Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located in Samcheong-dong and established in 1981, Seongsim Yeogongwon is an art studio by Sim Yong-sik (Intangible Cultural Property designated by City of Seoul). He works on various traditional windows and doors with his students, promoting them in Korea and other countries. In hanok terminology, daemokjang means a basic frame of a house while somokjang refers to doors, windows, and so on that add something to the frame. Doors and windows with beautiful patterns are all over the place in Seongsim Arts & Crafts: doors that can hang against a wall, windows decorated with cherry blossoms, comb-patterned windows and so on.Visitors can also enjoy beautiful crafts in various exhibition events held in Seongsim Yegongwon. The place is open to the public free of charge. 


Seoul(Guro-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

AK PLAZA is a department store owned by Aekyung Industrial Co. Ltd.AK Plaza Guro is fast becoming a major landmark in the southwestern business district of Seoul. World-famous brands such as Burberry, Coach, and Etro are located on the 1st floor along with a large plaza for various events. The 2nd floor of the department store is conveniently connected to Guro Station (Seoul Subway Line 1). A variety of facilities and amenities (food court, CGV Movie Theater, customer service room, stroller rental services, playroom, appliance repair center, etc.) are spread throughout the center.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

The 63 City in Yeouido stands 264 meters above sea level and is considered one of Seoul’s most well known landmarks. The 60th floor ‘Sky Deck’ of the 63 City Building has been newly remodeled into the ‘Sky Art Museum’, offering a place for art exhibitions, magic shows, and various cultural experiences. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Hangang River through the observatory’s large windows.To get to the 63 Building, take Subway Line 1 to Daebang Station Exity #6 or take Subway Line 5 to either Yeouido Station Exit #5 or Yeouinaru Station Exit #4. The Sky Art Museum is located on the 60th floor and tickets are available at the museum ticket booth.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Ibis chain has a network of over 703 hotels in 36 countries worldwide. The Ibis Seoul is located in the international district of Gangnam-gu and offers 317 guestrooms, two business meeting rooms, a wine bar (Le Bar), a restaurant (La table), fitness center, men’s sauna, and an underground parking lot. The guestrooms feature a refined modern design and top class hotel services are available all for very reasonable rates. The Ibis Seoul is situated at the center of Gangnam, and its proximity to COEX’s International Convention Hall makes it a good choice for visitors participating in conferences or exhibitions. Some of the hotel’s amenities include a business center, coin laundry facilities, a vending machine stocking drinks/living essential products, high-speed internet in every room, personal safes, and spacious rooms where guests can work and relax easily.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Jam Sil Tourist Hotel is located in Jamsil, Seoul near the City Air Bus Terminal, Coex (World Trade Center in Seoul), Jamsil Olympic Stadium, Lotte World, and other major attractions and agencies. It is right by the Seoul circular highway, allowing guests who are traveling by car to go easily to and from the Seongnam and Bundang areas without running into heavy traffic.The hotel is only a 7-8 minute walk from Exit 3 of Sincheon Station on subway line 2 and offers a simple and modern accommodation concept perfect for business travelers.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Serving a varied menu featuring grilled beef, haejangguk (a spicy soup), and shabu shabu, Saebyeokjip is open 24 hours and is often crowded with people. The ddarogukbap (a kind of soup made with meat, coagulated ox blood, and bean sprouts) tastes great and is the recommended remedy for curing a hangover. An order of yukhoe bibimbap (white rice topped with garnished raw beef) includes a bowl of seonjitguk (soup made with coagulated ox blood). The shabu shabu is quite satisfactory for the price, so it is popular. The restaurant is packed in the morning, with people sobering up, and in the evening, with people who come for the grilled meat.  


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

Anthracite Coffee Roasters is well-known cafe in Hapjeong-dong that brings new meaning to the term industrial chic. Anthracite's building was once a shoe factory and the cafe has maintained any of the factory's industrial elements and added modern decor.  Beer and coffee are among the menu selections offered at Anthracite and one of the most popular coffees is the Butter Fat Trio. The coffee roasts are named after famed authors, so visitors can order a "Natsume Sōseki" or a "Pablo Neruda." Anthracite's pastry chef bakes the cafe's desserts on the premises. Patrons can choose from cakes, financiers, madeleines, and cookies.  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Heynature is a cosmetics brand that researches, develops, and produces organic cosmetic products using raw and all-natural ingredients that help return vitality and youth to your skin. No artificial scents or color are added, and all ingredients go through rigorous trials and research development before being produced, so you can use it on your skin with peace of mind. Their Myeong-dong and Ehwa Women’s University locations are not franchises, so they are managed directly from the headquarters. They can also now be found at Busan’s Shinsegae Duty-free store and also at Choroc.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Opened in 1981, this diminutive restaurant has been attracting customers with its mouthwatering ramyeon noodles for more than 20 years. The restaurant’s unique ramyeon recipe includes an ultra-spicy broth with lots of red pepper seasoning, chewy noodles, egg, and bean sprouts. Even Koreans, who are used to eating spicy kimchi, sometimes shed tears while eating this fare. Besides the food, the ambience is fun, with interesting messages written by customers attached to the ceiling and the walls. The restaurant has created its own jargon that is recognized only by regular customers: ramyeon is called ppal-gye-tteok (spicy red soup with egg and rice cake), and yellow pickled radish is called pineapple, to name a few of the coined terms. The menu board lists the price of ramyeon as W30,000 confusing first-time visitors. But don’t panic: an extra zero (0) was just added for fun! TIP: (1) Take some souvenir pictures using the walls and the ceiling as a background (2) Try putting some cold rice in your ramyeon for an interesting, less spicy taste.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

"The Stone Guards of the Royal Tombs" Seonjeongneung is comprised of Seolleung Royal Tomb (선릉) and Jeongneung Royal Tomb (정릉). Located in downtown Seoul, this place offers tranquil and pleasant promenades for couples and office workers. Seonjeongneung houses the burial mounds of King Seongjong (1469-1494), his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong (1506-1544) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Upon entering the grounds, you can see a red gate (the red colour denotes holiness) with a taegeuk (yin-yang) symbol. The stone paths leading to the sacrificial building are noteworthy because there are two stone paths—the elevated path is for the dead King and the lower one is for living people. In the past memorial rites were performed in the sacrificial building. Small sculptures on the eaves called Japsang were carved in the shape of animals, such as monkeys, and were believed to exorcise evil spirits. Next to the sacrificial building, there is a pavilion and a tombstone which is the tomb of the King. Sculptures of sheep and tigers surround the tomb and are guardians of the deceased king. There is also a statue of a military officer bearing a sword. In front of the tomb is an outstanding sight called 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones designed to guide the spirit of the king to his tomb. Unlike the tombs of the Kings, the queen’s tomb, Wanghureung, is simple. It doesn’t have any pavilions or sacrificial buildings, and is surrounded only by stone sculptures as guardians. Seonjeongneung has a lush forest, and benches on the promenade provide an ideal place to relax. There are numerous small hills with clusters of trees that create a border between the mystery and serenity of the royal tombs and the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul.