Jazz, classical and carol performances set amid tropical and Mediterranean plants; children's plant-detective program and foreign-language docent tours also on offer; 300 spots per session, 5,000 won entry fee
Seoul Botanic Park will open its exhibition greenhouse at night across 10 evenings from Nov. 13 to Dec. 27.
The nighttime openings will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 13-14, Nov. 27-28, Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 24-27, the park said.
During each session, the greenhouse — home to tropical and Mediterranean plants — will host jazz, musical, acoustic, classical and carol performances. Jazz Libre takes the stage Nov. 13, followed by a musical gala show Nov. 14. Band Pearl Haze performs Nov. 27, and acoustic duo Mood Deung plays Nov. 28.
Dec. 11 features a duet by vocalists Jang Ji-ung and Baek Seung-cheol, while Ensemble Arang delivers a classical program Dec. 12. Guitarist Kim Seong-jin and flutist Jeon Sae-mi perform Dec. 24, followed by UEL on Dec. 25 and Groove Us on Dec. 26 — all with carol sets. The series closes Dec. 27 with a classical ensemble by Park Yong-eun, Kim Yeong-min and Kang Hyeon-gyu.
Families with children can join the "Moonlight Plant Detective" program, in which participants follow clues on mission cards to identify plants inside the greenhouse and use UV flashlights to find hidden letters that spell out a word. The activity is open to 15 families on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue, limited to those who have made advance reservations for the nighttime opening.
A foreign-language docent program will offer guided commentary on the greenhouse plants and their cultural contexts, followed by a mini-potted-plant workshop. Sessions run from 5 p.m. on Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Dec. 12, Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, accommodating 10 to 12 foreign visitors per session. The operating company will recruit participants, and fees are payable by card on-site.
Starting at 4:30 p.m. — before the nighttime opening begins — the park will also run "Botanic Cinema" screenings open to all visitors regardless of reservation status. Films on the program include "Divertimento," "A Midsummer Night's Jazz," "Love on Fallen Leaves," "Petite Maman" and "Our Summer Days."
Screenings this month will be held in the North Lounge on the first floor of the Plant Culture Center; next month they move to the Botanic Hall, though locations are subject to change depending on operating conditions.
The permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall and gift shop inside the Plant Culture Center will also extend their hours throughout the nighttime opening period.
Each session is capped at 300 visitors by advance reservation, for a total of 3,000 spots across all 10 evenings. The entry fee is 5,000 won per person; children under 36 months enter free. Reservations for this month's sessions are currently open on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's public service reservation website. Bookings for December sessions open Dec. 1 on the same site.
The nighttime openings are part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "nighttime economy revitalization" initiative, a key policy of the current administration. The park had already held additional evening sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, a Friday and Saturday.
"We hope citizens will create warm and romantic winter night memories with their loved ones, surrounded by beautiful plants and diverse performances under soft lighting," said On Su-jin, director of Seoul Botanic Park.
ken@heraldcorp.com
