is mindful of.

“I think it’s my job, as a judge, to look after those who don’t make it too.

“I hope to provide them with lucrative opportunities, especially the top three. They won’t be unemployed if I can help it,” he said.

For the time they’ve had together so far, Kangta’s remaining trainees Lee Ye-joon and Shin Yoon-mi say they are grateful.

“We ate a lot of delicious food,” said Lee Ye-joon, adding that of the four teams, she was sure that they spent the most time together with their coach. That’s not exactly a tiring feat for the two who admit that they’ve spent their childhood obsessing over H.O.T and listening to their songs on loop.

And when it’s all over, despite the outcome, they are hoping to follow in the stead of contestants from last season.

“I keep in contact with contestants from the previous show. When they get approached with contracts, they’ll contact me. I can’t say that I’ve been a huge help, but you know I’ve been in this industry for a long time and I may know something about the agency that will help them make their decision,” Kangta said.

And because last time was his first, Kangta said that the recruits in season two probably got a better deal.

“This season, because I have a little more experience in coaching, I think the team got more out of the experience,” he said.

“I can’t really predict who will make it,” Kangta said, referring to the two girls still standing, but until the end, he said he’d focus on boosting their morale regardless of the outcome.

The semifinal will air Friday and only one girl will go on to perform in the final show on May 31.

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Actor Lee Min-ho releases 1st album

May 23,2013

	Actor Lee Min-ho

Actor Lee Min-ho, who rose to international stardom after his appearance in TV drama “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009, released his first album “My Everything” yesterday.

It contains seven songs including the title track “Love Motion” and others such as “Without You,” “My Little Princess” and “You, Me, and Us.”

Some of the songs in the album have been performed by Lee during his fan meets. As many have wanted to have another listen to the tunes, the agency decided to put songs together into an album as a gesture of gratitude for the love fans have shown.

The album garnered much attention after the agency released a 20-second teaser video of Lee posing on a sofa and lying down on the floor one day before yesterday’s album release.

“We chose the concept of the album in an attempt to show more [natural] character,” the agency said.

Lee will have a fan meeting named “Lee Min-ho Global Tour In Seoul” in Korea this Saturday and then will take off to promote his new album overseas.

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Dream Concert’ has star-studded lineup

Dream Concert’ has star-studded lineup

 

May 14,2013

	Girls’ Generation poses onstage during the “Dream Concert” on Saturday.[NEWSIS]

Many of the K-pop singers performed for the annual “Dream Concert” on Saturday at the World Cup Stadium, northwestern Seoul.
The 19th edition of the concert invited big name groups including SHINee, Girls’ Generation, KARA, and many more to meet fans.

	Girls’ Generation performs on Saturday for fans at the World Cup Stadium, northwestern Seoul.[NEWSIS]

	Members of SHINee jump up and down during their performance at the “Dream Concert.”[NEWSIS]

	Sistar is showing a coordinated group dance on Saturday.[NEWSIS]

	Girl group 4Minute, which recently released a new song “What’s Your Name,” performs for fans at the World Cup Stadium.[NEWSIS]

	Zinger and Hyosung of Secret dance to their song at the “Dream Concert.”[NEWSIS]

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CL of 2NE1 will make a big comeback

CL of 2NE1 will make a big comeback

May 16,2013

	CL of 2NE1

YG Entertainment, after having teased fans by not telling who’s making a comeback under the slogan “Who’s Next,” announced yesterday that CL of 2NE1 is the star of the moment.

The company previously posted a list of singers online, raising questions about who would come back on May 28.

CL is the third member to have a solo album from the group, following in the footsteps of Park Bom and Sandara Park.

Her new song will be released on May 28 along a the music video. CL will also have some television appearances to promote her new song.

“The chief producer Yang Hyun-suk strongly supports CL’s solo performance,” said an official affiliated with the agency, according to local media reports. “She will present something new and fresh that has not been shown much in the music industry.”

