Valentines Day and Other Fake Holidays (by Jon)

So it's getting close to that time of year again. February 15th is BREAK UP DAY! It's not really a thing, but it should be. Especially in Korea, a lot of weight is put on these couple-oriented non-holidays. Guys aren't the ones putting the weight on, but they ARE the ones who tend to carry it in this country, much like the designer bags their girlfriends and wives simply MUST have.

If you have a Korean girlfriend, be warned: Judgement day is coming. Like, repeatedly. Here are some of the days that Koreans have decided to make in the wake of Valentine's Day's cultural assertion.

Valentine's Day : She gives YOU chocolates... or not... but even though it's her turn, do something nice, or else!

White Day :14^th of March-guys give candies to that special someone…

Black Day : 14^th of April-You got nothing, you eat black noodles (Jjajangmyeon at Chinese restaurant). Suck it up, princess.

Rose Day : 14^th of May-Give her roses. Maybe, I've never done this one

Confession Day-17^th of September-The day that girls want to hear boys confess their love. If you start to date, your 100^th anniversary will be on Christmas. So romantic... (Psst! That's merely a Date Day too, so don't expect a tree and a turkey that day; you're on a leash)

Ppaeppaero Day-11^th of November-Ppaeppaero is snack name. It’s looks like “1” so blah blah blah... it's mostly for kids, but that's no reason to leave her hanging.

100 DAYS : I cannot stress this one enough. Make it big, make it flashy, get a great gift, have a great meal. If you only spend two weeks planning, you'll barely meet expectations and even though you think you got it right, you're wrong. This one is the true test to the international relationship in Korea. It may sound crazy to you, but it's standard here. Even relationships are metric, it seems.

There are more, but I was fortunate enough to only face the wrath of the ones above. If you really care about her, then you'll pretend to care about these. Good luck, gentlemen.

(Photo is courtesy of the fine folks at quickmeme.com)

Can't take the LACK of heat? Go inside!

It’s cold!

I know that Sundays are the perfect time to stroll down your favorite street and pick a random café, restaurant, or shop and take your time at a slow pace. Or maybe go hiking up the mountain in your backyard, or walk along the stream in your front yard. Or just see how far you can get across the city you call your home away from home.

But it’s cold…
So why not look at your other choices?

Seoul is filled with underground markets. Try out Express Bus Terminal. It’s well heated and goes FOREVER! Shops there vary from clothing, to shoes, lamps to knickknacks, and it is also home to many food and coffee establishments. For the more, high-end, there’s Coex, but it’s not the Mall itself, but the shops inside that give it the real attraction points. The Cinema is great main reason to go, but why not spend your time before that at some of their candy shops, foreign food outlets, designer clothing shops, game rooms (both video and board varieties) plus one of their 500 Starbucks Coffee Shops.
If you’d rather go above ground, try one of the towering markets of Dongdaemun? There are several by the future site of the “history and culture park” (written in quotes due to a current lack of both history and culture). If you are handier to Myeongdong Station, there are similar establishments there. For the pricier Sunday out, try the 63 Building, known for being tall to Koreans and quaint to those from other large cities.
If you consider yourself a hot-blooded individual, by all means enjoy the sunny day with the polar bears and penguins. The same parks, streets and streams, as well as the shops nearby will all be open as usual. Unless the owner decides it’s too cold and sleeps in… which sometimes happens. If you do take this route to Sunday invigoration, please be smart and bundle up. If you don’t have the proper hat and gloves, you can by them on any given street in Korea. They might not keep you warm, but at least they’re trendy, and people will think they are keeping you warm and won’t need to feel bad for you. Now, don’t you feel better?

Enjoy your day!

How to NOT get lost in Namdaemun...

Have you ever gotten lost in Namdaemun Market? We have!
Here is a simple guide to what's where of the whole area. Hopefully this is helpful the next time you there!

We found this helpful map at http://kidsfuninseoul.wordpress.com/tag/kids-shopping-seoul/
They also have some great info for toy shopping there, so check it out.

Where Have All the Markets Gone?

This map is courtesy of the folks at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_1_6.jsp
It shows you the location of several of Seoul's Markets (some that we've already posted about) and a few other landmarks around the city.
Can you see anything near your home?

The Pen is Mightier at WHOLESALE PRICES!

Where do you buy stationary? Do you need toys for your kids, nieces, and nephews? Do you want to buy party goods?
Welcome to the wholesale stationary market!
You will love it, I fell in love this street. And I took my foreign friends there. They love the place.

