Seoul to limit plastic surgery ads

South Korea will restrict plastic surgery ads on public transport after complaints that they were fueling an unhealthy obsession with body image



LIMIT SURGERY. A pedestrian walks past an advertisement for plastic surgery clinic at a subway station in Seoul on March 26, 2014. The South Korean capital Seoul is to restrict the use of plastic surgery adverts on public transport, officials said, after complaints that they were fueling an unhealthy obsession with body image. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE

SEOUL, South Korea – The South Korean capital Seoul is to restrict the use of plastic surgery adverts on public transport, officials said Wednesday, March 26, after complaints that they were fueling an unhealthy obsession with body image.

South Korea, and particularly Seoul, has an international reputation for plastic surgery, and adverts featuring famous surgeons and giant before-and-after photos are omnipresent – on street billboards, subway trains, bus stops and the backs of bus seats.

In the Apgujeong subway station at the heart of the upscale Gangnam district – home to hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics – around half of all advertising prints and hoardings are promoting nose jobs, facelifts and other nips and tucks.

Under the new regulations, no more than 20 percent of advertising at any subway station can be connected with the plastic surgery industry.

"We have received a growing number of complaints from citizens who say these ads further promote an obsession with looks and are disturbing to look at," a municipal official told AFP.

"Overly sensational" before-and-after shots and slogans will be banned, he added.

The adverts will also be prohibited in areas such as bus stops close to elementary, middle and high schools, said city council official Lee Chang-Min.

"Many people complained these ads make people, including youngsters, believe that plastic surgery can be done so easily," Lee said.

Both officials said complaints surged after several fatal incidents involving botched plastic surgery.

Earlier this month a 34-year-old woman died of asphyxiation while having surgery on her nose and a man in his 30s died three days after undergoing a procedure on his jawbone.

Last December, a high school girl fell into a coma while having a nose surgery

Seoul slum life in the shadow of 'Gangnam Style'

Guryong is a squalid, sprawling slum settled in 1988 by squatters evicted due to the '88 Olympic Games, as far removed as possible from opulent and glitzy Gangnam district

  This photo taken on October 11, 2012 shows highrise business buildings towering in the background over Guryong, a shanty town near South Korea's wealthiest Gangnam district in Seoul. Guryong -- a squalid, sprawling slum of plywood and tarpaulin shacks settled in 1988 by squatters evicted from other areas in a push to beautify Seoul as it prepared to host the Olympic Games. Nearly 25 years later, Guryong (which translates as "Nine Dragons") has more than 2,000 residents scrabbling out a subsistence living with Third World poverty levels and little or no proper sanitation. AFP PHOTO / KIM JAE-HWAN SEOUL, South Korea - Shadowed by the high-rises of Seoul's wealthiest Gangnam district, Kim Bok-Ja, 75, pulls her trolley of folded cardboard through a shanty town that sits uncomfortably in one of Asia's most developed cities. At a local recycling yard, Kim smiles thinly as she counts out the meagre cash return she gets for the load of boxes and packaging she spent all day collecting. "This is all I can do to survive, probably up until I die, because I live alone with no proper income," she said. Kim's home is Guryong -- a squalid, sprawling slum of plywood and tarpaulin shacks settled in 1988 by squatters evicted from other areas in a push to beautify Seoul as it prepared to host the Olympic Games. Nearly 25 years later, Guryong (which translates as "Nine Dragons") has more than 2,000 residents scrabbling out a subsistence living with Third World poverty levels and little or no proper sanitation. It's about as far removed as possible from the opulent, glitzy world of neighbouring Gangnam -- an upscale district of luxury boutiques and night clubs made famous by South Korean rapper Psy's global hit, "Gangnam Style". Taxi drivers have difficulty locating Guryong, although it is only separated from Gangnam by a six-lane highway and covers an area of 70 acres (30 hectares). "Our village is Seoul's biggest slum settlement but it will not appear on any maps," said Lee In, the 59-year-old deputy head of the Guryong residents' council. A significant portion of residents are in their 70s or 80s and live alone, most of them without any sort of state assistance. "Many are engaged in rough work or odd jobs to earn their daily living," Lee said. "The fact they don't starve is largely down to help from volunteers and religious groups." One of the many notable aspects of Guryong is the number of wooden crosses visible on the low-rise roofline, marking dozens of ramshackle churches that cater to the community. Another is that every inch of available land has been turned into small plots where residents grow vegetables to supplement their diet. "Symbol of inequality" Guryong dwellings are all illegal structures, and gas and electricity supplies almost non-existent, leaving smoky coal briquettes as the main heating source during Seoul's bitter winters. A fire in January spread through the flimsy plywood shacks in a matter of minutes, gutting scores of homes, while floods triggered by heavy rains in July last year destroyed a large section of the village. The only advantage of living in such crude housing is that it can easily be replaced. "What comes down during the day, we can erect again at night," said 54-year-old resident Kim Mi-Ran. The irony of Guryong's squalor -- and the factor most likely to lead to its eventual disappearance -- is that it sits on an area of prime real estate which developers have long coveted. The land is privately owned, but the squatters have been there so long that they have acquired a quasi-legal status buttressed by the municipal government's decision to grant them temporary residency cards last year. Earlier this year, a private developer came up with a plan to build low-rent accommodation to house Guryong residents and redevelop the land they vacate. The Seoul authorities have since proposed a similar plan of their own, and the two proposals have split the community down the middle with a heated debate over which would be more beneficial. "We don't trust politicians who make promises and never translate their words into action," said Kim Mi-Ran. Forcible eviction is an obvious alternative, but the authorities are particularly wary of taking extreme action. An effort to force illegal tenants out of a building slated for redevelopment in another Seoul district in 2009 triggered clashes that left five people and a police officer dead. Park Won-Soon, a long-time liberal activist who was elected Seoul mayor last October, has made it clear that any solution in Guryong must reflect the opinions and interests of its residents. "Under the current mayor, there is no question of using coercion," a municipal government official told AFP. For Kim Kyo-Seong, a professor at Chung-Ang University's graduate school of social welfare, Guryong is a concentrated embodiment of everything that is wrong with South Korea's rapid economic development. "It's a powerful symbol of inequality in our society," Kim said, citing widening income gaps, the lack of support for a rapidly ageing population and the marginalisation of those left behind by the country's industrial drive. - Lim Chang-Won, Agence France-Presse

