Good Morning Panda

The first Hallyu Star I fell for, Song Hye-kyo, has been appointed as Asia's first panda goodwill ambassador by the Chinese government in June. Song will shed the light on the pandas' hidden world and the threat of their extinction during the documentary, 'Good Morning Panda,' co-produced by South Korea and China. It will be broadcast through EBS TV's Docu Prime Wednesday.

Song, who visited a panda habitat in Sichuan Province after becoming a goodwill envoy, has been working to publicize the need to preserve pandas across Asia while calling for international support for the project.

(source: Korea Times)

Custom designer by Shinsegae

Wanna design your own t-shirt in 3-D? Go to Shinsegae! This week in Shisegae Dept. Store customers can get 3-D computer models of themselves and try out their new look in 3-D. After being measured by a 3-D scanner, customer will be able to customize the shirt they want to buy, choosing colors, collars and cuffs, as well as other details.

Although other brands have offered similar design-it-yourself package using avatars, this is the first in which the avatar is a 3-D model of the customer, the store said. The pilot service, available for free in the Event Hall on the sixth floor, will be limited to shirts, but the store hopes to branch out into more items in the future.

Shinsegae, literally means 'New World', was originally part of Samsung Group and separated in 1990s. The main store in Jung-gu, Seoul is the oldest department store in Korea, opened in 1930 as a branch of Mitsukoshi Department Store of Japan. The Shinsegae also owns the biggest shopping complex in the world Shinsegae Centum City in Busan (registered in the Guinness Book of World Records)

(Shinsegae Centum City map, courtesy of Korea Tourism)

(Source: Korea Herald)

All about Kimchi!

A kimchi lover? I do love kimchi even not as maniac as a friend who eat kimchi as a snack :) If you love kimchi then you should come to Gwangju Kimchi Festival (I wish I could..)

This all-about-kimchi festival will be held in Gwangju from October 23 to November 1. Gwangju has successfully established the image of the home of kimchi. Marking its 16th anniversary, the 2009 Gwangju Kimchi Culture Festival will offers various programs through diversified approaches toward kimchi and providing kimchi making experiences, and holding contest for making kimchi, which will serve as a venue to enjoy and experience Korean kimchi.

If you want to travel to the 'world of kimchi', visit this 'Speaking of Kimchi' page from Gwangju Kimchi Festival web and you'll find all you need to know about kimchi.

(Picture courtesy of Gwangju Kimchi Festival)

Korean Festival

My most-anticipated event for this October has come! Korean Festival 2009 which run through this weekend (Oct 10-11) at Eastwood Park. Eastwood is home to one of Australia largest Korean communities together with Campsie and Strathfield. It originated in the late 1980s as a Campsie-based event that was part of the Carnivale multicultural festival program, co-ordinated by the NSW Ethnic Commision and now is organised by the Korean Society of Sydney.

I was a bit late today and missed some morning performances like Korean Folk Game and Drum performance, but I still enjoyed the Korean traditional dance while hopping around from one food stall to another. Some others performances like Korean Pop music, Soul & Funk Band, singing and talent contest did entertain the folk and the food stalls satisfied my craving for Korean food like pajeon (seafood pancake), kimchi, tteokbokki and odeng. There were also some stalls selling Korean wines and served free tasting. One stall from Sydney's Korean Tourism was attracted folks with some free brochures and Korean books including travel guide and Korean food book.

I bought some Korean red ginseng product and a bottle of Makgeolli, a Korean traditional wine made from rice which gives it a milky, off-white color and swetness. Makgeolli and Pajeon, what a perfect combination!

(A stall from Korean Tourism office providing free brochures and travel guide books)

(Korean red ginseng products on display)

(Odeng)

(tteokbokki, spicy rice cakes)

(A stall selling some Korean wines)

Some stuffs I brought home: Honeyed Korean Red Ginseng, Red Ginseng jelly and candies, and a bottle of Makegeolli

Chrysanthemum Festival

Autumn is a season full of natural beauty and one of them is the blooming Chrysanthemum. For those who visiting Korea this fall, you can't miss the beautiful and elegant Chrysanthemum festivals across Korea.

Masan Gogopa Chrysanthemum Festival, first held in 2000, celebrates its eighth year under the theme 'Flower & Island & Sea' from Oct. 24 to Nov.2 at Dotseom (island) Ocean Recreation Park this year, promoting not only the Chrysanthemum but a comprehensive festival that could enjoy the green ocean and islands of Namhae. A total of 5 billion Chrysanthemum will delight the visitors around Dotseom and the downtown of Masan City.

Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival at Iksan Joong-ang (main) Sports Park in Iksan City (North Jeolla Province) welcoming visitors from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8. The flowers will be displayed in the shape of famous characters including famous Korean figures and animation characters. The whole town is in a festival mood decorated with chrysanthemums around Iksan station, traffic station and here and there.

Gochang Chrysanthemum Festival, claimed to be the nation's biggest Chrysanthemum Festival where the organizer will set up a special promotion booth and offers visitors free tea and drinks made by using chrysanthemum cultivated in Gochang. The festival will take place for a whole month from Oct. 22 to Nov. 23.

Chrysanthemum Fragrance Festival at Daechengho Lake in Daejeon city (Dong-gu district) will exhibit more than 100 million Chrysanthemum from Oct. 20 to Nov. 8.

(Source: Korea.net)

A taegeukgi, Korea's National flag made of Chrysanthemums in Daejeon.

(Picture courtesy of : The Chosun Ilbo)

Mickey Mouse iRiver

Yesterday I got home and found an 'unsuccessful delivery' card from DHL express on my mailbox and since I wasn't expecting any parcel from family or friends the first thought was 'wow..might be from Korea?'. Today I picked up my parcel from DHL express and yes, it's a parcel from Korea! It's a Mickey mouse design iRiver MP3 player in sky blue color with 2 GB capacity, an initial prize for blogging about Korea. Thanks KTO and VANK!

My new Mickey mouse MP3 player comes with USB 2.0, ultra fast data transfer with iRiver plus 3 software firmware, built-in Li-ion battery and support music file such as MP3, WMA, and ASF.

Lee Hyori, Son Dambi, Lee So Young, Wonder Girls, Rain.. some drama series' soundtracks.. um ..what else..now I am preparing some of my Korean songs collection to be uploaded to my new MP3 player :)

I L♥ve Korean Food

The 'I L♥ve Korean Food' promotion just started last weekend. The so-called 'Dine and Win' promotion from Korea Tourism in Sydney offers a chance to win a trip to Korea for two person while you can enjoy the 'special $10 dish' from the participating restaurants across Sydney.

I couldn't wait longer to enjoy the 'special dish' as I reckoned $10 is pretty affordable for a Korean food in this city, so I dropped in Kobow restaurant in the city last weekend. I picked this restaurant since I had never been there before and heard that the ambience is quite unique and they got friendly staff. Well, they indeed are friendly and as it was Chuseok day they gave free complimentary of colorful Songpyeon to enjoy the spirit of Chuseok. One disappointment was I couldn't find the 'special $10' dish on the menu, a short story that I hesitated to ask, I picked bulgogi and kalbitang (short ribs soup) to warm up the wet and chilling evening. After they served the 4 small plates of banchan (side dishes), my bulgogi came in a quite different look with 'plenty of' veggies, not the usual bulgogi I normally had but the taste wasn't a disappointment though. For those who love Korean music, they have LCD TV's playing latest Korean music to livened up the atmosphere.

(My Bulgogi with colorful veggies)

(My hot and yummy kalbitang)

(Banchan: seaweed and potatoes in sweet chili sauce, seasoned soy bean sprout and kimchi)

(Colorful Songpyeon to celebrate Chuseok)

Taste of Nature, Heart of Sharing

'Taste of Nature, Heart of Sharing' is the theme of 2009 Korean Temple Food Festival which will take place at Bongnyeongsa Temple in Suwon from October 8-10. Korean Temple food is a precious cultural heritage Korea has long nurtured.

The three-day event will be held in a quiet and and serene Buddhist University located in Suwon city, about an hour drive from Seoul. Showcasing a series of exhibitions including a temple food market, tea ceremony, tea talks with monks, temple stay programs (for selected international students only), and 'balwoo-gongyang' (communal Buddhist meal service). Eating is called gongyang in Budhism while balwoo means bowls containing rice and vegetables. In this unique and special way of eating in Korean temples, the meal is eaten in total silence and not a single grain of rice is wasted.

This festival is admission free and visitors can register via www.templefood.org until September 30, to get there go to Gangnam Subway station line 2, exit 3 and take buses 3001 or 3007 or take bus 7, 77-1 or 700 from Suwon station. For more information, visit the 2009 Korean Temple Food Festival website.(source: Korea Herald and Korea Tourism)

For your who interested in temple stay program, you can find the detail information on Korea Tourism web.

