The 63 Building – which is part of 63 City or 63 Square – is possibly one of South Korea’s most recognisable skyscrapers. You can see its golden glisten as you cross the Han River on the subway. It was the tallest building outside of the…
The sea between South Korea and Japan is called the Sea of Japan, as advised by the United States of America at the International Hydrographic Organisation. South Koreans continue to refer to it as the East Sea because the name change occurred while South Korea…
I’m the kind of person who could survive purely on chocolate, sunshine, smiles and salmon sashimi – not necessarily in that particular order, but you understand. My friends and I arrived at Garak Fish Market, South East of Seoul Station, in the late afternoon. After…
I’d really like to think that I have something to do with the fact that some of my friends back home have seriously taken up Taekwondo since I have been in South Korea. But, truth be told, it’s probably due to the rising popularity of…
Marco Polo restaurant is serenely perched above the skyline, on the 52nd floor of the World Trade Centre in Gangnam, Seoul. The glass elevator ride to the top is reminiscent of an amusement park ride as the world shrinks beneath my feet. The glass walls provide…
My wonderful friend, Gina, and I spent the afternoon nobly frolicking around Changdeokgung Palace like we owned the place: quite literally we were pretending to be the daughters of royalty. We suspended our disbelief – no one had to know that we were ACTUALLY part of…
Incheon Chinatown is the biggest and only (official) chinatown in South Korea. Its beginnings can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was opened in an attempt to create a free trade zone for Chinese merchants and settlers. The Korean War, however,…
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Namdaemun Market is one of my favourite traditional markets in Seoul. Not a fortnight goes by that I don’t visit. There are quite a number of reasons as to why I frequent it so often. You can buy anything here – from jewelry and accessories, to…
Janggi is a strategic board game that permeates South Korean society. Although Janggi is usually played recreationally, a patient crowd gathers as players begin to bet money. Men huddle around the two opponents. As horses gallop across the board; cannons fire; government officials take their positions…
I updated this post in December 2017. :) Captured by an age-old spell, Lilliput – also known as Gaemi Maeul or Ant Village to the locals – lies hidden in the hills near Bugaksan in northwestern Seoul. Once I passed through the portal, like the one found in The…
‘It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Icarus!’ This is exactly how Rainbow Drops held our attention by the hand. Perhaps La Fura dels Baus, the Spanish theatre troupe, interpreted the festival memo as reading ‘high’ Seoul Festival. This non-verbal performance opened with a white-winged Icarus soaring…
When someone tells you they’re going to a sea parting festival, you can’t help but think that perhaps they are taking part in a modern-day re-enactment of Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. For centuries the Jindo Sea Parting Festival was surrounded by mystery, now it’s a…
Sleepy eyed I hopped onto a bus to travel for three hours to have delectable strawberries for a late morning breakfast. After reading that you might be thinking ‘What the bleep? Couldn’t you have gone to your local grocer instead?’ Hold on a moment, you…
If you’re looking to wind down on a Sunday evening Club Palm Hongdae is the ideal place for a chill out session. The jazz club boasts a talented line up of well-known Korean jazz bands, solo musicians, music students (most of whom are studying at…
For my 24th birthday I decided to overdose on… wait for it: endorphins! Yes, you read that right! What better way to celebrate than to give out free hugs and smiles to remind myself NEVER to grow up. Giving or receiving a hug releases a surge…
High-heeled strides along Sinsa Dong’s Gingko-lined promenade are a popular pastime for many Seoulites. You’ll be forgiven for momentarily thinking that you are ambling along a bustling boulevard somewhere in Europe, when you encounter it at first glance. The main street, Garosu-gil, is lined with…
The murals, mosaics, metal statues and quirky illustrated road signs make Naksan Park intriguing, especially if you have a curious gaze. It is nestled on a granite mountain, quietly observing the bustle below. Naksan Park resembles a camel’s hump: ‘nakta’ in Korean means camel, while ‘san’ means…
I wrote this article for Neh Magazine as part of my freelance work. I wander wide-eyed along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, beneath the Gingko trees. You should visit Samcheong Dong with the intention of getting lost among the narrow paths and alleyways. It’s the…