Glamorous South Korea

A Korean experience

When I think of Korea, Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Gem) comes to mind. A 2003 South Korean television series, it revolves around an orphaned kitchen cook who later became the king’s first female physician.

Some of my favourite movies included City Hunter, Pinocchio, My Love from the Star, On the Way to the Airport and Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim and recently Whisper. Now I am hooked on Korean movies!

Besides K-drama, South Korea is well-known for its K-pop, cosmetic surgery, LG television, Hyundai cars and Samsung phones. When Mr Goh of Letian Society, an elderly seniors’ club in Klang, invited my husband and I, to join members on a tour of South Korea, we gladly joined them, eager to know more about this country.

So early April, 25 of us, together with tour leader, Nick Ng, were at the airport for a morning flight at 10.30 am. 

Our group of 25 at the airport

We arrived in Jeju Island, the romance island of the country, in the evening. Our Mandarin-speaking South Korea tour guide, Elsa, welcomed us with fried chicken and coke (we preferred coke to beer). "Chicken and Beer", a Korean favourite, called “chi-maek”, was made famous by the female lead in the Korean movie, My love from the Star. 

Chicken and coke

After the long and tiring journey, the finger-licking night-cap was an appetising introduction to our Korean holiday.

JEJU ISLAND  

As we travelled around Jeju Island, the unique bus stops, the beautiful homes and the lovely beaches reminded me of the Korean movie, On the way to the Airport, which was filmed on the island. Our hectic itinerary on the island included visits to Teddy Bear Museum, Glass Castle, Seongeup Folk Village, Seopiji Koji and The Painters Show (Hero).

Teddy Bear Museum

This museum is dedicated to teddy bears. There were hundreds and hundreds of models of teddy bears of all shapes and sizes, dressed in a variety of costumes. Most children like teddy bears, especially to hug and snuggle up with. They will enjoy this museum more than us, mostly senior citizens. Besides bears, there were models of other animals like giraffes, bears, deer, leopards, camels, extinct elephants etc - it was like a mini-zoo but sadly not of live animals.

Entrance of Teddy Bear Museum

Teddy bears band

A bear with romantic captions

A family of father, mother, brother and sister bears

Life-size bears dressed up in period costumes

Glass Castle



I was totally engrossed with this place - a glass art theme park featuring 250 models all made entirely of glass. There were so many pretty, delicate, gorgeous, cute and magnificent items, all masterfully and creatively made - I could stay there the whole day gazing at the ingenious works of art. There were also some glass art masterpieces by internationally famous artists from Italy, Czech Republic and Japan etc.

There were some glass models of characters/objects taken out of Children's stories. We felt young again as we took memorable shots with Cinderella's pumpkin carriage and Prince Charming and Cinderella.

Entrance: An introduction to exhibition of glassware from all over the world

The artist of the exhibition

A unique glass archway

Atlas with the world on his head    Photo: Goh

A rainbow-coloured glass guitar

An array of colourful glass pumpkins         Photo: Goh

A pumpkin glass carriage                             Photo: Goh

Cinderella and Prince Charming glass figures

Seongeup Folk Village

In this village, we were greeted by a pretty guide who told us she was aged 60, but looking at her fair porcelain-like face, she looked 10 years younger. She had a quaint way of speaking, and we were mesmerised by her sing-song like account of the history and culture of the  earlier settlements of Jeju island. Later in a room filled with marketable products, she spoke on the benefits of honey and horse-oil cream. She was so convincing that many of us bought the health products there. 


After the talk, we walked around the huts (with urns used for making fermented bean), fruit orchards (filled with orange trees) and then tried our best to take a good picture of the black pig. 

The guide said, “the Jeju Black pig, found only in Jeju Island, has a unique taste different from other pig breeds.”  That day, we had pork (from the black pig) for lunch and we found the flavour simply delicious.

A local guide explaining the history of the stone statue

Orange trees with very sweet juicy fruits

Large urns for fermenting black beans

Fermented black beans

A black-hair black-skin pig

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)

This Peak is an archetypal tuff cone, formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions upon a shallow seabed. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. The sunrise from the crater is said to be strikingly beautiful but alas, we went there only in the day time.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hikers walking up the trail to Seongsan Ilchulbong

Unique rock formations

Seopiji Koji

This place is located at the end of the eastern shore of Jeju Island. It was the site for many Korean dramas. We walked down to view interesting geographical formations and haenyeo (Jeju women divers) with their seafood catches. Usually we hear of fishermen venturing out to catch fish but here, the haenyeo were women who braved the strong waves to bring back their catch. Bravo to Jeju women divers!

Beautiful rock formations                    Photo: Goh  

Outstanding natural landscape   Photo: Goh

Brave Jeju women divers bringing back their catch    Photo: Goh

Jeju women divers showing tourists their catch   Photo: Goh

Jeju women divers displaying and selling their catch. Bravo!

Seafood - catch of the day

Sea cucumber, octopus and abalone

 
Golden Sea of Canola flowers and cherry blossoms

Travelling along the roads, rows and rows of rape flowers (canola), and cherry blossoms greeted us. Seeing our gasps of excitement on the “golden sea”of canola, Elsa stopped the bus and allowed us to capture some memorable shots. We were really happy that we chose to visit Korea in the spring time.

Excitement and joy as members try to capture a memorable shot      Photo: Goh

Captivating Cherry Blossoms and Canola flowers

The Painters

We attended a 3-in-1 show (a play, an art show and a musical), titled The Painters (Hero). The innovative non-verbal performance of painting accompanied by creative visual effects and a humorous combination of mime, dance and comedy, had us tapping our feet and clapping our hands in full enjoyment. 

The actors in the Painters show were University students. It was a great tourist attraction. This will be a good example for University students in Malaysia to emulate.  

Painters hard at work

The talented painters with their polished pieces

After the Jeju Island tour, we took a flight to the capital, Seoul, to explore other fascinating features of South Korea.  

SEOUL - Everland Theme Park

We had a whole day in Everland, Korea’s largest Theme Park, but even 2 days will not be enough because there were so many sections to visit. While most members went to the Safari Park to see animals, my husband and I opted to go to the garden section to look at flowers.

It happened to be the Tulip Festival – marking the onset of Spring from March to April. Tulips here, tulips there, tulips everywhere! I was overjoyed -  millions of tulips of 100 different varieties were all around me. I have seen enormous fields of tulips in Keukenhof, Holland, but to see such attractive blooms in this part of the world was simply divine.  

Appreciating this wondrous spectacle were local young adults who were having the time of their lives with their partners. Many sites were set up especially for romantic couples to take photos – we took the opportunity to join in!

The Theme Park was also flooded with playful school children, all having a great time with adrenaline-pumping rides, high-tech shows and fun things to do. 

At the entrance of Everland, with our fingers showing Korean "love" sign

An eye-catching floral tree near the entrance

A photo with romantic captions

Tulips galore - maroon and blue

White tulips

Pink-yellow tulips

Close up of purple-red-white tulip

A group of friendly school children 

SEOUL – Nami Island

We took a ferry to this tiny half-moon-shaped island. This was another romantic place characteristic of the Korean people. 

Beautiful tree-lined roads and artistic and innovative objects were dotted everywhere. Famous for filming Winter Sonata, it is a cultural centre for creative ideas of local artists. This was also the location of the Korean movie My love from the Star.

Considered an “independent culture state”, Nami Island has also colourful rides with vendors selling a multitude of snacks and a lot of green space to play on. Our photo enthusiasts were spoilt for choice with so many extraordinary spots.

We met many Malaysians during our leisurely walk there. It is a favourite place of my country. On our way out, there were many statues with "thank you" captions in various languages. One was "Terima Kasih", meaning thank you in Malaysian language.

At the entrance of Nami Island with tour leader Nick (light blue jacket) sitting right in front

Most iconic statue     Photo: Goh

A popular statue to take photo with

Creative innovative objects

Tree-lined roads

Romantic statues

Our men-women in a creative pose

Fun activity for tourists: Pushing a heavy log to hit a bell

Statue with "thank you" caption in Malaysian language

SEOUL – Seorak National Park


Rows and rows of cherry blossoms greeted us as our bus ascended Mt Seorak. Mt Seorak or Seoraksan is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range. Its name comes from the word "Seol" meaning snow and "ak" meaning big mountain, because the snow does not melt for a long time, giving the rocks a permanent white sheen. 

 In 1973, Seoraksan National Park was designated as a park preservation area and in Auguts 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO. This Park has high mountains, waterfalls, rivers, treks, a fortress, Buddhist temples and Buddha statues. It is accessible by road or cable car. 

We fell in love with the natural landscape, especially with the abundant cherry blossoms. Many local people come to this Park too, to relax in the peaceful ambience.
 

Rows and rows of cherry blossoms   Photo: Goh

Entrance to Seorak National Park

Natural awe-inspiring landscape

Icon of Mt Seorak National Park

Appealing red pine trees

Ecstasy and joy with cherry blossoms: with Nick (tour leader) at the back and Elsa (tour guide) on far right

Sinheungsa Temple with Mr and Mrs Goh (left)

SEOUL – Daepohang Market

 

Daepohang Port has many raw fish restaurants, dried fish shops and live fish markets (eel, flatfish, flounder etc). 



As we strolled along the shops, we were attracted by the appetising snacks and  the abundance and variety of unusual sea creatures. I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the place - no flies or insects hovered around the raw or dried seafood.

Appetising snacks

Great choices of fried seafood

Unusual sea creatures

SEOUL – Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)

The Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. It is so named because of the 150,000 handmade ceramic blue coloured roof tiles. We saw the Blue House from a distance only.

The Blue House

SEOUL- Gyeongbok Palace or Gyeongbokgung Palace

This was the primary palace of Joseon Dynasty (1393 - 1910). It was built in 1395 by King Taejo. Gyeongbok means "Enjoy the big happiness". 

We were in this enchanting place for a few hours, touring the various buildings, which were built in harmony with the environment surrounding them. We learnt of the how the King lived and how he ruled the country during ancient times. 

Elsa, our tour guide, explained how in winter, heat was generated to warm the Palace grounds from the bottom during ancient times. This was interesting because I noticed that in the hotels we resided in, the heat also came from the floor panels - an advanced technology adapted from  ancient times.

Elsa related that in ancient times, the Koreans did not have their own language. In 1443, King Sejong the Great, during the Joseon Dynasty, created the Korean alphabet, known as Hangul. Now the Korean alphabet is the official script of the country.

The Gyeongbok Palace- side view

The Gyeongbok Palace- front view      Photo: Goh

Other buildings around the Palace

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion surrounded by a lake

Traditional Performance at Floral Wall at Jagyeongjeon Hall

Interior of Palace

SEOUL- Cultural Experience



To really understand the culture of Korea, Elsa arranged for us two cultural experiences - wearing the handbok and making kimchi.

Hanbok wearing: Hanbok (South Korea) is the traditional Korean national costume. It is characterised by vibrant colours and simple lines without pockets. It is now worn only on special occasions like weddings, or during national holidays. 

Trying out the hanbok was a unique experience for me. The costume exudes feminine grace and charm, and I felt like I was a woman of yore.

A "Korean" couple

"Korean" ladies

 Kimchi-making: Simple kimchi is made with cut cabbage, daikon radish, scallions, seasoned paste of red pepper, garlic, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, salted shrimp or kelp powder.


Donning pretty aprons and plastic gloves, the ladies participated in this activity with glee. Imagine, learning an iconic dish on holiday! 

However, it was just a simple operation of applying a ready-made sauce on to a cabbage, leaf by leaf, and tying the cabbage compactly with a thin cabbage strand. Even then, it was an exhilarating experience - one that we would cherish and remember for a long time.

Ingredients for kimchi

Members concentrating on making the perfect kimchi

Members all ready, with apron and inspiration

SEOUL – Buchon Hanok Village

This village with "traditional Korean architecture in modern Seoul" is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok , that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centres, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, giving tourists an opportunity to experience Korean culture.

Many tourists were at the village with us and some came in traditional hanbok costumes. There were many Korean school children too. I found the most outstanding features were the archaic roof tiles and brick-wood walls of the buildings.

Side view of hanok

Front view of hanok        Photo:Goh

Interesting architecture of hanoks       Photo: Goh

Big crowds traversing the narrow roads between the hanoks

With other tourists in traditional hanbok costumes   

Inside a hanok  - with Korean school children

SEOUL – N Seoul Tower and Love Lock Wall

This Tower, officially the YTN Seoul Tower, or Namsan Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on Namsam Mountain in central Seoul. At 236m, it is the second highest point in Seoul.

It was Korea's first general radio wave tower from 1969, delivering TV and radio broadcasting in the metropolitan area. Opened to the public in 1980, it is a renowned symbol of Seoul. 

We took a lift to the top and spent leisurely time enjoying the cold air outside at the love lock wall and tower. Then we went to the cosy warm environment inside where there were many shops selling food and souvenirs. We walked a circle around the Tower and were awed by the different parts of Seoul city as viewed from that staggering height. 

As I walked around the Tower, I recalled that it was the place where the romantic couple dated in the Korean movie My Love from the Star.

                              

Night view of N Seoul Tower

At entrance of N Seoul Tower

The very cold environment at the Love-lock wall

 

Relaxing on top of N Seoul Tower

Happy members at the top of the Tower in the cosy environment inside

The bright lights of the city - looking down from the Tower

SEOUL – Graffiti Tunnel

This short tunnel is decorated with paintings which looked like modern art to me. It is popular with musicians and actors who film their musical videos or shows here.

Painting on the wall.    Photo: Goh

Painting on the wall          Photo: Goh

SEOUL – Shopping 

Seaweed Factory: Korea is well-known for its cultivated processed seaweed. Seaweed has high levels of Vitamins A, B12 and C, as well as minerals like calcium, iodine, folate and magnesium,

We were allowed to taste as much as we liked of the dried, roasted and flavoured seaweed sheets in the factory. Many of us bought a lot of the seaweed sheets for family and friends.  
               

Different flavours of seaweed sheets

Seaweed tasting

Myeongdong Shopping Street:
 
We were thrilled to shop on this street, at the Lotte Department Store and other shops selling Korean cosmetics, clothes, jewellery and more. The stalls along the streets reminded me of the pasar malam in Malaysia. I noticed that the vendors were young and enterprising and the stalls orderly and clean. We bought and tasted some of the food – yummy!

Dongdaemun shopping complex: This is a large commercial district with many shopping malls. We did our last minute shopping there on the last day.

KOREAN CUISINE: 

Korean cuisine consists mainly of steamed white rice, vegetables and meat. Traditional meals were often accompanied with many side dishes. We had steamboat or hotpot often and usually kimchi was served. We also had Asian or Western cuisine, buffet-style for breakfast and lunch once.

We found Korean food healthy, non-oily, not too salty and simply delicious.   We were lucky to sample many different varieties of Korean cuisine throughout our holiday.

Members enjoying barbecued meat and seafood hotpot
Photo: Goh

Barbecued meat with big bean sprouts and straw mushrooms

Hotpot of a variety of seafood and vegetables

After the hotpot food is consumed, steamed rice
 is cooked with other vegetables in it

Members enjoying chicken-ginseng soup

Whole chicken ginseng soup

 

Black skinned nutritious pork in thick soup with added vegetables

Cabbage cooked with meat right in front of us

Seaweed soup

Fresh lettuce

Side dishes are often served

An array of side dishes

Hotpot of vegetables and seafood

Breakfast of porridge, pau and side dishes

Meat and mushrooms cooked on hot plate with side dishes

Chicken stew with potatoes and other vegetables

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All members of our group had a great 7-day holiday. We got along well with each other and I made new friends. 

The trip opened my eyes to South Korea’s amazing scenery, as well as the interesting history and culture of the people. Visiting the country in Spring was the ideal time – I  was elated to see, feel and touch tulips, cherry blossoms and canola flowers. The visit gave me an insight to the romantic, creative, disciplined, industrious and patriotic  nature of the Korean people.

 Back home, whenever I watch Korean movies, I can relate to the actors and the places on the screen, making me appreciate the movies better.

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