HIKED

Seoul Restaurant guide_Wolfhound, Irish Pub

2011-11-28T14:54:00.001+09:00

Restaurant Review - The Wolfhound

It was one of those days that called for a glass of cool beer.

After a bit of pondering, I decided on The Wolfhound.

It is located on the right in the Johnny Dumpling alleyway

The establishment is on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

The ambience is exotic, filled with free-spirited drinkers.

The dart games in most pubs are electronic, but the one here is very old-school, adding to the ambience.

On one side is the bar.

The liquor is served here, and the food is made one floor below.

I ordered two glasses of Cass draft beer, a Green Salad, Wedged Potatoes, and a Beef Burger.

A basket of various sauces.

The Korean Draft Beer was quite good - fresh and not flat.

This is the Beef Burger that exceeded my expectations.

The scent of charcoal wafts from the thick hamburger patty.

No frills, just a chunk of great tasting meat.

The Wedged Potatoes are served generously.

It is cooked carefully; not too crisp, not too soft.

Two Thumbs up.

As I cut the thick patty with a knife, the juicy meat releases the pleasant aroma of charcoal and cooked meat.

The meat is not overly minced, giving it more texture.

The wedges were so hot that I nearly burned my finger.

The garlic mayonnaise dip was excellent.

The strong, garlicky smell makes my mouth water.

The insides are plump with soft potato.

I applaud the simple burger with few toppings, a plain and thin bun garnished with lettuce and tomato, perfected with a large hunk of well-cooked patty topped with cheese.

The patty is what makes the burger special.

Very satisfactory for a meat lover like myself.

What a great meal.

I loved the no-frills burger with the well cooked, juicy meat. Yum!

We added to our order a Miller Draft and a San Miguel Draft.

There a wide array of draft beer, and I give extra points to the free and exotic atmosphere.

Most of all, I give my biggest props to the burger. I have been to many burger places, and this one goes on my top list.

The key is that this burger focused on getting the basics right, instead of adding mountains of ingredients.

I absolutely loved it.

http://blog.naver.com/brama8993?Redirect=Log&logNo=40116567917

Seoul Restaurant guide_Hongdae Choma

2011-11-28T14:29:00.001+09:00

Restaurant Review - Hongdae Choma

Opened by the Songtan-based famous Chinese eatery Youngbin-ru, a new branch called Choma was added to the Hongdae area.

This place was celebrated in many food blogs, which compelled me to pay a visit.

It is located in the alley just past the Hongdae parking strip.

Choma is located on the second floor.

According to other blogs, Yongbin-ru in Songtan is famous for their Champong.

*Champong : Spicy Chinese noodle soup.

table placement is not that different from other Chinese restaurants.

I went at four p.m. on a Sunday. Despite the fact that it wasn’t the usual meal hour, I still had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated.

The kitchen was in a flurry of activity. Over the counter hung a picture, suggesting that the young man in it is the third generation owner of a family business.

The first dish was a small serving of Tangsuyook, which is a dish of fried pork with sweet and sour sauce.

The fried pork pieces are large and well fried. I could not detect the rancid smell of poorly prepared pork, setting this establishment apart from other small Chinese restaurants.

I think the trick is that they fry the pork after the order comes in, rather than serving from a pile of pre-fried pork.

The taste was worth the wait.

The sweet and sour sauce complements the fried pork. You can either dip the piece of pork in the sauce, or eat the pork without any sauce.

The colorful and vibrant Champong makes its appearance.

Pork, squid and onion bits are aplenty in this soup.

Unlike the Tangsuyook, the pork in the broth is chewier, and the cuttlefish is not very tender, despite the scores made with a knife.

Although it looks very red, the broth is not too spicy. It’s more pleasantly spicy than white hot. The soup has a deep flavor.

I could see why there were so many customers on a Sunday afternoon.

The noodles were chewy and soft. Very well cooked.

This is the white-brothed Champong my wife ordered. One taste and I fell in love with it. The broth was seasoned with chili slices rather than chili powder. It is not very spicy but whenever I chewed the chili, I could taste an indescribably exotic flavor. Because the white broth has a lighter taste, I could really savor the stir-fried squid, pork and onions. If you want to really taste the individual ingredients, the white-brothed Champong will be a better choice.

This restaurant does not sell the Chajang-myeon, a noodle with black sauce which is the usual staple in Chinese restaurants. But the Champong and Tangsuyook are so good that you won’t miss it.

It was as good as the food blogs promised it would be.

Address : 407-18 Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

070-7991-8963

http://blog.naver.com/wedgeshot?Redirect=Log&logNo=70124323990

Seoul Restaurant guide_Dojuk (porkbelly barbecue)

2011-11-25T19:02:00.001+09:00

Dojuk(meaning : bandits)

It is well known that Hongdae is a food heaven.

A place gathering notice is Dojuk, a barbecued pork belly place. The main difference from the common pork belly restaurants is that the pork here is scored with a knife, making the meat tender and cook faster.

The pork is fantastic but the Kimchi Kalguksu(noodle cooked in broth) is even better.

Expect a small waiting period during meal hours. It’s best if you get there early.

Remember to cook the kimchi along with the pork.

This is the menu. It’s not cheap, but the food is worth the price.

The sign proclaims that Dojuk only uses Korean sow (female pig).

No imported meat here!

The basic side dishes consist of whatever you can usually find in pork barbeque places.

Clockwise : green onion strips, white onions in sauce, kimchi, assorted veggies, garlic and a dip.

The kimchi is fabulous.

The meat is cooked over a skillet.

The scored meat is unique to Dojuk. It makes the pork tastier.

When the pork is halfway cooked, the waiter takes it away to get it cut into an edible size, as well as seasoning it with ground pepper.

All that is left is to wait for it to be done.

When the pork is almost done cooking, add garlic slices to the skillet to eat with the pork.

Do you want a bite?

You can it eat with onions, too.

After you finish the pork, it’s time for the Kimchi Kalguksu! It is spicy and filled with flavor. The Kimchi is excellent!

If you prefer, you can add sesame leaves and garlic.

Yum!

Dojuk is closed on Sundays.

Even bandits need rest J

Address: 402-17 Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Tel : 02-322-6746

Tip : There’s no parking in front of the restaurant, but a public parking space is available nearby.

from http://blog.naver.com/bahna2?Redirect=Log&logNo=70106952178

and translated

Seoul Restaurant guide_Chef Meili's

2011-11-25T18:23:00.001+09:00

If you believed you would never find a good Austrian restaurant in Seoul, you're soo~ mistaken.

The master chef at Chef Meili's is the master of Austrian, German food and he was in charge of the food and banquet at last year's Oktober Fest. It's an ongoing, annual festival held at the Grand Hilton Hotel Seoul and I think he's served the position for years. It's likely that he served again this year and he will continue to in the future.

