Indeed Korea Magazine March 2015 by Indeed Korea Magazine

INDEED KOREA MAGAZINE March 2015

INSPIRED BY KOREA

Indeed Korea Magazine March 2015

from the content: Architecture - Secret of Seoul Kálmán Czibolya filmmaker trainer Blogger in Korea - A Dream came true Seoul4you - The photo tour guide : Gyeongbokgung Palace Park Ji Hyun Hanbok designer - interview How I became an English teacher in Korea SM Town tasted Gastronomy - Tonkatsu ‘X-Men’ inspired Kia Sorento to debut at the Australian Open 2015

Cover page by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

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editoral Indeed Korea, as a site and magazine, is a unique project that covers and analyzes the news, art, culture and entertainment world of Korea. We share relevant, interesting information about South Korea. Our goal is to build a friendly community of Koreans and foreigners, where everybody feels welcome. We have created this site and produced this magazine because we want to bring joy to all of you, our audience.

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Impress the content is on the web General editor, graphic designer and photographer: N. 존,Nádudvari János Journalist, photographer: Julia Rhee Jung Journalist, copywriter: Veniese Wilkinson

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Guest journalist, blogger: S. Horn, Sebők Anna, Nagy Szilvia, 배준연 www.indeedkorea.com|staff@indeedkorea.com | indeedkora@gmail.com

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Norimae Festival in Jeju to bloom One of the most beautiful tourist spots in Jeju, Norimae Park is getting ready to host the third year of their Maehwa Festival from February 7 to March 8, 2015. During the festival, lots of hands-on activities related to plums will be prepared to entertain visitors; making a plum tree, plum postcards, plum candles and more. Festival-goers can also indulge themselves by sipping plum tea, trying different traditional foods at the traditional Korean market and playing folk games. On weekends, Nanta performances and music concerts are to be held and all programs throughout the festival are free. Norimae Park first opened in March, 2012 and the name is a combination of two words; ‘Nori’ meaning play and ‘Mae’ meaning ‘plum’ in Korean. In addition to the namesake plum trees, the park is beautifully composed of tea trees, tangerine trees and plum bonsai trees. The lake and walking trails paved with Jeju’s native stone provide a relaxing atmosphere to this urban park.

More info

Jeju Norimae festival 2015 Venue: Norimae, 2260-15, Jungsanganseo-ro, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Korea Date: February 7 to March 8, 2015 Admission Fees: Adults 9,000 won / Youths 6,000 won / Children 5,000 won Website: www.norimae.com (Korean Only) 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Secrets of Seoul Seoul is a traveller’s dream and there are countless things to do. You can see anything from historic temples to streets lined with high fashion or state of the art technology. You could take the fastest elevator in the world to view the city from the top of the Seoul Tower or you could take a romantic boat ride on the Hangang river and marvel at the skyline. If you are like me however, you would probably want to skip all the touristy areas and see the city on your own. On my latest trip to Seoul I accidentally discovered Jae-dong, Hwa-dong and Sogyeokdong in the Jongno-gu area. I was looking for some buildings with architecture I saw online and wanted to visit in person. I set out from the Anguk subway station (Exit 2) and continued straight down the street (Bukchon-ro) past the Constitutional court. Just to set the scene, I was in Seoul on the weekend for Lunar New Year celebrations and it was cloudy, quiet and raining faintly. Having visited other areas in Seoul earlier that weekend I was surprised to find the city a lot quieter than normal – lots of shops closed to celebrate the Year of the Horse. As soon as I turned left into Bukchon-ro 5-gil it was as if I stepped into heaven. A narrow street lined with coffee shops, boutique stores, galleries and small contemporary architectural gems. The first building that I was looking for (Songwon Art Centre by Mass Studies) appeared in front of me and I was elated. The shape of the building takes its cues from the sharp angle of the street corner and I stood admiring the angled metal cladding for a while. Another thing that struck me was that the area was crawling with young trendy locals – whereas the rest of the city seemed to be recovering from a hangover. It felt as if I had inadvertently stepped into the

Cover page by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

coolest place to be – and there were no other foreigners in sight. I continued along the road up a small hill and was surprised to find even more shops on the other side. After I passed what seemed like a park and one of the nicest tourist information pavilions I had seen I turned right into Bukchon-ro 5ga-il. An even narrower street but still lots of art and design treasures to be found on. I was looking for the second item on my buildings-to-see-wish-list (Kukje Gallery by SO-IL). At this stage my urgency to find architecture has disappeared and I found myself being lured into shop after shop finding excuses to buy gifts for people I didn’t even like. I had found the second gallery on my list – a cube draped entirely in a metal mesh curtain. It was a little harder to find than the first gallery, but then all treasures are worth the hunt. Having completed my list, I wondered randomly through the streets back in the general direction of Anguk station. It felt as if no matter what direction I took I would surely find something to fall in love with. It started to rain harder and harder so I decided that I would return to my secret place in Seoul to find more treasures some other time... [ S. Horn]

Happy NewYear! 2015년 새해 복 많이 받으세요

in the Cultural Center of Makó. As a side job, I documented the local events with the town’s first videocamera. What experiences led you to become a film director?

Kálmán Czibolya filmmaker and trainer

in Korea

In 1985, I got to know Antal Lux, an artist in the graphic art colony of Makó, who lived in WestBerlin at that time. From 1986, I was a regular guest in his home in Berlin. He was a great inspiration to me as a human being and as an artist. He opened up the world of filmmaking to me. I chose film and video arts as my mission in life thanks to his influence. His professional help led me to work in international forums in Germany, France, Finland, Poland, Japan, etc. Everyone has inspirational and cherished memories from their journey. Which stops along your journey pushed you forward and defined your work?

