Damian Koh

In Korea, the 14th of every month...

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:55:00 +0900

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 February, Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day in Korea is celebrated the same way as in Japan. On this day, women give chocolates to the special someone and confess their love.

14 March, White Day: In return, on White Day, it’s the men’s turn to express their love for that special someone with candy.

14 April, Black Day: This day is for singles to console each other for surviving two months without a significant other. Singles, and those not in a relationship, will get together on this day to eat black bean noodles, 자장면.

14 May, Rose Day: Couples exchange roses on this day.

14 June, Kiss Day: Kiss everyone you meet on this day.

14 July, Silver Day: People exchange silver accessories.

14 August, Green Day: Another love month, couples get together to enjoy the nature, while singles drown their sorrows in soju (bottle is in green).

14 September, Photo Day: Couples take a picture at a romantic place on this day and place it at a special place.

14 October, Wine Day: Drink wine with a special someone.

14 November, Movie Day: Couples go to the cinema to catch a movie.

In fact, November has 2 special days. The other falls on 11 November, also known as Pepero Day. Word has it that young teenage girls exchanged pepero sticks as a wish to grow tall and slim in the past. Today, Pepero Day is almost as popular as Valentine’s Day where couples, friends, family and relatives exchange peperos.

14 December, Hug Day: On this day, couples hug to keep each other warm in the winter month.

Disclaimer: I’m not sure if all of these are correct. I’ll find out on the 14th of each month and update.

Why I will choose to fly Korean Air over Singapore Airlines

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:56:00 +0900

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 cabin crew is ever so attentive. When they realized I don’t understand Korean, they made it a point to switch to English in our conversations that follow.

2. Even on a red-eye flight, the cabin crew would walk the aisles regularly to make sure those who are asleep are tucked in properly. On the Singapore Airline flights that I’ve been on, cabin crew disappears once the lights onboard are dimmed.

3. But what really impressed me (the main reason why I’m writing this post) was that this particular cabin crew went around discreetly switching off the in-flight entertainment screens for pax who were asleep. When I had a chance to speak to her later, I told her that her actions were very sweet, and that was something I don’t recall ever seeing on a Singapore Airlines red-eye flight. She replied that if she hadn’t done so, it’d be difficult for the passenger to rest due to the brightness of the screen.

Of course, that’s not all. The cabin crew on the Korean Air flights I’ve been on seem genuinely nice. You could tell from their smiles and the lengths they’d go to make sure you have a comfortable flight.

A simple gesture like switching off the screen, or the quickening of pace when delivering a drink to a pax, makes you feel like the Korean Air crew truly believes in their airline’s motto, Excellence In Flight, even though you’re flying Economy.

Welcoming the new year in style at Phoenix Resort. Watch skiers...

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:43:16 +0900

Welcoming the new year in style at Phoenix Resort. Watch skiers bearing fire torches ski down the slopes in formation, then usher in 2012 with a brilliant show of fireworks.

Snowboarding at Phoenix Resort (휘닉스파크)

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:41:00 +0900

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 when you’re ready to go for the next challenge, the Hawk1 run has a steeper incline.

Spotted a GALAXY Nexus booth at the resort! So fitting! Ice Cream Sandwich. The panoramic feature on the GALAXY Nexus camera would come in useful at the peak.

Crowds usually thin out in the evening, so if you’re staying over at the resort, it’s best to hit the slopes at night and also in the early morning.

At the starting point of Hawk1 and Penguin, you can find a cafeteria and an aromatherapy shop. Beats me why the latter is there, but it sure feels good to step in after a long day at the slopes. If you can brave the cold, the alfresco area provides a good view of the upper and mid-level slopes.

Oh, and one of the best snacks to have in between runs are these fishcakes. At 3,500 won a bowl, it feels oh-so-good to have something steaming hot in the cold.

Here’s the crowd, or lack of, in the early morning session. Best time to work out the technicalities of your runs.

Snowboarding at YongPyong Resort (용평리조트)

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:31:00 +0900

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 shuttle bus (15,000 won) which leaves at Jamsil, although if you know Korean, you’ll be able to find out if the bus makes any stops along the way to the resort. Typically, the 6am bus from Jamsil will reach the resort at about 9.45am.

Once there, you can either buy a return ticket before you alight the bus, or make a separate reservation at the Tourist Information counter at the Tower Condominium (the building where you alight).

It’s a short walk to the Dragon Plaza where you can sign up for ski/snowboard lessons, rent equipment, etc. Lessons in foreign languages are at cutthroat prices (2-3 times more expensive than lessons in Korean), so if you are a beginner or haven’t snowboarded before, it’s best to go with friends who are experienced enough to teach you the basics.

