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Chicago Comes to Seoul!
43 Years of Rockin' Tradition
First formed in 1967, when the cement had barely dried on the Berlin Wall and the moon was still free of human footprints, Chicago remains in business. What's more, half of the leather jacket-clad octet consists of original members! Responsible for hits like "If You Leave Me Now", "Hard to Say I'm Sorry","You're the Inspiration" and "Love Me Tomorrow", the band not only has problems apologizing but also boasts no fewer than 18 platinum albums. Their unique line-up, combining the standard rock band format of guitar, drums and bass with trombone, trumpet and saxophone, allows their style to embrace a wide variety of genres---pop ballad, big band, jazz and even soft rock---in a way that has transcended boundaries between musical eras and earned them lasting popularity. More than 40 years after its formation, Chicago is still giving more 100 performances a year on a world tour that now reaches Seoul...
VENUE: Gymnasium No. 2, Olympic Park
DATE: Feb 23, 8pm
ADMISSION: VIP: 150,000 won, R: 90,000 won, S: 70,000 won, A: 50,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 3446-3226
GETTING THERE: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3 |
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- Good tours of the DMZ are conducted by the USO (795-3028) and TOURDMZ (755-0073). For more information on their tours, click here (USO) and here (TOURDMZ). - The Seoul City Bus Tour is a great way to explore the city of Seoul, especially if you're new to town. For more information, click here or call 777-6090. - The Royal Asiatic Society conducts entertaining and informative tours to some of Korea's most historic sites. Click here for more information, including schedule. - For self-starters, the Seoul City Tourism website has several walking tours and self-directed tours. You can also give them a ring at 2171-2461. - The Korea Tourism Organization website is another great place to get information. If you're on the road, just call 1330 for up-to-date tourist information.
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Who can beat Kim Yu-na?
Here is a rundown of the top competitors for the Vancouver Olympics' women's figure skating competition, which is scheduled to begin on February 23rd and to conclude on February 25th.
* Kim Yu-na (South Korea)
Kim Yu-na has been dominant lately, setting world records and not losing a single competition since the 2008 Grand Prix of Figure Skating. She has a rare combination of both technical skills and artistry. If she performs without errors, it will be almost impossible for anybody to beat her. However, that's a big "if." She is human, and no figure skater performs mistake-free all of the time. She lost the short program and free skate to Miki Ando at the Grand Prix and Rachael Flatt at Skate America, respectively, so she is beatable. As far as fan support goes, Canada is the best place for her---even better than South Korea. Because her coach is Brian Orser, many Canadians will be rooting for her. The last time Kim lost a competition was at the 2008 Grand Prix, and Kim attributed it partially to the enormous pressure that she felt as well as overly-rambunctious fans who couldn't keep quiet at critical moments of her performance.
* Mao Asada (Japan)
Many people, including myself, have touted Asada as Kim's greatest potential rival. However, she has had a dismal season. She didn't qualify for this year's Grand Prix, and at one point was even in danger of not making it onto her country's Olympic team. However, just in the nick of time, she seems to be on the upswing. Her strength is her technical skill, as evidenced by the fact that she's the only woman to ever successfully do two triple axel jumps in the same program. According to her coach, their game plan is to do jumps and combinations of a difficulty level that no one else is likely to even try.
* Miki Ando (Japan)
She's the 2007 world champion and the only woman to ever successfully complete a quadruple jump in competition. She also has skill at keeping calm at big competitions. Her coach believes that she can beat Kim. (Remember that she did beat her at the most recent Grand Prix's short program.)
"They [Ando, Kim, and Mao Asada] all have a chance; it depends on the preparation; it depends on who is healthy, if it all comes together on the day."
* Joannie Rochette (Canada) Rochette is the only skater who can count on at least as much fan support as Kim. That could be a problem, as she has had some problems with nerves in the past, and she will be skating in her home country in the biggest event of her sport. However, she finished second at the last two Four Continents and, most importantly, world championships, which could be a sign that she's mastered the butterflies in her stomach. If so, then she could take the big prize, though in all likelihood she would need some slip-ups from Kim to open the door. * Carolina Kostner (Italy) She's the 2008 world championships silver medalist. She's ranked very highly by the International Skating Union, probably because she's placed well in many minor competitions. As far as the big competitions go, she's the perennial bridesmaid, never the bride. * Rachael Flatt (United States) The American champion is, besides Miki Ando, the only one to beat Kim at anything this past year. At a mere seventeen years old, she seems too young, inexperienced, and unpolished to threaten Kim, but keep in mind a dynamite kid named Oksana Baiul and what she did in 1994. * Mirai Nagasu (United States) Most experts summarily dismiss her chances of winning at Vancouver. Don't tell her, though, because she's overflowing with energy and brimming with confidence.
At this Olympics, it's Rachael and me, and we're going to blow them away. Bam bam bam.
Related Topics: Kim Yu-na, the Seven Million Dollar Girl Kim Yeon-ah vs. Mao Asada Written by Richard Stansfield (
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). The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996. The views of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views of Seoul Selection. |
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 Legendary New Zealand All Black player and Japan national team coach John Kirwan gives a keynote talk and answers your questions that this event, which also includes an auction of All Black and John Kirwan autographed memorabilia, a three-course dinner, NZ wine and beer. John Kirwan's life story is compelling. 63 Rugby Test matches, including the undoubted star performance at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup. National coach of the Japan Rugby Union, host of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. NZ's flag bearer for depression awareness and recovery. Hear his sporting and personal message for yourself in Seoul.
VENUE: Regency Room, Grand Hyatt Seoul
DATE: Feb 18, 7pm
ADMISSION: Cost is 85,000 won (pre-payment required).
RSVP to
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or phone 725-3905
MORE INFORMATION:
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or phone 725-3905
GETTING THERE: Take a taxi to the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Mt. Namsan
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See Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin (AKAMUS) and Soprano Seo Yeri at LG Arts Center. The history of the Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin goes back to 1982, when young musicians from a number of East German orchestras founded an independent baroque orchestra, complete with historic instruments. The Akademie will be joined by Berlin-based Korean soprano Seo Yeri.
VENUE: LG Arts Center
DATE: Feb 17, 8pm
ADMISSION: R: 80,000 won, S: 60,000 won,
A: 40,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 2005-0114
GETTING THERE: GS Tower B1 fl. is directly connected to Yeoksam Station, Line 2, Exit 7.
Take the LG Arts Center elevator from there
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Seoul's newest talents serve up an evening of their freshest performance ideas at " The Shorts Show." From comedy and monologues to dance and drama, the night promises to be an exciting revelation into the minds of Seoul's current and future theatrical talent. The Shorts Show is an evening for individuals or groups of theatre practitioners to showcase or try out new work. The only immovable constraint is that events must last no longer than 20 minutes. After each show the creator will be interviewed and will be invited to chat with the audience about their work.
VENUE: Roofers
DATE: Feb 20, 7:30pm
ADMISSION: 5,000 won
MORE INFORMATION:
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,
or www.rootexperience.com
GETTING THERE: Exit 3, Itaewon Station, Line 6. Swing a right just before the fire station and walk up the road until you see Roofers on the left. |
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American soprano Barbara Bonney will be performing at the Goyang Aramnuri Arts Complex in Goyang. Joined by Fiona Campbell and pianist Alisdair Hogarth, Bonney will delight audiences with a selection of (mostly) Mozart opera arias, Grieg and Strauss.
VENUE: Goyang Aramnuri Arts Complex, Goyang-si
DATE: Feb 19, 8pm
ADMISSION: R: 100,000 won, S: 80,000 won, A: 50,000 won, B: 30,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: 1577-7766
GETTING THERE: Walk from Jeongbalsan Station, Line 3, Exit 3
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The Royal Asiatic Society will be checking out the Korean Furniture Museum in Seongbuk-dong and Jeongb- eopsa Temple. The Korean Furniture Museum provides visitors with an elegant and unique way to experience the domestic lifestyles of Korea's past. Located on a hill in Seongbuk-dong, the traditional setting of the museum integrated with Seoul's modern landscape creates a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. Jeongbeopsa Temple, meanwhile, is located in the eastern part of the neighborhood and is the oldest temple in Seongbuk-dong. No historic records have been found regarding the temple, but historians presume that it was built during the early 1920s after recovering and dating the temple bell and paintings.
DATE: Feb 20
MORE INFORMATION: Click here |
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The Korea Foundation is hosting Italian Style --- Dressing Home as its first exhibition in 2010. In collaboration with the Sartirana Art Foundation, Cultural Institute of Italy, and Embassy of Italy, the special exhibition will feature more than 180 pieces of representative Italian design works that are utilized in our daily living, such as silverware, furniture and lamps. Viewers will identify the distinct "Italian Style" from the exhibited works of well-known manufacturers and studios that are deeply rooted in traditional Italian craftsmanship. VENUE: KF Cultural Center
DATE: Thru Feb 20,
(10:00~18:00 Mon~Sat, 10:00~21:00 Wed)
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFORMATION: 02-2151-6514,
www.kfcenter.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Exit 9, City Hall Station, Lines 1 & 2. Walk 5 minutes |
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| These are just some of the diverse events taking place in and around Seoul. SEOUL Magazine's ever-expanding events section is colorfully designed and jam-packed with the latest information. For the complete round-up pick up a copy of SEOUL Magazine at any of the quality bookstores in the city and you'll never have to spend another month in the dark. |
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COEX
Just another day at the COEX, one of Asia's largest shopping malls.
Photo by Ryu Seunghoo.
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Learn Korean Traditional Dance - Chumsae Dance School is offering lessons on Korean traditional dance. Morning (10:00---11:30, Tue Thu), afternoon (4:00---5:30, Mon Wed) and evening classes (7:30---9:00 Tue Thu) available. Classes are limited to 10 persons each. Tuition is 200,000 won a month. For more information, call (02- 762-7731).
KFCC Films - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In February, the KFCC will be screening "Shedding Light on the Lives of Real People," including "La Vie en Rose," "A Beautiful Mind" and "My Father." Click here for more information. Korean Language Classes - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center Offers free Korean language classes for foreigners residing in Korea. The classes, led by Korea Foundation volunteer teachers, are held at 7:00-9:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (two classes at 4:00 and 7:00 on Wednesdays). Anyone interested in learning Korean language and willing to participate in the language class is welcome to join. For more information, click here. Calling all photographers - SEOUL WEEKLY could use your help with our Everyday Koreans photo section. If you have a camera and enjoy snapping shots capturing everyday scenes in the Republic of Korea, send your photos in along with captions and a brief, one- line bio. Send Your Event Info - If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material to
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by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday's issue. Freelance Contributors Wanted - SEOUL magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should be able to interview Koreans and also have a strong interest in Korean culture. Send your resume and writing samples to
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. We Buy & Sell Used Books - Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications that specialize in Korea-related topics, our Used Book Section carries books on all subjects. It's all part of our effort to make life easier for the English-speaking community.
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Publisher: Hank Kim /
Editor: Robert Koehler /
Designer: Jun Shinwook / Website Manager: Ray Hong
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Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in this newsletter. Some event information has been provided by the Korea Foundation. The IPRs are protected by pertinent laws.
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Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com e-mail:
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tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563 |
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