n atu rali z ed a th le t es issue 133
February 2018
alexander GAMELIN aileen FRISCH timofei LAPSHIN
anna FROLINA ekaterian AVVAKUMOVA
marissa BRANDT caroline PARK danelle IM
matt DALTON eric REGAN
randi Heesoo GRIFFIN michael TESTWUIDE bryan YOUNG
michael SWIFT brock RADUNSKE alex PLANTE Â
OF TEAM KOREA
groovekorea.com
/ groovekorea
04 contents
20
n atu rali z ed a th le t es issue 133
February 2018
alexander GAMELIN aileen FRISCH timofei LAPSHIN
anna FROLINA ekaterian AVVAKUMOVA
marissa BRANDT caroline PARK danelle IM
matt DALTON eric REGAN
randi Heesoo GRIFFIN michael TESTWUIDE bryan YOUNG
michael SWIFT brock RADUNSKE alex PLANTE Â
OF TEAM KOREA
groovekorea.com
/ groovekorea
Cover
February 2018
After years of planning and dreaming, the time has arrived. The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games are upon us, and among the athletes on Team Korea will be a handful of different faces. This year, a record number of athletes from other countries have gained South Korean citizenship in order to compete for the country. Among them are those from Europe, Canada and the United States. Some are ethnic Korean, others are not. But all have adopted South Korea as home and are proud to compete for their adoptive country. This issue looks into some of these athletes and their stories, as well as what to expect during the upcoming Winter Games.
08
Key People Meet Groove’s editorial team and a few of our talented contributors
12
What's on Festivals, concerts, happy hours, networking and events for every day of the month
6 contents
20
February 2018
2018 PyeongChang Olympic
20
Naturalized Athletes The first Winter Games in the country has more foreign faces on Team Korea
32
Conquering the 2018 Winter Games One-stop guide for everything you need to know about PyeongChang
34
Going for Gold in the Itaewon Area Where to watch the Games in Itaewon
film 52
The Winter Olympics go to Movies The 10 Best Winter Olympics Movies of All Time! (Well, Kind of...)
food&drink 56
Olympic Sized Meals Best restaurants to try during the Olympics
ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL. ALL VODKAS ARE NOT.
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8 key people February 2018
Daniel Kim is a Korean American Filmmaker/photographer based in Seoul. Born and raised in New Mexico, he began Bboying (breakdancing) at the age of 16. At 19, he began traveling the world as a dancing missionary, performing and competing in over 25 countries. One day he felt a strong call to Korea. In 2008 with just enough money for a one way ticket, he packed up and moved to an unfamiliar country in a journey of self discovery where he found his passion for photography and filmmaking. He is now a full time director and producer specializing in Kpop music videos, adverts, and fashion.
Christopher Saint Germain
Emma Kalka started her journey into music reporting whilst slaving away as a copy-editor for an English-language news media outlet in Seoul way back in 2009. Now she is the music editor of Groove, and still slaving away as a copy-editor for a different English-language news outlet, though will soon leave the land of office jobs behind. If she’s not at the computer writing music articles, she’s out catching a live show in Hongdae, getting a glass of wine (or beer) with friends, filming music interviews for a YouTube channel, daydreaming about her next project or playing with the world’s most adorable pup, Morgan.
Hallie Bradley
came to Korea in 2006 and hasn’t looked back. She works as a writer, editor and educator when she’s not out sightseeing, finding new eats and treats and writing about them on her site The Soul of Seoul. She hosts an annual scavenger hunt each spring in Seoul that is fun and fast paced. When she’s not planning fun events or working, she’s probably sipping craft beer and eating chicken with her rockstar husband.
served as a Photojournalist for the Washington National Guard and is a full time photographer here in Korea. He has lived in Korea for more than 13 years. His other passions besides photography are his family, travel and music. He is a Past Master for Lodge Harry S Truman in Pyeongtaek Korea and the Bass Player in the Bluetooth Blues Band. You can find him on Instagram @DaVinciPhoto or @ChristopherSaintGermain and on Facebook under the same name. His favorite photographic style is Travel Portraiture, and he is always in search of new and interesting people and places to add to his collection.All of these things describe him, but do they truly describe him? Yes, they do.
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EDITORIAL EMMA KALKA GIL COOMBE ZEV D. BLUMENFELD ROB SHELLEY CHRISTOPHER ST. GERMAIN
music@groovekorea.com gil@groovekorea.com zev@groovekorea.com rob@groovekorea.com photo@groovekorea.com
ART & DESIGN WOOJUNG KIM woojung@groovekorea.com A-GRID WORK design@a-grid.net
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS ROBERT MICHAEL EVANS, JUNG-MIN KIM, ALEXANDER GALELIN, KYU-JIN KIM, SEOK YU, NATE FINCH, STEVE SMITH, JORDAN REDMOND, KATE HICKEY, JUSTIN HOWARD, BRYAN WATKINS AND YONG-MIN Lee
Special thanks to PYEONG CHANG OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, KOREA SKATING UNION, KOREA SKI ASSOCIATION, GANGWON MEDIA CENTER, PYEONGCHANG KENSINGTON HOTEL, MI GA YEON, BUIL SIK DANG, NAPJAK SIK DANG, GREVIN SEOUL, CANUCKS, ROUTE 66, SAM RYAN’S, THE UPPER DECK, THE WORKSHOP, and LIVENATION
Special Advisor Prof. JUHAN KIM zhungrea@groovekorea.com
PUBLISHER SEAN CHOI sean@groovekorea.com
To contribute to Groove Korea, email submissions@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editor. To have Groove Korea delivered to your home or business, email subscribe@groovekorea.com To contribute to groovekorea, promote an event or share your opinions, please email info@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editor. The articles are the sole property of GROOVE KOREA No reproduction is permitted without the express written consent of GROOVE KOREA The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved Groove Korea Magazine 2006
12 what's on February 2018
concert
MAMAS GUN live in Seoul
when Feb 3/4 | where Hyundai Card Understage at Hannamdong Seoul
concert
OH WONDER live in Seoul
when Feb 18 | where MUV Hall at Hongdae Seoul
concert
IDE live in Seoul
when Feb 24 | where Hyundai Card Understage at Hannamdong Seoul
Daegwallyeong Snow Festival Festival
when Feb 7 – 22 where 135-6, Daegwallyeong-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
The festival is held in the Hoenggye-ri area located in Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do and offers various programs, such as a half-nude marathon, a hunting game on Hwangbyeongsan Mountain originating in the Pyeongchang region, a hiking competition, art and literature events, and more. Additionally, there is snow rafting, sledding, and other exciting winter leisure sports on the snow-covered landscape. The festival first began in 1993 and was selected as one of the top twelve cultural festivals in Korea. The festival's venue, Daegwallyeong, is often referred to as the Alps of Korea due to its 700 m high valley that receives heavy snowfall every winter.
14 what's on February 2018
Exhibition
Plastic Fantastic
when Until March 4 | where D Museum, Yongsan-gu Seoul
A unique exhibition showcasing designs born from the artistic imagination of international designers and the unlimited possibilities of plastic. PLASTIC FANTASTIC illustrates the magical journey of plastic, the substance sometimes described as the 20th century's miracle material, as it entered the public realm and brought such wide-ranging transformation to our everyday lives. The exhibition offers an overview of more than 2,700 products, items of furniture, lights, graphic designs, and photographs produced over the past half-century via the individuality and innovative spirit of around 40 international creators.
Drawn by the Wind: Shin Yun-bok & Jeong Seon Exhibition
when Until May 24 | where DDP
Shin Yun-bok and Jeong Seon, the two artists lived 300+ years ago, focused on illustrations of the Utopia in Joseon Dynasty. The exhibition showcases a harmony between centuries-old paintings, people, and modern media technology by using cutting-edge media.
Michael Kenna, Pentti Sammallahti : Snow Land Exhibition
when Until Feb 25 | where Gallery Kong in Samcheongdong Seoul
film
All the Money in the World
when Feb 1 | who Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg
film
The Hero
when Feb 1 | who Sam Elliott, Laura Prepon, Krysten Ritter
film
The Foreigner
when Feb 7 | who Jackie Chang, Katie Leung, Rufus Jones, Pierce Brosnan
film
Black Panther
when Feb 14 | who Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
La forma del agua, The Shape of Water film
when Feb 22 | who Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon
16 what's on February 2018
Exhibition
Dan Flavin: Light
when Until April 8 | where Lotte Museum, Lotte World Tower, Seoul
From 1963 through the remainder of his career, Flavin’s work was composed almost entirely of light in the form of commercially available fluorescent tubes in ten colors (blue, green, pink, red, ultraviolet, yellow, and four shades of white) and five shapes (one circular and four straight fixtures of varying lengths). In his 1965 essay “ . . . in daylight or cool white,” Flavin summed up his practice as “decisions to combine traditions of painting and sculpture in architecture with acts of electric light defining space.” The result is a phenomenological experience where the work of art must be experienced in person by a viewer.
Exhibition
Tigers in East Asian Art
when Until March 18 where The National Museum of Korea
National Geographic: Photo Ark Exhibition
when Until May 27 | where Special Exhibition Hall at The War Memorial of Korea
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore started the Photo Ark in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1995. Since then, he has visited 40 countries in his quest to create this photo archive of global biodiversity. To date, Joel has completed portraits of more than 6,000 species, most photographed on either a plain black or white background. No matter its size, each animal is treated with the same amount of affection and respect. Many species in the Photo Ark are at risk in the wild due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, and other threats. The National Geographic Photo Ark will support on-the-ground conservation projects to help protect and save species in decline.
The exhibition in collaboration with the Tokyo National Museum of Japan and the National Museum of China together with the National Museum of Korea present forty works from Korea including Tiger Under Pine Tree and Tiger Under Bamboo by Kim Hong-do (1745~1806?), thirty works from Japan including three pairs of large screens each titled Dragon and Tiger, and thirty-five works from China including an ancient weapon ornamented with a tiger design and a terra-cotta figurine of the twelve zodiac animals, making for a total of 105 works. In jade objects and ornaments, ceramics, sculptures, and paintings, visitors can see various representations and meanings of tiger. They depicted as a guardian god of the primitive beliefs of ancient times and in later Taoist and Buddhist art; they symbolize protection against evil spirits, auspiciousness, man of virtue and benevolent rule; and they became the subject of tradition and transformation in works of modern and contemporary art.
Some of the interesting events held in the last month at G-15 Sonnendeck included: Hostelworld Brand Event / Future Shorts Autumn 2017 / Seoul Fashion Futures (kids fashion show event) / Burlesque shows / Seoul Fashion Weekend / Mexican charity night for Mexican Earthquake victims (incl free Salsa lessons)/ Charity Night at the Speakeasy (Angel House donation) / Live Hiphop Rap concerts, Bboy events, Halloween parties, Student parties and DJ event parties In between it served as the filming and picture location for music videos and brand shootings, as well as a location for special events/boo kings. Please stay tuned for upcoming events, such as Christmas special events, Year end party(ies), Dance and Salsa Parties and many more!
“For inquiries, reservations or rentals please contact us!” Email: michi.kim@gmail.com / For korean : tinashin5305@gmail.com Mobile: 82 10 2296 3310 / For korean : 82 10 5526 5305 Address: 127-15 Itaewondong, 4th floor (127-15 이태원동 )
“ Please check our Facebook and Instagram page for upcoming events ” Fb: G-15 Sonnendeck / Insta: g15sonnendeck
18 what's on
FEBRUARY
09
Opening Ceremony 8-10pm
February 2018
Ice Hockey Women’s preliminary rounds Sweden vs Japan 4:40pm Korea vs Switzerland 9:10pm Short Track Speed Skating Men’s 1500m Final Women’s 500m Qualification Women’s 3000m Relay Qualification Speed Skating Women’s 3000m 8pm Freestyle Skiing Women’s Moguls Final 7:30pm FEBRUARY
10
Ice Hockey Women’s preliminary rounds Finland vs USA 4:40pm Canada vs OAR (Olympic Athlete from Russia) 9:10pm Snowboard Men’s Slopestyle Finals 10am Speed Skating Men’s 5000m 4pm FEBRUARY
11
Freestyle Skiing Mean’s Moguls Final 7:30pm Ice Hockey Women’s preliminary rounds Switzerland vs Japan 4:40pm Korea vs Sweden 9:10pm Ski Jumping Women’s Normal Hill Individual Final 9:50pm Snowboard Women’s Slopestyle Finals 10am Speed Skating Women’s 1500m 9:30pm
Women’s preliminary rounds Canada vs Finland 4:40pm USA vs OAR 9:10pm Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 500m Final Men’s 1000m Qualification & Men’s 5000m Relay Qualification 7pm Snowboard Women’s Halfpipe Finals 10am Men’s 1500m 8pm
Biathlon Women’s 15km Individual 8:05pm Curling Women’s Tournament 2:05pm USA vs Japan / GBR vs OAR Men’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Canada vs Italy / Korea vs USA / GBR vs Switzerland / Denmark vs Sweden Canada vs GBR / Korea vs Sweden / Norway vs Japan / Switzerland vs Italy Ice Hockey Women’s preliminary rounds Sweden vs Switzerland 12:10pm Korea vs Japan 4:40pm Men’s preliminary rounds USA vs Slovenia 9:10pm Slovakia vs OAR 9:10pm Speed Skating Women’s 1000m FEBRUARY
14
FEBRUARY
12
FEBRUARY
13
Curling Mixed Doubles Gold Medal 8:05pm Ice Hockey
Finland vs Germany 12:10pm / Norway vs Sweden 4:40pm / Korea vs Czech Republic 9:10pm / Switzerland vs Canada 9:10pm Luge Team Relay 9:30pm Snowboard Men’s Snowboard Cross Finals 1:30pm Speed Skating Men’s 10000m
Biathlon Men’s 20km Individual Cross-Country Skiing Women’s 10km Free Curling Women’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Korea vs Canada / Denmark vs Japan / China vs OAR / GBR vs USA China vs GBR / Canada vs Sweden / USA vs Switzerland / Korea vs Japan Men’s Tournaments 2:05pm USA vs Italy / Norway vs Canada / GBR vs Japan / Denmark vs Switzerland Ice Hockey Women’s preliminary round USA vs Canada 12:10pm / OAR vs Finland 4:40pm Men’s preliminary rounds FEBRUARY
11
Curling Women’s Tournaments 2:05pm Denmark vs Canada / Korea vs Switzerland / Sweden vs OAR Men’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Italy vs Denmark / Norway vs Korea / Sweden vs USA / Switzerland vs Japan / Sweden vs GBR / Denmark vs USA / Canada vs Korea Freestyle Skiing Women’s Aerials Finals 8pm Ice Hockey Men’s preliminary rounds USA vs Slovakia 12:10pm / OAR vs Slovenia 4:40pm / Finland vs Norway 9:10pm / Sweden vs Germany 9:10pm Skeleton Men’s Heat 3&4 9:30am Snowboard Women’s Snowboard Cross Finals 12:15pm Speed Skating Women’s 5000m FEBRUARY
11
Curling Women’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Switzerland vs Sweden / OAR vs USA / China vs Japan / Denmark vs GBR / OAR vs Japan / China vs Denmark / Korea vs GBR / USA vs Canada Men’s Tournaments 2:05pm Korea vs GBR / Switzerland vs Norway / Canada vs Sweden / Italy vs Japan Figure Skating Men’s Single Free Skating 10am FEBRUARY
17
19 PyeongChang 2018 schedule Freestyle Skiing Women’s Ski Slopestyle Finals 1pm Ice Hockey Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s preliminary rounds Canada vs Czech Republic 12:10pm / Korea vs Switzerland 4:40pm / USA vs OAR 9:10pm / Slovenia vs Slovakia 9:10pm Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 1500 Final Men’s 1000m Final Skeleton Women’s Heat 3&4 8:20pm Ski Jumping Men’s Large Hill Individual Final 9:30pm
Curling Women’s Tournaments 2:05pm GBR vs Sweden / Canada vs Switzerland / Korea vs China Men’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Norway vs Denmark / USA vs Japan / Switzerland vs Canada / Sweden vs Japan / Korea vs Denmark / Italy vs GBR / USA vs Norway Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Slopestyle Finals 1:15pm Men’s Aerials Finals 8pm Ice Hockey Men’s preliminary rounds Germany vs Norway 12:10pm / Czech Republic vs Switzerland 4:40pm / Canada vs Korea 9:10pm / weden vs Finland 9:10pm Women’s classification games Speed Skating Women’s 500m 8pm FEBRUARY
18
Bobsleigh 2-man Heat 3&4 8:15pm Curling Women’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm USA vs Denmark / Canada vs Japan / Korea vs Sweden /OAR vs Switzerland GBR vs Switzerland / Denmark vs OAR / China vs USA / Sweden vs Japan Men’s Tournaments 2:05pm FEBRUARY
19
Korea vs Italy / Sweden vs Switzerland / USA vs Canada / GBR vs Denmark Ice Hockey Women’s Semifinals 1:10pm / 9:10pm Ski Jumping Men’s Team 9:30pm Speed Skating Men’s 500m 8pm
Curling FEBRUARY Women’s Tournaments 2:05pm Canada vs China / Korea vs USA / GBR vs Japan / Men’s Tournaments 9:05pm / 8:05pm GBR vs Norway / Canada vs Japan / Korea vs Switzerland / Italy vs Sweden / USA vs Switzerland / Norway vs Italy / Denmark vs Japan Freestyle Skiing Women’s Ski Halfpipe Finals 10:30am Ice Hockey Women’s Classification Games Men’s Qualification Playoffs Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 3000m Relay Final 7pm
20
Alpine Skiing FEBRUARY Women’s Downhill 11am Bobsleigh Women’s Heat 3&4 8:40pm Curling Women’s Tournaments 9:05am / 8:05pm Korea vs OAR / Sweden vs China / Switzerland vs Denmark / Canada vs GBR / Sweden vs USA / Switzerland vs Japan / OAR vs Canada / Korea vs Denmark Men’s Tournaments 2:05pm Denmark vs Canada / GBR vs USA / Sweden vs Norway / Korea vs Japan Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Cross Finals 1:15pm Ice Hockey Women’s Bronze Medal 4:40pm Men’s Quarterfinals Speed Skating Women & Men’s Team Pursuit Finals 8pm Ice Hockey Women’s Gold Medal 1:10pm
21
FEBRUARY
22
Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 1000m Final Men’s 500 & 5000m Relay
Finals
Curling Men’s Bronze Medal 3:35pm Women’s Semifinal 8:05pm Figure Skating Women’s Single Free Skating 10am Ice Hockey Men’s Semifinals Speed Skating Men’s 1000m 7pm FEBRUARY
23
Alpine Skiing Alpine Team Event 11am Cross-Country Skiing Men’s 50km Mass Start Classic 2pm Curling Men’s Gold Medal 3:35pm Women’s Bronze Medal 8:05pm Ice Hockey Men’s Bronze Medal 9:10pm FEBRUARY
24
Bobsleigh 4-man Heat 3&4 9:30am Figure Skating Figure Skating Gala Exhibition 9:30am Ice Hockey Men’s Gold Medal 1:10pm Cross-Country Skiing Women’s 30km Mass Start Classic 3:15pm Closing Ceremony 8-10pm FEBRUARY
25
20 PyeongChang 2018
isch
r Aile e n F
Ma rissa Brandt
l Michae e d Test wui
e Ca rolin k Pa r
PyeongChang
2018 Part 2 Essentials an Ekate riova Avva kum
Eric R eg an
21
Anna F rolina Dane lle Im
Brock e R adunsk
te
an Ale x Pl
Timofey Lapshin
er Ale xande lin g am
22 PyeongChang 2018
Story by Emma Kalka Photos courtesy of Korea Ice Hockey Association
esoo e H i d n Ra G riffin
23
Naturalized
Athletes Adopting a land of their own
A
Hockey is the most important thing in my life. I really love hockey and it is a great honor to represent my mother and grandmother’s country through my favorite thing - Randi Heesoo Griffin
thletes gaining new citizenship to compete in the Olympics is nothing new. It’s been happening in the U.S. for decades. In 2011, medal-winning short track skater Ahn Hyun-soo created an uproar when he gained Russian citizenship and became known as Victor Ahn. He went on to win three gold medals and one bronze in the Sochi Winter Games in 2014 for Russia. But in South Korea, it hasn’t been as common an occurrence until recently. In the runup to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, the number of athletes gaining South Korean citizenship has soared. Where there was only one for the 2014 Sochi Games – Kong Sang-jeong, a Taiwanese short track skater of Korean descent – there are 19 athletes originally from other countries who have gained South Korean citizenship in order to represent South Korea on home turf. Most of them are in ice hockey – seven men and four women- with four in biathlon, two in skiing, one in ice dancing and one in luge. A majority of the athletes are originally from Canada (eight total) with five from the U.S., four from Russia, one from Norway and one from Germany. The purpose, of course, was to help bolster the South Korean national team as it competes on home soil for the first time in Winter Games history, especially in sports that have typically had little popularity in the country. For ice hockey, it’s the first time South Korea has qualified to compete – both in men’s and women’s. But despite being in different disciplines and from different countries, all these athletes share the same sentiment – they are all honored and proud to represent South Korea in the first-ever Winter Games in the country’s history. Here are stories from just some of these great athletes.