Meanwhile, the group recently performed as a guest for American rapper Snoop Dog’s concert “United All Originals Snoop Dog Live in Seoul” earlier this month.

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Song is a remade man

Song is a remade man

Actor’s personality transformation entices viewers

May 16,2013

	Song Seung-heon

Actor Song Seung-heon has transformed from a man of few words into one who spits out corny lines with ease. And his newfound personality has been a hit with television viewers, especially in his drama “When a Man Falls in Love.”

In the show, Song plays a gangster named Han Tae-sang who falls in love with a woman (played by Shin Se-gyeong) after being abandoned by his parents and spending time alone.

Han goes to any length for the love of his life. For instance, since she loves roller coasters, he dares to ride one and almost faints. He also uses all kinds of adjectives to express his love and other emotions.

While the over-the-top female characters can prevent viewers from indulging in the plot wholeheartedly, Song’s portrayal of a ruthless gangster who has a soft spot for his love interest is the greatest joy offered to those watching the drama series.

Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, sat down with Song and asked him a variety of questions about his transformation and his real-life romantic relationship.

Q. “When a Man Falls in Love” remains in the top spot among Wednesday-Thursday prime-time dramas. How do you feel about that?

A. I was under a lot of pressure after I realized this drama would compete with two other dramas which feature veteran actors such as Shin Ha-kyun of “All about My Romance” (SBS) and Lee Dong-wook of “The Fugitives of Joseon” (KBS2).

I just wanted to see double-digit viewership, and we’ve achieved it. I couldn’t be happier.

Your character Tae-sang is attractive in a way since he only admires one woman.

He was orphaned when he was young and it makes him grow into a lonely and cruel soul. But he falls in love with this woman, and he finds a new side of himself. He even becomes awkward in her presence. There is another woman who keeps hitting on him, but Tae-sang isn’t swayed at all. I think highly of his commitment, and it makes him a real guy. And this character also intrigues many viewers, I guess.

But you haven’t been able to win the heart of Seo Mi-do (played by Shin).

She hasn’t decided yet between me and Lee Jae-hee (played by Yeon Woo-jin). In the drama, Lee is a peer of mine. If such a situation happened to me in real life, I would choose friendship over love, though. For me, friendship comes first.

	A scene from the TV drama “When a Man Falls in Love”

Are you the type of actor who stays true to the screenplay or do you often add lines or gestures on a whim?

While filming this drama series, I find myself trying to improvise by adding comical lines or gestures maybe because this character is brighter and funnier than my previous characters. One day, Shin told me she is attracted to Yeon’s character but feels nothing toward me because my character looks like a little child. Since I’m so into this character, I was pissed off by her comment.

What kind of man are you in a real-life romantic relationship?

Tae-sang and I share many things in common. All my past relationships started because I fell in love first. If I don’t feel something at first sight, I can’t fall in love.

What’s it like being paired up with two actresses: Shin and Chae Jung-an?

Shin is quite a mature actress for her age. I learn a lot of things from her. Meanwhile, I feel comfortable when I act with Chae because we used to do the same sitcom series 10 years ago.

Tell us about the future of “When a Man Falls in Love.”

So far, it has been a casual and light-hearted introduction of four lead characters and how they fell in love. But there will be stronger, heart-wrenching stories as well. Later on, we will deal with how these characters hurt each other and their emotions will explode in extreme ways. You can expect more from us.

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Korea's best walking trails

Korea's best walking trails

Korea has seen a surge in the walking and hiking population in the last three to four years and the creation of walking trails and hiking routes. One clear example of the trend is the typical weekend scene in Korea ― with groups of people clad in mountain climbing clothing and gear heading for the mountains early in the morning.

Thanks to them, the outdoor sporting goods industry is enjoying strong growth despite the economic downturn and regional economies receive a flow of outside money.