Depending on how much you want to board, the price for the equipment rental and access to the slope/lift/gondola varies, but be prepared to spend about 100,000 won for a decent amount of riding time. During weekends, you can also expect to wait a while for the chair lift which takes you up the slopes. Which is why I say snowboarding is a sport with a low ROI. It take about 5 minutes to go up, but less than a minute to board down the slope without stopping.

Most of the staff at YongPyong (at least those I’ve encountered) are friendly and willing to help you out. There are other miscellaneous expenditure you have to factor in, such as locker rental (1,000 won), board storage (1,000 won), food and drinks.

In total, for a day trip, you can spend upwards of 100,000 won, which is why it really makes sense to purchase a season pass if you intend to go fairly often.

YongPyong season pass:
1. 400,000 won (lift and gondola)
2. 490,000 won (lift, gondola and shuttle bus from Seoul)

Other benefits include discounted prices for accommodation at Tower Condominium, free rental of equipment except clothes on weekdays, discounted prices for purchase of snowboard equipment, 30-40% off equipment rental on weekends, etc.

If you’re comfortable wakeboarding and can do simple tricks like air grabs and turns, then snowboarding would be relatively easy for you to pick up. The techniques are similar, such as edging on the heelside and toeside.

The biggest difference for me was placing equal weight on both feet, in fact, a little more on the leading foot. It took me about an hour to get the fundamentals, rules and safety issues sorted out. The same do-nots apply, such as never let the snow catch the edge. Otherwise, you’ll end up face-planting.

Regardless, being properly attired is also key to enjoying the sport.

You need to wear clothes that can keep out wind, retain body warmth and are waterproof. A good pair of gloves is also essential because you’ll use your hands to support yourself on the snow, or to balance when you’re doing quick, hard cuts on the snow.

As you lose the most heat from your head, a beanie (or helmet) and a neck gaiter are also highly recommended. If you are going to snowboard frequently, investing in a pair of snow goggles would make your ride more comfortable as you don’t have to deal with the wind and snow in your face, and it lets you see better.

Overlooking Seoul from 남한산성.

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:48:00 +0900

Overlooking Seoul from 남한산성.

The restoration of Cheong Gye Cheon (청계천)

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:36:47 +0900

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 a stream running through central Seoul from west to east.

During the Joseon Dynastry (1392 - 1910), housewives gathered at the stream to do laundry, while their children played together. Around 1760, major renovations were carried out along the stream. Thus the Cheong Gye Cheon developed the appearance that we see today.

From the 1900s until after the Korean War (1950 - 1953), people who left their homes in rural areas to find jobs or a better living in Seoul built one makeshift house after another alongside the stream, making the area a shantytown.

In 1958, efforts to improve the poor aesthetic condition of the Cheong Gye Cheon began by covering the stream with concrete and this work continued for the ensuing 20 years. In 1976, an elevated highway was built over top. Consequently, the Cheong Gye Cheon, which was one regarded as a symbol of the nation’s development and growth, had vanished.

A few decades later, the citizens of Seoul were faced with such grave issues as the decreased aesthetic value of the city coupled with concerns for safety and security. As a result the citizens of Seoul who were more sensitive to environmental-friendly ways of thinking agreed that it should be restored as a clean stream.

Finally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made a decision to restore the stream with the objective of forming a human-centered, ecological-friendly urban area in a city that has been the nations’ capital for 600 years.

On October 1, 2005, the restoration work of the Cheong Gye Cheon was successfully completed after the historical commencement on July 1, 2003. Storeowners and street vendors that operated small businesses along the stream initially objected to the project. However, they finally understood that the improvements would help create prosperity and make Seoul a nicer place to live. With the completion of this historical project designed to restore cleanliness, culture and tradition to the stream, Seoul is finally reborn as an international city that values its environment and human life.”

Seoul’s flooding!

Just kidding.

Korea’s version of fairy tales.

This was taken earlier in the day at Millennium Seoul Hilton. Love the decor!

Learning Korean

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:39:46 +0900

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.

Guide to taking a taxi in Seoul

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:48:48 +0900

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.

4th Kimpo International DMZ Tracking Festival 2011

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:59:29 +0900

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 two girls up ahead for they went at a constant pace non-stop, beating out many other men. It was only about an hour later from here where the hike involved some pretty steep slopes then I overtook them.

And this is what greeted visitors to 爱妓峰, perhaps the closest place where you can get a glimpse of North Korea. It was a mixed bag seeing the northern peninsula for the first time: one of natural grandeur as continuous mountain ranges dotted the plains, yet it brought about a wave of sadness to see the barren land on the coast. You could tell the stark difference between the North and the South from here.

Established 27 July, 1953 the DMZ buffer zone stretches for 248km with a 2km width on each side, south and north. The civilian control line is between 5 and 20km south of the Military Demarcation Line.

(Graphic credit: Koridoor)

Wishing for the reunification of the Korea peninsula?

This looked like a missile launch pod from afar.

Finishing the hike with some performances!

Classroom under the sea: COEX Aquarium

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:19:50 +0900

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:

Even the penguins, my favorite, were obscured by frosted glass:

Bummer.

How to get there: Line 2 Samseong station, Exit 5 or 6

The COEX Aquarium is open 365 days a year, between 10am and 8pm.

So not recommended.

Climbing Suraksan (수락산)

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:44:00 +0900

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 to anyone. There are various trails to explore and the one we took was the one which begins at Jangam Station on Line 7, with the peak at 637m. Suraksan isn’t as crowded as Dobongsan where you’re typically never alone. And as soon as you embark on the trail, the scenery quickly morphs from urban landscape to dense forest.

The lower reaches of the trail are pretty easy to scale, but as you ascend, it becomes steeper, and occasionally, you get a preview of what’s to come as you break through the thick foliage.

Once you reach the upper peaks of Suraksan, you actually have to do a bit of rock climbing to reach the peak, so a pair of proper hiking boots is highly recommended.

Fortunately, ropes and railings are available for most of the steepest climbs. Optional, but also recommended is a pair of gloves because occasionally you’ll need to grab tree branches (or whatever seems fixed and secured down) for support when scaling and descending the mountain.

From here on, you can pick one of the several peaks (or rocky pinnacles) to climb, but the most popular one is the Suraksan peak which stands at 637m above sea level. One of the more impressive sights aside from the scenery is the enterprising uncle who sells ice cream, snacks and beer at the peak of the mountain. It’s a monopoly here, so prices are noticeably marked up. But chilling out with a stick of melon ice cream after a hike is oh-so-rewarding.

You have to hand it to these uncles who hike up and down the mountain with huge cooler crates like these. The best part? They come prepared with trash bags for everyone’s garbage. Most people pack lunch and have a picnic at the summit, so it can get rather crowded.

Taking a lunch break before we start the descend.

Suraksan is a moderately easy day hike, although it can get rather challenging at some point where you almost have to be on all fours. But if you want to be away from the crowd during the climb, then Suraksan (compared with Dobongsan) is worth considering.

Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0900

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 extravagant fireworks display. This year, the show features fireworks displays by professional teams from Japan and Portugal.

I managed to stay only for the first set as it was impossible to remain on the same spot when hordes of people are shoving their way through. Urgh. More pictures of the crowd.

And some highlights from the first set of fireworks display.

TANI Next Door

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:33:02 +0900

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, high ceilings and, not to mention, two trees. The service is attentive, yet non-intrusive, and most importantly, the food (Japanese-French fusion) is a joy for those with a discerning palate.

Outside is a terrace with an old rustic charm and a unique place to dine, or chill out.

Perfect for a romantic date.

How to get there: Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga station, Avenue L 9F

"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So..."

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:39:00 +0900

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it lead you off the well-worn path. And that will make all the difference.”

- Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005.

Celebration of 탁승렬 & 김민정

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:23:00 +0900

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 union of a couple in Korea is an understated, calm and graceful event. Before the ceremony, the bride waits at a decorated room designed for picture-perfect moments, and guests have their buffet meal (you’ll get a meal coupon for this) at a separate venue from the ballroom. The ceremony also starts on time.

(Love the dash of colors from the boy!)

The modern day ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom (below), after which the couple went to a different room for the smaller-scale, traditional wedding in formal court costumes. Pity we didn’t have time to witness the traditional ceremony as we had to catch the bus back to Seoul. (The entire journey to-and-fro Seoul and Sol Beach Hotel & Resort took approximately 9 hours, so you can imagine how far it is.) Because of the arrangement of events, the wedding took only an hour, not including the meal which you can have at your own time before the ceremony.

Oh, by the way, Sol Beach Hotel & Resort is one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve seen. Here’s one more picture of the hotel lobby.

ASEAN Culture and Tourism Fair

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:22:07 +0900

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 role today? To help out at the Singapore store to sell fried bee hoon (topped with fried dumpling and egg) and chrysanthemum tea. LOL.

Far from the best dishes Singapore have to offer though. Where art thou the chicken rice, char kway teow, bak ku teh, etc? Ok, those are just food that I miss. Half the time, my eyes were on the Vietnam and the Philippines stall to our left and right.

Here’s Peichi, the president of the Singapore Club Seoul, asked to describe what we’re selling. Her expression, priceless. ^^

The PM volunteer crew. Eugenia, your top is so apt for the occasion!

How to get there: Take Exit 1 at Sindorim station (Line 1 or 2).

From pork chop Priscillia to Judy

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:47:00 +0900

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”. Over the years, Priscillia learnt two things: I wanted hair that’s easy to manage when I get up and I never had the perseverance to keep slightly longer hair.

It’s exactly a month now that I’ve moved to Korea and I’m long overdue for a haircut. (I cut my hair ritually once a month. It’s my form of therapy.) Did a quick search on the Web and it returned two key results: Hair and Joy, and Juno Hair. And I decided to give Hair and Joy a try since it’s at 홍대 and I had wanted to do some shopping there.

One good thing about Hair and Joy is that the staff speaks English. I made an appointment over the phone earlier in the week and when I arrived this afternoon (Saturday), the salon was relatively quiet with about 5 customers including myself. Which is good, since crowds usually turn me off. The salon is a mere 2-minute walk from Exit 8 of Hongik University metro station on Line 2. Cross the small road once you exit the station, turn right, walk about 25m to a intersection, then turn left.

Once you turn left, this is what you’ll see. Hair and Joy is on the right, on the 3rd floor of the building.

The lift takes you to level 3 and the salon is just a short flight of stairs down.

Appointments are recommended according to the salon’s Web site. The moment I stepped in, Judy (I learnt her name a while later when I practiced my Korean on her) immediately offered to keep my bag in the locker and whisked me away to a seat. I’m not sure if it’s standard practice, but she noticed that I was perspiring a little and took a piece of tissue to dry the back of my neck, then cooled me down with the hairdryer. Yes, I’m won over by the attention given to the customer.

She asked how I want my hair to be styled and I replied with my usual: “I’ll leave my hair in your good hands. Do whatever you want with it.” Those weren’t the exact words I used though, but you get the drift. Once in a while, she’d stop to ask if I prefer a certain cut, and I’d just reply it’s up to you. (The truth is, I never know what kind of hair I want, so I usually leave it to people who understand it better.)

This I have to say. I love the old, rundown, yet modern decor of the salon.

They’d offer you water and some biscuits once you take your seat. A nice gesture, but one that I never take, even back in Singapore. My “demand” for bird’s nest drink at Chapter 2 doesn’t count.

How much does it cost? 25,000₩, which is relatively cheap I must add. Guess I’ll be back here next month.

How to get to Hair and Joy: Take metro Line 2 to Hongik University station. Take Exit 8. Cross the small street once you exit the station, turn right and then walk about 25m to an intersection. Turn left and you’ll be able to see the salon about 50m away.

Paintball, rafting & ATV at Inje-gun (인제군)

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:02:02 +0900

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, Pexu, for the pictures!

Shoppers' paradise in Myeong-dong (명동)

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:09:00 +0900

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. Namsan and the N Seoul Tower.

The first time I came here was when I was backpacking in Korea circa 2002. I got to know Wonhee, a crew onboard the sightseeing cruise on the Han River, and she suggested that I meet her outside Migliore (which is why I remember this place clearly). We had dinner at one of the Korean barbecue restaurants on one of the side streets. That was one of the best meals I had in Korea, although I can’t seem to find that restaurant anymore. But I digress.

Myeong-dong isn’t only a shopping district, but also a meeting point for many people, tourists and locals alike. I remember we had really nice braised chicken with glass noodles in Myeong-dong when I was here with some folks on the Samsung Familiarization junket in 2007. Again, I can’t seem to find that place now. (Update: the restaurant could be 安东(안동)찜닭. Thanks Yvonne!)

Anyway, I was here to get some hiking gear no thanks to my unreliable track shoes. I was fortunate to be attended by a staff at The North Face where he explained the various types of materials for apparels and hiking boots. I didn’t know hiking gear is so expensive!

You’ll need probably an entire afternoon to see the entire Myeong-dong area. If there’s a crowd, which probably is a given any day, you can simply “drift” along as people behind ~~shoves~~ nudges you along.

How to get there: Take subway Line 4 to Myeong-dong station and take Exit 6. Once you’re out, you’ll see Migliore on your left and Mt. Namsam behind you.