LIVE IN SEOUL

Extravaganza for the senses!
The Lotus Lantern parade celebrated at Seoul last week was a feast for the eyes with the lanterns in myriad complex shapes, designs and colors and not forgetting the beautifully clothed women dancing gracefully while draped in delicate hanboks.. The catchy rhythm of the musical instruments along with the lanterns was totally fun, toe-tapping and head-noddingly good! I got more food for my senses when I was making the lotus lanterns and sampling the temple food the next day. It was an amazing feeling to be out so late in a foreign country, comfortably settled in chairs, along with hundreds of people, without having the slightest fear of disturbance or trouble, enjoying the beautiful weather while being serenade by good music, lights and dance. The few hours I was there, I was transported into a fairytale!
 Senthil Devi 2013-05-16

I like Haechi... and I like the cultural vitality of Seoul.
No need to be in Seoul for too long to notice Haechi. He is EVERYWHERE, he is even winking at us while proposing the first Global Seoul Mates mission. You surely know who Haechi is, most of Koreans call him Haetae. Covered with scales, a horn on his head, a bell around his neck and small wings... he is the guardian of Seoul. Legendary animal of justice and integrity, he rewards the good and punishes the evil. I really love what he embodies. The Haetae on this picture is in Dongdaemun Culture and History Park. He is made of used bottles which is already quite a symbol. Haetae is an old symbol but this one is brand new. He represents for me this Korea that we are all living in - between modernity and tradition. He also represents this soooo dynamic cultural life in Seoul. This city has so many art galleries, concerts, happenings that it is amazing. What is even more amazing is that, all kind of koreans attends those events, no matter their backgrounds. Here culture is alive.
 HUSS Julie 2013-05-16

[Teaser] Get to know Wishtrend and Star Product- OST Vitamin C-20 Serum
Want to shop for Korean Beauty products from around the world...?? read on for the best online Korea online shopping portal!
 Soon Desiree 2013-05-15

Hello Stranger! Seoul Urban Art Project
Meet the creative group with Sangsangmadang Hello, Stranger! Vol.1 Seoul Urban art Project, Seoul Urban art Project, a.k.a. SUP is a contemporary art collective unfolding their works on the stage of the city of Seoul without space restraints. They espouse an open gallery concept to communicate with people more directly, away from the traditional white cube art gallery system aiming at a particular audience. Come do some rad workshops, watch some of our films, see some live painting, and attend the seminar. Some of Koreas most talented artists under one roof! 14 May, tue. 4~6pm Workshop w15,000- Jazoo Yang 18 May, sat. 4~pm Workshop w15,000- Moz 21 May, tue. 4~6pm Workshop Free for Seminar+Film night attendees Garoo 29 May, wed. 8~10pm Film night w7,000- MC : Garoo Panel : Junseok Seo, TJ Choe, Joni Els
 Bomba Magdalena 2013-05-15

I Like! Seoul. A City of Surprises
This is my fifth month living in Seoul, and I feel settled into my life here. I can get to any place within the city or beyond, in any type of public transportation. I can load my subway T-money card in Korean! Haha. I can blend with the locals in a crowded place. I enjoy kimchi, or any side dish served with a meal. I can finish a big bowl of bibimbap— with gusto! Yes, I feel like home. I LIKE! SEOUL. I was charmed the moment I got here. The city is beautiful in winter, and twice as lovely in spring. I love the landscape of Seoul transform in different seasons. And there are countless of other reasons. Seoul is a city of endless, pleasant surprises. There is always something fascinating waiting around the bend. In Seoul, I never lose my sense of wonder!
 DeLeon CarlaSoccorro 2013-05-13

A TASTE OF HOME
Just as sausages go well with eggs, my goal of finding the best brunch in Korea goes well with my first assignment as a Global Seoul-Mate: What do I like about Seoul? I like the options I have to experience another culture, while at the same as time getting a taste of home. Seoul continues to rapidly transform into an impressive, international city with cultural influences from all over the world. Be sure to follow my quest for the best brunch in Seoul and throughout Korea. The plan is to post occasional updates offering my humble, somewhat comical and not-so-critical or professional opinion about each place I visit. Hopefully it will become an additional brunch resource for travelers, expats, and locals in South Korea.
 Chisholm Chase 2013-05-13

Is It Safe to Travel to Korea?
My observations on travel safety in Korea in the midst of tensions with North Korea.
 Ladner Mimsie 2013-05-12

The way, The Palace... I LIKE! SEOUL
Changdeokgung palace in Seoul - Picture taken by : Henry Moon I just love the picture and if I love the picture being in that place, I think it will be overwhelming. Seoul, past and future, sunset, sunrise, night and day... . Seoul...the road Ill love to walk at sunset. It shows the past, the history, the wisdom, but at the sunrise, the future will be the new light of the past.
 Vladusel Ioana-Alexandra 2013-05-12

The Lotus Lantern Parade in Seoul!
One night in a year, on a cool spring evening, millions gather along the main street of Jongno to wait for hours the passing of the most colorful parade of lanterns ever! Adults and kids alike pick a spot along the main street while sitting or standing in excitement awaiting their chance to enjoy the colors of the lanterns, costumes and the floats that are about to pass before them. For me, its just a quick ride from Hannam-dong on the Blue Bus 402, which stops near the Seoul Plaza and makes a U-turn as the main Gwanghwamun area is closed to vehicular traffic on the day of the Lotus Lantern Parade, which is part of the Yeon Deung Heo, the Lotus Lantern Festival of the Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. Everyone in Seoul must have thought of converging into the Jongno area, where the parade would end. The parade usually starts at the Dongdaemun area an hour or more before sundown and ends at the Jogyesa Temple when its already dark and all the colors of their lanterns come alive in a spectacular feast of colors. Its quite an experience watching the parade, but one has to be prepared to stand for hours because comfortable sitting along the parade route is only rewarded to the early birds. So, for me, the long walk from the Seoul Plaza to the Jonggak Station area, and picking a spot along the road with my camera and steady legs which are prepared to stand frozen for hours would be a worthy sacrifice, not just to achieve nirvana, but also to share in the spectacle everyone else has come to enjoy. Every time I watch the parade, I always remind myself that the tiredness I get from standing there for hours could not be compared to the sacrifice the parade participants make considering that, while theyre all attired in these colorful and full-length costumes, they also had to walk for kilometers from the staging site until they finish their route at the Jogyesa Temple, all this while carrying their lighted, colorful lanterns as they smile and wave to the crowd along the way. Lucky may be the participants selected to sit on the huge floats, but they also have to act the part of their floats motif waving and freezing a smile on their face for hours. And this year, on a Saturday, to celebrate Buddhas birthday, millions will be lining up the Jongno streets once more to delight in the colors of the lanterns and the floats. And I will be there, too. But before I do, I should fill my tummy before I head there so as not be bothered by an empty stomach as I prep my legs to stand for hours and my eyes to feast on the the most colorful, the most enchanting display of lights, colors and creativity: the Lotus Lantern Parade in Seoul!
 Delgado Alfonso 2013-05-11

Thumbs Up For the First Mission of 2013!
Thumbs Up For Seoul! I was just appointed as one of the 2013 Global Seoul-Mates by the Seoul City Government, and our first mission was just rolled out. Our mission didnt come in a video that would self-destruct in a few seconds like in the Mission Impossible movies. But its a mission just the same. Ha-ha-ha! We just had to take a photograph of our favorite spots in Seoul with our thumbs-up sign! And so, when I was in the downtown area, all I had to do was just that! So, thumbs up for my favorite tourist spots in Seoul! Although, I would have put up both thumbs, I had to hold the camera. Ha-ha-ha! Both thumbs up!
 Delgado Alfonso 2013-05-11