Korea Guide

Hareubang Grandfather Statues Jeju Island

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:18:17 +0900

Hareubang Grandfather Statues

Hareubang known as "Grandfather Statues" can be seen all over Jeju Island in South Korea.

Hareubang Grandfather Statues

These odd-looking statues are carved from the porous basalt volcanic rock of Jeju and are found outside homes, on bridges and now in the foyers of hotels and in front of restaurants and shops.

The statues are carved from the local volcanic rock

Though the origins and symbolism of the Hareubang statues is obscure it is thought they are guardian gods of homes and may also have a phallic (hence fertility) symbolism. The mushroom shape of the carvings may also be associated with an ancient magic mushroom cult practiced by shamans on Jeju Island.

Grandfather and son

Hareubang of various sizes can be purchased in souvenir stores throughout Jeju as garden ornaments, phone straps, or keyrings. Bukchon Dol Hareubang Park on Jeju has a collection of 48 Dol Hareubang and information on these curious carvings.

Seoul By Night

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:57:00 +0900

Seoul Illuminated

As well as the Banpo Bridge many areas of Seoul are now lit at night and have colored water displays.

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Seoul Puns

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 23:26:00 +0900

Seoul Puns

The fact that the word "Seoul" has the same pronunciation as the English words "soul" and "sole" is a punner's and headline writer's dream.

In English "soul" can mean spirit or individual, sole is the bottom of your shoe, a type of fish or can have the meaning of only as in 'the one and only'. Then there is the soul music genre.

Here's a list of our favorite Seoul puns - add yours in the comments section below.

Soul Seoul - spirit, individual

Seoul Brother(s), Seoul Sister(s), Heart and Seoul, Lonely Seoul, Wandering Seoul, Lost Seoul, Seoul Food, Seoul Searching, All Seoul's Day, Rest His/Her Seoul, Seoul Mate, Set My Seoul On Fire, Seoul To Seoul, Seoul Eater, Seoul Dust, Seoul Kitchen, Body and Seoul, Heart and Seoul

Sole Seoul - as in instrinsic, one and only

Seoul Trader, Seoul Survivor, Seoul Application, Seoul Purpose

Soul Seoul - the music and, of course, Northern Seoul

Seoul Classics, 1960s Seoul, Black Seoul, Seoul Man, Soul Lyrics, Seoul Train, Seoul Asylum, Seoul Singers, Seoul Hits, Seoul Music, Seoul Kitchen

Sole Seoul - as in the shoe

Rubber Seoul, Leather Seoul, Double Seoul

Or how about Dover Seoul, Seould Out?

Dongdaegu Station Daegu

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 17:27:00 +0900

Dongdaegu Station Daegu

Dongdaegu Station in Daegu is the KTX station serving the city. The name means "East Daegu" and the present station opened in 2004.

On the KTX Gyeongbu Line, connecting the capital, Seoul, and the southern port of Busan, Dongdaegu is a busy station. The journey time to Seoul on the KTX is 1 hour and 50 minutes. To Busan, travel time is just 50 minutes.

Nearby is the metro station on Subway Line 1. Within the station is a Tourist Information Center.

Inside the station

Tourist Information Center

Korea Headline News January 2 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 2 Jan 2017 14:56:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 May 2015 22:16:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:49:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 00:35:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 8 Sep 2014 00:18:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 3 Aug 2014 20:52:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 2 Jun 2014 00:42:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 4 May 2014 21:21:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 16:02:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:23:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 2 Feb 2014 23:57:00 +0900

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Seoul City Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 20:42:00 +0900

Seoul City Hall

Seoul City Hall, in the Taepyeongno area of Seoul, is housed in a modern building behind the old Seoul City Hall, which is now Seoul Metropolitan Library.

In front of Seoul City Hall is the open space of Seoul Plaza, which is an open-air ice rink in winter.

The old Seoul City Hall was built in 1926 during the Japanese invasion and housed the administration of the Japanese Governor-General.

Seoul City Hall

The new Seoul City Hall opened in 2012 and was designed by local architects iArc.

Seoul City Hall
37, Seosomun-dong
Jung-gu
Seoul, South Korea

Seoul City Hall can be reached from City Hall Station (Seoul) on Seoul Subway Line 1 and Line 2.

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 4 Jan 2014 10:50:00 +0900

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noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 20:51:00 +0900

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