15 Aug 2010, Posted by Matt in Best of DK.com, Historic Korea, Seoul, Video, 0 Comments

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.

08 Jul 2010, Posted by Matt in Historic Korea, Seoul, Video, 4 Comments

Wongudan’s Temple of Heaven

At the turn of the 19th century, Korea’s autonomy was threatened by several world powers. Located on Seoul Plaza, the Wongudan Altar was the Temple of Heaven, a symbol of independence for Korea’s short-lived Daehan Empire.

08 Nov 2009, Posted by Matt in Food & Drink, Historic Korea, Seoul, Video, 10 Comments

Seoul’s Best Cafés, Part 1

Many may assume that Korea is a tea-based culture. Indeed, Korea has an indigenous tea culture that goes back centuries. But ever since King Gojong became the nation’s first and best-known coffee lover in the late 1800’s, coffee has taken the nation by storm.

More recently, the wildly popular TV drama, “Coffee Prince” captured Korea’s love of java. Today, global giant Starbucks competes with local brands like Holly’s, Ediya and Café Pascucci. But while you can get a decent cup of joe at any of these places, paying 5,000-won or more is a small extravagance. So, why not enjoy your bitter brew at one of Seoul’s best cafés?

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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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