February 2012
1 post
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In Korea, the 14th of every month...
Marks a different, usually romantic, and sometimes humorous, occasion. These “special” days target the younger generation and are typically commercialized, especially Valentine’s Day.
Here goes the calendar:
14 January, Diary Day: Couples exchange calendars in which they mark important dates such as anniversaries, birth dates, etc, at the beginning of the year.
14...
January 2012
3 posts
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Why I will choose to fly Korean Air over Singapore...
For as long as I can remember, I’d fly Singapore Airlines whenever my budget allows. But now that I’ve flew on Korean Air a few times since I moved to Korea last August, the Seoul-based airline is now my preferred carrier.
True to its “Excellence In Flight” motto, I’ve witnessed and experienced great service with the airline. Here are some examples:
1. The...
December 2011
4 posts
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Snowboarding at Phoenix Resort (휘닉스파크)
With a total of 22 slopes, from beginner to advanced, skiers and snowboarders are naturally spoilt for choice at Phoenix Resort. For snowboarders, the Extreme Park has a half-pipe, tabletop, round quarter and rails. (I mistakenly went for this slope during my first run and subsequently spent my time avoiding all the obstacles. Ugh.) For beginners, the Penguin and Sparrow courses are ideal. And...
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Snowboarding at YongPyong Resort (용평리조트)
Widely known as a filming location of the famous drama “Winter Sonata”, YongPyong Resort was the setting for my first snowboarding escapade. About 3 hours from Seoul, YongPyong Resort is very popular with tourists and most of the staff speak basic English, so it wasn’t too difficult to figure my way around.
To get to the resort, first you’ll need to book a seat on the...
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The restoration of Cheong Gye Cheon (청계천)
Decided to drop by Cheong Gye Cheon (청계천) after Christmas brunch with the Singapore Club at Millennium Seoul Hilton this afternoon. The Cheong Gye Cheon, popular with city residents and tourists, is a creek flowing through downtown Seoul before emptying in the Yellow Sea.
Republished from the plaque along Cheong Gye Cheon:
The Cheong Gye Cheon Restoration
“The Cheong Gye Cheon is...
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Learning Korean
The other day my colleague saw my textbook and worksheets lying around on my desk and said all that look very familiar. Because his 5-year old kid is learning the same stuff. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
November 2011
3 posts
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Guide to taking a taxi in Seoul →
I’ve had one too many friends who had mistakenly hopped on one of the black deluxe taxis in Seoul, and complained later that the fare costed an arm and a leg. So this guide to taxis in Seoul by Min-young Jang from CNNGo is a must-read.
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4th Kimpo International DMZ Tracking Festival 2011
The DMZ (demilitarized zone) is one of the more enigmatic places around the world, which is why I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join the 4th Kimpo International DMZ Tracking Festival. I figured some 200 people took part?
It was a crowd at the start of the hike, but the number of people thinned out shortly after. At one point it became like this:
I was actually impressed by the...
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Classroom under the sea: COEX Aquarium
With 3,000 tons of water and 650 kinds of living things that total up to 40,000, the COEX Aquarium, coined at the “best marine theme park” is disappointingly underwhelming. Maybe I went with high expectations after I’ve heard some friends say it’s beautiful.
I was looking forward to something like this:
(Credit: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)
But what I got were these:
...
October 2011
6 posts
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Climbing Suraksan (수락산)
After an ill-equipped hike up Dobongsan (도봉산), I came (almost) fully prepared with proper hiking boots and quick-dry, lightweight attire. And unlike the previous climb, there were 9 other Singaporeans on this Saturday excursion which was arranged by Peichi and Jimmy.
Here’s the party of 10.
On the opposite side of Dobongsan is the lesser known Suraksan which is just as easily accessible...
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Seoul International Fireworks Festival
With the massive crowd, one would have thought the entire city of Seoul had unanimously decided to visit Yeouido Hangang Park this evening. Trains toward Yeouinaru (Line 5) were so packed there was no room for movement. On a typical evening, one would take less than 5 minutes to exit the station. Today, it took 40 minutes.
