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20 South Korea Trends Profiled in Wallpaper* Magazine

Insa-dong's Cheerful Ssazmie-gil

Among my favorite places in Insa-dong is Ssamzie-gil. While I've briefly covered the shopping/arts complex, this time let's take a closer look at the multi-level art, culture and retail destination.

Seoul's Kwangjang Public Market

Started back in 1905, Kwangjang Market is Seoul's oldest traditional daily marketplace. Stop by to visit some of the 5,000 vendors justly famous for their fine silks and delicious bindaetteok pancakes!

Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch

Pyeongchang County's Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm offers a unique experience for Korea - the opportunity to be amongst hundreds of sheep in the foothills of the Taebaeksan Mountains.

Matt's Favorite Noodles

Noodles go back thousands of years in Korea, where they symbolize longevity. To this day they're often served at wedding banquets in honor of the happy couple. Here are two of my favorite Seoul spots for great noodles!

20 South Korea Trends Profiled in Wallpaper* Magazine

Korea makes the cut as one of 10 countries profiled in the November 2010 issue of Wallpaper*, one of the globe's top design and travel magazines.

Slowing Down in Hadong County

As some countries seek ways to prioritize "Gross National Happiness" over "Gross National Product," Korea's Hadong County suggests we all just take it slow.

Hiking Seoul Fortress

Immediately after Seoul's founding in 1394, a fortress was built to join the four mountains that surrounded the new city. Today, the fortress trails afford great views and a great hike.

Historic Jeong-dong

Some of Seoul's best walking streets are in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city's earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.

Saseongam: The Four Sages Hermitage

Saseongam is a small Buddhist temple set dramatically into a wall of exposed granite on a foothill of Korea's sacred mountain, Jirisan.

Oedo: the South Coast’s Paradise Isle

Forty years ago, a fisherman came to Oedo Island to escape rough seas of Korea's southern coast. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife started what would become one of Korea's most exquisite private gardens.

A Bicycle Tour of Yeouido and Seonyudo

With spring on its way, why not take a bicycle tour of two Seoul islands - Yeouido and Seonyudo (My cover story from Seoul Magazine's April 2010 issue).

Sampling Samcheong-dong's Charms

Samcheong-dong's unique mix of traditional hanok-style buildings, modern art galleries, comfy cafés and excellent restaurants make it a huge draw.

Gwangnaru Pedestrian Bridge

The Gwangnaru Pedestrian Bridge originated as a citizen’s suggestion and has become a pedestrian-friendly, park-like pathway connecting the city’s northern and southern halves.

Yangsuri: Where Two Rivers Meet

Located in Gyeonggi Province, Seoulites know Yangsuri as a convenient and romantic getaway — the perfect place for a day-trip or weekend escape.

Chungcheong's Beopjusa Temple

Probably my favorite Korean temple is Beopjusa, a complex boasting an incredible treasure - the nation's only extant five-story pagoda.

Seoul's Dongmyo Shrine

Dongmyo, or the Eastern Shrine, was built in 1599 to honor Guan Yu, a 3rd century Chinese general whose spirit is said to have helped Korean soldiers repel Japanese invaders in the 16th century.
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Insa-dong's Cheerful Ssazmie-gil

Among my favorite places in Insa-dong is Ssamzie-gil. While I've briefly covered the shopping/arts complex, this time let's take a closer look at the multi-level art, culture and retail destination.
Continue Reading
Makgeolli's Rice Wine Renaissance

After decades out of favor, Korea's oldest liquor, the delicious rice wine makgeolli, is enjoying a robust comeback at a bar or restaurant near you!
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Jinhae's Naval Port Festival 2011!

Korea's biggest spring flower fete is nearly upon us! Starting on April 1st, the charming town of Jinhae on Korea's southern coast will welcome an estimate 2.5 million people to view its beautiful cherry blossoms.
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Korea's Spring Flower Festivals 2011!

Korea's spring flower festivals are about to get underway! The next few weeks may be your only opportunity to see the peninsula's beautiful flowering dogwoods, apricots and cherry trees.
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Central Temple of Cheondogyo

Cheondoism is one of Korea's most significant 20th century religions. Located on the edge of Insa-dong is the Central Temple of Cheondogyo. Built of red brick and granite in 1921, it was considered among Seoul's most beautiful buildings.
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Seoul's Digital Media City

The Digital Media City is a state-of-the-art media entertainment cluster envisioned as a way to expand Korea's advanced IT, human resources and entertainment industries.
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Welcoming the Year of the Rabbit

This year, February 3rd marks Seollal, or the lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Rabbit. As we look ahead, what can Korean folklore tell us about what to expect of the quiet, quick and clever creature?
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Seoul's Kwangjang Public Market

Started back in 1905, Kwangjang Market is Seoul's oldest traditional daily marketplace. Stop by to visit some of the 5,000 vendors justly famous for their fine silks and delicious bindaetteok pancakes!
Continue Reading
Changdeokgung Palace’s Prospering Virtue

Changdeokgung is considered by many to be Seoul's most beautiful palace. Completed in 1412, the "Palace of Prospering Virtue" was home to 13 kings over 270 years.
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Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch

Pyeongchang County's Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm offers a unique experience for Korea - the opportunity to be amongst hundreds of sheep in the foothills of the Taebaeksan Mountains.
Continue Reading
G20 Seoul Summit Venues

The world's heads of state and top business leaders have come to Seoul for the G20 or Group of 20 Summit. Tasked with lifting the globe out of financial crisis, the event marks the first time the world's top economies have met outside a G7 country.
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Matt's Favorite Noodles

Noodles go back thousands of years in Korea, where they symbolize longevity. To this day they're often served at wedding banquets in honor of the happy couple. Here are two of my favorite Seoul spots for great noodles!
Continue Reading
Cruising the Hangang

The Hangang is Seoul's most iconic symbol. The vast waterway is lined by over nine million square meters of riverside parks that offer an impressive number of options for recreation and relaxation, alike.
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20 South Korea Trends Profiled in Wallpaper* Magazine

Korea makes the cut as one of 10 countries profiled in the November 2010 issue of Wallpaper*, one of the globe's top design and travel magazines.
Continue Reading
Slowing Down in Hadong County

As some countries seek ways to prioritize "Gross National Happiness" over "Gross National Product," Korea's Hadong County suggests we all just take it slow.
Continue Reading

People: N.K. Activist Lauren Walker

Lauren Walker has been in Korea for just over one year, but in that short time she's employed media advocacy, community organizing and performance art to raise awareness about the humanitarian disaster taking place in North Korea.
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People: Artist Vincent Sung

The creative director, visual artist and photographer, Vincent Sung discusses his first solo fine art photography exhibition in eight years, the controversial work of French poet Charles Baudelaire, and the “misery of boredom."
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People: Cho Jae Hyun of the ASEAN-Korea Centre

The Assoc. of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the 3rd largest destination for Korean exports. Career diplomat Cho Jae Hyun is Director of the Development Planning and General Affairs Unit at the new ASEAN-Korea Centre.
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People: Peter Liptak on Korean Idioms

While it's common for expats to learn a few words or phrases in Korean, the poet, author and teacher Peter Liptak has published a book about Korean slang titled, “As Much As a Rat’s Tail." Liptak says that Korea is a source of inspiration, both linguistic and otherwise.
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People: Simon Bureau of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called Korea and Canada “ideal partners” for trade and the chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Simon Bureau, agrees.
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People: Journalist Don Kirk on Kim Dae-jung

Don Kirk is the author of several books, including, Korea Betrayed: Kim Dae Jung and Sunshine. During our interview, we discuss his three decades of covering Korea and former president Kim Dae-jung.
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People: Sonia Hong of Visit Korea Year

This week I interview Sonia Hong, Secretary-General of the Visit Korea Year Committee. Ms. Hong’s distinguished background in the tourism and diplomatic arenas made her an obvious choice to help promote Korea to the world.
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People: Stephen Revere of 10 Magazine

I kick off a special four-part series on "Visit Korea Year" with an interview with Stephen Revere, Managing Editor of 10 Magazine, a monthly lifestyle and events publication for expatriates, returnees and English-speaking Koreans.
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