24 2018 PyeongChang Olympic
Dane lle Im
It’s a big dream for any athlete to participate in the Olympics. When I entered Wilfrid Laurier, I never thought I could go to the Olympics, but once I was contacted by the Korea Ice Hockey Association, my life changed dramatically – Danielle Im
25
Dane lle Im
o t g n i n r R etu r roots Women’s Ice Hockey thei To both Danielle Im and Randi Heesoo Kim, coming to Korea to play for the national women’s ice hockey team was, in a sense, like coming home. Both are of Korean descent – Danielle’s parents immigrated to Canada from South Korea and Randi’s mother and grandmother are Korean – and both nearly didn’t believe it when they were first contacted by Kim Jung-min of the Korea Ice Hockey Association to gain citizenship and play on the national team for the 2018 Olympics. “I didn’t believe it, but after checking it out, it was a serious offer and I wanted to accept it,” Danielle said after Kim contacted her through Facebook Messenger while she was playing hockey at Wilfrid Laurier College in Canada. She went as far as having her uncle, who lives in Seoul, meet with Kim just to make sure it was a real offer. “I didn’t think this opportunity would come to me at all. It was amazing. Especially my mother and brother in Seoul were very happy,” she added. Danielle made the jump to Korea in July 2013 and eventually gained citizenship in January 2017. For Randi, it helped that her sister Kelly was also contacted by the association with the same offer, though because she was recovering from a serious injury sustained while playing hockey for Brown
University at the time, Kelly was unable to gain citizenship and join the team. Randi came in August 2015 – about five years after graduating from Harvard – and gained citizenship in April 2017. “Hockey is the most important thing in my life. I really love hockey and it is a great honor to represent my mother and grandmother’s country through my favorite thing,” Randi said. Hockey hasn’t been all that popular in South Korea, especially women’s hockey. There is currently no professional women’s team in the country, so it’s only natural that the Korea Ice Hockey Association would have to look outside the country to field enough strong players. Called scrappy and underdogs by media, both Danielle and Randi said that the team as really improved and come together in the past few years. “The speed of development is amazing. In 2013, I didn’t think it could get so good in such a short time. And the development of each player is great,” Danielle said. “It’s amazing that we’ve made great progress in a very short time,” Randi added. “It’s especially encouraging to see that the teen players’ potential is very high.” Going into the Olympics, Randi said that for her personally, it’s a great honor
to represent her mother and grandmother’s country. “In honor of my mother and grandmother, I took the number 37 – the year my grandmother was born,” she said. Both said playing in the Olympics had been a dream, though one they never thought would come true until that fateful day they were contacted by Kim. “It’s a big dream for any athlete to participate in the Olympics. When I entered Wilfrid Laurier, I never thought I could go to the Olympics, but once I was contacted by the Korea Ice Hockey Association, my life changed dramatically,” Danielle said. As for that they are looking forward to during the upcoming Games – Randi says she wants to make history and beat Japan for the first time ever, while Danielle hopes to show her pride in her Korean roots to her family. “Also, I would be happy if the Olympic Games helped develop ice hockey for Korean girls,” she continued. She added that she would seriously think about continuing playing hockey here if the opportunity arises. Randi builds off that sentiment, saying that after the Olympics, she hopes to lead young Korean women in the sport and continue to improve in her athletic career.
26 PyeongChang 2018
ke,
l Test wuide, Brock Raduns he ica M , on lt Da t at M t) gh (left to ri Br yan Young Eric Regan, Michae l Swift,
s i a e r o K home now
Men’s Hockey Team For three of the seven foreign athletes on the men’s national hockey team, Korea is now home for good. “I feel most at home now that I am Korean,” said Michael Swift, originally from Canada. “I can now stand in the Korean line at immigration.” Swift has been in Korea since August 2011 and plays for Gangwon High1 in the Asian Hockey League, admitting that he took the offer because he doesn’t like moving around a lot and wanted a team where he could stay for a long time. National teammate Matt Dalton, originally from Canada as well, has been here since August 2014 and is the starting goalie. He hails from Anyang Halla. His Halla teammate, Mike Testwuide, originally from the U.S., arrived in August 2013. All three came to Korea under different circumstances. Dalton was playing in the Russian League when he got the offer from Anyang, saying that while the overall level of the league and salary were good, the living conditions were not.
“Coming from Russia to Korea was like heaven. I didn’t know people here, but Korea is a westernized country and a place where foreigners can live very comfortably,” he said. “It’s easy to communicate in English, convenient to travel and has diverse food and shopping. I’m happy with my life in Korea.” Testwuide had a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL right after graduating college, but said he felt it was too difficult to enter the North American league. When he wanted a change, the offer from Halla came in and he moved to Korea. None of them had considered citizenship and the national team at the time they arrived, but all grabbed at the opportunity when it arose, some following in their teammates’ footsteps. “In 2013, Brock Radunske (Halla forward) was given Korean nationality, so I thought I could have a chance too,” Swift said, with Testwuide saying it influenced him as well. For Dalton, he was told by his Korean agent that he could participate in the PyeongChang Olympics if he
naturalized. “I was in Russia during the Sochi Olympics Games and I thought it would be a great honor to be part of the Olympics,” he said. “I thought I could help develop Korean ice hockey by playing on the national team.” Swift echoed these thoughts, saying when he gained citizenship in 2014 the Korea Ice Hockey Association was spurring efforts to receive qualification for the Winter Games. “I thought it would be a great honor for me to play on the national team and help develop Korean ice hockey and win Olympic qualification.” Testwuide views his participation on the national team as a chance to give back. “I had a lot of help from people living here in Korea, and I thought this could be a good chance to give back,” he said. Korea is seen as an underdog in hockey, but the team has been preparing hard which has led to some unexpected results. The team hopes that the popularity of the sport will
27
Mike Test wuide
I want to stay in Korea while I’m playing. It’s a great honor to be in the Olympics, but I’m not here just for the Olympics. Since I have lived here and was helped by a lot of people, I hope that I will be able to return some of the help that I’ve received while play on the national team – Mike Testwuide
28 PyeongChang 2018
Michae l Swift
29
only grow in the country from the Olympics and that more kids will want to play the sport. As for this national team, since there aren’t many AHL teams in Korea to begin with, the roster for the national team hasn’t changed much over the years, meaning it has become a family. Thanks to head coach Jim Paek – a former NHL player and twotime Stanley Cup-winner – Korean ice hockey as made great progress as he imported an advanced ice hockey system and has been showing the strength and potential of Korean players, according to the KIHA. But according to the players, already hockey has been seeing a boost. “Ice hockey is not the most popular sport in Korea, but I’m proud that I have been doing well. And, since I started playing on the national team, there have been a lot of articles about hockey and people are getting more interested,” Dalton said. The team has been hard at work training in Jincheon since last December with specialized training kicking off in January. It is very much aware that PyeongChang is right around the
corner with three friendlies lined up the week before the Games kick off on Feb. 9. But what comes after the Games for these three now that they are Korean citizens? Dalton said that he can’t really talk about the future too clearly. “But the obvious thing is that I’m currently playing here and I will do my best for Anyang Halla and the Korean national team,” he said. Swift said that he was contacted by the Swiss League – which is very popular internationally – a few years ago, but as he said before, he doesn’t like moving teams. “I will stay in Korea until I retire and I don’t know what will come after that,” he said. For Testwuide, he just hopes to continue giving back. “I want to stay in Korea while I’m playing. It’s a great honor to be in the Olympics, but I’m not here just for the Olympics. Since I have lived here and was helped by a lot of people, I hope that I will be able to return some of the help that I’ve received while play on the national team,” he said.
30 PyeongChang 2018
g n i l l i f l u F held dre am Ice Dance a long Ice dancer Alexander Gamelin said competing in the Olympics has been his dream since he was 3 years old. “Having qualified for my first Olympics in my adopted home country is just a dream come true. I can’t want to perform in front of the home crowd and make Korea proud,” he said. He started skating in 2000 with his twin sister Danielle and originally moved to South Korea to represent the country with his current partner Min Yura in 2015, after his sister retired from competitive skating. He said that he first set his sights on gaining citizenship shortly after partnering with Min when the two set the Olympics as a goal. Under ISU rules, a pair can compete for a country at international competitions as long as one member is a citizen of that country. However, for the Olympics, both must be citizens. Min and Gamelin are the 2017
South Korean champions in ice dance. In their second season together in 201617, they won bronze at the 2016 Lake Placid Ice Dance International and in the top six for all three ISU Challenger Series competitions. The pair qualified for PyeongChang at the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy – the final qualifying event of the season – in September by placing fourth overall. Gamelin said he hasn’t had any negative experiences skating for South Korea. “Everything we’ve gone through has just been positive. The only small challenge was preparing for my citizenship review, like learning the Korean language and the anthem and other important knowledge I needed to know for the test, but I took that challenge as an opportunity to learn more,” he said. “Competing in Korea is always a wonderful experience.”
He added that his family and friend back home in the U.S. have always been supportive of his Olympic dreams so were thrilled for him when he gained citizenship and Olympic qualification. Beyond that, he says that Koreans have also been very accepting of him representing the country. The pair have been training hard for PyeongChang and running their programs until they feel satisfied they are ready to show. Gamelin said they are also trying to stay healthy and rested so they can skate their best at the Games. “You can expect us to put our hearts out on the ice and show Korea what we can really do,” he said. Though what he is really looking forward to is the Opening Ceremony. “I think the thing I’m looking forward to the most about the upcoming Games is walking out into the Olympic stadium for the Opening Ceremonies and hearing the roar of the home crowd,” he said. And while the Olympics were a major influence in his decision to gain citizenship, Gamelin said it wasn’t the only one. “Obviously the biggest reason for me to get Korean citizenship was to represent the country at the Olympics, but Yura and I have also spoken seriously about starting an ice dance school in Korea when we retire from competition, because Korea has never really been big in the world of ice dance,” he said. Before that day comes, though, the pair intend to compete in 2022 at the Beijing Winter Games. After that? “I’m not entirely sure; I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, my entire being is focused on my Olympics dreams.”
