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)

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)

Shop till you drop in Dongdaemun!

It was my last night in Seoul when I jumped on the subway then got off at Dongdaemun station and strolling around the huge Dongdaemun Shopping Mall.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is the largest shopping centre in South Korea. Opened for the first time in June 1905, the market has become one of the most popular markets in Korea especially for clothing and its accesories. With more than 25 shopping malls and 30,000 speciality shops you would find anything you need to dress your head to toe. When you get tired from shopping you would easily find eateries both inside and outside the mall where 'Pojang Macha' stalls lining up along the street and enough to satisfy your craving for Korean food.

The main street divides Dongdaemun Market into two section.

Section 1 is more for retail shops where the atmosphere designated for young people and the facilites such as information desk and money changer make it easy for the tourist. This section open from 10 am till 5 am the next day, you can say that this market is also a night market as well.

Section 2 is more for wholesale and since mostly for wholesaler there are no facilities such as dressing room, the market in this section open about 8 pm till 8 am the next day.

Dongdaemun

Across the shopping complex, you'd find one of Seoul's famous landmarks: Dongdaemun Gate (East Main Gate). Originally called Heunginjimun, this National treasure was built by King Taejo in 1396, renovated by King Danjong in 1453 and its present structure was built by King Gojong in 1896. Although the gate is generally known as Dongdaemun Gate, many people still call it Heunginjimun with the intention of preserving its old heritage. The easiest way to get to Dongdaemun is by subway line no 4 and get off at Dongdaemun station, take exit no 4 and walk for about 5 minutes.

(Source: Korea Tourism)

(Picture courtesy of : Korea Tourism)

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)

Lotte World and Coex Mall

Got back to Seoul from Nami-seom, we spent half of our last day in Seoul visiting Lotte World and Coex Mall.

Lotte world is a big complex with one-stop concept so you'd find anything you need from accomodation (hotel), both indoor and outdoor theme park, shopping mall, folk museum, sports facilities and movie theater in one place. The Lotte world indoor theme park is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. If you are a Korean drama lover, you'd notice some spots used for filming 'Stairway to Heaven'.

If you wish to learn about Korean history and tradition then you should visit the Lotte World Folk Museum. A collection of minature and life-sized exhibition along with performance stages for traditional music and dance would amuse you while learning Korean history and culture. The traditional restaurants are located on the market (Jeoja) street on the third floor of Lotte World Shopping Mall, giving visitors the chance to taste Korean traditional dishes.

(Some restaurants inside the traditional market inside Lotte World)

How to get to there? Take subway line 2 to Jamsil station and take exit no 4 (underground plaza). Admisson fee including performance viewing is 24,000 won and 21,000 won after 4 pm.

Off The Lotte World, we jumped on the subway headed to Coex Mall, a huge shopping arcade located beneath Samsung-dong Trade Centre. It's only 3 stops away from Jamsil station (The Lotte World), got off at Samsoeng (Samsung) station and took exit 5 where we walked down to the end of Ocean Walk straight to Coex Aquarium. This Korea's largest aquarium has 40,000 marine wildlife of 650 species. Once again it's also a place used for filming a Korean drama 'One Fine Day' after the first six episodes were filmed at Busan Aquarium.

Coex Aquarium with posters from One Fine Day

Coex Mall off the Samsung station