Where to Stay in Seoul for Less than $50 USD a Night

If you’re traveling to Korea and wondering where to stay in Seoul, finding an affordable place to stay might be difficult. But it shouldn’t be! Korea has tons of places to stay that are very budget friendly. All the locals know what’s up, and lucky for you we’ll let you in on the know! Here’s a number of accommodations that will fit pretty much anyone’s budget :)

Note: As of July 17th 2012 $50 USD is approximately 57,000 won.

Jjimjilbang (찜질방) – Approximately 10,000 won
This cheap accommodation is known by people that are even vaguely familiar with Korea. But just in case you didn’t know, jjimjilbang is a Korean style sauna where people go to sit in really hot rooms and sweat it out. You can watch tv, grab some food and drink, and just overall relax. People get so relaxed that jjimjilbangs offer sleep over rates, which typically stay under 10,000 won. If it’s a really nice jjimjilbang, it’ll cost you maybe another 1,000 won or so. Yo… “luxury” for an extra few 1,000 won? Yea!

Jjimjilbangs are great places to stay in Seoul (or in any other part of Korea) for a single night. Most people probably won’t want to stay longer than that as you have to sleep on the floor in a room with a bunch of other strangers (some who love epic snoring). But it’s probably the cheapest place to stay in Korea. For 10,000 won you get a locker, showers and sauna, free tv, computer access (for an extra 500 won) and a yoga mat to sleep on! Fantastic for 1 nighters, probably not awesome for anything more 😉

If you can read and type Korean, finding jjimjilbangs is easy. Go to Naver.com (Korea’s number 1 search portal) and search “area name” + “찜질방” and you should get a list of all the jjimjilbangs in the area you’re looking for.




Guesthouses – Starting at 18,000 won
This one is the most obvious choice. Seoul guest houses offer the same amenities that guest houses around the world offer: wifi, tv, laundry and all that other good stuff. There is dormitory style rooming or private rooms, but both options are typically less than $50 a night, and you can’t beat that price if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in Seoul. Some guest houses in Korea are actually housed in traditional style Korean homes, complete with ondol (floor heating). Some even offer Korean style breakfasts for a full traditional Korean-style inn experience. Try to look for these kinds of guest houses when you’re looking for a place to stay in Seoul! Also, guesthouses are well advertised in English on the Internet. Google it!

Tip 1: Most guesthouses in Seoul are located north of the Han River. North of the river is where most of the tourist spots in Seoul are, it’s the more traditional part of Seoul, and there’s generally more stuff to do for Seoul tourists north of the river.

Tip 2: Hongdae, Myeongdong, Insadong are popular spots for tourists to visit and are also places where there are tons of guesthouses located near each other. Alternatively, Gangnam (south of the Han river) might be harder to find a guesthouse.

If you’re searching for specific guesthouse recommendations in Seoul, check out our list.



Yeogwan (Lower Tier Motels) – Starting at 20,000 won
Yeogwans are Korean style motels. These motels typically have been around for a while, and they are rarely located in new buildings, so they’re not the most modern or cleanest places to stay. But for those traveling to Korea on a budget and not wanting to stay at a guesthouse, this is another option. The great thing is these are located everywhere throughout Korea (as opposed to guesthouses) and they don’t require any reservations, so this is another option to consider if you’re wondering where to stay in Seoul. It’s also kind of cool because these are extremely Korean (aka old); at many yeogwans you have the option of sleeping on the floor with Korean style blankets on top of ondol (Korean-style floor heating system). Just like you’re in the 1970’s!

Just an honest warning though, these motels can sometimes be pretty ghetto. Yeogwans have a bit of a seedy reputation as… well… you know when you see people go to really ghetto motels to do lots of sinful things in the movies? You won’t get murdered or anything, but yea… kind of like that.

Tip 1: These are really good options for traveling within Korea. They’re everywhere, cheap, and no reservations.

Tip 2: If you’re staying longer than a night, many yeogwans will be open to haggling prices.

(Generally, you won’t find these advertised on the internet. These motels usually rely on walk-in business, so you can just walk right in and get a room.)

Click here for our best budget motel recommendations.



Motels (Formerly Love Motels) – Starting at 40,000 own
The people behind motels finally got smart and took the “love” out of “love motel.” And although you might be discouraged to stay at a place that was formerly labeled a shag pad, you shouldn’t dismiss this as a viable place to stay in Seoul because a lot of motels are crazy nice! Sometimes they’re nicer than their more expensive cousins (hotels). Many have entertainment options like video games, jacuzzis, computers, karaoke machines and big flat screen tv’s, and some even have wacky themes like “Inca Sun” and “Fairy Tale World.” It’s a huge step up from yeogwans for only a little bit extra. These are fantastic options if you’re wondering where to stay in Seoul on a budget.

Just like yeogwans, these can also be found everywhere in Korea. However, some do require reservations. You might not find these advertised on English websites, so if you can, get a Korean friend to help you find one. Or if you can read Korean, here are a few websites you can try out: yanolja.com and moga.co.kr.

Tip 1: Many of these are still very functional as love motels (hourly rates). So be sure to find out beforehand if a longer-term stay is possible (leaving your stuff in the room/not having to check in and check out).

Tip 2: If you do find one that can take you during your trip to Korea, many motels will be open to haggling prices depending on how long you plan on staying.

Finally, if you’re looking for specific hotel recommendations, check out our list for best hotels in Seoul.

Shopping in Korea for Korean Fashion? Don’t Get Ripped Off!

If you’re shopping in Korea, you might fall in love with the Korean fashion sold in independent shops and on the streets. The prices are very reasonable, and you might find some nice Korean fashion items for you to rock back at home! But wherever you go in Seoul (and many other places in Korea) you will find vendors selling the same Korean fashion items at different prices. Here’s why!

Imagine this totally common scenario for travelers to Korea:

You’re meeting a few friends at Gangnam station for lunch. While waiting you decide to shop for the latest Korean fashion trends. You see a super cool t-shirt for 15,000 won, say “suhweet!” do a quick Gangnam style horse dance and buy it on the spot. Later, you take a taxi to Hongdae University for dinner and you pass by a Korean fashion store selling the same item for 10,000 won. You look to the sky with hands spread wide and high and say “arghhh!!!” Now, it’s time to go home. You make your way to the subway station, and in there is a sweet ol’ ajumma selling the same exact thing for 5,000 won. You crumble to the floor and start mumbling “why me?” over and over. Eventually you become a crazy homeless foreigner with unwashed hair, unable to stop mumble senselessness. But at least your are wearing a super cool but overpriced t-shirt. This is a very common scenario (relatively speaking).

This happened to you because most Korean fashion vendors (whether they’re selling on the street, in stores, in subway stations or out of the back of a truck) all get their Korean fashion items from the same place: Dongdaemun, the epicenter of Korean fashion.

But if you want the latest Korean fashion trends for the best price, here are some tips to make your Seoul shopping experience less insane in the membrane!

Tip #1: Although Dongdaemun is the center of Korean fashion, you might not find the cheapest prices. Go to Dongdaemun for the most variety in the latest Korean fashion; they will have all the Korean fashion items sold everywhere in Korea, just maybe not necessarily the cheapest prices.


Probably cheaper!
Tip #2: Area matters for pricing. Generally, college towns have reputations for being cheaper than other popular areas (i.e. Gangnam, Itaewon, etc.). Here’s a few college town suggestions for getting the same Korean fashion items for cheaper: Shinchon Station (line 2), Ehwa Woman’s University Station (line 2), Sookmyung Women’s University (line 4), Anam Station (line 6), Gyeondae University Station (line 2).

Tip #3: Vendors selling from subway stations, trucks and the street are typically the cheapest for buying Korean fashion. They don’t have to pay rent, so most of the time they’ll sell for cheap. And they’re also open to bargaining (depending on how good you are!).

Have your own tips for shopping in Seoul for Korean fashion? Share with us in the comments!

21 Reasons You Should Visit Seoul!

When people plan trips to Asia, Seoul often gets overlooked for cities like Tokyo or HongKong. But they’re missing out on one of the best cities in the world. Here’s our case to bring you to one of the most dynamic cities in the world, Seoul!

DMZ Tour 640×140 Reservation
1. English
Korea is one of the better places in Asia when it comes to English; most high school student parttimers at McDonalds will understand basic English. In addition, all major signs and subway announcements are in English as well. Not everyone’s fluent, but most Seoulites have basic English skills that’ll make Seoul a great place to visit for those challenged with secondary language acquisition ;). Click here if you’re wondering, “Will People Understand Me When I Visit Korea“!



2. Safety
No Hand Guns
Scott Beale / Laughing Squid
Seoul is a great place for people afraid of being murdered, raped or kidnapped as it has very low cases of these, especially for travelers. But safety is more than statistics. You might be glad to hear that it also feelsvery safe anywhere, anytime in Seoul. If you have a fondness of getting wasted by yourself in Korean drama fashion and walking the streets of Seoul late at night, you should still feel safe (including solo women travelers). The only person you have to worry about is you ;).

Oh, and see why you shouldn’t be afraid of North Korea.



3. Traditional and Modern

Credit: Romain John
Not too many cities in the world have royal palaces that are hundreds of years old sitting next to huge modern urban skyscrapers, but Seoul has an interesting balance with it’s ancient history and ultra modern development. The unique and beautiful contrast between old and new in Seoul is another reason you should find yourself in Seoul sooner than later.



4. Design

Seoul was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2010 and is part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. And that’s all because Seoul is on the cutting edge when it comes to design on both the government and individual levels. Government led redevelopment projects such as Cheonggye Stream, company sponsored hanok-designed libraries as well as quirky and unique cafes dreamed up by individuals will give you plenty of reason to say “Oh! That’s pretty!”


5. Technology & Innovation


(Concept car by Hyundai)

Design and technology go hand-in-hand, and Korea is also a world leader when it comes to technology. Seoul has giant touch screens at major transportation hubs to let you see Korea’s version of Google maps, unbelievably fast connectivity everywhere you go (see next) and the latest and greatest gadgets. Come to Seoul and you might just get a glimpse of the future :). Cool blog on Korean technology and design: Advanced Technology Korea!



6. Connectivity
Mountain peaks, moving subway trains and express busses got nothing on your connectivity (both wifi and phone signal). Cellular signals dropping and slow wifi speeds are rarities in Seoul, and you’ll most likely be connected with full bars and high speeds at pretty much all times. Even if you didn’t rent a phone at the airport, you’ll can still walk the streets of Seoul and find tons of free (unprotected) wifi spots that’ll let you Instagram every meal. Seoul is quite literally one of the most connected cities in the world!

Here’s a tip on how to get Get Free Wifi Anywhere in Seoul!



7. Open Late
Seoul, Korea

Sure many cities have places open all day and night, but in Seoul, it’s not just convenience stores. Seoul is definitely a city that comes to life at night. There are plenty of restaurants, gyms, bars, cafes, entertainment options (i.e. noraebang, pc bang, jjimjilbang, movie theaters, shopping) open past midnight for you modern day vampires. If you like playing, come visit Seoul so you can play all day and night :).

Will People Understand Me When I Visit Korea?

If you’re traveling to Korea, you might be curious if you’ll be understood by local Koreans. So if your Korean isn’t perfect yet, and you’re more comfortable with another language, read this to see if you’ll be understood!

UNESCO Tour 640×140
Note: Of course these are generalities. Not everyone is the same, but here are some general truths about Korean people and the languages they speak.



Do Korean People Understand English?
Quick answer: Generally, yes!
Explanation: Korean people are crazy about education, and English is compulsory education for all students in public schools. In addition to that, the majority of Korean students attend after-school English academies to improve their English conversation, reading and writing skills (providing the majority of jobs for English speaking foreigners in Korea). That means from a very young age to even after graduating college, many Korean people study English. Of course there are people that aren’t as good as say this dude, but almost everyone knows the basics. Actually, it might even be difficult to find people that don’t understand the basic travel phrases you’ll be using in Korea, such as: “Where is the bathroom?,” “How much?,” and “What is the meaning of life?” (jk! ;)).



What are some other languages that many Koreans know?
Quick Answer: Chinese and Japanese (duh!)
Explanation: Just look at a map, silly! Korea is right in the middle of these two countries. So naturally, Koreans have been exposed to the languages of these two countries for centuries. Because Korea used to use Chinese as its writing system for centuries, many Korean words come from Chinese characters. And since Japan still uses Chinese characters in its writing, many of the Chinese-based words in Japanese also sound the same in Korean as well (who else just got confused?). On top of that, the majority of immigrants to Korea are Chinese (or Chinese-born Koreans), many of whom work at restaurants serving you darn good food ;). For Japanese, many people consider Japanese and Korean to be grammatical cousins. They’re so similar that many Koreans think Japanese is the easiest language to learn for them.

Koreans who understand Chinese and Japanese are not as numerous as Koreans who can understand English, but there are definitely a good number of people that speak Chinese or Japanese. Just ask!

Tip: If you’re dying for a full conversation in Chinese or Japanese, head to Myeongdong, Seoul. There you’ll find as much Japanese and Chinese tourists as there are Korean people. And the Korean people there speak these languages too! Holla!



Yo! What about my language?!
Unfortunately, finding Korean people that speak languages other than English, Chinese and Japanese is a crapshoot. French, German and Spanish are popular languages to study, mostly for college educated people. But you’ll have to do a little bit more digging. If you’re in Seoul, we suggest you check out a cool language meetup, languagecast! But really… if you’ve read this far, you’ll be understood in Korea! Your English is bomb! 😀

13 Things to Do in Korea during the Summer

Summer in Korea is pretty awesome. There’s a lot to do during the summer months. Between the many festivals, music DJ concerts, and places to bike, there’s a lot you can indulge yourself in. Below are 13 events and places you can do during the summer here in Korea...

Just be warned though. Korea’s pretty hot during the summer, so stay cool and bring water.

1) Han River (Seoul)

via bikooch
via bikooch
If you ever visit Seoul, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll pass along the Han River by subway or bus. The Han River is popular for running, biking, and water sports during the summer. Many people also go here for picnics, dates, and to take the family out. If you’re into free (or relatively inexpensive) strolls along the river, Han River will be up your alley.

Where: All along Seoul
When: Anytime!

2) Everland (Gyeonggi-do)

via resodat
via resodat
About an hour away from Gangnam in Seoul, Everland is basically Korea’s Disneyland. Who needs Mickey Mouse and crew when you can ride on a camel here? The amusement park is divided into five sections: Global Fair, Zoo-Topia, European Adventure, Magic Land and American Adventure. And much like it’s Disneyland counterpart, there’s a slew of rollercoasters, drops, and rides to go on. In the summer season, live DJs and singers often come out for an Everland concert.

Just be warned, there’s a ton of kids on the weekend.

Where: Yongin
When: Anytime!

3) Ultra Korea (Seoul)

via YouTube
via YouTube
Are you into electronic dance music (EDM) and DJ scene? If you wanna get your EDM on, you can’t go wrong with Ultra Korea. With a slew of DJs coming from Europe, the US, Japan, and Korea, you’ll easily find a DJ or eight you like. Ultra Korea is a two day event of craziness, beer, and music all rolled into one.

Where: Usually Jamsil Stadium, Seoul
When: 2nd week of June

4) R-16 (Seoul)

via cartelcreative
via cartelcreative
Ever seen the “Step Up” movies and go “damn, I wish I could do those b-boy (breakdance) moves!” Even if you’re not a b-boy or b-girl, you can still go out and watch some of the best performers at R-16. R-16 stands for “respect” and the championships, held in Seoul, features the top 16 teams from around the world. The three types of dance include popping, locking, and b-boy. Korea has some of the finest b-boy crews out there, so prepare to be impressed.

Where: Usually Olympic Park, Seoul for the world championships. Gyeonggi-do for the nationals.
When: 1st week of July
Site: http://www.r16korea.com/

5) K-pop concerts (Seoul)

via GreenTeaGraffiti
via GreenTeaGraffiti
If K-pop and idols are your thing, summer is one of the best times to be in Seoul. Many K-pop groups release their summer albums, and thus, want to promote them shortly after. And what better way to promote it than having a concert. Going to a concert live is an experience all on its own, as the fan chants, cheering, glow sticks, singing will be seen.

Seeing all the preparation of a concert, the choreography, the skits, and dancing non-stop also makes you appreciate how crazy it must be to become a K-pop star.

Where: Usually Olympic Park, Seoul
When: All throughout summer
Site: Ticket Interpark

6) Halla Mountain (Jeju)

6 Halla Mountain Jeju
via VisitKorea
Many Koreans say to visit Jeju Island for good reason. Jeju is a beautiful place to visit, especially during the summer. One of places to visit is Halla Mountain, the highest mountain in Korea. It has many hiking trails and are less than 10 km long. Just be careful hiking here, as it can get crazy windy.

Where: Jeju Island
When: Anytime!

7) Ansan Rock Festival (Ansan)

via urbantokyo
via urbantokyo
Rock festivals are all the rage in the summer. The Ansan Rock Festival is a three-day event, as attendees can sleep there. The event invites some of the most known rock, folk, and indie bands from not only Korea, but Europe, the US, and Japan.

Where: Ansan (about an hour to an hour and a half from Seoul)
When: Last week of July

8) Pentaport Rock Festival (Incheon)

via KoreaGigGuide
via KoreaGigGuide
Much like the Ansan Rock Festival, the Pentaport Rock Festival is the other big rock festival during the summer. The concert invites over 60 bands to check out. Since the festival is hosted in Incheon, you can also check out the port city during your time at Pentaport.

Where: Incheon (about an hour away from Seoul)
When: First week of August

9) Haeundae Beach (Busan)

via Busan Haps
via Busan Haps
If you’re into the beaches, sand, water, and seeing beach bodies, it’s all about Haeundae Beach in Busan. While Busan does have more beaches than just Haeundae, this beach has a fun, vibrant, crazy feel during the hot, summer months. The Haeundae area, with its bars, aquarium, and hotels, are awesome as well.

Where: Busan
When: Anytime, but July – August is recommended

10) Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival (Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do)

via VisitKorea
via VisitKorea
To see some of Korea’s natural beauty, this lotus festival is where it’s at. The performance of Prince Seodong and Princess Seonhwa is the most famous event at the festival. While you’re here, do check outthe face painting, drinking lotus tea, and making soap.

Where: Chungcheongnam-do
When: 2nd to 3rd week of July

11) Boryeong Mud Festival (Boryeong)

via One Day Korea
via One Day Korea
The event that brings out probably the most international attendees, the Boryeong Mud Festival is all about playing with mud. Mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud swimming are all fair game at the event. You can even get a mud message, if wrestling with your fellow attendee isn’t your cup of tea. During all these mud festivities, music can be heard in the background, while fireworks are shot later at night.

Where: Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do
When: mid-July (10 days)

12) Pohang International Fireworks Festival (Pohang)

via Visit Korea
via Visit Korea
If seeing a beautiful night sky mixed with fireworks is your thing, the Pohang International Fireworks Festival is the event to go. Pohang, the city that the festival takes place in, is known for its coast, beaches, and steel industry. Besides the fireworks show, live concerts and art contests take place during the festival.

Where: Pohang
When: Last week of July / first week of August

13) Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bucheon)

13 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
via bifan
To get your movie on, this film festival will satisfy your cinema needs. As the 2nd largest movie festival, it houses a mix of sci-fi, thriller, horror, and mystery movies. It also promotes not just mainstream films, but independent films as well.