It’s difficult to know the exact number of hikers in Korea, but according to Jeju Olle Foundation, which designed the popular Jeju Olle walking trail, about 1.1 million people are estimated to have visited the trail in 2012, up by 140 percent from 2010.

The surge of outside visitors to Jeju brought a flow of money to the island economy. Each visitor spends an average of 394,132 won, according to a 2010 research report on the effects of the walking boom in Korea by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which examines the “ripple effect” visitors to Jeju Olle have on the local economy.

Jeju Olle (Korea Tourism Organization)

“Tourists bring income to Jeju’s economy. Especially, walkers and hikers can go to every part of the island. They make great contributions to the local people by using local accommodation, taxis and buses. In addition, they buy local products,” said Ahn Eun-joo, director-general of Jeju Olle Foundation.

Following the success of Jeju Olle and Jirisan dullegil trails, provincial governments created their own trails. Now each province has at least one walking trail that makes the most of its natural resources.

“The start of the walking and hiking boom in Korea started in 1998 when the country was hit by the financial crisis. The massive layoffs left office workers in their 40s with nowhere to go. Then they started to flock to nearby mountains where they could pass the time without having to spend money,” said Jung Juno, director-general of World Walking Headquarters, based in Seoul. The World Walking Headquarters is an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It initiated the creation of National Walking Day in 2012, which falls on Nov. 11 of each year.

The walking boom was triggered again by the introduction of the world’s famous walking trails to Koreans in 2000.

“‘The Pilgrimage’ by the best-selling author Paulo Coelho, also inspired many people to walk on long distance trails,” said Jung.

The trail to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain inspired Coelho to write “The Pilgrimage,” which kicked off his writing career. The 800-kilometer route now attracts an average of 6 million visitors a year.

Jung and his team at the World Walking Headquarters met the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008 to propose the creation of a walking trail that could represent Korea’s walking culture and the restoration of 300-km-long trail connecting historical places on the east coast.

Compared to other countries, the establishment of walking trails is still in its infancy. Japan created a trail that crisscrosses the country starting in 1970 and many countries have their own walking routes such as New Zealand’s “Walkway,” Australia’s “Walking Track,” and Germany’s “Wandering Route,” according to a 2010 Culture Ministry research report.

Here are the 10 walking trails selected by The Korea Herald that highlight the diverse landscapes of Korea, its history, and regional cultures.

Bukhansan Dullegil: The 71.8-kilometer trail circling the mountain in the northern area of Seoul opened in 2010. The trail is divided into 21 courses offering various sights of Seoul with a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks. Visitors can also get a panoramic view of the city from its nine lookouts.

Bukhansan Dullegil

Ganghwa Nadeulgil: The 166.8-km trail divided into nine courses invites walkers on a journey through Korea’s history from the founding of ancient Korea to the early modern period. Some of the historical places include Korea’s first Anglican church, built in traditional Korean hanok-style, and fortresses that held strategic importance during several invasions by the Chinese.

Taean Sea Road: The 120-km trail from Hakam Port to Anmyeondo Island is divided into five courses offering views of the fishing culture of Korea’s west coast. One of the highlights includes a walk along the 12-km course during sunset. The trip to the sea road offers a look at how what was once the cleanest beach in Korea is now recovering from a large oil spill in 2007.

Jeungdo Mosil Road: The 42.7-km trail in South Jeolla Province is divided into five courses that stop at the fishing villages of the “Slow City” of Sinan. The road passes Korea’s largest salt field and vast mud flats.

Sinan (Korea Tourism Organization)

Tongyeong Story Road: The 25-km road in Tongyeong, a coastal city of South Gyeongsang Province has a dynamic culture and art scene and is home to some of the most famous cultural figures in Korea. The road provides dynamic art scenes with colorful murals and Cheongma Literature Hall, dedicated to poet Yu Chi-hwan.

