Art • Theater • Concerts • Film • Community • Fitness • Dine & Drink • Nightlife • TRAVEL
Korea awaits! • febrUARY 2010 VOL. 2 NO. 5
INSIDE Times Square, Shopping Paradise The Last Word on English Bookstores Hot Spots for Valentine's Day Dining korea's Only Western Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Korea's Century-old Expat Club Founded by an Emperor
Printed using 100% soy ink.
WORLD CULTURE EXHIBITION
100 th Anniversary of Museums in Korea
Children of the Sun Location Special Exhibition Gallery at the National Meseum of Korea Organized by The National Museum of Korea, Hankook Ilbo, and SBS Supported by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Embassy of Peru to Korea National Cultural Institution of Peru
www.incakorea.co.kr
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04 FROM THE EDITOR / A SHOT OF KOREAN 05 CONTRIBUTORS 06 LETTERS / Reader's 10 KOREA BY THE NUMBERS 08 STYLE INTRODUCING TIMES SQUARE 14 LIFESTYLE NEWS 16 A TASTE OF KOREA SUNDAE: BLACK PUDDING IN KOREA 18 IN THE KITCHEN RHITI MOSTAFA: CHEF AT MARAKECH NIGHT 20 10 QUESTIONS DR. RAIMUND ROYER: JASENG HOSPITAL OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE 22 SPECIAL FEATURE ENGLISH BOOKSTORES IN KOREA 26 THE 10 HOTEL & RESORT NEWS
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february 2010 vol. 2 No. 5 28
NIGHTLIFE WINE BAR REVIEW: VIN GA LIVE MUSIC AT CLUB TA EXCLUSIVE WITH SARAH FROM WHITENOIZE & A.N.D.
32 COVER STORY THE SEOUL CLUB 38 LOCATIONS WITH 10 39
CALENDAR & DIRECTORY 40 NATIONWIDE 46 REGIONAL 72 NETWORKING
44 FOODIE FINDS LE SAINT-EX 65 KOREAN DESTINATIONS BURNS NIGHT ON GEOJE ISLAND 73 ROMANTIC COMEDY 74 A HAPPY ENDING TRAINSPOTTING
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FROM THE EDITOR
Our New Regional Directories for Expats
H
ave you noticed it? The big addition in 10? I haven’t mentioned it here yet, but some of you may have caught it already. As of a couple of months ago, we added a Directory section to our national Calendar – now the Calendar & Directory. You’ll also notice that the color of the pages implies what we’re up to. Now not only are we including every event happening all over Korea, we’re supplying you with a terrific list of the services you would want to know about in your area. English-speaking doctors, dentists, hospitals and travel agents. International restaurants, bars and lounges worth checking out. I didn’t really want to mention it until we had worked out the kinks a little bit, but now I think it’s ready for your review and feedback. Now here’s what I need from you all. I always tell you that this is your magazine. And you know we can’t write every business and service in Korea here. So if you have any recommendations on places we should add to the lists in our directories, please let us know! If you love your English-speaking dentist, then let us know about him/her. Got a lounge that should absolutely be in the magazine? If we hear from enough of you, it’ll be in there. And you know a great Indian place in Gangwon Province? By all means, shoot it over to us! (As I was writing this, I realized that many of you would probably like the nation-wide, toll-free phone numbers for the 3 major international pizza chains in Korea that take delivery orders in English! Check them out in the Nationwide Directory on p.43.) This is just one more way we’re trying to make our magazine as valuable to expats as possible. I’ve also been asked on a couple of occasions to expand the Korean language teaching section below. Since this is pretty much Steve’s page in the magazine, and all I really do in From the Editor is ramble anyway, allow me to cut it short and teach you a little Korean instead. Stephen Revere Managing Editor sr@10magazine.asia
A Shot of Korean by Stephen Revere
왜 그래? [wae-geu-rae] Why are you doing that? One of my favorites. I still remember watching a Korean "drama" with a couple lying in bed and the husband continuously trying to get a little frisky with his wife. His wife responded with a sharp, “왜 그래?” Although it may have ended with a question mark, the "question" was strictly rhetorical. It’s meaning was much more along the lines of “Get away from me!” This expression can have about 10 million meanings depending on the way it’s pronounced, and what the understood (supposedly) subject is meant to be. "Why is that?", "Why does it work that way?", "Why are you being like that?", or "What’s wrong with him?" – all of these sorts of inquires can be simply transformed into the catch all, “왜 그래?” You’ll start hearing it constantly if you’re paying attention. Intonation for this one is very important! To get the correct pronunciation, be sure to visit 10magazine.asia to check out our video lesson with the Korean staff here at 10! Check out Survival Korean and Survival Korean: Basic Grammar Skills for more Korean lessons from 10’s Managing Editor, Stephen Revere.
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10 Magazine February 2010
CEO
Sang-tae Kim sangtaekim@10magazine.asia
Executive Editor
Jai-yoon Kim jaiyoonkim@10magazine.asia Stephen Revere sr@10magazine.asia David Carruth dc@10magazine.asia Grace Sun gs@10magazine.asia
Managing Editor Assistant Editor
Contributors
Craig Alderson, R. L. Baldwin Martin Bennie, Michael Berry Simon Bond, David Carruth Frances Darwin, Samantha Dix-Hill, Joshua Hall Ciaran Hickey, Dami Kang Jiheh Kim, Curtis Lee Daniel Lenaghan, Kyoung-hee Lim Joe McPherson, Charles Montgomery, Brielle Morgan, Robert D. Neff Hyeon-seong Ryu, Lisa Smith Grace Sun, Alaric Willi
General Manager
Kyoung-hee Lim kl@10magazine.asia Dami Kang dk@10magazine.asia Jiheh Kim jk@10magazine.asia
Coordinator
Hugh Lee hlee@10magazine.asia Ethan James ej@10magazine.asia
Art Director Photography Marketing Inquiries Calendar Events Contribute Questions/Comments Subscriptions
marketing@10magazine.asia calendar@10magazine.asia contribute@10magazine.asia comments@10magazine.asia subscribe@10magazine.asia Both pics on the cover this month come from the Seoul Club’s property. The main picture of the centuries-old fortress wall, covered with freshly fallen snow is behind the Seoul Club’s building, while the smaller autumn photo is of the abundant foliage at the Seoul Club’s main entrance. A special thanks goes to Pierre Cohen-Aknine and the folks at the Seoul Club Magazine for sharing those photos with 10.
Please Recycle This Magazine
10 Magazine February Vol. 2 No. 5 등록번호 서울 라 12065 (Registration: Seoul Ra 12065) ©10 Media Inc. Address 서울시 강남구 논현동 10-21 10-21 Nonhyeon-dong Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-010 Phone 02-3447-1610 www.10magazine.asia 10 Magazine is published monthly by 10 Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed by Kyohaksa Publishing. Co., Ltd
CONTRIBUTORS
Alaric Willi in his youth extensively explored the great continent of Australia. Eventually he decided it was time to cast out upon the rest of the world. South Korea was of course the logical choice. Now with his trusty camera in hand he bounds around this country like a kangaroo across the Nullarbor, in search of awesomeness! Fashionista Grace Sun from Sydney is our in-house fashion editor and a selfconfessed shopaholic. With a background in journalism, public relations and marketing, Grace is the perfect fit for our monthly style column. She spends her spare time working on her fashion business, researching trends and hiding new purchases from her husband. Contact Grace at gs@10magazine.asia Cover story author, Robert D. Neff is a writer and researcher specializing in Korean history, particularly Korea’s relations with the West from 1880-1910 and Korean gold mines in the 1882-1939 period. His articles have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Asia Times, Morning Calm, and several regional newspapers. He is co-author of the books Westerners’ Lives in Joseon Korea (2008), and Korea Through Western Eyes (2009). Ciaran Hickey is the cuisine director at the W Seoul-Walkerhill. Originally from Ireland, Hickey matured as a chef while working in London, New York, Dublin, and other cities before arriving in Korea. He’ll be putting his culinary expertise to good use by introducing exciting Korean foods in our monthly Taste of Korea column. 10 Magazine February 2010
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LETTERS "I've been to Seoul twice in the last 3 months, and I got your magazine in Asiana Airlines Lounge in Incheon airport. That is so attractive to me, so I hope to get copies from next year, but I am not sure whether you can deliver the magazine to my address in Taiwan? And how can I pay? Nowadays, we have got many Taiwanese who want to know further about Korea, but not so much magazines and info about Korea. Please reply." Shih-Ming Liu, Taiwan, December 28th, 2009
The Reader’s 10
We’d be happy to deliver the magazine anywhere in the world! We already have subscribers in Canada, the US and Japan. Just pay the extra postage along with the annual W29,000 subscription price, and 10 will arrive at your door every month – a little late of course. 10
“I believe Your DJ list seems a little weak and shows extreme favoritism. It's a great idea...but...most of the DJ's listed play only small venues and very few Korean DJ's are listed. Ex-pats should only make up 10/20% of such a list because there are so many Korean DJ's in Korea. Your list is half ex-pats. Why is that? What happened to DJ's such as Yeonjung and Sundance Kid (the main DJs at Eden....not Brandon, a warm up DJ), DJ Guru...the Best Korean DJ in the country I.M.O. (Answer and Mansion), The East collective (They just won the Miller light DJ competition and are going to Miami for the world DJ competition), all the Triple house girl DJ's (VIA, there are 3 of them), Hanmin (M2), Devil (Volume). DJ Koo...Korea's most well known DJ/entertainer, or other expat DJs that have DJ'd in Korea for a long time like Todd and Dylan (M2), 4play (B1) or Andy and Stu (Volume). This is a list of the professional and better known/best DJ's in Seoul. I could go on and on. Not the rookie list/friend list that you put on line. Most of these DJ's don't DJ regularly or full time like the list I gave above. It just makes things seem a little skewed or shows favoritism for those on the list. We all know that people will only vote for a name on the list...not add a new one. Really...unless they start begging their friends on Facebook to do it. I think you should put ALL the DJ's on the list....or none at all. Do some homework or find someone who knows the industry/ nightlife scene in Seoul. Don't make this list a farce. "DJ magazine" Top 100 DJ's list/ vote did not give a list of DJ's to vote for. Why did you? Why not make a list of the best bars and clubs? If you don't choose to fix things.......I ask you to print this complaint in your magazine and share with your readers why you choose those DJ's and not include the other DJ's. " Morris Sullivan, Suji/Yongin, January 3rd, 2010 Well there you have it... your whole letter reprinted as requested. We got our original list from our readers and our 10 Magazine Facebook Group members. Being that it is “The Reader’s 10”, we thought we were on the right track. After you sent your letter, however, we added every DJ you proposed the next day. Surprisingly, you were wrong about people doing write-ins by the way - almost 50% of the votes were write-ins! It seems that people actually voted for the DJ they liked best rather than according to our list. You can check out the final results of our Readers’ 10 on the right. 10
Korea by the Numbers
6,680 92
AIDS cases in Korea as of September 2009.
Percentage of AIDS patients in Korea who are male.
1,183
99
Percentage of AIDS patients who contracted the disease through sexual contact.
Number of AIDS patients who passed away as of September 2009, leaving 5,497 alive. Statistics from Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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10 Magazine February 2010
Wow, we got more responses to our Reader’s 10 than ever before this month. We had to whittle them down some, as we got a lot of responses from abroad. Let's face it, 10 doesn’t have many readers outside of Korea and this is the “Reader’s 10.” We did allow one, however, as Scott Pullen seems to have made his voice heard. When one of the world’s top DJs votes in your poll, you don’t drop his pick, particularly when he does gigs in Korea often enough to know his DJs. (No, we won’t tell you who he voted for.) The final tally was a little over 200 votes. The winners are: 10. Unjin 9.
Richard Boxer
8. Mykian Fallaria 7.
Jon Lockley
6. Oil Can Boyd 5. DJ_S (Dan Springer) 4. Keystone (Felix Yoon) 3. Ladybird (Baya) 2. 4play (Matthew Clement) 1. Ross Mackay Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to vote in our next Reader's 10 by going to 10magazine.asia. The Reader's 10 for next month?
What’s your favorite Korean ramen? With well over 30 to choose from, this is going to be interesting. Make your voice heard today and win! One lucky voter will a beef and jjigae dinner for two at Bulgogi Brothers!
* TGI's steaks are chilled - never frozen - and we always gaurantee the best quality & service
3F, 59-11, Kuui-dong, Kwangjin-ku, Seoul, Korea | Tel; 02-454-3435 | Fax; 02-458-1302 Keep watching this page for special offers and opportunities from Kobeak Foods !
shopping
Take Me to Times Square Take a day off and explore Seoul’s newest mega-mall with 10’s resident fashion editor, Gracie. Words by Grace Sun and shots by Alaric Willi
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10 Magazine February 2010
style
F
Top right image courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott
or those that live on the west side of Seoul, there is rarely much to get excited about in the area of retail therapy. A serious shopping trip often entails a long ride to Gangnam for a department store spending spree or a dizzying ride through the Myeongdong and Dongdaemun landscapes. Once in a while, we may venture into the labyrinth of the COEX Mall. Once we emerge hours later, we swear never to return to that crowded maze‌ until the next time we
find ourselves walking around in circles. Fear not, shopaholics: your prayers (and mine) have finally been answered! The new Times Square Mall has the convenience of a central location in Youngdeungpo, great restaurants for both the budget-conscious and the connoisseur, and a movie cinema with oomph. The mall offers all the usual shops in one location, with five levels of orderly spaced and easy-to-find shops, all wrapped around an open atrium with a luxury walk that connects to the neighboring Shinsegae Department Store. Who said you can’t have it all?
10 Magazine February 2010
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style its glossy bright interior and suited male sales attendants, it reminds me more of a Jimmy Choo than a humble Nine West. I decide that I must try on everything since I am already there, and commence to order the sales staff in their crisp outfits to scurry around in a frantic bid to provide me with a size 6 in everything I point at. Ahhh…. what fun. I spend the next hour rummaging through the racks at Zara and Mango, picking out some winter bargains and basics. Both stores are finishing up on their winter sales, so it’s a good idea to get in now before everything is gone.
The shops open, and I am revving to go. 10 30 I start on Level One, which houses the big international chain store brands, and enter the only local brand that is worthy to be housed in this category – Bean Pole. Quintessentially Korean with its preppy cleancut outfits in tones of beige and navy, this is Polo meets Tommy with a hangul touch. I must buy an outfit. Love it! I move on to Steve Madden and decide I am in love with a pair of leopard print peeptoes with red bows. Never mind that it’s minus temperature with 30cm of snow outside. I decide I must have them, along with some grey booties. The shopping monster is unleashed. Next stop—the beautifully presented Nine West. Quite possibly the most immaculate Nine West store in Seoul, with
Zara overnight bag W159,000
Black boots and gloves from Nine West (top) W399,000 and W139,000 Bean Pole (bottom) winter essentials W235,000 - W275,000 each
Grey boots and red bow peeptoes from Steve Madden W239 and W199
Adjacent to the Times Square Mall is the new Shinsegae, which houses a dazzling array of designer shops on the level one luxury walk, which is connected to the mall.
10 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Exhausted already! Time to recharge. I decide 12 30 to go down to Level B1 and munch on some nachos and fajitas at Mexican restaurant On the Border, a great place for a meal and some super yum margaritas. I make a great discovery after lunch – Key World (behind the restaurant) does a good job in repairing designer shoes and handbags. This is the place to go when you don’t want to wait three months for those heels to
get fixed at Ferragamo. I spend some time looking around at the restaurants and stores on this level. Great local cosmetic shops, and a huge E-Mart to boot (where I store all the shopping I have done so far in the free lockers). Notable restaurants on this level are Seven Springs and Bulgogi Brothers, the latter of which has a great selection of barbeque meats. If you are in the need for some relaxation, head to N’Olive Esthetic for a facial and manicure, and don’t forget to leave your poochie in Luvpet to have his or her furry coat groomed and colored! Level B2 is the place to take the kiddies for some new outfits. Dress them up at the Barbie store, and drop them off at the I Like Dalki playland (p.15) while you explore the rest of the mall. Take a peek in Zuma and Codes Combine for some trendy items, or walk through to Shinsegae for some department store quality items. I head to Level Two, which houses a branch 2 30 of the biggest bookstore chain in Korea, Kyobo Books. I can’t wait to explore this paradise of literary delight, but decide to restrain myself until I have checked out the other shops on this level. The A# Apple store is brimming with new gadgets, and sporty shoppers will have a ball at Adidas Originals, The North Face and Fubu. Visit the Gap for casual basics, and TSL and TNGTW for shirts and
Here you will find brands like Bottega Veneta, Kenzo, Paul Smith and Issey Miyake – as well as the usual suspects Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Cartier and
tailored outfits. Show Room stocks a trendy selection of True Religion and 7 for All Mankind denim, and for the more budgetconscious but equally stylish consumer, Springfield offers some uber funky streetwear. I also love Woodry for their fashionable tracksuits – Juicy Couture, move aside! Favorites are home and living giant MUJI for everything you need in your house this lifetime; Francfranc, where I picked up some super fun accessories for my apartment; and Burt’s Bees, the only place to pick up the best-selling lip balm that is going to get those cracked lips through the rest of winter. For the serious male shopper with discerning taste, the German brand Braun Buffel is for you. These leather goods are all class and perfect for the cashed-up executive who wants to look top-notch and doesn’t mind splurging to get there. Next is my favorite part of the day. I head back to Kyobo Bookstore and lose myself in the foreign book section, which, though not as comprehensive as the main store in Gwanghuamun, still has a good selection of fiction and books on Korea and the Korean language. I have a good time
Bestsellers from Burt’s Bees (top) marshmallow vanishing crème W54,000; baby oil W24,000 and lip balm W8,000 Clocks from Francfranc (right) W96,000 each
Tiffany & Co. Walk through to the department store and feel at home with all the top designer and local fashions, as well as a top-notch food court on B1 and a great selection of ladies casual fashion on B2.
style cinema. Take the escalators up to Pub Project to relax before or after your movie, and then up again to Starium, the world’s biggest 4D screen that is supposedly going to change cinema forever—can’t wait to try that one out! Gold Class ticket holders can sip some wine in the Gold Class Café, or if you just need to kill time take a look at the Art Hall on the top floor (set to open soon). For a quick snack before a movie, go to Bean & Waffle, Hotdog & Coffee, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels or try the pancakes at Garosoo Café. This is also the level for fine dining, with restaurants catering to any palate—Star China for Chinese, Hanilk Wan for Korean, Jien for Japanese and Tempo Quadrato for Italian. If you can’t make up your mind, just head to The Oriox, which does a buffet of everything at W35,000 for lunch and W42,000 for dinner. I decide to do something different and go across to the adjoining Courtyard Marriott 7 00 for dinner instead. As I enter from Level 5 (also accessible from Level B1), I notice a little nook in the corner called Uptown Café. Quaint, picturesque and elegant, I make a mental note to make a visit for a latte next time. At Momo (pictures from Courtyard Marriott), the contemporary restaurant on the lobby level of the Courtyard Marriott, I order a signature wood-fired pizza and watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen. The restaurant has a laid-back ambience and superb service, with some great casual dishes for all day dining. Pizzas are all under W20,000. The mall is closing, but the CGV is still swarming with patrons. I buy a movie ticket 8 30 and try my hand at some machines in the Action Games Arcade while I am waiting. Sweet popcorn and my second viewing of Avatar in 3D, here I come!
Accessories from Braun Buffel accessories case W1,330,000 and leather shoes W515,000
exploring the foreign magazines section (they carry 10 Magazine!), office and art supplies, CDs and DVDs and particularly liked the Kids Park, which is a great space for the little ones to read and play. Finally, I take my reading choices (Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones and Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink) to Café Nescafe and enjoy some time there with my books and a nice cup of coffee. Ahh, the life! Up to Level Three to have a good browse through some local brands like Jack & Jill, Teeny 5 00 Weenie, Who.A.U and Roem, where I pick up an outfit for my sister. Foreign brands on this level include Guess, Levis, Giordano, and Accessorize for all your key fashion pieces. Sporty fans have New Balance, Nike, Puma, Adidas and ABC-Mart. Don’t forget to check out the cosmetic shops on this level, with my personal favorite being Banila Co. in all its girly glory. If you need a haircut, head to Aveda for some tress-loving, where you can also pick out some products to continue your pampering at home. Level Four takes patrons straight through to the massive CGV that is more than just a
Outfit from Poem grey coat W199,000 and grey wool dress W69,000
My favorite purchase Guess jacket W298,000
From top: Kids Park, Café Nescafe, Accessorize, Banila co., CGV, Japanese restaurant Jien 12 | 10 Magazine February 2010
I Like Dalki Want a place to drop off the kids, or just a new playground for them to explore? This place on Level B2 is, quite frankly, the epitome of a kid’s magical wonderland. On entering, you will see a Dalkithemed bakery and a ticket booth. Kids show their tickets to the doorman, and he will measure their temperature with a laser thermometer before they can enter. Advanced! The playground is a mass of children climbing on castles, playing in storybook houses, slippery dips and ball pits, or taking a train ride. A coffee booth provides tired mums and dads with their caffeine fix and kiddies with their fruit juices. There are cinemas, miniature toilets, a manicure booth for kids, and a fancy hair salon where little ones can sit on a car while getting their hair trimmed. The highlight of the playground is undoubtedly the teddy bear of gigantic proportions (or so it will seem to the kids) that takes up an entire room. Even I was tempted to jump up and down on that one! So for all you yummy mummies who want to check out the stores, leave your kids there with the nanny while you shop up a storm. They won’t even notice you’re gone – guaranteed!
How to get there:
Close proximity to three subway lines makes Times Square convenient to reach. When the weather’s nice, enjoy a leisurely 10 minute walk to the gates of this shopper’s paradise from ex. 4 of Mullae St. (line 2) or ex. 4 of Yeongdeungpo Market St. (line 5). On blustery days, stay out of winter’s icy clutches by taking the underground passageway from Yeongdeungpo St. (line 1) straight into the shopping center.
S Roaming Offers Rental Cell Phone Promotion
With S Roaming’s cell phone rental service at Incheon Airport, you can easily get in touch with your business partners, family, and friends anytime and anywhere whether they’re here in Korea or back at home. For this special promotion, simply show your business card to get 50% off the rental fee! Affordable rental and calling rates make traveling more convenient and less expensive. Phones can be rented and returned at the Incheon Airport location, open twenty-four hours a day. Find the S Roaming center at gates 6-7 and gates 10-11 on the 1st floor of the passenger terminal. sroaming.com, 1688-7121
“Cacaoboom” Offers Natural, Eco-Friendly Chocolate Cacaoboom means "chocolate" tree in Dutch, but you don’t have to go to the Netherlands to get your hands on this delicious handmade chocolate made using traditional Belgian methods. Health-conscious chocovores can set aside their concerns about food coloring, preservatives, and additives, since this is made with 100% cacao butter. It’s a great choice for the ecoconscious, too, who will be glad to hear that Cacaoboom chocolate uses fair trade organic chocolate, involving eco-friendly production and providing a fair price for the producer. Open 9 am – 10 pm. Located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. 02-3141-4663 14 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Healing Hands Prepares Your Valentine’s Day Massage The rest of Korea may be shutting down temporarily for Seollal (the Lunar New Year), but the Healing Hands massage studio located in Itaewon will be staying open. The Healing Hands studio has been carefully designed for your relaxation and enjoyment. With your choice of the Zen Room and the Red Room, select a mood to match the massage. Each room contains two beds where you can enjoy a massage alone or with a friend or partner. As space is limited, don’t wait to book your Valentine's Day couples massage. healinghands.co.kr, 070-7504-8090
Russell Bernstein Appointed National Membership Director The Association for Teachers of English in Korea (ATEK) is pleased to announce the selection of Russell Bernstein as National Membership Director. The appointment comes as a result of his outstanding performance as chair of the Seoul chapter of ATEK this past year. His new duties will include handling all of the information for ATEK's nationwide membership, verifying membership, and ensuring internal communications run smoothly. The promotion of Russell Bernstein to the role of National Membership Director is another step towards ATEK’s growth as a primary support network for English teachers in Korea, creating a far reaching network for information to flow through. ATEK (Association for Teachers of English in Korea) is a non-profit, non-political support group. To find out more or join, visit atek.or.kr
ATEK NEWS
Edited by Kyounghee Lim and David Carruth
Fair Concert Provides Aid to Starving Cambodians Do your bit to bring justice to the world and hope to the hungry through the Fair Concert series. Demonstrating that you don’t 01.23 / 01.30 / 02.06 have to be a media mogul or a rock star to make a difference, all the revenue generated by these concerts will be used by Food for the Hungry International (FHI) to dig wells for impoverished Cambodians who lack a reliable supply of drinking water. The first two concerts were already held on January 23rd and 30th, but you still have a chance to participate at 7 pm on February 6th at Modl Theater in Daehangno (Hyehwa St. line 4). Your W10,000 ticket is all it takes to change lives. fairconcert.com 1st Fair Concert
http://fairconcert.com
기 기금마련
캄보디아 우물파
The fund-raising for digging wells in Cambodia
첫 번째로 열리는 공정 콘서트는 캄보디아에 식수원을 제공할
우물파기에 도움을 줄 수 있는
기금을 마련하기 위한 공연입니다.
This is the 1st fair concert that we can help Cambodia by
rasing funds for digging wells.
대학로 모들극장 _19:00 at Modle theater, Daehak-ro
출연
주최
소리緣, 선글라스, 이성우밴드, 미쉘, 소울라이츠, 소울맨, 남예지 Sori Yeon, Sunglasses, Lee Seong-woo's band, Michelle, Soulights, Souil-men, Nam Ye-ji All Stage On, Soundpost, Songuage
주관
All Stage On, Soundpost, Songuage
협조
국제 기아대책 Food for the Hungry International
후원
주한미8군 복지단 The eighth USFK Service agency.
가격
\ 10,000
소극장 모시는 사람들 내
GS 25
모들극장
우체국
롯데리아
Sk 주유소
혜화동 로터리
혜화역 4번출구
Your “Guide to Living in Korea” Makes the Transition Easy For people traveling in Korea short term, information is easy to come by, but those planning to stay in Korea for months, if not years, may find the language barrier makes it hard to get crucial information about daily life. Fortunately, the investment service team at KOTRA publishes its yearly Guide to Living in Korea to help foreign investors and employees as they settle down. Find everything you need to know about accommodations, education, transportation, medical care, and much more. It also contains a vast directory with contact information you can use at work or home. The newest easy-to-carry handbook was published in English and Japanese this past December and is free for investors and employees. ikservice@kotra.or.kr, 1600-7119
Calling All Canadians: Olympic Glory is at RMT! Plastered with all your favorite hockey jerseys and serving up trademark Caesars with their “Truck Stop” breakfasts, Rocky Mountain Tavern has been the go-to place for Canadians looking for their hockey fix for nearly 6 years now. Hockey fanatics/owners Craig Roessel, Tyler Deuling, Jamie Cottin and So-young Anh plan way ahead, taping games back home and making sure transplants from the homeland can enjoy the latest game at a reasonable Korean hour with some authentic buffalo wings. And now come the Olympics! This February 12th - 28th will see Vancouver hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, and where better to cheer on the Canucks than at good old RMT? Don’t miss a single puck drop, slalom, run, race, jump or double axel, with all the action broadcast on their two floors strewn with 7 big screens TVs. If you’re over here staying at one of the many hotels that have 10 Magazine in every room, this is your chance to watch that Olympic event you’ve been dying to catch. For scheduling information, check their website at rockymountaintavern.com or give Jamie a call at 010-5775-2327.
