Radioactivity In korea

As you obviously know, the situation in Japan is critical. I'm not going to story you the disaster again. I'll just give you an usefull link where you can check to rate of radioactivity in Korea.


http://news.nate.com/feature/helpJapan#tabsArea

Making Kimchi

If you ask a Korean what is the most typical dish in Korea, There is a strong probability that he answer you "Kimchi". Kimchi, 김치 ; Hanja, is a invariable food with rice. You can find it in every restaurants, it s ususally free, and goes as a garnish to the main dish. Spicy, and specific taste, you'll remember your first Kimchi experience :-) 


Here is a video where you can learn how to Cook kimchi

Jeju Do

Jeju do or the little Hawai according to some Koreans, is a little Island (Size of Corsica for the Europeans) in the south of South Korea. It is a very touristic spot. Very appreciated by Japanese as well, it is one of the top destinations for honeymoon in north Asia.

The Island gathered volcanic rock with its peak (Halla-san) but also wonderful beaches, Hiking path, village of fisherman, waterfalls, caves and plenty of activities: riding horses, golf, clay pigeon shoot, visits of Buddhism temples…Indeed, everything to spend relaxing holidays.

You can get to Jeju do by airplane (Tickets from 90euros from Seoul) or by boat, from Mokpo or Busan). You will arrive in Jeju City, but most of the spots worthwhile to see are in the south of the island. So I would advise you to join seogwipo city. From there you can rent a scooter for 10euros a day, and have a ride on the (safe) road of Jeju do.

My favorite spots were:  

Seongsan (East sunrise very beautiful)

Mt Halla san

·        The waterfalls

·        Hamdeok Beach

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DMZ

« The Korean Demilitarized Zone (Hangul: 한반도비무장지대; Hanja: 韓半島非武裝地帶) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. It is 250 kilometers (160 miles) long, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) wide and is the most heavily militarized border in the 

world” (Eg: Wikipedia)

 DMZ and North Korea are kind of "taboo" in SK. However, this a unique place in the world, so if you have ever the opportunity to visit it, don't hesitate this is totally worthwhile. You can feel the deep tension between the 60 years old enemies. You can go on the boarder by yourself; however there are a lot of tour organized which will bring you there for around 60 000wons. Here is one of them: http://cosmojin.com/

The DMZ knows incidents at least once a year in average (exchange of gun fire most of the time) without consequences.

Seoul motor show

SEOUL MOTOR SHOW is a biannually event in Korea. It’s the only international motor show as well in Korea. So if you're passionate by new cars, prototypes, or just curious about it, don't miss this opportunity. The event is accredited by "Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA)"

In this show, you'll be able to discover new manufacturing passenger cars, commercial vehicles, auto parts, tires, accessories, and maintenance equipments (also backed up by plenty of pretty girls :-) )

 it is expected that a variety of novelties and the newest technology will plenty satisfy consumers in various needs. Display of eco-friendly vehicles and various kinds of sports cars

The organizers plan to welcome over 1 million visitors. It will be held at the Kintex (Biggest exhibition hall of Korea) at 1h45min from Seoul in subway. Things are planned in a large scale. Indeed the total area of the show will be more than 60 sqm. Occupied by tenth brands, and hundreds cars. 

You won't be disappointed. 

France in Korea

As I'm a French Student, I'd like to highlight the fact that you can easily meet French people in Seoul at one place.

Indeed, each second Thursday of each month, the « Novotel » in gandgnam hold a kind of buffet (Café du commerce). For 24 000W you can drink (wine) and eat (French food) as much as you can. But the most interesting is that you can meet a lot of French or Korean people who speak French, and English.

Why would you go there? The main interest is especially for those who are looking for a first job or an internship. Most of the participant are expatriate and work in Seoul. And as you can guess, meet and speak with someone is always better to impact the mind of you potential future employer than a trivial CV…

K pop

Korea has a huge musical culture. Most famous tendency : The K-Pop.

It is an abbreviation of Korean pop or Korean popular music) is a musical genre blending electronic, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&Bmusic originating in South Korea.K-pop has grown among a popular subculture among teenagers throughout Asia, resulting in widespread interest in the fashion and style of Korean idol groups and singers.

K-pop appeared in the 90’s. However, it will know a great expansion and globalization at the beginning of the XXI century.

To guarantee the best probability of success of potential talent, agencies fully subsidize and oversee the professional lives and careers of trainees, often spending in excess of $400,000 to train and launch a new artist.

Taeyang

K-pop is steadily gaining influence in foreign markets, most notably in the North America, and Australia. In 2009, the Wonder Girls became the first Korean singers to place on the U.S. with their single: Nobody

« In China, Japan, and the entire region of Southeast Asia, K-pop culture has become so popular that authorities and nationalists fear that it is leading to an exocentric preference for Korean styles and ideas. ^»

Superbowl 2011

I'd like to speak about the Super bowl today. Held yesterday in Dallas, this is one of the biggest sport event in the world With the Olympic games and the World cup of Soccer. What¨s the relation with Korea ? Well, as almost all the country in the world American football in Korea is not quite famous. However, it remains a sport (almost) well known thanks to broad casted program like the Super bowl. There is in Korea an american football Championship, including severeal clubs, and tenth of University team. At the end of the season, the best clubs meets the best university team, and play the "Kimchi Bowl"


Here are some links about american football :


http://kafa.org/
http://www.ifaf.info/
http://www.nfl.com/

Here is a Summary of the 45th Super bowl :

Super Bowl XLV was the 45th annual Super Bowl, the championship game of professional American football. The game decided the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2010 season, and was played between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference(NFC) champion Green Bay Packers. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 6, 2011. The Packers defeated the Steelers with a score of 31 to 25. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 24 of 39 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.

The 110,000 capacity Cowboys Stadium, completed on May 27, 2009, is the largest domed stadium in the world. As the new home of the Dallas Cowboys, it was the first time the Super Bowl was played in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, and the third time it was held in the state of Texas, with the city of Houston having hosted Super Bowl VIII andSuper Bowl XXXVIII previously. Per convention as an odd-numbered Super Bowl, the Packers as the NFC representatives had the home team designation, wearing green jerseys. The game was broadcast live on Fox. The National Anthem was sung byChristina Aguilera and the halftime show featured the American hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas.

Bukhansan

Bukhansan, or Bukhan Mountain, is a mountain on the north side of Seoul, South Korea. A significant section of Seoul is bordered by Bukhansan, which is a major landmark easily visible from most of the city.

The mountain is 836.5 meters above sea level. Its name means "north Han mountain," and refers to its location to the north of theHan River. It also is the marker for the Northern boundary of Joseon Seoul.

Bukhansan, and Bukhansan National Park of which it is a part, is a popular tourist attraction in the Seoul area. It is known as one of the preferred destinations for birdwatching and hiking in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Video

Here's an interesting and nice broadcast about Seoul =)

Military service in Korea

"Military service is an obligation for every Korean man whose body functions are not limited by any physical disabilities or whose mental status is not unstable or potentially dangerous. So that means, almost everybody. But just because it is mandatory for everyone, it doesn't mean that it's easy. 


It lates 2 years, and even after, Korean men have to do an annual  call up.

Then, what happens to a boy when they go to the army?

First, they have to quit school or work temporarily, and select a date on which they will go. They can also apply for special positions such as the Navy, the Air Force, or the augmentation troop to the USA army, but much depends on luck and most of them end up serving in the Army(600,000 soldiers nationwide). After the basic physical training of four weeks at one of the few training base camps, they are dispatched to their respective units where they will serve for the remainder of the period, which is also where they will meet their dreaded senior soldiers. Haha. And this is where it all really begins. There's a million different stories for a million different soldiers. Nobody experiences the same thing, but what's in common is that they learn to reallyappreciate they had before - school, work, family, girlfriends, friends, 'paid' part-time jobs, and more than anything else, 'free time'.

But the Korean Army is changing a lot recently, becoming a more democratic and open-minded environment for young soldiers to develop themselves as well as defend the country, and the salary has shown an incredible increase from something like 10 dollars a month when I was a private soldier first class to more then 40 dollars now. Isn't that amazing? :D

I'm writing this for those of you who are wondering about the miliary service in Korea and who might be thinking "why are all the soldiers so young and why do they have solittle discipline when I see them walking outside?" It's because they are having the time of their life, out on a paid leave to enjoy the best of their free time for anything from 2 days to 1 week"

(Cf: http://localkorea.blogspot.com/search/label/military%20service)


Here on the pictures is my Roomate : Baek in military uniform

Lantern Festival

Currently in Seoul is Held a Lantern Festival

This event is really beautiful, especially by night. You can see all along the Cheonggyechon stream. You can make your own lantern, also you can ask for a Guided tour. The lantern have signification related to the Korean History. In front of each lantern is indicated on a board what is that signification.

Lanterns symbolize hopes and wishes. Encouraging the hopes and dreams of Seoul’s people, Seoul will be a beacon of light shining on the future.

That Wonderfull Tea plantation

Tobias Kalleder's picture

Again, Korea is plenty of wonderful landscape.

Please enjoy that amazing view of a Korean tea plantation, added to this, a very bright sunlight which reflects on that green tea leaf.

The location of this place is at the south of Seoul, near Yulpo

G20

Korea is a country which opens to the world. What best opportunity for the "morning calm" country to host the G20?

"What is the G-20

The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was established in 1999 to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place in Berlin, on December 15-16, 1999, hosted by German and Canadian finance ministers." (http://www.g20.org/about_what_is_g20.aspx)

What’s its Use ?

To tackle the financial and economic crisis that spread across the globe in 2008, the G20 members were called upon to further strengthen international cooperation. Accordingly, the G20 Summits have been held in Washington in 2008, and in London and Pittsburgh in 2009.

This summit will probably one of the most important international event in the Korean History. This will lead to an improved perception of Korea around the world and also allow Korean people to be more confident regarding their economic political influence.


The Summit will be hold the 11th and 12th of November, But you can find a more detailed schedule on this link :http://www.seoulsummit.kr/eng/goPage.g20?menu_seq=G20MENU00060&return_url=TOP01_SUB04

Temple Stay

Templestay is an impossible experience to miss in Korea.

There are many Buddhism temples all over Korea which offers this service (Around 50)

Usually, they propose a 24h immersion into the monks daily Life.

It depends of the temples, But the main activities are: Making lanterns, praying, 108 prostrations, Meditation, introduction to Buddhism Philosophy …

I’ve spent my time into the Budheungsa temple (in the Eastern part of Korea). Region of Korea is famous for its Beauty. And I confirm it,

 the landscape ( mountains ) was definitely wonderful , especially during the fall season.

You will find more information through this link if you are interested J

http://engnew.templestay.com/korea.eng/templestay/templestay.asp

Robot Exhibition

The Robot Exhibition Was really amazing. 

Located at The KINTEX ( End of Line 3 station : Daehwa)

This Exhibition gathered Industrial Robots , but also Domestic robots ( like automatic vacuum cleaner...) and finally as you can see on the picture, some futurist Robots.

I went there as simple visitor, which was really cool, but many Professional were there also. So it was a good occasion to meet some people if you work in the technology industry.

Coming Soon

Picture of my and story about my time spent into a Bouddhism temple this Week end.
Also Some pictures about the International robot exhibition ( held tomorow) in Seoul

:-) Hope this articles will interest you :-)

See you later

SHoping !

We didn’t speak about shopping. What a mistake ^^ Seoul is a really good place for shopping, One the one hand it is cheaper than Europe or the US, and on the other hand, you have plenty of choice !

In my opinion, you can enjoy the best shops in these 3 place, the first one is Myeong dong That’s a pretty lively place until late nigh !

Secondly, COEX mall, under the World Trade center tower. It’s a huge underground Mall. Note that there is also a big aquarium inside this mall, and also a cinema.

Finally Dongdaemun market. You can find anything in here. Whatever you need you can find it. However it will take you much time because this is a quite large district. You should better get a plan of that place if you don’t want to loose yourself

View of Seoul

I just wanted to share with you this wonderfull point of view of gangnam at the sunset. This pictures was token from the top of Classic 500 building in Konkuk

National Museum

If you are interested by culture, you cannot miss this place! The national Museum located near Itaewon (Ichon subway Station)

This museum gather 6 main area, including prehistoric, medieval age, Buddhism culture ... 

The entrance is free, it takes between 3 and 6 hours to visit (depends of you motivation and your interest degree)

I personally enjoy museums, but this is not the case of everybody I guess.  However I strongly advise you to have a look at this exhibition, it is really interesting, not too long, and there are not only paints, but also items…

I will visit others museum in the followings weeks, I will report you my feelings about them, but I heard that this one was the main one of Seoul. So if you would have to visit only one, you should probably choose it.

Here’s are some pictures :