I think the thing I’m looking forward to the most about the upcoming Games is walking out into the Olympic stadium for the Opening Ceremonies and hearing the roar of the home crowd – Alexander Gamelin
ame lin
de r G n a x le A & Yura Min
32 PyeongChang 2018
Conquering the 2018 Winter Games One-stop guide for all things Olympics
Story by Emma Kalka Photos By PyeongChang Olympic Planning Committee
W
ith the Olympics upon us, many are planning to venture down to PyeongChang to take part in the festivities. Whether going down just for the day or if you are spending a week or more, Groove Korea has your one-stop guide for getting around the venues and seeing
events. Even for those who can’t make it down to the Games, we’ll let you know when and where to watch the Olympics from the comfort of your home or with others out and about in Seoul. Any additional information can be found on the official website at www.pyeongchang2018.com.
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General Information Either a physical or electronic ticket is needed in order to enter the venues and Olympic plazas. There will be ticket booths located at each venue for those who wish to purchase them on-site. Electronic ticket-holders should download the PyeongChang 2018 Mobile Ticket app from the Apple App Store or (android). Tickets will be scanned at all entrances. It is recommended that spectators arrive at the venues at least two hours before each event starts, especially those with tickets for the general standing areas. There is no re-entry once you leave a venue. There will be a security check at every entrance, so be sure to factor that into your time. There are several extra benefits for ticket-holders. They will be allowed to enter the Olympic Plazas located in PyeongChang and Gangneung for free as long as they show a valid ticket for an event on the same day. There will be various cultural events going on every day at the plazas, including cheering events, broadcast events, concerts and others. Ticket holders will also be given free parking and use of the shuttle services. Those who are driving down in private cars will have free toll. Those using the KTX will receive a discount on reservations. There is also a 10 percent discount on North Face products for ticket holders. There will be no outside storage areas at the venues, so do not bring prohibited items, such as promotion banners or flags that go against the Olympic Charter or other ambush marketing items. It is recommended to double check the time schedule for events in case of changes. This can be done online or at one of the
various Spectator Information Points. It is also recommended to check weather conditions, especially for outdoor events, and to dress accordingly or bring items necessary to stay warm such as blankets or pocket warmers. The roads and such could be slippery, so snow footwear is also recommended. There will be spots at each outdoor venue where spectators can warm up as well. A note on payment within the Olympic venues and plazas, only cash or Visa cards will be accepted. Only official guide dogs are allowed in the venues, so please leave pets at home. And for the convenience of other spectators, strollers and wheelchairs must be stored outside venues. Only those who have purchased special wheelchair access tickets will be allowed to take their wheelchairs inside. Around the Olympic Parks and Plazas as well as at the various other Olympic facilities and venues, there will be Spectator Information Points where visitors can find information on events, tickets, lost & found, shuttle bus schedules and so on.
Shuttle Bus System In order to keep the roads open and clear, many roads will be closed to private vehicles except for those who have reservations at accomodations located on them. Everyone is encouraged to use the shuttle bus system in order to access the various venues. The shuttle buses will start running three hours prior to the start of the first event of the day and two hours after the end of the
final event of the day. They are free to use and should run every 10 minutes depending on weather conditions and traffic. There are six Park & Ride locations for those who will be driving - Bongpyong Park & Ride, Daegwallpyeong Park & Ride and Jeongsan Park & Ride servicing the PyeongChang Mountain Cluster; North Gangneung Park & Ride, West Gangneung Park & Ride and Gangneung Station Park & Ride in the Gangneung Coastal Cluster. All the Park & Ride areas are on the shuttle system so spectators will be able to park at the area most convenient to them and be able to access all the Olympic venues. Check at the areas or on the official Olympics websites for time tables to see how long it will take to reach the various venues. There are also stops at major transportations hubs in the area - PyeongChang Station, Jangpyeong Bus Terminal, Jinbu Station, Jeongsan Bus Terminal, Gangneung Bus Terminal and Gangneung Station. There are also free shuttle services available for nearby cities to the transport malls. In the Wonju area, there are shuttle pickups at Oak Valley, Saemul IC, Weilli Hilli Park and the Inter-Burgo Hotel; in Seokcho at Hanwha Resort, Ilsung Resort, Daemyung, The Class 300 Hotel, Daepo Port (Ramada Hotel), Seorak-dong Accommodation Development and Nakson Beach; and the Donghae region at Daemyung Resort, Samcheok Beach and Donghae Rejuvenating Hot Spring Convention Hotel.
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36 PyeongChang 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Plaza The centerpiece of the PyeongChang Olympic Plaza is obviously the Olympic Stadium where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place. Located nearby is the Olympic Cauldron that will remain lit throughout the entire Games. Also in the plaza is the Medal Plaza were medal ceremonies and victory events will take place. For a detail schedule, visit www. pyeongchang2018.com/en/culture/medal-plaza. The Medal Plaza is open from 10 a.m. to 10:10 p.m. At the Culture ICT Hall, guests can watch media art works by famed Korean Paik Nam-june, view artwork from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and see small performances. Also at the hall, visitors can experience various cutting-edge technology such as 5G, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and others. At the Traditional Culture Center and Culture Madang guests can view performances of intangible cultural assets and demonstrations at a hanok, or traditional Korean house, as well as take part in various folk culture experience programs. They can also view a traditional lantern exhibit and outdoor performances at Culture Madang. These are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is also a Live Pavilion with a converged experience zone, Internet of Things service, Public Arts Exhibition and Super Store where you can purchase official Olympics gear. The Super Store is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will also be showcases for official Olympics partners and a national flag and
Olympic flag exhibit, along with a Spectator Cafeteria where visitors can sample local food from the Gangwon area as well as from participating countries.
Gangneung Olympic Plaza Along with the event venues, the Gangneung Olympic Plaza includes a Live Site that will host live broadcasts of Olympics sports and cultural performances. There is also an Open Stage that will host such events as a street parade, hanbok flash mob, busking and more. The Gangneung Art Centre will feature free ballet, orchestra and musical performances. There is also a photo and art exhibition here. In the plaza is also the Korean Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 Promotion Pavilion where guests can learn all about the KOC as well as the host city for the next Summer Games. There is also a Super Store - open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. partner showcase and Spectator Cafeteria. For a detailed schedule of various events at both plazas during the Winter Games, please visit www. pyeongchang2018.com/ en/culture/venue-cultureevent?venueCd=plaza
38 PyeongChang 2018 PyeongChang Mountain Cluster PyeongChang Olympic Plaza ADD 200, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts medal ceremonies and other cultural events. ACCESS By car, park in either the Jinbu Parking Lot or Daegwallyeong Parking Lot and take a shuttle bus. By bus, go to either Jinbo Bus Terminal and board the loop shuttle system to Jinbu Station where you can take the spectator shuttle to PyeongChang Olympic Plaza or got to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the plaza. By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Olympic Plaza. PyeongChang Olympic Stadium ADD 200, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Opening and Closing Ceremonies CAPACITY Stadium - 35,000; Medals Plaza - 4,000 ACCESS By car, park in either the Jinbu Parking Lot or Daegwallyeong Parking Lot and take a shuttle bus. By bus, go to either Jinbo Bus Terminal and board the loop shuttle system to Jinbu Station where you
can take the spectator shuttle to PyeongChang Olympic Plaza or got to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the plaza. By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Olympic Plaza. Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre ADD 325, Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined and Snowboard Big Air events. CAPACITY 9,700 ACCESS By car, go to Daegwallyeong Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). By bus, go to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the Olympics Plaza shuttle stop, then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). Alpensia Biathlon Centre ADD 325, Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Biathlon events. CAPACITY 7,500 ACCESS By car, go to Daegwallyeong
Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (East Gate). By bus, go to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the Olympics Plaza shuttle stop, then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (East Gate). By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (East Gate). Alpensia Cross-Country Centre ADD 325, Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Cross-country and Nordic Combined events. CAPACITY 7,500 ACCESS By car, go to Daegwallyeong Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). By bus, go to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the Olympics Plaza shuttle stop, then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Alpensia Sports Park (North Gate). Olympic Sliding Centre ADD 470, Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do,
39
Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Luge, Bobsled and Skeleton events. CAPACITY 7,000 ACCESS By car, go to Daegwallyeong Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Olympic Sliding Centre. By bus, go to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and then walk to the Olympics Plaza shuttle stop, then take the spectator shuttle to Olympic Sliding Centre. By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Olympic Sliding Centre. Yongpyong Alpine Centre ADD 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Slalom, Giant slalom and Nation Team events. CAPACITY 6,000 ACCESS By car, park at either the Daegwallyeong or Jinbu Parking Lots and then take the spectator shuttle to Yongpyong Alpine Centre. By bus, go to Jinbu Bus terminal and take the loop shuttle to Jinbu Station, then transfer to the spectator shuttle and get off at Yongpyong Alpine Centre or go to Hoenggye Bus Terminal and walk to Olympic Plaza and take the spectator shuttle to Yongpyong Alpine Centre. By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Yongpyong Alpine Centre. Jeongseon Alpine Centre ADD 41-35, Jungbong-gil, Bukpyeong-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Host Downhill, Super-G and Alpine Combined events. CAPACITY 6,500 ACCESS By car, from the Jinbu Parking Lot, Jeongseon Parking Lot or Arirang Lot, take the spectator shuttle to the Jeongseon Alpine Centre. By bus, get off at Jinbu Bus Terminal and take the loop shuttle to Jinbu Parking Lot, then from there take the spectator shuttle to Jeongseon Alpine Centre. By KTX, get off at Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Jeongseon Alpine Centre. Phoenix Snow Park ADD 174, Taegi-ro, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea EVENT Hosts Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing Events. CAPACITY 18,000 ACCESS By car, park at the Bongpyeong Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Phoenix Snow Park. By bus, go to Jangpyeong Bus Terminal and then take the spectator shuttle to Phoenix Snow Park. By KTX, get off at either PyeongChang or Jinbu Station and then take the spectator shuttle to Phoenix Snow Park.
