You think that the cheering events have been exciting so far?  They’ll only get even bigger now that Korea has made history by getting into the top 16 on foreign soil for the first time!

Here’s a list of places in Seoul that will be hosting cheering events:

–In front of COEX/Samsung-dong (삼성동 코엑스 앞) : Cheer with the Red Devils, the official cheering club of Korean football

–Seoul Plaza (서울 광장) : Always a popular place to cheer for football fans, the crowds can get enormous!

–Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장 주경기장) : What better place than World Cup Stadium to cheer on the World Cup team?  Festivities hosted by TBS, with performances.

–Olympic Park Peace Plaza (올림픽공원 평화의 광장) : The cheering events sponsored by Hyundai have been bringing out stars such as Kim Yuna and Big Band to lead the festivities.

–Ttukseom Han River Citizen’s Park (뚝섬 한강시민공원) : Facepainting will take place until 7pm, when there will be a concert and festivities MC’ed by comedians, Jung Sung-ho.

–Yeouido Lawn (여의도 너른들판) : Watch the game on the banks of the Han River, with a special mini concert by the Yun Do Hyun Band

–Yeouido Walking Course Lawn  (여의도 선착장 앞 잔디마당)

–Floating Island (반포지구 플로팅 아일랜드)

–Wangsimni Plaza (왕십리 광장)

Clicking on the location names will bring up a Naver Map of the location.

Think that a 3:30 am start time will deter die-hard Korean football fans from showing their spirit for the crucial game that will determine if Korea makes the next round at the World Cup?  Not a chance.

Here’s a list of places in Seoul that will be hosting cheering events:

–In front of COEX/Samsung-dong (삼성동 코엑스 앞) : Cheer with the Red Devils, the official cheering club of Korean football

–Seoul Plaza (서울 광장) : Always a popular place to cheer for football fans, the crowds can get enormous!

–Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장 주경기장) : What better place than World Cup Stadium to cheer on the World Cup team?

–Olympic Park Peace Plaza (올림픽공원 평화의 광장) : The cheering events sponsored by Hyundai have been bringing out stars such as Kim Yuna and Big Band to lead the festivities.

–Yeouido Lawn (여의도 너른들판) : Watch the game on the banks of the Han River, with a special mini concert by the Yun Do Hyun Band

–Yeouido Walking Course Lawn  (여의도 선착장 앞 잔디마당)

–Floating Island (플로팅 아일랜드)

Clicking on the location names will bring up a Naver Map of the location.

This Thursday (the 17^th) is South Korea’s next match in the 2010 World Cup!

The game will start at 8:30pm, and South Korea will be playing against Argentina.

Be a part of Korean World Cup culture by putting on your Red Devil gear and cheering on the Korean National Team!

Here is a list of locations in Seoul where people will be gathering to watch the game and cheer:

–Ttukseom Han River Park (뚝섬 한강공원)

–In front of COEX/Samsung-dong (삼성동 코엑스 앞)

–Seoul Plaza (서울 광장)

–Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장 주경기장)

–Olympic Park Peace Plaza (올림픽공원 평화의 광장)

–Wangshimni Plaza (왕십리 광장)

–Floating Island (플로팅 아일랜드)

Clicking on the location names will bring up a Naver Map of the location.  Some of these locations will have a ton of people, so make sure to get there early!

June 14, 2010
8:30 PM – Netherlands vs. Denmark
11:00 PM – Japan vs. Cameroon
3:30 AM – Italy vs. Paraguay

June 15, 2010
8:30 PM – New Zealand vs. Slovakia
11:00 PM – Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
3:30 AM – Brazil vs. North Korea

June 16, 2010
8:30 PM – Honduras vs. Chile
11:00 PM – Spain vs. Switzerland
3:30 AM – South Africa vs. Uruguay

June 17, 2010
8:30 PM – Argentina vs. South Korea
11:00 PM – Greece vs. Nigeria
3:30 AM – France vs. Mexico

June 18, 2010
8:30 PM – Germany vs. Serbia
11:00 PM – Slovenia vs. United States
3:30 AM – England vs. Algeria

June 19, 2010
8:30 PM – Netherlands vs. Japan
11:00 PM – Ghana vs. Australia
3:30 AM – Cameroon vs. Denmark

“Seoul Plaza-Heart of Culture and Arts”, which has organized performances in Seoul Plaza since 2007, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this year. From May 15 through October 8, it will stage 100mins of performances for the pleasure and enjoyment of citizens.

This year’s program will cross diverse genres, including opera, musicals, traditional music, classic, Korean pop and various performances. It will also be an open stage for special artists, grassroots artists and artists from home and abroad. Visit the Seoul Plaza to add a touch of leisure and tranquility to your busy daily life.

• Duration : May 15 (Sat) – Oct. 8, 2010 (Fri)
• Time : 19:30~21:10 (100 min)
• Venue : The standing stage at Seoul Plaza (City Hall Station, Line 1 or 2-exit 4)
• Complete list of performances for June can be found here http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/ena/seoulplaza.php (English)

This weekend’s performances:

This weekend is the beginning of the 2010 World Cup!

Here is the schedule for the games throughout this weekend:

(All times are in Korean Standard Time)

Photo from www.wsoccer.com/

World Cup fever has already begun in Korea, a country famous for its epic passion during World Cup season.  Most people still remember the “Sea of Red” at Seoul Plaza.

The first game this year for the Korean team is this Saturday, June 12th against Greece and the start time is 8:30pm (Korean time).

Although the game will probably be on anywhere that you go in the city, here are a few places that are your best bets for getting caught in the fiery passion of Korean soccer fans!

This year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in conjunction with SBS, has decided to host the outdoor viewing areas for the Korea v. Greece at Bongeunsa Temple (near COEX), instead of Seoul Plaza or Gwanghwamun Plaza.  The most popular Korean soccer fan club, “The Red Devils” have decided to plan their festivities in conjunction with the Bongeunsa Temple events.  To get to Bongeunsa Temple, take Samsung Station (Line 2) to exit 6 or Chungdam Station (Line 7) to exit 2. http://www.koreadaily.com/news/read.asp?art_id=1042066 (Korean only)

Seoul Metro Gov’t may not be hosting events at Seoul Plaza, but Hyundai Motors and SK Telecom have planned events there instead. To get to Seoul Plaza, go to City Hall Station (Line 1 or 2), exit 4.

Another fun option is to head down to Yeouido Hangang Park, where the Nongshim Group is also hosting a public viewing.  This will actually be an all-day event, with festivities and concert performances beginning at 2pm and going all the way through the end of the game.  To get to Yeouido Hangang Park, go to Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), exit 2 or 3.  http://20100.co.kr/ (Korean only)

If you’re already at the Seoul International Jazz Festival at either Nakseongdae Park (Nakseongdae Station, Line 2) or Dream Forest Park (Dolgoji station, Line 6 – exit 3, transfer to bus no. 147), both venues will create space at the conclusion of the performances for outdoor viewing of the game.  http://www.seoulcityblog.com/2010/06/07/free-seoul-international-jazz-festival-june-11th-13th/

To beat the heat, but still get the excitement of the game, watch the matches in 3-D from major theater chains, CGV, Lotte Cinema, and MegaBox.   http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2921258

The Seoul International Jazz Festival will be held at Nakseongdae Park and Seoul Dream Forest Park from Friday, June 11th-June 13th.  All performances are FREE!   

On the 11th

Nakseongdae Park:  David Sanchez, Florence Davis, and Nana Quartet as well as Korean big band Jeong Seong-jo Big Band, will perform.  (7-9pm)

On the 12th

Nakseongdae Park:  Ronn Branton Quartet and Florence Davis will take the stage.  (6-8pm)

Dream Forest:  Another chance to see David Sanchez, the Nana Quartet, and the Jeong Seong-jo Big Band. (6-7:30pm)

 All performances on the 12th will end in time to create an outdoor venue to watch the World Cup match between Korea and Greece! 

On the 13th

Dream Forest:  Will once again feature Nana Quartet and Florence Davis, an appearance by Park Dong-hwa, and  hugely popular Korean group, Bom Yeorum, Gaeul, Gyul (Sping, Summer, Fall, Winter) closing the festival performances.  (7-9pm)

For more info, visit the festival’s website http://www.seouljazz.go.kr/jazz/main.asp?year_check= (Korean only)