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

Handicraft-Nuri, located within Cuture Station Seoul 284 (Former Seoul Station), offers Korea Craft and Design Foundation's top quality designed and handcrafted products including, but not limted to, ceramics, cups, and postcards.


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

Shoppers can now enjoy amazing shopping deals as well as a commending view over Seoul's downtown from 63 Square, located in Yeouido. The store had a partial-opening and is currently in the process of readying for their full-house operation. Hanwha Galleria, the operator of luxury department stores, is planning to launch its online shopping store in upcoming February 2016 (exact date TBA), adding more services for international visitors to have a pleasant and convenient shopping experience. The duty free shop also houses luxury restaurants and other food stores in addition to premium brands that were previously not introduced domestically.    


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(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

Namdaemun Market Bondong Clothing Shopping Center maintains the traditional market atmosphere unique in Korea. It is home to a slew of restaurants (selling such dishes as hairtails boiled in seasonings), butcher's shops, and shops selling food items. Jungangro, in particular, houses many shops specializing in traditional Korean food items (gim, ginseng, and so on), attracting international tourists in general and Japanese tourists in particular. The western side of Bondong Clothing Center is populated by shops selling stationery, art materials, and small electronics.


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

A must-visit museum for Korean film fans A museum dedicated to everything related to Korean films. Not only does the museum strives to collect, preserve, and screen Korean films, but it also Korea's largest archive of international and independent films. Visitors can watch and make films, and participate in special programs such as the filmmaking process experience and Children's Film Academy Awards.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Yongpyong Resort is situated at the center of Korea’s Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, and sees an average of 250 centimeters of snowfall per season, which makes for excellent skiing conditions. Not only that, the resort’s enormous seventeen million square meter complex includes a 45-hole golf course, gondolas, swimming pool, and other facilities. This all-season recreational complex allows visitors to escape from daily life and relax. Yongpyong Resort has an impressive twenty-eight ski slopes, including the popular Rainbow Slopes, and offers excellent facilities for skiers. The park’s fifteen ski-lifts include a 3.7km cable-car and the resort's Dragon Plaza is the largest ski complex in Asia, offering a variety of services for skiers and snowboarders. Yongpyong Resort has hosted a number of international competitions, including the World Cup Ski Competition and the Asian Winter Games. It is consequently one of the most popular ski resorts in Korea, and is frequented by many tourists. Accommodation options include condominiums, a hotel, and a youth hostel. Yongpyong Resort is a 2-hour drive away from Seoul, but the resort runs shuttle buses from Seoul during peak season. Visitors traveling from the Daegu and Yeongnam regions can take the Jungang and Jungbu Inland Expressways, and arrive at Yongpyong Resort within three hours.    


Incheon(Dong-gu)

Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley is located in the boundary between Geumgok-dong and Changyeong-dong in Dong-gu, Incheon. Prior to the establishment of Gyeonginseon railroad, this alley was Incheon’s representative road to Seoul, referred to as Ugakli Street. During the 60s and 70s when living was difficult and everything was hard to get hands on, it was the only secondhand bookstore alley in the Incheon area where people can quench their thirst for learning. Known as the Baedari Bookstore Alley, there are about 10 bookstores altogether within the area that sell secondhand books and new books. Countless books in wide range of topics from ancient Korean literature, arts, music, medicine, children’s books, dictionaries and more fill up the small but charming bookstores. Artworks that depict the old lifestyles of residents at Baedari decorate the alley walls, offering more to see to the visitors.


Busan(Dong-gu)

Ever since its opening on Oct. 10, 1973, the Busan Citizens’ Hall has stood as a symbol of the international port city of Busan, offering an open cultural space for citizens. In 2001 the hall was modernized and expanded, reopening on July 5, 2002. The hall consists of large and small theaters and an exhibition hall. The large theater seats up to 1,832 people and is equipped with an orchestra pit and revolving stage, perfect for performance of various genres (concerts, operas, musicals, etc.). The small theater, with a total of 335 seats, provides an intimate atmosphere for modest performances. Other facilities at the hall include a banquet hall, outdoor stage, practice room, make-up room, and more. Busan Citizens’ Hall serves as a venue for concerts, performances, and public events of Busan City.


Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Aiins World is a theme park where miniature recreations of world famous buildings are on display. The miniatures at Aiins World were crafted with such painstaking attention to detail that visitors feel like they are looking at the real thing. People also feel as if they have taken a trip around the world all in one day.The miniature version of the Great Wall of China and Mt. Kilimanjaro, blowing out smoke and ash, attracts many visitors with realistic models as well as sound effects. Other miniatures include the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center with its famous ice rink, and the street of Broadway in New York City. Aiins World lights up at night, creating a romantic and festive mood. Taking pictures next to some of the most famous structures in the world can be a rewarding experience and fun for everyone.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center was founded with the goal of preventing tragedies and saving the lives of children and youth. Because of fire accidents like "Sirent" in 1999, which occurred in Hwasong city in Gyungi-do, and another fire accident in the bar of Enhyon-dong located in Inchon Gwangyuok city where a lot of children and youth lost their lives, the necessity of establishing a disaster training center for common citizens was urgently felt. To teach people how to remain safe during disasters the Seoul Citizen Training Center was created. Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center is a three-story building of more than 5000 m². The basement floor includes a small theater. The first floor is set up for natural disaster training and consists of an orientation hall, storm simulation training room, earthquake simulation room, computer tests on fire safety knowledge and others. The second floor is a place for artificial catastrophe training. It consists of a smoke escape training room, fire extinguisher training room, first-aid (CPR) training room and practicing place for calling 119 (The emergency number in Korea). The third floor is used for people rescue training and consists of a rescue training room, screening room, training for professionals and video examples of five biggest disasters that have occurred in Seoul. Overall there are about 20 training corners established, so citizens can experience the imitation of a disaster by themselves and learn easily and in an interesting way to cope with a disaster. We believe that if children, youth and common citizens listen to fire fighters and personally experience training, it will help to learn the correct way to face dangerous situation and deal with a disaster.