Where: Bucheon (about 20 min. west of Seoul)
When: 3rd week of July to the 4th week of July (about 10 days)

When & Where to See the 2015 Cherry Blossoms in Seoul

The cherry blossom season is upon us, and the flowers have already started to bloom in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Quickly spreading north, the cherry blossom bloom in Korea will soon reach the rest of the country. If you’re thinking of seeing the flowers, be quick; they’re only going to last about a week! Here are the estimated dates for cherry blossoms in Seoul as well other major areas. DMZ Tour 640×140 Reservation Jeju Island: March 24th Busan: March 28th Gwangju: April 1st Daegu: March 31st Yeosu: April 2nd Daejeon: April 5th Seoul: April 9th Incheon: April 12th Chuncheon: April 12th The following are a few well known places in Seoul for cherry blossoms, including festivals. Grab your camera, picnic bag and sneakers and head to these places for the best cherry blossoms in Seoul: 1. Cherry Blossoms at Seokchon Lake (Jamsil) via naver blog (doongma01) via naver blog (doongma01) Seokchon Lake at Jamsil Station has one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Seoul. The lake itself is definitely beautiful on its own, but with the white cherry blossoms as an added backdrop, it adds to the leisurely romance. Lotte World is right there, so it’s also great for kids and dates. How to get there: Jamsil Station (Line 2, 8), Exit 2 or 3 2. Cherry Blossom Festival at Yeouido, Seoul via naver blog (mydream_air) via naver blog (mydream_air) The most popular cherry blossom festival in Seoul is held at Yeouido, which has a beautiful park sitting right on the side of the Han river. It’s perfectly situated for a day out in the sun and to sit under some beautiful cherry blossoms. Also, since this is a festival, there are street vendors, night lights and lots of people. Avoid this place if you dislike big crowds. How to get there: Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), Exit 2 or 3 | Dangsan Station (Line 2, 9), Exit 3, 4 3. Cherry Blossom Festival at Seoul Grand Park via naver blog (wonjoophoto) via naver blog (wonjoophoto) Seoul Grand Park is a huge and spacious space to enjoy the best cherry blossoms Seoul has to offer. And while this place will draw crowds, you can still walk through the park comfortably without being bumped by camera-distracted people every few moments. It’s a great place for families as there’s a zoo and an amusement park as well. How to get there: Seoul Grand Park (Line 4) 4. Cherry Blossoms at the Royal Palaces via naver blog (cityhan) via naver blog (cityhan) Seoul’s Royal Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo Shrine) were designed for kings. And no palace would be complete without an annual spring bloom. While not all of the palaces have cherry blossoms, there’s a variety of spring flowers that bloom such as apricot blossom, maehwa, royal azalea, persimmon blossom, and peony. How to get to Gyeongbokgung: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) or Gwanghwamun Station (Line 1, 5) How to get to Changdeokgung,Changgyeonggung: Anguk Station (Line 3) How to get to Deoksugung: City Hall Station (Line 1, 2) How to get to Jongmyo Shrine: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, 3, 5) 5. Seoul Forest’s Cherry Blossom Festival via naver blog (followgun) via naver blog (followgun) Seoul Forest is situated right in the middle of this hyper urban city, and it doesn’t draw the same crowds as the other cherry blossom festivals in Seoul, making it a perfect place for picnics. Fewer people and tons more space make it easy to sprawl out and maybe even toss a frisbee. Since nature is the theme, there are other spring blooms as well. How to get there: Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line), Exit 3 6. Inwang Mountain Cherry Blossoms via naver blog (cwbak77) via naver blog (cwbak77) Located a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbokgung Palace is Inwang Mountain. It’s a short and easy hike that’ll take less than 2 hours and tickle your cherry blossom fancy as you head up. While it’s not a full blown festival, the mountains side is beautifully accented with cherry blossoms every few feet. Come here for exercise, fresh air and a cherry blossom filled hike. How to get there: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 3. Straight 90m to the Gyeongbokgung bus stop and take Jongno Bus 09. Get off at Ogin Apartment. 7. Geumcheon-gu Cherry Blossom Road via naver blog (ny871228) via naver blog (ny871228) Geumcheon-gu is a residential area on the outskirts of Seoul, and that means you’ll have the chance to enjoy more cherry blossoms and less camera toting crowds. For those in south-western Seoul, hop on over and check out their famous cherry blossom road, a 3km pathway to cherry blossom nirvana. How to get there: Geumcheon-gu Office Station (Line 1), Exit 1 8. Hapjeong Cafe Street (Hongdae Area) via Naver blog (xiajoa) via Naver blog (xiajoa) Hapjeong is the calmer, more relaxed version of Hongdae. And that means enjoying a tasty and warm latte under a white cherry blossom tree. And while this is not a cherry blossom festival, the street is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees, making an outdoor afternoon latte perfect for this area. How to get there: Hapjeong Station (Line 2, Line 6)

How to Give Directions in Korea (Taxis)

Street addresses in Korea are super confusing, even to cabbies who spend all day roaming the streets. That’s because street addresses are based on the order the buildings were built rather than their location. So ask any Korean on the street how to get to your destination, and you’ll get confused looks. Without the help of a smartphone, it’s impossible for anyone to help. So rather than using addresses, most people in Seoul use landmarks to describe their locations. The most commonly used landmarks are subway stations. Here’s an example: Essential Tour Morning 620×140 Reservation → It’s outside Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station The next most common landmarks are recognizable chain restaurants, cafes and banks. → Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station → Make a left at the McDonalds → It’s on the 2nd floor of Hana Bank For taxi drivers, they all have GPS in their cars, so giving them an address will work out most of the time. But instead of spending time on punching in addresses (taxi drivers do it super slow for some reason), the most common way to direct drivers is to mention major hospitals, hotels, universities, or subway stations. While no one knows addresses off the top of their head, say a major hotel and that lightbulb in their head will turn on instantly. They’ll get you to that landmark no problem, and from there, it’s your job to tell them to go straight, left or right. Here’s how to give directions in Korean: → 우회전 해주세요 (uhoejeon haejuseyo) – Please turn right → 좌회전 해주세요 (jwahoejeon haejuseyo) – Please turn left → 직진 해주세요 (jikjin haejuseyo) – Please go straight → 내릴게요 (naerilgeyo) – I’ll get off here. If you would like to request the taxi driver to enter the address on their GPS, you can show them the address and say: → 찍어 주세요 (jjikeo juseyo) – Please enter it (in the GPS) Addresses have their place, but without GPS or smartphones, we’d all be stranded in Korea. Instead, if you’re staying at a small hotel, make note of a big brand name one nearby so that you can tell the taxi driver next time. Have you ever had any experience with a useless address in Korea? Share your experience! :) Korea is a beautiful place. And there’s no way better to see Korea than through the eyes of photographers. See this post for 80 amazing pictures of Korea by some really talented photographers. After you see all the pictures, let us know which photographer you liked the most! All pictures of Korea used in this post are used with permission from the artists. We encourage you to check out their links to see more of their works. Also, many of these pictures are available for purchase for commercial use through Getty Images or through other sites. Please do not copy and steal. Remember to support these amazing photographers!!

Seoul Shopping: 11 Best Places to Go Shop for Korean Fashion!

Seoul has tons of great shopping, but where to start? Read this guide to know where you should go and why! (Featured image source here) If you’re looking for Korean fashion online, check out our partners, TheHallyu.com! Essential Tour Morning 620×140 Shopping in Myeongdong This is the center for shopping in Korea. When brand names from around the world make their first entrance into Korea, Myeongdong is the first place they think of. So here you’ll find big brands such as H&M, Zara, Nike, UNIQLO, etc with retail stores (sometimes several). Also, all the most popular Korean brands are here as well. There’s also the oh so famous Lotte Department store, which has several floors of duty free shopping where you can shop hands free (buy and pick up at the airport). Shopping in Myeongdong is one of the best shopping experiences Seoul can offer. Tip: Many stores in Myeongdong offer discounts for travelers to Korea. The type of discount and their requirements (e.g. spend over 50,000 won) differ for each store in the area. We suggest bringing your passport and/or eticket just in case :) Tip 2: If you’re looking for domestic Korean brands to buy, try checking out our post on Korean Brands to buy! Blog Reviews: Seoulfever, Jamieliew How to get to Myeongdong: Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 6) Euljiro-1-Ga Station (Line 2, Exit 6) Shopping in Dongdaemun Dongdaemun market is the mecca of domestic Korean fashion. You know all those small little retail shops found on the streets? Those small shops found even the subway stations? They all buy their merchandise wholesale here. So go shopping at Dongdaemun Market to get it all! There are several large buildings, such as Doota or Migilore, dedicated to Korean made fashion, and there you’ll be in shoppers heaven. Best part is the Dongdaemun night market. The street vendors will start opening shop around around 9PM, and you can shop till the sun rises (literally — shops close near dawn)! Tip: Dongdaemun is cheap, but it’s not always the cheapest! Read this post for more tips on saving money while shopping in Seoul! Blog Reviews: Hangchungtee, LuxuryHaven How to get to Dongdaemun Market: Dongdaemun Station (Line 1 & 4, Exit 8 or 9) Dongdaemun History and Culture Park (Line 2, Exit 2 or 14) Shopping in Itaewon See thesilkroad.tv for more Korea stuff 😉 Korean sizes can be a bit complicated, and since Korean shops might sometimes offer less variety in terms of sizes (usually leaning towards smaller sizes) than other countries, it can be hard for some to find perfectly fitted clothes. That’s why one should go shopping in Itaewon! Itaewon is famous for their custom tailored suits. There’s also baggy hiphop fashion as well as just bigger size clothes in general. Street shopping is awesome too and there’s a whole underground market for super high quality fake bags. :) Blog Reviews: pokpokandaway, 써리 (Korean) How to get to Itaewon: Itaewon Station (Line 6, any exit) Shopping in Ewha (aka Edae) Young women love fashion, and what better place to setup shop than right in front of a Women’s college? (Answer: NONE). Since all college students struggle to even splurge on tteokbokki once in a while, and because of the massive competition from stores next door, the prices have to be cheap. And that means shopping at Ewha is one of the cheaper options for shoppers (for men, too!). This place is great shopping for cheap. Half of you are already on your way out the door! Blog Reviews: cuteinkorea, waygook-tom How to get to Ewha Women’s University: Ehwa Women’s University Station (Line 2, Exit 1, 2 or 3) Shopping in Hongdae Hongdae is another college town with tons of people and great shopping. There are some major retail brands here, but most of the shopping here is for domestic Korean fashion. There will be tons of clothing, but also many stores that sell accessories such as jewelry and bags. And since it is a college town, shopping in Hongdae is also quite cheap. Prices usually start at 10,000 won and up for most items. This is not labeled a Seoul night market, but many shops will stay open late, especially on weekends, probably for all the clubbers to look hawt! How to get to Hongdae: cuteinkorea, seoulfever, jamieliew Hongdae University Station (Line 2, Exit 9) Hapjeong Station (Line 2, Exit 3) Sangsu Station (Line 6, Exit 1 or 2) Shopping in Garosugil Garosugil is one of the newest hotspots in Seoul. And since it is fairly new, it also has the newest fashion. Come here if you like the latest in global and domestic fashion, as well as shopping with good looking and fashionable people. Since it is on the cutting edge of fashion, you’re going to have to pay a premium for the newest and latest stuff. But that doesn’t mean shopping in Garosugil has to be expensive. There are definitely reasonably priced options in many of the stores and independent retailers. Oh yea, and there’s tons of cool cafes and restaurants here too :) Blog Reviews: opheliasfuneral, 레이니데이 (Korean) How to get to Garosugil: Sinsa Station (Line 3, Exit 8) Shopping in Apgujeong Apgujeong is one of the richest areas in Seoul, and that means shopping in Apgujeong is where all the high end fashionistas go. This is where name brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Channel setup their main shops. There’s also the Galleria Department Store, which houses top line fashion brands. If you like high end shopping, come here. But don’t be scared off. Regular folk like to hang out in Apgujeongdong too. And that means there’s tons of affordable, yet trendy shopping in independent shops as well. Blog Reviews: seoul-sarang, 샤넬 (Korean) How to get to Apgujeong: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Bundang Line, any exit)