Chef Meili is located in Itaewon, serving authentic Austrian cuisine. The name of the restaurant is derived from its chef, Mr. Meilinger.

The first floor is a deli, serving ham, sausage and sandwiches. The 2nd floor is the main restaurant.

Assorted cold cut ham.

The salty flavor goes well with beer.

This is an Austrian beer, called Edelweiss Snow Fresh. It’s a bit like Hoegaarden, but with a fruitier note.

Tastes great - either alone, or with bread.

This is a Schnitzel, a type of pork cutlet.

Apparently, this is a common dish in Austria. My main purpose of coming here was to try out the Schnitzel.

Remember to season it with lemon juice.

A scrumptious looking piece of meaty goodness!

Goes well with cranberry jam.

A meal made richer with Austrian wine.

The potatoes were fantastic, but the portions were smaller than I liked.

Beef Goulash with bread dumplings.

You can eat the meat with the bread dumplings by seasoning it in Goulash.

The Goulash has a distinct and exotic flavor, and it goes well with bread.

Spatzle with seared pork and Gorgonzola cheese cream sauce.

The Spatzle is a type of Austrian pasta, shaped somewhat like macaroni.

Pork fillet

Having the Spatzle with creamy sauce is good...

…but I liked it with the Goulash even better.

Meatloaf

It has a unique taste..a little bit like spam, a little bit like pork liver.

You can buy meatloaf sandwiches at the deli downstairs.

The final order was an Austrian soda.

It’s called Almdudler, with flavors of apple, peach and lemon. It’s not heavily carbonated, making it easy on the throat.

As Chef Meili’s is an authentic Austrian establishment with home cooked-styled meals, it is frequented by the Austrian embassy as well as Austria-themed gatherings.

Address : 130-1 Itaewondong, Yongsan-su, Seoul.

Tel : 02-794-7024

from http://laputaa.blog.me/60127010102

and translated

Seoul Restaurant guide_Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi

2011-11-25T15:57:00.001+09:00

*Bulgogi : thinly sliced marinated barbecued beef

Location : Sangsu-dong, Seoul

Type of Cuisine : Korean Food (primarily beef dishes)

Hours : 12:00~15:00, 18:00~02:00

(You can put your name on the wait list one hour before serving time. Ingredients may run out during opening hours.)

Holidays : 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.

Telephone : 02-336-9371, 070-4090-9371

Address : Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi, 115 Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Located under the pedestrian bridge between Sangsu Station and Kwangheung-chang Station.

Parking not available.

You will have to expect a long wait to eat at Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi. I had to wait 70 minutes to be seated, and it takes additional time for the meat to be prepared and served. As the quantity of food is enormous, it takes a while to finish eating, as well.

There was a closed “Take-out Booth”, which I suspect is opened during lunch, or after hours.

Lunch hours are from noon to 3 p.m., and seating requests are accepted from 11 a.m.

The Kalbi-tang (soup made with beef short ribs) and the beef soup with white radishes are known to be as popular as the Bulgogi.

The price is quite reasonable, considering that they use only Korean beef.

Expect to pay 15,000 won for 300g of Bulgogi or 200g of sirloin.

The lunch menu consists of just three dishes.

Laos Charcoal is used for cooking.

The first thing you must do when you arrive at the restaurant is to put your name and total guest count on the waiting list. Be sure to look for the waiting list clip board!

This man is the owner of the establishment. His beard and red apron makes for a charismatic, Santa Claus-like appearance.

From slicing to seasoning, every step is done by him - alone. He does not pre-make any of his dishes.

As more people started to come to this restaurant, some customers started to voice complaints about the long wait.

Even so, he has no intention of changing his policy.

To watch him season the beef is like watching a dance. It shows how much he enjoys his work.

Here are the side dishes :

Kimchi

Green onion strips in sauce

Kkadugi (kimchi made with white radish)

Lettuce, chili, garlic, onions

Dongchimi (watery kimchi)

In the kitchen, you can see a refrigerator and a meat slicing machine. A huge bucket of green onion strips stand nearby.

Before the owner relocated to Sangsu-dong, he used to do all the cooking, serving and billing all by himself. The store is bigger now, so he hired some employees and started to focus mainly on the cooking part.

This is a picture of Bulgogi for two people. Regard the huge amounts of mushrooms and green onion.

It is served in a small steel bucket. You can hardly see the bucket because of the sheer amount of ingredients.

Dig a little deeper and you can find an enormous quantity of beef.

Beef freshly sliced by the owner just minutes ago.

Finally, the reward of a long, long wait. I had to contain myself from eating it raw.

The cellophane noodles are served generously. Everything here is served generously. In fact, many other people were taking leftovers home, too stuffed to eat more. I resolved to clean my plate, though.

When you order Bulgogi, you are served a free bowl of beef soup with white radishes.

Lots of meat and vegetables bits are in the soup.

One taste is all it takes to see why this restaurant is such a success.

I liked the soup better than the Bulgogi. I wonder how the Kalbi-tang taste?

The Bulgogi is all cooked on the copper pan. At this point, I’m so starved that I’m on the verge of passing out!

So, it’s not the most unbelievably tasty dish in the world, but for this price and this quantity, I deem it excellent.

Next time, I’d like to try the sirloin and the raw beef dishes, too.

I stuffed myself to the point of exploding. I even gained a few kilograms. But like I resolved earlier, I cleaned my plate. What can I say? I love meat!

Against my tummy’s better judgment, I ordered the cold kimchi noodle.

Not only did I want to finish the meal with something cool and spicy, but also, I did not think I’d be coming back here in the near future. I did not enjoy waiting for over an hour.

Maybe I was too full - the noodles were just so-so.

I recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants large quantities of reasonably priced beef. But those of you who are impatient should look elsewhere.

Keep in mind that there are more people waiting than the picture.

Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi is where you can meet the eccentric and stubborn owner, where you can’t believe the quantities of food, and where you really do have to wait for an hour to be able to eat.

I missed a lecture I wanted to attend, but I have no regrets.

from http://blog.naver.com/imcyl?Redirect=Log&logNo=110122774506

and translated

Damien Rice in Seoul

2011-11-24T12:48:00.001+09:00

I remember, a few years ago when me and my friends were gobsmacked to hear that Damien Rice had cancelled his trip to play at Korea's Pentaport Rock Festival.

Since then, there were countless times when we got excited by rumors about his concert being held in Seoul only later to learn that they were groundless rumors.
But this time, it's for real!

Damien Rice is playing in Seoul in coming January! Yay!

Date: 8 PM, Jan. 11(Wed.), 2012
Venue: Olympic Hall, Olympic Park
Price: R seat KRW 165,000, S seat KRW 132,000 (includes VAT)
Ticket Open: November 29 (Tue.) @ ticket.interpark.co.kr

Korea Travel guide_Mega shopping malls

2011-11-23T18:00:00.001+09:00

If you're interested in Korea fashion and "Hallyu", visit Seoul's mega sized shopping malls.

