Entertainment
Entertainment
Visitors or residents in South Korea will not lack things to do. Activities range from eating and drinking in a bewildered range of establishments, the opportunity to sample the highest international culture and a variety of museums and galleries, to floorshows of all types. Availability varies, of course. Seoul is very much at the apex in all that is on offer, and all that is catered to in that city, but all the big cities will offer something.
Information about what is on is readily available. Seoul had two English language newspapers for years, the Korean Herald and the Korean Times. In recent years, not only have both gone online, but they have also been joined by a number of other English-language papers, some linked to Korean dailies. They provide details of concerts and other forms of entertainment, which are also advertised on posters and billboards around the city.
In Korea, the number of theatres and concert halls has increased steadily since the 1970s, stimulated by economic success and international events such as the 1988 Olympic Games. Even in the 1980s it was said that there was a performance of Shakespeare in one or other of Seoul’s many theatres every night of the year. By now, there must be two or three. Much experimental theatre can also be found. Traditional performances of mask dances and other folk traditions are widely available and increasingly popular, as are the performances of the various styles of Korean traditional music, from stately court performances to the exuberant drumming of the farmers’ bands.