Tourist Surprised with Award at Korea House The traditional Korean culture center Korea House offers you another reason to visit with surprise giveaways. Celebrating the year of the tiger, Korea House held a special event for the first foreign guest of 2010. Mr. Yamamoto, a Japanese tourist, was pleasantly surprised with a tour voucher for traveling in Korea. He said that this was the first time he had won something in his life and he was happy to receive the certificate. kangkoku.or.kr/eng, 02-2266-9101 10 Magazine February 2010 | 15
A TASTE OF KOREA
Sundae (순대)
Korea’s Answer to Black Pudding Words by Ciaran Hickey
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to cut the taste. The particular smell of hen it comes to blood cooked pig’s intestines was familiar to sausages, the Germans have me, but I wasn’t ready for the texture of their blutwurst, the French the noodles. After this initial surprise, have boudin noir, the Spanish have it was enjoyable but I would have liked morcilla, and we Irish (and, let it be a little chili to spice it up a notch. I also said, the English) have black pudding. discovered on this occasion that beer Having heard then about sundae from is the perfect match for this king of the my Korean friends, the chef in me was "anju", those small nibbles you get while immediately curious. Coming from a country where very little of the pig is left on the butcher’s floor, I couldn’t wait to try Korea’s take on this international delicacy. Sundae is generally made of potato starch noodles, barley and pork blood. There are versions that have soybean paste, rice, kimchi and other ingredients added, but like many Korean recipes you will be hardpressed to get two people to agree on the “original.” Just to muddy the waters even more, there are a lot of regional variations of sundae reaching as far as Jeju where squid bodies or fish bladders take the place of pork intestines depending on the province. “Sundae Village” in Sillim-dong, located near From top: sundae mix, sundae soup (image from Ddosuni) Seoul National University, is the spiritual home of this Korean drinking in Korea. dish and offers an endless assortment To date, my best sundae experience of sundae dishes. It’s said to form 50% has been at a pojangmacha (tent-enclosed of students’ diet with alcohol picking food vendor) in Jongno where I had up the other 50%. They take it very sundae bokkeum, a stir-fried dish made seriously here, even running a Sundae with adorably small slices of sundae, Festival to celebrate the joys of the rice cake, vegetables and gochujang. blood sausage. A walk down one of Of course, the beer I was downing must these streets will give you the chance to have helped, but the sundae was one of try it in every shape and style: plain, in the most enjoyable new things I had tried soups, (순대국 sundaeguk), stir-fried (순 in quite a while. I found out later that commercially made sundae, produced 대볶음 sundae bokkeum), and various with synthetic casings, is frowned on by other combinations. the purists but is being used more and My first encounter with sundae more. Regardless, sundae remains one was in the backstreets of Namdaemun of the hidden gems of Korean cuisine. market along with an interesting Enjoy it, and don’t forget the mug of cold collection of other local snack foods. I beer! had it steamed without any condiments 16 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Whether it’s musical instruments by David Carruth (Nagwon Arcade) or electronics (Yongsan), in Korea, shops of a feather flock together. Sundae is no exception, as any visitor to the Sundae Village (순대촌) in Sillim-dong is well aware. To get there, go straight out of ex. 3 from Sillim St. (line 2) and turn right at the Watsons. At the end of this alley and across from the Artbox is Yangji Minsok Sundae Town (양지민속 순대타운). Sundae Town fills floors two through five of this building and contains nothing but sundae restaurants of every stripe. Try these favorites of Korean bloggers or find a place for yourself. Prices start at W6,000 a serving.
It Takes a Village to Serve Sundae
The Village Choice #1 Start out with the most famous (and slightly freaky) choice: White Sundae (백순대 Baeksundae). Holding off on the sauce and stir-frying glass noodles, fresh veggies, sundae, and crushed perilla in soybean oil results in the eponymous white color. The heaps of noodles and veggies mean that you can even bring along friends who aren’t too keen on sundae. Find it on your right as you step out of the elevator on the 5th floor. The Village Choice #2 Business is so brisk at My Cousin’s House (삼촌네 Samchonne) that there are lots of customers even in the slowest hours of the afternoon. Whether you try the pan-fried sundae plain or wrap it in lettuce before going to town, we bet you’ll figure out why it’s so popular. Walk straight when the elevator door opens on the fourth floor and it’s at the end.
From top: Yangji Minsok Sundae Town (from Seungcheol Lee), white sundae (from Juhyeon Cho), squid sundae (from Ddosuni).
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IN THE KITCHEN
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hink about it. Cooking at the ambassadorial level has unfathomable stress. State dinners demand the apex of protocol and etiquette. You must not only know all aspects of your country’s traditional and regional cuisines from stocks to pastries, but you must also be well-versed in international foods. This is the background of Rhiti Mostafa, who came to Korea as the head chef of the Moroccan embassy. Chef Mostafa comes from a rich culinary background . He grew up in Fes, which you could say is Morocco’s Jeonju—the culinary capital. His father has cooked for the Sheraton in Morocco, and his mother for the Moroccan king himself. Rhiti established his reputation as a versatile chef when the embassy recruited him. Since coming to Korea, Rhiti Mostafa has made a name for himself in Korea as the owner of Marakech Night. He caters for clients such as Samsung and the local French community, who are big fans of his cuisine. He can speak five languages and learned English from his English-teaching clientele after opening his Itaewon restaurant. He has moved to a roomier, lavishly decorated location next to the Cheil Building in Itaewon. His business has grown solely on word of mouth among the French and Englishspeaking communities, many raving about his slowly braised tajines and cozy family-style service.
Preserving the Traditional Flavors of Morocco Chef Rhiti Mostafa
Words and shots by Joe McPherson, shots by Ethan James and Joe McPherson
Marakech Night has done well thanks to Chef Mostafa’s clever sourcing of hard-to-obtain ingredients, like fresh mint, and masterly improvisation when they aren’t available. The menu changes annually as Rhiti introduces traditional dishes, including 70-year-old family recipes from his grandmother. Moroccan cuisine is marked by tajine cooking, slow stewing or braising of meats, spices, vegetables and fruits. His signature dish is tfaya, lamb or beef stewed with prunes and almonds and garnished with chopped egg. Meals are finished with sweetened tea, poured from high in the air to create froth. Since the move to the new location, there has been some confusion as to whether Marakech Night is a franchise or affiliated with any other restaurants or chefs. To quell any rumors, the location next to the large Cheil Building is the one and only restaurant, so don’t be fooled by imposters. The real place will transport you to a North African hideaway, fill SCOOP your nose with exotic spices and fill your stomach with hearty Mostafa’s brother runs a traditional Moroccan fare. Thank goodness there are chefs street food truck in Itaewon selling bocadillos, Morocco’s like Rhiti Mostafa who stay true to their roots and refuse to popular sandwich. compromise to the whims of the fickle market.
18 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Moroccan Lemon Chicken (Left Image) Ingredients • 1 Whole Chicken, cut into pieces • 4 White Onions, sliced • 1 tsp. Garlic, crushed • 1 tsp. Parsley, chopped • 2 tsp. Coriander, ground • 1 tsp. Ginger, ground • 1 tsp Salt • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper, ground • ¼ tsp. Saffron • ½ cup Olive Oil • 200 g Green Olives • ½ Preserved Lemon • 1 liter Water METHOD Mix the coriander, ginger, black pepper, and salt and rub the chicken parts with the mixture. Put the chicken and all the rest of the ingredients, including the water, into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 40 minutes until the chicken is falling off the bone. Transfer to a plate. Serve with rice.
Dr. Raimund Royer Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine Interview by David Carruth, shots by Ethan James
1 What did you do before you came to Korea? It’s been 20 years now since I first came to Korea, but before that I used to work for an international trading firm. I’m originally from Austria. I lived in the Austrian Alps, which you might be familiar with as the location of The Sound of Music. 2 Was it Oriental medicine that first brought you to Korea? As a matter of fact, when I first came to Korea I didn’t know anything about it. Initially, I was very taken with the culture and in particular the martial arts of the Far East. I decided on Korea because China was at the time quite difficult to travel in and Japan was already well-known. Korea, on the other hand, was still very traditional. That was appealing to me. 3 What was your first encounter with Oriental medicine like? When I injured my ankle, my friend asked me if I wanted to try acupuncture. I’d never done anything quite like that before, so I was a bit nervous about it. However, since I wanted to experience Korean culture, I decided to give it a try. After the treatment, I was surprised by two things. First, the doctor didn’t put the needles where I thought he would—which was on my ankle. Second, the acupuncture really did help with my pain. 4 How did you get more involved with Oriental medicine? After my first encounter with acupuncture, I started doing a little research on my own and soon found out that I could study Oriental medicine at college. I was somewhat intimidated by the prerequisites, which included a thorough knowledge of Korean and hanja (Chinese characters), but it struck me as a promising career. 5 What was it like to study Oriental medicine as a Westerner? Let’s just say it’s not an easy course of study, even for Koreans. To begin with, I didn’t know any Korean, so I had to spend a year studying at the Yonsei Korean Language Institute. That was before I even got into the program itself. Next, there were two years of premed coursework along with advanced Korean and English language training. Assignments included translating English into Korean. Keep in mind that neither of those are my native languages. In all, I studied for six years. 6 What kind of services does the Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine offer? Our hospital specializes in joint, back, and spine issues. As the name suggests, most of the treatments here are based on the principles of traditional Oriental medicine, but that doesn’t mean that we completely ignore the Western tradition. In other words, we use acupuncture, but we also use
Western diagnostic procedures like MRI and cat scans. Our treatments generally stay within the bounds of Oriental medicine, but in the event of extreme pain we do occasionally use Western pain remedies. 7 How many doctors are there at the Jaseng Hospital? I guess that depends upon which Jaseng you’re talking about! We have 10 branches altogether, located in Seoul, Bucheon, Suwon, and even Fullerton, California, and we’re planning on opening a new hospital in Daejeon this April. There are around 70 doctors in the main branch in Apgujeong, and 120 doctors in all. 8 Does Jaseng Hospital treat non-Korean patients? Yes, and in fact we treated 4,100 foreigners last year alone. Most of them are current residents of Korea, but more and more are coming to Korea specifically for treatment. For instance, right now a German from Hong Kong is here receiving care for severe herniation. We make sure to keep the language barrier from being an issue by employing Japanese-speaking doctors for Japanese patients and interpreters for English-speaking patients. 9 How would you compare Oriental and Western medicine? Overall, I would say that Oriental medicine is the better approach for well-being because it’s holistic, that is, it keeps the whole body in mind. The Western doctor typically only focuses on the body part in question, but a doctor of Oriental medicine scrutinizes the whole body as he or she searches for the cause of illness. With back pain, for instance, Oriental medicine recognizes ten possible causes, including kidney deficiency. So it’s possible to relieve back pain by improving kidney function. 10 Any encouragement for those curious about Oriental medicine but too afraid to try it? A specific example may help persuade skeptics. Take back pain, for example. There are lots of different treatments out there. You might try pain killers, but they might not solve the problem or the problem might come back later. You need a different, innovative approach, and that’s exactly what is offered at Jaseng Hospital. Anyhow, you’ll be surprised to find that acupuncture and our other treatments really don’t hurt that much. The Oriental medicine we prescribe may taste a little different at first because it’s made of roots and herbs, but you’ll get used to it after a while just like anything else. Plus, our medicine isn’t invasive, unlike much conventional medicine, and there are also no real side effects. 10 Magazine February 2010 | 21
special feature
O Words and shots by Charles Montgomery 22 | 10 Magazine February 2010
ne drawback of living or traveling in Korea is the difficulty of finding books in English. Good bookstores are rare, and if you only know one or two, you are unlikely to find the range of books you would like. Many of us also enjoy browsing in used bookstores. Luckily, there ARE good English bookstores in Korea; you just have to know where and how to find them. Bookstores come in three flavors. First there are the chains, relatively easy to find through web searches. Second are mid-sized stores catering primarily to English readers; these are a bit harder to find, but many expats know where they are. More difficult to find, but fun when you do, are the small used bookstores that dot traditional markets in Korean cities. These, you find at the expense of shoe leather. Let’s take a look at these by category.
MAJOR CHAINS Books from the bestseller lists, books that have been or are about to be turned into major motion pictures, and classic literature are all available at any large chain including Kyobo, Youngpoong, or Bandi and Luni’s. Look for sections called English, Foreign, or even 외국인 (“waegugin,” foreigner). In Seoul there is a cluster of chains in the Jongno-gu area. Kyobo Book Centre, Korea's largest bookstore, stocks about 2,300,000 books and on weekends draws over 120,000 customers. For a truly surreal/jam-packed experience, visit Kyobo or Youngpoong the day before Christmas or any other gift-giving occasion. If you frequent chains, get a membership card, which offers various benefits. Daejeon boasts a Kyobo downtown and a Gyeryeong Books in Eunhaeng-dong. Gwangju has pretty slim pickings; there is only a Youngpoong and the Chungjang Bookstore. Chungjang, described using the classic Korean direction-giving technique as “right by the Starbucks,” has some classics, bestsellers from a couple months ago, and books about Korea and the Korean language. Busan has two Youngpoongs and one Kyobo, Daegu has two Youngpoongs and two Kyobos. Ulsan, Masan, Pohang and Gumi each have one Youngpoong. For more specific directions consult the Youngpoong and Kyobo websites.
Seoul
Other Cities
The Sortino Family Welcomes You to Korea's First Italian Family-owned Cafe, Deli, Pastry Shop and Wine Bar!
MID-SIZED STORES Independent bookstores dedicated to the English reader are rarer. There are two excellent stores in Itaewon, What the Book and the Itaewon Foreign Bookstore. What the Book is in Itaewon but is happy to ship books to wherever you may be in Korea. It has a solid selection of new books, a range of used books, and a stellar magazine section. You can browse What the Book online, using its excellent website and search function. The Itaewon Foreign Bookstore is an old-fashioned used bookstore.
02-790-5907
special feature It features row upon row of books on shelves, which slide to reveal more shelves behind. In both stores, used books are expensive. If you are going to buy something currently in print, it makes more sense to purchase it new. North of the chain bookstores, across from Gyeongbokgung Palace, is Seoul Selection, a smallish store focused on Korea and Korean culture. It sells new and used books, DVDs, and music CDs as well as hosting literary events. Seoul Selection, also the publisher of Seoul Magazine, has wireless internet, seats and tables, and a computer for customer use. As lagniappe, the clerks give away a packet of postcards with book sales. Seoul Selection has an excellent website with a great search function. In Daegu, the newly opened Buy the Book is a café that also sells used books. Buy the Book features international lunch, a clean spacious eating/reading space, and two walls covered in bookshelves of used books. Daegu Books is an online purveyor of used books, which has only been in business a short while, but has managed to build a stock of nearly 500 books. Many smaller bookstores have selections of English books. If
24 | 10 Magazine February 2010
you walk in university neighborhoods you can find these. Start with large, reputable universities, universities known for art or literature, and then work your way to smaller, less well-known ones. Hongik University, in Seoul, for instance, is surrounded by a sprinkling of bookstores selling English books. SMALLER SHOPS For bibliophiles, part of the fun of buying a book is finding it. For this, you need to be a bit intrepid. Many medium and larger sized public markets have a row of bookshops with books tied together in stacks by colored ribbons. Most books are Korean, but English books can be found, and if you like the thrill of the chase, this is where to find it. In Seoul, to the right across the Cheonggyecheon Stream from Dongdaemun Gate, is a row of little bookstores. They may look a bit out of place amidst the fashion outlets, but many of them have books in English, and the Waegook Bookstore is completely dedicated to English books. In the Jung-Ang market in Daejeon, within easy walking distance of Daejeon’s KTX station, there are street-side bookstores with vast rooms full of books stored in the buildings behind them. These semi-traditional markets are in every major city in Korea and worth an afternoon’s walk, as they often reveal unexpected treasures. And when you manage to find a small store with English books? Make friends with the owner, because if you are a repeat customer, they will start squirreling books away for you. So get out there and get reading!
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What the Book Seoul – New books, used books, a brilliant ordering system and helpful staff that speak English well. Its website is in English and extremely easy to use. Itaewon St. (line 6, ex. 3), behind the Itaewon Fire Station and up the hill on the left. whatthebook.com The Foreign Bookstore Seoul –Small, cramped, but stuffed with books, this is the place to go to find an array of used titles spanning science fiction, humor, and psychology. It also carries used magazines and some tapes. Noksapyeong St. (line 6, ex. 2), across the street Seoul Selection Seoul – If your focus is on Korean literature or literature about Korea, this is your bookstore. B1 Korean Publishers Association B/D 105-2, Sagan-dong, Chongrogu, Seoul. seoulselection.com, 02-734-9565 Kyobo Books – So many stores and so many books (and so little time)! kyobobook.co.kr, 10magazine.asia/2037/ kyobo-bookstore-locations (The Kyobo website is entirely in Korean, but the 10 team has added a handy resource to its website to help you find the one nearest you. Don’t forget that you can buy 10 Magazine at any Kyobo.) Youngpoong –Youngpoong has stores scattered throughout Korea and offers a more relaxed vibe than Kyobo. ypbooks.co.kr (The store locator is at the bottom of the main page. It’s in Korean but is easy to navigate.) Daegu Books and Buy the Book Daegu – These shops offer a new idea to book-shopping in Korea. Daegu Books will ship to anywhere in Korea for a small fee, and has rockbottom prices on used books. Buy the Book has space, food and an artsy attitude to share. Daegu Books: daegubooks.com Buy the Book: 18-11 4th floor, Samdeok 1 ga-dong, Jung-gu. buythebookcafe@yahoo.com, 010-8522-1833 on weekdays, 0708-632-1833 on weekends
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Waegook Bookstore Seoul – Lots of used books, and other bookstores on both sides. Stall 27 in Dongdaemun Market Chungjang Bookstore Gwangju – Not the biggest or the best, but if you live in Jeolla, you don't have a lot of options. Chungjang Seolim 35 Geumnamno 2 ga, Dong-gu (Near the Starbucks!) 062-227-1932 Yeongchang Bookstore Daejeon – A bit tricky to find at the east side of Jungang Market. But it stands for ALL the small bookstores waiting for you to find them! 042-226-1096
Our family has always enjoyed the important things in life: preparing food made with fresh seasonal ingredients and sharing simple meals with “abbondanza”. That’s Italian for the passion and poetry of life... We hope you feel this when you visit Sortino’s! Grazie.
Hamilton Hotel 1 2 Subway Itaewon St. 4 3 Fire St.
Itaewon Hotel
Cheil Communications
Weekdays Lunch 12 pm — 3 pm Dinner 5:30 pm — 1 am Kitchen last order 10:30pm Weekends 12 pm —1am Kitchen last order 10:30 pm
www.sortinos-seoul.com • 02-797-0488–9
Edited by David Carruth and Dami Kang
February Fun “Only 4 You” Artnouveau City Show your affection for that special someone in this most romantic of months by taking advantage of Yeoksam Artnouveau City’s “Only 4 You” package, available each weekday through the end of February. Sip on wine or imbibe beer at the buffet (6 – 9 pm), kick back in the sauna, enjoy a night in the Crystal Suite (W157,000+) or Sapphire Suite (W187,000+), and wake up to a great breakfast spread the next morning. Be sure to contact Yeoksam Artnouveau City at least two days in advance to make your reservation. ancsr.com, resv@ancsr.com , 02-560-9009
Relax with a Massage at the Spa Lotte Hotel Busan
The Busan Lotte Hotel offers you the chance to wipe away your aches and anxiety while restoring that bounce to your step with its spa package (W480,000++), offered through March 31st. Enjoy a night at a super-deluxe room on the Club Floor, also known as a “hotel inside a hotel.” Other benefits include breakfast for two, admission to the fitness club, swimming pool, and sauna, and discounts on famous Busan sites like Jump, the Tiffany 21 Cruise, and the Haeundae Aquarium. One guest can enjoy two unforgettable hours trying out various massages and exotic treatments in the de L Spa (add W240,000++ for an additional guest). lottehotelbusan.com, Seoul: 02-759-7060, Busan: 051-810-1100 26 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Enjoy a Seaside Adventure Seacloud Hotel Families hoping to visit Busan over the Lunar New Year are offered an affordable package at the Seacloud Hotel overlooking Haeundae Beach, only available from February 8th – 19th. Along with a free upgrade to Suite Room from Superior Room, the package includes breakfast for two, an extra blanket upon request, and discounts on admission to Busan sites. Take advantage of 20 % off the Busan Aquarium, 30% off the Busan Aquarium 3D Rider, and 10% off the Tiffany 21 cruise. W150,000+ or add W30,000 for full ocean view, with a 3% discount on reservations made a week in advance. seacloudhotel.com, rsvn@seacloudhotel.com, 051-933-1000
“Choco-Choco” for Your Sweetheart's Sweet Tooth The Imperial Palace Hotel You won’t need to worry about shopping for any chocolate this Valentine’s Day if you take advantage of the Imperial Palace Hotel’s “Choco-Choco” Valentine’s package (February 12th – 14th). Accompanying one night in a Deluxe Room are ten hand-made chocolates along with two take-out cups of hot chocolate to keep you warm on a romantic stroll. Along with the sweets, you can work up a sweat at the fitness center and cool off in the indoor pool for no extra charge. Guests also receive a 10% discount on food at all the restaurants and bars in the hotel. W214,000. imperialpalace.co.kr, 02-3440-8000
Sort Out Your Seollal Shopping JW Marriott Seoul
If you’re looking for a distinguished gift for your coworkers or relatives this Seollal (Lunar New Year), the JW Marriott Seoul is here to help. Through February 13th, contact the Deli Shop for gift sets that will express your appreciation through delicious delicacies. Perennial favorites include hanwoo Korean beef sets (W620,000+ and up) and galbi sets (W350,000+ - W590,000+), prepared by the Marriott’s top chef for Korean cuisine. Choosy drinkers will enjoy the sommelierrecommended wine packages (W100,000+ W210,000+). You can also mix and match your own gift basket with international sauces, chocolates, wines, cookies, and cheeses. marriott.com, 02-6282-6738
+ = subject to 10% VAT, ++ = subject to 10% VAT and 10% service charge
Treat Yourself to Breakfast in Bed Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Indulge in a lazy morning with the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill’s “Breakfast in the Room” package, which offers a complimentary breakfast brought right up to your Deluxe Room. Satisfy even the most selective palate with a choice of Korean, Western, and Japanese cuisine. The benefits don’t end when you get out of bed, with a 10% discount at all restaurants and bars and 20% off at the deli. Available all year, the package price starts at W199,000++ for two. sheratonwalkerhill.co.kr, 02-2022-0000
Give Them the Moon Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel You don’t want to be left emptyhanded this year when the Lunar New Year comes around. Let your loved ones know you care with a choice of deluxe gift sets on sale at the Millennium Seoul Hilton. For something a little out-of-the-ordinary, try the yellow croaker gift set (W320,000 - W680,000), each fish filled with roe just like the ones the Emperor used to dine on. Another fine choice is the crab gift set (W330,000), containing premium crabs marinated in soy sauce. Gift sets containing wine, champagne, galbi, and wagyu are also available at a range of prices. Nationwide delivery is included in the cost of the gift sets. www1.hilton.com, 02-317-3066
Spa Welcomes Mamas, Papas, and Kids, Too
It’s Okay to Be Square Novotel Daegu City Center If you’ve got the urge for a buffet spread that you won’t regret when you review your credit card statement, try out the Square at the Novotel Daegu City Center. This international buffet offers the best of East and West with entrees like seafood and roast beef and the tastiest pastries in Daegu. Guests at the Square (W35,000+) can take part in the weekly lucky draw for a night in a Royal Suite room. Plus, it’s 50% off for kids 6-12 years old with little ones dining for free. Make a date of it with The Square’s Valentine’s Day dinner buffet, featuring salmon and leek quiche, beef tenderloin, dark chocolate mousse, and other delicacies (W39,000+). novoteldaegu.com, 053-664-1168
Hilton Namhae The Hilton Namhae Spa’s newest therapy package shows that spa treatment isn’t just for adults. Offered through February 28th (except February 13th – 15th), the 2 ½ hour spa treatment for parents begins with a milk foot bath, continues with a deep tissue whole body massage, and finishes up with a customized massage using essential oils and holistic facial therapy for moisturizing dry skin. Meanwhile, kids get “child therapy” that builds up immunity and aids growth. In addition, guests can purchase home care kits for children with eczema at a 10% discount. The price per guest is W220,000++ on weekdays and W242,000++ on weekends. hiltonnamhae.com, 055-860-0453
Write Your Love in Chocolate InterContinental Hotel For Valentine’s Day, show your love by having a special chocolate letter prepared at the bakery of the Grand and COEX InterContinental Seoul. The hotel’s patissier writes a text of your choice on a chocolate heart in white or dark chocolate, ideal for a passionate proposal or a fond reminder of your feelings. The chocolate letter typically takes 30 minutes to make and costs W27,000 - W35,000. Other sweet selections include Valentine’s Day heart-shaped cakes (W38,000), cookies (W5,000) and chocolate sets W27,000. intercontinental.com, Grand InterContinental Seoul: 02-559-7653, COEX InterContinental Seoul: 02-3430-8660 10 Magazine February 2010 | 27
If you’re looking for a wine bar with style, sophistication and a wine list with breadth and depth, then this is the place for you. Sure, it’s pricey—but intelligent service, a live jazz band and Apgujeong real estate don’t come cheap. The interior of Vin Ga is designed to emulate a “wine cave” with plenty of brick
The staff here are well-trained, fluent in English, and know how to think on their feet most of the time. The wine list is formidable for the average drinker, but the staff are quick to help out with a recommendation. Classy and refined, this wine bar is all about business. If you’re entertaining clients with expensive tastes, Vin Ga is the perfect choice. Be sure to book ahead for a Friday or Saturday night. It’s easier to drive there, but Vin Ga is also accessible by subway. Take ex. 2 out of Apgujeong St. (line 3) and hang an immediate left, right, and left. Stay on this street until you pass the middle school on
Wine Bar Review and wood and warm lightning. It’s a lovely interpretation of a wine cellar, but it’s a bit short on charm. There are just too many hard surfaces, although the racks of bottles in the cellar are pleasing to the eye. They have a private room available, which could come in handy for tastings with friends or corporate dinners. You can catch a jazz band on Friday and Saturday nights at 9 pm. Thankfully, the performance won’t drown out your conversation. Vin Ga is located in the basement of Duckhorn Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2006 is a sexy wine from the Anderson Valley north of San Francisco. It’s firm and rich with lush cherries and molten density. There are cinnamon, dried herb and orange zest flavours with a hint of cedar. It needs time but is a real treat now. Wine Spectator gave it 90 points and I would agree with that. This good pinot goes for a mean W190,000 a bottle, but it’s worth it if you love Pinot as much as I do.
Vin Ga Podo Plaza in the Apgujeong area of Seoul, which houses the Korean branch of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust wine school, a wine shop and a culinary academy in addition to the wine bar. Vin Ga offers the standard variety of side dishes, salads and cheese and fruit platters. They don’t do dinner; the focus here is on wine after dark. Stick to the basic cheese platter to avoid ridiculous prices.
