Seoul(Jongno-gu)

A once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets to preparing royal Korean court food is currently being offered through Korea’s National Palace Museum. Inside the walls of the Gyeongbokgung Palace garden, this unique cooking class offers hands-on preparation of traditional dishes, a privilege allowed only to the highest ranked servants called “suragan choigo sanggung.” This three-month intensive program held each Friday, and lasting for an hour and a half, offers participants a step-by-step introduction into the culinary world of Joseon royalty (1392-1910). This traditional Korean culinary course covers twelve different types of royal court dishes that were offered up to the king. Renowned for using the freshest and the most valuable ingredients from all over the country, the menu will delight modern palettes as well. Spots should be reserved online prior to the beginning of the first class. This course is taught in Korean, however non-Korean speakers are welcome to request the help of a guide made available by the palace museum upon reservation. The enrollment fee covers ingredients ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won per dish, due monthly. Expect the total to amount to 50,000 to 60,000 won. Prepared by chefs of the highest caliber, the mistress presiding over the royal kitchen or “choigo sanggung,” used only the most rare and valuable ingredients from across Korea. Each recipe was kept secret, made available only to the top chef of the royal kitchen or “suragan.” An expert in court food instructs the Royal Court Food Cooking Experience at the National Palace Museum of Korea, presenting over 50 different dishes once enjoyed by the kings of Joseon.


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

Haneul Park (Sky Park), located within the World Cup Stadium Park, is a grassland park that was formed where the second site of the Nanjido Landfill once stood. As it was once a landfill and the soil especially poor, the Haneul Park wasteland recovery project demonstrates how nature can flourish out of what was once barren land. Since the year 2000, around 30,000 butterflies have been realeased on Nanjido Island, which is located in the middle of Haneul Park. At Haneul Park, visitors are met with scenic views of Seoul in every direction with Bukhansan Mountain to the north, Namsan Mountain and the 63 Building to the east, Han River to the south and Haengjusanseon Fortress to the west. These spectacular sights can be fully enjoyed from the observation platform. The park also offers benches and other areas for visitors to take a short rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Haneul Park.


Daejeon(Jung-gu)

Bomunsan Park is a major park in the city of Daejeon. It boasts lush greenery that changes colors every season. It also offers a wide range of recreational facilities like mineral springs, hiking trails, indoor roller-skating rink, soccer field, exercise equipment, and youth square, as well as cultural attractions like Bomunsanseong Fortress, Bomunsaji Temple Site, outdoor music hall, observatory, and cable car.


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

With 48.2-㎞ long coastline and a total area of 13.603㎢, Yongyudo Island is located near other islands such as Sinbuldo Island, Sammokdo Island, Yeongjongdo Island, Daemuuido Island, Jangbongdo Island, Modo Island, Sido Island, and Sindo Island. Yongyudo Island and Yeongjongdo Island were once connected by a bridge. The two islands were joined as one when Incheon International Airport was constructed on a reclaimed land between these two. Attractions on Yongyudo Island include Eulwangni Beach, Wangsan Beach, Seonnyeobawi Beach, Geojampo (a peaceful fishing port offering great views of the the sunrise and sunset), and Masian Beach (famous for its red, glowing evening sky). In early August, the island holds a variety of events such as a sea festival, fishing contests and shellfish harvesting, making it an ideal place for nature exploration. Because of its proximity to the airport, the area resembles a resort complex due to the availability of various accommodation facilities such as a floating hotel, casino, and a golf course. The nearby Muuido Island has a couple of beaches, hiking trails and fishing spots. Hanagae Beach is famous for its white sand and row of bungalows painted in strong primary colors. The beach is just a 10-minute car ride from Saemkkumi Ferry Dock. Another beach on Muuido is Keunmuri Beach. This clean, sandy beach stretches out beautifully against the backdrop of a dense pine trees forest.


Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Kim Soon Ja is the first Kimchi Master in Korea who has devoted 30 years of her life to developing and promoting Kimchi, Korea’s most famous delicacy. Kim Soon Ja, Kimchi Master’s Kimchi Theme Park share the time-honored secrets about this essential and quintessential Korean food and offers an opportunity to learn about the history, origin and the excellence of Kimchi. The hands-on program is open to both locals and foreigners alike and after the program, a simple meal that includes rice balls, makgeolli (rice wine) and of course, the master’s Kimchi will be served. Located at the Hanok Village in Bucheon Gongbang-geori (arts craft streets), the theme park also offers an opportunity to enjoy the genuine beauty of Korea through a variety of activities such as exploring the Hanok (a traditional Korean house), wearing the Hanbok (Korean traditional costume), meeting an archery master and a metal craft master. The beautiful nature surrounding the Hanok village offers a great backdrop for those travel photos as well.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Jeonju, the mecca for the traditional culture and style of Korea! The Korea Traditional Culture Center was established to preserve and develop Korean traditional culture, to promote it in and outside Korea and to create an industry. The center supports traditional cultural projects in order to preserve the cultural assets of Korea, such as hanok (traditional Korean housing), hansik (Korean food), hansori (traditional Korean music) and Hangeul (Korean alphabets), and graft modernity onto traditional culture. Visitors can participate in education and activity programs related to Korean culture. The Korea Traditional Culture Center has the Hanji Industry Support Center, the Traditional Culture Creation Center, and Jeonju Masterpiece Onn, which is why the center is called the mecca for traditional Korean culture and style.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

There are many islands named Dongbaekseom Island (동백섬) in the South Sea where dongbaek trees thrive. Among them, the Dongbaekseom Island in Busan used to be an island, but is now part of the mainland. Dongbaekseom Island is a very small, and many dongbaek trees and evergreens thrive there. At the top of the island, there is a statue and a monument of Choe Chi-Won, a scholar and writer during the Silla Kingdom.The Busan Tourism Organization has declared Dongbaekseom Island Tourist Site No.46. The island also has Dongbaek Park (동백공원) and a 2.5 m high statue of a mermaid near the beach which many tourists can easily visit on their way to the beach.


Busan(Jung-gu) , Nampo-dong(Jagalchi Market)

The Face Shop is a Korean comsmetics company that sells over a thousand beauty and skincare products made of organic substances. There are two The Face Shop branches in Busan's Nampo-dong alone, and Branch No. 2 is located along the town's famous 'food alley.' It features self make-up tables in its spacious interior.


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

Bon is tough, but elegant, chic, and trendy. It boasts a wide array of items from masculine suits to casual wear with urban sophistication that are comfortable to wear.


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

This Jokbal Street restaurant has a history of over 50 years, and the elderly white-haired proprietor has been running the business the entire time. Basketball players who play a game at the Jangchung Gymnasium visit the restaurant. When it first opened, the price of jokbal (steamed pork hock) was 150 won and the bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake), 10 won. Back then, the food was a luxury that students couldn’t even dream of buying, but now everyone can afford it. The taste of jokbal here is special: firstly because the trotters are transported to the restaurant immediately, and also because of the restaurant’s unique broth. The meat is extremely chewy and the delicately flavored fat melts in your mouth like ice cream. For a treat that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else, the owner hints that the large serving is much more delicious than the small one.