One-stop centers for dining, entertainment and more!

These days, the latest catchphrase that is sweeping the nation is "one-stop"- one-stop everythiing! As city life becomes more complex, more and more giant "one-stop, cultural complexes" are springing up across the capital city of Seoul. These huge centers are typically connected to major transport hubs and promise to save customers' time by combining department stores, supermarkets, bookstores, restaurants and movie theaters. The emergence of these multi-purpose mega complexes has changed the way people enjoy shopping and how they spend their leisure time.

Leading this new trend are TIMES SQUARE(Yeongdeungpo Station), I'PARKmall(Yongsan Station) and Central City(Express Bus Terminal Station). Directly linked to major transport hubs offering subway, train, and express bus services, these shopping centers have become major one-stop destinations for both travelers and locals alike.

TIMES SQUARE - Nature-Friendly Multi Space

Opened in September 2009, TIMES SQUARE is a mega multi-purpose shopping mall with a hotel, cinema, home store, department store, and countless other shops. As one of the newest shopping malls in Seoul, TIMES SQUARE features an urbanized interior combined with plenty of natural spaces like fountains and gardens. The Main Atrium, the symbol of TIMES SQUARE, is glass-roofed leisure space that stretches upward for five floors.

What sets Times Square apart from other malls is its cultural spaces. Instead of being filled with stores from the ground up, the first floor features a spacious lobby and a small round stage. The upper floors offer well-spaced shops, a movie theater, a bookstore, a game center, coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs. There are plenty of open outdoor spaces like the ecology park, fountain, rooftop garden, and more.

Major Stores & Facilities Shinsegae Department Store, CGV Cinema, Kyobo Bookstore, Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square, Amoris Banquet Hall, E-Mart, Kids’ Café: I Like Ddalki, Fitness Center, healthcare facilities (dentists, dermatologist, plastic surgeon), banks, restaurants, etc.

Address: Seoul-si, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeongdeungpo-dong, 4-ga
Tel.: +82-2-2638-2000
Transportation: Directly connected to Yeongdeungpo Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: http://www.timessquare.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

I'PARKmall - Digital Goods Shopping Center

Opened in August 2006 behind Yongsan Station (an area known for its electronic shops) I'PARKmall is a mega multi-purpose shopping mall of an overwhelming scale. It is conveniently linked to Yongsan Station, which is served by subway line 1 and a number of major bus routes. KTX trains to Korea's southwest region also start from Yongsan, so the area enjoys a considerably large amount of daily traffic.

I’PARKmall features a department store that is divided into a ‘fashion zone,’ ‘living zone,’ and ‘culture zone.’ Also housed within this giant superstructure are CGV and the nation’s largest digital store, selling an astounding selection of computers, game equipment, mobile phones, cameras, and electronic household goods. Each floor specializes in certain items and a plethora of eager salespeople stand at the stores, ready to offer explanations about each brand. I’PARKmall also provides entertainment for younger visitors with the e-Sports Stadium (online gaming) and Putt-Putt Golf & Game, a miniature golf facility.

Major Stores & Facilities I’PARK Department Store, Digital Store, E-Mart, CGV Yongsan Cinema, e-Sports Stadium, Putt-Putt Golf & Game, bookstore, restaurants, etc.

Address: Seoul-si, Yongsan-gu, Hangang-ro 3-ga, 40-999
Tel.: +82-2-2012-0101
Transportation: Directly connected to Yongsan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: www.iparkmall.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Central City - City of its Own

Central City is located in the Express Bus Terminal Station, which is served by subway lines 3, 7, and 9 as well as express buses connecting Seoul to 70 major cities across Korea. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people pass through the station, making it a bustling area where the “one-stop” mindset is a must.

True to its name, Central City is much like a city within a city and offers busy travelers and commuters a myriad of amenities. The fountain plaza in the center is a main rest stop and the large bookstore, record store, cinema, food courts, and stores are usually buzzing with activity. The shopping complex caters to the well-to-do with the nearby Shinsegae Department Store and JW Marriott Hotel, and to younger customers with Famille Park, an entertainment place for children. Of course, the shopping center also offers “one-stop” basics like banks and healthcare facilities.

Major Stores & Facilities Shinsegae Department Store, JW Marriott Seoul,Cinus Central Cinema, Youngpoong Bookstore, Central Terminal, Synnara Record, Famille Park, Convention & Wedding Hall, Food Court, etc.

Address: Seoul-si Seocho-gu Banpo-dong 19-3
Tel.: +82-2-6282-0114
Transportation: Directly connected to the Express Bus Terminal Station
(Seoul Subway Line 3, 7, 9)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: http://www.centralcityseoul.co.kr/ (Korean)

D-Cube City

D-Cube City, in terms of height and size, has emerged as a new landmark of southwestern Seoul. Opened just a few short months ago in August of 2011, the shopping complex is located at Sindorim Station, a major transportation hub connecting lines 1 and 2 of the Seoul Metro and the satellite cities of Ansan, Suwon, Incheon and Bucheon.

D-Cube City consists of 51 stories of residential apartments and a 42-story cultural complex housing a hotel, offices, a department store, an art center, and a theme park. Not just a retail space for fashion and clothing, 30% of D-Cube’s total area is designated as ‘food & beverage space’ with an array of restaurants to suit any taste. At Sweet Castle, you’ll be met by an army of desserts from all over the world. At ‘Theme Noodle Center’ noodle dishes abound, while the ‘Korean Market Street’ offers the opportunity to taste local Korean gourmet dishes while sitting in a traditional Hanok-style eatery.

If you are looking for a fun place for you and your children, look no further! The D-Cube Art Center features the ‘D-Cube Theater,’ an exclusive theater for musicals, and ‘Space Sindorim,’ a multi-purpose theater for plays, exhibitions, and lectures. There’s even a super-sized kids play land (Pororo Park) on the 4th floor themed after the beloved cartoon character Pororo and his friends.

Providing a leisure space that’s fun for the whole family, the center is also emerging as a top tourist spot thanks to its great selection of food and merchandise. As an added convenience for guests, the center includes the Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel – the only super deluxe hotel in southwest Seoul. The hotel boasts 269 guestrooms as well as a banquet hall, fitness center, and spa.

