Bukchon Hanok Village

Posted by: leeyera on: December 1, 2009

In: Famous places in SEOUL
2 Comments

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok village is traditional residence of 600 year-old Korea. Bukchon means the block that located up above Cheonggyecheon and Jongno. This village is based on Sung Confucianism which was Joseon’s main idea. It located between the palaces and it has fantastic natural environment.

In the past, this village was famous for residence where the royal family and high officials were lived.

These days, a few traditional Hanoks are keeping their fame and honor themselves. Also, if you visit here, you can experience various kind of traditional Korean activity. For example there are class of drawing(Korean traditional picture), making bojagi which is same as table cloth, making craft items with Hanji which is traditional paper of Korea and learning traditional instrument-gayageum and geomungo.

Hanok usually looks like this. They have roof called Kiwa the black part of the entire house. The square shaped stones is look very nice. The stone are piled up in orderly fashion. It is the way of Korea. Most houses locate in Bukchon Hanok Village look like this. You can feel Korean traditional feeling when you see these patterns and design of Hanok.

This is the view of Bukchon Hanok Village. If you climb up of the village, you can see this scenery. There are lots of Kiwa.

Therse days, many houses changed as Western design like apratment, but in this village, all of the houses are designed as Hanok. If you want to see real traditional Korean house, you should come to Bukchon Hanok Village and experience Korean traditional living style. Come and make a great memory!

Satellite Photo marking Bukchon area

↑ This is the map of Bukchon Hanok Village.

You can have more information at http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.jsp

Coex Mall

Posted by: leeyera on: November 27, 2009

In: Famous places in SEOUL
2 Comments

Coex mall is one of the most famous shopping in Seoul. It is lacated in Samseong-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

There are many things to enjoy. Theater, aquarium, stores, restaurants, exhibit hall and con-ference room is in the coex. Not only the Koreans but also many foreigners are love to visit this shopping mall.

Sometimes you can experience many kinds of fairs or festivals.

Right now, you can enjoy “The 8th Seoul Int’l Cafe Show 2009″ which is show about foods, dishes, ingredients, kitchen furnitures and cafe.

This is the Coex aquarium.

USING TIME: 10 AM ~ 8 PM (admittance until 7 PM)

FEE: adult-15,500won, student-13,000won, child-10,000won

TRAFFIC: Subway- Line 2, Samseong Station exit 5,6 (direction to Coex)

Seoul Walking Festival

Posted by: leeyera on: November 27, 2009

In: NOTES
Leave a Comment

Namsan is located in the middle of Seoul and famous for Seoul tour. And also, it called as “the lung of Seoul”. It is very important part of Seoul’s environment.

Seoul tuned up its convenient walking road and trying to make people to enjoy great nature of Namsan. So they held this Seoul Walking Festival. They wish this festival can make not only the participants healthier but also make them closer with their families.

When: June 2009.6.21~12.20

Where: Starting at Namsan Baekbeom Square

You can search more information at http://www.seoulwalking.or.kr

Photos from google and http://www.seoulwalking.or.kr

Gung(Korea)-2006

Posted by: leeyera on: October 31, 2009

In: CULTURES
18 Comments

2006, In Korea there was big sensation because of a drama. The title of this drama is “Gung.”

This drama was special because the setting in this drama was imagination. The setting was “If Korea were a constitutional monarch..” The main character of this drama was the Prince (Shin, Lee), the Princess (Chae Gyung, Shin).

The story of this story is a girl (Chae Gyung, shin) who was really normal became a princess because of her grandfather’s promise with the late king. When they first met with each other, they hate each other, but later they fall in love.

It was really good drama.

The Palace-Breathing of Joseon Dynasty

Posted by: leeyera on: October 31, 2009

In: NOTES
2 Comments

Palaces-which symbolize authority and power have considered as pride of nations and citizens. In the past almost all the country including Korea were constitutional monarchy and ruled by kings and queens. But after people emphasized the principle of equality, many of constitutional monarchy turned into democracy like these days.

Korea is the one of country that changed their political system into democracy. Until Joseon Dynasty, they ruled the country as constitutional monarch. So the remains of this system were left until these days. The palace is the most important evidence of the system.

In Korea, we have 5 most important palaces. It is Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung and Deoksugung.

Gyeongbokgung

Gyeonghuigung

Changgyeonggung

Changdeokgung

Deoksugung

Today, I’ll tell you about Gyeongbokgung which is the main of them. It is located in Sejong-ro, Seoul. Gyeongbokgung is the biggest palace among 5 palaces. It was built on the best site of Seoul. It is located behind the Baegak Mt., between the Nak Mt. and Inwang Mt. So people believed that Gyeongbokgung is receiving the energy and spirits of surrounded mountains and be safe caused by them. Inside of Gyeongbokgung, there are many Korean traditional buildings. Geunjeongjeon, Sajeongjeon, Yeonsaengjeon and are example of that. It shows the traditional beauty to others.

↑Geunjeongjeon

←Yeonsaengjeon

But in 1592, it was burnt because of Japanese invasions of Korea. So the task of Gyeongbokgung was passed to Changdeokgung. Since 1990s, government has planned restoring work of Gyeongbokgung.

Korean palaces are not only value of palace but also the evidences of living and breathing of Korean history. These are the great sources of Korea’s construction, arts and life styles. Palaces are the precious treasures that show Koreas’ traditional and beautiful culture.

-photos from GOOGLE