Seoul(Jongno-gu)

If you are passionate about fashion and looking for something unique, head to Sonjjam in Insa-dong. Here, you’ll find a selection of stylish, handmade goods. Sonjjam specializes in clothes, corsages, fashion and interior accessories, hand weaving, fabric dyeing, and decorating mufflers and scarves. You’ll not only be able to see hand-weaving at the store; you’ll also find yourself in the heart of Insa-dong, one of the best places in Seoul to find traditional crafts and Korean cultural pieces.


Seoul(Yangcheon-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

E-mart is a discount supermarket operated by Shinsaege, a department store franchise. Located in a residential area of Mokdong, E-mart Mokdong offers a wide variety of high quality products at affordable prices, and also features special sections including imported kitchen utensils, ceramics, the 'Digital Zone,' and many more.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Following extensive years in researching about kimchi and its scientific benefits, Samkim has succeeded in producing its own unique brand of kimchi that is unique in flavor and quality.Many dishes at the Samkim restaurant combine kimchi and pork belly ('samgyeopsal' in Korean) since kimchi researchers found that the two foods seem to complement each other perfectly (hence, the name was made combining the two words' first syllable). According to researchers’ findings, kimchi raises your metabolism rate slightly as you eat, reducing the amount of fat that the body takes in while eating the pork belly.To apply its kimchi findings, Samkim opened restaurants all across the country, starting with its flagship restaurant in Myeong-dong. Some of the most popular dishes among both foreign and local diners are the kimchi stew, kimchi pancake and rolled kimchi.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Tiffany Tourist Hotel in the upscale neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong features 43 Western-style and 9 Korean-style guestrooms at affordable rates. Guests may hop on a subway at the nearby subway station to access other areas of Gangnam-gu County for diverse commercial and cultural activities.


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Hangang Park opened six outdoor swimming pools (including one at Yeouido Hangang Park). Supported by meticulous water quality management, they are not only safe, but also an inexpensive to private facilities. Excellent amenities offer swimming equipment rentals, food, and beverages. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

[Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More] Two folktales in the performance. Where you can meet the essence of Korean Dance. Jeongdong Theater, which is located in Jeongdong-gil; the beautiful street in flower-blooming pring, has a meaning of succession of ‘Wongaksa’, the first modern theater in Korea. Jeongdong has presented performances which retells Korean folktales and has help the audiences to understand it with qualified stage. Especially, <Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More>, which has its premier on last April. 6, is a well-made Korean traditional dance drama on which Korean folktales and traditional dance are combined.     This performance sends us a message about the true love, combining Korean folktales and newly recreating them as a Korean traditional dance drama. At the first, ‘The tale of Mrs Domi’ is a folktale of the period of three states in Korea. The king of Baekje has Mrs Domi, a humble woman, in his mind and he put her in danger to make her parting with her husband. However, with her wise courage, she overcomes from the trick of the king confirming the love with her husband. Igongbonpuri, another folktale in the performance, is a narrative shamanic myth in Jeju. The story is about a woman called Wongangam who died after her slave life in difficulties. She finally comes to life again as a flower called Wongangami thanks to her husband and son who buried her body in a flower garden. These two stories were combined and the performance <Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More> came out. This story which came from the two folktales contains the theme of ‘overcoming’ and ‘reviving’ which feature frequently in Korean traditional ideology so the meanings are coming heavily to the audiences who live in modern society. The image of strong woman from Mrs Domi and Wongangami is described into Seoryeon’s character, the protagonist of the performance. In the background of imaginary Joseon Dynasty, this performance presents the image of wise and strong woman who keeps her ideals in the difficulties and the path of achieving her wishes from her revive into traditional dance drama. The lyrics from <A song of floral tribute> and <A love song> cite words from folktales which are very familiar to Korean people and it raises bond of sympathy. Also, you can see various Korean traditional dance such as parilmu, a dance performed by 64 female dancers in ritual ceremony, Taepyeongmu, a dance praying for the peaceful reign and prosperity of the royal family, Geommu, a traditional sword dance which became powerful in the performance as man’s dance. I would love to strongly recommend this performance to whom love Korean traditional dance and look forward beautiful dance performance!       Interview with Chunghan Kim, Director and Choreographer of ‘Lotus, A Flower Comes Out Once More’ Q. Please talk about the title and the concept of <Lotus,>. The title <Lotus> came from the name of the protagonist, ‘Seo-ryeon’. (‘Ryeon’ literally means ‘Lotus’ in Korean language.) The story borrow its motif from ‘the tale of Mrs Domi’ of the period of three stages in Korea and ‘Igongbonpuri’ , a shamanic tale from Jeju Island. The main characters are the King and his man, general ‘Dodam’ and dancer ‘Seo-ryeon’. ‘Seo-ryeon’ is a important character of the story as she receive the loves from the King and Dodam at the same time. Dodam and Seo-ryeon confirmed their love and it is reason why relationship of the king and Dodam has problem. The tension from the triangle love is the main concept of this performance. Q. What is the symbol of the subtitle, ‘A flower Comes Out Once More’?​ The king is a character who let Seo-ryeon in for pain and difficulties using his power. However, she protects her self from the power. I would like to deliver two messages through this story. First, the King who uses his power in incorrect way is very similar with our social situation. There are many people who got hurt from it. Therefore I wish the people get more hope and comport from the reincarnation of Seo-ryeon. Second, I would like to talk about ‘Love’ and the beauty of Seo-ryeon through the character of a woman who keep the beauty her self against the power of the king.


