2008.2.28 Event Calendar
To March 2: "The Images of Joseon Palaces on Dry Plates." Koreans are said to believe their palaces embody their country's heart and soul. During the period of Japan's colonial rule of Korea (1909-1945), the Japanese destroyed many of Korea's palaces. The National Museum of Korea, however, has discovered previously unreleased dry plate images of the country's palaces.
Through these images, people can see what the palaces looked like before, during and after their destruction. These photographs also provide valuable information used in restoring these palaces, as well as insight on Koreans' lives at the time. Images include scenes from Gyeongbok Palace, Gwanghwamun, Yeongchumun and Heunghwamun during the Joseon Dynasty.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and to 7 p.m. on Sunday and holidays. Closed Monday. Entrance is 1,000 won ($1.05) for children and 2,000 won for adults.
Ichon Station, line No. 4, exit 2
(02) 2077-9000, www.museum.go.kr
SEOUL MUSEUM OF ART, Nam Seoul Annex
March 1 to May. 13: "The Renaissance of Han River, Seoul ― While Sailing on a Boat." Seoul seems to have transformed in the blink of an eye, but one part of the city has remained constant: the Han River. This exhibition showcases artists' interpretations of how the city has transformed around the Han.
Part 1 of the exhibit displays paintings, films, documentaries and other media that represent the changing values and political ideologies during the development of Seoul. Part 2 consists of images of the Han River reinterpreted through contemporary artists' personal memories and feelings.
The museum opens at 10 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, closing at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Admission is 300 won to 700 won.
Sadang Station, line No. 2 or 4, exit 6
(02) 2124-8800, www.seoulmoa.org
SEOUL ARTS CENTER
March 7 to 8: "Sound Express: The Eighth LDP Dance Company Regular Performance." The Laboratory Dance Project of Korea National University of Arts hosts a different kind of recital for its young, energetic dancers.
Choreographer and professor Mina Yoo acts as art director. Pieces will vary from Bach to the rhythms of world music. The performance will take on a theatrical air, as the dancers also have speaking roles.
Professor Yoo formed the company to showcase the talents of young KNUA dancers to other professional dance companies.
The group has been invited to Venice Biennale two times in a row for its outstanding technique and experimental choreography.
The show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are 15,000 won or 20,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 520-8169, www.sac.or.kr
DOOSAN ART CENTER SPACE 111
March 8 to May 5: "A Round of Applause for Julie." Korean playwright Park Soo-jin presents her modern-day Korean interpretation of two beloved Shakespearean tragedies.
This play melds the stories of "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet" to create intertwining love stories.
In the play, one couple openly displays their affection, while the other keeps their love a secret.
Kim Young-min and Jo Han-cheol are double-cast as Hamlet. Lee Jin-hee plays Ophelia and Kim Eun-ok plays Juliet. Jeon Weon-jo takes the role of Romeo.
The play is staged at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 3 and 6 p.m. on weekends. Tickets range from 15,000 won to 35,000 won.
Jongno 5-ga Station, line No. 1, exit 1
(02) 708-5001, www.interpark.co.kr
LG ART CENTER
March 13 to 16: "Nefes: A Piece by Pina Bausch." Renowned German-born modern choreographer Pina Bausch stages her impressions on the culture of Turkey.
Bausch created "Nefes," which means breath in Turkish, after her three-week stay in Istanbul in 2002.
The choreographer's own company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, is set against the black backdrop of a very simple set by Peter Pabst.
An image of Istanbul is projected on the stage. Dancers evoke scenes of the city, from the public baths to city traffic, gender roles and domestic life.
The show begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. on weekends. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 2005-0114, www.lgart.com
ROLLING HALL
March 6 to 16: "Hong Kyeong-min Live Concert." Well-known singer Hong Kyeong-min sings his hits on a small Hongdae stage. This show will be quite unpredictable, as Hong has rehearsed 10 different sets with various guest singers in order to keep the audience on its toes.
The show begins at 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 and 8 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost 55,000 won.
(02) 522-9933, www.rollinghall.co.kr
Sangsu Station, line No. 6, exit 1
March 8: "Backstreet Boys Live in Seoul." Everybody, Backstreet's back all right! This legendary boy band, which held sway over the 1990s music world, embarks on a world tour to promote its latest album "Unbreakable."
The group stops in Seoul for one night. Unbreakable, released in 2007, takes on a more mature sound, with guitar-driven pop as well as a cappella tunes.
The BSB may be down one member, but they managed to co-write five tracks on Unbreakable.
The four remaining members, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, take the stage two years after their last show in Seoul.
The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from 88,000 won to 165,000 won.
Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3
(02) 410-1114, www.sosfo.or.kr
March 18 to 19: "Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour 2008." This five-time Grammy Award-winning pop diva from Canada called Las Vegas, Nevada home for years.
But now that her four-year stint at the Colosseum Caesars Palace is over, she's on world tour.
In Korea, Celine Dion sings new songs from her latest album, "Taking Chances," as well as her most beloved hits "My Heart Will Go On," "Because You Loved Me," "The Power of Love" and "It's All Coming Back to Me Now."
Fans should expect a spectacular stage on which Dion will provide a visual feast of dance and fashion.
(02) 3444-9969, www.interpark.co.kr
March 26 to 30: "Evergreen: Lena Park." Korean-American songstress Lena Park, also known by her Korean name Park Jeong-hyeon, hits the stage again.
After getting her start as a gospel singer, Park has expanded into the R&B genre. She's won fans here and in the United States with her powerful yet soft voice. Ten years after her debut, Park says she's more comfortable in the spotlight, and she's especially proud of her latest album, "On & On."
Park's eighth album, On & On features the singer's songwriting and producing skills. She also composed four songs on her own, played the piano and arranged much of the music.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 5 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are from 66,000 won to 88,000 won.
HWANGTAE FESTIVAL, Inje, Gangwon
Friday to March 2: Ten years have passed since the first Hwangtae Festival. Hwangtae, or dried pollack, a type of fish, is made through a multi-step drying process that takes place in freezing winter temperatures.
Pollack is a well-known local specialty of Gangwon Province. This time around, special events like the "Nanta" nonverbal cooking performance, a magic show and concerts are scheduled to celebrate the festival's 10th anniversary. Festival participants can take part in a cooking competition and buy various hwangtae products.
From Seoul by car, take National Road No. 44 toward Hongchon. From there, head toward Inje. Once in Inje, pass Baekdam Temple until the Yondai three-way intersection.
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Inje or Wontong.
(033) 462-4808, http://yongdaeri.com
MAEHWA FESTIVAL, Gwangyang, South Jeolla
March 8 to 16: Temperatures are warming up just a little bit, a sign that spring is on its way. This festival celebrates the first bloom of the maehwa, or Japanese apricot trees here. Gwanyang, the southernmost inland part of Korea, is the best place to observe the apricot blossoms. This region also produces high-quality Japanese apricots.
For festival goers, a variety of events, including music concerts, movie screenings and boat rides on the Seomjin River will be held. While enjoying these events, visitors will be surrounded by the trees, whose white blossoms will be in bloom.
From Seoul, take a train toward Hadong Station. You can also take the KTX train to Gwangju, then transfer to a bus for Hadong.
(061) 797-2114 , www.maehwa.org
KOREAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE
SK Knights vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Jamsil Student, 7 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. KTF Magic Wings
Ulsan Dongcheon, 7 p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. Dongbu Promy
Daegu, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr