[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 13: Namsan Park & Myeongdong Part 2

As our planned itinerary for the day was not as hectic as our previous days’, we could afford to have a longer rest time than usual. Besides, a little more sleep would go a long way in recharging our energy levels after our episode of exhilarating but physically-exhausting experience at Vivaldi Park Ski Resort the day before.

For today, our aim is to conquer Seoul's Iconic Namsan Park that sits on top of Namsan Hill (Duh!), after-which we would continue our exploration of Myeongdong.

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 12: Vivaldi Park Skiing & Myeongdong Part 1

Remember the day J brought us to Vivaldi Park near his hometown of Yangdeokwon to have a sneak-peak at its skiing-facilities? Well, this would be the day we returned to spend an entire afternoon Skiing! For those clueless as to what I have just mentioned, I was referring to our experience from Day 6.

Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ski World is one of several ski-resorts that South Korea has to offer. Instead of visiting the highly-commercialized Yongpyong Ski-resort mainly for tourists, we decided to go for a more local feel and experience at Vivaldi Park. Located within the mountains of Gangwon-do, it is about a 2-hour drive from Seoul. 

 

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 11: Dongdaemun Market & City Hall Ice-Skating

Taking an overnight flight direct from Singapore to Korea, Clara (C) finally arrived at our "home" at about 9 in the morning! Joining us for the last segment of the trip, she would be the 3rd member of our group! Welcome!

Having settled down her baggage in our "home", it was time to set off and begin the day's activities! Apparently, there was quite a snow storm that lasted throughout the night, blanketing the city with a significantly thick layer of whiteness on every exposed surface! Poof! Poof! Poof! Fluffy snow everywhere =)

Just outside Hyehwa Subway Station

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 10: Namdaemun

Looking back, we had been concentrating a lot on K-pop-related activities since the day we arrived and hadn't really been out and about exploring the city itself. Well, good news for those more interested in city exploration cause we are about to tone down on K-pop activities and really see what South Korea has to offer besides music entertainment.

While many out there were having the Monday blues getting to work and school, we were more than excited to begin the day!

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 9: Success on Inkigayo Live!

Having had an unsuccessful attempt at crashing MBC's Music Core the previous day, both X and I decided to gamble with our luck once again on yet another music program - SBS's Inkigayo. Despite the fact that we had a chance that we might just be wasting another day, we were rather adamant and stubborn on the idea of catching one of these shows live!

Broadcast by SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), Inkigayo is one of the several music shows that air every Sunday afternoon. Similar to the other rival music shows such as MBC's Music Core and KBS's Music Bank, it showcases song performances of local artistes on various stage segments.

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 8: Crash Attempt at Music Core

Before proceeding to write on the happenings of my 8th day for this trip, let me begin by first revealing my thoughts for this day. To me, it was the lowest point of the trip. We practically wasted our efforts on the entire morning + afternoon due to our own lack of awareness, stubbornness and greediness.

Lined-up with performances from many big groups such as SNSD, T-ARA, Super Junior, 2PM, 2AM, Shinee and 2NE1, the MBC Music Core Christmas Special 2011 was definitely unlike any of the usual Music Core shows on normal Saturdays.

Deciding to join the queue early in the morning, we left our "home" at about 6am and took a taxi direct to MBC Dream Center in Ilsan. Local fans would normally take the first subway train to Jeongbalsan station (nearest subway station) and walk a short 10-minutes distance to get to the building itself. However, given the program line-up of performances for the day, we wanted to get in the queue ASAP to secure a spot.

MBC Dream Center

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 7: Gyeogbokgung Palace & Cheonggyecheon Stream

Having finally settled down in Seoul the day before, this was to be our first proper day spent exploring Seoul. Our main objective would be to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds and the Cheongyecheon Stream. Many friends of mine whom have previously been to Korea mentioned that seeing one palace is akin to seeing all the other palaces. There really isn't a need to hop from one to another as they're pretty much the same. Following their advice, we decided to choose to visit Gyeongbokgung for this trip as it is the main palace in Seoul.

Just as Nicole's mother and J had warned us earlier about this day, Siberian winds did indeed reach Seoul, plummeting temperatures down significantly till between -16 to -18 degrees Celsius even in the day! That is just about the coldest I have ever experienced in my life! In fact according to the staff from Backpackers Inside, in the days to come we would be experiencing the coldest Christmas season in 30 years >.<. Despite the cold, it hadn't started snowing yet though.

Stepping out of Inside Backpackers 

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 6: Bye Yangdeokwon, Hello Seoul!

Having accomplished our main objective of visiting Yoochi-ri the day before, we decided to have a longer rest to regain our normal energy levels. Our only plan scheduled for the day was just to check-out and head back to Seoul where we would be settling down for the remaining days of our trip. Anything else was really situational.

Waking-up just in time for an early lunch, we set off for the last Invincible-Youth-related restaurant in Yangdeokwon left to visit - 수정닭갈비 (Sucheong Chicken).

 수정닭갈비 (Sucheong Chicken)

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 5: Yoochi-ri Day!

Even before the sun rose, I had already gotten up from over-excitement of the day’s planned activities. Taking extra time before heading out, I did a final check on all my photographic equipments, making sure that all was in order. This was one of those days I was really looking forward to. This was the day I planned to visit the home of G7 – Idol-Village in Yoochi-ri!

Before reading on, do watch the photo montage I did on the places I visited and saw in Yoochi-ri =)

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 4: Yangdeokwon - Getting Closer to Yoochi-ri

As of this day, my period of loneliness was finally over! I checked out of my motel at about 7am and headed for the scheduled meet-up at Gangbyeon Station with my travel buddy, Xcalible (X), whom had just touched down at Incheon International Airport moments ago.

Crossing the Han River

Getting on the subway that early in the morning was totally harrowing! I managed to experience what it is like to be part of Seoul’s morning rush crowd! It was definitely a squeezy ride throughout my journey to Gangbyeon Station.

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 3: Seoul Stopover/ Camping @ Cube Entertainment

Like a dead log, I slept for a good 12 hours the night before and woke up only at about 6am. Feeling refreshed, I felt much better after the the much-needed long rest. Because I was so tired the day before, I missed doing my daily accounting last night and had to do it this morning. Keeping my spending within budget is very important. After my morning wash-up, I sat at the dressing table to do my sums while watching Star King on television.

Star King on Television

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 2: Jeonju - Taeyeon’s Hometown

Waking up numerous times throughout a rather uncomfortable sleepover at the airport the night before, it was finally 5:30 in the morning. I freshened up at a nearby restroom and slipped on my thermal wear. It was time to set off for my first destination - Jeonju.

The journey to Jeonju from the airport was rather simple. I first had to travel to Seoul and then catch a bus that would bring me directly to Jeonju. There were 2 options to get to Seoul - by the limousine bus service or by the subway system. I chose the subway as it was the cheaper and more interesting method. Incheon Airport’s subway station is located in front of the airport terminal and you can reach it either from an overhead bridge or an underpass.

Underpass to the subway station

As I approached the subway station, I walked pass a particular location that seemed very familiar.

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Day 1: Depart for Korea!

Arriving at Changi International Airport Terminal 3

My watch struck 7 in the morning as I  entered my dad’s car. Having such wonderful parents and siblings, my family was insistent on sending me off at the airport. The day has finally come, months of research and planning have boiled down to this and its now time to press the execute button.

[Winter Korea Trip 2010/2011] Introduction

 
On 18th of December 2010, I (Ryan) embarked on a much-envied journey to the heart of k-pop, the origins of the hallyu wave that has swept many countries world-wide - South Korea. For 18 memorable days, my travel buddies and I visited numerous places of interest in South Korea during which, we met with many interesting and unique adventures.

[UPDATE] Korea Trip 2010/2011 Trailer

Hi again folks! Was really bored today so I decided to make a video trailer for my coming trip to Korea. Took me about half a day to complete. What do you think of it?



Anyways just an update, I just purchased the plane tickets so its a sure go thing =) unless something ugly happens (touch wood! haha)

Korea Trip 2010/2011

[Last Updated - 24th October 2010]

That's right folks! I'm planning a trip right into the heart of K-Pop - Korea itself! No this is not going to be yet another group tour package. Its going to be a one planned by myself personally. With the flexibility of choosing where I want to go and what I want to explore, what more can I ask for? Well that comes with a price too! I need to do some serious planning. In fact I have been on it for the past 8 months, researching and planning. No worries, the trip will be will documented with pictures and HD videos if you would ever like to follow my footsteps =D


Some highlights include visiting SNSD Taeyeon parent's shop and Invincible Youth's Idol Village.

Updates will all be on this post to keep this page neat and tidy =D

Stage: Complete
Period of Stay: 18th December 2010 - 4th January 2011
Budget: S$2900 (approx. 2,465,000₩)
Regions Covering: -Seoul
                                - Hongcheon, Gangwon-do
                                - Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do