Major Stores & Facilities: Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel, D-Cube Department Store, D-Cube Arts Center, D-Cube Park, Pororo Theme Park, Food Theme Restaurant (Hansik Street, World Street Food, Chinese Food Theme Hall)

Address: Seoul-si Guro-gu Gyeongin-ro 662 D-Cube City
Tel: +82-2-2211-1000
Transportation: Exit 1 of Sindorim Station (Subway Lines 1 &2)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: http://www.dcubecity.com/ (Korean)

from Korea Tourism Organization

Korea Travel Guide_Korea Population

2011-11-22T11:37:00.001+09:00

As of 2010, the population of the Republic of Korea stood at 48,580,000 with roughly 486 people per square kilometer. Conversely, the population of North Korea as of 2010 was estimated at 24,051,218

Historically, the threat of rapid population growth posed serious social repercussions on developing countries. Yet such fears of swelling growth hardly raise much cause for alarm on the peninsula. With the advent of successful family planning campaigns and changing attitudes, there are signs that the population growth has curbed remarkably in recent years. The baby boomers of Korea’s industrialization period are now coming into their golden years, with the number of senior citizens (those ages 65 and up) reaching 5.42 million (as of 2010) and making up roughly 11.3% percent of the entire population.

[Source : Statistics Korea]

But recently, Korea's birth rate has ranked as one of world's lowest.
According to UN in 2009, Korea's birth rate marked the 2nd lowest in the world after Hong Kong and now the government is running a campaign to boost the birthrate.

Seoul Travel guide_How to use the subway

2011-11-22T11:04:00.001+09:00

How to Use the Subway

A subway map is usually located above the ticket window (see right). Most subway maps are written in both Korean and English. The numbers next to the name of each station on the map indicate the subway fare for the destination from the present station. Simply tell the worker behind the ticket window your destination, and they will issue you the appropriate ticket. The yellow box next to the ticket window contains free subway maps that you can take and keep. Some subway stations do not provide free subway maps. Subway fares are as below (foreign currency is not accepted at subway ticket windows, so please prepare Korean won).

Seoul Subway Fares

Base fare for 12km	19 years and older	13-18 years old	7-12 years old
Transportation Card	900 Won	720 Won	450 Won
Cash	1,000 Won	1,000 Won	450 Won

- Free for children 6 years or younger.
- For total distances exceeding 10 kilometers, the charge is 100 won for each additional 5 kilometers.
- For total distances exceeding 40 kilometers, the charge is 100 won for each additional 10 kilometers.
- For journeys outside Seoul, the charge is 100 won for each additional 5 kilometers and 100 won for each additional 10 kilometers if the total trip exceeds 35 kilometers.

How to Purchase Single Journey Ticket Cards



	In order to use the subway systems in the metropolitan areas, you must first purchase a single journey ticket card from one of the “Ticket Vending and Reload Device” located inside the subway station. The single journey ticket cards can only be used on the subway and cannot be used in buses or taxis.

	• How to Use the Single Journey Ticket Cards

1. At the ticket vending machine, select your destination (rates will differ depending on your destination)

2. To receive your single journey ticket card, you will also need to pay a 500won deposit.

3. To enter the subway, look for the subway turnstiles with the little green arrow, as the ones with indicated with a red 'X' are for passengers passing through in the opposite direction. Place your card on the electronic card reader (which says T-money), located on the right side of the turnstile, and pass through.

4. After you arrive at your destination, check which is the best exit for you, and walk through the subway turnstiles, placing your single journey card on the electronic card reader on your right-hand side once again.

5. Make sure you return your single journey ticket card to the “Deposit Refund Device” to receive your 500 won deposit back.

<Tip 1> On the first screen, you can select "ENG" for English.
If you need to transfer to a different subway line on your journey, make sure you follow the signs in the subway station to get to the other line. When transferring, you do not need to pass through a turnstile, and you will not need to purchase another card.

How to Purchase Transportation Card
The most frequently used transportation card is the ‘T-money Card.’ It is available for purchase at ticket windows of subway stations or at convenience stores and vendor kiosks that post a ‘T-money’ signboard. By using the T-money Card, instead of cash, the card user can get an approximately 10% discount on the regular fare.
The price of the T-money Card is 2,500 won, and the card can be easily recharged for amounts ranging from 1,000 won to 90,000 won. In particular, the deluxe type card offers mileage points based on total fare paid. For detailed information visit the webpage for transportation card information.

• How to Use the Automated Travel Card Recharging Machine in a Subway Station

The Automated Travel Card Recharging Machine installed in most subway stations is convenient to use because of its clearly labeled numbers displayed on the orange colored screen. It is really easy to recharge the card when following the simple steps.
1. Place the T-money card on the money insert slot numbered 1 as shown in the photo.
2. Check the balance shown on the first row of the black liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.
3. Press the button of your choice. There are 8 options of varying monetary amounts: 1,000 won, 2,000 won, 3,000 won, 5,000 won, 10,000 won, 20,000 won, 30,000 won, and 50,000 won.
4. The machine will confirm the amount before charging and display it on the second row of the black LCD screen,
5. Insert money. Only 1,000 won, 5,000 won, and 10,000 won denominations are accepted. In 2007, the Korean Government issued new bills with sizes smaller than that of old bills. Although almost every automated machine was adjusted to accept the new bills, it is still best to insert the bill as close to the left side of the money insert slot as possible when you insert the new bill into the travel card recharging machine.
6. When the money is inserted, the bottom row of the black LCD screen will show the new balance (old balance + amount of newly charged money). Note that the amount of money shown on the black LCD screen (upper right side of the photo) stands for the money you inserted for recharging.

Description of signs in the subway

(1) Exits



(2) Transfer points

The color coding system of the subway makes for a convenient ride. If one needs to transfer to the number 7 line, all one has to do is follow the dark green line and you are there before you know it. The arrows on the signs, along with the colors, will easily guide you in the appropriate direction.

(3) The subway line colors

(4) The maps as shown inside the subway station

	* The above information may be altered.	The exit numbers are circled and highlighted in yellow. The red circle alerts you to your current location. These maps are extremely helpful and will help you find the proper exit with ease. You can find these maps located near every stairwell.

How to Use Subway Locker

Almost every station of the Seoul Metro's lines 1 through 4 is equipped with the most advanced locker system called ‘easy locker.’ These yellow colored lockers are truly multi-functional in that they provide not only luggage storage service but also receiving/shipping services for home delivered or registered mail and quick delivered parcel, and even laundry service. The most helpful service for foreign tourists is supposed to be the luggage storage service, but unfortunately it is not currently available for coin purchase. Payments can be made only through the deluxe type T-money card (costs 2,500 won), credit card, or cell phone. Since foreign tourists are not expected to make a payment through a cell phone, the only payment methods left are: T-money Card and credit card.

•	Locker Usage Fee

	1. Luggage storage: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours) 2. Home delivered parcel pick-up: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hour) 3. Home delivered parcel storage: Small locker 1,200 won / Large locker 2,000 won (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours) 4. Transfer to another station and storage: 5,000 won/box (based on small box, less than 10Kg) 5. Long-term exclusive use: 100,000 won/month (based on large box) 6. Registered mail pick-up: Free (based on 24 hours, extra charge for additional hours)

How to Store Luggage

• 1. LCD screen that displays all the ongoing processes for storage and pick-up
• 2. T-money Card payment
• 3. Credit card payment
• 4. Receipt pick-up slot
• 5. CCTV video recording window

How to Store Luggage into the Locker in Featured Photo

1. Press the upper button ‘Storage’ from the two blue buttons displayed on the LCD screen.
2, Click the first button ‘Luggage storage' (pick-up in person) that is displayed on the upper left side of the screen.
3. When the numbers of the locker that are available for storage come up on the screen, touch the number of the locker of your choice with your finger. The number of the locker you chose will be displayed on the screen. Then, touch the ‘Confirm’ button that is displayed on the bottom right side of the screen.
4, Then the ‘locker usage fee payment’ sign comes up on the screen. The first row will show the daily storage fee 1,200 won (for small box), and then three-payment option buttons. They are T-money card, credit card, and cell phone from the left to the right side of the row. For foreign tourists, only T-money Card and credit card are available for payment. Click the button of your choice (i.e. click the T-money Card button on the left side).
5. The screen will display where to place the T-money Card for payment in a red circle.
6. In order to complete the transaction, place the T-money Card on the designated place (shown on the right side of the photo). Then the door of your locker will be open. Pick up and place your luggage on the place where the red laser indicates, and then close the door. You will find the receipt in the receipt pick-up slot (shown on the left side of the photo). The receipt contains information on the location of locker, the date and time of storage, payment method. Keep your receipt with you at all times, preferably in a secure area.
* In order to pick up your luggage, you need to bring the T-money Card or the credit card that you used for payment. Be careful not to lose it.

How to Pick-up Luggage

Press the ‘Pick-up' (찾기) button out of two blue buttons on the bottom. → The screen will ask you what kind of payment method you will be using. If your payment method was the T-money Card, press the ‘T-money Card’ button displayed on the left side of the screen, then press the 'Confirm' (확인) button displayed on the left side out of three blue buttons on the bottom. → Place your T-money Card on the T-money Card Reader located on the lower part of the machine. → When the door of your locker is open, pick up your luggage.

from Korea Tourism Organization page

Seoul Travel guide_Seoul Subway Map

2011-11-22T11:01:00.001+09:00

http://www.smrt.co.kr/program/cyberStation/main2.jsp?lang=e

Korea travel guide_Custom Allowance

2011-11-21T17:52:00.001+09:00

Korea Customs Service: http://www.customs.go.kr

A written baggage declaration must be submitted to a Customs officer upon entry.
Passengers must clear Customs through either the green, white, or red channel. Passengers who have no articles to declare should use the green channel. If a passenger declares non-duty-free articles voluntarily, the declared amount will be accepted and the clearance procedure will be expedited.

Duty-Free Articles

• Visitors' (non-residents) goods which will be taken out of Korea upon departure. (The total quantity of the goods should be declared for duty exemption).
• Goods which were declared upon departure from Korea and are being brought back.
• 1 bottle (not over 1 liter) of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes (50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco)
• 2 ounces of perfume
• For further information on goods subject to declaration and prohibited goods, please contact the Customs Information Office at Incheon International Airport.

Guidelines for Currency Regulation

Passengers entering Korea who are carrying foreign or Korean currency valued at over USD 10,000 must declare it to a Customs official. Departing non-residents of Korea who are carrying foreign or Korean currency (including traveler's or bank checks) valuing more than USD 10,000 must obtain permission from the bank of Korea or Customs, not including any amount carried into Korea and declared on arrival, which may be carried out without declaration to Customs. Residents of Korea must declare any currency or negotiable checks more than USD 10,000 upon departure.
Please be aware that violators of these regulations are liable to be fined and/or otherwise penalized under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.

from the Korea Tourism Organization page

Korea Travel guide_Korea Visas and passports

2011-11-21T17:49:00.001+09:00

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - http://www.mofat.go.kr Immigration Bureau - http://www.immigration.go.kr

Any foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before their arrival. However, citizens of the 99 countries listed below are permitted to enter Korea for a limited time without a visa according to visa-exemption agreements (Table 1), or in accordance with principles reciprocity or national interest (Table 2).

[Table1] Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements

Country/Period(days)	Country/Period(days)	Country/Period(days)

Europe

Austria / 90	Belgium / 90	Bulgaria / 90

Czech Republic / 90	Denmark / 90	Estonia / 90

Finland / 90	France / 90	Greece / 90

Germany / 90	Hungary / 90	Iceland / 90

Ireland / 90	Italy / 60	Liechtenstein / 90

Luxembourg / 90	Malta / 90	Netherlands / 90

Norway / 90	Portugal / 60	Poland / 90

Romania / 90	Spain / 90	Slovak Republic / 90

Sweden / 90	Switzerland / 90	United Kingdom / 90

Asia and Oceania

Bangladesh / 90	Israel / 90	Malaysia / 90

New Zealand / 90	Pakistan / 90	Singapore / 90

Thailand / 90	Turkey / 90

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda / 90	Bahamas / 90	Barbados / 90

Brazil / 90	Colombia / 90	Costa Rica / 90

Common wealth of Dominica / 90	Dominican Republic / 90	El Salvador / 90

Grenada / 90	Haiti / 90	Jamaica / 90

Mexico / 90	Nicaragua / 90	Panama / 90

Peru / 90	St. Lucia / 90	St. Kitts and Nevis / 90

St. Vincent & the Grenadines / 90	Surinam / 90	Trinidad and Tobago / 90

Africa

Lesotho / 60	Liberia / 90	Morocco / 90

Tunisia / 30

[Table2] Countries or Regions under principles of reciprocity and national interest

Country/Period(days)	Country/Period(days)	Country/Period(days)

Asia

Brunei / 30	Hong Kong / 90	Japan / 90
Kuwait / 30	Macao / 30	Oman / 30
Qatar / 30	Saudi Arabia / 30	Taiwan / 30
United Arab emirates / 30	Yemen / 30

North America

Canada / 180	United States / 90

South America

Argentina / 90	Chile / 90	Guatemala / 30
Honduras / 30	Paraguay / 30	Uruguay / 30
Venezuela / 30

Europe

Albania / 30	Croatia / 90	Cyprus / 30
Latvia / 90	Lithuania / 90	Monaco / 30
Slovenia / 90	Vatican / 30

Oceania

Australia / 90	Fiji / 30	Guam / 30
Kiribati / 30	Marshall Islands/ 30	Palau / 30
Nauru / 30	New Caledonia / 30

Africa

Republic of South Africa / 30	Swaziland / 30

Visa Type

Tourist & Business Visas

Visitors from countries not under Visa Exemption Agreements must apply for a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30 days. Barring unforseen circumstances, visa extension will be issued 1 to 3 days from the day of application. Applicants require a completed application form, a recent passport-sized color photo and the application fee. Visitors are not required to show an outbound ticket. Visas may usually be extended for a period of up to 90 days.

All visas including long-term visas are for a single visit (single-entry visa). For business visas, the intention of activities must be clearly stated on the visa application form.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Homepage: http://www.mofat.go.kr

Work Visas

Visitors may obtain work visas in their home country with the endorsement of the employer in Korea. If the visitor is already in Korea, he/she must obtain the work visa from an embassy or consulate in a country outside Korea. Work visas are usually valid for 1 year from the date of issue and take about 2-4 weeks to process. Work visa extensions are possible if a visitor remains with the same employer. Visitors with work visas must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office. Visitors engaging in remunerative activities without a work visa can be subject to fines and/or deportation.

Application for Visas

-	Visa applications should be made at Korean embassies or consulates abroad.
-	It is required that visa applicants submit a passport, application forms, a recent passport-size, color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.
-	Visa fees are as follows:
	a. Single-entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30
	b. Single-entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50
	c. Multiple-entry visa : USD80
	d. Extension of Re-entry Permit : USD20

*For Citizens of the United States of America, the multiple entry visa fee is USD45 on the basis of reciprocity since the mutual agreement in 1994.

Visa Extension

Extensions for tourist visas are possible in special cases such as accidents, health problems, flight cancellation, etc. Visitors may apply for a visa extension at a local immigration office. Applications must be submitted at least one day prior to current visa's date of expiration.

from Korea Tourism Organization page

Seoul Travel guide_Korea weather

2011-11-21T17:42:00.001+09:00

Korea has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer season in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November to March. The island of Jeju off the southern coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country. The ideal time to visit Korea is during the autumn months (September-November). During this time, the country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies that are cobalt blue and spectacular foliage that is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are cold and dry and are a good time to visit if you are interested in winter sports as there are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April-May) is also beautiful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very busy and one needs to book in advance to ensure accommodation is available. The summer months are muggy and hot, and rather crowded. It is also when the monsoon season begins so many activities are subject to the fluctuations of heavy rain.

▶ Average Temperatures and Rainfall

City	Seoul				Busan				Daegu
Month	C	F	H	R	C	F	H	R	C	F	H	R
Jan.	-2.5	27.5	62.6	21.6	3	37.4	51	37.8	0.2	32.36	58.5	21.6
Feb.	-0.3	31.46	61	23.6	4.3	39.74	53.6	44.9	2.1	35.78	57.3	27.1
Mar.	5.2	41.36	61.2	45.8	8.3	32.54	59.1	85.7	7.1	44.78	57.9	51.6
Apr.	12.1	53.78	59.3	77	13.4	56.12	64.6	136.3	13.8	56.84	56.8	75.2
May	17.4	63.32	64.1	102.2	17.4	63.32	69.6	154.1	18.7	65.66	60	75.3
Jun.	21.9	71.42	71	133.3	20.5	68.9	79.3	222.5	22.5	72.5	67.6	140.7
Jul.	24.9	76.82	79.8	327.9	24.2	75.56	84.8	258.8	25.7	78.26	74.3	206.7
Aug.	25.4	77.72	77.4	348	25.7	78.26	80.8	238.1	26.1	78.98	74	205.8
Sep.	20.8	69.44	71	137.6	22.1	71.78	74.3	167	21.3	70.34	72	129.6
Oct.	14.4	57.92	66.2	49.3	17.3	63.14	65.2	62	15.4	59.72	66.5	42
Nov.	6.9	44.42	64.6	53	11.3	52.34	59.5	60.1	8.6	47.48	63.8	37.1
Dec.	0.2	32.36	63.8	24.9	5.6	42.08	52.9	24.3	2.5	36.5	60.5	15.2

City	Gwangju				Daejeon				Jeju (Seogwipo)
Month	C	F	H	R	C	F	H	R	C	F	H	R
Jan.	0.5	32.9	70.5	38	-1.9	28.58	68.9	29.5	6.6	43.88	64.8	59.4
Feb.	1.9	35.42	68.9	43.9	0.2	32.36	66	36.4	7.1	44.78	64.2	80.6
Mar.	6.5	43.7	66.2	64.5	5.4	41.72	63.8	60.5	10.1	50.18	64.6	125.6
Apr.	12.9	55.22	65.2	95.3	12.4	54.32	61.6	87.2	14.4	57.92	67.8	172.2
May	17.8	64.04	68.4	97.3	17.6	63.68	65.8	97	18.1	64.58	71.3	215.4
Jun.	22	71.6	75.1	190.3	22	71.6	73.2	174.3	21.3	70.34	80	279.3
Jul.	25.5	77.9	80.6	281.9	25.3	77.54	80.1	292.2	25.3	77.54	85.1	306.3
Aug.	26.1	78.98	79	276	25.5	77.9	79.8	296.5	26.6	79.88	80.4	257.6
Sep.	21.4	70.52	75.8	137.7	20.3	68.54	77.6	141.5	23.4	74.12	73.6	170.2
Oct.	15.4	59.72	71	55.3	13.8	56.84	73.7	56.9	18.8	65.84	66.8	72.7
Nov.	8.7	47.66	71.6	55.4	6.8	44.24	73.4	51.7	13.7	56.66	65.6	68.4
Dec.	2.8	37.04	71.7	32.4	0.7	33.26	71.8	30.1	8.9	48.02	64.6	43.1

Note: “C”- Centigrade, “F”- Fahrenheit, “H”- Humidity (%), “R”-Rainfall (mm). This is the mean value from 1971 to 2000.

Four Distinct Seasons

Korea's climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a monsoonal climate from a precipitation standpoint. The climate of Korea is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Spring

Spring lasts from late March to May and is warm. Various flowers, including the picturesque cherry blossom, cover the nation's mountains and fields during this time.

Summer

Summer lasts from June to early September. It is a hot and humid time of the year.

Autumn

Autumn lasts from September to November, and produces mild weather. It is the best season to visit Korea.

Winter

Winter lasts from December to mid-March. It can be bitterly cold during this time due to the influx of cold Siberian air. Heavy snow in the northern and eastern parts of Korea makes for favorable skiing conditions.

From the Korea Tourism Organization page

Seoul travel guide_Seoul Guest Houses

2011-11-18T16:01:00.001+09:00

Staying at a guest house, you can save money, meet new people and feel at home.

Introducing guest houses in two of the backpackers' most popular areas in Seoul.
These two areas not very far from Dongdaemun.

Hongdae Area

If you're into underground music, culture, creativity and clubbing, Hongdae is the area to stay. It's one of the most young, vibrant and artistic places in Seoul. Experience the young and hip culture of Seoul.

