Dec 26, 2013 / Issue No. 612
SEOUL January Issue
Seoul’s spas, Mt. Seoraksan and more
Celebrate the start of 2014 by picking up a copy of the January issue of SEOUL, Seoul Selection’s monthly travel and culture magazine.
In this issue of SEOUL, we visit some of Seoul’s top spas, climb the beautiful and snowy peaks of Mt. Seoraksan, talk with installation artist Choe U-ram, eat at some of the city’s newest restaurants, and learn about Korea’s growing medical system exports.
And if that isn’t enough, there’s always our Goings On Around Town, one of the best roundups of the month’s concerts, exhibitions and festivals anywhere.
You can find SEOUL at a major bookstore near you.
Le Saint-Ex Celebrates 13 Years with Xmas Menu
Itaewon French bistro Le Saint-Ex celebrates its 13th anniversary with a special Christmas menu (Dinner: Dec 24, 25–31 & Jan 1, KRW 85,000/Lunch: Dec 24, 25–31 & Jan 1, a la carte). There’s a takeout menu on Dec 24–31, too. See here for more info, including menu specifics.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
The Lotte Department Store, lit up and at night.
Events
New Year Festival, Busan
The 2014 New Year Festival will be held in Busan to celebrate the first sunrise of the year after bidding farewell to 2013. On New Year’s Eve, throngs of citizens are expected to turn out to ring in a new year at Yongdusan Park. There will be an array of artistic and festive events, while people can watch the first sunrise from this panoramic vantage point in downtown Busan. Major beach locations will host a number of festive events to greet the new year as well.
VENUE: Haeundae Beach, Busan
PERIOD: Dec 31–Jan 1, 2014
ADMISSION: free
MORE INFO: T.051-501-6051, http://festival.busan.kr
GETTING THERE: It takes three hours to get from Seoul to Busan by KTX.
Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival
Every New Year, sunrise gazers throughout Korea descend on the East Coast town of Jeongdongjin to take in the inspiring sunrises and pray for a healthy and happy year ahead. It is also home to the world’s closest train station to the sea—Jeongdongjin Station is, quite literally, on the beach. The most charming spot consists of a couple of wind-swept pines and a simple bench not far from the station itself, a reminder of the peaceful, forlorn Jeongdongjin of old.
VENUE: Jeongdongjin, Gangwon-do
DATE: Dec 31–Jan 1
ADMISSION: free
MORE INFO: T. 033-640-5128
GETTING THERE: The night train to Jeongdongjin departs from Seoul’s Cheongnyangni Station at 11:15pm and arrives at 4.26am.
Boseong Grean Tea Plantation Light Festival
Winter might not seem like the best time to visit a green tea plantation, but the famous green tea fields of Boseong play host to one of Korea’s most visually appealing winter festivals, the Boseong Grean Tea Plantation Light Festival. The undulating green tea fields are lit up with a variety of colorful light displays, adding to their already spectacular beauty.
VENUE: Boseong, Jeollanam-do
PERIOD: Thru Feb 2
ADMISSION: free
MORE INFO: 061-850-5212
GETTING THERE: Take the KTX to Gwangju, and from Gwangju’s U Square Bus Terminal take a bus to Boseong.
Jejudo for Christmas
When in Korea are taking a trip to Jejudo over Christmas to escape from the big freeze in Seoul and enjoy the wonders of Korea’s answer to Hawaii.
VENUE: Jejudo
PERIOD: Dec 28–Jan 1
ADMISSION: From KRW 299,000
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wheninkorea/even
Everyday Koreans

J-Bug

View of the Hangang River from Ttukseon’s J-Bug. Photo by Robert Koehler.
*Click the photo to see a full-size version at our website.
NOTE: If you have a photo you would like to see in our Everyday Koreans section, please sent it to story@seoulselection.com. Photos should be AT LEAST 950px wide. Send a one-line bio, too.
Notifications
Tell Us About ‘Your Korea’: If you’re a longtime resident of Korea and would like to share your story in KOCIS’s KOREA Magazine, shoot an email with your story idea to book@seoulselection.com.
Looking for Translators – Seoul Selection is looking for a few good translators (Korean to English) for general translation work. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to Kyehyun at trans@seoulselection.com. Experienced translators only.
Seoul Selection eBooks – You can purchase some Seoul Selection titles in ebook format via Amazon.com (for Kindle) and Apple’s iBookstore. Titles include Ask a Korean Dude, Moon Tides, Doing Business in Korea, Once Around the Sun, and seven volumes of our Korean Film Directors series: BONG Joon-ho, IM Kwon-taek, KIM Jee-woon, LEE Chang-dong, LEE Man-hee, PARK Chan-wook, and SHIN Sang-ok.
Send Your Event Info – If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material at book@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order for it to appear in the following Tuesday’s issue.

Freelance Contributors WantedSEOUL Magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should have a strong interest in Korean culture and be able to interview Koreans. Send your resume and writing samples to book@seoulselection.com.

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.
SEOUL Magazine
SEOUL (December 2013)

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New Books
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Scandal: A Shocking and Wrongful Incident
Publisher: Hank Kim / Editor: Robert Koehler
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
Seoul Selection Web Site: https://www.seoulselection.com
e-mail: hankinseoul@gmail.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563