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Jeongdong Theater’s Traditional Art Performances - 01/01/2003 - 12/31/2004

Address : Jeongdong Theater, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Jeongdong Theater is one of the best places to experience the spirit of Korean traditional art. Four Regular traditional performances in dance, pungmul, vocal, and music instruments was established in 1997 at the theater to present various types of performances from court music to folk songs. These colorful dance and music spectacles are performed by artists wearing traditional costumes who have been honored with the title of human cultural assets. Each programs can be slightly changed without notification, so check out the schedule on the website before the performance. The theater provides English and Japanese subtitles and offers free shuttle bus services from major hotels in downtown Seoul. The traditional art performance at Jeongdong Theater has gained acclamation from foreign tourists over the years and was awarded as the Best Tourist Attraction by Korea Tourism Organization and as one of the Ten Must-See Attractions by Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2000.

• Performance Program
  The four representative genres of traditional dance, pungmul, instrumental, and vocal arts are included in seven sessions in two programs that are periodically updated.

• Program A (Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
  Salpuri, Samdo Seoljanggu, Pansori, Fan Dance, Samdo Pungmulgut, Seungmu (Buddhist Dance), Sambuk, Pangut
  Program B (Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday)
  Hwagwanmu, Gayageum Byeongchang, Samdo Pungmulgut, Piri Solo, Janggu Dance, Women's Musical Drama, Pangut

Period: Year Round (Closed on Mondays and Lunar New Year)
Time: (April - September) 20:00 / (October - March) 16:00
Location: Jeongdong Theater, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: 02-7511-500 (Kor)
Website: http://www.chongdong.com/ (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)Website:
Tickets: Seats 30,000 won / A Seats 20,000 won

Seoul Subway Line 1 (Exit 1) or Line 2 (Exit 12). Walk about 5 minutes along the Deoksugung Palace Stone Path.

Traditional Arts Performance at the Korea House - 01/01/2003 - 12/30/2004

Address : Korea House, Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
The Traditional Arts Performance at the Korea House is the place where you can experience an entire genre of Korean traditional art in one visit. Many Korean and foreign visitors favor the performance which is divided into two acts and lasts about two hours. The content of the performance changes every other month and in summer, ‘samulnoli’ (a concert of four traditional percussion instruments) and ‘bukchum’ (a traditional drum dance) are performed on the court. Usually, the Traditional Arts Performance at the Korea House consists of nine classic traditional art performances. One of them is the ‘gainjeonmokdan’ which originated from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and was made for honoring the forefathers of the Joseon Dynasty. The dance portrays beautiful female dancers, divided in two groups, dancing with peony flowers from a huge vase. Another dance called ‘bongsantalchum’ is a colorful masquerade originating from the Bonsan area of Hwanghae-do in North Korea. The world famous ‘buchaechum’ (fan dance) also presents dancers in splendid attire dancing with colorfully decorated fans. You should not miss out on ‘samunoli’ (a performance featuring four major Korean traditional percussions) and ‘gangangsulae’ (a group dance for women on the full moon night of August 15th in the lunar calendar). There are more art performances available, so don’t miss out on this wonderful chance to experience Korean traditional fine arts.

Period: from January 5, 2003 (Year Round. Programs change every other month.)
Time: (Act 1) 19:00-20:00 / (Act 2) 20:50-21:50
Location: Korea House, Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tickets: 29,000 won
Inquiries: 02-2266-9101~3 (Kor/Eng/Jap) /
Website: http://www.koreahouse.or.kr/ (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)

Seoul Subway Line 3 or Line 4, Chungmuro Station (Exit 3), Walk about 2 minutes.

Five-day markets in Pyeongchang-gun - 01/01/2003 - 12/31/2003

Address : Five main town, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Pyeongchang-gun in Gangwon-do brings you scenes from Korea’s past, especially with the 5-day markets, the traditional market open every five days. It has shrunken from the old days, but you can still find a variety of merchandise hard to find in the city such as wild greens and medicinal plants, antiques, old-style jars, rabbits and chicks on sale as pets or to raise for food. Also you can taste local foods such as grilled buckwheat, tadpole-shape noodles, and Korean stuffed pancake. Pyeongchang 5-day markets take place in five major towns on different days.

Jinbu Market: This is the biggest 5-day market in Pyeongchang-gun. As well as assorted merchandise, it is famous for local products such as wild greens, danggwi (a mountain –grown herb used for stomach trouble and nervous condition) and memilmuk buckwheat jelly. Don’t miss the tadpole noodles made of corn flour, a very special taste. The market is open every date that ends with the digit 3 or 8; it is a five-minute walk from Jinbu Terminal.

