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.