Hopefully we’ve blown the lid off of your summer to-do list. Charlotte’s got 9 ways to keep you cool as a shredded cucumber while you stick it out in Seoul, while Chase’s stunning photo essay on biking Korea may inspire a “Kerouacian” journey. And if summer’s too big a project, start with the weekend! Here’s some start-of-July Seoul events:
ONGOING
Han River Pools Opening
Forget overpriced hotel pools, from this Friday June 28 you can enjoy riverside sunbathing at swimming at one of the seven seasonal outdoor pools running alongside the Han River. For exact details on where the nearest one to you is, read this blog post. Admission is around the 5000 won mark. Cheap!
Before I Die I Want To __________
The “Before I die I want to ______” walls are spreading all over the globe, a community arts project that invites passersby to fill in the blanks in a meaningful, incongruous or silly way. The Seoul version is set near Hangangjin Station. Read our blogpost to find out more about the project.
FRIDAY
The JAS Climbing Gym Opening
Celebrate the launch of a brand new rock climbing gym (along with the second branch of Henz clothing store) in the Sinsa area of Gangnam from 7:30 p.m. 360 Sounds, Seoul’s long-running DJ crew, will be in the building to kick things off.
Dimitri From Paris
Dimitri infuses his mixes with hip hop, funk, disco and electro, to create eargasmic music that will make you want to swing around the dancefloor. Catch him at Club B-One in Itaewon this Friday night from 9 p.m. Entry is 20,000 won.
Sam Amidon in Korea
Fans of folk-pop giants like Wilco and Bon Iver will latch onto the sounds of Sam Amidon, who will make his Korean debut at Hongdae Veloso. Nonesuch Records just released his full length album “Bright Sunny South.” Hey, that sounds like where we live! Tickets are available at the door for W35,00 and W30,000 in advance. More info about ticket purchase can be found
Varyd Launch Party
Varyd is the clothing line brainchild of Vanessa (Sae-hee) Burke and Rydia Kim. They will be launching their line and feting this Friday at Bar Americano. . Garments from the line will be available at a discounted price for cash only.
Other Bits
There’s deep house and an experimental band at Dojo Lounge and live music at , both located near Noksapyeong Station. D&B and dubstep at Owl Lounge, Itaewon, and in Hongdae expect at Myoungwolgwan.
SATURDAY
Top Talent: The Auditions
“Top Talent is Korea’s first all-English talent search competition produced by Seconds2Impact Media featuring the hottest performers from around the peninsula. Acts from a variety of backgrounds and cultures will compete for 1,000,000 Korean won and other prizes and opportunities.” Even if you don’t want to compete, you can check out the talent from 11:45 a.m. as an audience member. Get ready to judge or be judged. .
Southern Sons Parlour Soft Launch
The wait is over. The Southern Sons mixologists are finally open their brick and mortar watering hole, The Southside Parlour, this Saturday in Itaewon near Noksapyeong. A bonus to the fine booze and southern hospitality, there will be a rooftop photo booth in honor of the opening. Further info available on the Jenna Gibson, who wrote and photographed this photoessay on day trippin’ to Yangsu-ri last week, just got an article published on the guys in the Wall Street Journal’s Asia paper. You can read it online.
Fashion Conguest
Le Globe are , with a ton of trendy entertainment to supplement it. As well as a fashion show, you can catch some of Seoul’s best underground DJs, and some intriguing-sounding performances. From 10 p.m; 10,000 won for the ladies, 20,000 won for the guys.
Other Events
Silk/ Juice are with their monthly underground house music choices at Exit, ; as are ;Party rockin’ fun can be had at new Itaewon tavern with local band Honky and the Tonks; and Flow in Itaewon is paying tribute to .
SUNDAY
The Artist’s Journey Open Mic
Bar Carmen is hosting website The Artist’s Journey’s open mic night this Sunday at it’s Gyunglidan location. Anything from poetry to music to sword swallowing is welcome at the mic stand. .
Next update on Thursday 4 July. See our Seoul Events in 2013 post for more upcoming haps in the meantime.
Cover pic: Natalie Faye. See more from her in this Seoul City Guide she wrote with Megan Odell.
Written by Charlotte Hammond and Loren Cotter.