Heybackpackers Guest House
http://www.heybackpackers.com/

Stay Korea Guest House

http://www.staykorea.co.kr/english/02.html

Kim's Guest House

http://www.kimsguesthouse.com

Carpe Diem Guest House

http://www.carpediemkorea.com/

Hongdae Guest House

http://hongdaeguesthouse.com

Seoul I Guest House

http://www.seouliguesthouse.com/

Bukchon Area
If you want to experience some traditional culture of Korea, Bukchon area is the place to be. Bukchon area was traditionally resided by aristocrat classes during the Chosun Dynasty. Kyungbok Palace, that used to the King's palace is within walking distance. A lot of guest houses in this area are Korea's traditional houses reformed to fit modern living.

Seoul Guest House
http://www.seoul110.com/

Bukchon Guest House

http://www.bukchon72.com/eng_01.php?sub=1

Yim's Guest House
http://www.seoulbusinesshotel.com/index.html

Anguk Guest House
http://www.anguk-house.com/

Tea Guest House
http://www.teaguesthouse.com/

Seoul travel guide_Seoul Electronic Music Festival

2011-11-17T16:00:00.000+09:00

News to the electronic music fans!

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News to the electronic music fans!

SEMF (Seoul Electronic Music Festival, Jan. 14, 2012) will be featuring Above & Beyond, Crystal Castles, IDIOTAPE and more. Only first batch of lineup has been released. Expecting second line up to be open on Dec. 1.

Above & Beyond is the leader of trans music. 2006 was when they officially debuted but their first performance was in Tokyo, 2002 where 8,000 clubbers became their fans. They swept the 75,000 fans away at 'Eclectic Daisy Carnival.' They are ranked no. 5 in the world DJ chart.

Crystal Castles is an electro-funk duo. CC was ranked among Top 50 Greatest Albums of the Decade and is known for their dreamy, noisy and fashionable performance. Inserting repetitive beats, melody and retro sound of the 8bit games, their music well received by the audience as well as the critics.

Idiotape is the hottest issue in Seoul party scene at the moment. They are the most talked about and adored artist among Korea's electronic music fans now. Idiotape was featured in last and this year's Global Gathering Korea and Justice is said to have showered them with compliments. Their style can be put "slamming dance beats powered by eletrofied punk riffs."

Date : January 14, 2012
Venue: KINTEX, Ilsan, Gyeonggi-do
Ticket: door KRW 121,000 (see early bird discount schedule below)

Early bird discount

1st round
Ticket Open: Nov. 16 ~ 23, 2011
Price: KRW 121,000 -> 88,000 (30% off)
Qty: 3,000 tickets limited

2nd round
Open: Nov. 24 ~ Dec. 18, 2011
Price: KRW 121,000 -> 99,000 (20% off)

3rd round
Open: Dec. 19, 2011 ~ Jan. 13, 2012
Price: KRW 121,000 -> KRW 110,000 (10% off)

You can purchase tickets from below links:

http://www.1300k.com/shop/goodsDetail.html?f_goodsno=215020451729

http://ticket.interpark.com/Ticket/Goods/GoodsInfo.asp?GoodsCode=11015950

http://ticket.yes24.com/Home/Perf/PerfDetailInfo.aspx?IdPerf=10854

http://ticket.auction.co.kr/Home/Perf/PerfDetailInfo.aspx?IdPerf=13906

http://ticket.11st.co.kr/program/detailProgram.tkt?mode=view&genreCD=2&moreCD=3%20&programCD=10003945

Seoul travel guide_To take or to be taken

2011-11-17T14:45:00.001+09:00

Me and my Hongdae friends became avid party animals about five years ago. We probably went to almost every electronic music party in Seoul.

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Seoul travel guide_"Hongdaerian"s habitat

2011-11-16T16:59:00.000+09:00

There are probably hundreds of cafes in Hongdae area. Just like people, cafes come and go.

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There are probably hundreds of cafes in Hongdae area. Just like people, cafes come and go. The lifespan of a cafe in Hongdae is not very long due to steep rent of the area and "Hongdaerians" that are fastidious, fickle, curious and ahead of trends. The long running cafes usually went through a number of renovations, change of menu and so on
There are reasons I love going to cafes in Hongdae besides the fact that I live in the area.

(This is like an overview of Hongdae cafes. I'll be introducing my favorite cafes in depth later in separate posts.)

1. Coffee (of course!)

Since Hongdae area has become more and more popular, the number of cafes have increased at a very fast pace and they've been competing fiercely to improve service, and most importantly improve the quality of their coffee. So good for us customers, you can rarely find a Hongdae cafe with bad tasting coffee.

Some cafes have come up with specialty of their own. Some cafes specialize in drip brewed coffee with professionally trained baristas and some in espresso with world's top class espresso machines and trained staff to operate them, some in variations of coffee based beverages like affogato(a shot or two of hot espresso topped on a scoop of vanilla gelato ice cream, yum!), mochachino's, Viennese coffee and so on.

@ Cafe Code

2. and cigarettes

Hongdae area is a smoker's heaven. Korea is relatively still a conservative nation and as a woman, you can't smoke without being fingered or looked at in most other areas of Seoul, but Hongdae is an exception and almost all cafes in the area allowed smoking inside. As you may know already, Korean summers and winters are known to be brutal. Well air-conditioned or heated cafes are the best places to enjoy your cigarette breaks.

Good news for the non-smokers, now there are more non-smoking cafes than before and a lot of cafes have divided their spaces into two; non-smoking and smoking. Yet, Hongdae is still a very generous place for smokers.

Including me, most of my friends are chain smokers. (I'm not proud.)

@ Coffee bean and tea leaf

@ Cafe Code

@Cafe By-R

3. Much to see

Many Hongdae cafes offer much more than coffee and smoking place. Many cafes hold various cultural events like exhibitions, small concerts, mover nights, flea markets and parties.

@ Owl Bus, band called "Howl Dog & Double Trouble"

@ Owl Bus

@Rayon Vert, Flea Market "Used Project"

Some pics from
http://blog.naver.com/1min2?Redirect=Log&logNo=130020308

3. work (free wi-fi)

A large part of Hongdae population work in areas relating to arts, design and music. I think that's why there are so many freelancers. In many Hongdae cafes, you can see people working on their laptops and canvases and the cafe that has many of these freelancers is always the trend leading one. Most of these people are trendsetters(I hate the term but using it just this time). I don't mean they are dressed in fancy Gucci or Prada but they lead the industrious, self-reliant, cool, fashionable life style. They are extremely sensitive to fashion, trend, interior, music but too cool to care and most cafes that welcome these people provide free wi-fi.

4. Unique interior

From vintage, modern, country, retro, you can find so many styles of interesting interiors in Hongdae cafes.

@ Cafe Code

@ Cafe E-got

I really liked the tapestry and mobile hanging from the high ceiling.

@ Owl Bus, The window was taken from an old bus.

@ Cafe E-got, Reminded me of Hitchcock.