Shots of R.L. Baldwin
nds, , or your frie d n a b r u o y , “For you open!” the stage is
Take the Stage at Club TA Q Jeon, owner of Hongdae's Club TA, knows his music. Four and a half years ago, perceiving a lack of live clubs in Hongdae, Q opened Live Club TA, named for a Korean term for striking a musical instrument. “There are many nights for clubs and dance music, but live clubs are difficult to run because they don't make the same amount of money,” Q said. “So I opened this bar to help the bands. So many places have no dressing room for performers, 28 | 10 Magazine February 2010
your left and reach the main road. Podo Plaza is the distinctive building just across the street. It’s open from 6 pm to 2 am every day but Sunday. 02-516-1761, Podo plaza 634-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. podoplaza.co.kr by Joshua Hall
bad sound systems, and low pay for the band. I chose this place to give these things to the bands. So many places were just like a black box. I wanted to create a unique atmosphere.” Gesturing to the bar, made up of thousands of shards of variously colored tiles, Q said, “We made this bar ourselves in one night.” Psychedelic tapestries are draped everywhere, and a wide dance floor leads to a tiered open sitting area, sans chairs, creating a welcoming ambiance. Inspired by all the bands starting up around Hongdae these days, Q also runs TA Music School, offering voice and guitar lessons while members of his band teach other instruments. Though the lessons are presently only in Korean, Q hinted that they might offer some in English soon. There are also free acoustic busking nights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. “For you, your band, or your friends,” Q said, “Club TA is open! The stage is open!” To inquire about music lessons, booking and private parties, or upcoming shows, call 011-9033-7568 or visit the club's page at cafe.daum.net/liveclubta (mostly Korean). English information about upcoming shows can be found on koreagigguide.com by Daniel Lenaghan Directions Take a right out of ex. 1 of Sangsu St. (line 6) and follow the main road for about 250 meters. Turn left at the 7-11 and you’ll see Club Ta a few buildings down on your right.
Shots courtesy of Vin Ga
NIGHTLIFE
NIGHTLIFE
The Life of the Party
Interview with Sarah from WhiteNoize & A.N.D. Words by Craig Alderson I recently had the pleasure of attending the White Noize party at Le Nuit Blanche (ex-Club Answer) in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. The host of the event is Sarah (aka Urbanwit), who is determined to offer guests a radically new club experience. For Sarah, a good party isn’t defined by just having a DJ on stage but should also offer new sounds, crazy visuals, and a wickedly cool atmosphere. Given Sarah’s background as an artist trained in photography, design, and urban sociology, you can begin to understand her approach to partying. I caught up with Sarah to get the 10 Magazine lowdown. What inspired you to start VJing and hosting parties here? In London, I used to go to a lot of underground parties with fashion scenesters and loved seeing innovative DJs like 2ManyDJs and Erol Alkan on a regular basis. When I moved to Korea clubs mainly played house and hip hop but I wanted to dance to electro-clash. I started Spektra with DJ Eugene Blake to try to fill that void in the scene, to combine art, music, and fashion in a drunken social space like London has. I wanted to see more creativity in parties here. Korea is still hanging on a bit to the Korean nightclub/booking club culture, but I’m not interested in going to a club to hook up. It’s for the love of music and creative practice.
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To readers who have yet to go to one of your parties, how do you describe the experience of WhiteNoize and A.N.D? The concept for both is based on style, creativity and hedonism. The point is to dress up (and maybe live out your Lady Gaga moment) and dance to music you love. I use the phrase, “Dance like no one is watching, dance like everyone is watching.” If people are dressed crazy, screaming on stage, making out on the dance floor or taking their clothes off, I feel successful! WhiteNoize at Le Nuit Blanche is an energetic party that focuses on new music (nu-disco, electro-house, indie-dance) and fashion. My new underground night & (A.N.D.) at Mansion is darker and hedonistic with crazy visuals (me VJing) and the music is much more experimental, drawing on nu-rave, nudisco, indie dance, and electro house.
What’s planned for 2010? More WhiteNoize and A.N.D. parties, and I’ll continue to practice DJing…and the Korean language. Party Venue Profile What White Noize, A.N.D. (nu-disco, nu-rave, electro) Where White Noize @ Le Nuit Blanche in Cheongdam-dong, A.N.D. @ Mansion in Hongdae Web myspace.com/whitenoizeparty myspace.com/andparty Facebook: WhiteNoize Contact 02-514-4311 (Whitenoize), 02-3143-4037 (A.N.D) Directions Le Nuit Blanche (Cheongdam St. ex 3, opposite Hotel Prima), Mansion (Hongdae St. ex. 5 between By the Way and Bobo Hotel) Party Host in the Spotlight Sarah aka Urbanwit Originally from California, Sarah graduated from both Central St. Martins College of Art & Design and Goldsmiths, University of London. She came to Korea out of an interest in cultural studies in 2006 and currently hosts the WhiteNoize and A.N.D. parties as well as VJing at A.N.D.
www.TonysItaewon.com
Century-Old
Expat Retreat The Seoul Club By Robert Neff
Shots by Ethan James
Seoul Club Facts Founded in 1904 Founded by Emperor Gojong President Gustaf Hakan Borin General Manager/COO Jack E. Deal Members 1498 Nationalities Represented 81 Famous Korean Dining Firsts Pizza, hamburgers, curry and the buffet
10 Magazine February 2010 | 33
Nestled amongst the trees and occupying what has been called “the most beautiful spot on Namsan Mountain” is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious club in Korea - The Seoul Club. Not only that, it also claims to be the only private club in the world founded by an emperor.
The Seoul Club’s Original Home, Jungmyeongjeon of Deoksugung Palace
S
The Beginning
eoul Club’s early histor y is reg ret t ably quite ambiguous because of the destruction of records in a 1925 fire and then more destruction during the Korean War. What we do know is that on February 5, 1903 the Seoul Club was granted its charter from the government of Emperor Gojong. The first officers of the club were President E. Stien, the Russian Consul General and Charge d’Affaires; Treasurer J. L. Chalmers, an Englishman working in Seoul as the Vice-commissioner of Korean Customs; and Secretary J de Lapeyriere, a Frenchman working as an engineer on the French railroad concession from Seoul to the Chinese border. Shortly after its establishment, Emperor Gojong invited the Seoul Club to use Jungmyeongjeon (the library at Deoksoo Palace) for its meetings, ostensibly in an effort to thwart the Japanese occupation of his country. According to Frank Buzyn, a longtime member and former president, the Seoul Club was granted the use of the Jungmyeong jeon because Emperor Gojong “wanted to surround himself with Westerners who could report to the outside world on the Japanese occupation.” The club continued to function until Emperor Gojong 1941, when it was closed after Westerners
34 | 10 Magazine February 2010
in Korea were expelled with the American entry into World War II. Following the liberation of Korea in 1945, Jungmyeongjeon was occupied by the American military government but was returned to the club in 1946. During the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 the US military requisitioned the club for barracks and a military club. In 1955, the Korean military took possession and the members' right of occupancy was challenged. Harold Lady, personal advisor to Suengman Rhee, managed to show the President that the records in the imperial household showed the Emperor’s intention to allow foreigners residing in Seoul exclusive use of the site, and so the Seoul Club was reopened.
The Samil Building and Safari Club
F
rom June 15, 1971 until May 15, 198 0, t he Se ou l Clu b occupied the top two floors of the 31-story Samil Building – at t hat t i me, t he t al le st building in Korea. The Samil Building is named after the anti-Japanese March 1st movement of 1919 – “sam” being “ 3” or “ March ”, and “ il ” meaning “1” - a date chosen to correspond with Emperor Gojong’s funeral. The Samil Building was
inspired by then-President Park Chung-hee, who, according to leading Korea historian Andrei Lankov, “saw tall buildings as the embodiment of technological and economic power.” It was an appropriate location for the Seoul Club. Gradually the membership of the club grew, and members came to realize that not only had they outgrown their two floors, but that they wanted more than a nice view. For a four-year period (May 16, 1980 - February 19, 1984) it was housed in the Chong Kun Dang building near the Shinchon area while the club searched for a permanent location – that search ended in February 1984 when the Seoul Club moved to what was then the Safari Club.
The Samil Building – the biggest one in center, 1971 Image from KTV (한국정책방송원)
“The Seoul Club has become a second home for my wife, children and me with its friendly setting and programs and activities that meet our needs. However, more importantly, it is a place to connect & build personal and professional relationships with folks from all around the world - truly a rare opportunity in Korea”. John Kim Manager Asia North, Hershey’s Chocolate “The Seoul Club is a home away from home for the whole family. The sense of community, both local and global, is remarkable and rewarding.” Joe McDonagh, Global Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide (left), Shown here with Rob Edwards (right) club member and Board of Governors Member
T
Seoul Club’s Second Century
oday’s Seoul Club seeks to build upon its illustrious history. No longer exclusively open to foreign members, regulations keep the ratio at 49% Korean and 51% foreign. Hence, the club has become a spectacular mingling ground for leaders from a variety of fields – from academia to entertainment to captains of industr y. It tr uly offers an international flair for those seeking to mingle with accomplished people from all over the world. And the most recent location of the club has a lot to offer its members. The club’s tennis and squash courts provide a venue for members to competitively work off stress with each other. The swim ming pools ( both indoor and outdoor), sauna, indoor driving range, and fitness center offer not only member interaction but keep members active and healthy. There is even a library for those who just want to curl up with a good book. But what really makes The Seoul Club an expat family’s home away from home are the facilities and activities for children. There is a study room complete with computers, a Youth Activities Center (YAC) and a Childcare Center, allowing parents to enjoy the club while their children are watched over by professionals. In addition there are children’s sporting events, parties and a camp adventure program. The club has also been credited with being a culinary pioneer in a variety of areas, including the introduction of the hamburger, pizza and buffet to Korea. Hee-won Park, a for mer employee with the club from 1957 until 1975, recalls fondly that the club was often referred to as “an academy of Wester n food and beverage service as well as a training center to foster English-speaking service personnel.” Today the club boasts two restaurants and a bar serving some of the best food in Seoul under the watchful supervision of Executive Chef Arnold Kwok, who has earned several prestigious culinary awards including gold medals at the FHA International Salon Culinary in 1988 and 1990. According to Kwok, “Our passion is to create a truly memorable dining experience,” or “culinary journey.” In an effort to be “true to this vision,” he uses the finest ingredients, many of them farmed or fished in
36 | 10 Magazine February 2010
From top: Entrance of the Seoul Club, restaurant The Trio, The Bar, President Hakan Borin lounging by the pool, kids room, pool, golf range, gym, squash court – all in the Seoul Club
Korea. In 2004 Ban Ki-moon, the current Secretary General of the United Nations, described the club as “a small global village” where “everyone is part of a big family… and foreign members of the Club feel as welcome in Korea as they would at home.” The club had, he declared, “transcended national borders.” Seoul Club continues to transcend national borders, with 1,518 members hailing from 81 countries - making it truly one of the most international establishments in Korea. Hakan Borin, the president of Seoul Club, summed it all up when he said, “The spirit of Seoul Club must be to accept and enjoy the flavors and behaviors of different cultures… [and to] learn from each culture and have a global mind.”
“We really enjoy the Seoul Club as a haven to meet friends, have food and drinks around the pool or in the restaurants - Italian night is our favorite. It’s also great for our health, with pilates, yoga classes, workouts at the gym followed by time in the spa.” Bob Edwards & Family Country Chairman, Chevron
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*
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“The Seoul Club is a great multicultural environment that welcomes all professions and nationalities and is supported by an active social and recreational environment.” Philip Roberts (far left) Commercial Director, Coca Cola Shown here with fellow members Robert Klemkosky, Mike Dickinson, and Peter Wood
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To vote, visit 10magazine.asia and click on the link on the right side of the page. 38 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Tchaikovsky: The Mystery of Life and Death See page 48
NATIONWIDE
40
SEOUL
44
GYEONGGI PROVINCE
61
CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE
63
GaNGwon PROVINCE
64
GYEONGSANG PROVINCE
65
JEOLLA PROVINCE
70
JEJU ISLAND
71
NETWORKING CALENDAR
72
NATIONWIDE CALENDAR Sherlock Holmes
NATIONWIDE
Movies Sherlock Holmes Directed by Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes is one of those fastpaced adventure movies that keep you entertained from start to finish. Unlike the original Sherlock Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle, Guy Ritchie (Snatch) has created a character who relies more on his brawns than on his brains. The fun isn’t in trying to solve the mystery, but in going along for the ride. Set in late 19thcentury London, the film has plenty of nostalgic aesthetic appeal: the actors are clad in beautiful Victorian costume, while old-school glamour is evoked through the
use of sepia tone, and non-stop action is delivered through a heavy dose of computer graphics. The film also boasts an all-star cast: Robert Downey Jr. plays the eccentric Mr. Holmes, while Jude Law 40 | 10 Magazine February 2010
by Frances Darwin
is the rational Dr. Watson and Canadian actress Rachael McAdams (The Notebook, Mean Girls) plays Sherlock Holmes’ witty ex-lover. The three of them join forces to try to put an end to an occult plot that threatens British life as they know it. There are enough entertaining fight scenes, cool-looking scientific experiments and witty British banter to make your head spin. The result is Basil the Great Mouse Detective (a Disney classic) meets The Matrix. Good fun.
Thirst (박쥐) Directed by Chan-wook Park Thirst is a sexy slice of cinema. This modern vampire tale easily trumps Hollywood’s cheesy attempts at other fangthemed flicks. Director Chan-wook Park (Old Boy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, Crush and Blush) delivers a visual masterpiece full of swooping crane shots, bursting color and excellent editing. Thirst is not a horror film, although there’s a little violence and a lot of blood. Surprisingly, the story is funny, quirky and touching. The central characters include a disgruntled priest-turned-bloodsucker (Kang-ho Song of The Host), and a victimized Cinderella-turned-vixen (Ok-bin Kim). What begins as an illicit
love affair between two social outcasts morphs into a murdering spree that pulls the plot in too many directions. Despite the middle section of the film playing like a series of disconnected deleted scenes, the film pulls itself together in the end for a spectacular finish. This is a must-see, definitively Korean film.
New This Month Thursday, February 4th
Man on Wire USA/England Philippe Petit, Ardis Campbell; dir. James Marsh. Join Petit for this documentary on how he walked across a wire stretched between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. manonwire.com I Hate Valentine’s Day USA Nia Vardalos, John Corbett; dir. Nia Vardalos. Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, stars of the smash hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, reunite for this Brooklyn tale of unlikely romance. ifcfilms.com/films/i-hate-valentines-day Thursday, February 11th Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs USA Bill Hader, Anna Faris; dir. Phil Lord and Chris Miller. In this adaptation of the beloved children’s book, the residents of a small town try to figure out why food keeps falling instead of rain. sonypictures.com/movies/ cloudywithachanceofmeatballs Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief USA/Canada Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan; dir. Chris Columbus. Percy Jackson thinks his school problems are bad until he has to recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt to prevent mythological mayhem. percyjacksonthemovie.com The Wolfman USA/England Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving; dir. Joe Johnston. In this remake of the classic horror film, Lawrence Talbot returns home to face terrible memories from the past and an even more terrible creature stalking his village. thewolfmanmovie.com One Piece 10: Strong World Japan Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura; dir. Munehisa Sakai.This tenth movie based on the wildly popular One Piece pirate manga series is the first to be scripted by comic writer Eiichiro Oda himself. onepiece-movie.com
Haeundae (해운대) Directed by Je-gyun Yun Haeundae is a typical naturaldisaster movie with a little Korean comedy thrown in. First of all, you’ve got the struggling scientist, trying to warn the world of his crazy (but correct) predictions. Next, you’ve got the shots of the developing crisis, in this case, an earthquake under the East Sea that is about to create a perfect storm…oops, I mean a megatsunami headed straight for Busan’s famous Haeundae beach.
Up in the Air USA George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick; dir. Jason Reitman. George Clooney enjoys his job flying around the country letting people know they’re fired until a plan to reduce expenses threatens to bring him back to earth. theupintheairmovie.com Je Vais Te Manquer (You’ll Miss Me) France Carole Bouquet, Pierre Arditi, Anne Marivin; dir. Amanda Sthers. Six people’s lives (and plotlines) collide, ricochet, and change forever when they meet at an airport. Thursday, February 25th Edge of Darkness USA Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston; dir. Martin Campbell. Homicide detective Thomas Craven’s investigation into his daughter’s death not only uncovers her secrets but also suggests corporate and federal involvement. edge2010.co.kr TBA Shutter Island USA Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer; dir. Martin Scorsese. When US marshal Teddy Daniels looks into the disappearance of a patient from the insane asylum on this barren island, he finds evidence of unethical treatment and far worse. shutterisland.com The Hurt Locker USA Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Ralph Fiennes; dir. Kathryn Bigelow. Avoiding trite political statements, this film depicts the Iraq War through the eyes of the three members of a bomb disposal squad just trying to get their job done. thehurtlocker-movie.com
Then you’re introduced to all the lovable characters whose lives will soon be in jeopardy: couples in love, cute children, caring mothers. Disaster inevitably strikes, but despite the film’s $10.5 million dollar budget, its special effects are akin to painted backdrops and the stop-start animation of 1940s Hollywood. After the emotional string music dies down, the lucky characters that remain alive will look up at the blue sky and see a rainbow stretching over the city. And yes, there really is a rainbow. 10 Magazine February 2010 | 41
NATIONWIDE
Ricky France/Italy Alexandra Lamy, Sergi Lopez; dir. Francois Ozon. Magical realism meets gritty realism in this not-so-typical family drama. rickylefilm.com
Valentine’s Day USA Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher; dir. Garry Marshall. Featuring an all-star cast, the film charts the romantic progress of a group of Los Angelinos on the eponymous holiday. valentinesdaymovie.com
NATIONWIDE CALENDAR
Music
by Michael Berry
NATIONWIDE
Keiko Lee
Balzamic
On Sparrow Hills
Various Artists
Fragile
Balzamic 1st EP
Sony Music Japan
Goodi Company
The Sitting Choir Self-Released
World Music under Northern Songlines/WMD Lights World Music has become one of the brightest stars in the musical firmament over the last couple of decades, and one listen to the collection of artists, styles, and tunes on this compilation will give you a good idea why. Just released via the good graces of the folks at Songlines, the music here runs the gamut from Danish electro-folk (now there’s a subgenre) to Latin beats, Arabian excursions to Klezmer-izing delights, and Oriental intonations to African asides, all performed by myriad world music artists domiciled in Denmark. While everything on the album is lively and compelling, the three freshest, hippest cuts have to be Mames Babagenush’s revved-up Klezmer-fest “Tepliker Sher”; Out Of Phase with “My Muai Thai,” a Chinese/Tibetan/Thai ambient ethno-lounge groove; and “Showe Showe” from Masoud Mohammadi, an invigorating dip into the waters of Kurdish music. There’s bound to be something for all tastes here, and it behooves any serious listener to check this album out.
One of the truisms of jazz is that live music usually resonates more than the recorded variety, although this is by no means axiomatic. Sometimes, a recording is released that captures the emotional force a performer can project outside of a live environment. Keiko Lee’s latest is one of those recordings. This not a dynamic tour-de-force a la John Coltrane, nor is it an exploration of the darker corners of the jazz idiom. Rather, it is a warm, accessible release that captures one of Japan’s premier contemporary female jazz performers in fine fettle indeed. From the first bouncy notes of “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” Fragile takes the listener on a smooth jazz glide through a collection of (mostly) standards that arrive at their destination unsullied by any taint of tedium. Whether voicing the broody mood of “Come Together,” the understated lyricism of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” or the upbeat tonal strides of “Street Life,” Fragile covers all the bases; it may not be complicated, but it certainly works.
This first release from a Korean pop/rock quartet is, at only five tunes, somewhat short for any listener to really get a solid idea of the band’s potential over the long term, but length limitations notwithstanding, does evince a hint or two of promise. The overall sound combines modern pop—and it should be understood that this does not mean the usual K-pop dross—with a curiously retro 60’s feel, held together by a distinctly Korean light electrosoul bond, kind of Cliff Richard and the Shadows meet Asoto Union circa 2003. While this pervades the entire effort, it is most noticeable on “Love Song,” where the vocals best capture the mood. This is also a recording that requires more than a brief listen, as the musical subtleties and vocal strengths are not always immediately apparent. The band does provide enough of a foundation upon which to build something more expansive, so it will be interesting to see what their follow-up offers.
The very first thing that strikes the listener when this truly DIY album plays—before he or she notices the soaring sound, well-crafted musical delivery and definitive tune-smithing—is just how good the production is. On Sparrow Hills is a new addition to the ever-growing legions of local expat bands here in Seoul, and this sextet is definitely worth a look-see. The music fairly leaps out of the speakers and gives the gonads a serious shaking! This is a superior effort all-round; it is original in presentation, production, and scope, and the influences that can be ascertained – Canadian indie/ alt rock (“Thimble,” “Spread The Table”), Brit rock a la Claytown Troupe (“Order Up”), and Neil Young (“Twist The Dials”)—combine to deliver what can only be described as a fresh, dynamic take on an often overburdened genre. Since it is a self-released debut CD, you’ll have to contact the band to get a copy at onsparrowhills@gmail.com. Do it - the sooner the better!
Books The Elegance of the Hedgehog Muriel Barbery
42 | 10 Magazine February 2010
by Charles Montgomery
Sometimes you want to sit down at a café with a Gauloise, a cup of espresso and a book. You open the book and your plans change – you pour your coffee on the book, stub the cigarette out in the sodden mess and order a whiskey, possibly two. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is that kind of book. Alternately precious and pretentious, it features a solipsistic hotel concierge and a precocious (annoying) composite of Holden Caulfield and Harold from Harold and Maude,
placed in the body of a 12 year-old girl. These characters share a loathing of their social superiors, at the same time carefully cultivating their own sense of superiority. Written by French philosopher-novelist Muriel Barbery, this book has the lightness and airy wit often characteristic of philosophy and the deep thoughts and bon mots one associates with popular novels. You might need a third whiskey. 325 pages, W18,000
Living Dangerously in Korea Donald N. Clark
Here is a book to keep you happily in your café, drinking coffee and smoking that cigarette. Clark has turned an unknown and potentially dry slice of history into an intriguing account of the experiences of
stories, played out against the broader historical background, make compelling reading. 455 pages, W30,000
Just After Sunset: Stories Stephen King
What can you say about Stephen King? The Energizer Bunny of literature, he just keeps on going and going. Just After Sunset is his first collection of short stories in six years, and it delivers just what you expect but with the
Gear A friend of mine recently suffered a terrible loss: the death of their hard drive along with all their precious memories. It was after this incident that I began to ponder the idea of how to avoid such problems occurring again. The answer is simple - eliminate the need to rely on a computer’s hard drive by properly utilizing a selection of websites that can assist you in backing up your data. The advantages of data storage are that you can access your information any place you can get on the web without having to worry about losing information if something happens to your computer. It also allows you to easily share your information with your friends. Here is a list of what and where:
by Alaric Willi your documents, upload and export various formats including Microsoft Office formats, while sharing, collaborating and publishing your documents. Photos flickr.com is undoubtedly the world’s most popular photo sharing site. While the standard free membership only offers 100MB of photos a month, the pro account ($24.95 a year) gives unlimited uploads and the ability to download the original version of your photo for later use. You can also edit photos with an online Photoshop clone at pixlr.com
Word processing and spreadsheets
docs.google.com has almost the entire Microsoft Office suite for free and then some. You can centrally manage all
advantage of brevity, for which King is seldom noted in his novels. The stories range from gross-outs (imagine a portapotty as a birth canal) through pulp, to nearly philosophical ruminations. A devoted reader of King might have seen many of these stories—at least one dates back 30 years and many others have been published in magazines—but the convenience of having them in one volume, and the quality of the stories, makes this book a good purchase for a fan of the horror genre or of general fiction. In addition, the book includes King’s brief descriptions of the inspiration for each story, insights that fans might find interesting. 367 pages, W28,560
Organizer/calendar google.com/calendar is a no-nonsense organizer. It’s geared towards effectively getting the job done and allows you to attach files from Google documents.
Data Large data storage is something you are probably going to have to pay for. There are sites out there that will do it for free, but you may risk losing the data. Only paid-for storage can offer you the security and longevity for your data. sugarsync.com offers a range of plans starting from $4.99 month, and box.net can provide an unlimited data storage plan at $25/month. An alternative to this is to use the good old-fashioned method of keeping your data on a USB flash drive. These are relatively cheap and rarely fail.
While there are plenty of alternatives to the above, I have suggested the most reliable, easy-to-use websites. Storing your information on a new website with great prospects is fine until the website closes down or the server crashes. In the digital age, we keep most of our information on computers. Using the above tools, you can be sure that your data and memories won’t suffer at the hands of bad luck– and you’ll learn some new tricks along the way.
nationwide Hotlines Emergency Police Directory Assistance Medical Information Center
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This is a 24-hour, nationwide hospital information service available in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
Foreigner Assistance/Translation BBB 24-hour Language Assistance 1588-5644 KTO Tourism 24-hr Infoline 1330 Korea Immigration immigration.go.kr, 1345 Korean Customs customs.go.kr, 1577-8577 Seoul Dasan (City Info) 02-120
Transportation Asiana flyasiana.com, 1588-8000 Busan Air flyairbusan.com, 1588-8009 Jeju Air jejuair.net, 1599-1500 Korean Air koreanair.com, 1588-2001 Intercity Express Bus kobus.co.kr, 1588-6900 Korea Railroad Corp. korail.com, 1544-7788 Seoul Interactive Subway Map smrt.co.kr Mobeom Taxi Service Nationwide 1588-2255 The nationwide “black taxi” number will put you in touch with a driver who speaks English, but these taxis cost about twice as much as taxis from the rest of the color spectrum. Otherwise call 1330 for regular taxis in your area.
Investment Assistance KOTRA kotra.or.kr, 02-3460-7114 Invest Korea investkorea.org, 02-3460-7545
Korean Banks The following are the only banks that offer English online banking and international debit cards. Korea Exchange Bank (KEB 외환은행) keb.co.kr, 02-729-0114 SC First Bank (SC 제일은행) scfirstbank.com, 02-3702-3114
Major Foreign Banks American Express americanexpress.co.kr, 02-2000-8100 Australia & New Zealand Banking Group 02-3700-3100 China Construction Bank ccbseoul.com, 02-6730-1718 Citibank citibank.co.kr, 02-3455-2114 Deutsche Bank 02-724-4500 Bank of America 02-2202-4500 Bank of China 02-399-0368 BNP Paribas bnpparibas.co.kr, 02-317-1700 HSBC 02-311-0060 Websites shown are specifically for the Korean branches of listed foreign banks.
Pizza Delivery Order Nationwide English-speaking Service Domino’s Pizza 1577-3082 Papa John’s Pizza 1577-8080 Pizza Hut 1588-5588 Got an idea for info that should be added to our Newcomer Directory ? Send it to comments@10magazine.asia
10 Magazine February 2010 | 43
NATIONWIDE
the handful of Westerners (primarily Protestant missionaries) who lived in Korea in the first 50 years of the 20th century. While this book is of interest to students of Korean history, it is to Clark’s credit that a reader with no knowledge of Korea or its history will also find it entertaining. Clark weaves personal histories with an abundance of historical documents that illuminate those dramatic times, essentially the period of Japanese colonization of Korea. These missionaries were the sole Western “eyes and ears” in Korea during this era (with the exception of World War II when Japan expelled them), and their
Foodie Finds
SEOUL
We’ll Always Have Le Saint-Ex Words and shots by Joe McPherson
L’
amour is in the air. Actually, it’s too cold to feel anything. Valentine’s Day is approaching with the added romantic holiday, White Day next month. Those are some of the busiest days in the restaurant industry. What you need for that special evening is a warm, cozy place with intimate lighting and exquisite cuisine. The classic choice is Le Saint-Ex, the French bistro that has been the Itaewon restaurant row mainstay since before there was a restaurant row. Small without being cramped. Refined without being stuffy. And while other restaurants are eager to fleece you for a sad gray piece of steak, Le Saint-Ex has decent prices for what it offers. It’s hardly a bargain but it’s definitely not a rip off. Main dishes range from W20,000 to W40,000, and at the top end are over-the-top steaks with foie gras. They also have a lunch set at W17,000 that includes dessert and coffee. The trick with Le Saint-Ex is that it’s run like a real bistro. The menu changes weekly, and it’s only written on a blackboard. For the courtesy of others, it’s best to peruse the menu outside before entering the restaurant because you don’t want to hog the blackboard at your table in indecision while others are waiting. Because the menu rotates with the season, it’s difficult to recommend any single item. The fish dishes are hearty, as well as the pork. Salads are given some good weight with winedrenched escargot and cheeses that are almost contraband in Korea. All of these are befriended by addictive baguettes from Gillaume which employ French organic flour and natural yeast fermentation. You can really tell the difference. 44 | 10 Magazine February 2010
The absolute treat is the dessert table, which is the centerpiece of the dining room. Just sidle up and choose from a gorgeous array of desserts that would make Willy Wonka bawl out in joy. A popular mainstay with couples is the floating island, custard topped by a ball of poached meringue with a glassy caramel coating poured on top. The crystalline caramel adds a little fun when you eat it with someone else, and it tastes like campfiretoasted marshmallows, especially with the pillowy meringue and eggy custard. Be sure to balance that with a cup of their strong coffee. Le Saint-Ex is intimate yet popular. You absolutely need reservations at dinner time. They speak English and only take reservations over the phone. Book ahead, especially if it’s for one of the romantic days. 10 Magazine reimburses reviewers for their meals and never notifies restaurants that they will be reviewed.
