KPOP Jacket Lady
KDrama and KPOP Concert Reviews, Travel Tips, Korean Recipes and more
Return Of The 1990’s Kpop Groups?
A recent article from Korean Yonhap News Agency noted that the 2oth anniversary reunion for S.E.S., one of the first female Kpop groups, will be held in 2017, which made me wonder which of the other early groups were still around. The average length of a Kpop group is around 5 years, although that number seems to have been trending upward lately.
The first Kpop group in the narrower sense that we use today, as opposed to Korean popular music in the broader sense of ‘any popular Korean music’, was Seo Taiji & the Boys which debuted in 1992. A 3 member group consisting of Seo Taiji as the main vocalists and leader, with Lee Juno, and Yang Hyun Suk as backing vocals and choreography. Yang Hyun Suk is now the head of YG Entertainment, one of the top 3 entertainment companies in the Korean music business today.
Seo Taiji and the Boys experimented by adding different styles and genres of western music into their songs. Their first song scored very poorly on a judged talent show, but went on to chart at no.1 for 17 weeks. Nan Arayo is still listed as one of the greatest Kpop songs of all time. They also used back up dancers and vocalists, as well as break dancers which was a first. After a while they began to lean more towards rock songs and controversial lyrics, which led to them being occasionally banned from TV. They had a large and very vocal fan base and led the way for all the groups that followed. They suddenly disbanded in 1996 and Seo Taiji went to the US for a while before returning to Korea to be a solo singer. Yang Hyun Suk became YG, and Lee Juno was a producer, although recently he was booked for sexual assault. Seo doesn’t want a reunion for the group.
Turbo debuted in 1995, but were considered a dance group at the time and even nowadays some people tend not to give them their due as one of the originators of what Kpop was to become. Or perhaps it was because they were a duo, whatever the case if you look at My Childhood Dream, or Black Cat you can recognize elements still seen in the Kpop of today. Turbo disbanded in 2000, however they reformed in 2015 and will be performing in Las Vegas this upcoming Nov.
Some say that the first true idol group was probably h.o.t. which debuted in 1996, with Sechskies following them in 1997. h.o.t. disbanded in 2001 and despite rumors of a reunion it has yet to happen. Both groups maintained a semi friendly rivalry and had huge numbers of devoted fans. If you want to check out some of their old songs they are available on Youtube. Try watching Candy, and Happiness for h.o.t. and Couple and Road Fighter for Sechskies.
To everyone’s surprise Sechskies, who disbanded in 2000, were encouraged by a segment on Infinite Challenge to reunite for a 20th year guerrilla concert. This was so popular they signed with YG in May of this year (2016). They held a sold out concert on Aug. 11th, and released a digital single Three Words on Oct.7th. Missing one original member they are back, and managing just fine 20 years after helping pave the way for what Kpop has become.
S.E.S. was one of the very first girl Kpop groups, debuting in 1997 and then disbanding in 2002, with occasional reunion like appearances in the intervening years. But now there’s solid news that they will be getting back together for their 20th anniversary next year.
Other girl groups such as Fin.K.L 1998-2002-ish, Baby V.O.X. 1997-2006 (official), and Diva 1997-2005, a hip hop girl group were also instrumental in shaping Kpop.
1997 also saw NRG debut. A group that was known for high energy dance music and personal tragedy. One of the members, Kim Hwan Sung died, at the age of 19, before the release of their 4th album. He died of viral pneumonia and this obviously had a huge impact on the group.
NRG’s debut song was titled Hal Soo Isu, (I can do it) and although popular did not reach no. 1 on the charts. Their first hit song, was ironically called Hit Song. The group had it’s ups and downs, with members leaving and the death of Kim Hwan Sung, and they eventually disbanded in 2006. They were the first Kpop group to actively promote in China and can be seen as instrumental in the start of the hallyu wave. It was recently announced that they would a fan meeting to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their dis banding. (Edit) It has just been announced that they will release an album next year.
