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KOR SHANGHAI OFFICIALLY OPENS AS THE FIRST-EVER TAIPEI-BASED ENTERTAINMENT BRAND TO OPEN ABROAD

KOR officially celebrated its first overseas address when it opened the doors to its much anticipated Shanghai location at a long-awaited soft opening weekend extravaganza on December 21.

Words: GLORIA LIN

Located in the heart of Shanghai’s bustling Jing’an District at Wheelock Square, KOR Shanghai is an extension of KOR Taipei and delivers an elevated version of the same experience that theLOOP group spent three years fine-tuning in Taipei. Best defined as a Super Lounge, KOR Shanghai is a refined hip-hop forward alternative to ubiquitous EDM-fueled nightclubs that instead evokes intimacy and inspires conversation yet is still loud enough for a Friday night out thanks to a chrome-plated custom-design VOID Acoustics sound system. The experience comes coupled with a collection of rare spirits, international bartending techniques and Michelin-calibre cuisine.

RARE LIQUORS & LOCAL INSPIRED LIBATIONS

A 20-seat bar is the pièce de résistance at KOR and offers an alchemy second-to-none — speciality libations and rare liquors — in a high volume environment that is intensified by the finesse of Asian hospitality and table service. The cocktail menu is centered around local flavors and features tipples like the HardKOR Boba — a grown-up version of a bubble tea drink that consists of house-infused cooling tea, honey, and vodka — and a Ramos Big Rabbit — a nostalgic cocktail designed to arouse childhood memories amongst Shanghainese by reimagining its popular White Rabbit candy in drink form. KOR has picked up several accolades over the years, including Best High Volume Bar by the Tales Of The Cocktail Foundation.

Like a chef in the kitchen, Taipei-based bartending talent Ziyi Yang is the showstopper behind the bar at KOR. By nurturing the culture of teamwork back into the bar, Ziyi pioneered a rhythm that consistently creates, crafts and services seasonal and specialty cocktails in a high-volume weekend atmosphere. Ran Duan, the world’s most celebrated Chinese-American bartender and executive head bartender of KOR Taipei, adds his notably sharp style of service and worldly experience to this synergy. Ran has appeared on the cover of GQ magazine, and has won several of the most reputable competitions in the cocktail world. KOR also regularly sees many distinguished bartenders from around the globe on shift.

 

MICHELIN-CALIBRE ALL DAY DINING

Unlike any other bar or lounge, KOR Shanghai will offer lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late-night snacks presented as a casual fine dining experience with a uniquely decadent regional menu infused with a twist of international influence that endeavors to take diners around the world. To accomplish this, the venue has been fitted out with a full kitchen led by Executive chef Jenson Pei of Shanghai’s restaurant “Opposite by Jenson & Hu”. Alongside Jenson and his culinary team, KOR Shanghai will also offer an all-day tapas-inspired menu based on the culinary exploits of AC Global, a culinary design and consulting house owned by Michelin-starred Chef André Chiang.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN

KOR’s award-winning design is co-designed by the in-house team at theLOOP together with Taipei-based agency Etai Design. Etai’s design director Sean Chang is known for using a film director scene-setting method to create large entertainment venues. The breakthrough interior design features stadium-style seating, placing its extraordinary bar at centre stage and the bartenders as the star attraction. A further 20 booths fill the room with two private lounges that have been fitted out with their own private bar, lounge, dining table, bathroom and entertainment amenities. The scheme is finished in a glossy black, white and gold aesthetic that matches the sound system.

SOUND SYSTEM

KOR’s now-iconic sound system by VOID Acoustics is finished in a shiny chrome gold that complements its interior design. The system was custom-designed by official VOID designer and AIS CEO Matt Edgar and features Gold Chrome Air Motions speakers and Air Vantage monitors. Officially branded the KHROME series by AIS, KOR Taipei was the first in the world to use this design and Shanghai uses a supercharged version.

KOR takes great care and attention curating music to create an atmosphere that complements its many other pillars. KOR is an EDM-free establishment that supports local and international talent who play hip-hop, funk, new jazz, trip-hop and soul.

 

ABOUT theLOOP

KOR is helmed by theLOOP (KOR Taipei, OMNI Nightclub, ALTA Nightclub, LOOPTOPIA), the inventor and innovator of the brand, and KOR Shanghai is a joint partnership alongside Shanghai’s own MUSE Group (The Nest, Cannery, Highline). theLOOP is an all-encompassing nightlife entertainment group conceived at the dawn of the century who deliver the most innovative and spectacular world-class nightlife experiences. Since 2001, theLOOP has been cultivating Asia’s nightlife industry through a multitude of platforms and is hailed as Asia’s perennial entertainment powerhouse.

Of the opening, theLOOP Group said, “We are very pleased to welcome the opening of KOR Shanghai. Each of theLOOP Group’s brands is based on 20 years of nightlife industry experience, combined with the essence of local culture, and integrated into a modern design concept. KOR is inspired by Shanghai’s long-time communication culture, and combines modern and classic Shanghai style elements. As the second Super Lounge of the KOR series, KOR Shanghai is dedicated to those who seek a fashion communication field in life. With travelers to provide a great nightlife experience.”

 

LOCATION

Sitting central in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an district with a grand entrance and driveway arrival, the venue is 1.5 times the size of its flagship in Taipei coming in at approximately 1,000 square meters.
Location: Wheelock Square, No. 1717, Nanjing West Road, Jing An District, Shanghai (with a grand entrance and driveway arrival)
Size: 1,000 sqm
Seating: 4 layer stadium seating with 20 booths and 20 seats at the bar
VIP Rooms: 2x 70sqm with a private bar, lounge, dining table, bathroom and karaoke
Cuisine: Fully equipped for culinary creativity with high-volume capabilities
Cocktail Lab: In-house climate-controlled cocktail R&D lab
Added: Rooftop, parking, expandable venue

 

OPER HOUATIONALRS

Dinner starting Tuesday, December 24, 2019
17:30 – 21:00 everyday
Super Lounge starting Monday, December 23, 2019
22:00 – 02:00 weekdays / 22:00 – 04:00 weekends

 

CONNECT

KOR-Shanghai.com
WeChat ID: KORShanghai