Discover Jemulpo Gurabu: A Cultural Landmark in Incheon for International Visitors For international tourists visiting South Korea, Jemulpo Gurabu in Incheon is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of history and culture. This site, originally established as a social club in 1901, has been a significant venue for cultural exchange and interactions among various nationalities, including Americans, British, Germans, French, Russians, and even a small number of Chinese and Japanese residents. Jemulpo Gurabu, initially known as the Jemulpo Club, was built to foster camaraderie and social interaction among the foreign residents of Incheon during a crucial period of Korea's opening to the world. The club is housed in a picturesque two-story brick building, topped with a tin roof, echoing the architectural style of its era. The interior was thoughtfully designed with facilities such as a social room, a library, a billiards table, and a tennis court, reflecting its purpose as a hub for leisure and socialization.         ​ The club's history is marked by various transformations, mirroring the dynamic political and cultural shifts in Korea. After the foreign concession areas were abolished in 1914, the building served multiple purposes, including a Japanese veteran's hall and a women's association center. Post Korean liberation, it was used by the U.S. military. The building's role as a cultural center continued as it became the Incheon City Museum from 1953 to 1990 and later the Incheon Cultural Center from 1990 to 2006. In 2007, Jemulpo Gurabu was reborn, emphasizing its historical significance and the Japanese pronunciation of "club". Today, it stands as a testament to the rich cultural interactions of modern history, attracting visitors from all around the globe. For international tourists, especially those interested in the history of international relations and cultural exchange, Jemulpo Gurabu is an unmissable destination. Its rich history, architectural beauty, and significance as a site of cultural confluence make it a fascinating stop in Incheon. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or simply in search of unique travel experiences, Jemulpo Gurabu offers a deep dive into Korea's diverse and intricate past, making it a must-visit landmark in South Korea.

Background Information: The Chungdong Church, having being completed in 1898, is Korea’s first Protestant church. The church was 115 pyeongs when it was first built, but as they added some extra buildings to each wing in 1926, it now stands at 175 pyeongs.The Church has been declared the 256th greatest achievement, displaying a North American style Gothic architecture. Inside the church grounds stands a bust of the founder, Minister Appenzeller, and a 50th year commemoration memorial. In 1889, the church appeared in a monthly publication magazine called ‘Church’ as having Korea’s first summer Bible studies and also one of the leading churches who does missionary work. Chungdong Church is located in the center of the beautiful Chungdong Street, and is especially beautiful in autumn, when the leaves fall from the trees that line the street. Chungdong Theater, Deoksugung Palace, and Seoul Museum of Art are also in the vicinity, making it a great place for tourism.

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-storey structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kans in the front and 2 kans to the sides (kan: a traditional unit of measurement referring to the space between two columns; roughly 2-4 meters). It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years. The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall. The main gate of these three buildings is known as Jangnakdang, which consists of 12 kans of namhaenggak (south corridor building) at Nakseonjae. Upon entering the gate is an extensive yard leading to Nakseonjae. Of the 6 front kans, a single kan on the far right side protrudes out to the front to create a balcony-like loft. Meanwhile, the main building features an ordinary housing style with square foundation stones and pillars placed on top of a rectangular stone base. The furnace and the surrounding areas beneath the loft are marked by unique mosaic decorations of irregular lines and the kitchen doors feature diverse design patterns. At the back of the building is a flower garden made by stacking large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening. The interconnected Seokbokheon Hall also has 6 kans in the front and 2 kans to the sides and it is a part of ansarang (inner reception room). The outer corridors skirting the building lead to Sugangjae Hall, which is 15 kans in size.

The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.Since 1988, Kukje Gallery has participated in major art fairs such as Art Basel, which is one of the most influential art fairs in modern and contemporary art. And, subsequently, works of Korean artists have received great attention from non-Korean collectors who were previously unexposed to Korean art. 

Located in Dongdaemun-gu Seoul (the largest distribution market of herbal medicine in Korea), the museum is situated on the grounds of Bojewon, a medical institution that was in operation during the Joseon Dynasty. The Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum was established with the goal of preserving and developing Korea’s herb medicine culture. It has on display oriental relics and samples of medicinal herbs.Opened on September 13, 2006, the museum boasts a wide assortment of items: 500 pieces of equipment used by practitioners of herbal medicine, 420 artifacts related to the field of oriental medicine, and about 350 herbal medicinal items.A large number of antique books related to herbal medicine are also on exhibit at the museum, helping visitors unfamiliar to the practice gain an overall understanding of what effect each herb or technique has and how each is used when treating patients.In addition, the museum also houses a model of the Bojewon from the Joseon Dynasty, an oriental medicine experience zone, a multi-purpose auditorium, a rest area, and museum shop.