It is located in Dongdaemun, in a dirty hole of a neighborhood. Don’t let the appearance turn you away. The deals inside are worth the inconvenience of a lackluster atmosphere and the occasional crammed cluster of shelves.

Get off at Dongdaemun Station (Line 1-4 transfer station and also quite dirty) and head out Exit 4. You will see a sign that says ”독일약국” (Dogilyagkuk, it is a pharmacy, literally translated as “Germany Pharmacy”, with an orange-colored sign). Turn on to the right street and you will see a HUGE stretch of stationary, toys, and party goods.

The prices here are 20-30% cheaper than normal when you use your card, and up to 50% if you use cash.

A few recommendations would be Lego (30% off), Tape cutter/dispensers (my mother-in-law thought this was cool) or toy pens. Also a wide selection of toys and party favors are here. Hit this place up before next Halloween or any costume party.

As far as Korean standards go, they close fairly early. Make sure to go before 6. Also, they are closed on holidays and Sundays.

If you click on these links you can see a few pictures:

http://sakura0523.blog.me/60155890893

http://cafe.naver.com/joincoll/40
 
I recommend you go there when you have plenty of time. There are so many shops, you’ll need time to explore!

Something to add...?

If you have anything you want to add on or mention related to any of our posts, please be our guest.
We're only human, so we often will miss things, or just don't want to crowd our posts with info.
If we've missed your favorite shop, bar, or thing to do in one of the places we mentioned, let other people know about it below each post!

One Year in Korea with Cash Back!

At this time of year, many contracts finish, so these people need to know about their pension returns before they leave the Hermit Kingdom.
I’m sure if you pay into the Korean National Pension, you want to know about getting it returned.
Whether or not you get your pension back is up to your nationality, but if you have an H-2, E-8 or E-9 visa, you can get a pension return no matter where you are from. I called the pension office only two times, so it is better to ask them personally to check what your personal situation is and how much money you have paid into it so far. I found both an English and a Chinese service number. For English, call 02-2179-8719, or 02-2176-8719, and for Chinese call 02-2176-8733.
I recommend asking not only about the policy of your personal situation on getting your pension return, but also whether your school or company pays into it for you or not. One of my husband’s past schools took money from his salary as pension but they didn’t pay into it for 6months. Most schools pay pension by law, but to make certain is safer. Better safe than sorry.
Do you want to know more? Check the Korean Pension site.
http://english.nps.or.kr/jsppage/english/main.jsp
(They have both English and Chinese language service)

Get a Check Card! Save Money!

Do you use a check card but you don’t get any discounts? 바보!^^ Check this list and change your check card!

“Woori V check Card” (Woori bank)
 1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, Youngpung Book store, you can get a 3,000won discount.
3) CGV, Megabox, Lotte Cinema, you can discount maximum 6,000won.
4) VIPS, Outback, TGIF, Bennigans, Sizzler UNO 10% off
5) Starbucks, Coffee Bean 20% off

“KB Nori Check Card” (KB-kookmin Bank)
1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, 5% off
3) CGV 35%
4) VIPS, Outback 20% off
5) Starbucks 20% off
6) GS Convenience Store 5% off

“City Bank A+ Check Card”(City Bank)
1) You must use more than 100,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discount. For the first 60 days, you can get discount with no extra conditions.
2) Kyobo, Youngpung Book store, Yes 24 10% off
3) CGV, Megabox, Lotte Cinema 10% off
4) Every restaurant, Lunch 10% off
5) Starbucks, 10% off
6) Homeplus, Lottemart, E-mart 10% off
7) Hospital, Drug store 10% off

“Shinhan Love Check Card”
1) You must use more than 200,000won with this card every month, and then you can get discounts. For the first 60 days, you can get discounts with no extra conditions.
2) Yes 24 3% off
3) CGV discount maximum is 7,000won
4) Outback, Sizzler, Bulgogi Brothers 20~30% off
5) Starbucks 20% off
6) Homeplus, Lottemart, E-mart, GS mart 5% off

These cards are specific about what they need to be for certain offers. There are many more, SOOO many that Korean shops need to keep a list of them, with pictures, so that they know, themselves, what discount to give. Most of the discounts use a “cash back” system. I found this on a Korean site. When you make one of these check cards, you need to ask for a brochure and check well. Some discounts are not the same each month. It is also better to use only one check card.

If I had a hammer...

So have you ever been wandering along the Cheonggye Stream and thought to yourself, "I could really use a table saw..."?
Me either, but you can get one while you're there anyway.

Along this historic (not really) stream there is a large market filled with construction supplies. Here you can find hammers, nails, power tools, hinges, bolts, shackles, chains, and much more.
Need a paintbrush? Need paint? How about an electric-powered hot knife that cuts through foam like butter?
Other than tools you can also find a variety of light bulbs and fixtures, wheels and pulleys, and, my favorite, ridiculously strong magnets.

The great thing about this place is that you can get everything at wholesale prices. There is a language gap, but if you hold out and play a little hardball when haggling, you can get great deals.

The easiest way to get there is on either line 2 or 3, Euljiro 3(sam)ga Station. Head out exit 5 and you're already in the midst of it.
If you really need to do some renovations or just want to window shop, this place is perfect and you could spend all day looking around. If you want to rest after a while, you're right by the stream, so there are plenty of places to go nearby.

Tired of Hongdae and Itaewon?

Favorite places like Itaewon, Hongdae, and the now world famous Gangnam are constants on the Seoul-Night-Out planning card. Why not give another area a try?

Second to those three hotspots are areas like Myeongdong, Jongno, and Daehakro (Hyehwa). These are great for some good Western Style establishments, sit-down pubs and great BBQ respectively. The only drawback is that they still will attract similar numbers, crowd-wise, making for a lack of elbow room in some of these places.

The next level down for a good night out are the real hidden gems of Seoul’s night life. Shincheon (not Shinchon, which is nearly Hongdae anyway), Nowon, Sungshin, and, our personal favorite, Konguk (Geondae) all hit the spot for getting what you look for in any of the above areas while avoiding the line ups and the pushing and shoving. You can find trendy cocktail clubs, BBQ restaurants of all veins, western bars, dance clubs, darts bars, and, of course, the ever-popular Noraebang. You can walk down the street and pick whatever place meets you needs and, odds are, you’ll get a table. You can even walk down the street (at least in Konguk) and get a cocktail to go.

Want to escape the norm? Hop on the Line 2 and head to Shincheon or Konguk, or Line 4 to get to Sungshin or Nowon. Konguk (also on Line 7) is the most accessible, hence why we like it so much. Don’t take our word for it. Go there and see for yourself!

3.14159265... no wait... PIE!

Looking for a good pie in Seoul? The name of the place is "Tartine". They have two shops (across from each other) one is the main bakery and pie shop and the other is the brunch and lunch shop. They are amazing! They have all traditional Western and European pies and cakes. The owner is an expat and they have homemade ice cream, bread, and butter. Flavors include Maple, Rhubarb, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Pecan, as well as a few others. They are awesome. Here is the website...you should try to go someday and get a warm pie with ice cream on top! Yum. http://www.tartine.co.kr/
Thank you to our friend Sandy for sharing this information.
If anyone out there has any helpful information they want to share, feel free to send us a message and we can post it^^

The REAL Dalkkalbi

Do you like Dalkkalbi? Many of my expat friends said their favorite food is Dalkkalbi. One friend said he can eat Dalkkalbi all day long and when we go to Chun-Cheon to eat, he asks to go two different places every time.

Do you want to eat... real Dalkkalbi? Do you know why many Dalkkalbi restaurants are named “Chuncheon Dalkkalbi”? It’s because Chuncheon citizens invented Dalkkalbi.

So I will help you find good restaurants in Chuncheon. Cheuncheon is further east than Seoul, but it is close and it recently became easy to go there. At Sangbong Station (line 7), You can take the Kyung Chun line. The line’s last stop is ChunCheon station. It takes about 1 hour. If you take the express train, it takes less. (It comes one time an hour)

If you go to ChunCheon, it is better not to go to the famous Dalkkalbi Street which is downtown.

I will introduce two restaurants. Only local people know about them. You need to wait but it is worth it.

The first place is “Tong Na Mu Jip”. This place is so popular that when we went there, we waited almost 2 hours. My advice is to order only Dalkkalbi. That is amazingly good but the side food like the noodles is not as good. You can see the pictures if you click this link http://www.beer2day.com/839
HOW TO GO THERE: Take the Kyung Chun line at Sangbong station and get off at the last stop named ChunCheon Station. The bus stop is across from the station. Take the 12, 12-1 or 11 bus. And get off at Wis-Saem-Bat-Jong-Jeom(윗샘밥종점) station. You can see it there.