Gangneung Coastal Cluster Gangneung Olympic Plaza Add 226-3, Ponam-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Events Hosts cultural events. Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. Gangneung Hockey Centre Add 98, Surigol-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Events Hosts Ice Hockey events. Capacity 10,000 Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. Gangneung Oval Add 100, Surigol-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Events Hosts Speed Skating events. Capacity 8,000 Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. Gangneung Ice Arena
Add 102, Surigol-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Events Hosts Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating events. Capacity 12,000 Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. Gangneung Curling Centre Add 32, Jonghabundongjang-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Events Hosts Curling events. Capacity 3,500 Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. Kwandong Hockey Centre Add 24, Beomil-ro 579beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Events Hosts Ice Hockey events. Capacity 6,000 Access By car, park at either the North Gangneung Parking Lot, West Gangneung Parking Lot or Gangneung Station Parking Lot and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza. By bus, go to Gangneung Bus Terminal and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympics Plaza. By KTX, get off at Gangneung Station and take the spectator shuttle to Gangneung Olympic Plaza.
40 PyeongChang 2018
Story by Robert Michael Evans Photos by Robert Michael Evans
Going for Gold in the Itaewon Area
Where to Watch the Olympics
5
Canucks
hours MON-THU 11am-11:30pm, FRI 11am-12am, SAT 11am-12:30am, SUN 10am-11pm Add 183-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Tel 02-790-7936
W
ith the Winter Olympics rapidly approaching, there is an undeniable collective buzz starting to whip up around Seoul. If you haven’t been able to acquire tickets to the Winter Games already, there are plenty of other ways for you to enjoy the Olympic festivities. You might just want to stay in Seoul and gather up at a local watering hole with some friends from the comfort of a warm chair and flowing libations. Surely most venues with a television will be playing the Olympics while they occur but here is a little list of places around the Itaewon area where you can partake in the Olympics fever without feeling a chill.
01
While all the previous locations are sports bars meant more for adult outings, this next location may be just what families are looking for to get involved in the Olympic festivities. Down the Itaewon strip, nearly at Noksapyeong Station, is one of the younger establishments on the scene: Canucks. With an aesthetic that could be Little Canada itself, Canucks’ walls are adorned with maple leaves galore, pristine hockey jerseys and a simply ginormous television screen that is sure to make you feel like you’re right there, front and center, at the games. They have a skilled kitchen staff that brings to life a full menu of delicious food choices to go along with the games. Don’t forget to get some poutine while you cheer for your favorite team. If you’re rooting for Canada, Canucks is the clear choice for your Olympic viewing.
42 PyeongChang 2018
43
Route 66
hours MON-FRI 5pm-1am, SAT 4pm-2am, SUN 2pm-2am Add 131-3 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Seoul Tell 02-790-6590
02
Here’s another Itaewon classic for you right in the heart of the city. Route 66 takes it’s name and inspiration from a slice of pure Americana. You can pop right out of Itaewon Station, a stone’s throw from Exit 4, and be sitting in this American style bar watching your favorite countries compete for golden medals as you sip a golden lager. With a friendly and attentive staff, Route 66 serves up affordable drinks and food. They host events and specials almost every night of the week, which will surely provide for a lively time to go along with the Olympic Games. Route 66 feels like a home away from home. The number of regular patrons that keep on coming back is a testament to it’s classic American bar style.
44 PyeongChang 2018
The Upper Deck
hours MON-FRI 3pm-2am, SAT & SUN 11am-2am Add 305-5 Itaewon 2-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Tel 02-749-1223
03
The Upper Deck is a premium American sports bar located on the main street in Kyungridan. The venue packs three floors of seating with enough TV’s to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the action regardless of where your head is facing. Sports memorabilia line every spare inch of wall space helping you get in the mood of rooting for your favorite competitors. The Upper Deck has 18 draft beers available on tap and a full menu filled with bar favorites from brunch to burgers and more. The Upper Deck has a pool table, foosball table, and dartboards available to pass the time during the commercials. If you need to see more of the sun, then be sure to go up to the third floor sky lounge where you can enjoy a little more vitamin D while watching the games.
46 PyeongChang 2018
47 The Workshop
Time MON-THU 6pm-12am, FRI & SAT 3pm-12am, SAT 12pm-12am Add 5-84 Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-dong 2(i)-ga, Tel 02-790-6531
04
Just past the kimchi pots of Haebanchon, you can find The Workshop. The Workshop was previously an empty garage but has since been renovated and is now a local favorite with HBC residents. They specialize in South African pies, fries and beer. The TV screens are typically tuned in to rugby but will be playing the 2018 Winter Olympic Games through their duration. If you find yourself looking for beyond-the-screen live activities, you can pop downstairs to the Hidden Cellar that is owned by the same people. There’s a pool table, dartboards and a stage for live music all under highly vaulted ceilings and fueled by liberally flowing wine. The Workshop and Hidden Cellar hold many community events from regular Open Mic Nights to fundraiser events for local community interests. If you’re pulling for South Africa during the winter Olympics, this is your place to be!
48 PyeongChang 2018
Sam Ryan’s
Time MON-FRI 4pm-12am, SAT & SUN 10:30am-4am Add 116-15 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Tel 02-749-7933
05
Located on the main Itaewon strip, just behind the Hamilton Hotel, is one of the landmarks of Itaewon: Sam Ryan’s. Sam Ryan’s is a classic Itaewon bar establishment. They’ve been around for quite some time, which is a testament to how cozy and familiar the atmosphere feels for expats. Sam Ryan’s features an impressive long bar top area that is prime seating for anyone looking to watch sports television from various screens, call for a drink with the ease of a nod and simultaneously chow down on some surprisingly tasty pub food. Pub food, as we all know, is meant to just fill the belly with more than just booze but this Sam Ryan’s menu features dishes influenced by the co-owner who is a former five star restaurant chef.
50 film
The Winter Olympics The 10 Best Winter Olympics Movies of All Time! (Well, Kind of….)
Story by Gil Coombe
O
ne of the annoying things about the Winter Olympics is that they tend to happen during winter, that season best suited to lying on the couch, warming bourbon in one hand, TV remote in the other, crisps packets and candy wrappers littered around you, desiccated husks of shame and self-loathing. So what better way to get amped up for the upcoming PyeongChang Games than to seek out some of the best cinematic entertainment on offer about the magic of bundling up in hundreds of layers of clothing and falling down a hill gracefully, or wearing next to nothing and spinning around in circles? (Yes, you may argue that actually watching the events themselves may achieve this purpose, but to you I offer this response: Hush now.) Now, I personally haven’t seen a lot of Winter Olympics movies, so it is difficult for me to make a definitive list. So I turned to the wonderful Rotten Tomatoes website, which takes a whole bunch of reviewers’ nuanced, expertly analyzed reactions to movies, turns them into a simple Yay” or “Nay” metric and then derives a percentage for the number of reviews that are positive about an individual movie. While this is methodologically dubious, it does provide a simple metric for ranking films, and it has also powered countless angry discussion threads on movie discussion boards all over the internet, so who am I to argue. Below is a list of ten films related to the Winter Olympics (some tenuously so, it must be said) ranked in order of their Tomatometer score. Bon appetit!
Tonya
Year 2017 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 89% Olympic Sport Featured Figure skating
Synopsis So, the 90s were a weird time – it was the point where the news slowly started to morph into entertainment, so “celebrity” criminals and their lurid exploits really became a fixture of social discourse – think OJ Simpson, the Menendez brothers, Jeffrey Dahmer, Lorena Bobbitt… Add to that list Tonya Harding, the U.S. figure skating champion in 1991 and 1994 who was suspected of being party to an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. Kerrigan was struck in the leg with a baton
America. They want someone to love, but they want someone to hate. I mean, come on! What kind of frigging person bashes in their friend’s knee? Who would do that to a friend after a practice session by a man hired by Harding’s ex-husband and her bodyguard, in the hope that the injury would put her out of the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and clear the way for Harding to take gold. Harding denied knowing that the attack was to take place, and in fact both women ended up going to the Winter Olympics, with Kerrigan finishing 2nd and Harding a disappointing 8th. Upon her return, Harding pleaded guilty to “conspiring to hinder prosecution of the attackers” and received a minor punishment, though the United States Figure Skating Association in its own investigation concluded that she had known about the attack beforehand and banned her for life. And now we finally get to see this story dramatized in a flashy,
fourth-wall breaking way, with rising star Margot Robbie deglamming to play the gobby, somewhat trashy Harding with able support from the great character actress Alison Janney (Juno, Margaret) as Harding’s mother, and Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Winter Soldier) as her husband. The structure and tone is far removed from your typical lifetime story, with Scorsesian freeze frames, pop hits, and dueling narrators. Some have subsequently accused it of being “glib”; others appreciate that it tries something different. Watch It When You need your fix of trashy 90s real-life crime, but you’ve already seen The People vs. OJ Simpson. Or if you want proof that figure skating can in fact be interesting if it puts its mind to it. The Critics Speak MATCH “Robbie’s take on Harding— more of a spiritual embodiment than a mannerism-obsessed impression—never feels like any kind of anti-vanity stunt.” A.A. Dowd, The AV Club CUT “I, Tonya makes no attempt to hide its eagerness for the audience's approval. That's both apt and more than a little disingenuous, since the hasty, fickle judgment of the masses is one of the movie's chief satirical targets.” Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
Go to the Movies Eddie the Eagle
Year 2016 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 80% Olympic Sport Featured Ski jumping
Synopsis Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards was once the best ski jumper in all of the United Kingdom, heading to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics full of confidence and bravado. It should be noted, however, that he was at the time the only ski jumper in the U.K., and in fact the U.K. had not competed in ski jumping for 60 years. He finished dead last in both the 70 m and the 90 m jumps, though he did set the British record with one of this jumps. Seven years later, he set a world stunt record for jumping over 10 cars and 6 buses. And so a legend was born. Eddie the Eagle is a heavily fictionalized account of Edwards’ Calgary adventure – for example, Hugh Jackman’s character, coach Bronson Peary, doesn’t exist in real life, and is basically an amalgam of all the coaches Edwards’ had during his career, and Edwards (played by Kingsman star Taron Egerton) wasn’t quite as hopeless on skis as the
For as long as I can remember it has been my ambition to become an Olympian. I just needed to find the right sport film makes out, being close to making the downhill team for the 1984 Winter Olympics. The man himself has stated that the film is probably about 5 percent true. Still, if we wanted the truth, we would be reading Wikipedia, wouldn’t we? All you need to know is that Eddie the Eagle is the proud precursor to Eric the Eel at the 2000 Summer Olympics and Ali Dia in the English Premier League. Watch It When You want proof
that incompetence needn’t be an obstacle in becoming famous; all you need is a dream and a stunning disregard for your own physical safety. (Or be born rich and beautiful, though this is harder.) The Critics Speak MATCH “The new inspirational sports comedy Eddie the Eagle tries to have it both ways with its main subject, simultaneously ridiculing and ennobling him. And,
amazingly, it mostly works.” Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine CUT Although Mr. Edwards’s last-place finishes in Calgary made him something of a sensation, a symbol of do-it-yourself persistence, this film doesn’t seem to trust the inherent likability of his story. The director, Dexter Fletcher, and the writers, Sean Macaulay and Simon Kelton, load it up with tropes that actually make it less endearing.” Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times
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Cool Runnings Year 1993 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 75% | Olympic Sport Featured Bobsled
Synopsis A staple of the VHS years, this comedy is very loosely based on the true story of the first Jamaican bobsleigh team, who were a particular novelty at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary being a tropical nation trying their hand at a winter sport. All of the characters are given different names compared to their real-life counterparts, and great license is taken in the casting of the great John Candy as their coach. But still, the general gist is the same: a bunch of amateurs take on an insular sporting event and gain respect for their efforts, even if they were never going to be close to the podium. It’s the type of movie for which the phrase “fish out of water” was invented. Watch It When You, like most adults, feel like an imposter, going about your business without truly understanding what you are doing. You put on a face of calm and authority, but underneath it all, you wonder when you are going to be found out. But you do your best, because what else are you going to do? The Critics Speak MATCH “Cool Runnings is a charming tale of determined underdogs, with plenty of laughs, moments of real tension, and five engaging performances.” Marc Lee, The Telegraph CUT “They've pulled down the Berlin Wall. The Palestinians and the Israelis are talking peace. But they're still making comedies like Cool Runnings, in which cartoonish natives scratch their heads and try to make sense of the white world.” Desson Howe, Washington Post
Downhill Racer Synopsis The fictional story of David Chappellet (played by Robert Redford just as he was bursting onto the scene – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was released in the same year) and the path to his shot at Olympic glory in the downhill skiing competition. A relatively straightforward plot tracks the ups and downs of the journey, including rivalries with other competitors and conflict with the U.S. team coach, played by the estimable (and greatly missed) Gene Hackman. Watch It When You want your fix of old-school Hollywood charisma and a peek at one of the most interesting direc-
Year 1969 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 80% Olympic Sport Featured Um, downhill skiing. It’s right there in the title.