The beauty of autumn

The beauty of Autumn leaves is on the way.. but be patient since it's coming a bit late this year. The Korean Meteorological Administration said that the autumnal tint this year will appear 1-8 days later than usual, which means that the middle regions of the country and Mt. Jirisan will see the colors of autumn leaves from October 20th to November 5th. (source: Korea Tourism)

For you who visiting Korea this autumn and wish to enjoy the warm foliage of reds and yellows may check the timing on Korea Tourism web as well as the best spot's list. The schedule shows the first foliage and peak time on each region. If you are visiting Seoul only and don't have much time to visit the mountains, don't worry.. there are some famous spots to enjoy the beauty of autumn in the city. The Palaces in Seoul including Changdeokgung has its own special walking tour to enjoy the autumn foliage while Hyang-wonjeong pavilion at Gyeongbokgung is a place you shouldn't miss. If you choose to have romantic walks, Deoksugung will open till late to give you the autumn warm when the night is getting cold.

(Picture courtesy of Korea Tourism)

Yeongam County will host F1

Yeongam County (Yeongam-gun) is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

FIA, the Formula One racing's governing body has released the calendar for 2010 world championship and the inaugural Korean Grand Prix will take place on Oct 17. The 5.6 kilometer race track along the harbor side will be named The Korean International Circuit and designed by the famous race track designer Hermann Tilke.

Yeongam is surrounded by the beautiful Mt. Wolchul National Park and the Yeongsan River, as a historical site Yeongam has 'Yeogam Wangin Cultural Festival', which was named the 'Best Cultural and Tourism in Korea for year 2008. For full info about beautiful spots like Mt Wolchul National Park, Gurim Traditional Village, Historic site of Dr. Wangin, Doseonguksa and Dogapsa Temple, please visit the official website of Yeongam.

Mascot of Yeongam is inspired by the vitality of the Ume flower, the county flower.

(Picture courtesy of Yeongam-County)

Cherry Blossom

It's spring time down here in Sydney, my favorite season of the year when you can enjoy the beautiful flowers blooming. Last weekend I happened to visit a garden with some varieties of cherry blossoms, it's located in a suburb of Galston, about one and half hours driving from the city. Talking about cherry blossom, there many varieties of cherry blossom and some of them bloom only for couple days in spring time.

In Korea the largest beotkkot (cherry blossom) festival is in Jinhae City where visitors can walk through a tunnel of cherry blossoms trees surrounded by falling white petals. Jinhae Gunhang Festival takes place in Jinhae city around March-April when the cherry blossom are in full bloom. It has been held annually since 1963 and has become a famed tourist attraction in which locals and tourists can enjoy the beautiful sight of cherry blossom as well as participating in cultural events.

Here are some snaps from my cherry blossom viewing, most of those cherry blossoms are different varieties from the ones in Korea, hope I'll make it to Jinhae City someday to see the most famous cherry blossoms in Korea!

(white cherry blossom)

(red or pink?)

(the bee..)

Cookin' Nanta

I happened to enjoy Cookin' Nanta show in Sydney last year. It was at Korean Sparking Festival at Palm Grove, Darling Harbour-Sydney. The audiences were entertained by a list of performances including Korean musical, Taekwondo demonstrations, hip-hop dances, Korean traditional fashion show and try on traditional Korean costumes (Hanbok) for free. There was also a quite interesting 2.5metre high ‘Korea Sparkling’ robot with video screen on his tummy surrounded by few stunned children.

The most-anticipated and favorite show of the day was Cookin' Nanta, a non verbal performance playing traditional drumming beats with kitchen background and using kitchen appliances such knifes and chopping blocks, portraying kitchen staffs and their manager cooking for a banquet in a funny comedy routines. They started their first performance in October 1997 and made its international debut in 1999 at the Edinburg Fringe Festival then opened a long term performance in Broadway New York in February 2004. Since the show is a totally universal nonverbal performance and presented through music and motions, there is no language barrier, Nanta can be enjoyed by people from all around the world. Nanta has been voted as one of '10 most famous tourist attraction in Seoul' by Korean Tourist Service.

Stalking the performers behind the stage, I was very happy when got the chance to take picture with all of the performers :) Looking forward for this year's Korea Festival in Sydney!

