Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-4]

This should be the last posting for VIP Invitation Tour. Really sorry for taking up to three months to complete blogging it.

Kim eonni was panicking searching for us when we reached IFC Mall from KBS Exhibition Hall. We're late half and hour late as miscommunication on the timing. Therefore we immediately hop to the bus and go to the Incheon airport.

Jas eonni, Tere and few other members proceed to check-in counters as their flights were earlier. Lucky, Naz and me were waiting at Lotteria. Kim eonni ordered food for us first while waiting for Jas eonni and Tere to join us.

 Lunch for our team as we didn't eat at IFC Mall.

My Mozzarella Cheese Burger.

 Where were Kim eonni and Jas eonni?!

 

Shopping at AK Plaza Duty Free Shop. Actually, I only bought

moisturizing cream to prevent cracking skin in winter, the rest

were for my sister's friend.

 

Self tax refund counter with helpful and nice volunteer staff.

Please note that it's relocated to Gate 24 and 41 instead of Gate 27. Please check this link for more information on the procedures on immediate tax refund when purchasing goods at tax free shop or claiming back tax refund at other locations.

 

Self Tax Refund machine with language selections

which is super user friendly and easy to use.

 

After claimed our tax refund, we headed to Korea Traditional

Cultural Experience Center for free activities to kill time.

 

You can buy Korean Traditional souvenirs here.

We'd to register for Dancheong wooden keychain painting, as you can see there were a lot of people also interested in this activity, we're put in the waiting list...

 

Signed guest book with calligraphy pen.

 I love Korea very much (한국 많이 사랑해요)~!

 

Too bad that Hanbok Experience only available for those 

boarding Gate number above 100, where you can go there 

however there will be no way to return here.

Traditional Dancheong Painting with 5 basic colors (Obangsaek)

of blue, red, yellow, black and white.

Besides functioning as decoration and protection against wind, rain and harmful insects. It also has symbolic of preventing fire and defeating evil spirits.

 

Heard the announcement that Royal Family Procession was going to start,

so I quickly painting the dancheong and ran out for the procession.

 

 

Crown Prince and Princess. 

Last time they didn't have photo session with the royal family, but now you're allowed to take photos with them. Of course I didn't want to miss this chance... I wish I'm in hanbok too.

 

 King and Queen.

 

 Princess.

 With Royal guards, lady in waiting,... 

No wonder Incheon Airport has been voted as the best airport in the world. You don't need to worry that you'll get bored with so much activities and they're free of charge. 

After bidding good bye to Lucky and Naz, we went separately to the boarding gate. That's ended our unforgettable and memorable VIP Invitation Tour.

On the flight back to Singapore with Korean Air.

This trip was made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization. 

   

Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-3]

We didn't have time to explore the whole Yeouido Park, just a quick hopping from IFC Mall to KBS.

 

C-47, the first transport aircraft owned by Korean Air Force

showcasing on the runway in Yeouido and an exhibition titled 

“Flight Over 70 Years at Yeouido Park."

 

Finally we saw KBS building after crossing the road from Yeouido Park.

 

Bald trees and beautiful autumn foliage. 

It'll be better if we're there during Cherry Blossom.

Poster of K-drama "Oh My Venus (오마이 비너스)" 

starring So Jisub and Shin Mina.

 

Checked how to go to KBS Exhibition Hall with the guard 

inside this main building.  

Apparently we'd to go outside and walk further to another building...

 Korean Broadcasting System (한국방송공사)
truck with production rooms?

KBS On Exhibition Hall (KBS 온 / 견학홀).


 It's the first museum in Korea dedicated to the history and
evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry.
 
 
The exhibition hall is a space where visitors can experience
radio and television broadcasting production firsthand.


We're supposed to go to the hall on the second floor.

However, we'd to rush back and gather with others at IFC Mall, so no time to tour the museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, 3D movie experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe the TV production process and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio.

 Familiar with this place?

Yes, you're right! K-drama 'The Producers (프로듀사)' and variety show '2 Days 1 Night (1박2일)' were filming in front of this KBS Building.

At least some pictures since we're not going inside KBS On.


 Well, we're not the only one snapping so many photos.


One of the man gave me a white folder Sorinalda (소리날다),
maybe they're recruiting news presenter or anchor there.

 
  KBS Radio.


Though I didn't finish 'The Producer', but there were
few scenes of the drama were shooting at KBS car park.

 KBS On (견학홀)

Add: 13, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

Operating Hours: 09:30-17:30 (Last admission: 17:00).

Closed: New Year’s Day, Seollal, Chuseok and

 first Monday of every month.

Admission: Free.

This trip was made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization. 

   

Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-2]

Without further ado, 5 of us rushed out from IFC Mall to KBS as we only had about an hour to gather again for lunch and leaving Yeouido to Incheon airport.

 

 Yeouido Park (여의도공원).

From the above map, Yeouido Park is connected to Hangang Park. You just need to turn right and walk all the way to exit 9. Actually I've been here not once but twice...

 Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도 한강공원).

 Manually stitched these 5 photos to make create panoramic view.

 First visit in Jun 2012, we missed the ferry by few minutes

as we couldn't located the ticket counter. ㅠㅠ

 We decided to skip it as thhe next departure time was quite late.

It's tiring after came back from Jarasum Island in Gapyeong (near Nami Island), and shopping for the whole afternoon at Dongdaemun and Itaewon.

We got so many flyers from food delivery service 

(음식배달) from Pizza, Fried Chicken and
Chinese Food while we're strolling.

However, we couldn't order it although we asked that person to order for us, but seemed that it's hard as we didn't have local mobile number. At the end, we just grab burgers from Loteria and munching it facing Han river. There were a lot of family, friends spending their time in the evening and also lovey dovey couples dating there too.

 Second visit was on 9 Sep 2013...

On board Hangang River Ferry to celebrate my birthday.

(Click the above link to reserve ticket at discounted price)~^^

Totally mesmerized by beautiful riverside scenery while cruising from Yeouido Hangang Park. It's so dreamy to see dramatic Rainbow Fountain at Banpo Bridge, unobstructed night skyline view of N Seoul Tower, 63 City Building and skyscrapers from far.

 

 Let me think... have I ever walked in the park in Seoul?

I think never... For Hangang Park, I strolled along the riverside not inside the park. We went there in the evening and couldn't see the park, so it's not counted.

 

Cultural Event Plaza is commodious open space in which

all citizens can participate if there is cultural events and performances.

IFC buildings and office towers.

The above photo taken from Cultural Event Plaza or you can check this video to see the surrounding of the square with 50m flag pole and basketball courts (0:20 & 0:58).

 Besides functioning as sports area for jogging, cycling,  in-line skating,
this park also providing areas for relaxation.

Do you know that Yeouido is a popular place during spring? 

It's because Annual cherry blossom festival is held here and you won't get wrong if you want to see cherry blossom.

I also wish to stroll under canopy of around 1500 cherry trees,
but it's late autumn and all that I can see is...

contrast colors of National Assembly, autumn foliage and blue sky.

Yeouido Park is located in between IFC and National Assembly. You just need to cut cross the Cultural Event Plaza and go to exit 6. But, we're only use this exit to take some photos before going to KBS (Korean Broadcasting System).

To be continued... stay tuned~!^^

This trip is made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization.