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

The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin was erected at the front of Gwanghwamun Square on April 27, 1968, in honor of the brave spirit and leadership of the Admiral. At 17 meters tall, the bronze statue stands firmly with a sword in his right hand, representing protection and patriotism. In front of the statue is a miniature turtle ship that the Admiral built, and at each front corner are two drums that were used to increase the morale of soldiers going to the battlefield.


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(Jongno-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

The Ilmin Art Museum stands in the former Dongah Newspaper Building. The Dongah Newspaper was established in 1926 and has been in the building for 66 years. This building has been established as the oldest building associated with the press in Korea. The building was shut down for a year due to renovations and re-opened in 1996. The museum has maintained its look of tile floors and glass walls through the years. This museum boasts the largest Ilmin collection in Korea. From the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) there are 430 pieces in the Ilmin collection, 1,200 pieces in the Dongah Newspaper's collection of art, and 100 pieces of art owned by Hyundai Corporation. The Ilmin Collection mostly consists of pieces that Kim Sang-Man collected. Most of the pieces are very simple aesthetic paintings. The Dongah Newspaper's collection has time-relevant pieces that are important in history. Hyundai's collection is mostly paintings of social critiques. In the basement of the museum there is an art shop where original paintings can be purchased.


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

The Olympic Park Peace Plaza ice skating rink, located in the Songpa-gu district of Seoul, is open for every winter. Seoul Olympic Museum, Soma Museum of Art, and Mongchontoseong Fortress are also within the vicinity.


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

Charlotte Theater is Korea’s first theater designated exclusively for musicals, imitating the elegant ambience of European architectural design. The most distinctive feature of the Charlotte Theater is that the stage is very close to the audience, creating an intimate feel. Though the theater seats 1,000, the distance from the last seat on the second floor to the stage is only 28 meters, allowing guests to feel the liveliness of the performance.Light refreshments are available at the cafes located on each of the four floors, and hotel bar services are available at the VIP rooms. There are also rooms designed for families with small children located on the first floor, so that all family members may enjoy the performances.The theater is conveniently located a 5 minute walking distance from Lotte Shopping Mall, Songpanaru Park (Seokchon Lake), and Lotte World Adventure.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

Located right around Ewha Womans University, Tonymoly is a nice cosmetic shop remodelled in February 2010. Items in Tonymoly seek natural cosmetics reflecting the beauty of nature. High quality items are offered at inexpensive prices. It is a popular brand among Japanese and Chinsese tourists as well. It employes the Korean celebrity Kim Hyun-joong as its model.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Majang Meat Market is the largest meat market in Korea. It is equipped with Korea’s most modern and cleanest facilities. The butchers here are proud of the market's size and hygienic facilities. The market sells fresh meat arriving every hour from all over the country and from overseas. The prices are overtly marked for each meat along with the country and place of origin. For the market's efforts to provide quality products, the market is recognized by the Korean Medical Association (KMA). Traders are able to trade easily thanks to the market's state of the art systems. At Majang Meat market, high quality meats are available at up to 30% less than at supermarket chains.  


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

Seodaemun Museum of Natural History is the first-ever museum of natural history to be established by a public agency. The museum offers children an opportunity to experience and learn about the environment and shows how to preserve the earth’s natural beauty. Seodaemun Museum of Natural History holds exhibits year round and has over 100 open-run programs. It has become a popular fieldtrip destination for teens, a cultural space for residents, and a leisure space for family visitors. Many Asian countries even send representative to the museum to learn from its success.Every floor of the museum has a theme, making it a little easier for visitors to find their way around. The first floor runs under the theme ‘Beautiful Seoul, Harmony between Nature and Human’ and houses a library of natural history, a dinosaur lounge, virtual reality room, aquarium, and visual aid lab. The second floor (‘The Origin and Evolution of Life and its Diversity’) shows the origin of life, the world of the dinosaurs in the Mesozoic Era, the origin of humans, a diversity of land and marine life, and a variety of endangered species. On the 3rd floor, visitors can explore the process of how the earth was created, which culminates in an exhibit on how the Korean Peninsula looks today. On the same floor, dramatically enhanced exhibitions lay open the mysteries of the solar system and explain natural phenomenon such as earthquakes and the creation of caves and rock formations.


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

Past names of Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine included Yongdubong (Dragon Head Peak) and Jamdubong (Silkworm Head Peak), but was renamed in 2000.Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is the site of the Byeonin Persecution of 1866, where many Roman Catholics were brutally murdered.This site was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Byeonin Persecution and to remember the spirit of martyrdom at Jeoldusan.The Martyrs’ Museum and Martyrs’ Memorial were built in 1967, and in 1972 Martyrs’ Park was opened to the public. Pope John Paul Ⅱ visited in the site in 1984 and Mother Teresa visited in 1985.


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

The Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo Branch, located at the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Station, serves as the shopping attraction of the Seoul Gangseo region and Incheon area. This department store and the Yeongdeungpo Station area provides a great and cleanly developed commercial area.Store hours of operation are from 10:30am to 8:00pm. Stores are closed for one Monday of the month. The department store also stays open longer on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.