Nanta performance during Korea Sparkling Festival 2008 in Sydney

Daejanggeum Jeongsik

Daejanggeum Jeongsik is a set menu described as Joseon royal cuisine traditionally prepared for the king and served at royal banquet. It's a new creation at Korea House, a meal course inspired by the hit MBC series 'Jewel in the Palace'. The set menu comprises 15 courses and costs 250,000 won per person.

The course starts with simple appetizers such as 'ejeolpan' (assorted Korean dry snacks), 'gujeolpan' (thin crepes with nine different fillings), water kimchi, king prawns with a pine nut sauce and assorted pan fried vegetables, mushrooms and meat.

The main dishes are divided into eight recipes, including lotus leaf-steamed pork belly, court style casserole, pine mushroom and broiled beef ribs, and braised abalone. The finishing touch is bibimbap with various side dishes. After feasting on the appetzisers and main dishes comes a dessert of fruit and rice cakes.

Daejanggeum Jeongsik set menu.

(Picture courtesy of Korea House)

Korea House itself is a tourist spot for learning Korea's tradition and culture in Seoul, it has been renovated as a cultural complex. For those who would like to learn how to whip up traditional Korean dishes, there is a new program where visitors can learn how to make kimchi, bulgogi and wear hanbok. The program will cost 55,000 won ($45) per person and is slated to be held in the new Chiseon Gwan building.

Korea House is located near exit 3 Chungmuro station, subway line number 4.

(Source: Korea Times and Korea Herald)

Seogwipo Chilshimni Festival

History:

Seogwipo Chilshinmi originally was the name of the 27 km of land from Seongeup Village to Seogwipo Harbour in Jeju island.

Events:

Jeju Folk performances, street parade, ocean sport activities

When:

17 - 20 September 2009

Where:

Cheonjiyeon Falls Plaza and town - Jeju-do

Transport:

From Jeju International Airport, take bus# 600 to Seogwipo, pass the New Kyungnam Tourist Hotel and get off at the Cheonjiyeon bus stop.

(Picture courtesy of : http://www.70ni.com/)

Nearby Tourist spots: Cheonjiyeon Falls, Jeongbang Falls, Seogwipo submarine tour, Jusangjeollidae (sea cliff at Jungmun-Daepo Coast).

(Source : Visit Korea)

Geumsan Insam Festival

Insam or Ginseng is one of Korean signature products, known as the best health item and originally used as medicines but nowadays you can find many delicacies made with Ginseng like tea and cookie. There are about six or seven types of Ginseng known worldwide and the ones cultivated in Korea called as Goryeo Insam (Ginseng).

Goryeo Ginseng

(Picture courtesy of Visit Korea)

Geumsan, a town of South Chungcheong Province, is home to Goryeo Ginseng and the largest producer of ginseng in Korea. This month, Geumsan is holding the annual 'Geumsan Insam Festival' which will be held from September 18 to 27. The festival, which has been running for 29 years, is held to promote the beneficial affects of Geumsan Ginseng.

The Geumsan Ginseng Pavillion will feature exhibits on everything related to ginseng, including a special fair for the international trade and a hands-on health area featuring folk medicinal remedies. Visitors will be amused by Geumsan traditional folk performances, singing and dance contests, a dramatic production about ginseng and other attractior. There are als some programs for foreign visitors, like singing contest, ginseng herb quiz, ginseng t-shirt painting and oter unique programs.

If you are coming from Seoul, take an express bus for Geumsan for 2 hours and 40 minutes ride and get off at Geumsan Bus Terminal then take 5-minutes walk to the venue.

(Source: Visit Korea)

Bau House, a dog cafe in Seoul

Doggie Lover? Wanna go on a date with your dog? You definitely should try this unique and perfect cafe for dog lovers in Seoul: Bau House, a dog cafe in Hongdae.

Bau House not only allows you to sip your latte while your pooch share the same table with you, they even got their own pooches ready to be your companion, just pick your desired breed, spaniel, maltese, lassies, huskies or other cute puppies. This cafe open from 1.20 pm to 11.30 pm.

Here are picture and map from their website

(Pictures courtesy of Bau House)

Seoul Open Night

Seoul Open Night is a night festival with a range of cultural events held across Seoul's major districts on August 22. From stage playing musical concert, sightseeing to handicrafts, people will be able to enjoy the various cultural events the city has to offer under the moonlight.

'Culture Pass' is all you need to visit Palaces, Museums, art galleries, concert hals and other facilities without limit and it's available on interpark.com.

At Jeong-dong, the center of the city, people will able to visit Deoksu Palace, Seoul Museum Jeongdong Theather and enjoy a performance by the famous non verbal performace 'Nanta' among other activities.

At Daehangno in northern Seoul, visitors will be able to watch various plays from the afternoon until midnight. Fee showcases and exhibitions by up-and-coming artists will be held and several Korean movies will be screened for free at Maronoe Park.

In the Bukchon district, 60 art galleries, studios and museums will be open until midnight.

Jindo of South Jeolla Province joined hands with Seoul for the events and will perform Jindo Drum in Insa-dong.

Spirits will be high in the Hongdae district of northwestern Seoul, where 40 underground rock bands will hold all-night performances at 1 different clubs.

'Seoulites and tourist will all able to enjoy cultural aspects of the city without worrying about time or money', Kwon Hyuk-so of City Hall said.

(Source: Koreatimes)

Relax yourself at Jjimjilbang

Got a long tiring day? Relax yourself at Jjimjilbang!

Jjimjilbang literally means 'sauna room' or you can call it Korean sauna. Jjimjilbang normally are large public bathhouse complete with sauna, hot tub, shower room, pool, massage room, and a lot more. Most of them open 24 hours and also have restaurants, wide-screen TV's, noraebang (karaoke room), and napping area where people can sit or lie around sleeping or just relaxing and watching TV.

The speciality of Jjimjilbang is sauna room. There are several different saunas with different themes and benefits, such as rooms made from a certain type of rock known in Korea as 'maekban' are good for rejuvenating skin, amethyst for improving blood circulation, and yellow mud are good for digestive system.

After you sweat your stress out in the hot room, drink a cold glass of 'misutgaru' (ground mixed grains mixed with wather or milk), or 'sikhye' (sweet drink made from fermented rice) and you will be fully-recharged!

(picture courtesy of Korea.net)

The admission fee is considerably inexpensive with less than 10,000 won or about $10, so when you are traveling around Korea why don't you stop by at this uniquely Korean sauna and relax yourself at Jjimjilbang!

(source: Korea.net)

Seoul Flea Market

I always love browsing around in flea market, enjoying the weekend's sunshine while making bargains for something unique and you never know what you might find in a flea market.

During our trip in Seoul, visiting the folk flea market was on our list, I was planning to find some unique souvenir for family and friends like Hahoe mask and kid's Hanbok for nieces but my missus ended up buying a hanbok for herself!

The Seoul Folk Flea Market is a downtown market where and contemporary coexist, souvenirs shops sell unique items like Hanbok apron which transform traditional hanbok into a practical apron, Hahoe masks and hand-made natural soap. On the second floor Boradong, handicrafts from Jeju island and North Gyeongsan Province, traditional alcoholic beverages and other regional specialties are on sale. If you are looking for unique gifts for foreigners or the elderly, this is the the right place to go to.

When you get tired, you can take a break in front of the flea market stage which is open to performances by anyone.

(Source: The Korea Herald)

(Picture courtesy of The Korea Herald)

Seoul

Korea Trip - Seoul day 1

After several years dreaming of visiting this Ginseng Country finally we made it in winter 2006. Touching down at Incheon international airport early in the morning on December 24, located 70 km from the city of Seoul, this modern airport has been consecutively rated as the best airport in the world and received the full 5-star ranking by skytrax.

Upon our arrival we made our way to the airport coach service and after one and half our ride we got off at Anguk Dong station and took a stroll walk to Seoul backpackers hotel located at Iksun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The hotel has now reopened as Banana backpackers with a new face-lift. Conviniently located within walking distance to some tourist spots like Insadong and Changdeokgung Palace, the hostel offers affordable rooms with friendly staff, great hospitality, free breakfast and free internet service, which is very important for travelers who needs to find information online.

(Incheon airport-Seoul coach transfer)

The coach was very convinient and the staffs were really helpful, made it easy for us to find the right bus even we don't speak Korean.

(My wife in front of the hostel)

My list for the first day in Seoul was visiting some historical Palaces, there are five Palaces in Seoul:

- Gyeongbokgung.

- Gyeonghuigung.

- Deoksugung.

- Changgyeonggung.

- Changdeokgung.

Unfortunately, we managed to visit only two Palaces: Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung. I will write about these two palaces on separate posts.

For some 'must see' spots in Seoul you can visit the official website here.