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Have Some Mexican Food for Haiti
TomaTillo Gives Proceeds to Charity
Why not satisfy your lust for good Mexican cuisine and contribute to a good cause at the same time? On Feb 4 (Thursday), Mexican restaurant TomaTillo will donate a whole day's proceeds to help UNICEF's efforts in Haiti.
With branches in Jongno and Gangnam, TomaTillo does some of the best Tex-Mex food in Seoul. With awesome burritos and margaritas to die for, you won't go home disappointed.
TomaTillo Gwanghwamun: Exit 6, Jongak Station, Line 1. Walk 30m from there.
T. (02) 734-9225
TomaTillo Gangnam Finance Center: Exit 2, Yeoksam Station, Line 2. T. (02) 2112-3883
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- Good tours of the DMZ are conducted by the USO (795-3028) and TOURDMZ (755-0073). For more information on their tours, click here (USO) and here (TOURDMZ). - The Seoul City Bus Tour is a great way to explore the city of Seoul, especially if you're new to town. For more information, click here or call 777-6090. - The Royal Asiatic Society conducts entertaining and informative tours to some of Korea's most historic sites. Click here for more information, including schedule. - For self-starters, the Seoul City Tourism website has several walking tours and self-directed tours. You can also give them a ring at 2171-2461. - The Korea Tourism Organization website is another great place to get information. If you're on the road, just call 1330 for up-to-date tourist information.
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Return of the Gates
They're two of Seoul's most striking icons---hardly any illustrated introduction to the city fails to feature the curve of their tiled roofs, at once graceful and authoritative, surrounded by skyscrapers and busy lanes of traffic and built against a carefully selected backdrop of mountains. But in recent years, the city's historic Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun gates have been encased in inscrutable cladding while teams of highly skilled archaeologists, architects, historians and traditional craftsmen work away on meticulous restoration projects. So what's happening on the inside, and when will two of Seoul's most important landmarks be back with us? Gwanghwamun, the three-arched gate at the front of the Gyeongbokgung palace, was dismantled in late November 2006 in order to restore it both to its original position (it was first built in 1399, a few years after the beginning of the Joseon era (1392-1910) and carefully positioned in accordance with geomantic principles) and to its original building materials: wood and stone. In November 2009, the gate's sangnyangsik took place---the all-important raising of the uppermost ridge beam on a Korean traditional wooden structure. Gwanghwamun's restoration is due for completion late this year. Sungnyemun, often known as Namdaemun, was one of four main gates in Seoul's old city walls. Designated National Treasure No. 1, the gate was built in 1398 but severely damaged by an arson attack in February, 2008. Detailed drawings had been made of its structure in 2006, however, permitting restoration that should produce a gate almost the same as that which went up in flames. The project is headed by master carpenter Shin Eung-soo and is due for completion in 2013. The simultaneous restoration of both gates has placed high demand on Korea's scarce timber resources, demanding trees several hundred years old for use as pillars. But once they are complete, both structures should last for up to 1,000 years---much longer than most of the skyscrapers around them. Guided tours of the Sungnyemun restoration site are available every weekend (except Feb 13-14) - book on-line at www.sungnyemun.or.kr (in Korean) or arrive in person (only a few people admitted without reservation). Sat 11:00, 11:30am, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30pm; Sun every 30 mins from 1pm---3:30pm. Written by Ben Jackson
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One of the USA and the world's all-time greatest divas, Whitney Houston has a string of hits, six Grammy awards and record sales of 170 million records to her name. Add to that her sensational lead performance with Kevin Costner in the 1992 romantic thriller "The Bodyguard," and no doubt remains as to her all-around superstar talent. The ballad "I Will Always Love You," one of the most familiar tunes of the entire 1990s, is a testament to the kind of vocal power and range that could not only crack a wine glass but vaporize it completely. Last September, she broke seven years of silence with the resounding album "I Look to You," and her two concerts in Seoul this February are particularly special in that they are the first in her "Nothing But Love World Tour"---itself her first world tour in ten years.
VENUE: Gymnasium No. 1, Olympic Park
PERIOD: Feb 6~7, 7pm
ADMISSION: R: 180,000 won, S: 150,000 won, A: 100,000 won, B: 70,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 2167-6419
GETTING THERE: Exit 3, Olympic Park Station, Line 5
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Legendary Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu's score for the hugely successful "Final Fantasy" series closed the gap between game music and conventional classical works: so good was it, in fact, that it's now touring the world in the form of a series of classical concerts. Originally planned as a single performance, "Distant Worlds" was extended for another day due to a stampede of interest from devoted fans, Korean gamers and curious music-lovers. The orchestral performance will be accompanied by a giant screen showing highlights from the video game, but the biggest attraction of all will be the presence of Nobuo Uematsu himself!
VENUE: Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
PERIOD: Feb 6, 2:30pm / Feb 7, 8pm
ADMISSION: R: 99,000 won, S: 77,000 won,
A: 55,000 won, B: 33,000 won,
Special Seat with Nobuo Uematsu: 110,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: 1544-1681, www.ff2010.com
GETTING THERE: Exits 4 & 5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3. Walk 5~10 minutes
or take shuttle bus, bus No. 12 or bus No. 4429
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The Royal Asiatic Society will be heading heading to a traditional brewery and lovely Sanjeong Lake. This tour offers an opportunity to discover how Korea's traditional liquors, such as makgeolli, are made. Visitors will learn the significance and steps involved in the process of producing makgeolli, maesil (plum wine), bokbunja (black raspberry wine) and other traditional Korean beverages. Whether you're a connoisseur of Korean liquors or just interested in observing the process, and maybe even trying your hand at making some, you won't want to miss this RAS trip. We will then visit the beautiful Sanjeong Lake. Surrounded by craggy peaks and graceful old pine trees, this snow-covered frozen lake brings on images of an oriental winter landscape scene on a hanging scroll. Sanjeong Lake is a reservoir, constructed in 1925, which is tightly confined and recessed into a deep valley. Mountains rise steeply from the lake's edge. The lake is rather small and its outlet makes a cascading waterfall, so the feel is perceptibly different to that of most other reservoir-lakes on the peninsula. For more information, click here.
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The Korea Foundation is hosting Italian Style --- Dressing Home as its first exhibition in 2010. In collaboration with the Sartirana Art Foundation, Cultural Institute of Italy, and Embassy of Italy, the special exhibition will feature more than 180 pieces of representative Italian design works that are utilized in our daily living, such as silverware, furniture and lamps. Viewers will identify the distinct "Italian Style" from the exhibited works of well-known manufacturers and studios that are deeply rooted in the traditional Italian craftsmanship.
VENUE: KF Cultural Center
DATE: Thru Feb 20, (10:00~18:00 Mon~Sat, 10:00~21:00 Wed)
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFORMATION: 02-2151-6514,
www.kfcenter.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Exit 9, City Hall Station, Lines 1 & 2. Walk 5 minutes
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| These are just some of the diverse events taking place in and around Seoul. SEOUL Magazine's ever-expanding events section is colorfully designed and jam-packed with the latest information. For the complete round-up pick up a copy of SEOUL Magazine at any of the quality bookstores in the city and you'll never have to spend another month in the dark. |
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Geomdo
Practicing geomdo in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Ryu Seunghoo.
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Learn Korean Traditional Dance - Chumsae Dance School is offering lessons on Korean traditional dance. Morning (10:00---11:30, Tue Thu), afternoon (4:00---5:30, Mon Wed) and evening classes (7:30---9:00 Tue Thu) available. Classes are limited to 10 persons each. Tuition is 200,000 won a month. For more information, call (02- 762-7731).
KFCC Films - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In February, the KFCC will be screening "Shedding Light on the Lives of Real People," including "La Vie en Rose," "A Beautiful Mind" and "My Father." Click here for more information. Korean Language Classes - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center Offers free Korean language classes for foreigners residing in Korea. The classes, led by Korea Foundation volunteer teachers, are held at 7:00-9:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (two classes at 4:00 and 7:00 on Wednesdays). Anyone interested in learning Korean language and willing to participate in the language class is welcome to join. For more information, click here. Calling all photographers - SEOUL WEEKLY could use your help with our Everyday Koreans photo section. If you have a camera and enjoy snapping shots capturing everyday scenes in the Republic of Korea, send your photos in along with captions and a brief, one- line bio. Send Your Event Info - If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material to
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by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday's issue. Freelance Contributors Wanted - SEOUL magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should be able to interview Koreans and also have a strong interest in Korean culture. Send your resume and writing samples to
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. We Buy & Sell Used Books - Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications that specialize in Korea-related topics, our Used Book Section carries books on all subjects. It's all part of our effort to make life easier for the English-speaking community.
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Publisher: Hank Kim /
Editor: Robert Koehler /
Designer: Sukyoung Suh / Website Manager: Ray Hong
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Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in this newsletter. Some event information has been provided by the Korea Foundation. The IPRs are protected by pertinent laws.
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Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com e-mail:
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tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563 |
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