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

Meat at Seocho Sariwon is dipped in a special sauce that is made from 12 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, tickling your palate with an utterly new and refreshing taste sensation. The restaurant uses high-tech roasters and offers a solid selection of red and white wines at affordable prices. *Best Korean Restaurant as designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.    


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The National Museum of Korea is located about 1.5 km away from Yongsan Station. It is the largest museum in Korea and houses precious Korean cultural assets that tell the story of Korea’s fascinating history, from ancient times to the modern era.The museum is also close to Yongsan Family Park, a grassy wooded park with a pond that serves as a natural habitat for various species of birds, as well as over 80 different kinds of trees. The War Memorial of Korea, also nearby, is located next to Samgakji Station, and 1 km from Yongsan Station. It displays a vast collection of wartime relics.In addition to galleries with a wide array of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is the stage for a number of cultural activities related to collection, preservation, research and analysis, social training, academic publications, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.Visitors of all ages get the opportunity to participate in a number of educational events and quality cultural programs. For those who prefer to tour at a leisurely pace, the museum grounds have a number of environmentally friendly spaces and rest areas. * Mobile ServicesThe National Museum of Korea offers a state-of-the-art digital guide service to provide a more enjoyable tour of the museum. The digital guide service has a bookmark function and a search function that can be used to obtain more detailed information on specific pieces.1. Digital Guides are available to visitors aged 14 and over who are able to present a valid ID.2. Rental Fees: PDA - 3,000 won / MP3 - 1,000 won3. Rental reservations must be made online 1 day prior to visit (maximum 5 rentals allowed per person).※ Rentals are provided on the day of visit, only after applying for membership.* Size of Facilities6 ground floors / 1 underground floor* Galleries Approximately 15,000 Pieces- 3rd Floor: Sculpture and Crafts Gallery(Buddhist Sculpture, Metal Arts, Celadon, Buncheong Ware, White Porcelain)Asia Gallery(Indonesian Art, Central Asian Art, Chinese Art, Nangnang Remains, Relics from Sinan Seabed, Japanese Art)- 2nd Floor : Calligraphy and Painting Gallery(Calligraphy, Paintings, Buddhist Paintings, Woodworking),Donations Gallery (Iuchi Isao Collection, Hachiuma Tadasu Collection, Yoo Chang-jong Collection, Kaneko Kazushige Collection, Choi Young-do & Park Byong-rae Collection, Yu Kang-yul & Park Young-sook Collection, Kim Chong-hak Collection, Lee Hong-kun Collection, Other Collections)- 1st Floor : Prehistoric and Ancient History Gallery (Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age & Early Iron Age, Proto Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, Gaya, Silla, Unified Silla, Balhae)Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery (Hangeul, Prints, Inscriptions, Maps, Documents, Kings and their reign, Socio-Economic Life, Traditional Thought, Foreign Relations)※ This is one of the places that was visited by the "first ladies" of the G20 Summit in Seoul in November of 2010.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

This restaurant specializes in boribap (steamed barley). Once a rather humble staple, boribap has been reintroduced as a popular health food. The meal consists of steamed barley and potato, as well as ten types of cooked greens, all mixed with red-pepper paste. Miso soup is also given as a side dish. Add some soup to the boribap for more flavor. Gamjajeon (a potato pancake) and dotorimuk (an acorn-starch jelly) are recommended as good appetizers. Deodeok jeyuk-bokkeum (stir-fried deodeok), godeungeo-gui (a grilled mackerel)and bassak bulgogi (completely baked bulgogi) are the restaurant’s specialties that you do not want to miss out on. *Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

The National Theater of Korea was opened in 1950 as the first national theater in Asia. The theater is the base of operations for four performance groups: the National Drama Company, the National Changgeuk Company, the National Dance Company, and the National Orchestra Company. By supporting these performance troupes, the National Theater strives to globalize Korean traditional arts, modifying select pieces to reach a larger audience.