And then there’s Shinhwa, the longest running male group in Kpop, hard to call them boys, right, when they are all in their mid to late 30’s. Shinhwa debuted in 1998 and have been going strong ever since. They produced their 12th album in Feb. of 2015. Their early songs include Eusha Eusha, Resolver, and T.O.P. Their more recent songs include Alright, and Sniper, with lots of good songs in between. Edited to add. Two days after I write this Shinhwa announce the upcoming release of their 13th album.
g.o.d just squeaks in as being a 90’s group as they debuted in 1999 and have never actually disbanded although they sometimes go a long time between concerts, the last one was in 2014, their 15th anniversary.( Edited Nov. 4th.2016) g.o.d just announced they will do a nationwide tour in Korea the first two months of 2017.
Fly to the Sky also debuted in 1999 and never officially disbanded, however they did go on hiatus for 5 years. They released an EP in 2015.
So even if you weren’t around, or into Kpop in the 1990’s you can still enjoy some of the groundbreaking groups that played a formative role in creating the genres we all love so much today. Either by watching their old MVs or by catching up with the reunions and the groups that are still around today you can see the development of Kpop style and content. Some of those dancers and singers back in the day were pretty darned good.
Have a great day everyone.
You may also be interested in Kpop Musings, KPOP:What is it really all about?, SHINee Shines Bright in Texas, Got7 Concert Review, Like Dance? Watch Kpop, parts 1 and 2, A Quick Look Back At The Top Male Rookie Groups of 2015, The Kings of Kpop, and Best Male Kpop Rookie Groups in First Half of 2016.
Photo credits to original owners.
Please do not copy or use without permission and accreditation.
SM Town COEXartium: In Photos.
SM Entertainment opened their ‘theme park in the city’ in early 2015 and since then it has become a must see destination for Kpop fans, particularly those who follow SM artists such as EXO, SHINee, Super Junior, f(x), and Red Velvet. A purpose built 6 floors of all things SM, situated in Millennium Square near the COEX area of Gangnam-gu it is an ideal site for those who want to combine it with a visit to Bongeunsa Temple, KStar Road, shopping in COEX mall, or visiting some of the Kpop agencies in the area.
Often there are different displays outside where you can pose with caricature cutouts of your favorite SM artists. Once inside there’s a lot of riding on escalators between the different floors, 6 floors in total.
The second floor has a merchandise shop full of all things SM, however, be aware that since so many fans come here some merchandise sells out quickly so you might want to try one of the other SUM shops. The 3rd floor has all the studios, where for a fee, you can receive vocal or dance training, or get a Kpop makeover etc. If you want to do any of these you need to make reservations in advance.
On all the floors the hallway and escalator area walls are covered with stunning photographs of all the SM artists. There’s also the occasional display case filled with items such as awards and costumes.
There’s a cafe on the 4th floor, where you can buy themed drinks and goodies, while sitting in chairs, and at table, signed by your favorite SM idol. And then on the top two floors there’s the theatre where you can watch a hologram shows, use the photos booths, look at a wall of hands, and even get 3D printed idol figures.
All in all I would recommend it for fans of SM Entertainment, and tentatively suggest that it’s worth a walk around for any Kpop fan. There is no fee to get in, you just pay for activities, the theatre, in the cafe, shop etc, so even if you’re on a tight budget it’s at least worth a look.
Have a great day everyone.
You might also like BigBang10 Exhibition A to Z and A Visit to SUM Market.
Photo credits to me and Elle Marzec. Please do not copy or use without permission and accreditation.
The Best Korean Dramas. (So Far This Year.)
A title like that is hard to live up to, mostly because we all use different criteria to choose what to watch. We all have our likes and dislikes to include actors, writers, genres, length of series, etcetera. I know I tend to choose series of 20 episodes or less, mostly because I don’t have the time to invest in a longer series, and I like to know how it all ends without a long wait. This is why I sometimes wait until half, or more, of the episodes are out and then semi-binge watch them. This is not a perfect plan though, as binge watching can often make continuity issues really rather obvious.
