Pages

Home » All posts

Korean Travel Online - KT Olleh WiBro Egg: Your portable wifi router

If your visiting Korea, this will probably one of the most important travel must-have. A lot of public establishments have free wifi, some are locked but you can ask for the password, and some have the password written on your receipt. But sometimes, it's easier and faster to have your own wifi source. Here's the WiBro Egg from KT Olleh.



Go here for the service providers that have phone and pocket wifi rental services. You can get them from the airport upon your arrival. You can reserve your device from the individual sites of these providers too.

If you're already residing in Korea and want one for yourself, they are also available for purchase. SK and LG don't sell them at their stores. SK told me I can get them from their website. This "egg" is also useful for those with an iPod Touch or an iPad/ iPad mini. Some phones allow you to turn your phone into a hotspot. But if you don't have a data plan, this is your next best option.

Here's how much the costs would be:
Cost of device: 96,000 won
Monthly bill: 10,000 won
Membership fee: 10,000 won
Penalty fee: 33,800 won (if you break the 2-year contract)

How to get them?
Just go to any Olleh store near you. Bring your ARC (passport just in case), bank account number, and 106,000 won (membership + cost of device). The friendly Olleh staff will ask you to fill up a form, process your application, and send you off with your new pocket wifi ready to use!



________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr

Labels:

Korean Travel Online - KTO on Arirang Radio 20130117

Labels:

Korean Travel Online - International Style Shopping at IFC Mall in Yeouido

The IFC Mall opened in August 2012 at Yeouido, Seoul's financial district that is also dubbed as Korea's Wall Street. There's a whole bunch of international brands, a huge CGV theater, and a row of restaurants. The unique thing about this shopping mall is that it is actually 3-levels down (basement floors only) and has a 17-meter high glass pavilion that lets in natural light to all three lower level floors.

The mall is not very crowded, which might be a good thing for a relaxed, leisurely shopping but maybe not so good for business.  However, I imagine it would be crowded at times when there are events happening around the Han River. Concerts and the fireworks festival tend to attract a lot of people to the area.

It is directly connected to the subway station, but it is quite a long walk. There is a whole row of shops and cafes so it's not a boring walk


The IFC Street Shop from subway to the mall

Subway to mall walkway
Glass pavilion


Three floors of huge shopping space
Looking down from the first floor




















 


 To get to IFC Mall, get off at Yeouido Station (Seoul Subway Line 5 or 9), Exit 3




________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr

Labels:

Korean Travel Online - KTO on Arirang Radio 20130114




Today we discussed the following:

Online event here
Prizes include K-shuttle bus vouchers, pre-paid Korea Pass cards, and tickets to the Seoul Music Awards which will be on Jan 31.

If you are in Korea, you can head over to the exclusive promotion booth in Myeongdong where they are having a prize draw and hands-on activities based on new themes each week .
[Week 1] Myeongdong Week (January 11~17, 2013) 
[Week 2] Fashion Week (January 18~24, 2013)
[Week 3~4] Beauty Week (January 25 ~ February 7, 2013)
[Week 5] Food Week (February 8~14, 2013)  
[Week 6~7] Entertainment Week (February 15~28, 2013)  
Location : Korea Grand Sale booth in front of the main branch of Korea Exchange Bank in Myeongdong

DATE: Ends 17 February 2013
TIME: Tues-Sun 10am-6pm - closed MEondays
COST: Adults W5,000 / Children W3,000
VENUE: Daelim Museum
DATE: Wednesday 12 December 2012 to Sunday 14 April 2013
TIME: 10:00-20:00 (Tue-Fri) / 10:00–18:00 (Weekends, Public Holidays) / Closed Mondays/10:00 – 22:00 (1st-3rd Tuesdays)
COST: W12,000 Adults / W10,000 Teens / W8,000 Children under 12
VENUE: Seoul Museum of Art, near City Hall Subway Station
DATE: Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 January 2013
TIME: 10AM - 6PM / last admission 5:30PM / Ticket Office closes at 4PM
COST: W20,000 admission
VENUE: Hall D1 and D2, COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Hit the play button below to start listening.




________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr

Labels:

Korean Travel Online - Casual Dining at California Pizza Kitchen

When you're eating Korean food for 5 consecutive days, it's good to take a break and have something different on the weekends. At Itaewon and Haebangchon, you'll find a lot of good foreign restaurants and a variety of international cuisine like Mexican, Thai, Italian, Indian, Bulgarian, Greek, etc.

Myeongdong is more well-known for shopping than food. After all, it's Seoul's shopping mecca. But there are also a bunch of good eats around the area as detailed by this restaurant guide. With all the shopping you'll be doing, you're sure to get hungry at one point or another. So we headed to California Pizza Kitchen. The good thing about this is that their location is not in the center of the shopping district, so it doesn't get really crowded. And it's also on the second floor so it might be easily missed.