English and Korean menus Not permitted Some veggie options
Everyday 12 – 3 pm, 6 – 9:30 pm (warm dishes), 9:30 – 12 am (drinks and desserts)
There are a few steps
Reservation necessary, especially for dinner
W20,000 to 40,000 plus wine
02-795-2465 (English spoken)
The authentic romantic French bistro experience
Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 119-28 Seoul
Can feel cramped and rushed when busy
lesaintex.com
Chocolate + Romance
SEOUL
Looking for something different yet romantic? The Passion5 bakery, in the large black building next to Toque in Itaewon, has got a second floor café that has sophistication without the stuffiness. Try the great array of treats from downstairs or one of the Mediterranean-inspired morsels, like the vegetable terrine—a petit flavor bomb that gives you a hint of the summer that is on its way. You must try the Chocolate Chou. It’s a three-stage hot chocolate for W10,000 that includes a little chocolate to drop in and mix half way through and some vials of rum and kirsch to finish it off. 02-2071-9505
Tapas for You, Tapas for Me Spain Club is a Japaneseowned tapas bar just off the main drag of Garosu-gil, near Sinsa St. They import most of their ingredients, and their wine menu is humongoid. Two very expensive Spanish ham hocks greet you as you walk in the door.
Those are the prize items and the priciest but oh, so worth it. Yummy and affordable tapas are the white anchovies in vinegar, the queso platter and an oceany paella. Prices can make it steep, so don’t eat here for the main meal. It makes for a good 2-cha. 02-515-1118
Some Cheeky Korean
There’s a new Korean BBQ restaurant in Itaewon behind the Hamilton Hotel with some serious chutzpah. On a street that’s now famous for international eateries, Maple Tree House (단풍 나무집) has stepped in to be the lone Korean restaurant amongst Italian bistros, tapas bars and curry places. Perhaps even gutsier for lacking an English menu, it is still easy to choose your cuts from their picture-menu. They boast the rare pig cheek (prized by gourmands), top-quality sirloin and a great wine list, for those who enjoy more than just samgyeopsal and soju. Plus the interior sports a classy indoor tree-lined decor, copper tables and gorgeous tableware. The focus of the meal here is quality cuts of pork and beef, easy on the banchan (side dishes) - until you order the soup course, when out comes a half dozen of your free-refill favorites. If you want more side dishes with your meats, order the soup sooner. 02-790-7977 10 Magazine February 2010 | 45
SEOUL CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK Through March 7th Art
Love and Pop Art Exhibit
SEOUL So you say you didn’t get your fill of pop art at the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Seoul Museum of Art (p.47)? Then check out this exhibit with five of pop art’s most representative figures: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Indiana, Tom Wesselmann, and Keith Haring. 63 Sky Art is located on the 60th floor of the 63 Building in Yeouido near Yeouinaru St. (line 5, ex. 4). 10 am - 10 pm. Adults W12,000, teens W11,000, children W10,000. 63.co.kr, 02-789-5663
Design & Fashion Through March 7th Seoul Design Assets Exhibition Since Seoul is the World Design Capital this year, it’s only appropriate for an exhibit to focus on how Seoul’s design has changed and matured during its six centuries. Section titles include the Image of Life, Changes in Space, and Assets for the Future. Seoul History Museum. Weekdays 9 am – 9 pm, weekends 9 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. Adults W700, children. museum.seoul.kr, 02-120
Art Through February 7th Myeong-deok Ju Photography Exhibit Focusing on landscape shots taken by Ju over the last three years. Daelim Contemporary Art Museum near Gyeongbokgung St. (line 3, ex. 4). 10 am – 6 pm. daelimmuseum.org, 02-720-0667
46 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Myeong-deok Ju’s Landscape Photography Browse through Ju’s Korean landscape photographs from the 60s to the present. Daelim Contemporary Art Museum near Gyeongbokgung St. (line 3, ex. 4). 10 am – 6 pm. daelimmuseum.org, 02-720-0667 Through February 16th How to Appreciate Sculpture Offering different artistic takes on the human body by twenty-one master sculptors. Seoul Museum of Art Annex near Sadang St. (line 2, ex. 6). 10 am – 8 pm. Sat & Sun 10 am – 6 pm. seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr, 02-120 Through February 21st Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Frescoes Italian frescoes painted by Raphael, Da Vinci, Giotto, and other masters transformed the art world of the time and are still admired as classics. Through new techniques, the frescos that were once literally stuck to the walls they were painted on are now
© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / SACK, Seoul, 2009
St. (line 3), ex. 5. 11 am – 7 pm. Adults W13,000, teens W9,000, children W7,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1301
movable. These 51 frescos by 21 artists are on display at a museum for the first time in history at the Seoul Art Center. 11 am – 7 pm. Fri till 9 pm. Closed Mon 1/25. Adults W13,000, teens W10,000, children W8,000. frescoart.co.kr, 02-3471-2020
Jin-kyu Kwon Exhibit 160 pieces by this pioneering contemporary sculptor. Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksugung Palace branch. City Hall St. (line 1, ex. 2). Closed Mon. 10 am – 5 pm. Sat 10 am – 8 pm. Adults W5,000, teens W3,500, children W2,000. moca.go.kr, 02-2022-0600 Through March 1st Bologna Picture Book Illustrators Exhibit The illustration contest at the yearly book fair in Bologna is the biggest competition in the field. See the original winning entries at the Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3), ex. 5. 11 am – 7 pm. Adults W10,000, students W7,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1301 Through March 28th
Masterpieces from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Including drawings, paintings, and sculptures by artists from Monet to Picasso collected over the course of the museum’s 130 years of history. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal
SEOUL
Through February 28th Indian Mythology Exhibit An excellent chance to see how folk paintings on Hindu themes vary by region. Cheonggyecheon Museum. Weekdays 9 am – 9 pm. weekend 9 am - 6 pm. Closed Monday. Free. cgcm.go.kr, 02-2286-3410
The Grand World of Andy Warhol The work of Andy Warhol unfolds before you with 210 pieces on loan from the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, including images of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and the Campbell’s Soup series. Seoul Museum of Art near City Hall St. (line 1 and 2), ex. 10. Weekdays 10 am – 9 pm, weekend 10 am – 7 pm. Adults W12,000, teens W10,000, children W8,000. warhol.co.kr, 02-548-8690 Georges Roualt: The Sacred and the Profane 170 pieces from the holdings of the Pompidou Center in Paris. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3), ex. 5. Adults W12,000, teens W9,000, children W8,000. 11 am – 7 pm. sac.or.kr, 02-588-8421
Theater & Dance Open-run Nonverbal Performances
Drawing Show Is it an art exhibit or a performance? As fun to watch as it is hard to classify, the drawing show is, simply put, a dramatic presentation of the process of drawing. Held at the Drawing Show Theater in Daehangno in Seoul (Hyehwa Station, exit 1). Weekdays 8 pm. Sat 4 pm, 7 pm. Sun 3 pm, 6 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W30,000, children W20,000. cafe.daum.net/drawingshow, drawingshow@gmail.com, 02-766-7848 The Ballerina Who Loved a B-Boy You may not buy the story of the would-be ballerina who gives up her dreams to join the b-boy street dancer she falls for, but you’re sure to enjoy this genre-bending mash-up of breakdance and ballet. Lotte World Art Hall at Jamsil St. (line 2). Tue - Thu 8 pm, Fri 5 & 8 pm, Sat 3 & 6 pm. Dark Mondays. W50,000. showbboy.com, 02-2266-3727 Battle B-Boy Romance at a dance tournament serves as the setting for this exhibition of enormous energy, awesome dance routines, and soaring aerial moves. Hongdae. Tue - Fri 8 pm Sat 6 pm, Sun 2 pm. W50,000. Sadly, the website is poorly designed and is in Korean only. sjbboys.com, 02-323-5233
– Expires February 28th –
Bubble World Though geared toward younger children, anyone can enjoy this creative presentation of bubbles, fans,
10 Magazine February 2010 | 47
SEOUL CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 4th – 7th Theater & Dance
Tchaikovsky: The Ballet
SEOUL
Marakech Night Restaurant
Itaewon’s Finest Moroccan Cuisine with Rhiti Mostafa former chef for the Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Weekend buffet only W17,000! Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Hamilton Hotel
Itaewon Hotel
Noksapyeong Itaewon St. Exit.3
Hannam-dong Fire Station
Marakech Night Cheil Restaurant Communications Building
02-795-9441, marakechnight.co.kr 48 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Tchaikovsky wrote plenty of popular ballets, including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, but this is perhaps the first ballet written about Tchaikovsky. Using music from his ballets and symphonies, Tchaikovsky: The Mystery of Life and Death expresses on stage the man on his deathbed as he wrestles with artistic frustrations and repressed homosexuality. Choreographed by Boris Eifman and performed by the Korea National Ballet. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). W5,000 – W120,000. sac.or.kr, 02-587-6181 lighting, and lasers. Myungbo Art Hall in Jongno. Wed 3 pm, Thu & Fri 3 pm & 8 pm, weekend 2 & 4:30 pm (and 8 pm on Sat). bubbleworld.co.kr, 02-2263-9742 Fanta-stick With cursed ghost princesses and the drum of the gods, this slapstick nonverbal show is a bit much for adults but offers young ones lots of laughs. And since it’s at the 63 building in Yeouido, you can stop by the wax museum, theater, and aquarium while you’re there. Tue - Sun 8 pm. W32,000 - W50,000. No English site. fanta-stick.co.kr, 02-789-5664 Jump First performed in 2003, this nonverbal show combines a comic story
with martial arts moves and impressive visuals. See what happens when a handsome stranger and a couple of mischievous thieves drop in on a traditional Korean family. W40,000 – W50,000. 02-722-3995 Heart of the East and Todes Two shows in one, the first 30 minutes is an exciting performance of Korean traditional dance and song, including the fan dance and samulnori, culminating in an impressive coordinated drum show. Then for the next hour and half an over two-dozen member dance team from Russia comes out and performs breathtaking numbers put together by renowned choreographer Alla Duhova. sheratonwalkerhill.co.kr/eng/promotion/ show_new_info.php, 02-455-5000
him has been performed in numerous countries in Europe and Asia. Sejong Center near Gwanghwamun St. (line 5, ex. 8). Weekdays 8 pm, Weekends 3 and 7 pm. Dark Mondays. W20,000 – W130,000. musicalmozart.co.kr, 02-6391-6333 Through April 25th
Nanta This kitchen percussion extravaganza is the non-verbal stage show that nearly everyone sees at least once. Two Seoul locations and performances almost daily. Refer to the website for directions and performance details. W50,000 – W60,000. nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/en/index. asp, 02-739-8288
SEOUL
Miso Chongdong Theater, one of the best places to experience Korean culture, presents “Miso,” a story of one woman’s encounter with love told through traditional dance, percussion, and music. Located City Hall Station. 8 pm. W20,000 – W40,000. Refer to the English site for more info. http:// www.chongdong.com/chongdong_ english/index.asp, 02-7511-500
All That Jazz: The Musical American jazz standards and New York scenery the way Koreans see them. Chungmu Art Hall, Sindang St. (line 6, ex. 9). Tue – Fri 8 pm, Sat – Sun 3 and 7 pm. W35,000 – W45,000. cmah.or.kr, 02-3141-3025 February 5th – 7th Collar: The Dance See Pasa Dance Company’s meditation on predestined meetings. Arko Arts Theater, Hyehwa St. (line 4, ex. 2). Fri 8 pm, Sat and Sun 5 pm. W10,000 – W50,000. arko.or.kr, 02-2263-4680
Pan Deok-su Kim, the producer of this performance, is the guy who brought us the creative clatter of Samulnori. “Pan” is your chance to hear a unique combination of Korean folk songs, minstrel music, and percussion of all varieties. Located at the Gwanghwamun Art Hall. Weekdays at 7:30 pm, weekends at 4 pm, closed Mon and Tue. 90 min. W30,000 – W50,000. ghmarthall.co.kr, 02-722-3416
February 10th – 11th
Sa-Choom Meaning “dance when you are in love,” Sa-Choom is an exciting non-verbal dance performance telling the story of three friends’ coming of age. Tue – Fri 8 pm. Sat 4 pm and 7:30 pm. Sun 4 pm. W50,000. lovedance.co.kr/eng/01_sachoom/ sub01.html, mr4u@nate.com, 070-8249-3023
Grease: The Musical The same slicked-back hair, the same nostalgic songs, and all of it in Korean. Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park. 8 pm. W30,000 - W60,000. kspo.or.kr/olpark, 02-779-1595
Through February 15th Man of La Mancha: The Musical Imagine Don Quixote’s ridiculous romanticism, and now translate that into Korean. LG Arts Center by Yeoksam St. (line 2, ex. 7). Weekdays 8 pm, Sat 3 & 7 pm, Sun 2 & 6 pm. Dark Mondays. W40,000 – W110,000. lgart.com, 02-2005-0114 Through February 21st Mozart! The Musical This Austrian musical which depicts Mozart trying to break free from the adults who control and manipulate
February 11th Here From Nowhere #1: The Dance Experimental dance pieces by the five choreographers of Dance Project E.X.P. National Theater of Korea. Shuttle available from Dongguk Univ. St. (line 3, ex. 6). 7:30 pm. W10,000. ntok.go.kr, 02-2280-4114 February 19th – March 28th Rainman: The Play Based on the blockbuster movie, it attempts to translate Dustin Hoffman’s unforgettable acting to the stage. Korean. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). Tue, Thu, Fri 8 pm, Wed 3 pm, Sat 3 and 7 pm, Sun 2 and 6 pm. Closed
10 Magazine February 2010 | 49
SEOUL CALENDAR Mon. W26,400 – W88,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
February 4th
February 20th The Shorts Show Leave your pants on, folks—the shorts here refer to six 20 minute short performances by six different groups, shown here for the first time. W5,000 for a thrilling night of theater. Roofers in Itaewon. roots.korea@gmail.com
SEOUL
February 21st Bellydance Evolution An all-star cast featuring Middle Eastern dancers and musical artists brings to life characters like Medusa, Apollo, and Aphrodite at this theatrical show. Seoul Education Culture Center in Gangnam. 8-10 pm. topbelly.com, 02-2042-5557 February 23th – 24th Exploring Korean Dance with Ji-yeong Lee Learn about the meaning and importance of traditional Korean dance. Korean ability required. National Theater of Korea. Shuttle available from Dongguk Univ. St. (line 3, ex. 6). 7:30 pm. W30,000. ntok.go.kr, 02-924-1365 February 26th – 28th Disposable Hero: The Dance As performed by Poop Powder Dance Troupe (we’re not kidding, folks). Arko Arts Theater, Hyehwa St. (line 4, ex. 2). Fri 8 pm, Sat and Sun 7 pm. Adults W15,000, teens W13,000. arko.or.kr, 02-760-4840
A 10 Magazine Quiz Why should you sign up for the Weekly 10? a. To find something fun to do this week. b. To experience more of Korea. c. To win prizes like restaurant gift certificates and tickets to concerts and exhibits. d. All of the above Hear about the 10 best events happening this week in Korea with The Weekly 10, the email update we send out each week. To sign up, visit our website at 10magazine. asia and click on the link on the right side of the page. 50 | 10 Magazine February 2010
February 27th – March 20th 爾 Yi: The Play Named for a Chinese character meaning “you,” Yi is based off the story of The King and the Clown. Set in the Joseon dynasty, a handsome entertainer enters a dangerous homosexual liaison with the Korean king. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). Weekdays 8 pm, Sat 3 and 7 pm, Sun 2 and 6 pm. Dark Mon. W40,000 – W60,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 February 27th – March 14th King Cherry Orchard: The Play Ladder Movement Productions presents Chekov’s famous play The Cherry Orchard retooled for the Korean stage. Arko Arts Theater, Hyehwa St. (line 4, ex. 2). Fri 8 pm, Sat 3 and 7 pm, Sun 3 pm. W20,000 – W25,000. arko.or.kr, 02-889-3561
Concerts February 2nd Koreana Chamber Music Society Featuring chamber music by Beethoven, Mahler, and Bruckner. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W10,000 – W20,000. sac.or.kr, 02-515-5123 February 2nd Seoul National Symphony Part of the continuing Masters Series, this concert features pieces by Beethoven. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W20,000 – W100,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra The program features Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 and Mahler’s The Song of the Earth. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W10,000 – W50,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 February 5th
KBS Symphony Orchestra Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman, Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, and Brahms’ Symphony No 1 in C minor. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W20,000 – W55,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 February 6th Carsick Cars Chinese indie band Carsick Cars (carsickcars.com) kick off their first Korean tour this month. The threemember Beijing-based outfit have transformed China’s indie music scene since they formed in 2005. Club DGBD/Drug in Hongdae. W20,000 in advance, W24,000 at the door. supercolorsuper.com, supercolorsuper@gmail.com Fair Concert To Help Cambodia Do your bit to bring justice to the world through the Fair Concert series. Revenue generated at these concerts will be used by Food for the Hungry International (FHI) to dig wells for impoverished Cambodians. Modl Theater in Daehangno (Hyehwa St. line 4). 7 pm. W10,000 fairconcert.com February 6th and 20th Winter Tour of Korean Traditional Music Feb 6th: Museum. Feb 20th: Eun-seon Jang. Namsan. Adults W20,000, teens W10,000. 5 pm. sejongpac.or.kr, 02-2261-0513 February 7th Chamber Gala Concert Commentary on a variety of shorter pieces provided by noted conductor Nan-sae Geum. Seoul Art Center near
EDITOR’S PICK February 6th – 7th Concerts
Whitney Houston
SEOUL
Remarkable both for her talent and life story, Whitney Houston continues to enchant listeners with her pop-gospel vocal stylings that extend over an incredible five-octave vocal range. Twenty-five years have passed since the release of her self-titled debut album, in which time she has sold 170 million albums, singles, and videos. Come see this dazzling diva and hear her powerful voice at Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park. 7 pm. W70,000 – W180,000. kspo.or.kr/olpark, 1566-1369 Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 2:30 pm. W20,000 – W100,000. sac.or.kr, 02-3473-8744
The Music of Final Fantasy We guarantee the music will sound better on stage than it did through your Playstation speakers. The Eurasian Philharmonic Orchestra performs with Arnie Roth conducting. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W33,000 – W99,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
February 9th Seoul Symphony Orchestra Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 in D minor and Francis Poulenc’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Pianos with Seong-mi Park and So-yeong Yun performing. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). sac.or.kr, 02-523-3935 February 11th Great 3B Series: Beethoven Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto and 7th Symphony. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W20,000 – W40,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 February 12th Valentine’s Day Concert A romantic selection of songs by Brahms, Liszt, and others. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W30,000 – W60,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
Executive Chef Sebastiano Giangregorio, the best ingredients, the gracious Italian hospitality and the sophisticated atmosphere make dining at Antonio an evening to remember. Join us for Live Jazz Performances Tuesday — Saturday starting at 7:30 and Sunday at 1 o’clock.