I’ve watched a lot of Kdramas (well over 100) and have become somewhat picky as the years have gone by. When I first started out I pretty much watched everything that was available, now with more choices of streaming services and the availability of more content I’ve realized I can’t watch them all…so why watch the bad ones? Some start off with great potential and then lose me after a few episodes, it could be the writing, the acting, or the lack of chemistry. With others I immediately want to watch the next episode then that’s like reading a good book, you keep telling yourself, just one more chapter.
2016 was potentially a great year for Kdramas with multiple strong pairings of popular actors and actresses, along with good writers and directors. Unfortunately I was disappointed with a few I had looked forward to, such as Uncontrollably Fond, starring Kim Woo Bin. While Kim Woo Bin did a great job of acting he couldn’t carry all the episodes by himself. This showed in the ratings which overall averaged about 9% for its time slot. Not bad, but not great, and it definitely showed that other people agreed with me.
Ratings, however, aren’t everything. The rating is obviously a percentage of what the population of Korea is watching at any given time. Korea’s median age is about 41 years old, so many of the romantic comedies, and younger themes, may not appeal to a large part of the population. Also nowadays some dramas are made knowing that they will then be sold to foreign companies, meaning that while a strong rating is good, a drama can still make money from outside of Korea. Ratings for cable and pay TV are usually much lower than for free broadcast TV and web series are also a different kettle of fish.
So which dramas did I enjoy this year? Well quite a few, but the three I enjoyed the most were Go Ho Starry Night, Oh, My Venus, and W. (Note that Oh, My Venus broadcasts started late 2015 and into early 2016.)
Both Go Ho Starry Night and Oh, My Venus, started off a little slow and even had some initial cringe worthy moments, but once past the first few episodes both began to grow on me. The chemistry between the characters was good and I could believe the attraction between the main leads, particularly as it was given time to grow. The women, although somewhat flawed, one with a quick temper, the other overweight, seemed real and not too passive. The lead men were tall and handsome and just a little bit needy to counterbalance their arrogance. The supporting characters added the right touch of humor and light relief. They were both fairly easy to watch, enjoyable series with a somewhat different storyline, good actors, and occasional depth of feelings, and a hint of teaching of tolerance towards all.
W was perhaps my favorite so far this year, noting that there are still some unfinished series such as Moonlight Drawn by Clouds that I’m still in the process of watching. The premise was intriguing and surprisingly well thought out. The acting was top notch and believable. Oh Yun Joo (Han Hyo Joo) changed from an indecisive character into a strong one, who was willing to risk everything to give the man she loved a happy ending. Kang Chul (Lee Jong Suk) transitioned from a two dimensional character into a three dimensional one with ease. Both made me feel for their plight. I won’t say too much because ‘spoilers’ but I highly recommend W.
In the next group down I would place Descendants of the Sun, (highest ratings for a drama in 2016 at about 27%) Signal, and Marriage Contract for if you need a good cry. Doctor Crush had fairly high ratings and I liked the first few episodes, but it didn’t really grab me. I preferred a couple of the supporting characters stories in Another Oh Hae Young rather than the lead couple. Let’s Fight Ghost, and Cinderella and The Four Knights were mildly entertaining, but not quite as good as they could have been. Although I did like that the young female leads were portrayed as being fairly strong girls for a Kdrama. I watched quite a few others, and many were pleasant enough to watch but not memorable enough to remember.
What has been your favorite Kdrama this year? How do you choose which one to watch? Please let me know in the comments.
You might also like Is it the Kdrama Actor? and Hwarang the Flower Boys of Silla.
Have a great day everyone.
Photo credits to original owners. All are promotional posters.
A Visit to SUM Market, Gangnam.
In the basement of SM’s building at 648 Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu, you can find SUM market which is targeted at those Kpop fans who particularly love artists from SM Entertainment. It is fairly small, although densely packed, with enough items to tempt any fan.