Today is the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, an annual event of...
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TANI Next Door
This has got to be the best meal I’ve had so far since I moved to Korea late August. So I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.
TANI Next Door restaurant is located at the new Avenue L extension of the Lotte department store. Inside, it’s Japanese zen mix with a safari feel. The decor is elaborate with wood-carved screens, stone accents, twisted wood lampshades,...
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“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them...”
– Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005.
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Celebration of 탁승렬 & 김민정
October 2, Sol Beach Hotel & Resort, was set to be the site for the union of 탁승렬 and 김민정. This was also the first wedding I’ve attended in Korea, thanks to Cheryl who invited me along, and, of course, the groom who welcomed me. Realized that we’re co-workers, but in different offices, only after we met in person.
Unlike weddings in Singapore, which can be boisterous affairs, the...
September 2011
6 posts
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ASEAN Culture and Tourism Fair
Happening from October 1 to October 3, the third annual ASEAN Culture and Tourism Fair aims to further raise awareness of the diverse cultures and tourism resources of ASEAN in Korea. Held at the D-Cube City in Seoul, the outdoor event showcases a variety of performances, from traditional dance to instrumental music, as well as Southeast Asian cuisine at the ASEAN Food and Beverage Court.
My...
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From pork chop Priscillia to Judy
For the last 9 years, Priscillia has been charged with making sure my hair doesn’t look like a mess. There were times when I strayed and patroned another hair stylist, either out of convenience or at the spur of a moment, but that’s story for another day. My instructions (if any) were usually: “don’t cut too short” and “I don’t want to be bald”....
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Paintball, rafting & ATV at Inje-gun (인제군)
Inje-gun (인제군) is a county in the Gangwan-do (강원도) province, some 2.5 hours northeast of Seoul. That was to be the site of paintball games, rafting at Naerincheon river, night BBQ and ATV, as well as the launch party of “Extra Ordinary people in Seoul” last weekend. Follow the Facebook page to get updated on fun activities put together by a really awesome dude, Pexu!
Thanks,...
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Shoppers' paradise in Myeong-dong (명동)
Myeong-dong (명동) really needs no introduction. From mid- to high-priced retail stores and international brand outlets, it’s no wonder the shopping district is popular with tourists, teenagers and young adults. You’ll also find several large retail malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store and Migliore in the district. Look further away and you’ll see Mt....
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Climbing Dobongsan (도봉산) in Bukhansan National...
It’s the Chuseok (추석) long weekend on a Monday and you’d have thought there won’t be many people hiking. Wrong. In a densely populated city like Seoul, where a national park (Bukhansan Mountain) is easily accessible from anywhere within the metropolitan area, it’s kind of absurd not to rub shoulder with others. With around 5 million visitors each year, it’s no wonder...
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Hongdae (Hongik University): art, fashion,...
The area around Hongik University, also known as Hongdae (홍대), is the centre of Seoul’s art and fashion scene. From quirky accessories to the latest fashion, shops and outlets of various sizes dot the main and side streets around Hongik. When you’re tired, rest your feet at one of the many alfresco cafes. Some popular with young adults, while others provide a cosy, homely feel.
...
August 2011
7 posts
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The one about the speaker in the apartment
There are some things which people don’t warn you (or it just didn’t occur to them) about living in an apartment in Korea. Today, I realized what that metallic grille (circled in red) at the corner of my wall is—a speaker used to broadcast announcements to the tenants.
A quick search on the Web explains that the announcements are typically about basic maintenance such as trash...
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Cost of living in South Korea
The biggest difference between traveling abroad for a vacation and living in a foreign country is you become mindful of the expenses for the latter.
Food
Loaf of bread - ₩1,200
McChicken meal - ₩4,600
Carton of 10 eggs - ₩2,680
Beverages
Ice cafe latte - ₩4,500
Bottle of isotonic drink - ₩1,500
Bottle of beer Max - ₩910
6 cans of 335ml Cass Light - ₩18,720
6 cans of 335ml OB Golden...
