15 Feb 2010, Posted by Matt in Art & Culture, Food & Drink, Seoul, Shopping, Video, 6 Comments

Insa-dong’s Tradition and Modernity

The Insa-dong neighborhood starts modestly, but as the main road continues its diagonal push toward Gwanghwamun Gate, the area’s charming tea shops, traditional restaurants and galleries are quickly revealed.

19 Aug 2009, Posted by Matt in Historic Korea, Seoul, Video, 1 Comments

Independence Series: Tapgol Park

During the summer, Korea’s national flower, the mugungwha (무궁화) or Rose of Sharon, is in bloom across the city. And each year, August 15th is celebrated as Gwangbokjeol (광복절), or Korean Independence Day. But before Korea’s liberation, millions of Koreans participated in activities to free themselves from Japan’s brutal colonialism. And perhaps the most important site in that struggle is Tapgol Park (탑골공원), in central Seoul’s Jongno District.

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04 Jul 2009, Posted by Matt in Food & Drink, Historic Korea, Seoul, Video, 2 Comments

Old Seoul’s Pimatgol

Seoul is always changing. In what feels like just weeks an old neighborhood is razed and huge new apartment towers stand in its place. This dynamism is part of the city’s excitement. But in this relentless push forward, too many of Seoul’s most historic areas are being destroyed. One example is Pimatgol (피맛골), located in the central Jongno District.
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23 Jun 2009, Posted by Matt in Art & Culture, Seoul, Video, 2 Comments

The Seoul of Design

When looking at the urban grit of Seoul neighborhoods, you’re forgiven if the words “good design” don’t come to mind. But Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon has made it one of his top priorities.

09 Dec 2008, Posted by Matt in Historic Korea, Nature, Seoul, 7 Comments

The Cheonggyecheon Stream

Much has been written about the Cheonggyecheon (청계천), the 5.8-km restored stream that magically starts in the heart of downtown Seoul and courses through the neighborhoods of Jongno and Dongdaemun before it meets the Jungnangcheon (중랑천) and eventually empties into the mighty Han River.

Completed in 2005, the restoration of the historic waterway was a major success for then Seoul mayor (now president) Lee Myung-bak. It gave the former Hyundai Construction executive international plaudits and “green” credentials as the Cheonggyecheon (“cheon” means stream in Korean) was regarded by many as a major success in urban renewal and beautification. Beauty didn’t come cheap. The initial price tag was estimated to be 900 billion won (approx. $900 million), but an additional $12 trillion won is expected to redevelop the adjacent neighborhoods into major commercial and residential areas.

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