Just because the Killers concert was canceled doesn't mean the month is suddenly dull. There's plenty else to see and do - take a look for yourself:
February 1st-March 28th: Head to the Hangaram Art Museum for masterpieces from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Pieces from Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre August Renoir, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso and more. Open 11am - 7pm, 13,000 won admission, 15 minute walk from Nambu Bus Terminal (line 3, exit 5).
February 5-6 Spring Welcoming Exorcism of Tamna (Jeju-si, Jeju-do). From Matt Kelly's excellent blog:
Tamna is an ancient kingdom of Jeju Island and “ipchun” means the first day of spring. The upcoming farming season inspired this “gut” or exorcism ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest. This authentic reenactment of many traditional rituals is held for two days. Events include a procession of citizens dressed in traditional clothing, lively music, a photo exhibition and hands-on cooking, mask-making and traditional games programs. The highlight is the exorcism ritual, performed according to Jeju’s unique local traditions. For more info, visit the official tourist website. )
February 6 –TRADITIONAL KOREAN BREWERY and SANJONG LAKE
From the Royal Asiatic Society: We will visit a brewery that specializes in the production of traditional Korean liquors, including Makgeolli, Maesil (plum wine) and bokbunja (liqueur from black raspberries). Following lunch, we will head to enchanting Sanjong Lake to enjoy skating and hiking. Cost includes brewery tour and sampling fees. (W 69,000 for RAS members) www.raskb.com.
February 6-7: The original diva comes to Seoul - er, Whitney Houston and her army of designers, backup singers, dancers, and the like. Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park.
February 6-28: GREASE comes back to town - Ewha Womans University, Samsung Hall, 개관작품. Interpark has the tickets at 1544-1555, but don't expect them to be cheap.February 7: Whether you call it the Super Bowl, the Big Game, or That Big American Pastime in February, here it is. Watching it in Korea requires remembering the time difference - it'll be Monday morning / afternoon here in the Hermit Kingdom. At least three places will be showing it on a time-delayed basis - see Seoul Eats for more information.
February 12-28: Time for the Vancouver Olympics - while there's no telling how much of it will be on Korean TV, you can bet you'll see a lot of Korean action.
February 14: More than just Valentine's Day - it's seolnal to Koreans - to non-Koreans it's the Lunar New Year. For all of us it'll be a three-day weekend (you'll get the 15th off), which you'll need to enjoy the double holiday.
February 14-15 - Lunar New Year trip to Seoraksan National Park with the Royal Asiatic Society. From their information: This is Korea's premier national park, containing some of the most superb natural scenery to be found on the peninsula. This is definitely a "must" during your stay in Korea and once you have experienced it, you will want to return time and time again. (W50,000 Deposit for RAS members and non-members) www.raskb.com.
February 19 and 20 - The Kimchibilly Grand Carnival - the rockabilly sound is alive and well, whether you enjoy it for the swing dancing or the high-energy sound. Friday night's show at DGBD (the 19th) is a warm-up show featuring the Rock Tigers, the Tennessee Cats from Japan, and the Soul of Liberty, also from Japan. Saturday will be the main event, featuring the above bands plus six other bands. The main event starts at 5:30pm - expect it to be a long night. For more information, check out the Rock Tigers website.
February 20 – Another RAS trip: TRADITIONAL KOREAN FURNITURE MUSEUM and JEONGHEOP TEMPLE. Join us for a pleasant tour in Songbuk-gu, just 12 minutes from City Hall. First, we will have a guided tour of the Korean Furniture Museum, which houses traditional wood furniture in 10 different hanoks (Korean traditional houses). After lunch, we will visit the Jeongheop-sa (Temple). We will wind up the tour with tea in the home of the former curator of the Korean National Museum, Choi Sun-u. 45,000 won for RAS members; cost includes admission fees plus transportation. Michael Spavor will be your tour guide. www.raskb.com.
February 23: Chicago returns to Seoul - er, the classic band, not the city. Olympic Park, fencing area.
February 24, Backstreet Boys, Melon AX Hall (Gwangnaru Station Line 5, Exit 2) - and here all this time I thought they had grown up to become men... This will be their third concert in the area - but be prepared to pay up! Tickets are 110,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com (1544-1555) or call the organizer at (02) 3443-9969.
February 26-28 Jeju Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival (Saebyeol Oreum, Jeju Island). For more information, let's turn again to Matt Kelly:
On the first full moon of the lunar New Year, locals have continued a tradition of burning fields to kill harmful bugs and encourage new grass for their cattle. To pray for a healthy and prosperous new year, this tradition is reenacted by setting an entire oreum (parasitic volcano) ablaze in a hot and smoky fire festival that’s not to be missed. On the Full Moon Day, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year, the Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival is held in order to pray for a healthy year and good fortune. Visitors to the festival can experience the traditional lifestyle and practices of Korea’s farmers. Long ago Jeju farmers would set fire to their fields, so that the harmful bugs would be chased away, and their cows could then eat the grass. In this festival this practice is revived, and visitors get to experience setting pheasants free, traditional wedding ceremonies, and much more. Information: visit the official website (four languages available)
February 27: An RAS tour to Jeonju City with Dr. Dan Adams. The official description:
Jeonju is the capital of Jeollabuk-do (Jeolla Province) and has long been famous for fine paper products and for dolsotbap (mixed rice and vegetables served in a hot stone bowl). More importantly, Jeonju is the home of the Jeonju Yi family, from which the long line of Joseon Dynasty kings sprang. We will visit Gyeonggijeong, where the portrait of Yi Seong-gye, the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, is kept; Jeonju Hyanggyo, a Confucian school; a very beautiful old Catholic church; and, an ancient city gate. We will also visit Hanok Maeul, a village of traditional Korean-style buildings, where you will have the opportunity to make traditional paper. (W48,000 for RAS members) www.raskb.com.
Chris in South Korea does not receive any money or special favors for promoting the events above.
© Chris Backe - 2010
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