KTO Manila announces new Wow Korea Supporters for 2017

Last March 30, 2017, KTO Manila finally announced their new Wow Korea Supporters for 2017, and I'm so happy that I was once again given the opportunity to be one of the 50 supporters.

Wow Korea Supporters are tasked to promote Korea Tourism and KTO Manila through their SNS accounts. They can share KTO Manila's post or create their own posts, blogs, and promotional videos related to Korea Tourism or KTO Manila. They are also tasked to submit monthly reports about the said posts to KTO Manila.

This year's selection process for the supporters seem to be more stringent than previous years as qualifications for the applicants have been narrowed down, and the screening committee is also bigger with the addition of partners like Travelers In Progress- TRIP, UST CTHM STS and Ateneo Korean Studies Program.

The supporters are also in for an even bigger challenge as specific themes will be given each week on what topic to promote. They'll be required to have 3 posts related to the theme each week, but they're also free to post other Korean-related topics.

So far, a total of 36 supporters have been announced already and 14 more will be announced in the coming days.

At the end of the year, the Best Wow Korea Supporter among all 50 supporters will win a tour package to Korea. I truly hope to win that package and promise to work harder this year (Fighting!). 

Being a Wow Korea Supporter is a truly rewarding experience that requires commitment, determination, and a genuine love for all things Korean. I've certainly enjoyed and have learned a lot from my first year as supporter (2015). I've been consistently promoting Korea (and have grown more in-love with the country) since.

Congratulations to all of the new supporters and I look forward to all the activities of KTO Manila Wow Korea Supporters this year!

Many thanks again to Korea Tourism Organization Manila, and it's partners, Philippine Kpop Convention, Travelers In Progress- TRIP, UST CTHM STS and Ateneo Korean Studies Program, for this wonderful opportunity :)

~~~

Planning to visit Korea? For information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official page, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

Read More

13 Reasons Why You Should Visit South Korea (and why I DEFINITELY want to go back)

I was 12 when I told myself that there’s no such thing as love at first sight, but I was wrong, because in 2003, I fell in-love at first sight in Korea.

Prior to my visit, my only dream then was to visit Korea to satisfy my addiction for Kdrama and Kpop—buy Kpop merchandise & Korean cosmetics, watch a Kpop concert, and visit filming locations. But after seeing my dream face to face, and realizing that reality was so much better than what I dreamt of, I fell in-love and found a new dream. I want to see and discover more of Korea. I want to share my experience to other people too, especially those who’ve been curious about the country, wondering whether it’s worth the visit or not. 

If you haven’t visited Korea yet, here are 13 reasons why I think you should (and why I DEFINITELY want to go back):

1. Eco-tourism 

– If you’re like me who loves the calming effect of nature, likes to see and take pictures of breathtaking landscapes, or just to do a little walking, trekking, or hiking here and there, then Korea is the place to be. You can visit nature reserves/national parks, arboretums, botanical gardens, eco-trails and other eco-tourism sites. I’m particularly interested in visiting DMZ, the most dangerous nature reserve in the world, which remains practically untouched since 1953, and also look forward to visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site and volcanic island of Jeju.

What’s on my bucketlist (Places I want to visit)?: 

Jeju Island (Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak & Mt. Halla), Seoul Forest, Bukhansan National Park, Seoraksan National Park, Suncheon Bay, Boseong Tea Fields, Jirisan National Park, Garden of the Morning Calm

Seoraksan National Park. Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization

2. Hallyu a.k.a Korean Cultural Wave

- Since the 1990s, the popularity of Korean Culture & Entertainment have grown immensely, and this has been greatly attributed to Kdrama (Korean Drama), and Kpop (Korean Pop) Music. Despite the language difference, people all over the world have come to idolize Korean artists. The likes of Super Junior, Bigbang, Girls Generation, Psy, Lee Min Ho, Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, and Jun Ji Hyun, among others, have all become household names, capturing the hearts of fans from different parts of the world. 

There’s just something unique, and intangible about Kpop and Kdrama that draws people to it. The charming visuals, unique concepts and storylines, or the breathtaking filming sites perhaps? Watch a Kdrama and you would most certainly want to watch them again and again. Listen to a Kpop song, and pretty soon, you’ll be trying to memorize lyrics you may not even know the meaning of. And of course, at the bottom of it all, you’d want to visit Korea so badly to see your favorite idols in the flesh, watch them perform live in a concert and visit all those filming locations of your favorite dramas. Isn’t the power of culture amazing? 

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Visit the filming sites of my favorite Kdramas--Descendants of the Sun, Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo and Moonlight Drawn by Clouds; Watch a Korean Music Show live; Watch another Kpop concert!^^

Cheonjuho Lake at Pocheon Art Valley, a filming location of Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo

3. Korean Food (Hansik)-

I found Korean cuisine as one of the best I’ve tasted in the world. Before, I had the impression that most Korean dishes are spicy, but when I finally tried them, I found them really flavourful, appealing, healthy and really delicious. There's so much more to it than what meets the eye (or the palate for that matter), because even in their cuisine, Koreans apply the philosophy of balance in terms of colors and ingredients. I also love how each meal in Korea has a lot of banchan (side dishes), which makes the meal more appetizing. 

From street food to local specialties and even desserts, Korean food is really irresistible, so be prepared to get a few extra pounds and stray from your diet when you visit Korea.

What’s on my bucketlist (Food I want to try again): 

Ramyun, Gimbap, Dakgalbi, Bingsu, Bulgogi, Korean Beef Stew, Bibimbap, Jajangmyeon, Tangsuyuk, Japchae, ChiMaek, Bibimyeon, Tteokbokki, Hotteok, Kimchi, Sundubu Jiggae, Samgyeopsal, Bossam, Samgyetang, Haemul Pajeon (this list is making me hungry!)

My favorite dessert, Korean Bingsu!

Bibimbap :)

One of my favorites, Chuncheon Dakgalbi! ^^

4. Tourist Spots

- Boring is a word that doesn’t exist in Korea. There’s just so much to see and do! You can visit Korean Palaces, take a stroll in a traditional village, meditate in a temple, or have an exciting day at a theme park. 

I find Korea also very safe and tourist friendly with lots of tourism centers, downloadable travel apps, and incentives and freebies being offered specifically to foreign visitors. In Seoul, there’s even a helpline specifically set up for tourists.

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Visit all 100 must-visit sites (HERE), some that I really want to visit are Jongmyo Shrine, Blue House, Moonlight tours at Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Petite France, Nami Island, Everland, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

My photo with the palace guard at Deoksugung Palace

One of our photos at the Trickeye Museum. It's a fun place to hang out :)

5. Weather & Climate

Korea has moderate weather conditions with four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). My favorite time to visit is Autumn. I love the cool weather during this time of the year. I remember that it all felt so magical and surreal when I first saw all that color, and natural vibrance. It was like going inside a painting with warm hues of red, orange, and yellow, everywhere. 

What’s on my bucketlist: 

I also look forward to seeing cherry blossoms during Spring, and experiencing snow, skiing and having a White Christmas for the first time, during winter in Korea!

My favorite picture of autumn taken at Gyeongbokgung Palace :)

6. Art 

- Hanbok, the colorful traditional Korean clothing, reflects the unique and expressive artistic sense of Koreans. No wonder the Korean art industry has sparked the interest and gained the admiration of many people all over the world. You can see how artistic Koreans are through their fashion, their architecture, theatrical performances, and everyday lives. 

My favorite example for this would be Korean street art. I like how they use art to transform less attractive areas in the community. Try walking around Seoul, and you’ll see attractive murals and amusing structures everywhere.

What’s on my bucketlist: 

Mullae Village; Apgujeong Graffiti Tunnel; Songwol-dong Fairytale Village in Incheon; Heyri Art Valley; Ewha Women’s University; Dongdaemun Design Plaza; I also want to watch non-verbal shows like Nanta and Fanta-Stick

LED Roses at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Photo credit: VisitSeoul.net

7. People

- Koreans are one of the friendliest people I know. They’re warm, genuinely nice, thoughtful and always respectful, especially to elders. It’s really easy to get along with them, even with the language barrier. One of my fears in visiting Korea before was that nobody would be able to understand me, especially if I'm lost and asking for directions. But I was proven wrong because I've encountered several instances where they would go out of their way to help a total stranger like me.  

What's on my bucketlist:

Meet up with my Korean friends in Seoul; meet any of my favorite Korean artists in person :)

8. Technology

- South Korea is definitely at the forefront of technological advancements as it is hailed as one of the most wired countries in the world, with the fastest broadband internet that has an average connection speed of 25.3 / 26.7megabits (mbps) per second, and fastest mobile internet speed at an average connection speed of 18.2 mbps. I definitely took advantage of this during my previous visits, as I can upload hundreds of photos in my social media accounts in a matter of minutes via Seoul’s free 5G public wi-fi. There’s also no need to worry about connection, especially in Seoul, because there’s free public wifi access everywhere.

What's on my bucketlist:

Try the free mobile phone rental for tourists

9. Cosmetics

- Don’t we all envy flawless and healthy looking Korean Skin? I’m a huge fan of Korean Cosmetics as I find them really good for skin care. Since Korean make-up is more expensive in my country, I usually shop in bulk for a few months’ supply when I’m in Korea. My favorite place to shop is in Myeongdong because they usually give a lot of freebies along with my purchase.

What’s on my bucketlist?: 

Cosmetic shopping spree at my favorite stores--The Face Shop, Etude House, Tony Moly, Innisfree, Nature Republic

Some of my favorite items from Etude House ^^

10. Festivals

- Just like my country, Korea is home to many exciting festivals, some of which really sparked my interest... Ever heard of a Chicken & Beer Festival? How about a Mud, or a Water Gun Festival? If you’d like to try them, better take note of their dates to avoid missing them out. 

What’s on my bucketlist?:

Daegu Chimaek Festival, Boryeong Mud Festival, Seoul Lantern Festival, Andong Mask Dance Festival, Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival, Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Boseong Green Tea Festival, Sinchon Water Gun Festival, Goyang Flower Festival

Some photos I took from the Seoul Lantern Festival:

People were making DIY lanterns and writing their wishes on them.

The lanterns were then set afloat along the Cheonggyecheon stream

11. Transportation

- I find travelling in Korea really convenient as you have a wide variety of options (from trains, buses, ferries, cabs, etc.) to choose from. Their transportation system is really efficient, so driving your own car may not be advisable (plus parking can be expensive). You can go anywhere within minutes just by train, which is cheap, fast, and reliable. 

Because of my tight itinerary, I once had to visit a celebrity owned café prior to watching a concert. At first, I thought I would be late because it was rush hour but I made it just in time, all thanks to the super fast and convenient Seoul Subway :)

Also, if you’re a foreigner visiting Korea, and don’t know your way around, fret not because there are a variety of apps that you can use to navigate around.

What’s on my bucketlist? 

Ride the KTX train going to Busan (haha, and yes, it's because of the movie 'Train to Busan'); Try the Han River Cruise; Try the Seoul Bus Tours

My friends and I enjoying our train ride at the ITX (Intercity Train eXpress)- Cheongchun High Speed Train

12. Coffee Culture

- I’m a self-confessed coffee addict, and Korea has tons of really nice cafes. From themed cafes, to Hanok-style cafes, and my favorite, celebrity owned cafes, you’ll definitely be in for a treat and have a hard time deciding which to visit first. In Seoul alone, you can find some 50,000 coffee shops. Now, that’s a lot of café-hopping in my itinerary.

What’s on my bucket list?: 

Kim Jaejoong’s J-holic Café in Myeongdong; Forresta Book Café; Café Healing 616 in Gangnam; Super Junior Kyuhyun's Mom House & Cafe; Hello Kitty Cafe in Jeju; Dal.komm Coffee in Songdo, Yangjae, and Bundang (because of Descendants of the Sun)

Slow Park in Samcheongdong

Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae

13. Medical Tourism- 

Korea is becoming a popular place to get essential health treatments. Personally, I like Korea Medical Tourism’s philosophy of taking care of their patients inside and out, improving their over-all health and well-being, and even considering their cultural differences in terms of religion and nationality. With that kind of philosophy, along with world class medical procedures, and top caliber doctors, I believe visiting Korea for medical reasons is worth it. Their costs are also relatively lower, especially as compared to western countries. (For more details on medical tourism in Korea, you can check out the Visit Medical Korea website HERE)

What’s on my bucket list?: 

Templestay; Traditional Korean Medicine Detox Steam; skin care treatments that will help keep my skin looking young and healthy (I think these are very appropriate for people like me who experience constant stress)

Photo credit: http://eng.templestay.com/

I hope my list convinced you to push through with your very own #VisitKorea trip! ^^

Through all these things (and MORE!), I found love in Korea--- love from all the new friends I’ve met, love for photography and travel, love for culture, love for adventures, love in pursuing the things that matter to me, love for living and appreciating life more.

My love affair with Korea opened many doors that I never imagined would be there. I’ve met a lot of new friends not only from my country but also from other parts of the world. I gained a lot of wonderful experiences that would always be a source of inspiration and strength. And for all that, Korea will forever be dear to my heart. I may visit other countries, but it will always be my second home, a place that I would always want to go back to. :)

~~~

This article is my entry for Global Wow Korea. I want to be part of it because it’s another opportunity for me to discover more about the beautiful country that opened so many doors for me. 

In my own little way, I want to give back by helping promote Korea and sharing my experiences to the world, so that others may also be encouraged to explore it.

If you want to know more about Global Wow Korea, you can check out the post below or visit their website HERE.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy reading my post!

Read More

KTO Manila begins search for next batch of Wow Korea Supporters

Wow, how time flies so fast! I can't believe that it's been a year already since I first applied as Wow Korea Supporter 2015. It's been an awesome year filled with a lot of discoveries about Korea's tourism and culture, and I can say being one of last year's 50 supporters was a remarkable experience that made my fondness for Korea more profound.

Just recently, Korea Tourism Organization Manila once again launched their search for the most avid Koreanophiles in Metro Manila, and this time, they will be choosing only 20 Wow Korea Supporters for 2016 (instead of 50 supporters like last year).

Do you have what it takes to be a Wow Korea Supporter? Apply now to find out and you might even get the chance to win a roundtrip ticket to Korea. The qualifications needed are as follows:

1. 1. Must be a Filipino citizen aged 18 and above, residing in Metro Manila
2. 2. Must be an active SNS user
3. 3. Must be a member of an affiliated PKCI (Philippine Kpop Convention) fan club.               Check out the list of PKCI Affiliated fan clubs HERE
4. 4. Like KTO Manila's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/koreatourismmanila), follow them on Twitter (@KTOManila) and  KakatoTalk (@ktomanila)

To apply, just fill out and submit the application form found in this link:  http://goo.gl/forms/soISULzuCd

Once you've passed the form, walk the talk and start being an active Korea tourism supporter (if you aren't already one) by promoting and sharing the announcements, activities, posts and events of KTO Manila on your respective SNS accounts (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.)

KTO Manila will be monitoring the accounts of qualified applicants and choose the most active ones from there. Please make sure all your accounts and posts are set to "public" so they can access and track them as well.

The application period as 2016 KTO Manila Wow Korea Supporter is from February 26 to March 25, 2016. The announcement of winners is on March 29, 2016.

~~~

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization Manila for the details in this post. Check out their original announcement post HERE. 

Read More

Search for the 2015 Korean Tourism Ambassador Online Event

Hello! Calling all Korea lovers out there again to join Korea Tourism Organization Manila's newest online event!

Get a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy Tab S or a GoPro Hero 4 Silver by just answering the question: Who do you think is the finest Filipino celebrity to be a Korean Tourism Ambassador?

The mechanics for joining this event is very easy:

Step 1: Like KTO Manila's Facebook page HERE

Step 2: Vote for your favorite Filipino celebrity and answer the questions HERE (Some names of Pinoy celebrities have already been given as choices but there's also an option for you to nominate your favorite celeb. You will also need to explain your choice as this will be KTO Manila's basis in choosing the winner, so be creative with your explanation :))

Step 3: Share the event poster found on the link HERE and tag 3 of your friends. Include the caption "I want (name of chosen celebrity) to be a‪#‎KoreanTourismAmbassador‬" (e.g. I want Kathryn Bernardo to be a #KoreanTourismAmbassador)

Some important points to remember in joining this event:

• Make sure to set the privacy of your post (when you share the event poster) to PUBLIC (you may tag KTO Manila as well)
• Only Filipino citizens currently residing in the Philippines are qualified to join
• Winners will be chosen from the celebrity with the most number of votes
• Answer with the best explanation will win the contest (Maximum of 10 sentences)
• Winners will be announced and contacted individually 
• Only one entry per Facebook account
• Prizes are non-transferable and not convertible to cash
• Prizes may change with equal or greater value

The event will run from August 24~September 18, 2015, and the winners will be announced on September 23, 2015 (Wednesday).

Join now, and you might be one of the lucky winners of those amazing gadgets! ^^

~~~

For more information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official Website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization and Korea Tourism Organization Manila for the event info, and poster.

Read More

KTO Manila to hold Korea Incentive Road Show in September

With the aim of promoting Korea as the top corporate incentive travel destination, Korea Tourism Organization Manila will be holding a Korea Incentive Road Show on September 3, 2015, Thursday at Ballroom 1 & 2 of the Fairmont Hotel in Makati. 

One of the highlights of the event is the Korea Incentive Mini Mart at 3:30~5:30PM, which is open to all travel agencies and private companies in the country. This will feature table top meetings with Korea's best corporate travel suppliers, tour operators, convention bureaus, and airlines, which can be an avenue for travel agents to expand their network as well as to gain relevant insights from the industry. Snacks and drinks will be served and participants will receive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel kits and freebies upon registration. 

There will also be a Korea Incentive Night at 5:30~8:30PM, which is strictly by invitation only. It will showcase the latest corporate incentive travel trends in Korea via exclusive presentations. Special guests include the Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. Jae-Shin Kim and Department of Tourism Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr.

To cap off the event and hype up the excitement among participants, 5 roundtrip tickets to Korea will be given away during the Korea Incentive Night. 

Sponsored by Air Asia, Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air, Korean Air, and supported by the Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Banco De Oro, the Korea Incentive Road Show is part of KTO’s efforts to boost Korea’s travel industry and attract international tourists to visit the country after the recent outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-Cov) there.

The MERS-Cov outbreak caused a huge drop in inbound tourism in Korea. Hence, KTO has been relentless in organizing efforts to revitalize its tourism industry since the country was declared free from MERS-Cov since end of July. One of the steps being taken is to further capitalize on MICE tourism, and the Philippines, with its growing economy and the Filipino’s growing fascination to the Hallyu Wave, is a good potential market.

For more information on the event, interested participants may call Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office at (02) 880-0312 to 13, or they can also send an email to ktomanila@gmail.com.

~~~

For more information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official Website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization and Korea Tourism Organization Manila for the event info, and posters.

Read More

Watch KTO's new TVC and get a chance to win a trip to Korea!

Hello! For all Korea lovers out there, here's another chance to win a trip to Korea :)

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recently launched their new official TV commercial, which is 70 seconds long and features Korea's colorful culture, scenic spots, and famous actor Lee Min Ho. And now, they're holding the “2015 KTO TVC Facebook Event" at the Imagine Your Korea Facebook page. 

The mechanics for joining is very simple:

Step 1. Watch KTO's new TVC which you can find in this link: youtu.be/UJVlHwpS6Nw

Step 2. In the comments section of the FB post announcing the event (HERE), you have to: 

• ① Name two places that movie star Lee Min-ho went to in the video. (Hints have been given HERE and HERE so this should be easy :) ) 
• ② Tell them what you want to experience in Korea.

Step 3. Share the FB post HERE and spread your love for Korea.

This is one of the places that Lee Min Ho visited. Guess where this is :)

Lee Min Ho looking really handsome in the TVC. I'm sure a lot of Minoz will love this ad! :)

There are 150 prizes at stake, which include the following:

• Grand Prize [1 winner]: Round-trip flight to Korea via Korean Air (economy class) + 2 night stay at a 5 star hotel (The Shilla Seoul)
• 1st Prize [10 winners]: Round-trip flight to Korea via Korean Air (economy class)
• 2nd Prize [39 winners]: 2 night stay at a 5 star hotel (The Shilla Seoul)
• 3rd Prize [100 winners]: Lee Min-ho candle

Lee Min Ho candle

The Event runs from Aug. 1 (Sat) to Aug. 19 (Wed), 2015 and is open to legal residents of their respective countries, who are thirteen (13) years of age or older at the time of entry. (So you still have a few days to join! :) )

From all who submitted their entries, the winners of the Event will be chosen at random by KTO and will be announced on August 27, 2015.

The list of winners shall be posted at the Imagine your Korea FB page. Winners will also be notified via registered Facebook personal message, where they will be required to submit their personal information for the delivery of their prize. Failure to reply within 5 days from the date of notification will mean forfeiture of their prize.

Both the flight ticket and hotel accommodation prizes will be delivered in the form of vouchers, which can be used until December 31, 2015. Vouchers are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be converted to cash.

Winners are responsible for securing their travel documents as well as any expenses that are not covered by the said vouchers. 

For more information on the event, please read the Terms and Conditions HERE.

~~~

So, what are you waiting for? Hurry and join! Who knows, this might be your chance to visit the Land of the Morning Calm :)

If you're a fan of Lee Min Ho, you might also want to check out the Behind the Scenes video ^^:

For more information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official Website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr) for the info, videos and photos.

Read More

Bucketlist: Activities you can do only in Korea [Part 1]

Hello! Ever since my first visit to Korea way back 2013, many people would often ask me about 'must-try' activities that can only be done there. Hence, I came up with my own 'bucket list' which I'd like to share with you in this post :)

If you'll be travelling to Korea soon, it would be good to come up with your own list too. Write down the activities you want to do, check their locations and group the once that are near each other. After that, you can assign a schedule to each of them. This way you can manage your time and expenses, and make the most out of your trip :)

I originally came up with 15 on my list, but I thought of cutting my post into 3 parts so it won't be too long. Here are the first batch of activities :

1. Hanbok fitting

Here are some Hanboks that we found at Dondaemun

The Hanbok is Korea's traditional clothing, which expresses Korea's true characteristics in terms of culture and history. Koreans used to wear it daily (around 100 years ago), but nowadays, they are only worn on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or during national holidays like Chuseok and Seollal. With the rising popularity of Sageuk or Korean Historical Dramas though, many foreign tourists have shown increasing interest in the garments. And as a Sageuk drama fan myself, this is one activity that I'm really looking forward to. (Won't it be fun to wear hanbok while you try to reminisce Jewel in the Palace or try to immitate Emperor Lee Hwon of Moon Embracing the Sun?^^)

Known for its exquisite and colorful designs, your cultural experience in Korea is incomplete without trying the Hanbok on even once. There are many cultural centers in Korea that offer Hanbok Programs where you can wear them with a minimal rental fee, and some you can even try on for free! :) Here are some of them:

• Insa-dong PR/Tourist Information Center - considered a living museum of modern history and culture, this place has a wide selection of hanbok designs and materials, including ones that were worn at the Royal Court. [Address:19 Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 3,000 won for each outfit per person]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

• Seoul Global Cultural Center- the most popular place for hanbok fitting, which is found at the heart of Myeongdong. They have backdrops as well for photo ops. [Address: 5F of M Plaza, 31-1, Myeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: FREE]

• Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate- Here you have the opportunity to witness the changing of guard ceremony and try on traditional guard uniforms and other hanbok for free. [Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: FREE]

• Unhyeongung Royal Residence- Here you can try the 'gwanbok' (worn by officials) and 'dangeui' (a formal dress for women) and there's even hanbok for children. There are a lot of photo op areas within the palace grounds, and guests are allowed to wear the hanboks for 10 minutes each. [Address: 464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 3,300 won]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

• Bukchon Hanok Homestay Information Center- Aside from getting to wear the hanbok for an unlimited time, you also get a free polaroid photo that you may take home a souvenir. The hanok village is also a good place to explore traditional Korean architecture. [Address: 20-27 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 8,000 won]

• Namsangol Hanok Village- Aside from hanbok fitting, there are a variety of other experiential programs and events promoting traditional Korean culture that you can try and enjoy here. [Address: 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul; Fees: 5,000 won]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

There's also a Hanbok Museum located across the street from the Gyeongbokgung Palace main entrance ticketing booth. The museum only opens on the first and the third Saturday of every month, and highlights not just the traditional Korean clothing, but all the events and the rituals people go through from birth to death, and what proper clothing they have to wear to suit their respective occasions. There are roughly 300 varieties on display, all of which are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja.

For more details on hanbok in Korea, you may check out the VisitKorea sites HERE, and HERE. 

2. DMZ Tour

Have you ever thought of taking a tour at a military border? Well, if you want to know what it's like to visit one, and if you want to get a lot of interesting information about the history of Korea, specifically the conflict between the North and South, the DMZ tour offers just that. 

(From upper left in a clockwise direction: Nuri Peace Park at Imjingak, Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dorasan Station, and the Panmunjeom) Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a four-kilometer-wide buffer zone that runs along the 38th parallel north, which is the demarcation line that separates Korea into south and north, making it the only divided country in the world. The DMZ, considered as the most heavily militarized border in the world, spans between the Southern and Northern limit lines, and was created to prevent direct military collisions. 

Civilian Access is restricted at the DMZ and the area is guarded by both South and North Korean soldiers. Such limits to public access makes the DMZ an undisturbed zone, leaving its ecological resources virtually untouched.The DMZ has a unique natural ecosystem that includes mountains, plains, valleys, and basins, as well as rare plants and animals, some of which are already considered as endangered. 

Approximately 922 square kilometers in area, there are various tours that offer tourists the chance to explore parts of the DMZ. This include the DMZ Wire Fence Tour, the Panmunjom Tour, and the DMZ Tunnel Tour.

Some of the places you can visit in the tour includes:

• Imjingak Park (Nuri Peace Park)-  Imjingak exhibits various relics and monuments related to the Korean War and subsequent South-North confrontations. It is a large park that has a variety of sculpted artwork and can accommodate up to 20,000 tourists at a time. Visitors can also enjoy performances on the hill.

Imjingak Park

• The 3rd Tunnel- This is one of the 4 tunnels leading from the North to the South (the closest to Seoul), and believed to be designed for a surprise attack on the Republic of Korea by the North. The tunnel is 1.7 kilometers long, 2 meters high and 2 meters wide.

• Dorasan Station- this is the northernmost railway station situated on the Gyeonggi Line, where visitors can view Dorasan Mountain and the barbed wire fences of the Southern Limit Line.

Dorasan Station

• Panmunjeon- the venue for dialogue between South and North Korea in accordance with the armistice agreement. It is also known world-wide as the place where the military armistice conference was held. It includes a main meeting hall for Military Armistice Commission, The Freedom House, and The Bridge of No Return.

The Bridge of No Return at Panmunjeon

• Unification Hill (Odusan Unification Observatory)- A place for education on security matters which is mainly composed of war memorials, Unification Hill is situated where the Hangang River joins the Imjingang River. It is also conveniently located near Heyri Art Valley.

• Yeolsoe Observatory- an observatory that offers a birds-eye-view of North Korea. On exhibit are daily household goods and military equipment from North Korea, allowing visitors to get an indirect experience of the North.

Yeolsoe Observatory

Some things to note when going on the tour:

• Don't forget your passports, and IDs when going on the tour as these are required.  
• It would also be good to reconfirm your reservations a day before your tour since DMZ is a special military site that can undergo sudden schedule changes.
• Some tours have dress codes and age limits (kids should at least be 12)
• Photos can only be taken when permitted
• No drinking of alcohol before the tour
• The DMZ is closed on Mondays and Korean National Holidays

For more information on DMZ tours, you can check out the Visit Korea site HERE, and also the official tour sites HERE and HERE.

3. Have a romantic tour and put your love locks at N Seoul Tower 

Photo Credit: Jeon Han of Korea.net

I know, the concept of putting love locks (where couples write their love messages in a padlock which they usually attach to a public object to symbolize their undying love) is famous all over the world. Like, there's the well known Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris, France or the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany where the locks can also be found. But I think there's nothing like putting love locks at N Seoul Tower, one of Seoul's must-see and iconic landmarks. 

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

For one, the breathtaking panoramic view of Seoul and its surrounding areas that you can see from the tower, makes the entire experience all the more romantic. And then, there are a whole bunch of other activities that you can do there with your loved one, aside from writing love letters and attaching your love locks to the fence. You can have lunch or dinner at some really nice restaurants, visit a museum, relax and have coffee, and go to some souvenir shops for some memorabilia to take home. 

Some of the attractions in N Seoul Tower include:

• Sky Restroom (Tower, 2F)- Located on the second floor of the N tower, this unique restroom is situated at the highest ground level in Seoul's downtown. The special feature lies in the glass wall that is built in all directions, and has a special coating that obscures the inside from the outside, so people doing their 'business' need not worry. 

• Roof Terrace (Plaza, 2F)- This is an expansive outdoor observatory on the annex building of N Seoul Tower, where the love locks can be found. Tens of thousands of love locks can be found hanging around the terrace to this day, and more and more couples are coming to the tower to profess their love (via the locks) because of its rising popularity.

A scene from the Kdrama 'My Love from Another Star' showing Cheong Seong Yi & Do Min Joon looking at the love locks

• Digital Observatory (Tower, 3F) - The observatory of N Seoul Tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul as well as information on Seoul and Namsan Mountain. To get to the observatory, buy a ticket from the ticket desk at the Plaza Square or on the basement level.

• Alive Museum (Basement, 1F)- This highly educational museum is features 4 major zones that showcase Classical Arts, Living Arts, Fantasy and Sports, and houses a total of 34 artistic objects. Kids and adults alike are bound to enjoy in the museum as they experience the arts, digital objects, and media installation with added touch of illumination. 

• N-Grill (Tower, 5F)- is an upscale and revolving French restaurant atop N Seoul Tower and is considered as the ultimate dating spot, frequently used as the scene of marriage proposals. Aside from the sumptuous meals, the restaurant also offers couples a panoramic view of the city by slowly rotating counter-clockwise, making a full revolution every 1 hour and 40 minutes. All tables are set facing the windows, assuring you with the "best seat in the house" no matter where you sit.

Another scene from 'My Love from Another Star' was filmed at N-Grill Restaurant

• Hancook (Tower, 1F)- is an eat-all-you-can Korean buffet, which is popular among family visitors. It offers a classic ambience and about 30 different dishes, with tables that can accommodate up to four guests.

• N Gift (Plaza, 1F)- This is a souvenir shop with a warm and welcoming ambience that sells cute souvenirs such as padlocks, message tags, diaries, albums, dolls, and idol memorabilia.  

• THE BA:NG (Tower, 3F)- Located on the third floor of the observatory tower, THE BA:NG is a flagship store that sells a range of products with themes of love, travel, etc. that you may take home as souvenirs or give to friends as gifts. It also offers a fantastic view of the cityscape.

NSeoul Tower Map where you can see the different attractions for each level

Aside from being a popular tourist destination, N Seoul Tower is also Korea's 1st general radio wave tower since 1969, delivering TV and radio broadcasting to the city. The tower, which constantly changes colors and patters also has the latest in LED technology lighting. You can even watch a laser show there :)

The tower illuminates the night sky with different colors.

Tourists enjoying the view and romantic ambience at the Roof Terrace where the love locks can be found
Photo Credit: Jeon Han of Korea.net

For a more exciting experience, try the Namsan Cable Car in going to NSeoul Tower. (Although you can also go there via walking trail, by bus, or by cab)

If you want to know more about NSeoul Tower and the locks of love, check out the VisitKorea sites HERE and HERE, or you can visit their official website HERE.

4. Korean Street Food Hunting- 

No offense to traditional Korean Food (I love them just as much!), but Korean Street Food are really yummy, and they're cheap too! Some of the most famous ones are Tteokbokki, Gimbap, Kkochi Eomuk or Odaeng, Hotteok, Bindaetteok, Sundae, and Dakkochi (I'll be making a separate post about Korean Street Food soon :)).

Tteokbokki. Photo credit: koreanbapsang.com

Bindaetteok Pancakes. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Hotteok. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Odeng or Eomuk (Fish cakes). Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Kimchi Pancakes. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

I first had a glimpse of Korean Street Food while watching Kdramas. Did you ever notice those small tented stalls on the side streets of Korea, where the lead couple (or at least one of them) drinks soju when they are depressed or heartbroken? I've always wanted to try eating there and I've recently learned that they're called Pojangmacha, which literally means 'covered wagon' in Korean. They are small tented stalls on wheels which serve street food and alcoholic beverages such as soju and makgeolli .

Aside from the Pojangmachas, a good place to find loads of Korean Street Food is in Gwangjang Market, Korea's first permanent traditional market. It is famous for fabric, hanbok, handicrafts, vegetables, vintage goods, and of course, for its food market, which has been in business for forty years! 

Korean Street Food alley at Gwangjang Market. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

There are a wide variety of street food to choose from, and they're good food at very affordable prices. No wonder, Gwangjang Market has become a popular tourist destination.

It usually operates from 9am to 6pm and is closed on Sundays, but the food market is open until 11pm and is open year round (Hurray for us food lovers!). 

If you want to know more about Gwangjang Market, you may visit HERE and HERE. 

5. Daegu Chicken and Beer or 'Chimaek' Festival 

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

I never thought Chicken and Beer would be such a good pair until I went to Korea. 

More popularly called as 'Chimaek' (derived from the terms chicken [치킨] and maekju [맥주]; 'beer'), this pair is a beloved snack of Koreans, especially during the long and hot summer evenings. In fact, they love it so much that the Daegu Chimaek Festival [대구치맥페스티벌] was launched last 2013 with around 270,000 visitors, and has since been a major summer festival especially for the youth. The festival includes various exhibits and stage performances and activities such as chicken and beer tasting, various food and drinking contests and spectator recreational activities for visitors to participate in. 

My Love from the Star's Cheong Seong Yi enjoying her fave Chimaek. The drama became so popular in China and created a Chimaek Craze there.

Last 2014, the festival attracted 620,000 visitors and this year, as many as one million visitors are expected to come to the festival. This year's festival will take place at Duryu Park in Dalseo-gu, Daegu on July 22-26, 2015 and will include a music festival and industrial culture festival, making the entire festival a place overflowing with youthful energy.

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

The admission to the festival is free and although every visitor is allowed to enter, only those who are 20 years of age, who can present proper identification will be given free beer sampling coupons (If you don't pass the age limit, there's still free chicken :)). All chicken and beers are either free or sold at a lower price during the festival. 

You can check out HERE for more details on the event or visit the official festival website HERE (but it's in Korean only).

~~~

I hope you enjoyed reading about the first batch of activities from my bucketlist of things to do in Korea. Watch out for part 2! :)

Do you have your own Korea Bucketlist too? I'd love to feature them here on my blog, so please feel free to send me an email (sublimeholic@yahoo.com)

~~~

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr) and Korea Tourism Organization Manila for most of the info and photos. 

For more information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official page, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)

Read More