Pyeongchang Market: Wild greens in spring, fruit in the summer, and pickled vegetables in winter. Residents raise and sell their own products as their ancestors did long ago, and local specialties are served such as grilled buckwheat pancakes and tadpole noodles. It is held every date that ends with a digit 5 or 0 and takes two minutes by walk from Pyeongchang Bus Terminal.

Bongpyeong Jang: This market is the setting of a famous novel, Memilkkot pilmuryeop (buckwheat-blossom time), by Hyo-seok Yi. Therefore, it is the best well-known market of Pyeongchang-gun markets. It is held every date ending in 2 or 7, and takes ten minutes by bus from Jangpyeong Terminal to Bongpyeong.

Daehwa Jang: They sell local products, living necessities, and local foods. Because the market is located in near Highway 31, many passersby stop and shop. It opens every date that ends with a 4 or 9, and connects with Daehwa Terminal.

Mitan Jang: Even though it is smaller than in the past, it offers a variety of living necessities. It is open every date ending with 1 or 6, and connects with Mitan Terminal.

Venue: Jinbu, Mitan, Pyeongchang, Daehwa, and Bongpyeng-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Tourist Information: +82-33-1330 (English/Japanese/Chinese)

Jinbu Jang: a five-minute walk from Jinbu Terminal
Pyeongchang Jang:a two-minute walk from Pyeongchang Terminal
Daehwa Jang: connects with Daehwa Terminal
Mitan Jang: connects with Mitan Terminal
Bongpyeong Jang: a 10-minute trip by bus from Jangpyeong Terminal

‘2003 Regular Saturday Performance of Korea Music and Dance’ - 01/04/2003 - 12/27/2003

Address : Yeakdang (Main performance hall), the National Center for Korean Traditional
Since 1986, this performance has been held at 5 pm, offering foreigners as well as locals more access and greater understanding of the Korean traditional music and dance.

The repertoire includes about 100 works from diverse genres, from court music and dance, folk music and dance, pansori (folk song), samulnori (farmers’ percussion quartet) to creative music. Presented by NCKTPA’s band and dancers, the performances are high standard. The NCKTPA's music ensembles and dance troupes perform 8 sets our of 100 sets at each performance. An English version of the program is also available.

Date: 17:00 every Saturday from January 4 to December 27, 2003
Venue: Yeakdang (Main performance hall), the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Art
Tickets: A seat - 10,000won/ B seat- 8,000won
* 50% discount with student ID card
Tourist Information: +82-2-580-3300(Korean, English, Japanese)

Subway
Orange Line (Nambu Bus Terminal station) - Exit#5 - Mini Bus 01-7, 01-9 or a 5-minute ride by taxi
Green Line (Bangbae station) - Exit#1 - Mini Bus 02-3, 03-3, or 03-5 a 5-minute ride by taxi
Blue Line (Sadang station) - Exit#1 - Mini Bus 03-5 or a 10-minute ride by taxi

Saturday performances of traditional Korean dance in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do Province - 03/01/2003 - 12/31/2003

Guard Changing Ceremony of Ungjinseong fortress (or Gongsanseong) - 04/05/2003 - 10/12/2003

Addresss : Geumseoru, Gongsanseong , Sanseong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongam-do
This ritual is designed to uphold the fabulous culture and beautiful tradition of the Baekje Kingdom. The clothes and items are near perfect replicas of the real ones; thus, making the performance more realistic and interesting. It takes place at 14:00 to 21:00 from April to October except during the rainy season, July and August, on Geumseoru, Gongsanseong fortress wall. It also includes spearmanship and swordsmanship of ancient military. Costumes worn by the King, Queen and knight are also loaned out for photo opportunities. Also enjoy various experiences such as shooting Korean bows, trying the ancient technique of rubbing from the region of Baekje, and riding in a royal carriage.

Date: April 4 to October 12 except during the rainy season (July and August)
Time: 14:00 to 21:00 (once every hour)
Venue: Geumseoru, Gongsanseong fortress, Sanseong-dong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongam-do
Admission: Adult (over 20) 800 won, Student (14-19) 600 won, Child (under 13) 400 won
Tourist Information: +82-41-1330 (English, Chinese, and Japanese)

take a local bus from Gongju-si to Gongsanseong