Author’s note: In order to take photos at this event, I was required to sign a pledge promising to keep people anonymous. In compliance with that pledge, I have blurred out faces or selected pictures that did not show people’s faces – homosexuality in South Korea still carries a harsh stigma, and I will not [...]
Author Archive > chrisinsouthkorea
Destination: Time to Rock Festival (2010)
The 2010 Time to Rock Festival offered music-lovers more metal and rock than the city has heard in a long time. The same location as the recent World DJ Festival, the Nanji Han River Camping area was again filled with thousands of people ready to get their rock on. There were several noticeable differences in [...]
Destination: Korea World Travel Fair (2010)
Feast your eyes on dozens of countries and every part of South Korea – the Korea World Travel Fair is a chance to learn more about traveling Korea and the world than, well, traveling Korea and the world. An overwhelming variety of information and stuff to see is pretty standard for a ‘international’ or ‘world’ [...]
Destination: Photo contest at Simhaksan (Paju)
Readers, this ‘Destination’ post needs your help! The photo contest allows me to select the three best photos to enter this particular contest – prizes include a brand new Nikon D90, along with some other camera gear. Vote for your favorite three in the comments – all VOTERS on this post will be entered to [...]
Destination: Seooreung
Just across the Seoul border rest some once-royal dead people. UNESCO certified as being significant to world culture, these western (서, or seo) five (오, or o) tombs (릉, reung or neung) are the original remains of Joseon-dynasty royalty. At over 1,600,000 square meters, there’s plenty of room to meander and enjoy the area – [...]
Destination: Haebangchon Fest (2010)
Also called the HBC Fest, the Haebangchon Festival is a treat for eyes and ears, but mostly the ears. Featuring dozens of acts by foreigners living in Korea (and a few international acts), few events can bring so many foreigners together in one place – which might be a good thing for the sake of [...]
10 Magazine’s video contest – time to vote!
Share The 10 Magazine Video Contest has begun – some are quite professionally done, while others are… a little more amateurish. From silly and corny to quiet and beautiful, there’s a wide range of ways to promote Korean tourism. Go here to vote for up to three of your favorites, and vote a second time [...]
Destination: Seoul Racecourse Park – or – how to bet on the horses
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just coming out to watch, Seoul Racecourse Park has a little bit of something for everyone. The park itself focuses on the racecourse, but the infield offers enough room for things that have nothing to do with horses. Even with a race going on around you, you’re not likely [...]
Destination: Lotus Lantern Festival (2010) – part 2
As promised, the Lotus Lantern Festival Parade – part one of the festival is here if you missed it. The Lady in Red and I found some seats on an underground market entrance; unless you’re in the front row you’ll need to be above the standing crowd. The first thing to be aware of is [...]
Destination: Lotus Lantern Festival (2010) – part 1
As in years past, the 연등회 (Yeon Deung Hoe, or Lotus Lantern Festival) is an excellent, if overly touristy, chance to learn more about one of the world’s oldest religions. A folk festival that has origins in the Goryeo period continued as the Lantern Celebration in the Joseon Dynasty (광등노리), and continues as a social [...]
Destination: Icheon Ceramic Festival
The 24th Icheon Ceramic Festival has one more good weekend to go (May 15th and 16th), and comes recommended if you like pots and ceramic stuff. While most of the pottery was glazed with more natural colors, this is the sort of stuff to liven up an apartment. On display: 100 different kinds of ceramic [...]
Destination: Raising Awareness in Korea / World Bellydance Day 2010
One of the first acts we saw – Raks Azhaar, an amateur belly-dancing performing team. It’s not too many events that can pull together dozens of performers, yet Raising Awareness in Korea / World Bellydancing Day 2010 did just that. Raising money – and awareness – for the Dasi Hamkke Center (dedicated to helping women [...]