We ordered the Peach Gorgonzola Pizza and Shrimp Carbonara along with lemonades. The carbonara was just ok, a little bland but still ok and there were 7 pieces of shrimp so it was still good. But the pizza was so good that it exceeded all expectations. I hate onions with a passion but there were only a few on top and they were caramelized just right so they were good. The peach was also caramelized a bit so it's soft and sweet. They could have put more of the gorgonzola. The combination of the pizza and the salad on top is just brilliant. You can choose between a ranch dressing or  balsamic vinegar. We chose the latter and it was an excellent choice.
Peach Gorgonzola Pizza
Shrimp Carbonara

Passion fruit lemonade and strawberry lemonade


They also have lunch specials that includes one food item, soup, and coffee. We called the waiter to get that but turns out it's only available on weekdays. Oh well... It's still amazing anyway and would definitely go back for the pizza and lemonade (and perhaps a different pasta).

California Pizza Kitchen, Myeongdong
서울시 중구 을지로2가 198번지 OPUS11빌딩2층
2nd floor OPUS11 Building, 198 Euljiro2-ga Jung-gu, Seoul
Mon to Thu: 11:30 - 22:30
Fri to Sat: 11:30 - 23:00



To get there, just get off at Euljiro 1-ga station (Seoul Subway Line 2) and go out of either exit 5 or 6. It's also walking distance from Myeongdong station. They also have branches at Gangnam, Cheongnyangri, and Yongsan I'Park Mall. Go to their website for their other locations: http://www.icpk.co.kr/




________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr




Labels:

Korean Travel Online - KTO on Arirang Radio 20130110





________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr

Labels:

Korean Travel Online - Korea Travel Ebooks from KTO

Sometimes, there are so many travel information out on the world wide web that it's overwhelming. A good way to start is to look at some illustrated ebooks. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) publishes travel ebooks annually to compile information and unique facts about Korea's history, the main sights, destinations, maps, and food. It gives you quality photos and up-to-date information all in one source.

You can find the ebooks from this link.
If you want to download the ebooks and keep them, follow the instructions below:



 The 2013 ebooks out now are the following:
All about Korean food (also available in Hebrew)

Keywords to Korea


Guide to Hongdae Guest Houses

2013 Illustrated Booklet



2013 Calendar with pictures


________________________________________________
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr







Labels:

Korean Travel Online - Earthenware Rooftop Figurines from Joseon Dynasty

The National Palace Museum of Korea is the first specialized museum about the royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty. This is a great place to visit if you want to know more about the royal palaces, culture, clothes, etc. from that era. The best thing about this is admission is free. The museum has permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions. The museum's website is also available in English so you can have a look at their ongoing exhibitions here.

Where is that 'You are here' sticker when you need it?!


One of the things you'll get to see at the museum is the explanation about the rooftop figurines that we usually see on the rooftops of traditional buildings. These animal-shaped roof tiles and figurines are called Japsang (잡상).
Japsang (잡상), animal-shaped roof tiles and decorative figures
These roof tiles and figures were used not only as decorative symbols to show the dignity and grandeur of a building but also as shamanic symbols to chase away evil spirits and misfortune.


Here's a closer look at the figures and the names of each.
Samjang Beopsa 삼장법사

Sonojeong 손오정

Jeopalgye 저팔계

Saojeong 사오정

Iguryong 이구룡

Mahwasang 마화상

Cheonsangap 천산갑

Yongdu 용두






________________________________________________
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr
Labels:

Korean Travel Online - KTO on Arirang Radio 20130107



Today we discussed the following:

1. Korea's image enhanced thanks to Hallyu
    - 77% of the respondents agreed that Hallyu has improved Korea’s image. 
    - 80% said that they watch Hallyu-related content (music videos, dramas, or movies) at least once a  week
    - 51% said that K-pop is the most interesting type of Hallyu content. 
    - Big Bang was selected by 26.3% of the respondents as their favorite artist while Psy followed closely 
      behind, chosen by 21.3%.


2. Fun Activities for Kids and Adults this winter
   - Hilton Christmas Train - until 13th of January at the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel Lower Lobby
   - Happy Winter Festival - at 6 major cities. Click here for details
   - Sledding at various locations:
       Supia Park at Ttukseom
       Children's Grand Park
       World Cup Stadium
       Seoul Land

Hit the play button below to start listening.



________________________________________________
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koreatourism
Twitter: www.twitter.com/koreantravel
Youtube: www.youtube.com/visitkorea
Official site: www.visitkorea.or.kr
Labels:

Korean Travel Online - KTO on Arirang Radio 20130103



Every Monday and Thursday, we talk to Lisa Kelley of Arirang Radio's Travel Bug about the happenings in and out of Korea. Here's what we talked about on the show yesterday



Topics discussed:


Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)