The Korean Folk Village in Yongin City is the largest of its kind in South Korea. It has reproduced over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Chosun Dynasty and has recreated the life of Korean people through the exhibition of various household goods and workshop items. Photos from my Feb 2010 visit…
Korean Traditions
Korean stone pagoda
If you visit a Buddhist temple in South Korea you are likely to see some of these little stone pagodas, stacked randomly by monks or visitor to show appreciation to the land and environment (sort of a spiritual thing)…
I think these days it’s also meant as prayers for good health and luck etc.
Seoul travel journal
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Random Seoul stories (D48)
50th day in Seoul (hope I’m counting it right lol).
[Update] Miscounted indeed… 48th day lol. A pictureless story…
Took a cab a couple of days ago. The taxi driver was a 61-year-old man who could speak some English; and he’s obviously excited for the chance to test his skills with an English speaking foreigner lol.
South Korea, like Japan, is an ‘aging’ country with low birth rate but significant number of retirements every year. Culturally the senior citizens would pick up some hobbies; trekking seems like the #1 favourite as Korea is quite mountainous, and there’s plenty of nice and safe tracks within Seoul itself.
The taxi driver I met is following another path though; he is taking English lessons and going back to university instead… at age 61… how cool is that? His charming smile will last in my memory for a long while, with admiration and respect.
Deoksugung Palace royal guard-changing ceremony
Went to Deoksugung Palace again two weeks ago to see the royal guard-changing ceremony, a re-enactment of the traditional royal practise. The show was cancelled during my first visit because of extreme cold weather.
The location I stood at wasn’t ideal for photoshoot, facing their backside most of the time lol. Still, here’s a few pics that’s worth a look…
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Dolsot bibimbap, Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan, Seoul
Bibimbap, literally mixed rice, is an iconic Korean dish with white rice topped with various ingredients (vege, egg, meat etc.) and chili paste. Dolsot bibimbap is the version where the bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl.
Had this last week at a famous restaurant in Myeong-dong, the Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan (전주 중앙 회관, lit. Jeonju Central Clan House) which specialised in this dish. The meal cost 9000 won (~US$8), great stuff…
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Chuseok 2009 special – Korean celebs in Hanbok
Korean celebrities in traditional Hanbok to greet the fans on Chuseok, Korean harvest festival. Some pretty women, a few hunks and a little kid in beautiful costumes. Can’t remember everyone’s name, regrettably. Image via Newsen [Kr].
FT Island
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