Expat Living events of the week

It`s White Day on Sunday, so you could be looking for something special to do, or maybe you couldn`t care less about Valentines Day`s lesser-known twin, and you are just looking for fun activities to do with your friends. Either way, Expat Living has compiled a few suggestions for interesting things to do this week around Seoul.

So turn off your Wii and get out there.



Music

What: Pink Martini

When: March 13

Where: Melon Ax Hall

Contact: http://ticket.interpark.com, 010-1544-1555

Cost: 99,000 won



Spend a swanky White Day evening with the highly acclaimed "little orchestra," Pink Martini from Portland, Oregon. Self-described as "if the United Nations had a house band in 1962," this group of world-class musicians is a sophisticated blend of lounge, Latin, classical and jazz.

Their live performances are a throwback to the romantic Hollywood style when cigarettes were longer, martinis stronger and singing and dancing were everything.



Movie

What: "Crazy Heart"

When: Opened March 4

Where: Select theaters

Cost: 9,000 won



Judge for yourself whether Jeff Bridges deserves his recently acquired Oscar for best actor. This film tells the tale of a faded country music star who is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance to a younger woman played by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

See "Crazy Heart" in English with Korean subtitles at any of these theaters:

Call theaters for show times:

Megabox Coex (02) 1544-0600 near Exits 5, 6 Samseong Station on Subway Line 2

Apgujeong CGV (02) 1544-1122 near Exit 3 Apgujeong Station on Subway Line 3

Daehangno (02) 1544-1122 near exit 4 of Hyehwa station on Subway Line 4



Sports

What: Volleyball

When: March 18

Where: Jangchung Gymnasium

Contact: http://sports.ticketlink.co.kr, (02) 422-0110



Jump. Set. Spike. Watch the Korean men`s professional volleyball league in action.

GS takes on EX at 5 p.m. on March 18, while Woori will try to take Hyundai at 7 p.m. on the same evening.

Ongoing games are held at the Jangchung gymnasium off Subway Line 3, Exit 5.



Art and culture

What: Video art

When: Through March 28

Where: Gallery Hyundai.

Contact: www.galleryhyundai.com, (02) 2287-3500

Cost: Free



As an important member of the modern Korean art scene, Park, Hyun-ki`s video installations are both spiritual and modern. His sculptures "reconcile radical modernism with rich indigenous culture." This free exhibit will run through most of March from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Gallery is closed Mondays.

Gallery Hyundai is located near Anguk Subway Station off Line 3, Exit 1.

For information visit (http://www.galleryhyundai.com) 02-2287-3500



Historical/tourist

What: Day trip to Suwon

Contact: http://eng.suwon.ne.kr



Get out of town for a day and head to Suwon, about an hour south of Seoul by subway. Visit Hwaseong, the fortress built by King Jeongjo in 1794.

Take a two-hour walk around the fortress to take in the numerous pavilions, towers, command posts and other sights.

Suwon is also home of the Korean Folk Village.

A recreation of a traditional Korean community, this open air museum offers a glimpse of life during the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty. Everland, Korea`s largest privately owned amusement park, is also in Suwon.

Suwon is on Subway Line 1. City buses are available from the subway station to the fortress, folk village and Everland.





Know of an activity worth mentioning in our weekly guide? Please e-mail suggestions to scumming570@gmail.com - Ed.



By Sophie Cumming