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 ReadingAmong 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 ReadingStarted 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 ReadingPyeongchang 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 ReadingNoodles 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 ReadingKorea 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 ReadingAs 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 ReadingImmediately 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.
Continue ReadingSome 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.
Continue ReadingSaseongam is a small Buddhist temple set dramatically into a wall of exposed granite on a foothill of Korea's sacred mountain, Jirisan.
Continue ReadingForty 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.
Continue ReadingWith 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).
Continue ReadingSamcheong-dong's unique mix of traditional hanok-style buildings, modern art galleries, comfy cafés and excellent restaurants make it a huge draw.
Continue ReadingThe 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.
Continue ReadingLocated in Gyeonggi Province, Seoulites know Yangsuri as a convenient and romantic getaway — the perfect place for a day-trip or weekend escape.
Continue ReadingProbably my favorite Korean temple is Beopjusa, a complex boasting an incredible treasure - the nation's only extant five-story pagoda.
Continue ReadingDongmyo, 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.
Continue ReadingAmong 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 ReadingAfter 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!
Continue ReadingKorea'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.
Continue ReadingKorea'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.
Continue ReadingCheondoism 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.
Continue ReadingThe 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.
Continue ReadingThis 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?
Continue ReadingStarted 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 ReadingChangdeokgung 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.
Continue ReadingPyeongchang 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 ReadingThe 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.
Continue ReadingNoodles 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 ReadingThe 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.
Continue ReadingKorea 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 ReadingAs 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 ReadingLauren 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.
Continue ReadingThe 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."
Continue ReadingThe 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.
Continue ReadingWhile 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.
Continue ReadingCanadian 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.
Continue ReadingDon 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.
Continue ReadingThis 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.
Continue ReadingI 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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