Some of the things were quite fancy, but you could buy bags of chips or nuts if you were on a strict budget. All the groups were well represented with goodies, although EXO merchandise seemed to be particularly popular during our visit.
I did stop to look at the patches, but after mulling it over I decided to continue just making the patches for my jacket myself.
Once you left the market you passed through an area with some artwork before heading upstairs to either the exit or the cafe. We didn’t go to the cafe this trip, but if you have time to spare there’s a slim chance an SM artist might drop in for a coffee or snack while you are there.
Have a great day everyone.
You might also enjoy A Walk Down KStar Road, KBS Studio Tour, SM Town COEXartium, and BigBang10 The Exhibition A to Z.
All photo credits to me. Please do copy or use without permission or accreditation.
Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul.
In the heart of the nouveau riche area south of the Han River known as Gangnam-gu lies the peaceful oasis that is Bongeunsa Temple. Surrounded by the glitzy haunts of the fashionistas and Kpop idols, and across the street from COEX mall, it is hard to believe that you can so easily walk back in time to enjoy the calm of a 1,200 hundred old Buddhist Temple.
Founded in AD 794 AD during the Three Kingdoms Period it was first known as Gyeonseongsa Temple. It was renamed Bongeunsa in 1498 and was moved about half a mile from its original location to its present site sometime during the reign of King Myeongjong. (1545-1567)
Over the centuries parts of the temple have been destroyed, most notably by fire in 1939, and during the Korean War, (1950-53), but each time they have been rebuilt and restored.
The oldest surviving intact building is known as the Panjeon and was constructed in 1856. It houses over 3,000 old woodblocks which date from about 150 years ago. They have Buddhist scriptures and designs carved into them and are greatly treasured.
Bongeunsa is the head temple of the Seon sect of Buddhism and has programs for tourists to help showcase the beauty of their beliefs and traditions. The most popular is the 2 hour program, which is so popular you need to book about 3 weeks in advance. They also have overnight Templestay programs.
The temple grounds are lovely and surprisingly peaceful considering the megacity that surrounds them. If you are in the area I would highly recommend a visit.
Have a great day everyone.
You might also enjoy reading, The Stone Men of Jeju Island, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and Spirit Garden.
Photo credits me. Please do not copy or use without permission and accreditation.
Omok: A Korean Game of Five Stones.
As with so many traditional games, Omok is known by different names, and often played with slightly different rules, in different countries. Many people may be familiar with it as Gomoku in Japan, or even as Gobang or Kakugo. It is usually played on a Baduk/Go/Wei-ch’i board, (a 19 x 19 grid) although any board with a grid pattern can be used. Since no piece is moved once it is played on the board, it is even possible to play on graph paper using a pencil to mark x’s or o’s.
It is thought to have originated in China, although some people posit it is of Japanese origin. Since it is usually played on a Baduk board, and that the original ancestor game of Wei-ch’i developed in China, a Chinese origin seems likely. It is possible, however, that similar games developed in different places and at different times. We know that alignment games in the same family were played in other ancient cultures such as Ancient Rome. The tic-tac-toe family is large and widespread. Wei-ch’i was first mentioned in Chinese writings in 625 BCE, in Korean writings in the 2nd century AD, and in Japanese around 500 AD, changing its name to suit the local culture as it travelled.
Omok may very well have travelled the same route, although some say it arrived directly from China to Japan around 700 AD. It may indeed have skipped Korea, as it doesn’t appear in any Korean writings until the late 19th century. However considering the long history of trade and diplomacy between all three countries, I believe, although not popular enough to leave written accounts, it was probably played in Korea before then. Nowadays it is played in Korea, both on the Baduk board and on the computer. (See BTS play.) It is a simple strategy game to learn, but requires complex thought processes to win. Some see it as a stepping stone to learning to play Baduk, although there are some major differences between the two games.
Omok isn’t played as much on Korean variety shows as some other games, but it did show up on episodes 72 and 116 of season 3 of 2 Days 1 Night. It also was played by 3 members of Big Bang on episode 219 of the Korean Variety Show Home Alone.
The goal of Omok is to form lines of 5 in a row, which can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. It is in many ways very similar to Connect 4, however play is on the intersection points, not inside the squares.
Like most games in the tic-tac-toe family the advantage is to the player who places the first stone. In Omok black goes first, and over time different rules have been developed to try and make the game more fair. The traditional method of play often ends in a draw for experienced players, which has led to there being a lot of variations in play and house rules, so be sure you check with your opponent before you begin. There is a modern variant of Gomoku that is played at a world tournament level, although those rules differ slightly from what you are likely to find played in Korea.
Have a great day everyone.
You might also enjoy the post on alkkagi.
Photo credits me. Please do not copy or use without permission and accreditation.
KBS Studio Tour.
If you have a spare hour or so, a visit to the Korean Broadcasting System building in Yeouido, Seoul, is a good option for anyone who is into Kdramas, Korean variety shows, and any of the other content that is produced by KBS. From classics such as Winter Sonata, (2002) and Boys over Flowers, (2009) to more recent offerings like Oh, My Venus, (2015/16) and Descendants of the Sun, (2016) KBS has broadcast some of the most popular dramas of the past two decades. KBS also broadcasts multiple News, Sports, and Children’s Shows. The long running variety show, 2Days 1 Night, often begins episodes filmed on the front steps of this building. Perhaps, for Kpop fans though, it is best known as the home of Music Bank. (Well that is actually filmed in a building next door.)
The free, self guided tour starts on the outside of the building where you can sit and watch radio shows being recorded live through a large glass window. A schedule lists the times, and benches have been placed for viewers. Some regular fans leave notes to save their places on the benches.
Once inside there are lots of posters from famous shows and occasional cutout figures so you can pose with your favorite characters.
I found the cast of 2 Days 1 Night down one hallway.
There’s some areas where you can learn about the history of KBS, and broadcasting in general, along with interactive centers where you can play around with sound effects or pretend to be a host of a children’s show etc. For me however, the most interesting aspect were the large glass windows that actually let you see into recording studios. There was one where we could hear and see a radio drama show being recorded and then a tv show studio, which was unfortunately empty when we were there.
It didn’t take us much time to walk around, but it was fun nonetheless. I think next visit I’d like to watch one of the radio shows from the outside seating area, and then head to one of the nearby restaurants where the chances of seeing someone famous are said to be quite high.
Have a great day everyone.
Photo credits to Elle Marzec. Please do not copy or use without permission and accreditation.
A Look At Hongdae.
Hongdae, a large area near Hongik University, is in many ways the pulsing heartbeat of the young and hopeful of Seoul. For the past few decades it has been where talented students, and others, have spilled out their ideas and designs in art, fashion, and music to share with other like minded youth. There is a passion in Hongdae that may not strike one at first glance, but the longer you stay and the deeper you delve into the back alleys, basements, and hidden corners the more obvious it becomes. Filled now with tourists and other Seoulites drawn to one of the most jam packed areas of shops, cafes, art galleries, clubs, pubs, noribangs, and live performances in the city, it still maintains its forward thinking and creative soul.
One visit is not enough, in fact a month or more of visits might still not cover all the area has to offer. The density of cafes and restaurants, not to forget street food stalls, means you would never have to go to the same place twice to eat. Bars, pubs, and places serving ‘to go’ alcoholic drinks are numerous, as are entertainment places like noribangs, and PC cafes. Music abounds within regular clubs and bars, as well as those which showcase live performances. Street performers are also a common sight in Hongdae, with some going on to become famous. Shops selling all sorts of fashionable clothing and accessories entice those looking to be on the cutting edge of what’s new and hip, while art galleries showcase young urban artist’s most innovative and avant-garde work. Art can also be seen in the ever changing street art and graffiti. There are also monthly markets featuring handmade items from students, some of whom study at the Fine Arts College of Hongik University, one of the nation’s top such colleges. The Trick Eye Museum has a location here, and there are a couple of theaters as well as a few Kdrama and movie locations. Regular festivals are also held throughout the year, most with themes that state more liberal views than those that are popular with the older generations. Even after saying this I am sure I’ve missed pointing out some of the other obvious charms and attractions of the area.
On our recent trip to Seoul we stopped in at Hongdae on a couple of evenings, once as part of a long night of ’rounds’ of which Hongdae was just one part, and another where we were looking for a couple of specific places. One of the places we were looking for was a craft beer place. Craft beer arrived late on the scene in S.Korea due to the domination of the big brewing companies and the unfavorable tax and distribution laws. However, in 2014 some of those issues were addressed and new legislation lessened the financial hurdles small brewers had to face. New craft breweries have been popping up all over Korea and ones who had moved their companies overseas have begun to return. So we wanted to see what we could find in Hongdae. There are actually a few places which serve craft beer, you can also try Magpie, and Neighborhood, but we chose to go to Platinum Craft Beer Brewing Company, one of the better known brands.
A little off the beaten track, down a side alley, the site was a somewhat tricky to find on a dark rainy night, but it was a homey place with most of the tables having groups of friends trying out the brews. We tried a couple and they were decent, probably in the 3.5 out of 5 range, and we were pleasantly surprised that the Stout was better than we expected.
Another place we wanted to try was a Board Game Cafe, one of which we found down a somewhat sketchy staircase which led us down to an interesting old basement. We were seated at one of the last 2 empty tables and a charming young man tried to explain how the cafe worked, and the prices, to two non Korean speakers. We were the only foreigners there, which was great because it really allowed us to see a representative slice of Korean social life. We only stayed an hour or so, but had fun and would definitely return next time we’re in the area.
While strolling around we managed to catch a couple of street performances, one a singer, and another a group of dancers. On previous visits we have also been lucky enough to interact with the performers. In the photos below you can see my daughter chatting and then introducing an excellent musician whose name unfortunately is unknown to us.
The really nice thing without the street performances is that they are so varied and eclectic that you don’t know what you’ll find each time you visit. We’ve seen magicians, and comedians as well as musicians and dancers. You can sometimes see guerilla style appearances by semi established groups as well as random idols. You just have to go often and keep your eyes open.
The last place I’ll mention is a chain restaurant called BHC which has a location in Hongdae as well as others around the city. It is a chicken and beer restaurant, and what I liked most about it was the way you helped yourself to your beer from the coolers and then put the empty bottles in a basket and your total bill was then calculated from those empties. The chicken wasn’t bad either.
It is hard to describe the size of Hongdae in terms that everyone can understand, but it covers many multiple blocks of area, plus many buildings have up to 6 floors of different places going upwards and then basement levels going down. For people who are familiar with 6th Street in Austin, Hongdae is that, if it were a cargo ship, on steroids. If you’re in Seoul be sure to check it out and give yourself time to discover some of the best food, drink, and music around. It is a famous spot for the young, for couples, and for groups of friends, although we saw people of all ages including groups of very respectable middle aged businessmen. (Much later we saw a group trying to get a very drunk senior manager type into a taxi, and similar to Kdramas, there was much bowing and exclaiming and carefully half lifting him into the cab.)
Hongdae stays active and awake long past when the last subway stops running, so make sure you know your Korean address and have taxi fare on you, or do like many Koreans, keeping partying until the subway starts up again the next morning.
Have a great day everyone.
Photo credits to me and Elle Marzec. Please do not copy or repost without permission and accreditation.
Seoul: Megacity.
I was going to write a post about Hongdae, a popular area of Seoul, when I realized that in trying to describe the size and variety of things to do, and particularly places to eat and drink, that most people wouldn’t understand Hongdae without having some idea of the immense size of Seoul itself.