Seoul travel guide_Culture Vulture

2011-11-15T17:16:00.001+09:00

I moved to Hongdae area about 9 years ago. It wasn't as busy as now back then but still vibrant and full of interesting people. Almost every day I saw street musicians performing in the streets and playground and bumped into artists,

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Seoul travel guide_God is a DJ!

2011-11-15T11:38:00.001+09:00

Last year's Global Gathering Korea was probably the event with probably the best lineup. Fat boy slim, Justice, Armin Van Buren played and we all went crazy.

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Seoul travel guide_Cocktail in a zip lock bag

2011-11-14T15:58:00.001+09:00

It's one of the smallest bars in Seoul but the most unique and cozy. Cocktails are sold in ziplock bags. It's run by three sisters and is a must-visit.

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Seoul travel guide_Hongdae Guest Houses

2011-11-14T15:24:00.001+09:00

Hongdae (Hongik Univ.) is a popular place where young people hang out in that has various shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

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Hongdae (Hongik Univ.) is a popular place where young people hang out in that has various shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Hongdae has many clubs, bars, and shops. It is also a place where many young artists hold unique performances. The number of guest houses has notably risen in this area. Moderate price range and great location of these places are drawing a lot of students from overseas and young tourists. It's also not too far from Dongdaemun (about 25 mins on subway), so this is probably the best area to enjoy night life but not to miss out on shopping. I'm introducing one of these popular guest houses called 'Kim's Guest House.'

Kim's Guest House

Just a short walking distance away from Hapjeong Station is Kim’s Guest House, offering clean facilities and a family atmosphere. The neat wooden floors are nice to walk on in your bare feet, and the guest house provides dormitory style rooms, twin room s, double, and triple bedrooms, giving you a wider selection to choose from. There is a laundry room with irons prepared for your use, and each room is equipped with an air conditioner to keep you cool during the summer. Personal lockers are available in each room for safekeeping. Free internet access, and a simple breakfast consisting of bread and jam, and coffee is provided. For visitors who stay more than 3 days, the guesthouse can store your larger bags while you are traveling around to other cities.

Location : 443-16, Hagjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Inquiries : +82-2-337-9894/ e-mail: mail@kimsguesthouse.com
Homepage : www.kimsguesthouse.com (Korean, English, Japanese)
Directions : Subway Line No.2, No.6 Hapjeong Station Exit No.8 → Pass SK Gas Station and Holt Children’s Services, and make a right at the second SK Gas Station→ Make a left at the third intersection → Make a right at Neona Supermarket, and walk pass Kim Ji Hyun Hair Salon and Mangwon Car Center → A red 2-story Western-style house on the right is Kim’s Guest House.
* For first time visitors, the directions may be a little difficult, so contact the guest house in advance to arrange a free pick up at Hapjeong Station.
Rates : Dormitory-style rooms: 15,000 won, Single rooms: 27,000 won, Double & Twin rooms: 37,000 won, Triple rooms: 47,000 won for 1 night Dormitory-style room: 28,000 won, Single rooms: 48,000 won, Double & Twin rooms: 68,000 won, Triple rooms : 90,000 won for 2 nights 5% discount for more than a 2-weeks stay, 10% discount for more than a 4-weeks stay (Discount not applicable in July & August)

Seoul travel guide_Old is still beautiful

2011-11-14T15:13:00.000+09:00

As we walked the Cheonggyecheon walk way on our way to Dongdaemun, I came across a beautiful scene across the stream.

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Seoul travel guide_A very kinky haloween

2011-11-14T13:07:00.001+09:00

Come to Hongdae!
Hongdae is the hottest areas in Seoul known for clubs, cafes and fashion. Hongdae refers to areas around Hongik University. Hongik U is known for its arts and design colleges and not for nothing, Hongdae is full of artists, underground musicians, designers and all sorts of creative people.

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"Jim-jil-bang"(찜질방)

2011-11-11T18:18:00.001+09:00

Seoul travel guide_Oldies but goodies

2011-11-09T18:00:00.001+09:00

Second hand book stores are to be found anywhere in the world.

Korea’s not an exception. In the old days when less people could afford books, second hand stores were more popular.

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Second hand book stores are to be found anywhere in the world. Korea’s not an exception. In the old days when less people could afford books, second hand stores were more popular. But now, they are popular for another reason. Nowadays, people are drawn to the nostalgia and the variety they offer and the fun of discovering old books that are out of print at low prices. In the middle of Dongdaemun are these old and friendly second hand book stores. This kind of variety in products and culture is what deems Dongdaemun more attractive.

These book stores are aligned in one area of Dongdaemun, close to the Cheonggyecheon walk way. Taking this walk way, it takes about 1 hour from City Hall subway station. Please refer to ‘Cheonggyecheon -> Gwangjang Market, Dongdaemun Walk’ post.

Taking the Cheonggyecheon walk way, you come across this bridge called “Birdle”

Take the exit on left and cross the bridge.

This is a typical second hand bookstore. About 20 of these stores are aligned on one side and each specializes in a field like children’s books, design, imported books, magazines and so on. It’s not hard to find what books each store specializes in. You’ll notice books stacked in front of the store they specialize in.

This is one of the children’s book stores.

This store specializes in imported books, design and art books.

See one of the owners. Wish I could have a big enough house to fit so many books in. You can call him/her “juin-a-ju-see”(to generally refer to the male store owner who’s older) or “juin-a-ju-mu-nee”(female owner).

People in various age groups, career groups enjoy browsing through the books.

There are a lot of imported books here too. You may come across valuable and rare books that are long out of print.

The stacks in strings are series and sequels.

There are good old Sidney Sheldon, John Grisham. I’ve also found stacks of Agatha Christie’s. As a mystery lover, I was a kid in a candy store.

I’ve also found a hard cover National Geographic series book on Korea called “The Hermit Nation.” There were a lot from this hard cover, all-color series books.

National Geographic magazines.

Best selling novels by Bernard Werber, Dan Brown.

Jackpot! Found ‘Gateway to the Great Books’. It’s Britannica of literature.? See more about this on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_to_the_Great_Books.

Besides, there are stores selling hats, sportswear, uniforms, scarves, gloves, belts and more.

Another “juin-a-ju-see” amid the books.

Books on art for sale at bargain prices.

This is a magazines store. You can find new issues as well as old issues. Busy Dongdaemun designers often buy new and old issues here.

It was a delightful surprise for us when we found these book stores in Dongdaemun because we had originally thought that Dongdaemun was all about clothes and fashion. Dongdaemun is amazingly big in size, diverse in items and cultures. Every block of it contains so much history and items. Dongdaemun reminds me of a saying?“Rome wasn’t built in a day”?or something like that.

This is what I found. I was so thrilled to come across this book as a big Star Wars fan and the kind “juin-a-ju-see” was willing to give me a discount