Gangnam-gu Cheongdam-dong 93-8 Tel 02-3443-4333 www.antonios.kr 10 Magazine February 2010 | 51
SEOUL CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 6th Concerts
The Killers
SEOUL The American alternative rock band who have rocked the charts worldwide since the release of their first album Hot Fuss in 2004 will perform at Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park. Since the band announced recently that they plan to take a break starting at the end of February, this may be your last chance to see them for some time. 7 pm. W77,000 – W99,000. kspo.or.kr/olpark, 1544-1555 February 16th Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W30,000 – W150,000. sac.or.kr, 02-6002-6290 February 17th
Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 Inspired Passion Chamber Orchestra Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 2:30 pm. W10,000 – W50,000. sac.or.kr, 02-587-5961 Korean Philharmonic Pops Orchestra National Theater of Korea. Shuttle available from Dongguk Univ. St. (line 3, ex. 6). 7:30 pm. Free. ntok.go.kr, 02-2280-4114
Berlin High Music Academy Featuring soprano Ye-ri Seo, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (Berlin High Music Academy) performs Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major and Violin Concerto in D Minor. LG Arts Center by Yeoksam St. (line 2, ex. 7). 8 pm. W40,000 – W80,000. lgart.com, 02-2005-0114 February 20th Catholic Choir Seoul Art Center near Nambu
52 | 10 Magazine February 2010
February 21st Do Make Say Think in Concert You know something unusual is going down when there are more members in the band than tracks on the album. Nine-member post-rock ensemble Do Make Say Think supports their 6th full-length (and four-track) album Other Truths with this rocking show at V-Hall in Hongdae. Contact SuperColorSuper for more info. domakesaythink.com, supercolorsuper@gmail.com
www.stickyfingers.co.kr Contact Yoon Park 02-542-9274
No Butter, No Milk, No Egg No Trans Fat February 23rd
Chicago
February 23rd Baritone Dong-gyu Kim In his “To Beautiful You” concert, you can expect Kim to put his signature touch on classic opera arias, pop songs, and traditional tunes from all over the world. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W30,000 – W100,000. sac.or.kr, 02-2650-7481 Violinist Christian Tetzlaff LG Arts Center by Yeoksam St. (line 2, ex. 7). 7:30 pm. W30,000 – W70,000. lgart.com, 02-2005-0114 February 24th
Love Room Concert “Love Room” refers to a room reserved for guests in old Korean houses (and not to something you might find in a love motel). National Theater of Korea. Shuttle available from Dongguk Univ. St. (line 3, ex. 6). 7:30 pm. ntok.go.kr, 02-2280-4114 February 26th Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra A thrilling performance of Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville, Brahms’ 1st Piano Concerto in D Minor, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W10,000 – W70,000. sac.or.kr, 031-230- 3290
100% Vegan Bakery from Washington D.C. t 4IJOTFHZF %FQBSUNFOU 4UPSFT @ Myungdong (B1) @ Gyeonggi (B1) t )ZVOEBJ %FQBSUNFOU 4UPSFT @ Mokdong (B2), @ COEX (B1) t -PUUF %FQBSUNFOU 4UPSF @ Gangnam, @Jamsil t ", 1MB[B @ Bundang
Three locations serving original Turkish kebab. The healthy fast food. Enjoy your meal guilt free! Enjoy
Itaewon Main Branch: 127-28 Itaewon-dong Yongsan-gu 02-749-3890 Jongro Branch: 1F, 42 Jongro-1ga Jongro-gu (Jonggak St. Ex #1) 02-730-4418 Nakseongdae Branch: 1687-23 Bongcheong-dong Gwanak-gu All in Seoul (Nakseongdae St. Ex #8) 09-887-8555
February 27th
Backstreet Boys The group that sold millions of records back in the late 90s on the strength of monster ballads like “Quit Playing Games with My Heart,” “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life,” the Backstreet Boys have remained a musical force long after most expected them to leave the stage. Their style may have changed and original member Kevin Richardson may have bowed out, but the boys (men?) dance on to the crowd’s delight. Ax-Hall near Gwangnaru St. (line 5, ex. 2). 8 pm. W110,000. ax-korea.com, 1544-1555 Pop-opera Singer Rose Jang Called “world diva” and selected as one of Korea’s good will ambassadors, US-born Rose Jang continues to gain popularity. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W30,000 – W200,000. sac.or.kr, 02-585-5587 February 25th Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Hear Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks by Richard Strauss, Symphony No. 7 by Shostakovich, and Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major by Haydn. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W10,000 – W50,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
Dong-hyeok Lim Piano Recital Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 8 pm. W30,000 – W100,000. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 Seoul Spring Concert Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 2:30 pm. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300 February 28th Arirang Pops Orchestra In this concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding, the Arirang Pops Orchestra presents a mix of Western and Korean songs. Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). 2:30 pm. sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
Family & Community Through February 15th Gwanghwamun Plaza Ice Skating Rink Seoul’s outdoor ice skating rink has moved from City Hall Plaza to Gwanghwamun Plaza near
10 Magazine February 2010 | 53
SEOUL
Long after most bands have faded away with dignity (or fallen apart amid bitter feuding), pop-rock band Chicago keeps going strong. Remarkably, after 43 years and 32 albums, four of the seven founding band members are still with the project. The band got started in Chicago in 1967 and set off on their journey toward 11 number one hits, 25 platinum albums, and over 100,000,000 records sold. They’re a splendid testament to musical passion and the belief that the beat goes on. Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park. 8 pm. W55,000 - W165,000. kspo.or.kr/olpark, 02-3446-3226
SEOUL CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK Through February 15th Family & Community
Seoul Plaza Winter Story
Gwanghwamun St. (line 5) and increased in size from 2,100m2 to 2,250m2. The expanded facilities even accommodate ice sledding. 10 am – 10 pm. W1,000. 02-120
SEOUL
“Movie and the Star” Wax Exhibit You may not be able to drool over your favorite divas in real life, but these wax models are the next best thing. The 120 wax replicas of stars like Beyonce and Madonna, formerly on display at the Movieland Museum in the USA, are now at COEX at Samsung St. (line 2). 10 am – 7 pm. Adults W15,000, minors W13,000. The Korean website is very literally a Korean website: 월드스타체험전.com. coex.co.kr, 1544-1555 Seoul Zoo Warm Winter Journey Normally the animals go inside when it gets cold out, but starting this winter the Seoul Zoo has installed heating systems to allow orangutans, gorillas, and other animals to stay outdoors all year round. Just south of Seoul near Seoul Grand Park St. (line 4). grandpark.seoul.go.kr, 1644-7200
How many chances will you have to visit Antarctica? Head over to Seoul Plaza near City Hall St. (line 1 and 2) to check out this replica of the Sejong Research Base operated by Korean scientists in the southernmost continent. Experience a day in the life of an Antarctic researcher and see an aurora australis (southern lights) display. Seoul Plaza. 11 am – 9 pm. culture. seoul.go.kr/winterstory, 02-120
54 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Through February 21st Supia White Festival Christmas is past and the wintry weather is gone (fingers crossed), but you can bring back the holiday mood with a daytrip to Supia Four Seasons Park at the Ttukseom Han River Park. For winter, Supia offers a variety of activity zones including Frozen Town for sledding, building a snowman, and other outside fun, Bright Town for
seeing Christmas decorations, and Play Town for enjoying 3d movies and hands-on activities. Ttukseom Resort St. (line 7) 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W5,000, teens W4,000, children W3,000. supiapark.com, 02-761-8204 Through February 28th Do You Look Like King Sejong? It’s good to be king, even if only for a minute or two. Don the royal robes next to the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul (Gwanghwamun St., line 5). If you think you’re monarch material, submit a picture online and let the judges decide. 10 am – 5 pm. v isitseoul.net, 02-120 Kokomong’s Green Playground Based on the EBS eco-conscious popular cartoon “Kokomong in Refrigerator Land,” this might be called a playground with an agenda. Kids who have seen the show will have a blast running around and playing, and they may just learn something about global warming while they’re at it. At the War Museum near Samgakji St. (line 4, ex. 11). 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. Children W15,000, adults W13,000. play. cocomong.com, 1544-9986 Lotte World New Year Festival With many of its attractions indoors, Lotte World is the perfect theme park for the winter months. Special attractions through the end of February include Karma, a show that blends traditional Korean dance patterns and martial arts moves (Thu – Sun 4:30 pm, Mon 2 pm and 5 pm
at the garden stage). You can also join in the excitement surrounding the New Year Celebration Parade (Tue – Sun 2:30 and 7 pm). lotteworld.com, 02-411-2000
February 5th Fundraiser for Haiti
Seongbuk-gu Moonrise Festival Korean customs dictate that the first person to see the first full moon of the new year (called Jeongweol Daeboreum in Korean) will have good luck all year. seongbuk.go.kr, 02-920-3355
SEOUL
February 4th Stand Up Seoul Comedy Night Enjoy an evening full of laughs as Korea’s finest English language comedians deliver monologues and rants about expat life, world events, and other topics. All new acts are welcome, so contact Brian Aylward (brianaylward11@hotmail.com) to join the line-up. 9 pm the first Thursday of every month at the Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon. Facebook: Stand Up Seoul
gmail.com, 010-3040-3755 February 28th Daeboreum Bridge Parade Watch as the citizens of Jung-gu in central Seoul take part in folk competitions and reenact seasonal traditions such as the Bridge Parade (literally “stepping on the bridge”), which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Gwangtong Bridge at the Cheonggyecheon Stream. tour. junggu.seoul.kr, 02-2260-4212
Yeongdeungpo Daeboreum Games Get a little taste of Daeboreum, the festival celebrating the first full moon of the lunar new year. ydp.go.kr, 02-2670-3114
Education & Conferences
Show your support for the relief efforts underway in Haiti by attending the performances and book signing to be held at Roofers and the Hive in Itaewon. 10 pm - 4 am. the.hive. korea@gmail.com, 02- 790- 2976 February 20th – 24th
Kyunghyang Housing Fair Here, a house really is a house, and not just an apartment flat. DIY home repair experts, contractors, and real estate agents will not want to miss this networking opportunity. COEX at Samsung St. (line 2). 10 am – 6 pm. Free if you register in advance, W10,000 at the door. coex.co.kr, 02-6000-0114 February 27th Wild Women’s Performing Arts Festival Help bring attention to discrimination and gender issues in Korea and around the world at this festival, which offers female singers, poets, and dancers a chance to show off their talent. All proceeds go to support the Korean Women’s Association United, a Korean group that lobbies for equal rights for women. Monghwan in Sinchon (line 2, ex. 2). 8 pm - 4 am. See facebook group. smcrae77@
Through March 28th National Museum Presents the Incan “Children of the Sun” It’s been 20 years since Korea and Peru secured a trade agreement and 100 since the first museum in Korea, but this exhibit stretches even further back from the earliest traces of civilization in the Andes to the end of the Incan Empire in AD 1532. Running through March 28th, the exhibit offers Koreans a chance to see 351 items selected from nine Peruvian museums, including pieces from Machu Picchu and the Lord of Sipán Tomb, displayed for the first time in Korea. With everything from earthenware to Andean mummies, this exhibit offers a fascinating window into history. 02-2077-9000 Through February 21st Lotus Flowers in Goguryeo Tomb Murals The National Museum of Korea has selected five beautiful Goguryeo tomb murals depicting lotus flowers from the approximately 120 in its collection for your viewing pleasure. National Museum of Korea, Ichon St. (line 4, ex. 2). Tue, Wed, Fri 9 am – 6 pm. Wed, Sat 9 am – 8 pm. Sun 9 am – 7 pm. museum.go.kr, 02-2077-9465 Through March 1st Into the Pictures: Science in Art Exhibit This exhibit finally reveals the secret behind Mona Lisa’s smile! Well, maybe not, but it does give you and your kids the chance to see the art of science and the science in art. Artists include Esher, Seurat, Arcimboldo, Vermeer, and (of course) Da Vinci. 11 am – 7 pm. 13 and up W9,000, children W11,000 (but dads get in for W8,000). Seoul Art Center near Nambu Terminal St. (line 3, ex. 5). sac.or.kr, 02-580-1301 Through March 7th Sweet Dreams of the Fingered Citron Type “fingered citron” (or “Buddha’s Hand,” the other name) into google to see this remarkably hideous citrus
10 Magazine February 2010 | 55
SEOUL CALENDAR fruit that resembles a monster’s hand. Since in Chinese the fruit sounds the same as a word meaning “good fortune and long life,” the fingered citron was commonly used as an emblem of luck in porcelain made during the late Joseon period. Seventeen exquisite examples are on display in the lobby of the Seoul History Museum. Weekdays 9 am – 9 pm, weekends 9 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. museum.seoul.kr, 02-120
SEOUL
Through March 21st Western Painting in Modern Japan Art connoisseurs interested in the influence of the West on Asian art will be fascinated by this exhibit, which constitutes the first time since the liberation of Korea that an entire exhibit has been dedicated to Western paintings from Japan . The 41 pieces on display include oil paintings, pastels, drawings, and engravings. National Museum of Korea, Ichon St. (line 4, ex. 2). Tue, Wed, Fri 9 am – 6 pm. Wed, Sat 9 am – 8 pm. Sun 9 am – 7 pm. museum.go.kr, 02-2077-9556 Through March 28th Nobel Science Exhibition: Energy and the Environment Urging students to be better scientists in order to earn a Nobel prize for Korea seems to be missing the point, but who are we to complain if it results in cool exhibits like this? Kids get a chance to learn a little more about fundamental scientific principles with this exhibit (third out of a total of five). Explanations of current hot topics such as nuclear power and renewable energy sources are complemented by a plasma laser show, amazing scientific magic, and other displays. Seoul National Science Museum. 10 am – 7 pm. Adults W10,000, minors W9,000. nobel.or.kr/ science3, 02-538-9355 February 12th – 15th The Art of Living Course Learn breathing and meditation techniques that can help you relax and face life’s challenges more gracefully over the Lunar New Year. Four sessions: Fri evening, Sat, Sun, and Mon evening. W150,000. artoflivingkorea.org, 010-3632-8789 February 23rd - 26th Workshop for Young Human Rights Activists Professors, lawyers, UN reps, and human rights activists discuss the role young people can play in promoting human rights in Asia. Young adults from the local & international community are welcome. Held at Korea University. Korean, English, and Japansese languages supported. W150,000 includes program materials & meals. Register online by January 31st. achumanrights.org/asia_HR_ Forum/5th, achr@achumanrights.org
Sport & Fitness Walks, Runs and Marathons
February 7th Namsan Friendship Marathon Full marathon to depart from the National Theater on Namsan at 10 am. W20,000. Sign up by Feb 5th. nanoria.net, 02-424-2195
56 | 10 Magazine February 2010
February 21st Masters Challenge Race 10k, half, 32k, and full at the Han River Ttukseom Park, to depart at 10 am. W40,000. Spots are filling fast. mcrace.co.kr, 02-521-1704 February 27th Professor Jae-seung Lee’s Retirement Marathon 10k, half, and full at Sinjeong Bridge near Dorimcheon St. (line 2), to depart at 10 am. W20,000. Sign up by Feb 22nd. 1644-4219 March 1st 3.1 Seoul Marathon 5k, 10k, half and 31k (in honor of the 3.1 holiday) at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium, to begin at 10 am. W30,000 for 5k and W35,000 for 10k, half and 31k. Sign up by February 18th. 31marathon.co.kr, 02-420-0887 March 1st Hankyoreh 3.1 Marathon 5k, 10k, half and 31k at the Peace Plaza in World Cup Park, to begin at 9:30 am. W20,000 for 5k, W30,000 for 10k and W35,000 for 31k. Sign up by February 12th. 31marathon.kr, 02-785-0582 March 21st Seoul International Marathon Full course from Sejong-ro Intersection to the Olympic Park Main Stadium in Jamsil, to begin at 8 am. US $40 for full course. Sign up by February 27th. English website. marathon.donga.com, 02-361-1425 Korean Basketball League (KBL)
All games held at Jamsil Student Gymnasium February 6th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Incheon ET Land Elephants 3 pm February 7th SK Knights vs Seoul Samsung Thunders at 3 pm February 10th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Daegu Orions 7 pm February 12th SK Knights vs Ulsan Mobis Phoebus 7 pm February 13th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Changwon LG Sakers 3 pm February 14th SK Knights vs Busan KT Sonicboom 3 pm February 15th SK Knights vs Seoul Samsung Thunders 3 pm February 18th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Busan KT Sonicboom 7 pm February 19th SK Knights vs Daegu Orions 7 pm February 20th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Wonju Dongbu Promy 5 pm February 21st SK Knights vs Anyang KT&G Kites 3 pm
February 23rd Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Changwon LG Sakers 7 pm February 27th Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Jeonju KCC Egis 3 pm
Travel
February 6th – 7th Skiing/Snowboarding Trip with Adventure Korea Let Adventure Korea take care of all the exasperating trip planning and focus on the ski slopes at Phoenix Park in Gangwon Province. W125,000 covers ski/snowboard rental, an afternoon pass, accommodation, and transportation. Depart from Express Bus Terminal St. (lines 3, 7, 9, ex. 8) and Hongik Univ. St. (line 2, ex. 1). adventurekorea.com, 018-242-5536 February 13th – 15th Lunar New Year Trip with Adventure Korea Hit the slopes at Phoenix Park in Gangwon Province and when you’re ready for something new start up the hiking trail at Chiak Mountain. W250,000 for the chartered bus, lodgings, ski passes, and rental. Depart from Express Bus Terminal St. (lines 3, 7, 9, ex. 8) and Hongik Univ. St. (line 2, ex. 1). adventurekorea.com, 018-242-5536 February 14th – 15th RAS Trip to Seoraksan National Park Feast your eyes on the “snow-covered peaks” of Seoraksan, the gorgeous mountain located just off the east coast in Gangwon Province. After a strenuous hike, soak your aching limbs in the Waterpia hot springs resort. W228,000 for non-members (spa admission not included). Depart from Sinyongsan St. (line 4) at 8 am. raskb.com, 02-763-9483 February 19th – 20th Return to the Past with Korean Safari Head south—way down south—to Jindo, an island at the very tip of South Jeolla Province for a glimpse of Korea’s longest suspension bridge and a taste of Korea’s traditional music and dance at Naem-do Performing Arts Center. W98,000 includes transportation, accommodations, admission to performances, and two meals. koreansafari.com, 019-542-2955
February 6th Valentine’s Event at Vinestock Experience “Rose Fever” with high quality rose champagne and Cotes de Provence rose wine from Chateau Roubine and “Chocolate Delight,” featuring chocolate fondue made of the famous Valrhona chocolate with a perfect white and red wine to match. Vinestock in the French Village in Banpo-dong. 4:30 - 6:30 pm. W69,000. thomasscheidt@yahoo.co. uk, 02-536-6081 February 27th Languedoc- Roussillon Wine Tasting Sample five exquisite wines from Domaine Magellan and Domaine Adenis. Baguettes and mini sandwiches provided. Wine tasting room at Vinestock in the French Village (Seorae Maeul). 4 – 6 pm. W35,000. thomasscheidt@yahoo.co. uk, 02-536-6081
SEOUL
Ongoing Wine and Ginseng Train Tour Finally, a tour that takes advantage of those long hours in the train. Enjoy wine tasting (or gingeng) along with fun games as you ride this special Saemaul train to Yeongdong-gun. Once there, activities include soaking your feet in a wine bath and playing traditional Korean instruments. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Wine seats are W80,000, and ginseng seats are W75,000. 50% discount for kids. Departs 8:40 am from Seoul Station and returns by 8:30 pm. winekr.co.kr, wineyoon@yahoo.co.kr, 043-744-3211
Dine & Drink
Ongoing Toque Diner’s Turkey Dinners Get your turkey fix with help from Toque Diner. Groups of 15 or more who call a week in advance can get their own traditional turkey buffet set up at Toque Diner, or if you’d prefer, you can order half or whole turkeys with all of the fixings and have your own turkey dinner with friends at home. 02-794-3834
Nightlife February 6th Bob Marley Birthday Bash Mark the 65th birthday of the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley OM (i.e. Bob Marley) by coming together and celebrating as one. Drink deals, poetry, and performances. W10,000 (or W5,000 if you wear a Bob Marley shirt!) Roofers in Itaewon. 10 pm - 3 am. jc@iconzmedia.com, 010-9093-4409 February 20th Apollo 18 CD Release Party Korean rock act Apollo 18 was the winner of the “Hello Rookie” championship last November for new bands in Korea. Featuring guests National Pigeon Unity, Donawhale, and Lo. 7 pm. W15,000. Club Spot in Hongdae.cafe.daum.net/clubspot, 02-322-5956 February 26th Club Day What started out eight years ago with a measly four dance clubs has turned into THE night for newcomers and veterans alike to experience the Hongdae disco scene. On the last Friday of each month, a W20,000 ticket gets you into 20 clubs with music ranging from hip-hop to trance. 11 pm – 5 am. Buy tickets the day of at participating clubs like NB, M2, and Q-vo. One drink included. theclubday.co.kr
To list an event, e-mail coordinator@10magazine.asia 10 Magazine February 2010 | 57
SEOUL DIRECTORY National Palace Museum of Korea gogung.go.kr, 02-3701-7500 Seoul Art Center sac.or.kr, 02-580-1300
Seoul Seoul Union Church
Foreigner Assistance
Seoul Dasan (City Info)
02-120
SEOUL
Seoul Global Center global.seoul.go.kr, 02-1688-0120 Yeoksam Global Village (English) 02-3453-9038 Yeonnam Global Village (Chinese) 02-6406-8151 Seorae Global Village (French) 02-570-6009 Ichon Global Village (Japanese) 02-760-2018 Itaewon/Hannam Global Village (English) 02-796-2459 Religious
Buddhist Seoul International Zen Center 02-900-4326 Vairocana International Buddhist Meditation Center
02-735-5347
Jetavana Meditation Center 02-595-5115, jetavanacenter@gmail.com Catholic Bomun 02-928-2049/02-924-2706 Chunma
Seoul Museum of Art seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr, 02-120
02-765-0870
02-333-7393
Yeouido Full Gospel Church 02-782-4851 Yongsan Baptist Church 02-796-0284 Classes
Bellydance Lessons with Belynda Azhaar W20,000 per 90 minute session. azhaardance.com International Guides of Korea Courses in ice climbing, rock climbing and more. iguidekorea.com Jai Center for Yoga and Health Vinyasa yoga classes near Apgujeong St. (ex. 4, line 3). English lessons Sat at 11 am and Sun at 3:30 pm. jaicenter.co.kr, 02-3443-9642 Suseonjae Meditation and Deep Breathing Classes jihye@suseonjae.org, 019-201-5958 Sanirang Alpine Networks This climbing service offers lessons, clinics, and guided tours. sanirang. net/about.html, info@sanirang.net Travel Agency
Dongducheon 02-928-2049/02-924-2706
Cosmo.jin Tour cosmojin.com, 02-318-0345
Hannam International Church (English, Italian, Spanish, French) 02-793-2070
Fides Travel fidestravel.co.kr, 02-755-5470
Hyewha-dong Catholic Church 02-764-0221 (press 6) Jinjob 02-928-2049/02-924-2706 Keumchon 02-928-2049/02-924-2706 Philippine Center (Tagalog) 02-765-0870 Pastral Center for Labor (English, Vietnamese, Thai) 02-924-2721 Salesio Labor Center (Tagalog, Daelim 1 dong) 02-765-0870
Yoksam-dong Church
02-553-0801
Hotels/Accommodations
4-5 Star Hotels Astoria 02-2268-7111 COEX InterContinental 02-3452-2500 Courtyard 02-2638-3000 Grand InterContinental 02-555-5656 JW Marriott 02-6282-6262 Millenium Hilton 02-753-7788 Renaissance 02-555-0501
Hostels Kim’s Guesthouse kimsguesthouse.com, 02-337-9894 Olympic Parktel parktel.co.kr/english, 02-410-2114 Bebop Guesthouse bebop-guesthouse.com, 070-8261-4835 Medical Services
Islam Seoul Central Masjid Protestant Gwanglim Church
02-794-7307
02-2056-5732
Jubilee Church
02-569-2293
Kumnan Church
02-490-7000
Myungsung Presbyterian Church 02-440-9000 Onnuri Church 02-793-9686 Somang Presbyterian Church 02-512-9191
58 | 10 Magazine February 2010
Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine Are you suffering from back or neck pain? Visit the non-surgical spinal specialists.jaseng.net, 02-3218-2167
Hus Hu Dental & Skin Clinic 02-514-8013 Korea Counseling Psychological Association krcpa.or.kr, 02-498-8293 Korea HIV/AIDS Prevention & Support Center khap.org, 02-927-4322
Ra Dental Clinic
02-569-8745
GANGNAM CHIRO-PILATES CHIROPRACTIC & PILATES
Transportation
International Taxi (English Speaking) 1644-2255 Jumbo Taxi Service (more expensive) 02-888-2000 Interactive Subway Map smrt.co.kr Radio
TBS eFM FM 101.3 American Forces Network AM 1530 / FM 102.7 Restaurants
Xanadu Travel xanadu.co.kr, 02-795-7771
American
Korean Tours
Adventure Korea adventurekorea.com, 018-242-5536 Korean Safari koreansafari.com, 019-542-2955
Dr. Andrew Park r 6 4 /BUJPOBM #PBSE $IJSPQSBDUJD %PDUPS r $FSUJĂ FE *#5 r $FSUJĂ FE &YFSDJTF SFIBC
Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch raskb.com, 02-763-9483 USO DMZ Tours affiliates.uso.org/Korea, 02-795-3028
Sin-nonhyun St. Exit #6 Subway Line 7 Kyobo bldg.
Center Plaza Bldg 5F,510 Woori bank BurgerKing
Catholics in South Korea Facebook Group, Annamarie at sunshineamore25@gmail.com
02-3451-8000
Ritz-Carlton
Museums
Gahoe Museum gahoemuseum.org, 02-741-0466 Kimchi Field Museum kimchimuseum.co.kr, 02-6002-6456 Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art Kyunginart.co.kr, 02-733-4448 Leeum Samsung Museum of Art leeum.org, 02-2014-6901 Museum of Korean Traditional Music ncktpa.go.kr, 02-580-3130 National Folk Museum nfm.go.kr, 02-3704-3114 National Museum of Korea museum.go.kr, 02-2077-9000
BodyShop
Gangnam St. Exit #6
Hannam Bridge
Sung-dong Social Welfare Center (Tagalog) 02-765-0870
Unique Travel Itaewon uniquetravel.co.kr, 02-792-0606
Seoul National Science Museum ssm.go.kr, 02-3668-2200
Terrific Burgers, Hot Dogs and Homemade Chili Nike
Itaewon St. Exit.1 Outback
Subway Line 2
(02) 533-5124
APPOINTMENT FREE consultation by appointment
Chili King Itaewon Great burgers and chili served up by owner Kevin Cyr. 02-795-1303
www.seoulchiropracticinfo.com Gangnam Chiro-Pilates Chiropractic & Pilates If you’re dealing with joint and muscle ailments, English-speaking chiropractic doctor Dr. Andrew Park offers the best treatments to restore balance to your body. Stop in for a free consultation if you have symptoms including neck pain, sore back, headaches, scoliosis, numbness, wrist pain, sports injuries (golf) etc. Seochodong 1307-7 Center Plaza 5F 510. 02-533-5124. seoulchiropracticinfo.com
To inquire about getting a logo box for your business, email to us at marketing@10magazine.asia To list your English friendly business or service, email to us at coordinator@10magazine.asia
Pita Time Haebangchon The salads, pitas and pizzas here provide a low-calorie, healthy meal. 11 am - 10 pm. pitatime.co.kr, 02-7908891
Sortino’s Cucina Itaewon Classic Italian trattoria cuisine in a comfortable, homey atmosphere. 02-797-0488 Noxa Lounge Itaewon 02-790-0776 Villa Sortino’s Itaewon An incredible Tuscan Villa interior matches perfectly with some delicately prepared Italian flavors. Just across from the Itaewon fire station. 02-553-900 BRAZILIAN
UN Village
KEB
Hannam Bridge
Hannam Intersection
Pancakes Original Story Itaewon The complete American-style brunch spread you’ve been waiting for. Come in early Mon - Fri between 9 am - 2 pm for the brunch special with coffee for only W6,800. On the left as you walk from the Hannam intersection toward the UN village. Mon - Sat 9 am - 10 pm, Sun 9 am - 4 pm. 02-794-0508 Toque Itaewon 02-794-3834
02-790-9441
“All You Can Eat”
02-794-8090
Thai Orchid Itaewon
02-517-1135
Thai Garden Itaewon
02-792-8836
Live Music KFC
Hamilton Hotel
Copacabana Itaewon For only W29,000 you get all-you-caneat of 7 different cuts of roasted meat and a tremendous Brazilian buffet. Make your reservations today! 02-796-1660 korean Bulgogi Brothers Delicious Korean-style barbecue at locations throughout Seoul including Gangnam, Myeongdong, Seoul Station, and Times Square. 11:30 am - 10 pm. bulgogibros.com, 02-319-3351 (Myeongdong)
Jazz All That Jazz Itaewon
02-795-5701
Cheonnyeondongando (천년동안도) Daehangno chunnyun.com, 02-743-5555 Club Evans Hongdae clubevans.com, 02-337-8361 Once in a Blue Moon Apgujeong onceinabluemoon.co.kr, 02-549-5490 Club Palm Hongdae clubpalm.co.kr, 02-336-9016 Rock Freebird Hongdae cafe.navercom/clubfreebird, 02-335-4576 Jammers Hongdae jammers.co.kr, 02- 325-3914 Just Blues Apgujeong justblues.co.kr, 02-542-4788 SoundHolic Hongdae cafe.daum.net/SoundHolic, 02-3142-4233 Bars/Lounges/Pubs
Austrian Chef Meili Itaewon
02-797-3820
Bulgarian Zelen Itaewon
02-749-0600
Wine Bars Dove Quando A stroll through Samcheong-dong near Anguk St. leads to this rustic bistro with a varied selection of reasonable wines. 02-736-7320
French La Cigale Monmartre Itaewon 02-796-1244 Le Saint-Ex Itaewon 02-795-2465 Italian Antonio’s Apgujeong Request a tune from Antonio on the piano while enjoying his fabulous Italian fare. 02-793-6144 Fradia Gangnam Gaze out on a panoramic view of the Seoul skyline as you dine on choice Italian food at this cafe floating on the Han River. fradia.co.kr, 02-3477-0033 La Bocca Itaewon We can’t decide whether it’s a cafe, pastry shop, deli, or wine bar, but what we are sure about is that the food is fresh and the taste is divine. labocca.co.kr, 02-790-5907
Pulhyanggi Gangnam A tasty concoction of traditional Korean dishes and a contemporary slow-food sensibility, plus performances in the evenings. Close to COEX. 11 am – 10 pm. pulhyanggi.co.kr, 02-539-3390 Mexican Amigos Itaewon 02-795-9711 Pancho’s Itaewon 02-792-4767 On the Border The #1 American chain hits that craving for fajitas, chimichangas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and even
Dulce Y Suave Stop by this classy Sinsa-dong wine bar for an extensive wine list that won’t break your budget. 5 pm - 3 am. club.cyworld.com/dulceysuave, 02-515-6750 Vin Ga Immaculate service and a subdued atmosphere make this the wine bar of choice for dinner parties and business meetings. Podo Plaza building Near Apgujeong St. podoplaza.co.kr. 02-516-1761 Vin Vino Itaewon Wines by the bottle and the glass plus a menu of salads, pastas, and even kangaroo steaks. 02-711-9171
Bar Rouge Luxurious wine and tapas bar in the basement of the JW Marriot in Gangnam. Happy hour Tue - Thu 6 9 pm. 02-6282-6763 Berlin Combining a restaurant, cafe and lounge, Berlin boast a varied menu, plus wines and all types of music. Noksapyeong St. (line 6). 용산구 이태원 동 457-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu. awakeinseoul@gmail.com, 02-749-0903 Bliss Fresh beats by DJ Shine and a reasonably priced menu. Itaewon. 4 pm – 4 am. 02-798-1125 BricX Chill out at either of BricX’s two locations. Hongdae 6 pm – 5 am, 마포 구 서교동 409-1, B1, 02-3141-5571. Itaewon 7 pm – 5 am, 용산구 이태원동 119-10, B1, bricx.com, 02-795-5572 The Bungalow This quirkly beach-themed Itaewon bar has sand on the floor, swinging chairs, and candle-lit rooms. 02-793-2344 Coffee Bar K A Japanese franchise, they may just have the best bartenders in town. Mon – Sat 6 pm - 2 am. Cheongdam-dong. 02-516-1970 Ghetto Vox The Hive’s sister venue, this is Itaewon’s first art and music space. 용 산구 이태원동 132-5 (3rd floor) Itaewondong, Yongsan-gu. ghettovox.com, 010-3370-2979 Jane’s Groove This Hongdae bar is good for relaxing over drinks. 7:30 pm – 3 am. Closed Mondays. janesgroove@gmail.com, 02-336-1664 Mike’s Cabin This Western bar in Sinchon has a casual atmosphere and hold special events. Sinchon near the Yonsei front gate. 02-325-7808 Monghawn Come for the nice décor, live art and music events, and the signature cocktail soju. Sincheon. club.cyworld. com/monghwan, 02-325-6218 Monkey Beach Thailand is just a subway ride away if you head to Monkey Beach in the heart of Apgujeong. 7:30 pm – 5 am. 02-548-7930 Mix Lounge It may look like a white greenhouse, but it’s actually a bar serving killer mojitos, lychee martinis and more. Garosu-gil. 6 pm – 3 am. Closed Sun. 011-9650-7055 Noxa Lounge Noksapyeong Great home-style Italian cuisine with late night cocktail lounge. 02-790-0776
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SEOUL
Overpass
GS Gas St.
