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.

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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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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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