The next Dalkkalbi restaurant is “1.5”. This means they serve 1.5 times more. Also you need to wait and many local people recommend there. My advice is don’t order the same as you would order in Seoul. They serve a lot, like they say. You can see the pictures if you click this link
http://blog.naver.com/starkey13?Redirect=Log&logNo=60158541529
HOW TO GO THERE : Take a taxi from ChunCheon station and tell the taxi driver “ Hu-Pyeo-Dong IL Jeom o Ga Ju Se Yo” (후평동 일점오 가주세요) All drivers know the restaurant. The taxi costs about 5,000won.

If you are crazy about Dalkkalbi, you should try the real one in ChunCheon.

Wholesale Shoe Market in Seoul

Shoe shopping! Jon hates it, but I'm addicted to it! But if you love it like I do, you need to do it wisely to save money^^

1) How to get there: Line 1, or 4 Dongdaemun station exit 7, 5 minutes walk. The shops are along 청계천 (Cheonggye Stream). There are also even more shops behind the buildings.

2) Pictures
http://blog.naver.com.../next0390?Redirect=Log&logNo=50139715491

http://blog.naver.com/rhddladhkd?Redirect=Log&logNo=50141330851

http://blog.naver.com/thehei?Redirect=Log&logNo=80162697309

3) Opening time: 3:00am~3pm / Sunday-closed

4) Advice
① End of Season: end of February or August, there are big discounts
② I don’t recommend leather shoes- Leather shoes are cheaper than other ones. But still expensive and they can ask for more money to foreigners because they think they don’t know other places prices (Shameful but true).
③ With big smile, you can ask “Kkak kka ju se yo(깍아주세요/ discount pleas)”
④ It is better to look at many places before choosing (Don’t impulse buy), I’ve been there, and even it is the exact same shoe, the price depends on store (The farther from the station, the cheaper the price!)

Wholesale Baking Market in Seoul

For special holidays or just for any time you get pangs for good, old-fashioned, home-baked goods, many people want to make cookies, pies, or cakes. You can get the ingredients you need and the utensils to do it with at a cheap price, and you don't even have to go all the way back to your home country to get it all^^

 The place you're looking for is the the wholesale baking market and it is one of Seoul's hidden gems, even if it is a little rough around the edges. Here you can find everything from molasses to colored sugar, cake pans to cookie-cutters. The market is complicated to find but it is totally worth it to go.

 How to get there: 1) Line 1 Jongno 5(o)-ga station exit 7 You need to walk to Gwangjang Market first. You go through Gwangjang market(광장시장) and then you can see the sign for Bangsan Market (방산시장)

You can see pictures of Bangsan Market (방산시장) here: http://llovebob7.blog.me/159708835

 2) Line 2 Euljiro 4(sa)-ga station exit 6 Go straight , you can see the sign for Bangsan Market (방산시장), then turn left. You can see the pictures here: http://karma21.tistory.com/115
 Times: 9:00am~7:00pm Sunday not open
 What you can get : Baking ingredients, utensils, packing ingredients
 Pictures: http://onblush.net/90137237131
 http://blog.naver.com/wannabe_top?Redirect=Log&logNo=163811470

The French Village (Seorae Village)

Do you like good food? Do you enjoy eating posh at a reasonable price? 

Not many people have heard of the French Village (서래마을 – Suhrae ma-eul) and many who have heard about it have no idea where to find it. This is because it is tucked away in a cluster of side streets no one would ever glance at if they were among the few travelling by on a bus. 

Getting there can be tricky. The closest station is “Express Bus Terminal” Station on lines 3, 7 and 9. The closest exit is exit 5. This can only be accessed on the Line 7 side, so if you go out the gate off of Line 9 or 3, head to surface and follow the numbers until you get to 5. You’ll come up on the peaceful corner of a busy intersection. Follow the walking path straight ahead to the overpass bridge. The path is between an upscale apartment complex and a small stream. Go over the overpass and head down the closest street.

This may look like your standard Korean fare, but look a little closer. It has a certain “je ne sais quois” that most places are lacking. Once you figure it out, take your pick. Not every place is strictly French, in fact MOST aren’t, but they do have a standard that guarantees something good to eat.

A few suggested places:

Paris Croissant – Yep. Paris Croissant. But this isn’t your typical Korean Bakery. You can smell it halfway there from the main street. Follow your nose and your mouth will water. Three stories and a basement of the best baked goods in Korea. The top two are Café space. Same as below, but more expensive.

Shy Bana – Comfort food. Cajun Style! This is down one of the side streets and is so small you’re likely to walk by it. Try the Mac’n’Cheese. As one friend put it: “Well, I guess I like Cajun Food.” Do not miss this one.

Steak – Not a place, but top notch in several locations, done in a variety of styles. Throw a dart at a road map and you’ll hit a good one.

