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

Jungmyeongjeon Hall is located near the Chongdong Theater. It is easy to locate by simply walking along the stonewall of Deoksugung Palace. The three-story western-style building, designed by the Russian architect Seredin Sabatin, was used as the imperial library between 1897 and 1901. It was initially known as Suokheon.After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire, Jungmyeongjeon Hall became the main office of Emperior Gojong for discussing national affairs greeting foreign dignitaries. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty) was signed.Jungmyeongjeon Hall used to be within Deoksugung Palace, but it was separated from the palace when a stone wall was built between the two. It exhibits one of the modern architectural styles in Korea, but, unfortunately, has lost most of its original structure except for its exterior because in a fire in 1925. After Liberation from Japan on August 15, 1945, Jungmyeongjeon Hall was used for many different things. In September, 2006, the ownership of Jungmyeongjeon Hall changed to the Cultural Heritage Administration and was classified as part of Deoksugung Palace as part of Historic Site No.124 in February 2007. 


Busan(Dongnae-gu)

Opened on June 10, 1994, the Busan Marine Natural History Museum is the first and largest museum of its kind in Korea. The museum features some 25,000 marine specimens from over 100 countries around the world, including rare living species and those native to Korea. The museum opened a second exhibition hall in April 2003, and launched the Busan Fishing Village Folk Museum on February 23, 2007. Marine life on display in the museum The major exhibits of Busan Marine Natural History Musem include the largest existing man-eating clam, arapaima (the largest living freshwater fish), oarfish (a legendary fish that is said to live half of the month in the mountains and the rest in the sea), whale fish (the largest living of the fish species), jumbo squid (the largest of sthe quid species), a blade bone fossil of a dinosaur, piranha (an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers), sturgeon (toothless bony fish species, whose eggs are often eaten as caviar), water monitor (the second largest species of lizards), alligator snapping turtle (giant turtle with strong teeth and a violent temper), spur-thighed tortoise (the third largest turtle in the world) and more!


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Featured in the New York Times in 2004, Cafe74 is a trendy restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, with an elegant interior and many famous faces as regulars.


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

Lexington Hotel is New York-themed hotel named after Lexington Avenue, one of the three major streets of New York City. Connecting Upper Manhattan and Lower Manhattan, Lexington Avenue is known for famous locations such as Broadway, Times Square, Chinatown, and Little Tokyo. Located in the center of Yeouido, considered the ‘Manhattan of Seoul,’ Lexington Hotel is in close proximity to the Han River, the National Assembly Building, broadcasting agencies and the Korea Stock Exchange and is 20 minutes from the Gimpo International Airport. The hotel recently underwent renovations, upgrading its 235 guestrooms and subsidiary facilities to allow guests an even more comfortable stay. Various sections of the hotel are themed after attractions found along Lexington Avenue in New York. At "Times Square" (the hotel lobby) guests can receive information about the hotel or assistance from the staff. For a little bit of down time, guests can stop by “Broadway,” the lobby lounge, for a cup of coffee or head to the “New York New York” steakhouse for a family dinner or small gathering. The Chinese restaurant "China Town" and Japanese restaurant "Little Tokyo" are also popular for their well prepared dishes and quality service. The New York theme continues even in the "Yanks & Metz," a classic sports bar decorated with sports paraphernalia from Babe Ruth and other MLB stars.


Incheon(Namdong-gu) , Incheon Center

Jangeo Myeongga is a Korean restaurant specializing in grilled freshwater eel, which comes in two types: salted and marinated. Freshwater eel stew called jangeotang is also a popular dish on the menu.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Ripley’s "Believe It or Not!" Museum (originally created by Robert Ripley) is the largest museum franchise business in the world, with 31 locations worldwide. The new branch on Jeju Island (near the entrance of Jungmun Resort, Seogwipo-si) is the 32nd location and 11th country for the chain. The Jeju branch of the museum consists of 12 galleries, an outdoor park, souvenir shop, and a coffee house. The museum will feature as many as 700 astounding, one-of-a-kind items collected by explorer Robert Ripley (1893∼1949), during his travels of over 35 years to 198 different countries. Visitors to the museum will be awed by a large selection of hard-to-believe pieces including part of the Berlin Wall from 1989, meteorites from Mars, and a life-size model of man that's part Unicorn. All the items on display come complete with anecdotes and historical explanations, which present an amusing alternative to traditional museums.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Itaewon Fashion Ilbeonga (First Street) deals with diverse women's clothing and accessories produced in Korea. Boasting over 35 shops, it offers plenty of fashion items for customers to choose from.


Seoul(Geumcheon-gu)

Hyundai Outlet Gasan is a premium outlet and a one-stop shopping complex for families. It features shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities. Famous brands are sold at discounted prices year round, so visitors can purchase quality goods at the lowest prices.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Haesindang Park is home to the the nation’s largest aquarium museum, which exhibits folk materials that shows the lifestyle of fishermen of the East Sea, an arboretum and a park that displays some sexual art sculptures. In addition, there is an interesting bronze statue that tells about a legend of a nearby village.* Legend of Aebawi and HaesindangThere once lived a young maid who was engaged. One day, the maid took her husband’s boat out to sea to harvest seaweed. Her husband dropped her off at a site that was at a distance from the beach. After promising to pick her up later, he returned to the beach to do his work. However, the weather turned bad as strong winds and pummeing waves begun. The husband failed to rescue his wife on time and she ultimately drowned. Since then, the villagers were unable to catch any fishes and some claimed that it wasbecause of the dead maid. To soothe the spirit of the dead maid, the villagers made several wooden carvings and held religious ceremonies. Later, fishes were gradually seen appearing and the villagers were able to fish and live comfortably again. Therefore, the place where the maid died was named Aebawi Rock and the building where the religious ceremony is held twice a year was named Haesindang. The ceremony is still honored today as a traditional folk event.