Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea (2012 여수세계박람회)

Throughout the years, World Expo has become one of the major international exhibitions. It allows individual countries to present their culture, science and economic development. At the same time, well-organized exhibition raises the prestige of a city undertaking the organization and promotes it as a potential tourist destination. First South Korean city that organized Expo in 1993 was Daejeon. This year’s World Expo is held once again in South Korea – this time in the city located on the southwest coast of the country (South Jeolla Province), Yeosu 여수.

The leading theme of the Expo in Yeosu is “The living ocean and coast”, including following sub-themes: “The protection and sustainable development of ocean and coast”, “New resource technology” and “Creative marine activities”.

The Yeosu Expo officially opened on Saturday, May 12th and will be brimming with exciting shows and performances throughout the entire 93 days, until August 12th.

To some, Yeosu Expo 2012 may be a life changing event. The entire complex looks amazing and futuristic, and all shows and attractions are good for people of all ages. But what’s most important – it’s not only entertainment, it’s an eye-opening experience that outreaches to the world about oceanic issues and has a great impact on education.

The below pictures contain some of the attractions to be seen in Yeosu.

Hanwha Aqua Planet

Doctor Fish, Aqua Forest

Sea Dragon, Aqua Forest

No gravity man

Philippines Pavilion

USA Pavilion

Brunei Pavilion

Cambodia Pavilion

Australia Pavilion

Indonesia Pavilion

Turkey Pavilion

DSME Marine Robots Pavilion

For more information visit: http://eng.expo2012.kr

Tags: aqua planet, coast, expo, expo 2012, jeolla, living ocean, ocean, world expo, yeosu

Havana Express 하바나 익스프레스 – We’re so hot! You’re so cool! 난 핫하게 커피, 넌 쿨하게 폭탄

Over the past few years, coffee culture in Korea rapidly developed. Nowadays, there’s a coffee shop on every street corner. Every! Famous coffee chains, niche coffee houses, wedding cafes (where you can try on a wedding dress and take a picture with your other half), cat and dog cafes (where you can enjoy a cup of coffee in while petting a real animal), bed cafes (where you can just lay down and relax), tarot cafes (where you can get to know your future), teddy bear cafes (where, surrounded by hundreds of teddy bears, you can feel like a kid again), Hello Kitty cafe, and so on… Coffee shops in Korea are definitely on a different level! Korea really is a place for coffee connoisseurs.

Havana Express is a coffee company and barista cooperation placed in Daegu. They own three coffee shops: first, in the heart of the city, Banwoldang 반월당, second located on the subway shopping mall level of Jungangno station 중앙로, and the third one, a newly opened, at Keimyung University’s east gate 계대 동문. But a very good tasting coffee and very low prices is not what makes this place unique. What differs Havana Express from other coffee shops, what makes it so special? The non-coffee menu.

This coffee shop is not only a coffee spot, but also a cocktail bar. Have a cup of Americano, get a bagel… or have a beer, a glass of Jack Daniel’s and enjoy your evening.

Tags: coffee, coffee culture, coffee house, coffee shop, daegu, havana express, korean coffee shop, taegu

Feel the traditional beauty of Korea in Namsangol Hanok Village 남산골 한옥 마을

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골 한옥 마을) is a folk village located in the Pildong area at the northern side of Namsan Mountain. Originally this place was known as Jeonghakdong (“the land of fairies”) and was one of the most popular summer resorts in Joseon Dynasty era (1392-1910). It has been opened in 1998 after very detailed restoration. The village includes its original houses, five traditional Korean residences moved from all around Seoul that previously belonged to high government officials and an authentic Korean-style garden with its flowing streams and pavilion placed in the woods.

Namsangol Hanok Village gives a chance to see what the lives of the ancestors were like. In order to educate visitors, educational programs on traditional Korean lifestyle and culture are being held, as well as traditional music concerts. You also get a chance to play such games as “yut nori” (윷노리), “neolttwigi” (널뛰기) and “tuho” (투호). On the weekends, Korean traditional weddings are taking place. The ceremonies are prepared in the first house after passing the front entrance, the residence of queen Sunjonghyo. The next house belonged to a princess Younghye’s husband, Park Youngho, and is considered one of the most majestic mansions in pre-modern Seoul. The other houses owners were: a military general in command, Kim Chunyoung and a chief carpenter in the reconstruction of Kyongpok Palace, Yi Seungup. In each of those houses, various events are being arranged, such as traditional way of making tofu, calligraphy, crafts and traditional singing lessons.

Also, Namsan Hanok Village is a place where the Seoul Time Capsule is situated. It was buried in 1994 in order to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the establishment of the metropolitan city of Seoul. The capsule contains 600 different objects representing the city and its residents. It is scheduled be opened on the 1000th anniversary of Seoul, which is November 29, 2394.

The easiest way to get to Namsangol Hanok Village is by taking a subway line 3 or 4 to Chungmuro station (exit 4) and taking a short walk along Hanongmaeul-gil st.

Tags: choseon, hanok, hanok style, hanok village, joseon, millennium capsule, namsan, namsangol, seoul time capsule, traditional architecture, traditional house

Dream Forest 북서울 꿈의숲 – a scenic filming location

Dream Forest, previously known as Dreamland, is the 4th largest park in Seoul. Until 2007, when the Dreamland has been closed down, a theme park and a small zoo were located in the area of Bundong. It took 2 years to renew and reopen the park. The reason why such name for the park was chosen was the idea that it could help people think about their dreams. Dream Forest offers plenty of attractions and guarantees a well spent day for the families.

The observation center is a must-visit place when going to Dream Forest. It is almost 50 meters high, 3-story building, from which you can enjoy the beautiful views of Bukhansan, Dobongsan and Soroksan mountains, as well as Namsan Mountain and Hangang River. Take a minute to relax, have a coffee and realize that the observatory you’re at was a filming spot for the popular Korean drama called “Iris”.

Aside from the observatory and its breathtaking views, there are many other places to pay attention to: the Aewoljeong pavilion (Moon Enchanted Pavilion) located nearby a lake and the 7 meters high Wolgwang waterfall (Moonlight Falls), a grass square, a very small deer ranch, a jumping fountain, and the visitors center with the Design Seoul Gallery located on the first floor. You can take a look at the future plans of the metropolitan city government and environmental development, and watch a 3D video dedicated to the history and and culture of Dream Forest.

Don’t forget to come across a hanok-style house. It’s actually Changnyeongwigung Ancestral Shrine, Registered Cultural Heritage No. 40. It originally was was the villa of Sin Gyeong-Jin, who served as King Injo’s prime minister in the 17th century. Later, the house was converted into an ancestral shrine for the princess Bokon, second daughter of King Sunjo, and after her death it became the memorial place for both her and Kim Byeongju, her husband. Also, a son of Kim Byeongju (Kim Seokjin), committed suicide there after Japan’s annexation of Joseon.

To get to the Dream Forest, simply take a subway line 4, get out on Miasamgeori station (exit 1) and transfer to a bus number 9 or 11. You can also take a subway line 6 and in this case, get out on Dolgoji station (exit 3) and take a bus number 147. It’s just a few minutes long ride.

Tags: aewoljeong, bukhansan, bundong, changnyeongwigung, cultural heritage, design seoul gallery, dobongsan, dream forest, dreamland, hangang, iris, namsan, seoul park, shrine, soroksan, wolgwang

Namsan Tower – a romantic hot spot

Currently known as N Seoul Tower, this beautiful spot to visit and a real landmark of the metropolitan city, lets you enjoy the unforgettable panorama of Seoul. Thanks to the incredible landscape view, Namsan Tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This observation and communication tower is located on top of 262 meters high Namsan Mountain and tops out at 480 meters above sea level. It was built in 1969, and opened to public in 1980.

The easiest way to get there is to get out of subway on Myeongdong station and take exit 2 or 3. You can either take a walk up the hill, passing The Pacific Hotel on your left, or take a special bus which stops right in front of the subway exit 2 and 3. Bus will take you straight to Namsan Tower Cable Car Station. From there, you have two options again – you can either buy a ticket for cable car or walk up the mountain. Cause of million of stairs, the second choice is a little exhausting, especially when you’re out of shape or visiting Seoul in the middle of hot summer. Of course choosing the second path, you have much more possibilities to enjoy the views. I especially recommend taking a walk right before sunset.

Cable car takes you to an observation terrace, and if you want to get inside the tower and hit the top of it, you need to buy a ticket. If you don’t feel like going up so high, you can take a rest at a plaza, grab a coffee, have a snack or a full course meal, or visit the Teddy Bear Museum located nearby.

What’s the most impressive, except the views of course, are the love padlocks hung by couples on the terrace fences. Both lovers express their love through messages written on the padlocks and after locking them to a fence, they throw the key away. Usually the messages contain the names and a promise that these two will never separate.

Tags: cable car, locks of love, love locks, love padlocks, myeong-dong, myeongdong, n seoul tower, namsan, namsan mountain, namsan tower, romantic destination, seoul, seoul tower

Flower boys’ school for rich people

Shinhwa High School… ughm right, I mean Keimyung University (계명대학교), originated from Keimyung Christian College, is a private university established in 1954 in Daegu by American missionary, Reverend Edward Adams and local Presbyterian church leaders, Reverends Choi Jaehwa and Kang Ingu. The university’s aim was to provide Korean society with Christian higher education. It consists of three campuses: Seongseo, Daemyung and Dongsan.

Bisa, the emblem of Keimyung University, is a noble and powerful lion flying towards the sky with its wings wide open. The dignity of the lion symbolizes bravery and ultimate triumph, while its wide open wings symbolize the flag of freedom. All in all, the emblem captures the values of KMU: truth, justice and love.

Recently Keimyung University has been designed as one of the top ten most beautiful campuses among 400 universities in Korea.
The campus features a traditional Korean village (Hanhakchon), a museum with rare ancient texts, and an impressive chapel with one of the largest pipe organs in northeast Asia.

Currently, there are over 30,000 students at the university in 93 majors and departments in 9 faculties and 17 colleges.Keimyung University has become a popular location for the filming of hit television and movie productions such as “East of Eden”, “Hourglass”, “Ditto” and of course famous “Boys Over Flowers” (꽃보다 남자). KMU’s campus was the setting for the prestigious Shinhwa High School, the school attended by the main characters in the drama series (half of the scenes were filmed at English Village – Yangpyeong Camp in Yongmun).My favorite spot is a park in front of Adam’s Chapel. It’s a perfect place not only for a romantic date, but also the best place to relax. You can sit on a bench and listen to piano music. Every few meters there are speakers placed under the trees. Of course those are not normal speakers but stone-designed ones. When you walk down the hill, each speaker turns on, so the music is with you the whole time.

Tags: bof, boys before flowers, boys over flowers, daegu, f4, flower boys, Geum Jan Di, Goo Jun Pyo, kdrama, keimyung university, kmu, korean drama, shinhwa high school, taegu

Korea Brand Expedition: Chungcheong-do – Gongju National Museum

Gongju National Museum has been opened in 1940 by the Association of Gongju Historical Artifacts, collecting relicts related to Baekjae era since 1934. The museum’s collection contains more than 20000 objects including 19 National Treasures and 4 treasures excavated from Tomb of King Muryeong in 1971 and other sites in Daejeon and Chungcheong-do area.

The museum holds permanent and special exhibitions of academically important artifacts to enable visitors to appreciate them.

The exhibit hall is divided into two parts. The first room displays the relicts from the Muryeong tomb, such as gold and silver ornaments of the King and Queen, Chinese ceramic, glass beads, or even Queen’s tooth. You can also see a full-scale model of the tomb and wooden coffins.
The second room displays chronologically the relicts from the Chungcheong-do area. The gallery exhibits important cultural properties that show the historical trend and changes.

The outdoor exhibition is located in a garden of over 70 years old pine and cherry trees, lets you see many relicts excavated from the entire Gongju district.

Gongju National Museum provides various cultural events and courses in cultural education as an opportunity to understand and appreciate traditional culture, history and art of Korea.

Tags: chungcheong-do, gongju, gongju national musem, hyundai, king muryeong, korea brand expedition, new thinking new korea, tomb