Izakaya – The nicest looking establishment of the well known Japanese Pub franchise.

Wine – See “Steak”.

Pick a nice day to sit on a terrace and enjoy several places in one day.

Unique Cafes in Hongdae

 1. “비행기(Bi-hang-gi : airplane)
① Location : Line6 Hapjeonstaion exit 3 It is on the café street. Across “부추곱찹”
② feature : Their interior is like airplane and has in-flight meal style menus.
You can ren...t out the whole café.
③ Pictures: http://blog.naver.com/the_air_cafe?Redirect=Log&logNo=20170560750
http://blog.naver.com/ej6316448?Redirect=Log&logNo=30148313481

2) Bluefairy
① Location : Line 6 Hapjeongstaion exit 6 go straight, you can see “Florista”, then turn left and go straight you can see the sigh “CAFÉ BLUEFAIRY”
② feature : Ball jointed doll cafe
③ Pictures : http://littlerim.blog.me/158166281
http://o0saku0o.blog.me/50154614551
3) I am camper
① Location : Line 6 Hapjeongstaion exit 3 go straight. It is on your left side.
② feature : Camping café + bar
③ Pictures : http://dearmyapple.blog.me/150118802803
http://saalove77.blog.me/170061464

4) Thank natural café
① Location : Near Hongdae Gate
② feature : The café has real sheep.
③ Pictures : http://blog.naver.com/beautyinus?Redirect=Log&logNo=70139164675
http://ck3134.blog.me/10148837773
5. Hello Kitty café
①Location : Line2 Hongdae Station exit 9 map :
http://kin.naver.com/qna/detail.nhn?d1id=12&dirId=120110&docId=153915740&qb=7ZmN64yAIO2XrOuhnO2CpO2LsOy5tO2OmCDsnITsuZg%3D&enc=utf8&section=kin&rank=1&search_sort=0&spq=0&pid=R65OBU5Y7vZssZo4Nfwsssssss0-226568&sid=UKJa1HJvLCcAAG24fQo
② feature : Whole building is decorated with Hello Kitty decorations and you can buy Hello Kitty paraphernalia .
③ Pictures : http://somblog.blog.me/60174052375
http://blog.naver.com/wjddnjs2870?Redirect=Log&logNo=60174339557

Korean Movies

Many people around the world have seen movies like “Oldboy” and “The Host (괴물)”, but there are so many other entertaining and well-made films to see out there. Which ones you watch depends on what kind of movie you like.
Some of Jon’s recom...mendations from what he’s seen in different categories are below.
Comedy:
Speedy Scandal (과속 스캔들); My Girlfriend is a Secret Agent (7급 공무원); Hello Ghost (헬로 고스트); Like a Virgin (천하 장사 마돈나)
Drama:
Welcome to Dongmakgol (웰컴 투 동막골); The King and the Clown (왕의 남자); Moss (이끼); Tazza: the High Rollers, or The War of the Flowers, depending on who you talk to (타짜); Taegukgi (태극기 휘날리며); Modern Boy (모던 보이); War of the Arrows (최종병기 활)
Action:
The Man From Nowhere (아저씨); Jeonwoochi (전우치); The Good, The Bad, The Strange (nicknamed 놈놈놈, though the real title is much longer and usually said in the wrong order, 좋은놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈), Haeundae (해운대); Blades of Blood (구르믈 버서난 달처럼), Haunters (초능력자)
Many of these movies can be in other categories, but I put them in the category that I thought showed their strongest element.
Look them up! Give them a try! And if you have your own recommendations, write them below^^

Who wants Ddeokbokki?!

If you do, then we recommend Mukshidonna! Taken from the four words “eat, rest, pay and go” (먹고, 쉬고, 돈 내고, 나가고), this takes the Shindang approach to the street/comfort food, then raises it to the next level. You get y...our basics for ddeokbokki, then you get choices upon choices of what you can add according to your liking (Try the seafood for a special treat). Our favorite part is the fried rice finisher.
It started out as one shop with one long line, but now has expanded to several locations around the city, including Jongno, Kondae, Gangnam, Apgujeong, Nowon, Shinchon, an Hongdae.
Go to http://www.mukshidonna.com/sub04_01.php and if you know the Korean for your favorite area, take a look and find out how to get there. This food is PERFECT for the cold days ahead.
Mashige-deuseyo!
**This is one from Facebook, but it's going to take us some time to get everything up to date!

Blog Opening!

We're trying to branch out so we can reach more people! Still working through our Facebook page, but excited to try all the different options out there on the internet.^^