Theatre, Opera, Concert
The Seoul Arts Center, founded in 1993, is the first large-scale arts complex in Korea. It receives nearly 2 million visitors a year and presents some 1,500 performances and over 100 exhibitions in 7 specialized spaces of the arts complex through the season. The SAC offers audiences plays, opera and concerts of all kinds including the Jayu Theater devoted to experimental and avant-garde performances.
Should you be on the lookout for traditional Korean entertainment visit the Chongdong Theatre ( 8-11 Jeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea). The Chongdong Theatre was the first modern theatre presenting traditional Korean vocal music and plays.
Museums
Museums in Seoul are both numerous and affordable. Unfortunately many exhibitions are in Korean only. Some provide English, Japanese and Chinese tours however. The most recommended museums are:
Kimchi Field Museum provides information on the history of Korea's favourite food (pickled vegetables).
Bank of Korea Monetary Museum is located in Myeong-dong close to the Central Post Office. The Bank of Korea Museum displays currency and other documents from Korea and around the world. Getting there: Take Subway line 4 to Heohyeon Station (Stop 425) and take Exit 7.
Samsung Museum of Art is located in Itaewon and has an area dedicated to children.
Chicken Art Museum - this eccentric gallery contains art related to chickens.
Museum of Natural History is the Soedaemun-gu neighbourhood and offers English Tours as well as other special events for visitors and foreign residents.
National Folk Museum located in Gyongbbokgung Palace, is Korea’s leading institution dedicated to the preservation and the legacy of traditional Korean life.
National Museum of Contemporary Art
National Museum of Korea is located in Itaewon and traces 5,000 years of Korean history. The museum offers some guided tours in English.
National Palace Museum of Korea is a royal museum which exhibits royal artefacts and related objects from the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910).
Owl museum: a highly original private museum near Anguk Station by Insa-dong/Samcheong-dong filled with owls and owl paraphernalia from across the world. For more info call: +82-2-3210-2902 (Korean) Closed every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is located near Dongnimmun (Independence Gate) and was created in the mid 1990's to pay tribute to those who gave their lives fighting for Korean independence during the harsh Japanese colonial era (1910-1945).
Seoul Museum of History offers tours in English as well as various workshops throughout the year. The museum is just a 300m walk from Exit 4 of Seodaemun Station, Line 5.
War Memorial of Korea is located near Itaewon. This is the world’s largest war memorial displaying more than 8,000 war relics.
World Jewellery Museum is located in Hwadong, central Seoul near Anguk Subway Station (Line 3) Exit 1.
The following website contains a wealth of further information about entertainment and cultural activities in Seoul and Korea generally:
visitkorea.or.kr
Update 17/05/2010
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