5 Spots to Experience the Seoul Drag Show Scene

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This year, Seoul held its first ever Drag Parade, bringing together all the colours of the LGBTQI+ community to slay the streets. It was a chance for kings, queens and supporters to show their pride despite South Korea’s rocky stance on LGTBQI+ rights. Even before that, South Korea has a long history of local queens, including popular names like Hurricane Kimchi.

Here at 10 Magazine, we’ve comprised a list of hot spots where you can catch a show that will give you life!

1. Drag Tuesday | Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The most recent announcement to hit the drag scene has been the debut of Seoul’s first weekday drag show, Drag Tuesday. This Tuesday event brings together various local queens, presented by the team at Seoul Drag Parade and hosted by crowd favourite Hurricane Kimchi. The mid-week party offers three guest queens, drinks and games to last throughout the night. Seoul Drag Parade has also put out a call for a few LGBTQI+ performers wishing to take the stand, granted they’re ready to leave everyone shook. For more information about the event, check out the Drag Tuesday website or like the Seoul Drag Parade Facebook page. For more information about the venue, check out the listing of The Alley Bunker on our directory.

  • Dates: Every Tuesday (21:00-23:00)
  • Venue Information: Alley Bunker HBC
  • Cost: 5,000 Korean Won

2. The Link | Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Link is Itaewon’s stomping ground for those who appreciate art of all kinds, as well as a few cocktails with their good music. Described as the place to “hang out with some artworks”, The Link also provides a stage where drag and non-drag performers can shine, with local names having made appearances during their “Queer Live Music Night”. These live shows are often hosted on weekends, but its best to head to their Facebook page to keep up with when the shows will be on. For more information about the shows, check out The Link on Facebook to see their future events. For more information about the venue, check out the listing of The Link on our directory.

  • Dates: Various weekend events, see website for details
  • Venue Information: The Link
  • Cost: Admission fee may vary depending on the event.

3. Drag Drink Play | Rabbithole Arcade Pub, Yongsan-gu

Who doesn’t love a Saturday night of big wigs and glued eyebrows? The Rabbithole Arcade Pub, as selected by 10 Magazine Best of Seoul 2018 in the Best LGBT Bar category, is a safe and inviting space for all those in the queer community, supporters too, to come for a drink and enjoy a local drag show. Every Saturday, Rabbithole Arcade Pub holds Drag Drink Play (DDP), which starts late but is well worth the visit if you want to see some entertaining performances. DDP also presents a monthly drag competition, Snatched, which invites all queens to follow a theme for a chance to win prizes. For more information about the shows, check out the Rabbithole Arcade Pub on Facebook to see their future events. For more information about the venue, check out the listing of the Rabbithole Arcade Pub on our directory.

  • Dates: Every Saturday night
  • Venue Information: Rabbithole Arcade Pub
  • Cost: Admission fee may vary depending on the event.

4. QBar | Yongsan-gu, Seoul

QBar is one of Itaewon’s best weekend locations for a show to accompany a night out on the town. Each Friday and Saturday, guests can enjoy three sections of fun with various queens giving it their all throughout the night. The show typically kicks off at 1AM, and has a new lineup and title every week so guests can see the very best of Seoul’s drag performers. It’s not just a place to see a local show, but also a place to hit the drinks with a few friends and dance the night away. For more information, check out the QBar website page, or their Facebook page to see their future events. For more information about the venue, check out the listing of the QBar on our directory.

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  • Dates: Friday and Saturday Nights
  • Venue Information: QBar Seoul
  • Cost: May have varying entry fees

5. Neon Milk | Various Locations, Seoul

Neon Milk, much more than a bar or club, is a queer culture agency that brings drag performances from all around the world to Seoul’s stage. In past events, they’ve held shows with highlighted names such as Soju, Violet Chachki, Naomi Smalls, Kim Chi and Detox. Accompanying these momentous acts, Neon Milk also first-weekday various parties and DJ events, as well as print their own magazine showing the kaleidoscopical dimensions of queer culture. More recently, Neon Milk have been active on their Youtube channel, promoting local artists with their segment “Queens of Seoul”. The agency is based in Seoul, however, events change their venues depending on the act, so it’s best to keep an eye on the Facebook to see any upcoming shows in the making.

  • Dates: Various dates

Notable past events (keep an eye out, they’ll come again!)