14 events happening in Seoul this week that we think look cool | 19th Nov-25th Nov
With what feels like an attempt to make up for the last year and a half, music and art events are being announced in droves.
This week is especially notable for having loads of events that deal with the avant-garde. Experimental music and conceptual artists are all coming out for some exciting performances and exhibitions this week!
There's a crazy amount to do in the city we call home. Here's our breakdown of the best things to do in Seoul this week.
Friday 19th November
PANIC! at Pet Sounds.
MUSIC / DJS / PARTY
Opening up the week is our own little side project, PANIC! Every Friday the editing team behind Platform Magazine step behind the decks and play all the best in classic and new indie. Everything from The Smiths to the Arctic Monkeys to Wolf Alice. We also drop in some disco, soul and other genres. It's a fun little way to kick off your weekend and we'd love to see you there.
PANIC!
Pet Sounds, Yongsan-gu
Free Entry
For more information, click here.
Nada Switch
LIVE MUSIC / BANDS / PUNK
Garage punk band and Platform Issue #1 cover stars Billy Carter will be playing this week in Mapo-gu's NESTnada. They will be joined indie-pop band Tilde and pop-punkers Riot Kidz.
Nada Switch
nestNADA, Mapo-gu
30,000
For more information, click here.
IMA Picks
ART / GALLERIES / EXHIBITION
IMA Picks is a regular art event in which the Ilmin Museum of Art selects three different artists and explores their work in relation to the modern world. This Friday, they launch their latest instalment of IMA Picks, featuring three different female artists who were born in different generations. Eunsae Lee (b.1987), Seunghye Hong (b.1959), and Seoknam Yoon (b.1939) will all exhibit their work at the event.
IMA Picks
Ilmin Art Gallery, Jongno-gu
Free Entry
For more information, click here.
초상화 Portraits
ART / PAINTING / EXHIBITION
American painter Aaron Crossrow creates gorgeous work that explores the hidden beauty of the everyday world and the seemingly ordinary people that inhabit it. His art captures the vibrancy of the working class that is often overlooked by many of us. This weekend, Crossrow launches his latest exhibition, 초상화 portraits: 2021, featuring 23 original works.
초상화 Portraits
Alley Market, Yongsan-gu
Free Entry
For more information, click here.
Saturday 20th November
Perceptions and Reflections
ART / PAINTING
Our good friend and incredibly talented painter Hanadi Istambouli will be holding her latest public exhibition this week. Perceptions and Reflections is her current work with an emphasis on reflective surfaces and portraits. Her newest pieces centre on a general theme of reflection and perception. You can look forward to seeing this series released during the end of 2021. Hanadi often paints on upcycled items to promote greener art. Not only will you be able to view her work, but it will all be available to purchase.
Perceptions and Reflections
알키미아, Jongno-gu.
Free entry
For more information, click here.
DDG Comedy Showcase #002
COMEDY / THEATRE / PERFORMANCE
As things start to get back to normal, we think that everyone could use a laugh. Having recently started putting on comedy shows again, Dark de Gary (닭대가리) are returning with the second instalment of their comedy showcases. Hosted by Rowan Crabtree and featuring 6 local comedic talents, the show promises to be a blast. If you're looking to laugh this weekend, book your ticket for DDG's showcase on Saturday.
DDG Comedy Showcase #002
Funtastic Theatre, Yongsan-gu.
10,000
For more information, click here.
Transgender Awareness Parade
MUSIC / CELEBRATION / ACTIVISM
This Saturday, the annual event celebrating trans people and creating awareness for transgender issues in Korea will hold a march with music and art. Our good friend Jina from Billy Carter will be performing a short set. When flying solo, Jina plays a really awesome mix of experimental blues acoustic music. The event kicks off at Noksapyeong Station, exit 3.
Transgender Awareness Parade
Yongsan-gu.
For more information, click here.
Smile Flower presents: Garden
MUSIC / ART / PERFORMANCE
This week, Smile Flower present a two-day experimental music event featuring some firm Platform favourites and some of the most exciting performers working in Korea. The event aims to converge the audio world with the visual and give experimental music makers space to perform. Day one has saxophonist Kim Oki, psyche funk band Cadejo and art jazz musician Bekhyujin. The second day will have Cadejo returning with pansori disco band Chudahye Chagis and artist Leehee Moon. This is an incredibly unique set of artists and is not to be missed.
Garden
Sangsangmadang, Mapo-gu
88,000
For more information, click here.
Like A Wave Of Radiant Voices
MUSIC / VISUALS / ELECTRONIC MUSIC
The team behind the performance art venue Ghetto Alive have put together an interesting audio-visual event for this weekend featuring some great names. The event aims to combine musical performances with visual artworks. It will be a collaborative production between musicians and VJs. Playing live will be three of our favourites; Aseul, UZA and Universe Mongae. They will be backed by VJs HeyInn, Jeoli and Park Pano.
Like a Wave of Radiant Voices
Ghetto Alive, Seongdong-gu
30,000
For more information, click here.
Nice to Meet You
ART / PAINTING / DRAWING
This weekend, art venue Everyday Mooonday will launch a brand new exhibition with a big group of exciting artists. The show will feature some visually engaging works from a variety of different styles and aesthetic principles. All ten of the artists will bring something different to the table. Auto Muai reinterprets life and examines her place in the world through her unique style of line drawing. Osang Gwon plays with the nature of celebrity using sculpture pastiche. Raymond Lemstra creates surrealist portraits with a vintage visual style. These are just three of the names exhibiting but there are so many great artists at this show.
Nice to Meet You
Everyday Mooonday, Songpa-gu
For more information, click here.
Sunday 21st November
“Planet A” Live
LIVE MUSIC / VEGAN FOOD
Earlier this month, animal rights activist and filmmaker Haru Lev released Planet A, a collection of songs by different artists to promote veganism and animal welfare. This Sunday, three of the musicians who appeared on the album will be performing live. This is the first time since the release of Planet A that a group of the contributors have played together. Doom Doom Baby (made up of members of Billy Carter and Dead Buttons) will be joined by Videorose and electronic artist Fat Hamster!
Planet A
Ethical Table, Sujeong-gu.
30,000
For more information, click here.
Sound & Gesture
ELECTRONIC MUSIC / DJS / PARTY
Now here is a real treat - two incredible electronic performers playing together. Kirara might be the best electronic artist working in Korea today. She will be joined by experimental producer Salamanda who combines funky rhythms with instruments and elements from around the world. Completing the trio will be awesome DJ and promoter Quandol, who plays a mix of funk, soul, disco and hip-hop.
Sound & Gesture
Modeci, Mapo-gu.
20,000
For more information, click here.
Space Song
INDIE / LIVE MUSIC / PARTY
Our very good buddies over at Club FF have been finally opening their doors to live music after a long hiatus. This Sunday, they have four new and exciting indie artists performing live. The lineup features Luamel, Dayangsung, Gerda, and Even If. It's a very fun set of acts that have all been labelled as ones-to-watch! As always, local indie legend DJ Eddie will be spinning music after the bands have finished playing.
Space Song
Club FF, Mapo-gu.
25,000
For more information, click here.
Tuesday 23rd November
Mitorix
ART / VIDEO / FEMINISM
And rounding off our week's listings is an exhibition featuring a video exhibition by one of Seoul's most progressive and forward-thinking artists, Kim Nahee. Using technology, Kim Nahee confronts ideas of sexuality, gender, and family. Her explorative works deal with her perception of her queer identity. Tickets for the event are free, but are limited, and you have to book in advance.
MITORIX
Jung-gu
Free entry.
For more information, click here.
