Must-see entertainment in Seoul

  • Finish line at Seoul Racecourse.

    Seoul Racecourse

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Enjoy a day at the races at Seoul's impressive and hugely popular horse-racing track. A 40,000-capacity grandstand faces the sandy track and its backdrop…

  • Nanta Theatre Jung-gu

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Running since 1997, with no end in sight, is Korea's most successful nonverbal performance. Set in a kitchen, this high-octane, 90-minute show mixes magic…

  • Mudaeruk

    Seoul

    The 'Lost Continent of Mu' has been hiding out in Sangsu-dong all these years? Join those in the know for live bands, piano, improv jazz or electronic…

  • National Theater of Korea

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    The several venues here are home to the national drama, changgeuk (Korean opera), orchestra and dance companies. Free concerts and movies are put on in…

  • Mellowa

    Seoul

    Sounding like 'mellow out' in English, this small live-music bar is very Yeonnam-dong – Hongdae's mellower, cooler sibling. The dark industrial-chic space…

  • National Gugak Center

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Traditional Korean classical and folk music and dance are performed, preserved and taught at this centre, which is home to the Court Music Orchestra, the…

  • Club Evans

    Seoul

    Appealing across the generations, Evans offers top-grade jazz and a great atmosphere. If you want a seat, get here early or book ahead – live music…

  • Jeongdong Theater

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Most famous for its critically acclaimed musical Miso, this theatre company also produces a number of traditional nonverbal musicals.

  • FF

    Seoul

    A top live venue with up to eight local indie bands playing at the weekend until midnight. Afterwards it becomes a dance club with DJs.

  • Owl's Rooftop

    Seoul

    With live jazz, bands and acoustic music, great Korean food (clam and tofu stew; apple bbq pork) and beer (or bottles of berry makgeolli), this place,…

  • Post Territory Ujjeonguk

    Seoul

    This former post office turned art centre focuses on the theme of sharing and communication. With many exhibitions, concerts and seminars put on by and…

  • Seoul Arts Center

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    The national ballet and opera companies are based at this sprawling arts complex, which includes a circular opera house with a roof shaped like a Korean…

  • Nanta Theatre Hongdae

    Seoul

    Set in a kitchen, this long-running, high-­octane show mixes varied ingredients – magic tricks, circus acts, drumming with kitchen utensils, comedy, dance…

  • Boogie Woogie

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Shake your stuff to two shows nightly (7pm and 9pm) at this neon-clad live-music den featuring local jazz acts and a smattering of blues, funk and hip hop…

  • All that Jazz

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    A fixture on the Seoul jazz scene since 1976, this place regularly features top local musicians; table reservations are recommended for the weekend. There…

  • K-League

    Seoul

    Korea's professional football league has 12 teams playing in the top tier (Division 1), with matches taking place between March and November. FC Seoul,…

  • Cinemateque KOFA

    Seoul

    Free classic and contemporary Korean films are on the bill at one of the three cinemas in this home of the Korean Film Archive. See the website for…

  • DGBD

    Seoul

    First-generation K-Indie bands such as Crying Nut came into the spotlight at this legendary live-music venue. It’s standing-room-only and there’s a…

  • Crazy Multiply

    Seoul

    An art collective that curates monthly shows for Seoul-based artists that combine music, art and performance; check the website for upcoming events.

  • Megabox COEX

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Cineplex with 17 screens and 4000 comfortable seats, showing films in original language. Sometimes screens live ballet and opera performances.

  • Once in a Blue Moon

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    An intimate and classy club with live jazz from two groups of performers every night, each playing two sets between 7.30pm and 12.30am.

  • LG Arts Center

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Major local and international artists and companies perform at this multi-hall, state-of-the-art venue.

  • World Cup Stadium

    Seoul

    Built for the 2002 Football World Cup, this 66,000-seat venue is still used as a sports and events stadium. Die-hard football fans may want to visit the…

  • Jamsil Baseball Stadium

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Watch South Korea’s best players slug it out at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. There are three Seoul teams in the eight-team Korean League and two of them – the…

  • Indie Art-Hall GONG

    Seoul

    Marked by a huge brick chimney, this still-operating steel product factory has a large space on its 2nd floor devoted to a wide range of arts. Expect…

  • Oh! Zemidong

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Occupying a corridor of rooms on the upper level of Chugmuro station, this facility run by the Seoul Film Corporation includes a free library of books and…

  • Seoul Arts Space – Mullae

    Seoul

    It's worth finding out what's happening at this arts and performance space which includes a studio theatre and gallery. Events that are part of the…

  • Jump

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    A long-running comedy performance that features a wacky Korean family all crazy about martial arts. The nonverbal show mixes Korean taekwondo and…

  • Mokdong Stadium

    Seoul

    A lesser-visited stadium than Jamsil, Mokdong was home to the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization until 2015. The Bamdokkaebi Night Market…

  • Myeongdong Theater

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    Dating back to the 1930s, this attractive downtown theatre was resurrected in 2009 and hosts quality productions from modern Korean classics to…

  • Arthouse Momo

    Seoul

    In the basement of the main entrance to the university is this two-screen cinema, showing a wide range of international movies in their original language …

  • Café BBang

    Seoul

    You’re sure to catch something interesting here. Apart from gigs by indie artists and bands, it also hosts film screenings, art exhibitions and parties.

  • Con-Vent

    Seoul

    Formerly known as Freebird, this multi-space pub, live-music and DJ venue hosts a handful of rock acts every evening.

  • V-Hall

    Seoul

    Long-standing live-music venue that hosts regular international acts.

  • XIndie Ticket Lounge

    Seoul

    Located in a glass, mutant igloo–like building in the middle of the street is this booking and information office for music events and the music scene in…

  • Jamsil Arena

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    Hosts Korean Basketball League matches from November to March; play-offs until May.

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