Insight Into Insadong

Apparently, I just walked and followed my friend without knowing where we're heading to...

"Oh?! Really! Insadong?" A bit surprised as I didn't know that a short 15 minutes walk from Samcheongdong through this quaint alley of Gamgodang-gil will lead us to Insadong.

"Have you been to Insadong?" he questioned me before we crossed the road to Insadong.

"Yes! Of course... You brought me here before." a bit irritated when answering him. Yeah, he must be joking! Tell me how could I have missed it? Insadong is such a popular place, and he's the one who brought me here too, how could he forget so fast?! 헐~!!! 

"Oh... me? did I?" I didn't notice his expression when he answered me.

"Yap~! We visited the art gallery in the evening." quickly turned my head to check whether I'm walking with the correct person?! or by any chance he didn't tell me that he's an actor (with such a good acting skill)?!

... (silent)

"Remember? on my previous trip last September." I started to worry for him! It's normal if I forget things easily. My sister and my friends concluded that I've Alzheimer disease. But, I still remember clearly, and he totally forgot about it? 어떻게?!  How?!!  He might be suffering quite serious short-term memory loss!

Just about to search the photos in my HP to prove that we're there...

"Oh~!"  when he replied softly and nodded his head few times after silent for awhile.  Sounded like it's just for the sake of answering me. Anyway 다행이다~! Thanks God! He finally recalled it! ^^

But less than a minute, he suddenly said: "I thought that's in Itaewon?!" 

OH?!! Wait for a second! Let me recollect and checked my mind. I did come to Insadong (ticked). I visited Art gallery and it's in I~~~iitaewon (ticked confirmed)!!!

"Yeah hor~! It's Itaewon! Yeah~! You shouldn't have nodded your head and said ooh when you're not sure. Haiz!" Actually I was angry at myself and just babbling to hide my embarrassment of this stupid mistake. Aigoo Aigoo~!!

대박~! Imagined his expression when he was answering me... He must had raised his eyebrows and scratching his head (-_-a) with lots of question marks hanging above his head.

Aish~ It's so embarrassing, Vera! how could you mixed-up Insadong and Itaewon?! Are you a joker?! I need to have power to disappear at that moment!!! Ha...haaaiiizzz!!! HELP!!! Where should I hide myself?!  진짜 진짜 부끄럽다!

Please excuse my brain, it's half frozen and unable to process the information correctly due to cold weather. Added with both 'Insadong' and 'Itaewon' start with letter "I", made my brain more confused and haywired ㅠㅜ. 

Ok, enough with this awkwardness!  >.<

Perfect place for Art lovers and popular place for tourists

Insadong is the place for you to experience the traditional aspects of Korea in the heart of the city. This district is especially popular for art galleries, traditional craft stores, antique art dealers, where you can find old Korean paintings, ceramics and traditional furniture.

It's nice to stroll along Insadong main street as it's vehicle- free. In this buoyant neighborhood, you'll soon see the iconic modern contemporary Ssamziegil building.

'Ssamzie' (쌈지 = 'money pouch' in old korean), 'gil' (길 = road or street)
However, people may consider ssamziegil as shopping mall rather than road

Ssamzie is an abstract word implies a 'Street filled with Ancient items'. Ssamziegil’s footpaths run alongside the shops like a winding staircase around the courtyard, reminiscent the alleyway in Insadong. 

There are about 70 shops including handicraft stores, souvenir shops, 

art galleries, workshops and restaurants in this shopping complex.

My friend told me that Insadong is very traditional and cultural area, therefore you can see that majority of the signboards are written in Hangul or translated into Hangul. 

Starbucks Coffee (스타벅스 커피) 

And when Starbucks opened in Insadong, people came and queued here just because it's the only Starbucks in the world with the logo written in Hangul. 

It was about 6 pm and temperature just keep dropping. It's really really cold for me. My 'kind-hearted' friend still offering whether I would like to have ice-cream! But, he's forgiven for teasing me, as he's quite considerate and gave me hot packs though I told him that I have them in my bag.

Did I come to Insadong before? 

Yes, I was here for my Hanbok photoshoots in Goguan studio (please click the link for the proof).

We walked from beginning to end of Insadong... My friend said he has some works to do, so I just followed him as I got nothing to do. If I wandering around myself, I worried it might troubled him more to locate me if I lost my way :P 

Hollys Coffee facing Cheonggyecheon Stream

While he's busy doing his work, me also busy watching 'My Love From Another Star' Ep 19 from Gooddrama. Well, I don't recommend it, as actually it's not that glam to laugh out loud or sob inside the cafe. For this, I have to blame on Cheon Song Yi's hilarious, crazy but somehow she's sensible in this episode.

It's quite sad when Song-yi asked Do Min Joon to sing a song for her that will make her think of him in the future, and make him think of her. The song that they can treasure for long~~ long time. Do Min Joon sang a song ('Promise' by Im Byung-soo), and proposed to her... Finally!!! 

Though, she's very happy to receive the proposal, but then she calls his name, saying, “My beloved Do Min Joon. It’s time for us to wake up from this dream. You, for my sake, exist somewhere. For my sake, don’t die. Exist somewhere. What I’m saying is, Go. To where you were.” ㅠㅠ

Aissh~! raining locally?! Why my face so wet? I'd to jump down from my seat and teleport myself to washroom!

I do admire Song-yi's decision. To know that the person you love is happy, safe and sound somewhere is more than enough... Unconditional love!

Related Posts:
~ Goguan Hanbok Photo Studio
~ Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!
~ Bukchon Hanok Village

September in 3G - Gangnam, Garosugil & Gwanghwamun [Day 3]

It's raining, not an ideal day to visit outdoor places of interest such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village as scheduled. It has to be indoor activities, so we took taxi to COEX Mall.  Journey from Yongsan to Coex took almost 1 hour due to rainy day and traffic jammed.

Oh-uh... we didn't know that it's under major renovation and expected to be completed by December 2014. (Updated: The new and improved Coexmall is scheduled to open on November 27. Please check the news here).

Renovation in progress for fully-upgraded complex with a modern look  



 Only COEX Aquarium, Megabox, Exhibition Centre, 

Bandi and Luni's, few stores and some restaurants still opened

We walked around and found a food court...

We had Naengmyun (Cold Noodles), Sundae, Cheese Gimbap & Salad Gimbap.

 We walked to Hyundai Department Store near to COEX Mall,

and somehow we ended up at ASEM Tower.

ASEM Tower, World Trade Centre, and one unique and artistic building.

We walked to Bongeunsa Temple, which is just directly opposite of COEX Mall.

 

Bongeunsa Temple represents Korea's past 1,200 years of history and tradition.

beautiful and tranquil Temple creates great harmony with modern and busy Gangnam area.

Korea is just so awesome in preserving their historical buildings, traditions and cultures. Even in bustling metropolis Seoul, you can find so many historical sites. I can feel the calmness and not being pressurised by the modernisation of the city. That's explained why I love Korea so much. 

  

Seoul skyline from Bongeunsa Temple.

beautiful landscape and...

elegant architecture of Bongeunsa Temple.

Please click this link to participate for Temple stay programs

(temple tour, tea ceremony, meditation, Making Lotus Flowers, Copying Sutras,..)

After praying and strolling around and taking pictures, we took a taxi to...

Gangnam Underground Shopping Center

(please click the above link for the direction)

Didn't expect that it's such a long shopping arcade! You can find almost everything here... from clothes, accessories, shoes, cosmetics products, household goods, children’s clothing, bags, lingerie, mobile accessories to furniture, interior items, paintings, carpets, and so on. You'll be amazed with the bargain price. I bought few pieces of clothes that ranging from 5,000 won to 15,000 won, and a pair of high heel shoe that only cost 10,000 won ^^

tired after shopping?!!

 why not grab something to munch before continue for gems hunting :P



My hubby brought Xuan and Zhi to Gwanghwamun Square...

Statue of Sejong The Great.

posing as royal guards in front of  King Sejong statue.

"The Story of King Sejong" Exhibition Hall

 informative and educative place to visit to know more about the life story of

The Great King Sejong, the creator of Hangul.

Admiral Yi Sunshin Exhibition Hall & Replica of Turtle Ship

little soldiers in front of Statue of Admiral Yi Shun Shin.

night strolling along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

and had sumptuous tables d'hote with grilled deodeok (더덕구이정식) - 17,000 / person

Deodeok Bap (더덕밥).

Add: 서울 중구 무교동 96 지하1층

Ph: 02-778-2959 

My Korean friend brought us to dine this healthy meal here before. Ah... why my hubby didn't pack the deodeok for me...

I was with my Korean friend at Garosugil area, and dining at Chez Maak. He recommended this place when I asked him to tell me good restaurant around Garosugil as I participated in Psy Wiki Korea Contest. I promised to treat him if I won the contest... but, I didn't win it ㅠㅠ 

Anyway, I decided to give it a try, because I like to drink Makgeolli :P

Psy Wiki Korea Dictionary

White Lotus Makgeolli - Snow with 6% of Alcohol

Chez Maak (셰막) is a Makgeolli House that famous for their Baekryun White Lotus Makgeolli and  Makgeolli Cocktails. They also serve Fusion Korean foods that matched well with Makgeolli.

I thought that they added carbonate, as this was my first time drank makgeolli with fizz. My friend said it's natural carbonate, as the makgeolli is still in the latter stages of fermentation. Oh?! That means I've to go to Korea whenever I want to drink fresh Makgeolli!

If you watched Korean drama, you often see that they poured Makgeolli from bronze kettle and served with bowls.

  

Yummylicious Crunchy & Crispy Chicken served with ddeok (rice cakes),

PaDak (Pa/파 = Spring Onion + Dak/닭 = Chicken) and sauce.

My friend told me that Padak is also Korean onomatopoeia of chicken flapping their wings ㅋㅋㅋ 

  

I like the right amount of sourness from this 1 year long fermented Kimchi Pancake 

Click for image for the clearer map from Konest

After clearing the generous portions of foods without any wastage... we walked along Garosugil and found this café...

Mug For Rabbit  (머그포래빗).

Minimalist decorated café, that created casual and friendly feeling. I like it's open air terrace that you can enjoying  Garosugil  atmosphere while chit-chatting. Actually, I was quite  hesitated  to climb up those wooden flying stairs with no railing, and have to balance myself with my high heels! Phew~!!!  luckily didn't tripped myself...

 Earl Grey Snow and Vanila Snow

Regretted for not ordering their Cupcakes or Organic Carrot Cake as it's their specialities

(just read the reviews from others bloggers). Will try them next time :P

super sweet Vanilla Snow... 

 Have you ever tried 'Earl Grey Vanilla' Snow?!

Mug For Rabbit is located opposite Youk Shim Won Gallery
and near 8seconds clothing store

Click the image for clearer map & credit

We stopped by at one of the art galleries in Itaewon

I'm always amazed to see those talented artists...

wondering how long did they take to create such awesome artworks?

Which "G" do you like the most? Please let me know... Annyeong~^^

Related Posts:

~ [Trazy] Gwanghwamun Square 광화문 광장

~ [Trazy] Coex Mall 코엑스

~ [Trazy] Bongeunsa Temple 봉은사

~ [Trazy] King Sejong Story Exhibition Hall (세종이야기)