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A promise for endless love "I love you"
How do couples in Korea pledge their everlasting love for each other? They hang a lock inscribed with words of love together and throw the key away down the mountain. Popular with tourists and locals, the N Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan is the icon of love and friendship with family and friends and, of course, lovers. Bus No.2 in Myeongdong area will take you up to the entrance and, from there,...
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DHL, you have a customer for life
Moving homes can be such a chore because you need to know what to ship and what to pack into the luggage, and how to pack efficiently (easy in, easy out). You also have to forecast what you need for a few days while waiting for the shipment to arrive at the destination.
Initially, I thought the DHL Size 5 and Size 8 Jumbo boxes (picture below) would be enough. I was wrong and I had to call DHL...
Pre-departure checklist
As exciting as relocating overseas sounds, there is an incredible amount of administrative work to be done prior to the departure. So I’m making a list of to-do as a reminder to myself and, hopefully, may come in useful for others.
Banks: Ask about payment facilities abroad and inform credit card companies that you’re relocating so they won’t block your account unnecessarily....
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July 2011
2 posts
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“Journalism - an ability to meet the challenge of filling the space.”
– Rebecca West
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“The difference between literature and journalism is that journalism is...”
– Oscar Wilde
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June 2011
2 posts
WatchHow do the greatest communicators and persuaders tell riveting stories? Here’s the science as revealed by Nancy Duarte. Great stuff.
1 tag
May 2011
4 posts
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“News is something someone wants suppressed. Everything else is just advertising.”
– Lord Northcliff
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Tip #21: Learn how to interact online
Learn how to interact with people online. This could be in the form of blog comments, forum posts, twitter replies, encouraging feedback and participating in social media channels. You could gain valuable insights, or occasionally, different points of view you may have missed.
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“In journalism, there has always been a tension between getting it first and...”
– Ellen Goodman
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Tip #20: Opinions are not facts
Not even your own opinions. Make sure you know the difference between opinions and facts, and if you are asserting the latter, identify your sources. It’s easy to jump to conclusions if you are predisposed to believe something.
April 2011
12 posts
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Tip #19: Tell your story in the headline
Never underestimate the power of a grabbing headline and/or a 2- to 3-line summary. If you can’t tell your story within the first 3 sentences, then you probably need to rewrite and find a better hook.
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“A news story should be like a mini skirt on a pretty woman. Long enough to cover...”
– Anonymous, linked to a Texas newspaper editor
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Tip #18: Know your audience
You may have written the best story in the world, but is the topic what your readers care about? People are overwhelmed with content these days and it’s important that your story is not just relevant, but also targeted.
Thanks, John (IBM Social Business Evangelist), for the reminder.
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Tip #17: Make use of social-networking tools
With over 500 million users, Facebook can be a great tool for crowd-sourcing ideas, generating leads and getting sources. Of course, there are many other platforms. The key is to make sure you have a recognized profile on some of these channels to help you do your work better.
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Tip #16: Be multi-talented
Don’t be just a writer. Pick up photography, so you know which are the best pictures to go with your story. Learn to proofread and sub-edit your articles. Understand basic HTML and website design especially if you’re writing for an online publication.
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Tip #15: Be obsessed with accuracy
Treat facts as sacred, otherwise you should be a fiction writer. Check and re-check your facts. If in doubt, clarify or leave them out.
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Tip #14: Edit your own copy
The best form of writing is rewriting. You aren’t a writer if you can’t spot your own flaws.
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Tip #13: Long and short
Don’t use a long word when a short one will do. A good story doesn’t need any decoration.
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Tip #12: Write in simple, concise English
Simple words are sometimes the most powerful and there’s no need to impress with fancy writing. Easy reading is hard writing.
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Tip #11: Q&A sessions
Don’t be afraid to ask question(s) during Q&A sessions (in fact, you’d want to be the first to do that), but don’t hog the microphone. If you have additional questions, go up to the newsmaker immediately after the session.
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Tip #10: Freebies and swag bags
It’s your job to attend press conferences and product launches. Never expect to receive freebies or swag bags. Get your priorities right. You should be happy if there’s Internet access, a place to sit and you can file your story.