View of Tongyeong

Haeparang Road Yeongdeok: The 40-km road from Ganggu Port to Goraebul Beach of Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province offers a scenic walk along the East Sea coastline, the wind power plant, pine tree forests, small ports and fishing villages. The starting point of Ganggu Port is famous for its local delicacy, king crab.

Mungyeong Saejae Road: The 36-km route is a historical path that was once an important gateway of Gyeongsang Province during the Joseon Period. Waters flowing down the sides of the pass are the source of one of the major rivers of Korea, the Nakdonggang. Visitors can stop by at the famous Suanbo hot spring.

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple Road: Gyeongju, often referred to as the “roofless museum” of Korea and a capital of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57-935) offers a great walk surrounded by historical landmarks such as Bulkuksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and other historic sites throughout the ancient city. According to UNESCO, the historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a “concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, relics, pagodas and the remains of temples and palaces.”

Jirisan Dullegil: Jirisan, one of Korea’s biggest national parks, crosses three provinces, five districts and 120 villages. The 274-km trail loops around the mountain range with a variety of trails ranging from historical routes, forest routes and riverside routes to village routes.

The trail offers various scenes of Korean nature, as well as unique local culture and food.

Jeju Olle: Jeju Olle is the most popular trail on the resort island of Jeju. The 21 courses show the diversity of Jeju’s landscape, from small hills called oreum to natural landmarks such as Seongsan Sunrise Peak. Olle, meaning small alleys in Jeju dialect, invites visitors to experience Jeju’s culture and lifestyle closely as some roads lead to villages.

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2013 Music at the Royal Palace

2013 Music at the Royal PalaceStarting from May 4 until October 13, ｢Music in the Royal Palace｣ will be held at Changdeokgung (Palace), Deoksugung (Palace), Gyeongbokgung (Palace) and Jongmyo (Royal Shrine). After the first successful traditional arts performance in 2008, ｢Music in the Royal Palace｣ has become a permanant show since 2009 Every spring and autumn, each palace offers a wealth of things to watch for both locals and foreigners who visit the palace.

｢Music at the Royal Palace｣ not only provides entertainment for vistors with traditional musical performances and storytelling, but also offers visitors a chance to experience the elegance of palaces and the depth of traditional Korean arts by bringing culture, history and arts together. In order for viewers to truely experience the beauty and original atmosphere of the palace and music, the stage, sounds and lightings have all been reduced to a minimum.

Experience the elegance of Court Music ｢Changdeokgung (Palace) Concert｣Changdeokgung (Palace), designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be holding a very special concert. Vistors can take a stroll through Huwon, a garden of natural beauty, and enjoy the traditional music that fills the air. Vistors can also catch the 'Court Music Concert' from May 5 ~ June 9 every Sunday morning at Nakseonjae (the Queen's private residential area). For 270 years, the palace was home to the Joseon government and was also the favored residence of many Joseon Dynasty kings. This makes Changdeokgung (Palace) the longest-serving royal residential palace. Compared to other palaces, Changdeokgung is well-preserved and still has many of its original features. A particular virture of Changdeokgung is the way its buildings blend into the surrounding landscape.

The World of Musical Storytelling ｢Deoksugung (Palace) Concert｣Deoksugung (Palace), a place where the past and present coexist, will feature storytelling concerts for children. Every Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm beginning on May 11th, a fusion blend of folk music and folktales will be performed at Hamnyeongjeon (King Go Jong's sleeping quarters). Masterpieces like「The Little Prince」and 「The Giving Tree」are brilliantly recreated with traditional Korean music and animations, satisfying both the eyes and ears. The concert will bring back heartwarming memories for adults and create dreams and fantasies for children.


What kind of music did kings listen to? ｢Gyeongbokgung (Palace) Concert｣If a king still lived in Gyeongbokgung (Palace) today, what kind of music would he listen to? He would have likely enjoyed a wonderful musical culture that perserves tradition, yet embraces the music of today. Starting on May 5, visitors can enjoy a festivity of Court Music that best matches the ambience Gyeongbokgung every Saturday at 2pm and 4pm. In addition to National Gugak Center's court banquet of musical and dance performances, visitors can also enjoy traditional folk music. To celebrate Children's day on May 5 (Sun), a special preformance, "Magic with Traditional Music" and various other venues will be featured.

One of a kind music ｢Jongmyojeryeak with a commentary｣Jongmyojeryeak (Jongmyo Royal Ancestral Confucian Memorial Ceremony Music) is a ceremonial music that is dedicated to all kings of Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyojeryeak was registered as the first Korea Cultural Heritage and is also registered with UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is difficult to listen the Jongmyoheryeak aside from when it is annually performed at Jongmyo (Royal Shrine) once a year. ｢Jongmyojeryeak with a commentary｣ offers visitors the opportunity to not only listen to, but also to understand the history and culture of Jongmyojeryeak through commentaries. ｢Jongmyojeryeak with a commentary｣ will be performed every Saturday morning at 10am from May 11~June 22 at Jongmyo.

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Gwanghwamun Culture Festival 2013

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will hold 'Mid-Day Concerts' starting on April 23; the 'Gwanghwamun Culture Festival' starting on May 2.

Relaxation with Music 「Mid-Day Concerts」
Beginning April 23 until June 5, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will hold the 'Mid-Day Concerts 2013' behind the Sejong Grand Theater everyday from 12:20pm to 1pm. Anyone is welcome to enjoy the relaxing musical performances over lunch outdoors. 'Mid-Day Concerts' will feature classical, traditional Korean, fusion Korean, World Music and acoustical genres. All performances are free to the public and will start at 12:20 pm everyday except Mondays, weekends and holidays.

Festival of Performing Arts 「Gwanghwamun Culture Festival 2013」The 'Gwanghwamun Culture Festival 2013' will be held starting from May 2 on a special stage below the central stairway of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra will feature various performances and programs that anybody can participate in. Performances will start everday at 6:30 pm on the weekdays (Mondays excluded) and at 4 pm on weekends. Enjoy classical, dance, b-boy, mime, juggling and all sorts of other performances.

※「Gwanghwamun Culture Festival 2013」
1) Mid-Day Concerts
- When : April 23 ~ June 5 Tuesday ~ Friday 12:20-13:00 (No performance Monday, weekends, and holidays)
- Where : Sejong Public Art Garden

2) Gwanghwamun Culture Festival
- When : May 2 ~ June 30 Tuesday ~ Friday 18:30-19:20 / Sat,Sunday 16:00-17:00 (No performances Monday)
- Where : Special stage below the central stairway

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Jazz UP Your Soul

go seoul zazz homepage http://www.privatecurve.com/sjf2013/program/program.html

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Gangnam style

Where is Gangnam?
With the name literally meaning “south of the river”, Gangnam is a mainly commercial area located south of the Hangang River. The district is lined with a dazzling array of shops selling everything from expensive designer items to unique vintage clothes. The young and fashionable gather here in force, and celebrity sight ings are common.

Feel like a celebrity!

Get ready for Gangnam styling at one of the beauty salons and spas frequented by Korea’s top celebrities.

Sinsa & Garosu-gil Street

Enjoy brunch!

Luxury coffee and brunch combo on the unique and stylish Garosu-gil!

Apgujeong & Cheongdam Shopping Street

Complete the Gangnam Style look!

Top off your Gangnam style in this shopping mecca dotted with international brand shops

Hangang River Night Scenery

Indulge in the beautiful night view of Hangang River!

Spend a romantic evening at the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain or enjoy the breathtaking night view from a scenic riverside cafe that also serves as a lookout point.

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COEX Mall & 7 Luck Casino

Strike it rich!

Hit up the top spots for shopping, movies, and music at COEX Mall – then, go for the jackpot at 7 Luck Casino

Traditional Korean Restaurants

Try traditional flavor!

Experience the new local tastes at a top Korean restaurant.

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