When people try and determine the size of world cities they use all sorts of information and statistics so there’s no one set of rules used. I looked online, as we all do nowadays, and found that not only were there 3 main categories, City Proper, Urban Area, and Metropolitan Area, there was also largest by land area as well as an ultimate list of Megacities. I found that online information sources varied from official national agencies to basically guesstimates.
Then I found Citymetric, a wonderful site with up to date information and clear graphics. So using the information found there it became possible for me to compare the size of Seoul to other world cities.
Tokyo/Yokohama in Japan ranks no. 1 with an estimated 37.7 million people, while Seoul/Incheon is in 4th place with 23.5 million. The top ranked USA city is NYC which has an estimated population of 20.6 million which places it 9th on the list. Paris is in 30th place with a population of 10.8 million and London is just slightly behind in 33rd place with 10.3 million people.
Of the 36 Megacities (a Megacity has to have a population of over 10 million) in the world N. America, S. America, Europe, and Africa have 3 Megacities each while the remaining 24 are in Asia. This means that unless you grew up in Asia, or maybe NYC, the likelihood is that your concept of a big city just doesn’t fit a city like Seoul. Not only does Seoul have a larger population than NYC, it has that population crammed into a smaller space. Although on paper the size difference in land area doesn’t seem that great, 304.6 square miles for NYC versa 233.7 for Seoul, that doesn’t mean that all that land is useable. Seoul is well known for having mountains within the city which can’t be built upon, making the number comparison on paper fairly useless. Eight of the ten largest cities in the world, by land area, are in the USA where cities were not constrained by a shortage of land and could build outward instead of upward.
S.Korea is a tiny country. Just the state of Texas alone is almost 7 times larger than S. Korea, and San Antonio, where I live, has a population of about 1.4 million people and is about twice the size of Seoul at 465 square miles. Basically the population density of Seoul is extremely high. This helps explain why cities like Seoul are so very different from what many of us are used to. In Seoul businesses, bars, restaurants, and commercial spaces can be found on almost any floor of a building, a movie theatre on the 6th floor of what looks like an office building is not that unusual. So the first big difference is that to find places you have to look up. Cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, etc will have signs on the outside of the building so be sure to look up as well as just around you at eye level. Also you have to look down, Seoul has huge underground shopping centers, as well as basement restaurants, bars etc.
There are more service businesses that you can imagine, all those people need to eat, drink, shop, have their hair and nails done, and all those other things people need. Housing in Seoul tends to be on the small side, so if you want to meet up with friends you go out and meet them somewhere outside your house. Many people work long hours and have busy commutes so grabbing something to eat, or drink is quite common. It is said that Seoul has more places to eat than any other city in the world and I can believe it.
Seoul has a great transportation system, with an efficient subway, comprehensive bus network, and reasonable taxi fares, making it easy to visit different areas of the city for the things each place is famous for. Hongdae is noted for its youth culture, and particularly for its nightlife, and I’ll be writing about that in my next post.
Have a great day everyone.
Please do not use without permission and accreditation. All photo credits to original owners.
Thank You.
A big thank you, and a huge hug to everyone who has taken the time to read one of my posts. My daughter helped me start this blog about 5 months ago as a way to keep me busy and my mind active. Plus she felt that I had a lot to say and a blog would give me a way to share my interests and knowledge, but I really had no idea, or expectations, that anyone would read my posts.
Well you did, in fact I have had almost 1,600 views so far and over 700 visitors. People from 46 countries have read my posts, which is so incredible and amazing to me. Whilst I’ve had most of my views from the US, I’m thrilled that I’ve had quite a few views from S. Korea. Each morning I look forward to seeing if a new country has been added to the map graphic, and if I make it to 50 that would be one quarter of all the countries in the world. I’m a little light on the number of followers, so if you like what I write please consider following me.
My most popular posts have been Got7: Fly in the USA concert review, and Alkkagi: A Korean Game which is cool, as Alkkagi is one of my favorite games.
So once again I just want to thank you, and if you have something you want me to write about please let me know in the comments below.
Have a great day everyone.
Please do not copy without permission and accreditation.
KPOP Jacket Lady 