5 Tips for Shopping in Seoul for Cheap

Depending on where you’re coming from, shopping in Seoul can be very cheap. But who doesn’t like saving even more money! In this post, we give you Seoul insider tips on where to go, who to buy from, how to get free stuff and how to strong arm your way to the price you want! Tip #1: Shop at Underground Shopping Centers If you’re looking to shop for clothes in Seoul, there are numerous underground shopping centers that are known for bargain shopping (mostly for Korean fashion). Even the uber expensive Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong is connected to a very long underground shopping center with tons of inexpensive goods. Prices start from as low as 5,000 won for tees and even sweaters. But most items will be priced between the 10,000 won and 20,000 won range. Two of the biggest and most popular underground shopping centers are in Gangnam Station (Line 2), and the confusingly labeled Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade (located at Express Bus Terminal Station, Line 3, 7 and 9). Come here if you want to save money and want to look like a Korean drama superstar (no guarantees ;)). Useful link: DiscoveringKorea (video above is also from discovering Korea) Source: naver blog Tip #2: Buy from Trucks This is by far one of the cheapest ways to shop in Korea. These (usually) men drive around Seoul with their goods in tow to save on rent and sell you cheap stuff. Items range from clothes, produce, cooked banchan, roasted chicken, knives, magnets, and pretty much anything else that can fit in the back of a truck. Most of these trucks will be parked in residential areas, so if you’re only hanging out in tourist areas, it may be difficult to come across a truck full o savings. But if you do, take the chance to see what they got. Take it from us, they will have some of the cheapest buys in town. Source: Flickr Tip #3: Shop on the Streets of Dongdaemun If you’re a Korea newb, you should know that Dongdaemun is the center of Korean fashion. That’s where all the good stuff comes from. And in Dongdaemun there are these huge buildings (like Doota or Migliore) where tons of Korean designers gather to watch Korean dramas together and sometimes to sell you nice clothes. But while it’s nice that Korean fashion is all located in one place, you can pretty much find the same items for cheaper on the streets. Also, the buildings are very strict with their policy on bargaining, but the streets? That’s where the rebels are. If you’re good at bargaining, go down to the streets for a battle (see next tip). Not coming to Seoul anytime soon? You can shop Korean Fashion online now! 😀 Source: Naver news Tip #4: Bargaining in Korea Bargaining in Korea used to be the norm everywhere you went. And although it’s not as prevalent as it was before, it definitely isn’t dead. You can still get into pricing wars with street and subway vendors, truck guys (see #2), market ajoomas, and even unexpected places like department stores (mostly for food). Most people will brush you off if you’re asking for a discount on one 10,000 won T-shirt. But once you start buying multiple items, or if you’re making an expensive purchase, you can try engaging in an economic debate. As for how to bargain, it’s the same anywhere in the world, but just in case, here’s an example: You see a jacket you like and the street vendor says it’s 70,000 won. You: Wow, it’s so expensive. I like it but, it’s too much! (Expressing your interest but inviting the vendor to change the price). Vendor: (takes the bait) Well, how much? You: 50,000 won. Vendor: Sold! You: (thinking) dammit! Congratulations! You could have gone lower, but at least you didn’t pay 70,000 😀 Source: Naver cafe Tip #5: Ask For Free Stuff Asking for free stuff is pretty common in Korea. If you’re spending a lot of money, or maybe using your egyo powers to flirt with workers, you can usually ask for free goods (or a phone number :P). The free things you ask for should be small in comparison to what you’re buying. And when you do ask for free stuff, most of the time you have to be a bit specific with what you want. Here’s a few examples: buying tons of clothes -> ask for a free t-shirt buying a phone -> ask for a free case buying 10 keychains -> ask for 1 free buying camera -> ask for a free camera bag If they say no, ask them what they can give for free. And if they’re not willing to give you anything, see what they say when you start heading to the store next door 😉 Hardcore bargaining ftw! Have any other tips you’d like to share about shopping in Seoul for cheap? Share with us in the comments! Other posts we think you might like: