The Korean Wave 2010-2011 - Korean Cultural Service

Saturday10 a.m.4) DESIGN DIGSThe Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a massive complexdesigned by Zaha Hadid, will be a centerpiece ofSeoul’s design transformation when it is completed asearly as 2012. Though still under construction, its impressive,space-age skeleton is already worth a look (2Eulji-ro 7-ga, Jung-gu; 82-2-2266-7330; seouldesign.or.kr). So is the new Hadid-designed park that surroundsit, which elegantly incorporates recently discoveredruins, including a military complex from theChoson dynasty (1392-1910). Small design exhibitionsaccompany a museum chronicling the site’s history.11 a.m5) WHITE CUBESThe city’s contemporary art scene is blossoming andit’s centered in pleasant Samcheong-dong. Blue-chipspaces include Gallery Hyundai (80 Sagan-dong,Jongro-gu; 82-2-2287-3570; galleryhyundai.com);Kukje Gallery (59-1 Sokeuk-dong, Jongro-gu; 82-2-735-8449; kukjegallery.com); and Arario Gallery(149-2 Sokeuk-dong, Jongro-gu; 82-2-723-6190; arariogallery.com).Anchoring the area is the ArtsonjeCenter (144-2 Sokeuk-dong, Jongro-gu; 82-2-733-8945; artsonje.org), founded in 1998 to support contemporaryand experimental art. Meanwhile, over inthe Cheongdam area is the Platoon Kunsthalle (97-22 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-3447-1191;kunsthalle.com), an alternative art space built fromstacked shipping containers.Seoul. The heart of temptation lies in the Cheongdamdongdistrict, and spreads out from there. Watch internationalbrands try to outdo one another, be it withthe vegetation-covered Ann Demeulemeester (650-14Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-3442-2570; anndemeulemeester.be);the new concrete-on-concrete RickOwens (651 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-516-2217; rickowens.eu); or the unapologetically decadent10 Corso Como (79 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu;82-2-3018-1010; 10corsocomo.co.kr). For homegrownluxury emporiums, stop by Boon the Shop (89-3and 79-13 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-542-8006; boontheshop.com) and the edgier DailyProjects (1-24 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-3218-4075; dailyprojects.kr). And for local skater andstreetwear design, Humantree (4F, 653-1 Sinsa-dong,Gangnam-gu; 82-2-514-3464; humantree.info) showsoff its hoodies and T-shirts next to a Planet of the Apesblow-up doll.7:30 p.m.8) FASHION BARBECUEGiven that its proprietor is a former editor at VogueKorea, you might expect Tadak (412-29 Hapjeongdong,Mapo-gu; 82-2-333-6564) to be a tad pretentious.Quite the opposite. Stylish yet low-key, thiswarm-and-woody Korean barbecue restaurant openedearlier this year near the Hongdae student night-lifedistrict. Beef, pork and vegetables are grilled over woodcharcoal at your table, accompanied by all the pickledand bean paste fixings. The prices are just as palatable:10,000 won per one-person portion. A serving of coldnaeng myun noodles is 4,500 won.Sunday11 a.m.10) TAPAS WITH A VIEWHave brunch with the in-crowd at Between (124-7Yongsan-gu, Itaewon-dong; 82-2-795-6164), a multilevelItalian and Spanish tapas restaurant, with a terraceand lounge, that opened earlier this year. Its airy,contemporary interior is an ideal place to wake up withan eggs Benedict (16,000 won) or prosciutto sandwich(17,000 won) and good people-watching.12:30 p.m.11) BATH AND BEYONDA staple of Korean life has long been the jjimjilbang, orbathhouse. And perhaps the biggest and most extravagantof them all is the seven-story Dragon Hill Spa& Resort (40-713 Hangang-ro 3-ga, Yongsan-gu; 82-2-798-0114; dragonhillspa.com). Something like anamusement park with a touch of ’80s Vegas, completewith pyramids and a Native American-themed pub,this family-friendly spot comes with sex-segregated spaareas, shared saunas, outdoor pools, Jacuzzis and more:picture nail salons, video arcades, an Internet cafe,even a cinema and putting green. (Admission 10,000to 12,000 won; spa packages from 100,000 won.) AZen retreat this is not. But it’s a fun (and funny) placefor a few hours of entertainment — and maybe somerelaxation, too.IF YOU GOThe 185-room Park Hyatt Seoul (995-14 Daechi 3-dong,Gangnam-gu; 82-2-2016-1234; seoul.park.hyatt.com) occupiesa 24 -story glass-and-steel building in the central Gangnamdistrict. Floor-to-ceiling windows, warm wood finishes andgranite baths outfit its spacious, modern rooms. Doublesstart at 270,000 won (about $249).The new IP Boutique Hotel (737-32 Hannam-dong, Yongsangu;82-2-3702-8000; ipboutiquehotel.com) is conveniently situatedin Itaewon. It has a colorful facade that matches the 132comfortable rooms within: think lots of white with splashesof Pop color. Rates start at 200,000 won, with frequent discountsavailable.Situated in the heart of fashionable Garosu-gil, the Hotel TeaTree & Co (535-12 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-542-9954;teatreehotel.com) opened last year with 38 spare yet cozyrooms. Standard rooms start at 96,800 won.1:30 p.m.6) CHEAP OR CHICFor lunch in Samcheong-dong, try the Kukje Gallery’supscale continental restaurant (18,000 won for thescallop risotto). Or slip into one of the hole-in-thewallrestaurants tucked into the hilly side streets, likeCheonjin Poja (148-5 Sokeuk-dong, Jongro-gu; 82-2-739-6086), where an order of pork mandoo dumplingswill set you back 4,000 won. There’s also aA (55Sokeuk-dong, Jongro-gu; 82-2-722-1211), a new fourleveltemple to vintage modern furniture, though thedraw is more the Danish lighting than the 8,000-wonham and Brie sandwiches.3 p.m.7) CREDIT CRUNCHThere’s no shortage of ways to max out a credit card in11 p.m.9) WHERE THE KIDS ROAMSeoul has its share of sleek bars and sophisticatedclubs, but for a bit of urban anthropology to go withyour drink, head to Hongdae. Packed with teenagers,university students and other 20-somethings, this carnivalesque,neon-lit area is where on weekend nightsyou might find yourself dodging a stilt walker as a rockband plays nearby. On the main drag, you can’t missLuxury Norebang (367-39 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu;82-2-322-3111), a multistory karaoke palace that lookslike Pee Wee’s Playhouse as decorated by Laura Ashley.For a more upscale party vibe, check out Lound (83-13 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu; 82-2-517-7412;74lound.com), which draws a fashionable set to its hyperslickspaces.98 Copyright © 2010 by The New York Times Co. Reprinted with permission. 99