Oksu-dong
Marakech Nights Itaewon Terrific Middle Eastern cuisine from Rhiti Mostaffa, former chef for the Moroccan ambassador to Korea. 02-795-9441
My Thai Itaewon
Subway Line 3 Itaewon St Ex. #1
Pancakes Original Story
B1 Itaewon One of the most hopping bars in Itaewon on any given night, with guest DJs and a good vibe. 7 pm - 3 am. 02-749-6164
Eat Me Itaewon Thai fusion dining and lounge, late night kitchen in Itaewon. Relax in the intimate yet casual dining area and outside patio. Sophisticated atmosphere is sure to please. 070-7624-3149
COPACABANA GRILL
Hana Bank
Middle Eastern Istanbul Noksapyeong 02-796-0271
Thai Buddha’s Belly Itaewon A lounge atmosphere with full bar and cocktails along with great authentic Thai food. 02-796-9330
My Chelsea
Namsan
3 Alley Pub Rub shoulders with long-term Seoul expats and try your hands at darts or pool in this comfortable foreigner-owned pub. 116-15 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu. 3alleypub.com, 02-749-3336
Petra Itaewon
Suji’s Itaewon Great American fare in a New Yorkstyle bistro atmosphere. 02-797-3698
American Style Breakfast and Brunch
margaritas. See ad for free margarita! ontheborder.co.kr Sinchon: 02-324-0682 COEX: 02-565-0682 Times Square: 02-2672-0682 Taco Amigo Itaewon 02-749-5253
SEOUL DIRECTORY
SEOUL
Platoon Kunsthalle Showcasing underground artists and a fine selection of cutting-edge performances. 11 am – 1 am. Closed Sun. 강남구 논현동 97-22 Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeon-dong. kunsthalle.com, 02-3447-1191 Rocky Mountain Tavern Canadians feel right at home with all the hockey jerseys hanging on the walls and great live music and events, along with some of the best buffalo wings in Korea. Don’t miss the Stand Up Seoul comedy night the first Thursday of each month. rockymountaintavern.com, 010-5775-2327 Sam Ryan’s Itaewon This newcomer to the Itaewon scene offers sports fans eight flat screens throughout the bar along with the meanest plate of pork ribs to be found in Seoul. samryans.com, 02-749-7933 Scrooge Pub/Dicken’s Lounge A great little sports bar with pool, darts, delicious food and plenty of Englishspeaking staff. Itaewon. 02-797-8201 Serein Sinsa-dong This secluded spot just off Garosu-gil serves brunch by day and wicked drinks by night. 7 pm – 4 am. 02-515-9797 Seventy Four Cheongdam-dong A beautiful date spot featuring exotic drinks such as cheese martinis, banana mojitos and cuba libres. 7 pm – 4 am. 02-542-7412
Tutti Matti One of Seoul’s most luxurious resto-lounges in a multi-level former gallery near Garosu-gil. 강남구 신사동 532-6 Sinsa-dong Gangnam-gu. winnerkidd@hotmail.com, 02-511-0488 Watts on Tap Sinchon Check out the parties, language exchange nights, and live music nights. 6 pm – 2 am. club.cyworld. nate.com/wattsontap, 02-3142-8439 Wolfhound Terrific Irish/British classic food in a true Irish Pub atmosphere, including shepherd’s pie, toad in a hole, fish n’ chips, bangers n’ mash along with Guinness and Kilkenny on draft. wolfhoundpub.com, 02-749-7971 Woobar (W Hotel) Seoul’s trendiest hotel also boasts one of its trendiest bars, with professional bartenders who really know how to make a drink. 02-2022-0333 Clubs
Blue Spirit Visit this Hongdae club famed for supporting local DJs and international guest artists. 10 pm – 4 am. 010-8671-405 Eden New mega club with top DJs, sizzling sound, and model nights. 강남구 역삼동 602 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Ritz Carlton Hotel. eden-club.co.kr, 010-9913-3919 Elec A two-floor small but chic lounge and club. Weekdays 9 pm – 6 am, weekends 9 pm – 10 am. No cover. Cheongdam-dong. club.cyworld.com/ eleclounge, 02-6326-1320 Function Itaewon’s first boutique club hidden in the fancy Macaroni Market restaurant. Tue, Wed, Thu 6 pm – 2:30 am; Fri and Sat 6 pm-3:30 am. 용산구 한남1동 737-50 Hannnam-dong Yongsan-gu. 02-749-9181 Heaven The newest member of Seoul’s club scene combines top-notch technology with divine DJs spinning house and electro beats. W30,000 general admission, W40,000 for after club hours. Near Yeoksam St. clubheaven.co.kr, 02-3444-4997
So Much More Located in the heart of Apgujeong, Seoul’s hippest cafe and lounge complements its hip interior design with the hottest music and the coolest drinks every day. Trend-setters, club rats, and party-crashers are all welcome. Noon - 2 am. blog.naver. com/so_much_more, 02-3447-7890 Tony’s Aussie Shop Authentic Australian food and beer. Open Mic Night held every Wednesday 8 pm – 11 pm.용산구 이태 원1동 455-35 Itaewon-dong Yongsangu. writers.meetup.com/779, 010-460-54326
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Hive Art shows, live music, DJs, classes, and more in Itaewon. 137-8 용산구 이태 원동 137-8 (Basement 1) Itaewondong, Yongsan-gu. thehiveuniverse. blogspot.com, 010-3994-6694 J.J. Mahoney’s The drinks don’t come cheap, but this nightclub at the Grand Hyatt is a favorite with the over-30s crowd. 747-7 Hannam 2-dong. seoul.grand.hyatt.com, 02-797-1234 Joker Red Minimal, techno, trance and underground electronic for those who dare to be different. Fri and Sat 9 pm – 5 am. W10,000 includes a free drink. jokerred.co.kr, 019-345-7122
Koo Bar Formerly known as Club Air, Koo Bar caters to Apgujeong’s classy crowd. 664-11 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu. partyluv.com Le Nuit Blanche Once known as Answer, this Cheongdam-dong nightspot has transformed into a gala restaurant featuring everything from circus shows to famous house DJs. lenuitblanche.com, 02-514-4311 M2 One of Korea’s longest running clubs, M2 is party central for Hongdae’s college students. Sun – Thu 8 pm – 4 am, Fri and Sat 7:30 pm – 6 am. Cover starts at W10,00. 마포구 서교동 367-11 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu. ohoo.net/m2, 02-3143-7573 Mansion This recently opened Hongdae club pumps out sizzling house, electro, and nu-disco grooves, bringing in quality acts like Roni Size and Goldie. mansionseoul@gmail.com, 02-3143-4037 Mass This dance club for the “masses” is a top electronic club in the heart of Gangnam. 9 pm – 6 am. Sun – Thu W15,000, Fri and Sat W20,000. clubmass.net, 02-599-3165
Weekdays 6 pm – 4 am, weekends 6 pm – 6 am. W10,000 cover on weekends. 02-324-6929 Vera Come for a fun night of funky house, electro-house, trance, and psychedelic music in Hongdae. 10 pm – 6 am. 마포 구 서교동 356-1 Seogyodong, Mapo-gu. 02-338-0957 Via Combines local DJs and VJs, the full spectrum of electronic dance music, and a pinch of Western party flair. 011-257-5154 Volume A true “music lovers” club, Volume is found in the basement of Crown Hotel. Fri and Sat 9 pm - 6 am. W15,000 - W30,000. 용산구 이태원동 34-69 크라 운호텔 지하 1층 Crown Hotel B1 34-69 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu. clubvolume.com, 1544-2635 W Hotel Check out the split-level lobby lounge for cool music and exclusive parties. No cover charge. 21 Gwangjang-dong. wseoul.com, 02-465-2222 Other Services
Miro Be ready for a long night (or morning) at this stomping after-hours club. Fri and Sat 11 pm – 8 am. Apgujeong near Seolleung St. (line 2). 02-544-9930 Naked Leading the Gangnam club scene into the early hours. 10 pm – 8 am. W15,000 before 1 am, W20,000 after. 010-5417-4417 NB Supposedly the first hip-hop club in Korea, it has one bar, two stages, and a packed crowd. Locations in Hongdae and Gangnam. clubnb.com 02-326-1716 Pulse This chilled-out Itaewon club pumps out danceable tunes in all genres of electronic music until sunrise. Everyday 8 pm – 7 am. Fri W10,000, Sat W15,000. 02-792-6662 Q-vo Another popular Hongdae hip hop club with strobes pulsing above the dance floor. Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun 8 pm – 4 am and Wed, Fri, Sat 8 pm – 6:30 am. W10,000 - W15,000. 121-210 Ohoo B/D 367-1 Seogyo Dong. clubqvo.co.kr, 02-3143-7573 Rehap With the advent of club culture in Jongno, you no longer have to go south of the river to be cool. Jonggak St. ex. 12. Weekdays 7 – 10 pm, weekends 8 pm – 5 am. W15,000 admission. rehap.co.kr, 02-732-7181 Saab Fashion-conscious twentysomethings congregate at this Hongdae club where the DJs spin a wide variety of music styles.
Oxana Garden You are invited to the botanical life. Enjoy the fresh aroma and the cozy environment these plants will bring to your home. Hannam St. (Jungang line). oxanagarden.com, 02-798-6787
To inquire about getting a logo box for your business, email to us at marketing@10magazine.asia To list your English friendly business or service, email to us at coordinator@10magazine.asia
GYEONGGI CALENDAR Art Ongoing Central America Culture Center Tucked away in a small hamlet in Goyang just northwest of Seoul is this gateway to Central America. Browse through the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan historical artifacts on display at the museum, then move to the art gallery and sculpture garden outside for the work of representative Central American painters and sculptors. Sample some of the imported traditional Mexican tea on sale, or visit on a weekend between 11 am and 5 pm for some authentic Mexican food. It’s a bit hard to reach, so have a Korean friend help you with directions on the website. latina.or.kr, 031-962-7171
Face Museum Composed of over 1,000 “faces” ranging from stone figurines to ceramic dolls from Korea, China, and Japan, the pieces here form the private collection of theater director Jeongok Kim. Open from Fri – Sun 10 am – 6 pm. On Tue - Thu, be sure to call ahead. Adults W4,000, teens W3,000, children W2,000. Gwangju (Gyeonggi, not Jeolla). visagej.org, 031-765-3522 Korean Deung-Jan Museum Deung-jan is the Korean word for lamp, which is exactly what you’ll get at this museum. See traditional Korean lamps in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Yongin. deungjan.or.kr/eng, 031-334-0797 Through February 15th Peppermint Candy: Korean Art in the World Returning to Korea after two years on loan at South America museums, this exhibit focuses on what has influenced Korean artists since 1980. National Museum of Contemporary Art. Seoul Grand Park St. (line 4, ex. 2). Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 8 pm, closed Monday. Free. moca.go.kr, 02-2188-6000
Through February 28th Tiger’s Lucky Bag Exhibit Celebrating 2010, the year of the tiger. Seongnam Arts Center near exit 1 of Imae St. on the Bundang line. snart.or.kr, 031-783-8000 Nam June Paik Art Center Prize Exhibit Featuring artwork by contest winners Eun-me Ahn, Ceal Floyer, Seung-taek Lee, and Robert Adrian. Call a week early for an English guide. Nam June Paik Art Center in Yongin. 10 am – 7 pm. Closed 2nd & 4th Mon. Free. njp.kr/ie_eng.html, 031-201-8527 Sebastião Salgado Photo Exhibit: Africa Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his work documenting the lives of underprivileged workers across the world. The 100 works on display at the Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang have been selected from the shots he has taken in Africa over the past thirty years. Jeongbalsan St. (line 3, ex. 3). 10 am – 6 pm. Fri & Sat till 8 pm. Adults W8,000, children W7,000. artgy.or.kr, 031-960-0180 Through March 1st Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition Open through March of 2010, this exhibit puts on display models and videos of the fantastic and inspiring inventions of the 15th century genius who drew the future in his sketchbooks. Gwacheon National Science Museum (scientorium.go.kr), Seoul Grand Park St. (line 4), exit 5. 9:30 am – 6:30 pm. Adults W11,000, students W10,000. davincikorea.co.kr, 02-3418-5060
The Junk Art Exhibit Used-up lighters, bent hangers, and all the other trash that you thought was
Through March 31st Life and Dreams through Desire Going to be in the air soon? Stop by this free exhibit of Joseon dynasty paintings at the Incheon Airport’s Transfer Lounge on the 4th floor before you board your flight. airport.kr, 032-741-2426
Theater & Dance February 6th - 7th
Cats for Kids: The Musical The cats come out beneath the full moon to make their wishes and enchant the audience. Featuring the Mudad (Music, Dance, and Drama) group. Korean ability required. Ansan Arts Center. Sat 12, 2, 4 pm and Sun 12 and 2 pm. 70 mins. W20,000 – W25,000. ansanart.com, 080-080-1280 February 20th - 21st Notre Dame de Paris: Family Musical Billed as “a fairy tale for grownups, a classic for kids,” this is the latest rendition of Victor Hugo’s classic tale about a hunchback, a gypsy, and
some talking gargoyles (oh, that was the Disney version). Korean ability required. Ansan Arts Center. 2 and 5 pm. W20,000 – W25,000. ansanart.com, 02-3427-1358
Concerts February 8th Movie Score Concert with Tenor Ung-gyun Lim Think of it as classic lite, with a mix of classical passages used in movies and contemporary pieces like “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission and the theme to Mission Impossible. Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon. 7:30 pm. ggac.or.kr, 02-780-5054 February 9th City Choirs Joint Concert We’re not sure how exactly they intend to fit the Incheon City Choir, Angelus Choir, Seo-gu Children’s Choir, and Bupyeonggu Women’s Choir on the stage at the same time, but that’s the plan for “The Sound of Spring on Its Way” concert. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). art.incheon.go.kr, 032-420-2784 February 16th Children’s Concert with Flutist Yusuk Ju Those who have had the dubious pleasure of hearing a children’s orchestra will be glad to know the “children” here are supposed to be in the audience. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). 7:30 pm. W10,000. art.incheon.go.kr, 010-2049-5320
Foodie Finds
Collection Highlights National Museum of Contemporary Art. Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 8 pm, closed Monday. Free. moca.go.kr, 02-2188-6000 Through March 7th
Through February 21st Go to the Museum with Miffy The adorable bunny Miffy guides kids through an art gallery, an art school, a puppet theater, and more as they learn a little bit about modern art. Seongnam Arts Center near exit 1 of Imae St. on the Bundang line. 10:30 am – 6:30 pm. Closed Mon. W12,000. snart.or.kr, 031-783-8000 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty Photo Exhibit It would take months to visit all of these tombs in person, but with this exhibit you can see stunning shots of all 42 (31 in Gyeonggi Province, 8 in Seoul, 1 in Gangwon Province, and even 2 in North Korea) at one place. Gyeonggi Provincial Museum in Yongin. 10 am – 6 pm. Free. musenet.or.kr, 031-288-5300
Adults W3,000, 19-25 W1,500, minors free. moca.go.kr, 02-2188-6000
Gecko’s Goes to Yongin
Megacity Network: Korea Contemporary Architecture Seoul This group exhibit returns to Korea after making the rounds at a number of major European museums such as the Frankfurt Museum of Architecture and the Berlin Architecture Center. The works on display aim to create cultural space amid the high-rises and urban sprawl of “megacities” like Seoul and Tokyo. National Museum of Contemporary Art near Seoul Grand Park St. Weekdays 10 am – 6 pm, weekends 10 am – 8 pm, closed Mon.
At the end of the Bundang line and across the street from the Bojeong Fire Station is the new Yongin location of Gecko’s Terrace. With a clear view of the surrounding tree-covered hills, its contemporary design and floor-to-ceiling windows provide a great atmosphere to enjoy a meal. The service is prompt, friendly and attentive. Similar to the other Geckos locations, the menu has a nice selection of salads, sandwiches, some noodle dishes, a breakfast menu (served daily until 2:30 pm) and a small but satisfying dessert menu. Located on the top floor of the building, it has a large terrace which will provide great seating come warmer weather. So whether you are up for a trip out of the city or you live in the Yongin area, check out the new Gecko’s: you won’t be disappointed! geckosterrace.com, 031-262-9974 by Lisa Smith 10 Magazine February 2010 | 61
GYEONGGI
Elvis Presley Memorial Hall Why go all the way to Graceland when the King is here among us? Since it opened in 2000 with the support of the “Memories Forever” Elvis Fan Club, the Elvis Presley Memorial Hall has been showing curious visitors the man behind the legend. Paju, northeast of Seoul. paju.go.kr, 031-948-3358
gone for good is transformed into art in the creative hands of Jeong-hyeon Choe. Ansan Arts Center. Closed Monday. W3,000. ansanart.com, 031-481-4000
GYEONGGI CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 27th Concerts
Pianist Arcadi Volodos
Education & Conferences Ongoing Waltz & Dr. Mahn Coffee Museum Survey the past and savor the present of your favorite beans at this facility in Namyangju, east of Seoul. Experience the making of roast coffee, from planting the tree to testing the final product. 10:30 am – 6 pm. Adults W5,000, minors W3,000. Closed Mon. wndcof.com, 031-576-6051
GYEONGGI
Through February 28th A Century of French Comics From Asterix to Tin-tin, French comics have come a long way. Enjoy this retrospective of these classics compositions along with chanson performances and French cinema. Gyujanggak Comics Museum in Bucheon. 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. W5,000. komacon.kr/museum, 032-310-3090
For sheer mastery of the technical possibilities of the piano, there are few today who can compare to Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos. Heralded as a successor to Vladimir Horowitz, Volodos has risen rapidly to the pinnacle of classical pianists today despite only beginning to focus on the piano at the age of 15. This is the first chance that Korean classical music lovers will have to hear his virtuosity first hand with a challenging program including pieces by Scriabin, Schumann, Albeniz, and Liszt. Seongnam Arts Center near exit 1 of Imae St. on the Bundang line. 5 pm. W40,000 – W150,000. snart.or.kr, 1544-8117 February 17th Coffee Concert: Hun-suk Mun’s Ballet Story Scenes from The Nutcracker and Swan Lake with music by Universal Ballet Company. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). 2 pm. W10,000. art.incheon.go.kr, 032-420-2027 February 19th
Barbara Bonney Recital The silver-tongued soprano whose immense talent has graced opera halls from London’s Royal Opera House to Milan’s La Scala will be yours to hear at the Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang. Jeongbalsan St. (line 3, ex. 3). 8 pm. W30,000 – W100,000. artgy.or.kr, 1577-7766 February 20th
Hui-eun Yang “Table of Love” Ansan Arts Center. ansanart.com, 031-481-4000 Dae-gwan Song vs. Jin-a Tae Live They may not mean much to you, but these two trot (Korean disco) singers are legendary to the ajummas and ajosshis around you. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). 3 and 6:30 pm. W55,000 – W99,000. art.incheon.go.kr, 1688-6675 February 25th Aramnuri Matinee Concert Learn about the romance of Robert and Clara Schumann through Schumann’s piano music and symphonies. Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang. Jeongbalsan St. (line 3, ex. 3). 11 am. W15,000. artgy.or.kr, 1577-7766 February 26th Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra Cellist Yeong-hun Song is the soloist for a program which culminates in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). 7:30 pm. W5,000 – W10,000. art.incheon.go.kr, 032-420-2781 February 27th Daegeon OB Choir Composed of graduates of the Daegeon High School Vocal Ensemble, this choir was established to relive old memories and perform new tunes. Incheon Culture and Arts Center near Arts Center St. (Incheon line). art.incheon.go.kr, 010-8884-2345
62 | 10 Magazine February 2010
February 19th - 21st Suwon Wedding Exhibition Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon. 10 am – 10 pm. Free. ggac.or.kr, 031-222-7779
Sports & Fitness Korean Basketball League (KBL)
February 21st Warm-up Marathon for the Donga Marathon Get ready for the big competition with 5k, 10k, half, 30k, and full at Misari Rowing Stadium in Hanam, to depart at 10 am. W15,000 – W35,000. Sign up now! run1080.com, 042-638-1080 February 28th Goyang International Women’s Marathon 5k, 10k, half, and full at the Goyang Sports Complex, to depart at 9 am. W15,000 – W40,000. rungoyang.com, 02-2000-6489 Korean Basketball League (KBL)
All games held at Wonju Chiak Gymnasium February 10th Anyang KT&G Kites vs Changwon LG Sakers at 7 pm February 11th Incheon ET Land Elephants vs Jeonju KCC Egis at 7 pm February 13th Anyang KT&G Kites vs Daegu Orions at 3 pm February 14th Incheon ET Land Elephants vs Ulsan Mobis Phoebus at 3 pm Anyang KT&G Kites vs Jeonju KCC Egis at 5 pm February 20th Incheon ET Land Elephants vs Anyang KT&G Kites at 3 pm February 25th Incheon ET Land Elephants vs Seoul Samsung Thunders at 7 pm
To list an event, e-mail coordinator@10magazine.asia
gyeongGI province Religious Services
Grace & Truth Church Anyang, Ansan, and Suwon Sunday 9:30 am, 11 am, 1 pm grace-truth.org, 031-443-3731 Dongsan Church Ansan Sunday 11:30 am, 010-2910-7809 Transportation
International Taxi (English speaking) 1644-2255 Jumbo Taxi Service (more expensive) 02-888-2000 Radio
US Armed Forces Network Dongducheon AM 1197/FM 88.3 Pyongtaek AM 1440/FM 88.3 Songtan AM 1359/FM 88.5 Uijeongbu AM 1161/FM 88.5 Restaurants
Jukjeon Geckos Yongin Bundang and Yongin expats should be ecstatic to know that the famous Geckos chain is expanding south. Near the Shinsegye department store. geckosterrace.com, 031-262-9974 La Mia Cucina Ilsan The kitchen is always open at this English-friendly Italian pub with great outdoor seating all set for the summer months. 7 pm – 4 am. 010-2327-8882 Bars/Lounges/Pubs
The Park Bucheon There are three kinds of draft beer and cocktails for your thirst, Western food for your hunger, and four LCD TVs for your sports fixation. Jungdong in Bucheon. Facebook group, 010-3136-0153 Rhythm & Blues Bucheon Open mic nights, movie nights, sports, concerts, and parties make this a favorite of Bucheon’s expats. Behind the CGV in Jung-dong. Open at 4 pm on Mon – Fri, 11 am on weekends. Facebook group, 032-323-0131 Frog and Toad Ilsan On La Festa’s main strip, Frog and Toad is a favorite for darts and the Wednesday late-night open mic. frogandtoadilsan@hotmail.com, 010-9950-7399 West Island Ilsan Have a chat with the friendly staff or kick back and watch the fire show on Fri and Sat. 6 pm – 5 am. club.cyworld. com/westisland, 031-917-2225 Indie Suwon Suwon Get your groove on at Suwon’s premier live music stage, home of the Suwon Open Mic Night held every 4th Saturday. Facebook group, edwardjorgensen@gmail.com The Big Chill Suwon Chill out in a big way with the friendly crowd while enjoying a game of pool, darts, or wii. Opens 8 pm on Wed – Sat and 4 pm on Sun. Facebook group, edwardjorgensen@gmail.com Clubs
Club Psycho Anyang Proud location of the only open mic night in Anyang. Right next to the GS25 just outside ex. 5 of Anyang St. (line 1). bcmusicworld.com, 010-7754-0409
CHUNGCHEONG CALENDAR Art
Concerts
Through February 21st Spectrum Eyes: France’s Next Generation Media Learn more about today’s trends in European media art through these six works, each by a major media artist active in France. Daejeon Museum of Art. 10 am – 6 pm. Fridays till 9 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W500, minors W300. dmma.metro.daejeon.kr, 042-602-3200
February 12th Valentine’s Concert: Five Love Stories The 100 member Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra offers to turn itself into a message of love for you to deliver to that special someone. Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. W5,000 – W30,000. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2266
Through February 28th Utopia Art Exhibit This exhibit of works taken from the Daejeon Museum of Art’s permanent collection features 16 pieces by 12 artists. 10 am – 6 pm. Fridays till 9 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W500, minors W300. dmma.metro.daejeon.kr, 042-602-3200 Painter’s Portrait Exhibit Daecheong Lake Art Museum. Cheongwon-gun. 9 am - 6 pm. Closed Mon. Free. museum.puru.net, 043-251-3275
Through March 31st Non-Painting: Ung-no Lee Exhibit To mark the 20th year since groundbreaking Korean artist Ung-no Lee passed away, the museum erected in his honor presents 35 tapestries and collages created from the 60s through the 80s. Ungnolee Museum in Daejeon. 10 am – 6 pm. Till 9 pm on Fri. Closed Mon. ungnolee-museum.daejeon.kr, 042-602-3270
Theater & Dance February 26th - 27th Gochujang Tteokbokki: Musical Play In this Home Alone-meets-Korean Cuisine 101 musical play aimed for younger children, a group of rambunctious kids learn to fend for themselves while mom’s away. Korean ability required. Eumseong Culture and Arts Center. 2/26 7 pm. 2/27 2 and 5 pm. W5,000. esart.kr, 043-871-3883 February 26th - 28th
Strange Soup: Science Fiction Show Art director Roger Rynd’s all-English children’s science fiction show has been performed in Seoul and Jeonju, and now it arrives in Daejeon. Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. Fri 7 pm, Sat/ Sun 1 and 4 pm. W30,000. djac.or.kr, 02-560-0999
February 20th School Music Concert Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2225 Barbara Bonney Recital The silver-tongued soprano whose immense talent has graced opera halls from London’s Royal Opera House to Milan’s La Scala will be yours to hear at the Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. 7 - 8:30 pm. W10,000 – W70,000. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2222 February 21st Dong-hyeok Im Piano Recital: Beyond Chopin Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. 5 pm. W30,000 – W70,000. djac.or.kr, 1544-1556 February 23rd KBS Symphony Orchestra Seung Gwak conducts this stirring production of Mozart’s Overture from the Marriage of Figaro, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in D Minor, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. W10,000 – W50,000. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2222
Family & Community Ongoing Daejeon O-World Amusement Park Take the kids out for a day full of fun and adventure at Daejeon’s biggest amusement park, featuring Zoo Land, Flower Land, and Joy Land. Rides include the pirate ship and giant drop. Special attractions include a zoo safari ride and a sledding zone. 9:30 am – 6 pm. Basic admission is W8,000 for adults, W4,000 for teens, and W3,000 for children. No English site. oworld.kr, 042-580-4820
February 1st - 11th Concerts
Daejeon Winter Music Festival
