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A trip to Korea offers a whole host of new experiences: sightseeing at Seoul’s historic palaces, shopping for bargains in the night markets, and sampling the local food. However, to get a real taste of the city’s vibrant culture, why not check out some of Seoul’s art centers. The city’s huge state-of-the-art art complexes house everything from Broadway musicals and classical concerts to modern art exhibitions and charming outdoor cafes. If you’re looking for something more edgy, head to the art hall in the Hongdae area, to check out the work of Korea’s young artists. There are art centers for Korea’s traditional performing arts too, and these offer a relaxing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
A visit to some of the city’s art centers will offer an inspiring glimpse into the exciting culture of Korea. Read on to find out which art centers VisitKorea recommends. |
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Performing Arts Centers
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 Seoul Arts Center  |
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The Seoul Arts Center is one of the most famous art complexes in Korea. It contains five theaters of varying sizes, which have been specially designed to accommodate the different forms of performing arts. All kinds of shows, from grand operas and Broadway musicals to small experimental performances, take place at the Seoul Art Center. The center has a strong classical music program, and major international orchestras and musicians are invited throughout the year to perform in the center’s Concert and Recital Halls. The center also contains the Hangaram Art and Design Museums, as well as the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum, giving visitors a wide exposure to both Korean and international art.
The center has wide outdoor spaces where visitors can relax. Next to the musical fountain is an outdoor café, which is a popular spot for a leisurely cup of coffee. The Vitamin Station contains an excellent Italian restaurant, from where diners can also enjoy picturesque views.
At nighttime the art complex is lit up with stunning colorful illuminations, and these, together with the cool night wind and the musical fountain, create a wonderful ambience.
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☞ Information on Major Performances
● La Boheme (opera): May 26(Tuesday) ~ May 30(Saturday)/ 14:30,19:30
● The Tempest (theater): May 20(Wednesday) ~ June 6(Saturday)/ 15:00, 19:30
● 2009 World Ballet Star Festival: June 4(Thursday) ~ June 5(Friday)/ 20:00
● 2009 Seoul International Music Festival: (SIMF) - Polish music performance May 29(Friday) ~ May 30(Saturday)/ 20:00
☞ More Information on Performances :  Click Here! (English) |
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 Sejong Performing Arts Center |
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The Sejong Performing Arts Center has both a large and a small sized theatre, an art gallery, and other spaces that accommodate various kinds of performances and exhibitions. The Sejong Center is located in the Gwanghwamun area of downtown of Seoul, and Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul City Hall and other tourist attractions and major hotels are in the vicinity. The center’s convenient location means that even those visitors with hectic sightseeing schedules, will have time to fit in a performance or exhibition here.
The theaters are equipped with cutting edge facilities, and as a result often host high quality international productions.
There is a charming courtyard at the back of the art center, which has been planted with trees and flowers, and this is peaceful place to rest after a day of sightseeing. During the spring and autumn, lunchtime concerts take place on the courtyard’s open-air stage as part of the “Sejong Tteurak Festival”. This season’s performances run until May 15, and a colorful dance program featuring salsa, flamenco, and traditional Korean dance, is set to delight both tourist and Korean office workers. |
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☞ Information on Major Performances
● Seoul Jazz Festival: May 14 (Thursday) - May 17 (Sunday)
● 2009 Seoul International Music Festival (SIMF): May 24 at 20:00
● TOSCA (opera): June 4 (Thursday) - June 7(Sunday) at 19:30
☞ More Information on Performances : Click Here! (English) |
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 National Gukak
Center |
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If you want to learn more about Korean traditional music, such as Gukak and Pansori, then we recommend that you visit the National Gukak
Center. The center, which is located at the foot of Mt. Umyeonsan, offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and you will be able to enjoy Korean traditional culture in a relaxed frame of mind. On every Tuesday and Thursday, regular performances are held; showcasing different forms of Korean traditional performing arts, such as royal court music and Pansori. On Tuesday, you will even get the chance to watch performances by masters of Korean traditional performing arts, who have been designated National Intangible Treasures, while on Thursday, performances by Korea’s young artists display a fresh new take on the traditional genres. |
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☞ Schedule of Regular Performances
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Tuesday |
Thursday |
Saturday |
The First Sunday of Every month |
Venue |
Umyeondang |
Umyeondang |
Yeakdang |
Outdoor Stage |
Show Time |
7:30 PM |
7:30 PM |
5:00 PM |
5:00 PM (During Summer, nighttime performances are held) |
Period |
April 7~July 7, 2009
Sep. 1~Dec. 1, 2009 |
April 2~May 28, 2009
Sep.3~Oct.29, 2009 |
Jan.3~Dec.26, 2009 |
May~Sep.2009
The First Sunday of Every Month |
☞ More Information on Performances : Click Here! (English)
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 Chongdong Theater |
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Would you like to watch a live performance, or a film, and have a cup of tea all under the one roof? Then, we would like to recommend the KT&G Sangsangmadang. The Sangsangmadang is located right in the middle of the Hongik University district, better known as the Hongdae area. This is the city’s main student area and it’s a cauldron of vibrant energy and creativity. The eleven-story Sangsangmadang building houses a cinema, live performance hall, art gallery, and studio. On the first floor there is an art square, which displays and sells crafts and accessories handmade by designers. On the second floor is an art gallery displaying artwork by Korea’s contemporary artists, and work by Korea’s young artists is available for sale on the third floor, offering a glimpse into today’s young society in Korea. In the basement cinema, independent films from Korea and abroad are shown, and the underground live performance hall features various performances such as music, dance and theater. |
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☞ More Information on Performances : Click Here! (English)
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Directions: 1.Get off at Seodaemun station (subway line 5), come out of exit number 5, and walk for about 10 minutes
2.Get off at City Hall station (subway line 1,2), come out of exit number 1 or 12, and walk for about 6 minutes
More transportation information
(English)
● Homepage: http://www.chongdong.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
● Inquiries & Ticket Reservations: +82-2-751-1500 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
● Online Reservations: Click Here! (English)
Learn More about Chongdong Theater
Detailed Information on “Miso”
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Cultural Complexes
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 KT&G Sangsangmadang  |
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Would you like to watch
a live performance, or a
film, and have a cup of
tea all under the one roof?
Then, we would like to recommend
the KT&G Sangsangmadang.
The Sangsangmadang is located
right in the middle of the
Hongik University district,
better known as the Hongdae
area. This is the city’s
main student area and it’s
a cauldron of vibrant energy
and creativity. The eleven-story
Sangsangmadang building
houses a cinema, live performance
hall, art gallery, and studio.
On the first floor there
is an art square, which
displays and sells crafts
and accessories handmade
by designers. On the second
floor is an art gallery
displaying artwork by Korea’s
contemporary artists, and
work by Korea’s young artists
is available for sale on
the third floor, offering
a glimpse into today’s
young society in Korea.
In the basement cinema,
independent films from Korea
and abroad are shown, and
the underground live performance
hall features various performances
such as music, dance and
theater.
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Directions:
1.
Get
off
at
Hongdae
(Hongik
University)
Station
(subway
line
2),
come
out
of
exit
number
5. Continue
straight,
and
then
take
the
turning
on
your
left
immediately
following
VIPS
restaurant. Continue
along
that
road
until
you
come
to
the
Tourism
Information
Center.
At
this
point,
cross
the
road,
and
turn
right
off
the
main
road
into
a
shopping
street. Continue
along
this
street
for
about
10mins,
until
you
find
the
Sangsangmadang
(상상마당)
on
your
right.
2.
Get
off
at
Hapjeong
Station
(subway
line
2),
come
out
of
exit
number
3,
and
walk
for
about
5~10
minutes
3.
Get
off
at
SangSu
Station
(subway
line
6),
come
out
of
exit
number
1,
and
walk
for
about
5
minutes
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Opening
Hours
:
Art
Market,
Gallery
–
13:00~22:00, Art
square
–
12:00~23:00
●
Homepage:
http://www.sangsangmadang.com (Korean)
●
Inquiries:
+82-2-330-6200
(Korean)
Learn More about KT&
G
Sangsangmadang
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Directions: Take subway line 3 to Nambu Bus Terminal station (Seoul Arts Center). Come out of exit 5 and take the Seoul Arts Center shuttle bus, bus no.12, or bus no. 4429, from the bus stop near the exit. Get off the bus at the Seoul Arts Center bus stop (about a 5 minute journey). 
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Directions: 1. Take subway line 5 to Gwanghwamun station, come out of exit number 1 or 8, and walk for about 5 minutes
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Directions: 1. Get off at Nambu Terminal Station(Subway line 3), come out of exit number 5, and transfer onto the Green Bus #12 at the bus stop next to the exit . 
● Directions: Get off at Gwanghwamun Station (subway line 5), come out of exit number 2, and walk straight. After only a couple of minutes, you will find KT Art Hall on your right. 
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