Monday, April 16, 2012

Spring Waltz in Seoul 2012 - Extra

HALLYU is the in-thing now and popularity of KPOP is spreading rapidly around the whole world!!

With my recent new found interest for KPOP, one of the things that made my last November trip and this trip even more exciting is of course KPOP Hunt. Check out what I managed to capture in Seoul from both trips…..

Part 1

Our first encounter – Hallyu corner in KTO Headquarters

Kwon Sang Woo (权相佑) and Song Seung Heon (宋承宪)
2NE1
Lee Byung Hun (李炳宪)
2PM - Ok Taecyeon (玉泽演)
SNSD

In Seoul, almost all the skincare shops are endorsed by famous Hallyu stars…..

·         The Saem by Lee Seung Gi last year and now IU
·         Innisfree by Yoona of Girls’ Generation
·         The Face Shop by Kim Sung Jong
·         It’s Skin by 2PM
·         Nature Republic by JYJ and Jang Guen Suk 

And the list goes on……Here’s some that I captured.

Jang Geun Suk for Nature Republic
2PM for Look Optical
2PM - Nichkhun (He is really popular!)
Nichkhun for It's Skin
IU ofr the saem
2PM for NEPA
Various stars for various brands
Various stars fro various brands
Son Ga In (BEG)

My favourite KPOP group is 2AM, a 4-guy ballad group. In 2AM, as you might already know, I like Jo Kwon, the leader, best! During my two trips, I managed to chance upon quite a few posters featuring 2AM and Jo Kwon (lucky!!). I even managed to see 2AM’s Seoul Metro CF while on the subway and Jo Kwon’s ALBA Heaven CF when it was first launched in Seoul last year. Lucky!!!

Jo Kwon for Seoul Metro 
Jo Kwon for Alba Heaven
Jo Kwon for Alba Heaven
Jo Kwon for Alba Heaven
2AM for Seoul Metro
2AM for KAPPA
Jo Kwon for Seoul Metro
My favorite daily service, Jo Kwon for Seoul Metro

Part 2

How can a trip to Seoul be complete if I leave without owning a KPOP CD of my idol!!

My last trip to Seoul happens to coincide with the release of 2AM 1st Concert DVD – Saint O’Clock. What luck I have!! Thanks to advice given by Khanh in his blog, I managed to find this shop in Myeongdong subway station which gives good price. 

KPOP Shop
KPOP Shop
KPOP Shop
KPOP Shop

Here’s what I bought from both trips, 我的战利品.  

Saint o'clock concert DVD
2AM latest mini album

Directions (cr: http://khanhinkorea.tumblr.com)
Take a train to Myeongdong Station which is on the blue line (Line 4). Look for signs directing you to Exit 5 and 6. Once you get pass the gate, stay in the underground station and look straight ahead. You should see shops lining both the right and left hand sides and this is the Myeongdong Underground Mall. The store is on the left hand side of the underground mall.

Part 3

My love for Adam Couple started after watching them on “We Got Married”.

During my last trip, I chanced upon 2 places which were featured in “We Got Married”. The first was별다방미스리 (Byeoldabangmiseuri) in Insadong which I have mentioned in my November 2011 trip blog – where the Sweet Potato couple visited during one of their outings.

Byeoldabangmiseuri
Byeoldabangmiseuri

The second is this street stall in Myeongdong that the Adam Couple patronized during their 1st Christmas together. I went back to confirm and yes, they are the same uncle and auntie who treated the Adam Couple to their “tornado potato chips”.

Tornado Potato
Same stall

During this trip, I chanced upon the place where Khuntoria couple waited for Adam Couple at Namsan Cable Car Station (which I have earlier mentioned) and this - Jo Kwon as Ok Yeob in All My Love at Trick Eye Museum.

Ok Yeob in Trick Eye Museum
Ok Yeob in Trick Eye Museum

I also went to the Noraebang that 2AM went to.

Karaoke box in Hongdae
2AM

Part 4

When we were planning this trip, we were thinking that if we have time, we can try to checkout the various Entertainment Companies - SM, CUBE, JYPE, etc. However, in the end, we dropped the idea. We decided to just visit Eversing - the shop owned by SM Entertainment that sells merchandises of their artistes. There are 2 branches, one in Apgujeong and the other in Myeongdong. We planned this into our itinerary but not a must-see but we happened to find it.

Eversing in Apgujeong
SNSD
Chocolates
SUJU mugs
Mugs with signatures

The branch at Myeongdong is easier to find. It is on the 4th floor where SPAO is and just in our hotel building, Skypark Myeongdong I.

Eversing in Myeongdong
Merchandise area
Lift Lobby

From this trip, the best part of my KPOP Hunt is of course non other than seeing 2AM performing live at Lotte World. I simply couldn't believe it.

That's all from me for now on my Seoul trips, till my next trip, またね!!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Spring Waltz in Seoul 2012 – Day 11

15th April 2012

Time flies….today is the last day of our Spring Waltz in Seoul.

We had brunch at a restaurant that was recommended in guide books – 全州中央会馆. It is located next to our hotel, down a small alley. It would have been quite difficult to find if not for directions from a blog I read. We have not had Samgyetang and we planned on having it here.

全州中央会馆
Pris looking at the special menu - Abalone
Side dishes
Dolsol Bibimbap
Ginseng Chicken
Restaurant Entrance
If you see him, you know you have found the restaurant

Our review after trying the food at 全州中央会馆...not really great. The banchan actually tastes like....urh not so fresh. The bibimbap in Gogung is also better.

After brunch, we went to the KTO office in M Plaza for hanbok experience. As mentioned previously, it’s free and it’s available everyday. However, you need to register and make an appointment.

We in Hanbok!
Sleepy eyes from yesterday late night packing
Wow.... you have friends.

Next, we went to Myeongdong Cathedral . We learnt about this place from the Korean drama – You’re Beautiful. It is quite a nice place.

Finally came here.
Nice cathedral 
Myeongdong Cathedral
Myeongdong Cathedral
Myeongdong Cathedral

Then, as we still had some time to kill before going to the airport, we decided to visit Homestead Coffee again. I really like their waffle and fresh lemonade. It's so nice.

The never disappointing design
The never disappointing ambience
It's just so cozy.
The counter
I can just stay here for the whole afternoon.
If only I don't have to leave.
Our dessert and drinks.

Then, it was Home Sweet Home. またね、韓国。

Our flight home.
Incheon International Airport
Blurr night view of Seoul from the plane