How far will a buck get you? Your W1,000 goes further than ever before at Daejeon’s yearly amateur performance festival. For just one of the blue bills, you can choose from a range of nightly performances by groups including Cantiamo Choral Group, Daejeon Wind Ensemble, Dream Toe Ballet Company, Sounds of Home Orchestra, Break Away Theater Troupe, and Dance Research Institute. There’s even a version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Pegasus Theater Troupe (sadly in Korean). Times vary with each performance, but the price remains the same. Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2222
students of Buddhism. Visitors must stay for the entire week in shared rooms. February programs start 2/13. Space is limited and you must apply two weeks before the program begins. Check out the English site. musangsa.org, 042-841-6084 Yegok Natural Dye Workshop Learn how to have fun without adding pollution to your surroundings at Yegok, a workshop that uses natural, eco-friendly materials for cool crafts and projects. They offer classes where you learn how to color your scarves, t-shirts, cushions, or other cloth items with seasonal dyes. Another option is a class for making natural soap. Call a week early to arrange a lesson. Discounts available for groups over 20. Okcheon-gun, just east of Daejeon. yegok.co.kr, 043-733-0978
Sport & Fitness February 28th
Winter Retreat at Musangsa Temple The one week winter programs offered at the Gyeryong Mountain International Zen Center are best suited for serious
Religious Services Central Presbyterian Church (Nonsan) 041-736-1002 Presbyterian Church (Cheonan) 041-675-2008 Central Presbyterian Church (Gongju) 011-382-1862
Hotels/Accommodations Yuseong (Daejeon) 042-822-9591 Golden Wave (Taean) 041-675-2008 The Sky Blue Bird (Seosan) 011-382-1862 Onyang Hot Spring Hotel (Asan) 041-543-2141 New Korea Hotel (Asan) 041-542-8151 Cheonan Central Hotel (Cheonan) 041-564-9100
Medical Services Sun Hospital (Daejeon) 042-220-8000 Konyang International Health Care Center (Daejeon) kihcc.kyuh.co.kr, 042-600-9978
Education & Conferences Korea Traditional Architecture Museum Most of Korea’s beautiful structures did not survive its various wars and uprisings, but at this museum you can see what Korean traditional architecture probably looked like. Outside, exact replicas of Paljakjeong Pavilion and other buildings are worthy of attention, as well as the miniatures and photos on display inside. Yesan-gun. 8 am – 5 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W2,000, teens W1,500, children W1,000. English site available. ktam.or.kr, 041-337-5877
CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE
Restaurants/Supermarkets
Jecheon Uirimji Bare Body Marathon 5k and 10k to depart at 10:30 am from the Jecheon airfield. It’s not exactly a nude marathon as the name would suggest, but men go shirtless while women wear tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Tights or shorts must be worn below. Contestants get a free towel (perhaps to wipe off sweat after the race). W5,000 for 5k, W10,000 for 10k. Sign up by Feb 17th. jecheonmarathon.net, 043-643-6677
Gasan Korean (Cheonan) 041-561-9500 Spain House Spanish (Cheonan) 041-571-7474 Olive Farms Buffet (Cheongju) 043-215-3311
Live Music Venues Bars/Lounges/Pubs Barker’s Live Bar (Gyeryong) 042-841-0470 Blue Moon (Cheongwon) 043-285-0399 Rolling Stones (Cheonan) 041-562-9824
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CHUNGCHEONG
Through March 21st “Fragile” Contemporary Art Exhibit Rather than dwelling on spectacular, shocking topics, the artwork in this exhibit presents the viewer with confidential episodes from everyday life. “Fragile” gives 50 artists from around the world the chance to share their personal story with you through these 200 pieces. Daejeon Art Museum. 10 am – 6 pm. Fridays till 9 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W500, minors W300. dmma.metro.daejeon.kr, 042-602-3253
February 19th Daejeon City Choir: Children’s Concert Daejeon Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. W5,000 – W10,000. djac.or.kr, 042-610-2292
EDITOR’S PICK
GANGWON CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK Though February 15th Family & Community
Paro Lake “Baroparo” Winter Festival If you wanted to visit the Ice Fishing Festival in Hwacheon last month but couldn’t make it, you’ve just been given a second chance. Located in Gandong-myeon (a different part of Hwacheon-gun), this festival offers the same ice fishing as well as a variety of games including ice golf, sledding, curling and even ice bingo. It’ll cost you W10,000 (weekdays) or W12,000 (weekends) to crouch above a hole in the ice as you try to nab one of the trout and smelt swimming below. Keep your expenses down by taking advantage of the Hwacheon bucks you’ll get in exchange for the fishing fee, which you can use to get a tasty bite at any of the restaurants in the area. goparoho.com, 010-7209-0113
bear, the symbol of Seorak Mountain. The museum includes a garden, café, and shop. Adults W5,000, teens W4,000, children W3,000. teddyfarm.net, 033-636-3680
years. There’s also the male genitalia carving contest, in which carpenters from across Korea inflict their phallic fantasies on tree trunks. samcheok.go.kr, 033-570-3224
Through March 17th Between Seen and Unseen Featuring five contemporary Korean artist, this exhibit reflects upon the conceptual distance between picture and image. Ilhyeon Art Museum in Yangyanggun. 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. ilhyunm.cafe24.com, 033-670-8450
February 26th - March 1st Yongdaeri Hwangtae (Dried Pollack) Festival Koreans find plenty of ways to prepare pollack, an essential fish in Korean cuisine, but perhaps one of the oddest ones is the theme of this festival. In the winter, pollack are hung up outside on racks and left to freeze at night and thaw during the day repeatedly until they dry completely. Along with concerts and games, the festival features a chance for cooks from around the country to compete in the Yongdaeri Hwangtae Cook-off. The village of Yongdaeri is in Inje-gun. yongdaeri.com/festival, 033-462-4808
Concerts February 5th Gangwon Professors Choir Catch this newly-established group at their first performance, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary choral pieces. Chuncheon Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. ccac.or.kr, 010-2763-4340 February 6th Geon-mo Kim: Soul Groove Korean pop sensation Geon-mo Kim is the crooner of choice for seven out of ten ajummas. Baekun Art Hall in Wonju. 4 and 8 pm. 2 hrs. W77,000 - W88,000. baekunart.wonju.go.kr, 033-741-8232
GANGWON
February 19th Chuncheon Symphony Orchestra An ambitious program featuring selections from the opera Carmen by George Bizet as well as Francois Borne’s Fantasie for Flute and Piano inspired by the same piece. Other pieces include Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and his “classical ballet” Romeo and Juliet. Chuncheon Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. ccac.or.kr, 033-253-8519
Art Arari Puppet House Under the guidance of owner and director Jeong-ui An, former representative of the Seoul Puppet Association, the Arari Puppet House has been offering puppet shows, classes, and exhibits with no strings attached. Jeongseon-gun. The museum is open from 10 am – 6 pm except for Mondays. The website’s nearly a museum piece itself, so have a friend call for info on classes and performances. arari.net, 033-563-9667 Becoming the Moon: Bangsan White Clay This exhibit at the Bangsan Porcelain Museum features white clay vessels modeled after the moon design popular during the Joseon dynasty. Yanggugun. 9 am – 5 pm. Closed Mondays. Adults W1,000, teens W700, children W500. bangsanm.or.kr, 033-480-2664 Byeolmaru Observatory Located 800 meters above sea level, the Byeolmaru Observatory located in the mountains east of Seoul is your best chance to see the stars on the Korean peninsula. See falling stars and planets with the 80 cm main telescope and explore the gallery, video room, and observation deck. Five tours daily lasting an hour each start at 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9 pm. Adults W5,000, students W4,000. yao.or.kr, 033-374-7460
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Haslla Art World Open since 2003, Haslla Art World, part garden and part museum, strives to achieve harmony between art and nature. It covers sixty-one acres of land with parks, galleries, overlooks and study rooms providing plenty of chances for children and adults to make their own artwork. A full tour takes around two hours. Adults W5,000, children W4,000. Gangneung. haslla.kr, 033-644-9411 History of Pottery at the Sokbong Ceramic Museum With over 1300 pieces of baked clay on display covering the United Silla,Goryeo, and Joseon Dynasties, this exhibit is your definitive source of information on the history of Korean pottery. Sokcho. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W3,500, teens W2,000, children W1,500. For an extra fee, you can try making your own pottery, too. Closed Mondays. dogong.net, 033-638-7711 Outside Sculpture Exhibit in Yeongweol-gun The International Museum of Contemporary Art has 60 large-scale works by artists from various countries on display in its sculpture garden. ywmuseum.com, 033-375-2752 Teddy Bear Farm Located just south of Sokcho on the slopes of Seorak Mountain, the Teddy Bear Farm is a museum dedicated to the plush playthings. The owner says she was inspired by the Asiatic black
Family & Community February 5th - 6th, 12th - 13th High 1 Resort Fireworks Show What could be more dazzling than fireworks bursting around you as you zoom down the slope? The musical fireworks show takes place Fridays at 8 pm near Mountain Ski Base, while the performance fireworks show is held Saturdays at 8 pm around Lake Park near Gangwon Land Hotel. Get to the resort on the train going from Chongnyangni (청량리) Station to Gohan Station. high1.com, 1588-7789 February 25th - 28th Goseong Pollack Festival Goseong-gun, just south of the DMZ on the east coast of Korea, is the site of the most active pollack fishery in Korea. Try some grilled pollack on the site or buy some to take back home with you at a big discount. Festival activities include fun performances, old-fashioned fishing rituals, and even a fishing boat procession. Geojin Harbor in Goseong-gun. myeongtae.com, 033-682-8008 February 26th - 28th Samcheok Daeboreum Festival No one celebrates Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar year, quite like Samcheok on the east coast. First, there’s the national tug-ofwar championship, based on a local ceremony that dates back hundreds of
Education Ongoing Chuncheon Animation Museum Who didn’t love watching cartoons as a kid? Relive your childhood at the Animation Museum in Chuncheon with fun exhibits, giant figures of cartoon characters, and the “Animateque,” a small theater dedicated to cartoons. Admission to the Stop Motion Center is included in your ticket. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W4,000, minors W3,000. animationmuseum.com, 033-245-6444
Sports & Fitness Through February 28th High 1 Resort Snowmobile Rides So you thought that launching down the ski slope was a good enough thrill? High 1 Resort in Jeongseon-gun introduces winter travelers to the next generation of fun in the snow with its snowmobile program. At High 1 CC and Mountain Ski Base, pick up the basics of snowmobile driving with a short lesson, and then try out one of these 1000cc beasts, capable of a top speed of 120kph. 9 am – 5:30 pm. Children can go for a ride (with a driver) for W7,000, while adults can take the driver’s seat for W25,000/ W70,000 for a 1k/3k course. high1.com, 033-590-7906 Korean Basketball League (KBL)
All games held at Wonju Chiak Gymnasium February 6th Wonju Dongbu Promy vs Anyang KT&G Kites at 5 pm February 11th Wonju Dongbu Promy vs Busan KT Sonicboom at 7 pm February 15th Wonju Dongbu Promy vs Changwon LG Sakers at 3 pm February 17th Wonju Dongbu Promy vs Anyang KT&G Kites at 7 pm February 28th Wonju Dongbu Promy vs Jeonju KCC Egis at 3 pm
KOREAN DESTINATIONS
Burns Night on Geoje Island February 20th
ew foreigners in Korea have heard of Geoje Island, the second largest island in Korea located in Gyeongsang Province, and even fewer know about the Okpo Foreigners Club, which does its part to make the island even more enjoyable for the long-term foreigners living there. In recognition of the diverse nationalities of the island residents, different parties are held throughout the year. From Mexican fiestas to Oktoberfest, these nights allow people from all over the world to share all that’s good about their home countries. However, it’s no mere Scotsman’s prejudice to say that none of these other parties compare to the mass organization and effort that goes into the special celebration held early each year. That would be Burns Night, for the benighted among us who may not be familiar with the Scottish holiday. The night celebrates the renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns, famous among other things as the author of the lyrics to the New Year’s song “Auld Lang Syne.” Though the event is traditionally held around the poet’s birthday on January 25th, the Geoje Foreigner Resident Association (GFRA) is planning this year’s event for February 20th at 7 pm. GFRA’s Burns Night is starting to get noticed, with the British Ambassador and his wife among last year’s visitors. Since the event is held in one of the far-flung regions of the planet, putting it together is no easy feat. Burns Night comes but once a year, but it takes most of the year for the GFRA committee members to organize. The organizers pride themselves on doing whatever it takes to ensure a properly traditional Burns Night. They fly over a three-piece band all the way from Scotland. The singer from the group
also doubles up as dance teacher for the night and instructs the guests in the intricacies of the Dashing White Sergeant and other popular Scottish dances. Guests who have sampled the whiskey may find these moves more difficult than expected. Another major task is getting together authentic Scottish dishes like haggis and neeps (Scottish turnips). Korea has not yet been introduced to the seasonal delights of the turnip, and haggis is still a wee small animal to most Koreans. Fortunately, there is a small bakery below the club run by the Scottish baker Gavin, who supplies the haggis. Some Scotsmen even bring their bagpipes to join the band and provide the piping in of the haggis. Importing the turnip ate up a huge portion of the budget, so this year the cooks will use a close equivalent, the Korean white radish 무 (mu). The kitchen staff all have a clear understanding of the peculiar requirements of this dinner and will produce a fabulous spread. Also, some of the female members of the club will bake some good old-fashioned cakes, including millionaire’s shortbread, a favorite of many a Brit. Dress code for the night is formal, so bring your dress or suit and tie (or kilt, if Getting you have one). No kids are allowed at there this party, so adults can relax and enjoy From Seoul, start at authentic Scottish food, live music, Nambu Bus Terminal an exciting raffle, and recitations (near exit 5 of Nambu Terminal Station, line of the best of Burns’ poetry. Tickets 3). Take an intercity for Burns Night cost W70,000, and bus to Jangseungpo you can also support the evening Intercity Bus Terminal by getting your picture taken as a on Geoje Island. The trip takes around 5 memento for the night or buying ½ hours and costs tickets at the raffle for a chance at W28,300. From there some fantastic prizes. Since seats are a local bus will get you to Okpo Harbor. The limited, non-members interested in Okpo Foreigner’s Club attending should be sure to contact is located a taxi drive Steve Davies about tickets: away on the 2nd floor steve.davies@ocsolutions.com.au. of the Okpo Shopping Center just next to the For the GFRA homepage, Admiral Hotel. visit gfra.net/home. 10 Magazine February 2010 | 65
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Words and shots by Martin Bennie
GYEONGSANG CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 23rd – March 1st Art
Shen Yun Performing Arts Tour
Open through March 7th of next year, this exhibition is divided into three sections titled “Art into Art,” “Design by Design,” and “City on City.” Artists, interior designers, and museum curators collaborate to challenge the way we conceive of constructing buildings and the materials that we deem appropriate to use. Of particular interest is the display of hybrid works of art that use mass-produced materials in surprising ways. Clayarch Gimhae Museum in Gimhae, just west of Busan. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W2,000, students W1,000, children W500. clayarch.org
Artistic without being pretentious and funny without being silly, this unconventional non-verbal performance is pure delight. Ulsan Culture and Art Center. Fri 4 and 7 pm, Sat - Sun 2 and 5 pm. 1 hr. W20,000 – W25,000. ucac.or.kr, 052-228-6111 February 20th – 28th
Through March 28th Sun-taek No Photography Exhibit: Lunatic Fidelity Goeun Museum of Photography. 10 am – 7 pm. Closed Mon. Decent English site. goeunmuseum.org, 051-746-0055
GYEONGSANG
Since it was founded in New York in 2006, the Shen Yun (“Divine”) performance arts and entertainment company has been acclaimed for its exquisite costumes, music, and dance numbers. Mostly derived from the kind of traditional Chinese culture that is seldom seen inside of China today, this constantly evolving traveling show doesn’t hesitate to incorporate Western instruments or techniques where appropriate. This isn’t Shen Yun’s first tour in Korea, but circus and theater lovers will be curious to see new developments in this year’s show. 2/23: Seongsan Art Hall in Changwon. 2 and 7:30 pm. sungsanart.or.kr, 055-2687900. 2/25 – 3/1: Daegu Citizen Center. dgcitizencenter. or.kr, 053-252-6401. W30,000 - W200,000. aimn.co.kr, 1644-1390
Art Shivering: Perceiving Space All of a Sudden This exhibit displays the installations, drawings, and art objects of Ho-deuk Kim. Cyan Museum in Yeongcheon, east of Daegu. 10:30 am – 6:30 pm. Closed Mondays. cyanmuseum.org, 054-338-9391 Through February 7th Byeong-u Bae Exhibit The photographer Bae approaches nature with his camera as a painter might with a brush, producing works of great beauty. Busan Museum of Art. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W700, students W300. art.busan.go.kr, 051-740-4241 Through February 15th Ok-jin Shin Donation Art Exhibit Ok-jin Shin has donated 321 works of art to the Busan Museum of Art over the past 10 years. This exhibit honors his generosity by putting 24 of those pieces on display. Featuring engravings by Renoir and U-hwan Lee. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W700, students W300. art.busan.go.kr, 051-740-4241 Chang-yeol Kim Exhibit The 60 paintings and installations span the entirety of Kim’s career as an artist from his first work to still unpublished pieces. Busan Museum of Art. 10 am
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– 6 pm. Adults W700, students W300. art.busan.go.kr, 051-740-4241 Young Vision, New Gaze This ongoing exhibit series draws attention to significant artwork displayed over the past few years by up-andcoming artists. February features Jimun Kim, Dae-hong Kim, and Seongnan Park. Busan Museum of Art. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W700, students W300. art.busan.go.kr, 051-740-4241 Through February 21st Realism Explained through Contemporary Art The 74 pieces on display cover social realism, hyper-realism, ironic realism, and other movements of the past three decades. Gyeongnam Art Museum in Changwon. 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Monday. Adults W1,000, teens W700, children W500. gam.go.kr, 055-211-0333 Deceased Artists Exhibit A bit morbid perhaps, but this exhibit series focuses on artists who are gone but not forgotten. This month, the focus is on the work of Gyeong Kim and Cheon-ok Kim. Busan Museum of Art. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W700, students W300. art.busan.go.kr, 051-740-4241 Through March 7th Architectural Ceramics: Now and New
February 24th – 26th Handiart Total Craft Exhibit Fifty otherwise ordinary, everyday objects are on display for their extraordinary design. Gumi Art Center. gumiart.or.kr, 054-462-5356
Theater & Dance Ongoing Jump The comic martial arts performance has enjoyed consistent popularity for a decade now. Lotte Art Hall. Tue - Fri 8 pm, Sat & Holidays 5 pm & 8 pm, Sun 6 pm. W40,000 – W50,000. hijump.co.kr, 051-744-4885 February 5th – 6th
Little Donkey: Family Musical An adorable little donkey sets off in search of the world’s largest sock. Korean. Busan MBC Lotte Art Hall. Tue – Thu 3 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 11 am & 2 pm, Sun 2 pm. 1 hr. W20,000 – W30,000. Dark Mon. mbcarthall.com, 051-760-1357 February 26th Contemporary Dance by the Daegu Dance Company Daegu Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. artcenter.daegu.go.kr, 053-606-6318 February 27th Cavalleria Rusticana: The Opera Pietro Mascagni’s classic opera in one act is performed by Sinfonia. Seongsan Art Hall in Changwon. 3, 5, and 7:30 pm. Adults W10,000, students free. sungsanart.or.kr, 055-282-6497
Concerts Strange Soup: English Musical With Roger Rynd directing, this allEnglish children’s sci-fi show aims to combine education and entertainment. Busan MBC Lotte Art Hall. Fri 8 pm, Sat 11 am and 2 pm. 70 mins. W20,000 – W30,000. mbcarthall.com, 051-760-1357
Through February 1st Ulsan Children’s Orchestra Schubert’s 8th Symphony, Dvorak’s 9th Symphony, and more. Ulsan Culture and Art Center. 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Free. ucac.or.kr, 052-226-8279 http://www.ucac.or.kr/Common/ Detail_Ucac.php?id=P0004615
February 19th - 20th
February 4th Concerto Evening with the USP Chamber Orchestra With a selection of concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Haydn. Ulsan Culture and Art Center. 7:30 – 9:10 pm. ucac.or.kr, 052-259-1231
National Ballet Troupe: Cinderella Busan Cultural Center. Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5 pm. W30,000 - W100,000. bsculture. busan.kr, 051-500-5222 February 19th – 21st Drawing Show
February 5th Romantic Concert in Daegu Compare two different musical takes on the old tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet with a program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Overture to Romeo and Juliet and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 1. Daegu Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 – 9 pm. W10,000. artcenter.daegu.go.kr, 053-606-6313 February 6th Love and Valentine’s Jazz Concert “Moon River,” “All of Me,” and other standards. Busan Cultural Center. 7:30 pm. bsculture.busan.kr, 051-120
February 7th
Marco Socias in Concert The Ulsan Culture and Art Center offers you a chance to hear this wellknown Spanish classical guitarist. 6 – 7:20 pm. W15,000 – W20,000. ucac.or.kr, 052-275-9623 February 9th Morning Concert: Beethoven Virus The Millennium String Ensemble under the adept direction of Hui-tae Seo will perform short selections by Mozart, Vivaldi, and others. Seongsan Art Hall in Changwon. 11 am. W15,000. sungsanart.or.kr, 055-268-7900 February 18th Nouveau Ensemble Daegu Culture and Arts Center. 7:30 pm. W10,000 – W20,000. artcenter.daegu.go.kr, 053-252-4448 February 25th
February 28th Berlin Kammerphilharmonie Orchestra Bach’s Aria, Piano Concerto No.20 d Minor, K466, Exsultate Jubilate K.165 and Symphony No.40 . Busan Cultural Center. 7:30 pm. bsculture.busan.kr, 02-2277-6516
Family & Community Through February 15th Earth Exploration Team Challenge and Magic Bubble Show The activities at this event don’t seem to have anything to do with each other, but I’m pretty sure your kids won’t notice (or care). First, there’s a video of 500 Korean celebrities discussing the time they spent in 200 different countries and the customs and people there. Second, a magic bubble show. Third, an exciting jungle zone where you can see reptiles and other animals. Fourth, a game zone with a moonwalk. BEXCO (Busan Exposition and Convention Center). 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W11,000, children W13,000. bexco.co.kr, 051-740-8331
Through March 1st Kids Land Reminiscent of Chuck E. Cheese’s entertainment zones, this pint-sized paradise offers kids a selection of bumper boats, ball pits, slides, and bouncy houses of all shapes and sizes including a pirate ship, a factory, and even Noah’s Ark. Three convenient locations in Busan, Daegu, and Changwon. 10 am – 7 pm. W12,000. BEXCO (Busan Exposition and Convention Center). bexco2010. com, 051-740-8800. EXCO (Daegu Exhibition and Convention Center). exco2010.com, 053-601-6888. CECO (Changwon Exhibition Convention Center). ceco2010.com, 055-212-1500
GYEONGSANG
Dong-hyeok Lim Piano Recital Pieces by Ravel, Chopin, and Prokofiev. Busan Cultural Center. 7:30 pm. W20,000 – W50,000. bsculture.busan.kr, 051-120
Ice Sculptures and Games Get some snapshots of the ice sculptures on display while your kids go sledding or play on the ice slide (W2,000 an hour on weekdays, 30 mins on the weekend). Snack on roasted sweet potatoes for W2,000 a tater. The ice games go from 10 am – 4 pm, but you can visit the ice sculptures through 10 pm thanks to decent outdoor lighting. Geumwon Mountain Natural Forest in Geochang-gun. Adults W1,000, teens W600, and children W300. greencamp.go.kr, 055-940-3574
February 6th Poetry Jam in Daegu Like a poetry slam plus a jam session, here’s your chance to appreciate the beauty of poetry while tapping your feet to some joyful tunes. Buy the Book Cafe in Daegu. 6 – 8 pm. Facebook group, buythebookcafe@yahoo.com February 6th – 7th Laser Show and Bubble Show Gumi Art Center. Sat 1 and 3 pm, Sun 11, 2, and 4 pm. W15,000. gumiart.or.kr, 02-2681-2075 February 7th Swaporama Part 2 Recycle, reduce, and reuse! Get rid of your extra gear and grab some new stuff at round two of Swaporama. Bring a bag of decent stuff you’d like to to swap or W10,000. Buy the Book Cafe in Daegu. 3 - 5 pm. Facebook group, buythebookcafe@yahoo.com February 20th Daegu Theater Troupe Presents Comedy Cabaret A fun mix of theatrical scenes, skits, monologues, music, and dance along with wine and cheese. Buy the Book Cafe in Daegu. Doors open 7 pm, show starts 8 pm. W10,000 in advance, W15,000 at the door. kristinmyers19@ hotmail.com, 010-4997-1975 February 27th No Brainer Dance Party Don’t forget to celebrate No Brainer Day, the day when you do stuff that doesn’t require any extra mental effort.
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GYEONGSANG CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 28th Family & Community
Jeongwol Daeboreum Festivals
Namhae-gun
GYEONGSANG
Daeboreum, or the first full moon of the lunar year, comes only two weeks after the Lunar New Year, perhaps explaining why people don’t celebrate it anymore. However, it does make for a lot of fun festivals that preserve a variety of unusual customs. The most famous is burning the daljip (moon house), a big pile of branches, sticks, and straw. Others include spinning charcoal-filled cans on a string and being first to see the full moon when it rises. Coming soon to a festival ground near you—refer to the list below. Busan (Buk-gu) The daljip goes up in flames on the banks of the Nakdong River. bsbukgu.go.kr, 051-304-7501
downtown Daegu
Busan (Gwanganli Beach) Thousands gather for Daeboreum activities like the daljip bonfire and Ganggangsullae dance. suyeong.go.kr, 051-610-4048
burgers & sandwiches
Busan (Nam-gu) The events last from the afternoon until the daljip is lit before moonrise. tour.bsnamgu.go.kr, 051-607-4062
tex-mex & greek
Busan (Sasang-gu) Begins with a street parade and ends with the burning of a huge 20-meter tall daljip. sasang.go.kr, 051-310-4000
western breakfast
Busan (Seo-gu) The only Daeboreum festival where the daljip is burned on a barge just offshore near Songdo beach. culture.bsseogu.go.kr, 051-240-4064
beer & cocktails wine & martinis
Cheongdo-gun Make a wish for the new year in front of the burning bonfire. tour.cheongdo.go.kr, 054-370-6374 Daegu (Dalseo-gu) Find the games, ceremonies, and other festivities at Weolgwang Subyeon Park. dalseo.daegu.kr, 053-667-2171 Dalseong-gun Daljib burning and more traditional fun held next to the Hyeonpung Stream. culture.dalseong.daegu.kr, 053-668-2000
w w w.theholygrillkorea.com Tel. 053-423-4048
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Ulsan (Dong-gu) The sun goes down, the moon comes up, and the fun goes on at Ilsan Beach. festival.donggu.ulsan.kr, 052-209-3000 Namhae-gun Throw your wishes on the beach bonfire near Sangju Village. namhae.go.kr, 055-860-8601 Uiryeong-gun The sight of locals dancing around the burning daljip recalls ancient rituals. tour.uiryeong.go.kr, 055-570-2400 Yecheon-gun Enjoy the yutnori, kites, see-saws, and more traditional Korean fun at Hancheon Sports Park. tour.ycg.kr, 054-655-1500 Yeongju Ceremonial alcohol and neat local products at Seonbi Village in Seunghun-myeon. tour.yeongju.go.kr, 054-638-6444
GYEONGSANG DIRECTORY Cut loose and go crazy dancing and meeting tons of new people. Great music, great food and great fun! Buy the Book Cafe in Daegu. Starts at 9 pm. W10,000. Facebook group, buythebookcafe@yahoo.com February 28th Busan Doll Free Market From barbie dolls to baby dolls, if it’s a vaguely humanoid toy it can probably be found somewhere in the heaps of doll displays set up by clubs and businesses at BEXCO (Busan Exposition and Convention Center). 11 am – 4 pm. W2,000. dollfree.com, racsil@empal.com, 051-740-7320 February 28th – March 1st Yeongdeok 3.1 Cultural Festival On March 18th, 1919, 3,000 people gathered at the Yeonghae Market to protest the unjust Japanese occupation of Korea. Each year, a huge parade is held to commemorate those freedom fighters along with a memorial service for those who died in the struggle. Yeonghae Rotary in Yeongdeok-gun. tour.yd.go.kr, 054-730-6162 February 28th – March 3rd 3.1 Folk Festival Learn about Yeonsan’s role in the March 1st independence movement and take part in local traditions, including the cow head game and tug-ofwar. Changnyeong-gun, southwest of Daegu. tour.cng.go.kr, 055-536-0031
February 4th - 5th Carsick Cars in Concert Chinese indie band Carsick Cars (carsickcars.com) kick off their first Korean tour this month. The threemember Beijing-based outfit have transformed China’s indie music scene since they formed in 2005. February 4th: The Basement in Busan. 9:30 pm. W15,000. February 5th: Club Heavy in Daegu. 9 pm. W15,000. supercolorsuper.com, supercolorsuper@gmail.com
Sports & Fitness Walks, Runs and Marathons
Ongoing 2011 Daegu Geumho River Marathon 5k, 10k, half, 30k and full at the Daegu Dongchon Resort parking lot, to begin at 9 am. W10,000 for all courses. 2/6 (sign up by 2/4). 2/13 (sign up by 2/12). 2/20 (sign up by 2/18). 2011.mapho.co.kr, 053-252-1472 March 7th Sangju Namsan Marathon 10.6k, half, and full at the jogging course at Namsan in Sangju, to depart at 9:30 am. Sign up by February 19th. run1080.com, 042-638-1080 Korean Basketball League (KBL)
February 5th Daegu Orions vs Jeonju KCC Egis Daegu Orions Gym. 7 pm Changwon LG Sakers vs SK Knights Changwon Gym. 7 pm
February 19th Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs Jeonju KCC Egis Ulsan Dongchun Gym. 7 pm
February 26th Busan KT Sonicboom vs Daegu Orions Busan Sajik Gym. 7 pm
February 7th Daegu Orions vs Changwon LG Sakers Daegu Gym. 3 pm
February 20th Changwon LG Sakers vs Busan KT Sonicboom Changwon Gym. 3 pm
Changwon LG Sakers vs Anyang KT&G Kites Changwon Gym. 7 pm
Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs Jeonju KCC Egis Ulsan Dongchun Gym. 5 pm
February 21st Busan KT Sonicboom vs Ulsan Mobis Phoebus Busan Sajik Gym. 5 pm
February 27th Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs SK Knights Ulsan Dongchun Gym. 5 pm
February 23rd Daegu Orions vs Wonju Dongbu Promy Daegu Orions Gym. 7 pm
February 28th Daegu Orions vs Anyang KT&G Kites Daegu Orions Gym. 3 pm
February 24th Ulsan Mobis Phoebus vs Anyang KT&G Kites Ulsan Dongchun Gym. 7 pm
Changwon LG Sakers vs SK Knights Changwon Gym. 5 pm
February 9th Busan KT Sonicboom vs SK Knights Busan Sajik Gym. 7 pm February 18th Changwon LG Sakers vs Incheon ET Land Elephants Changwon Gym. 7 pm
gyeongsang province Foreigner Assistance Busan Foundation for International Activities bfia.or.kr, 1577-7716
Religious Services Bujeon Church Busan 051-807-3331 Suyeongno Church Busan 051-740-4500 Podowon Church Busan 051-333-3736 Baekangro Church Busan 051-898-3740 Pusan University of Foreign Studies Busan Sunday 12:40 pm 051-640-3445
Education Ayurveda Yoga Academy Certification course for would-be yoga teachers in Daegu. Sat 10 am – 7 pm. Call Yatren at 011-9547-5181
Hotels/Accommodations 4 – 5 Star Hotels Busan Lotte Hotel 051-810-1000 Novotel Ambassador 051-743-1234 Seacloud 051-933-1000 Daegu Novotel Ambassador 053-664-1101 Hostels Busan Arpina 051-740-3228 Zen Backpackers 010-8722-1530
Radio Stations TBS eFM Busan FM 90.5 American Forces Network Jinhae AM 1512 / FM 88.5 Daegu AM 1080 / FM 88.5 Pohang AM 1512 Waegwan AM 1080 / FM 88.5
Other Services Buy the Book The owner Sandy loves cooking just about as much as she loves books, and both passions get put to use at Daegu’s new foreign language bookstore and café. Only open on the weekend, Buy the Book is your source not just for books and healthy food but also free yoga, theater, parties,
and fun events. Downtown Daegu. buythebookcafe@yahoo.com, weekdays 010-8522-1833 weekend 0708-632-1833
Restaurants Busan Ganga Indian Opposite Haeundae Beach lies the Busan branch of this luxurious Indian chain restaurant. ganga.co.kr 051-740-6670 Kebabistan Russian Located directly out from Busan station is this Uzbek restaurant serving a well priced selection of halal dishes including kebabs, soups and stews. 051-581-4050 Sunset Lounge American “Drinks, Western Food and Fun” is their tagline, and they deliver right next to Haeundae beach. 051-742-2959 Gumi Waegook Cook American Gumi’s original foreign owned and operated restaurant, serving up great steaks, hamburgers, seafood, pastas, and German cuisine. See ad this page. waegookcook.com Daegu Berkeley Italian Warm décor and lighting, well prepared and affordable Italian cooking. Located on Hof Street. 053-421-8577 Café Francesco Italian Italian cooking, sandwiches and good coffee. Located just off Rodeo Street. 053-252-9625 Dijon French An up-market establishment serving both French and Mediterranean cuisine. 053-422-2426 Hami Mami’s Serving one of Daegu’s best brunches along with classic American sandwiches. 50m from the US base. 8 am – 10 pm. 053-475-5242 Holy Grill Owned and operated by Canadians, the Grill provides expats with homemade gourmet burgers, Tex-Mex and Greek in a chilled-out environment that feels more like a lounge than a burger joint. Move up to the 3rd floor lounge to catch major sporting events like the Winter Olympics. 053-423-4048 Leo Chow Mexican A neat little bistro serving a decent selection of burritos and tacos. 053-255-7111
Maya Indian Located across from Gyeongbuk University’s North Gate, Maya offers a mouth watering selection of set menus and individual dishes. 053-214-1916 Samarkland Russian Affordable and authentic Russian cuisine, decent beer and cheap but pure Russian vodka, all just a stone’s throw from Daegu station. 053-252-4021 Siji Taco Mexican Good selection of spicy tacos with a variety of fillings at competitive prices. 053-791-5050
Bars/Lounges/Pubs Busan Aligote A great selection of wines, fantastic platters of cheese and grilled vegetables, and excellent service and decor. 10 min from Haeundae. 6 pm – 3 am. aligote-busan.com, 051-731-3322 Fuzzy Navel Great drinks and great Mexican food as well. Four different locations, behind Seacloud Hotel Haeundae being the most popular. 011-1757-6349 Sosa Bar A cozy and pure latin bar, located very close to Pusan National University. 051-513-0070 Rock ‘n’ Roll House Western-style bar with darts and pool and a great view of Haeundae beach. 051-742-5553 Basement in front of Pusan National University on the one way street. facebook basement, the shizzle phone 011-9294-2391 (text only)
Clubs Daegu Club That Located on the rodeo just down from the Samdok fire station. 010-6587-4147 Old Skool A hip hop bar that is a favorite among the expat community on the weekend, whether it’s for dancing, socializing or drinking. Busan Maktum A modern venue for club dancing, events, launching shows, sports parties. 9 pm – 6 am. maktum.co.kr, 051-742-0770 NEO Starface “Latin Club” This club at Haeundae beach offers free salsa classes weekdays from 8 pm. Saturdays boast a live band and/or DJs. neostarface.com. 051-746-1746 Vinyl Underground Running strong for 6 solid years, the Vinyl Underground continues to deliver fresh breaks, house, funk, electro, tech house, hip hop. B2 Han La Building. 9 pm - 6 am. 051-628-0223
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GYEONGSANG
Nightlife
February 6th Busan KT Sonicboom vs Ulsan Mobis Phoebus Busan Sajik Gym. 3 pm
JEOLLA CALENDAR Foodie Finds
McCarthy's
Theater & Dance February 26th - 27th Jazz Musical “Lunatic” Three patients in the psychiatric ward are treated by a doctor who is a couple pills short of a prescription herself. In Korean. Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 3 and 7 pm. 2 hrs. W40,000 – W50,000. sori21.co.kr, 063-270-8000
Concerts The expat explosion in Korea is bringing Western dishes ranging from homemade burgers to authentic fish and chips to the far corners of the country. The latest such foreigner haven is McCarthy’s in Suncheon (just east of Gwangju), named for the great-grandfather of owner Harold Lear. A man of many talents and diverse pedigree, Harold is a Canadian from Newfoundland who served as a US paratrooper before getting married to a Korean and opening up the Suncheon pub. The pub serves as an outlet for Harold’s culinary creativity and prodigious output—this past December he cooked a traditional Christmas feast for dozens of guests with hardly any help. In addition to the cooking, McCarthy’s also hosts parties for local expats and several concerts a month with expat bands and musicians like Mike Brumm. Stay long enough and you may just get “screeched in” as an honorary Newfoundlander. Expect to speak newfanese, drink Newfoundland screeh, and kiss a real cod. The facebook page has directions and info on upcoming events. 061-724-3034 Words by David Carruth, shots by Simon Bond
Art
JEOLLA
Through February 7th Strange Tiger Exhibit Western paintings, Asian paintings, sculpture and crafts from 46 different local artists. Jeonbuk Province Art Museum in Wanjun-gun. jbartmuse.go.kr, 063-280-4343 Through February 21st Mona Lisa’s Mustache Over fifty works on display from nine different artists, including sculpture, paintings, graphic and video art. Closed Mondays. Sangrok Gallery at the Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse.gwangju.go.kr, 062-369-3515 Geumnanro Bungwan Pop Unfolding An exhibition from five different artists of over 40 works. Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse. gwangju.go.kr, 062-222-3574 Stream Exhibition of Gwangju Contemporary Art A terrific look at contemporary Asian art with 21 different local Gwangju artists participating. Cheonnam National University in Gwangju. 062-530-3584 100 Year Anniversary of Korean Comic Book Exhibition 18 canvases, over 100 pages of comic strips and a video help you get insight into Korea’s comic books. Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse.gwangju.go.kr, 062-222-3574
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February 4th - March 1st Digital Western Art History Exhibit 20,000 years of art from the first Paleolithic cave painting to the myriad developments in modern art. Text is in Korean, but the images don’t require any language ability to enjoy. Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. Closed Mon. W3,000 adults, W2,000 minors. sori21.co.kr, 063-270-7844 February 5th - 11th Ga-rim Shin Exhibit: Walking Down Alleys Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. sori21.co.kr, 010-9878-8277 February 5th – May 30th New Acquisitions Exhibit Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse.gwangju.go.kr, 062-510-0149 Starting February 6th Regional Network Exhibit: Decentered Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse.gwangju.go.kr, 062-510-0149 February 12th – May 30th Jeong-ung Ha Collection on Display Gwangju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. Adults W500, teens W300, children W200. artmuse.gwangju.go.kr, 062510-0149 February 26th – March 11th Odds and Ends Exhibit Featuring work in a wide variety of mediums by Jeolla artists active today, this exhibit touches on the importance of aesthetics in the modern world. Jeonbuk Art Center. sori21.co.kr, 063-284-4445
February 6th Live Together, Love Together Three performances featuring percussion and dance. Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. 3 and 7 pm. 90 mins. sori21.co.kr, 063-283-9226 February 20th Clarinet Essay in Concert See what happens when the strings are replaced by woodwinds at this clarinet ensemble’s performance of familiar pieces both classical and contemporary. Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. 5 – 6:30 pm. W10,000. sori21.co.kr, 063-236-2653 February 28th Jeonju Daeboreum Concert Featuring the art troupe of the North Jeolla Gugak (Traditional Korean Music) Center. Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. 7:30 pm. sori21.co.kr, 063-710-1395 Philharmonic Cellist Ensemble Sori Cultural Arts Center in Jeonju. 5 pm. sori21.co.kr, 011-681-1398
Family & Community
February 21st Jeonju KCC Egis vs Incheon ET Land at 3 pm February 24th Jeonju KCC Egis vs Busan KT Sonic Booms at 7 pm
JEOLLA PROVINCE Foreigner Assistance Gwangju International Center gwangjuic.or.kr, 062-226-1050
Religious Services Iri Joongang Church (Iksan) 063-851-4311 Musangsa (Muan-gun) 042-841-6084
Museums Gochang Dolmen Museum 9 am – 5 pm. Closed Mon. gcdolmen.go.kr, 063-560-2576 Iksan Jewel Museum 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. jewelmuseum.go.kr, 063-859-4641 Jeonju Oriental Medicine Cultural Center hanbangcenter.com, 063-232-2500 Jeonju Traditional Alcohol Museum urisul.net, 063-287-6305 Jeonju Traditional Cultural Center jt.or.kr, 063-280-7045 Mokpo Natural Museum museum.mokpo.go.kr, 061-294-3655 Mokpo Ceramic Livingware Museum doja.mokpo.go.kr, 061-270-8480
Hotels/Accommodations Gwangju Youth Hostel 062-943-4378 Ramada Plaza Gwangju ramadagwangju.com, 062-717-7000
Radio Through March 1st Jurassic Park Dinosaur Land Turn off the TV and head back a couple hundred million years to the age of those terrible lizards. In addition to a moving dinosaur display, there’s a big bug exhibit, a magic show, and a bunch of inflatable bouncers all set for a mob of leaping kids. Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults W10,000, children W12,000. idinokids.com, 062-611-3333
Education & Conferences Ongoing GIC Talks The Gwangju International Center organizes a lecture in English most Saturdays from 2:30– 4 pm. Typical speakers include professors, writers, and diplomats. See website for this month’s lectures. gic.or.kr, 062-226-2733
Sport & Fitness Korean Basketball League (KBL)
All games held at Jeonju Gymnagium February 9th Jeonju KCC Egis vs Wonju Dongbu Promy 7 pm February 17th Jeonju KCC Egis vs Daegu Orions at 7 pm
TBS eFM Gwangju FM 98.7 US Armed Forces Network Gunsan AM 1440/FM 88.5 Gwangju FM 88.5
Restaurants/Supermarkets First Nepal Restaurant firstnepal.com, 062-225-8771 Underground Grocers Foreigner owned and operated, Gwangju’s local imported food shop has all of those hard-to-find cheeses, taco shells and other delicacies foreigners in Korea crave. One minute from the McDonald’s in Hwangguemdong. 062-232-2626
Live Music Venues Bars/Lounges/Pubs Art & Travel Cafe (Jeonju) Open mic nights every Wednesday from 9 pm. Facebook group, 011-9437-0208 Deepin (Jeonju) Popular expat bar with Texas Holdem on Sundays. 019-9646-1028 Speakeasy (Gwangju) The fun never stops at this fantastic bar owned and operated by honest Irishman Derrek Hannon in the heart of Gwangju. 010-4713-3825 McCarthy’s (Suncheon) Grab some grub or listen to live music at this meeting place for expats and locals alike. The owner Harold Lear, who hails from Newfoundland, is always ready with a pint. dsyfunctional_01@hotmail.com, 061-724-3034
JEJU CALENDAR EDITOR’S PICK February 26th - 28th Family & Community
Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival
Now in its 14th year, Jeju Island’s Daeboreum festival offers visitors a spectacular fireworks show and insight into Korean traditions, including the oldfashioned farming practice of burned the standing growth in fields after the harvest to prepare them for the next year’s crops. Festivities start on Friday the 26th with performances, games, and the traditional bonfires called “burning the moon house.” The torching of the fields takes place on the night of the 14th, with a fireworks display you won’t want to miss. At Saebyeol Oreum in Aewol-eup, southwest of Jeju City. buriburi.go.kr 064-728-2894
Art Through February 4th Haeng-seop Mun Painting Exhibit Jeju Culture and Art Center. jejuculture.or.kr, 017-696-4320
Jeju Culture and Art Center. jejuculture.or.kr, 011-9660-2119
Theater & Dance Ongoing
Through March 31st 70s and 80s Memories: Photo Exhibit At Nature Lovers Gallery, located in an old schoolhouse. Adults W3,000, children W2,000. 064-787-3110 February 12th - 16th Jeju University Photo Club’s 30th Exhibit
February 11th Jeju Symphony Orchestra The program features F. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor and J. Sibelius’s Symphony No. 6 in D Minor. Jeju Culture and Art Center. 7:30 pm. Adults W5,000, students W3,000. jejuculture.or.kr, 064-728-3937 February 27th Jang-hun Kim and Psy’s “One Touch” Concert Sat 6 pm, Sun 5 pm. 200 min. W66,000 – W110,000. Tamna Hall at the International Convention Center Jeju (ICC Jeju). iccjeju.co.kr, 1544-7579 Beautiful Companion: Hwiseong Live Pop star Hwiseong brings his hit tunes and impressive stage show to the Jeju Culture and Art Center. 2 and 6 pm. W30,000 – W50,000. jejuculture.or.kr, 1588-9786
Nanta on Jeju Island Nanta, the non-verbal performance that got started ten years ago, is a feast for the ears that turns ordinary kitchen pots and pans into a rhythm section. Jeju Media Center in Jeju City (064-727-7800). 90 min. Sun 8 pm, Tue – Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 pm, 8 pm. W40,000 - W50,000. ticket.interpark.com, 1544-1555 February 20th - 21st The Wizard of Oz: Family Musical “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” said Dorothy. Little did L. Frank Baum know that his words would be spoken in Korean. Jeju Culture and Art Center. 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. W15,000 in advance, W20,000 at the door. jejuculture.or.kr, 010-8300-2410
Concerts Through February 28th WCC Free Concerts To raise awareness of Jeju’s winning bid to host the World Conservation Congress in 2012, a series of free
Ongoing Jeju Peace Museum Gamma Oreum, on the west side of Jeju, offers not only breathtaking scenery of Halla Mountain but also a disquieting view into one of the island’s darker episodes. The Peace Museum, founded and privately financed by Lee Young-Geun, records and displays the tragedy of the Jeju laborers forced by the Japanese occupying forces to dig defense tunnels during World War II. Adults W4,500, children W3,500, children W3,000. 8:30 am – 6 pm. peacemuseum.co.kr, 064-772-2500 Ongoing Woodcarving and Engraving Workshop Held at the Jeju Museum of Art. Weekdays 10 – 11:30 am, 2 – 3:30 pm; weekends 10 – 11:30 am, 2 – 4 pm. jmoa.jeju.go.kr, 061-710-4273
Family & Community Happy Town Circus Cheesy name notwithstanding, these Chinese circus performers are sure to impress with the acrobatics, hula hoops, and aerial silk acts. Special highlights include the thrilling motorcycle show and innovative scissors dance. Korean guests will appreciate a rousing rendition of Arirang. Located in Seogwipo, Gwangdong-ri. 10:30 am, 3 pm, and 5 pm. Adults W12,000, teens W10,000, children W8,000. jejuseaworld.co.kr/happytown/main. asp, 064-794-4444
Travel Ongoing Jeju Olle Hiking Trails Borrowing a Jeju dialect term meaning the path to one’s front door, the olle trails first opened in 2007 and have now expanded to thirteen courses. These interconnected trails cover 200 kilometers and take you through forests, up mountains, beside beaches, and into the hidden heart of Jeju. Stop by the website for excellent info, pictures, and maps. jejuolle.org/eng, 064-739-0815
JEJU ISLAND Religious Services Jeju Anglican/Episcopal Church Sinjeju 010-2500-6780
Medical Services Dr. Chung’s Pediatric Clinic chung56@pednet.co.kr 064-748-1546 Hanna Women’s Clinic hannaobgy.com 064-711-7717 Pyeonhan Dental Clinic e-pretty.co.kr 064-758-2800
Radio Arirang Radio Jeju City Seoguipo City
FM 88.7 FM 88.1
Restaurants Bagdad Cafe Indian Delicious, authentic Indian food made from local ingredients in a gorgeous atmosphere. Near City Hall in Jeju City. 064-757-8182 Dom Jang Japanese Absolutely spectacular sushi and sashimi in several fabulous locations all over the island. By far the best atmosphere is in Jungmun. 064-738-2550 El Paso Mexican Rather bland but adequate Mexican food in a central location in Jeju City. 064-752-8252 Island Gecko’s Western A varied menu of terrific Western food, plus maybe the best cocktails and service on the island. The BBQ nights every weekend will blow you away with ribeye steak, sausages, and more for only W19,000. Jungmun. 064-739-0845
Bars/Lounges/Pubs Boris Brewery The brewer at the successful Modern Time Brewpub is opening up another shop with beer and Spanish sangria based on a 30-year-old recipe. 064-726-4141 La Vie No one’s quite sure whether it’s the company, the conversation, or arguably the best burger in Jeju that makes this such a popular watering hole for local expats. 064-700-1138 Modern Time With locations at Grand Hotel Sageori and City Hall, this microbrewery provides beer lovers with some of the best homemade ales in Korea. 064-748-4180
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JEJU ISLAND
Through February 28th Enjoying Stories with all the Senses: Storybook Exhibit (Part 2) This exhibit serves to introduce children not only to the beauty and charm of picture books but also to a wide variety of Korean folk tales. Visitors to the gallery can browse through original drawings by the authors of Korean children books, see a diorama and video display, or even experience the “scary room” filled with characters from the tales. Jeju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. jmoa. jeju.go.kr, 061-710-4273
February 9th 2nd Imperial Gugak Challenge Hear classics of traditional Korean music at the Jeju Culture and Art Center. 7 pm. Free. jejuculture.or.kr, 02-3497-0866
Education
Through February 14th Permanent Collection Exhibit Featuring artwork that has never been publically displayed before. Jeju Museum of Art. 9 am – 6 pm. jmoa. jeju.go.kr, 061-710-4300 Through February 17th The Tiger Living on the Island: Year of the Tiger Exhibit Ten folk paintings of tigers meet fifteen paintings of this year’s animal by residents of Jeju Island. Jung-seop Lee Art Museum. 9 am – 6 pm. Closed Mon. Adults W1,000, teens W500, children W300. jslee.seogwipo.go.kr, 064-733-3555
concerts will be held every weekend through the end of the month. 5th – 7th: Goguryeo Band (rock), 12th – 14th: Ray Gang (pop), 19th – 21st: Rabbit Boy (rock and electronic), 26th – 28th: JFK (jazz). Fri 6 pm, Sat 3 & 6 pm, Sun 6 pm. 1st floor of the International Convention Center Jeju (ICC Jeju). iccjeju.co.kr, 064-735-1000
NETWORKING CALENDAR Tuesday, February 2nd AWC Coffee Morning
This month’s coffee morning turns to a sobering subject. Listen to powerful stories of women caught up in war and forced to become “comfort women” to Japanese soldiers during World War II. Grand Ambassador Hotel. 9:30 – 11:30 am. W15,000 for non-members. awckorea.org, awc.coffees@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 3rd Cake Decorating Class with SIWA
Are your cake decoration skills in need of some touching up? Join Jeongmin Kim, who learned her trade at the French Culinary Institute in New York City, to learn how to whip up a creative cake for Valentine’s Day. Sugar Craft Studio at Hannam-dong. 10 am – 1 pm. W70,000 includes all materials and the cake, which you get to keep. siwapage.com
Thursday, February 4th SIWA Newcomer’s Meeting
Learn more about SIWA and life in this sometimes fascinating, sometimes frustrating city. Seoul Club. 10 am. W8,000. seoulclub.org, siwapage.com
Thursday, February 4th FKCII Lecture on Global Companies Adopting Pension Plans
Two lecturers cite case studies as they discuss the difficulties that global companies face when they adopt direct contribution retirement plans. Lecture held in English. Alsace-Provence room of the Novotel Ambassador Hotel in Gangnam. 12 – 2 pm. W75,000. infos@fkcci.com, fkcci.com
Tuesday, February 9th R ASKB Lecture on Won Buddhism
NETWORKING CALENDAR
You may be familiar with the importance of Buddhism and Christianity in Korea, but how much do you know about Won Buddhism? Listen to professor of theology Dr. Daniel Adams’ lecture on this relatively new reform movement within Buddhism. 2nd floor of Somerset Palace in Seoul. 7:30 pm. W5,000 for non-members. raskb.com, 02-766-3796
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Sponsored by Allied Pickfords Wednesday, February 10th SIWA Sauna Outing
Get thawed out and recharged the Korean way with a visit to the famous Dragon Sauna in Yongsan. Explore this labyrinth of baths and saunas rooms and discover the pleasure of spending an afternoon soaking in a steaming tub. Meet at Yongsan St. (line 1 and Jungang line) at 10 am. W10,000. siwapage.com
Saturday, February 13th 2S2 Expat Community Meetup
It’s only been a few months since it started but it’s already giving expats another great way to connect with like-minded souls. Held the second Saturday of each month at 2 pm (hence the name). Search Facebook for 2S2 Community or visit 2s2community.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 16th ANZA Global Cafe
a friendly and informal get together of ANZA members and others from the expat community in Korea. Join us each month as we enjoy presentations from guest speakers and catch up over a cup of coffee. Everyone is welcome! Grand Hyatt Hotel. 10 am. Nonmembers W15,000. Anzakorea.com
2010 February
18 th
Kiwi Chamber’s Night of Rugby with John Kirwan
This sports dinner features New Zealand rugby great John Kirwan, star of sixtythree test matches and the 1987 rugby World Cup. As well as being the national coach of the Japan Rugby Union, John is New Zealand’s standard-bearer for depression awareness and recovery. Grand Hyatt Seoul. 7 - 10:20 pm. W85,000 includes three-course dinner, NZ wine and beer. RSVP at chamber@ kiwichamber.com, 02-725-3905
Wednesday, February 17th SIWA Coffee Morning
Listen to an interesting speaker as you sip your aromatic cup of joe. A great chance to meet old friends or make new ones at the Grand Ambassador Hotel. 9:30 – 11:30 am. W17,000 for non-members. siwapage.com
Friday, February 19th AUSTCHAM Sundowner at the Ritz
If you’ve never been to The Garden restaurant and bar at the Ritz-Carlton, don’t miss this chance to visit this classy spot. Welcome in the (Lunar) New Year by catching up with your friends and expanding your network. 6:30 – 9:30 pm. W55,000 non-members. RSVP by Feb 17th. austchamkorea.org, exec@austchamkorea.org
Wednesday, February 24th Oriental Medicine Tour with SIWA
Join SIWA for this tour of the Oriental Medical Hospital at Kyung Hee University and short lectures on the basics of Oriental Medicine. Get the scoop on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional Asian treatments. Meet at Hoegi St. (line 1, ex. 1) at 9 – 12:30 am. W10,000 for non-members. siwapage.com
Thursday, February 25th CANCHAM Business Luncheon
Enjoy an interesting lecture over lunch at the Grand Hyatt Seoul at Namsan. Non-members welcome. Please inquire for information on prices. 11:45 - 1:45 pm. canchamkorea.org, 02-554-0245 2S2 – 2nd Saturday at 2 PM ANZA – Australian and New Zealand Association of Korea AUSTCHAM – Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea AWC – American Women’s Club CANCHAM – Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea FKCII – French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Korea Kiwi Chamber – New Zealand Chamber of Commerce RASKB – Royal Asiatic Society Korean Branch SIWA – Seoul International Women’s Association
Trainspotting Words by Samantha Dix-Hill, crtwork by Hyeon-seong Ryu
E
xactly one year ago I encouraged you all to write down your goals for the New Year. After all, why should I be the only one who’s bullied into making commitments I’ll barely keep past day three of 2010? I’m getting smarter and this year my resolution is to drink more than ever before. Just kidding. I’ll start by sharing just two of my goals for this year. The first is to regain control of my temper and the second is to take better care of the environment. Happily these two coincide quite nicely with each other. Allow me to explain. The only time I ever really lose my temper is when I’m driving. I’m not talking that mild little attack of fist waving and foul language; I’m talking black spots in front of my eyes, hyperventilating and wishing the worst kind of evil suffering on mankind. Apparently things have reached such a low that my son is considering alternative means of transport. Realizing that I’m never going to be able to teach 48 million people to drive like law-abiding Germans, I’ve decided to throw in the towel and use the subway. And this is where part two of my plan kicks in because now, not only will I be reducing the size of my carbon footprint, but at the same time I will be reducing the size of my temper. I tentatively entered my new underground world with preconceived ideas of nocturnal creatures, crime and chaos. Where I come from there is no underground system and everybody drives a car. In fact I’ve always been a bit of a snob when it comes to public transport. Imagine my surprise when I found a whole new, clean, well-organized and English-friendly subterranean world. And it’s relaxing. I no longer have to worry about cars coming out of nowhere, traffic lights being ignored and indicators that are never used. I can sit comfortably in the train and watch the world go by. Mostly I watch people sleeping and that’s just fine by me. Not wanting to feel too lulled into my new sense of peace and well-being I decided to give it a go during rush hour and yes, things were a little different. I managed to find myself a
seat snuggly squashed between two sleepy commuters and when I happened to look up I noticed a makecrotch at eye level an inch away. Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t bother me at all, but when I don’t know the owner of the crotch I feel that a more formal greeting is generally called for. So I raised my eyes, smiled, and gave a cheery "good morning". I was immediately rewarded with a lovely grin and the standard, ‘Ah,
where you from?” “Africa.” I replied truthfully. And then he let out such a roar of laughter that he had to grab onto the handrail in order to stop himself from careening off into the next passenger. “No, really, I am.” I said, a little indignant. More laughter and now tears started rolling down his cheeks. I’ve never been funnier it seems, and without even trying very hard. I gave up. He spent the next two stops wiping his eyes and chuckling to himself. The only real danger one might face on the subway is that one gets lulled into such a relaxed state that the mind tends to wander and the next thing you’ve missed the boat by at least two stations. I find myself daydreaming about all sorts of wonderfully weird things and sometimes I’ve missed my stop altogether only to find myself sailing off towards the great unknown and it’s quite a panic having to switch around and head back in the right direction again. I was explaining the whole subway saga to my dad on the phone the other day. Funnily enough he’s also African and this whole train thing is fairly exciting for him too. I was telling him how I daydream so much that I’m always in danger of missing my stop. “Sammy” he said, “take some advice from your old man; keep dreaming and don’t worry about the stops.” I think I might just do that.
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Anapji, Gyeongju. Photographed by Simon Bond