tors of the late 60s, early 70s in Michael Ritchie (Prime Cut, Smile). The Critics Speak MATCH “…a portrait of a man that is so complete, and so tragic, that Downhill Racer becomes the best movie ever made about sports -- without really being about sports at all.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times CUT “It is not a great film, but it is an exceedingly interesting and provocative one that illustrates both the elasticity of Hollywood cinema at the end of the ’60s and the daring of young filmmakers with bright futures ahead of them.” James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
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Miracle
Year 2004 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 80% Olympic Sport Featured Hockey
Synopsis The true story of the “Miracle on Ice”, in which the underdog American team (average age = 21) beat the heavily favored Soviet team in the semifinals of the 1980 Winter Olympics before going on to win the gold medal in the final. The movie is centered around the head coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), who is tasked with making a team of strictly amateur players competitive against the Soviets, who had won the last four Olympic golds, and other European countries. Though professional players were banned from playing in the Winter Olympics (and would remain so until 1988), the Soviets used players who were given positions within various companies but who trained full-time as athletes as a way to get around the ban. Throw in the Cold War tensions between the two countries, and you have a perfect David vs. Goliath story with socio-political undertones. Watch It When You find yourself needing to celebrate that plucky little underdog America who has had a tough time of it for centuries now but who every now and then will win an important sport-
Blades of Glory Synopsis The highest concept of any film on this list, Blades of Glory takes two fierce figure skating rivals Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder, Napolean Dynamite himself) who are banned from the men’s singles competition for life for an incident at the “2002 World Winter Sport Games” too silly
I started working with that Ukrainian skater, you know, the one that looks like Elvis?? And I moved to the Ukraine, and it was cold, and everyone had guns and smelled like soup.
Brooks, the tough coach who eliminated failure as an option for the athletes.” Claudia Puig, USA Today
I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it ing contest to remind them that dreams can come true and that they should keep plugging along and eventually big things will happen for them. You can do it, America! The Critics Speak MATCH “In many ways, Miracle belongs to Kurt Russell, who is wonderful as Herb
CUT “[The director’s] lack of faith that the audience will pick up on the not-so-subtle implications of the Olympic conflict extends to a saccharine voiceover at the end, when, in case viewers didn't get it, Russell intones forgettable pieties about believing in the dream.” Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Year 2007 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 70% Olympic Sport Featured Figure skating
to recount here and details their decision to team up as the first same-sex team in the pairs competition to get around the ban. Throw in former husband-and-wife team Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as a brother-and-sister rival pairing, The Office alum Jenna Fischer as their younger sister tasked with seducing and thus destroying the tenuous alliance between Michaels and MacElroy, and various other silly hijinks, and you have what promises to be one of the more fun Olympics… I mean, World Winter Sports Games entries. Watch It When You are in the mood for dumb laughs, but YouTube videos of drunk people falling into bodies of water just aren’t cutting it anymore. The Critics Speak MATCH “The movie… is blissfully silly, triumphantly tasteless and improbably hilarious.” Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal CUT “This is all a load of fluff. It's predictable. It's ridiculous. It has not the slimmest
tether to reality, and it features one crotch joke too many (or maybe 10).” Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
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The Cutting Edge
Year 1992 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 60% Olympic Sport Featured Figure skating
Synopsis Now we start getting into dubious territory, as the choices start to dry up dramatically. And what we are left with are the likes of this, a romantic comedy starring noted charisma machines D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly as, respectively, a washed-up hockey player and a talented figure skater who team up to compete in the pairs figure skating competition at the 1992 Winter Olympics. She is demanding and spoiled, he is cynical and out of his element. There is no way they could ever succeed or fall in love, not opposites like these! Unless…. I have never seen this movie and I will never see this movie, but of the people who have seen this movie, six out of ten seem to have enjoyed it well enough, so who am I to judge? For film fans, of most interest would be the fact that this is noted writer-turned-director Tony Gilroy’s first credited film. Having gone on to write the likes of Rogue One and the first four Bourne movies and to direct Michael Clayton and The Bourne Legacy, it is interesting that he would start it all with a piece of throwaway fluff like this. Still, everyone has to start somewhere. Watch It When You are in the
Mystery, Alaska Synopsis Okay, this is a stretch. You see, this film does not involve the Olympics at all. It doesn’t even involve any form of organized competition. Instead, it is the tale of a fictional town in Alaska (go on, guess its name!) that has a long-standing Saturday game of four-on-four ice hockey played among the members of the town, with older members being regularly replaced by up and coming young players. Their tradition makes the national spotlight when featured in
I play hockey and I fornicate, because those are the two most fun things to do in cold weather
I swear, you let me down and it'll take them a month to count the blade marks up your back mood for a horror and download this because you were mislead by its title. The Critics Speak MATCH Yes, it’s Dirty Dancing on ice skates (and no, you can’t quote me on that).” Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly CUT “Plotting like this is probably outlined on floppy discs so guys like first-time screenwriter Tony Gilroy can slip one into their computer, provide a semi-original backdrop (in this case, Olympic ice skating), drop in some wisecracks and — voila! — another cookie-cutter Hollywood movie.” Chris Hicks, Deseret News
Year 1999 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 38% Olympic Sport Featured Hockey
Sports Illustrated and an exhibition game is set up with the New York Rangers in the small town. Russell Crowe, hot off LA Confidential and The Insider plays one of the said older members of the team who finds his position under threat as politics and romantic entanglements threaten to derail preparations for the big game. What follows is thus your typical underdog vs. behemoth story, just with an Australian rugby league fan pretending to be an American hockey player. Watch It When You are curious to see what Russell Crowe looks like when he is trying to be a charming, gentle family man, maybe his greatest acting stretch of all time. The Critics Speak MATCH “Conveys some of the thrill and ferocity of ice hockey while skillfully folding together multiple personal dramas.” Stephen Holden, New York Times
CUT “The cast applies itself with such conviction, that one wishes the result had been worth the effort.” Wendy R. Weinstein, Film Journal International
Synopsis So, I know 21 percent is not incredibly high when it comes to critical acceptance, but you’ll be happy to know what this is the most well-received of the three
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D2: The Mighty Ducks
Year 1994 | Rotten Tomatoes Score 21% Olympic Sport Featured Hockey
Mighty Ducks movies – I wouldn’t foist any old rubbish on you. In the sequel to the surprisingly successful first film (15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), Emilio Estevez returns as Gordon Bombay, the guy who was forced to coach a Pee-Wee hockey team as part of his community service and who is now on the verge of breaking into the National Hockey league. Cue a serious injury and an invitation to take Team USA to the Junior Goodwill Games as coach. Guess who are in that team? You guessed it, most of the original Mighty Ducks! What are the odds? Again, no, this is not strictly an Olympics movie, but it features a competition on ice, so it will do. This will work best as a dose of nostalgia for those who grew up in the 1990s when these kinds of kids movies were all the rage (Heavyweights, The Sandlot, Little Giants, Angels in the Outfield, The Big Green), as opposed to those looking for an insightful analysis of the corrosive effect of competition on social cohesion among young adolescents and Emilio Estevez. Maybe the one progressive move the film makes is that the rival team here is not Russia, as you might have expected. Instead, it is Iceland who proves to be the big bad. Finally, a movie not cowed
And when the wind blows hard and the sky is black - Ducks fly together! by Iceland’s nefarious, malicious influence on the world. Watch It When You have kids who are not particularly discerning. The Critics Speak MATCH “The movie is a great representation of how much can be accomplished through working together as a team. Because it lacks foul language and other objectionable elements, D2 The Mighty Ducks is a commendable movie.” Movieguide CUT “This isn't so much a sequel as a virtual remake of the first film, with the same plot, the same characters and the same gung-ho all-American spirit and endless navel gazing over the ethics of winning at all costs.” Paul Merrill, Empire
TheGreatEcstasyofWoodcarverSteiner Synopsis How could you possibly resist a title like that? Particularly when this documentary is directed by the king of idiosyncrasy, Werner Herzog (Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man). Made for German TV, this is a document of then-world champion ski jumper Walter Steiner, who is also a woodcarver by trade. Slow motion replays of crashes, Steiner discussing the conflict between fear and thrill (or maybe they are two sides of the same coin?) and tales about ravens, Herzog appearing on camera to narrate the goings-on… it all adds up to another Herzog look at an obsessive personality and trying to understand what it is that drives us to do the crazy things we do. Watch It When When you want to lord your knowledge of cinema over all those people who watched the other films on this list. Or when you are busy, because it is only 45 minutes long. (It is available on YouTube.)
The Critics Speak MATCH “The things that separate it from other films are the personality of the ski jumper himself and Mr. Herzog's extraordinary slow-motion footage of the ski jumper
50,000 people waiting to see me crash at work. You have the feeling that on any one of these jumps. Mr. Steiner is going to take off and never again set foot on earth. At least, not alive.” Vincent Canby, The New York Times CUT “The ‘weirdness’ of Walter Steiner — like that of Kaspar Hauser or Aguirre — is successfully presented as that of an exotic zoo animal, encouraging sympathy without permitting empathy or any other sort of
Year 1974 | Olympic Sport Featured Ski jumpinga
direct identification.” Jonathan Rosenbaum, Monthly Film Bulletin
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Olympic Sized Meals
A historic tour of PyeonChang dining
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here is a sleepy village in Korea that is known as PyeongChang. If you travel the quiet streets and absorb the local culture, you could feel quite at peace with the country atmosphere. You might be blissfully unaware that soon the entire world will converge on this spot for the 2018 Winter Olympics. And, to be fair, the residents of PyeongChang might be unaware as well. The country life of these humble people seems to continue on regardless of what the rest of the world seems to have planned for them.
Story by Christopher Saint Germain Photos by Christopher Saint Germain
noodle restaurant that is home to the only Buckwheat Noodle Master of Korea. Prior to this year, the quiet hamlet of PyeongChang, Korea, was known mostly for its fish, preserved on log stands and dehydrated in the winter snow. Locally the fish is called Hwang Tae. It is a white pollack and a main staple in the area. You might catch a glimpse of the fish racks through your bus window and think that someone forgot to finish building their log cabin. But on closer inspection you will realize that there are hundreds of thousands
of fish, half covered in snow, dangling from the logs on yellow strings. Fully exposed to the harsh winter weather, the fish is warmed and frozen repeatedly as the wind dehydrates the meat. Freeze dried foods are considered a newer innovation in western culture, but Korea would probably disagree with that estimation.Hwang Tae Hae Gwan is named after this popular fish. There are preservation jars lining the walls like an anatomy museum. There are a few dining tables with chairs but most of the tables are long and low and the clients sit on the floor.
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Perhaps you are wondering as you read this, how a quiet country town on a hillside in Korea going to be contend with the onslaught of visitors that are about to whisk through their location? How will they feed so many people? Well put your heart at rest. One of the most amazing things about Korea is that no matter where you travel in the peninsula, you are never far from food or drink. PyeongChang is no different. There are foods here for the most discerning eater, from a vegetarian diet to a full on five star western menu. You can even find a
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Famous for breakfast, if you visit this restaurant in the morning, you will be seated at one of the long tables with several other diners. The food is already prepared and plentiful, and you will have dishes in front of you minutes after you have been seated. One of the main dishes available is Hwang Tae Gui - a grilled dry pollack. It is spicy and sweet with a chewy texture. The other signature dish is Hwang Tae Hae Jang Kuk. This fish stew has a mild flavor and is similar to Egg Drop Soup, with tofu and vegetables. The side dishes depend on the season, but you are certain to receive a variety of kimchi. The restaurant serves a fresh cabbage kimchi which is sweet and crispy. They also offer an aged kimchi which has quite a bit more spice and a strong sesame flavor. The pickled turnip (ttok bokke) is well aged and may be one of the best dishes of turnip in the region. The side dishes are all quite delicious and if you run out, which there is a good possibility you will, the hostess is quick to replenish the food. For lunch, consider Buil Sik Dang. If there was an old west style restaurant that survived in Korea until the modern times, it would be the Buil Restaurant. Opened shortly after the end of the Korean War, this restaurant has remained virtually unchanged since. Mr. Yi Myong Hwan runs the restaurant now, and he still uses all of his grandmother’s recipes to prepare the meals. Mr. Yi considers his restaurant a vegetarian restaurant, though there are a few dishes that contain Hwang Tae. All of the ingredients are acquired locally by Mr. Yi, or gathered personally by him in the mountains or on his farm. “Many visitors are welcome to come try our traditional vegetarian meals,” said Mr. Yi. The meals are plentiful, with as many as 22 different types of vegetables. You will be given a large stainless bowl with sesame oil in the bottom and you are welcome to mix as many of the vegetables as you like with rice, to taste. Everything is prepared over an open wood fire, and it presents itself in the flavors of the food. The one dried fish dish is very flavorful and tastes like a dry smoked tuna. You can clear your palate with pickled ginseng root which is mellow and delicious, then blast your palate with the cabbage
kimchi which will attack your taste buds like gunpowder! The Taenjang Chiggae is served boiling hot in a large ceramic bowl. It is dark and murky, and heavily spiced. It is like a nice French Onion Soup, with the kick of a mule! There are fresh wild mushrooms, spinach, pickled ginseng leaves, and chestnut jelly. Too many side dishes to name. If you eat all of your favorite, you can happily call out for more! The interior of the restaurant feels small and cozy, as it is divided into several very warm small rooms with long tables. You will be surprised to find out that this location has the ability to serve 300 people! Although this site has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, there will be a new location opening nearby on February 10. It will offer the same menu, but can seat as many as 450 people at more western style tables. The new location will be managed by Mr. Yi’s son. If that lunch was not enough for you to finish out the day, and you find yourself wanting to continue your historical culinary tour of PyeongChang, you should take your dinner at Napjak Sik Dang. This restaurant also boasts more than fifty years of history in the region, though not in the same location. “Napjak refers to the low roofed wooden houses which were once popular
If there was an old west-style restaurant that survived in Korea until the modern times, it would be the Buil Restaurant
60 food&drink Pork in the region, and is the style of building that the restaurant was first opened in,” says Song Bok, a cook at the restaurant whose grandmother founded the restaurant. “You can grill squid and pork belly on the fire for a quick meal.” Anyone who has had spicy pork or samgyeopsal in Korea is familiar with wrapping their food in a lettuce leaf, maybe tossing some taenjang and rice into the mix. But at Napjak Restaurant, the specialty is squid cooked with pork belly. The red sauce that the meat is marinated in is as spicy as you would expect it to be and the squid adds a unique texture to the dish. Added to the main dish are sides of potatoes, black beans, bean sprouts, marinated peppers, and seaweed. The short climb up the stairs has not hurt the restaurant’s popularity and you are sure to find many locals drowning the spiciness in soju or mokkeoli. The tables here are also communal, and should you shout a hearty “Kom Bai” to your neighbors, you are guaranteed not to drink alone for the remainder of the evening. You are also sure make several new friends, but write down their information, because it is likely that you will not remember much in the morning. If traditional Korean food is not to your taste, or if you feel the urge to experience western style cuisine in Korea, you will be
welcomed at Cafe Fleuri. Although the theme of this restaurant is in a country cafe style, it is in the spacious lobby of the fivestar Kensington Flora Hotel, and you will be treated in a five-star manner. The lobby of the hotel itself has a large collection of Olympic memorabilia. You can see several signed photos, training gear and medals from different athletes through the history of the Olympics. This alone is good
Napjak refers to the low roofed wooden houses which were once popular in the region, and is the style of building that the restaurant was first opened in. reason to visit the Cafe Fleuri. Once you pass the indoor fountain, you will see the country-white cottage doors of Cafe Fleuri inviting you in. There is a chandelier made of water pitchers and large
k id a j u r q a S N with Belly
coffee mugs that will greet you as you enter. Large wooden barrels line the walls along with a large selection of wines and teas to choose from. If you are not in the mood for a large meal, you can sit in the cafe area, which is graced with large comfortable chairs and flower decorations. Whether you choose coffee, tea, or wine, you can enjoy a chocolate torte cake with your drink, or plain cheesecake with just a hint of lemon. If you decide on coffee, you will get a proper mug of coffee, filled nearly to the brim, with just enough room for sugar and cream, if that is to your liking. In the dining area, the decor continues, and everything is arranged with a familiar sense of organization that you may have never realized you have grown accustomed to in western society. First cook, Hong Jong Ho, said that he
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majored in Western Cuisine and the hotel sends the staff to workshops on a regular basis for extra study. Hong’s favorite meals to prepare are the steak and pasta. “We chose the Korean Beefsteak because this area is very popular for beef,” said ChaEui In, a host and associate who has worked in the restaurant for the past two years. “We wanted to create this dish to compliment the western palate.” The tenderloin steak is a very generous cut of meat, at least two inches thick. It is crusted with rosemary and served with roasted garlic, asparagus, mushrooms, potatoes and cauliflower. The vegetables are dressed in a beef bourguignon style reduction sauce, which will compliment the meat nicely. The lasagna is served in a 12-ounce oval boat dish and could easily be shared by two light eaters. The balance between the meat and cheese is perfect without either overpowering the other. The sauce is slightly sweet and blessed with a large helping of mushrooms. The atmosphere in the restaurant is made for conversation, with light adult oriented rock music playing softly in the background. Everything about this restaurant and hotel speaks to the approachability of the staff and the comfort that is expected from a fine establishment. “This hotel is well organized to offer better service and comfort,” said Cha. “In Korean tradition it is very difficult to approach managers in the workplace, but here the staff is very open to suggestions.”
After your meal, you can tour the hotel grounds. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake, view the gardens, and have photo opportunities in the large king and queen thrones. There is also a glamping site, for the more adventurous spirit of luxury. Still, after all of this, PyeongChang holds more surprises for you. Regardless of whether you prefer Western Style cuisine, Korean, or something else entirely, you absolutely must visit Mi Ga Yeon Restaurant! Mi Ga Yeon is a completely unique experience in dining culture. It was created by Oh Sok Hui who is an amazingly humble soul and wonderful storyteller! Her love for life and art is reflected in the careful preparation of her dishes. She has considered everything from the colors of the ceramic dinnerware which was created by a local artistic potter, to the tales that she regales her guests with while they dine. Her food and stories both come from the heart, and both have a special morale woven throughout that will enlighten your essence. One of the offerings in this beautiful restaurant is Buckeye Bud Juice. It is a combination of Buckeye Wheat and yogurt.