Deogyusan Resort (former Muju Resort) is one of Korea’s most famous mountain peak ski resorts. Covering an area of over seven million square meters, the resort is located in the Gucheon-dong Valley, at the base of the famous Deogyusan Mountains. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy visiting the resort, since it is located in one of Korea’s beautiful national parks, and was specially designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings.The six ski slopes are categorized according to level of difficulty. The Silk Road Slope is Korea’s longest course. It begins at the Peak of Deogyusan Seolcheon Mountain and follows the snow-covered landscape all the way to the base. The Raiders Course has the steepest slopes in the entire nation.As well as the truly great skiing on offer, the Deogyusan Resort also provides a wide selection of food and entertainment.

Hangang (Han River) Citizen's Park, composed of 12 areas including Jamsil, Ttukseom and Jamwon, is an eco-friendly park providing areas for sports and leisure. The park is equipped with various cultural and recreational facilities and also has an ecological park. Gwangnaru Hangang Park formed naturally through rich silt that flowed in from the upper Hangang River that was then filled with reeds, creating an ideal habitat for groups of migratory birds.

I think there was a lot of waiting time at the airport ~! It is boring and tiring while waiting at the airport even if having excitement for going on a trip, but It was good and helpful spending the waiting time with the variety of cultural events such as performances and experiences at the national airports which are provided by Korea Airport Corporation. The event called "Culture Outing" will be held at 12 different airports nationwide including Kimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu so on, I went to Gimpo International Airport!           I was searching on online to get some information for the events and I found there was “Cool Cool cocktail show”, “an airport marble”, “a prizewinning event”, and it seems to be showing experiences and performances on a regular basis!         The performance team I met last Friday was a female four-string electronic group called "T.L" that combines beauty and skill. I remember saw the vocals on TV show called “Immortal Songs @불후의 명곡”!  It was amazing that they played the instrument and even dancing lightly while they singing. It was a rare show where I really went !!         I was surprised and proud because there are many foreigners could enjoy their show at the international airport, I think that it is very good to be able to get close to daily cultural life these days. I had time to listen to an electronic keyboard and an electronic violin. It was amazing to hear an a cappella sound from an electronic keyboard.            I also had a passionate performance and then had experience making of a pouch and an eco bag ! I had lots of fun while making them.       The experience of making by hand is very popular in Korea, but I really enjoyed it personally because I like making stuff. And I watched one of girl among steps who draws a picture very well. I knew it she’s a student who majoring art!! She said she can’t draw it well but she has a skill! I think it will be useful when I travel.                   I saw a pamphlet, and there was a curling of the carrier at Gimhae Airport, and I thought it might be a fun and interesting to be a part of one. Instead, Gimpo Airport has a golfing experience. There are several obstacles, but it is easy for children as well as adults. Most children feel boring and having a hard time waiting at airport so the golfing experience would helpful not to be bored when they are waiting.      And the most impressive martial art performance, "Return of the Thousand Swords" It was a traditional but brilliant martial art performance because I only can watch it when I go to Gwanghwamun. How many people have imagined to get into such an amazing performance at the airport?     People who did not expect to see the performances will be think they have a gift ~ It is not easy to see a scene of the historical drama in front of you, but I have experienced a rare experience !!         Everyone applauded and cheered whenever they showed the tumbling. There was also a hanbok experience and photo time after finishing the performance, but there were too many foreign tourists are in line.       The online promotions are being held on different topics every month regarding on Korea Airport Corporation's culture. This month have a hash tag event, It’s about airport fashion. Topic of maple leaves. A nice and beautiful MC kindly explained to me that I can find out the events on the official blog of Korea Airport Corporation. I’m planning on to travel in December, and I hope I can enjoy the performance and all different kind of experience again at the airport!.   Source : http://blog.naver.com/apffhs12?Redirect=Log&logNo=220841437614 Korea Airports Corporation​ www.airport.co.kr

Opened on April 1, 1981, Arko Arts Theater’s mission statement is to “boost performance art, obtain performance space to promote its popularity among the public, and support stages to pure art organizations facing financial difficulties."Over the last 24 years, it has made immense contributions to the development of Korean performance art. By the end of 2004, the theater offered 20,581 performances and attracted over 4 million visitors.As the center of performance art, the theater also began to attract a slew of small theaters and has played a pivotal role in promoting performance art and populating Dongsung-dong with artist. Currently, Daehakro (College Street) is home to over 58 theaters that offer colorful performances every day, making it the focal point of performance art in Korea.Large performance hall, children's playroom, small performance hall, practice room pianos, visual equipment (TV and VTR recording), audio equipment (recording, music/effects editing), stages (revolving state, elevated state, and orchestra pit), lobbies (first and second floor of large performance hall and small performance hall) 

Founded in 1986, Samgwangsa Temple is the second Cheontae (천태종), located in Choeup-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan. The temple nestled in the hillside of the Baekyang mountain so all Busan area is viewed at one glance with the bright morning sunshine. It opens 24 hours for praying and continues its practice Buddhism religiously everyday.