Through all its modesty, you might not be prepared for the delights that this simple bistro has to bestow upon you
“You can tell the age of someone who drinks the juice by the flavors they say that they taste,” explains Oh. “In your 30’s you think you taste apples in the juice, in your 40’s you will say it tastes like ginseng and if you have passed your 40’s you might think it tastes like Japanese yam.” Oh says that after she has let her guests
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64 food&drink try the juice and talk about the flavors, she then explains how different ags taste different flavors. Once she has explained this, everyone agrees, and they all say it certainly taste like apples. Oh was presented a Department of Industry award for new menu items and patents that she has created and for her charity work. It is very rare for a restaurant owner to receive this award. She is also the only Master of Buckeye Wheat Food Preparation in Korea. She is very passionate about Buckeye Wheat. She went bankrupt three times pursuing the perfect venue to present her meals. She had been studying bibimbap and had reached a level where she had become quite confident in her recipes. Then she switched from bean sprout to the Buckeye Wheat sprout. It became so popular that she got the idea to create a Buckeye Wheat noodle. She realized that the quality of her ingredients was the most important factor in her recipes. This taught her humility and a love for the best, locally purchased ingredients. Her love for the ingredients certainly shows in the meals that she presents. There is a Raw Beef Bibimpap with potato, zucchini, Buckeye wheat sprouts, cucum-
ber, radish and eggs. All the flavors marry perfectly together, and Oh avoids the more common ingredients such as carrots. Yatche Mandu are plump dumplings with a little pork and filled with vegetables. Buckwheat Crepes are similar to the mandu, but are vegetarian, without the pork, and are made from 100 percent Bitter Wheat, which gives the wrapper more texture. All of the noodles and wrappers are made in house. There are two types of buckwheat, Sweet Buckeye Wheat which has a large triangular shape and Bitter Buckeye Wheat which is smaller and resembles sesame. Bitter Buckeye has seven times more rutin than Sweet Buckeye Wheat and, as far as Oh is aware, her restaurant is the only one that uses the Bitter Buckeye Wheat. This is what gives their noodles and wrappers such a unique flavor. In addition to her love for the Buckeye Wheat, Oh’s careful meal preparation extends to her kimchi which is aged for a full five years, and she only uses wild sesame oil in her dishes. Suddenly you feel a slight pang of regret for the great King Sejong, who never had the opportunity to dine this well. Taste, however, is only 50 percent of the dining experience, says Oh. The rest of the experience is in storytelling and atmos-
y r u e l F e Caf
phere. People from around the world are coming to PyeongChang for the Olympics and she feels that this is her opportunity to present the Buckeye Wheat noodle to the world. “You have to do what you love,” said Oh. “This is our stage, and where we can dance.” Hwang Tae Hae Gwan (황태회관) 19 Noon-ma-eul-gil, Dae-gwan-ryeong-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon 033-335-5795 6am-10pm Buil Sik Dang (부일식당) 98 Jin-bu-joong-ang-ro, Jin-bu-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon 033-335-7232 8am-9pm Napjak Sik Dang (납작식당) 113 Dae-gwan-ryeong-ro, Dae-gwan-ryeong-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon 033-335-5477 10am-10pm Café Fleuri 231 Jingogye-ro, Jin-bu-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon 033-330-5301 10am-9pm MI GA YEON 108 Gi-poong-ro, Bong-pyeong-myeon, PyeongChang-gun, Gangwon 033-335-8805 9.30am-8pm
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HOTELS & RESORTS
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTERS
FAMILY & KIDS
American Embassy (02) 397-4114 • 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Novotel Ambassador Gangnam (02) 567-1101 • 603 Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Seoul Samsung Hospital 1599-3114 • 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnamgu, Seoul
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Canadian Embassy (02) 3783-6000 • (613) 996-8885 (Emergency Operations Center) Jeongdonggil (Jeong-dong) 21, Jung-gu, Seoul
Grand Hilton Seoul (02) 3216-5656 • 353 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Asan Medical Center 1688-7575 • 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Somerset Palace Seoul (02) 6730-8888 • 85 Susong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center (053) 250-7167 (7177 / 7187) • 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu
EMBASSIES
British Embassy (02) 3210-5500 • Sejong-daero 19-gil 24, Jung-gu, Seoul Australian Embassy (02) 2003-0100 • 19th fl, Kyobo bldg., 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul Philippine Embassy (02) 796-7387~9 • 5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Spanish Embassy (02) 794-3581 • 726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul French Embassy (02) 3149-4300 • 30 Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
HOTELS & RESORTS Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul (02) 2250-8080 • San 5-5, Jangchungdong 2-ga Jung-gu, Seoul
Park Hyatt Seoul (02) 2016-1244 • 606 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Lotte Hotel Busan (051) 810-1000 • 772 Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan Park Hyatt Busan (051) 990-1244 • 51, Marine City 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612-824, Korea
Airlines Korean Air 1588-2001 Asiana Airlines 1588-8000 Lufthansa (02) 2019-0180 Garuda Indonesia (02) 773-2092 • garuda-indonesia.co.kr
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTERS
Jeju Air 1599-1500
Gangnam St-Mary’s Hospital 1588-1511 • 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
T’way Air 1688-8686
Yonsei Severance Hospital (Sinchon) (02) 2227-7777 • 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
British Airways (02) 774-5511
Seoul National University Hospital 1339 • 28-2 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Delta Airlines (02) 754-1921
Jin Air 1600-6200
Yongsan Intl. School (02) 797-5104 • San 10-213 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Seoul Intl. School (031) 750-1200 • 388-14 Bokjeong-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Branksome Hall Asia (02) 6456-8405 • Daejung-eup, Seogipo-si, Jeju Island Daegu Intl. School (053) 980-2100 • 1555 Bongmu-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu \
Dulwich College Seoul Dulwich College Seoul offers an exemplary British-style international education (including IGCSE and IBDP) for over 600 expatriate students aged 2 to 18 from over 40 different countries. 6 Sinbanpo-ro 15-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea. www.dulwich-seoul.kr admissions@dulwich-seoul.kr 02-3015-8500
Cathay Pacific Airways (02) 311-2700
Emirates Airlines (02) 2022-8400
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FAMILY & KIDS Eton House Prep (02) 749-8011 • 68-3 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul A unique British-style Prep School for children of all nationalities from 2-13 years of age. A broad, challenging and innovative curriculum preparing pupils for senior school and life beyond. / www.etonhouseprep.com AMUSEMENT PARKS Everland Resort (031) 320-5000 • 310 Jeondae-ri, Pogokeup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do Lotte World (02) 411-2000 0 • 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Pororo Park (D-Cube city) 1661-6340 • 360-51 Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul Children’s Grand Park (zoo) (02) 450-9311 • 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Seoul Zoo (02) 500-7338 • 159-1 Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do BOOKSTORES What the Book? (02) 797-2342 • 176-2, Itaewon 1-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • whatthebook.com Located in Itaewon, this English bookstore has new books, used books and children’s books. Kim & Johnson 1566-0549 • B2 fl-1317-20 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
HEALTH Tower Urology (02) 2277-6699 • 5th fl. 119 Jongno 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul DENTAL CLINIC Boston Dental Clinic General dentistry / Periodontics / Orthodontics (02) 3482-0028 • 92-12 5F, Banpo 4-dong (Seorae French Village), Seocho-gu, Seoul Ophthalmology Dream Eye Center The best eye clinic for LASIK and LASEK. 3,000+ foreign patients over 20+ years of experience with 0 complaints. If you're considering getting this, make sure to choose the best. • 1588 9881 • 14 fl., Mijin Plaza, 825 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Animal hospitals Chunghwa Animal Hospital / Korea Animal Transport (02) 792-7602 • 21-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / www.cwhospital.com
MUSEUM & GALLERIES National Museum of Korea (02) 2077-9000 • 168-6 Yongsandong 6-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • The NMK offers educational programs on Korean history and culture in English and Korean. National Palace Museum of Korea (02) 3701-7500 • 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul • This museum has a program called Experiencing Royal Culture designed for English teachers to help learn about Joseon royal culture.
Seodaemun Museum of Natural History (02) 330-8899 • 141-52 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul ORIENTAL MEDICINE Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic Don’t know where to take your kids on weekends? This museum exhibits a (02) 511-1079 • 3rd fl., Lee&You bldg. 69-5 snapshot of the world and animals. Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Specializes in hair loss and scalp problems and National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea offers comprehensive treatments and services (02) 2188-6000 • 313 Gwangmyeong-ro, including aesthetic and hair care products. Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
HEALTH
Hair & Joy Trained at Toni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon Academy in UK Color, Perm, Magic Straight, Treatment and more English Spoken For more info, call Johnny Tel 02.363.4253 Mobile 010.5586.0243 3rd fl. 168-3 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu Hair & Joy
www.hairandjoy.com
Lotte Cinema Samsung Plaza
Qunohair Gangnam / Apgujeong Branch Tel 02.549.0335 10-6, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.qunohair.com
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Cosmetic surgery Leeum Samsung Museum of Art MIZAIN plastic surgery (02) 2014-6901• 747-18 Hannam-dong, Seoul National University College of Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 10:30 am-6 pm Medicine graduate doctors offer the best Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar quality medical services • (02) 515 6199 • New Year and Chuseok holidays. Dosan-daero 423 (Cheongdam-dong 91-11), Gallery Hyundai Gangnam-gu, Seoul • www.mizainps.com (02) 734-6111~3 • 22 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, MVP plastic surgery Seoul • The first specialized art gallery in Welcoming environment for foreigners and Korea and accommodates contemporary art. • friendly staff guarantees a pleasant visit for 10 am-6 pm Closed on Mondays, New Year’s cosmetic surgery related consultations. Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. (02) 3442 6669 •Nonhyeon-ro 819, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Plateau JK plastic surgery center (02) 1577-7595 • 50 Taepyung-ro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Experience the best medical system in Korea. Seoul • 10 am-6 p. m. Closed on Mondays. Its superb system allows the minimum efforts National Museum of Modern and for your medical experiences.• (02) 777 0337 Contemporary Art, Seoul • 584-2 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (MMCA SEOUL) FITNESS (02) 3701-9500 • 30 Samcheong-ro, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Exxl Fitness Gangnam Finance Center, 737 YeoksamDaegu Art Museum dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul • www.exxl.co.kr (053) 790-3000 • 374 Samdeok-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu • Art space for local UROLOGY & OB culture presenting Daegu’s contemporary fine Sewum Urology arts and internationally renowned artists. (02) 3482-8575 • 10th fl., Dongil bldg., 429 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
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