Kálmán Czibolya filmmaker and trainer in Korea We have asked Kálmán Czibolya about his work with DIMA and the Film and Arts Workshop of Makó; about movie making and his connection to Korea.

I was one of the founders of the Makó City Television back in 1989. I worked there as an operator and editor until 1996. In 2001, I was invited by Sára Sándor the director, cameraman, president of Duna television (one of the biggest state-owned TV channels owned by the state in the country – the editor). I was invited to participate in the first master course (Dunaversitas) of Duna Television with the biggest names in the profession. This was a very special time for me.

Your filmography demonstrates your long journey until now, when did you start on this path?

In 2004, I was offered the role of chairman of Makó City Television and held this position until 2007. This was a really good opportunity to show my students and colleagues what a small town TV channel is capable of producing. No matter the size of the company, you have to give your best.

My career in pictures started in 1984, before that I was a happy photographer. I made diaporama (like Power Point) shows and they were presented all around Hungary. During this time, I worked

During this time, the Makó City Television recorded all the plays of the Szeged National Theater and Szeged Contemporary Ballet. Also, I am really proud of my cooperation with the Dutch police

between 1993-2003. During this time, I made professional police training movies and crime prevention documentaries for the youth.

and Film Academy (one of the most famous European media universities since it’s opening from the mid 19th century – the editor).

How did the Video and Art Workshop of Makó begin ? What are the goals of the workshop?

How did you connect with DIMA and Korea?

This is a non-profit foundation, that I created in 1994, to give talented youth between the ages of 10 and 25 years old, a chance to express themselves through filmmaking. Currently, we are the only talent base in Hungary with international connections for the younger generations. In the last 20 years, our students have become known internationally and their hard work and talent has been recognized with many awards. Our most important European partners are: Poland, Germany, Greece, Transylvania, Spain. Besides Korea, we also have connections in Vietnam, Thailand, and China in Asia. Since 2003 we have had wide connections with DIMA (Asia’s biggest media and arts university). What are the achievements of your pupils that you are most proud of?

In 2002, I saw the World Cup closing ceremony from Seoul on the television. I was fascinated and decided to visit Korea. I wanted to see the country and know the culture also. My German friend and partner, Jürgen Macpolowski, who is the director of the Media Festival Berlin, helped me to get in contact with the Seoul International Youth Film Festival’s (SIYFF) director. We invited him and one of his colleauge to our own international film festival – Zoom to Europe. This colleague and professional translator was professor Wang-Tae Lim, who teaches art and directing on DIMA. This dream of mine had come true unbelievably fast. Our connection is strong until today and we have to thank him for many of our trips and memories in Korea. [NJ.] [translated: S. Anna]

In the last 20 years, our graduates have become artists and movie makers. Some of them have been featured in international festivals. Roland Ferge, now 21, started in our workshop, when he was just 13. He has gone on to win many awards in Hungary and also in international youth festivals for his creations. His thesis movie – Away - was the only Hungarian film to win an award from the Berlinale in 2014. Another successful graduate is Máté Szabó, whose animated works have also been awarded at international film festivals. Finally, Balázs István Balázs, who started to attend our workshop at the very young age of 9 also bagged many awards in Hungary and on the international scene. He is now a graduate student of the Hungarian Theater

Indeed Korea Photo Gallery Korea photos free to download and use

Korea - A Dream came true part first

In 2012, I decided to go to Korea, which was a long lasting dream of mine. I didn’t want to wait anymore for friends, boyfriend, or anyone else to be my partner on this journey. My aim was to begin this journey before I reached the age of 30; that would be July 2013. On the 16th of May, early afternoon, my plane took off for Amsterdam, where I transferred to a much longer, trans-Atlantic flight heading to Seoul. The plane swallowed up more than 400 people. While the mass was walking into the belly of the plane, I finally felt tall, for the first time in my life at 166 cm. My cheerfulness was pressed down over the next 11-12 hours, the flight was quite tiresome. Unfortunately, I was sitting beside the window, two girls who quickly fell asleep after dinner, so I wasn’t able to move for almost 11 hours. No matter the pillow, sheets, or movies, I was restless until the end of the flight. At the end of 17 or 18 hours of travelling, my flight landed in Seoul and I found myself in a completely different world. I did not know what to expect from my real life dream, but I knew that I will not fall off from the surface of the world. Sitting and waiting for the airport bus, I faced the first of many people to come, who were amazed that I was traveling alone. The first people I met in Korea were 2 Japanese women who were waiting for the same bus as me. They asked where was I was from and then praised me for being brave. At the end they also gave me a honey flavored candy because I sneezed once (because of my allergy). They had come for shopping and hunting for celebs by the way they were really cute and caring. I got off the bus at Changdeok palace and started walking to my hostel. I head in the wrong direction

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

if I have a map in my hand. So, I always ask the people on the street for directions. This time I asked a 200 cm tall white guy for directions. It happened that he knew this neighborhood and quickly found out that my original direction was correct. It just took a few minutes to reach my hostel. My first place to stay was Banana Backpackers, just minutes from Insadong, near to Changdeok and Gyeongbok palaces. It was clean, with fair prices and a cheerful, helpful staff. When I stepped in, I started to feel a little bit anxious. A few minutes later, I met a girl from South-Africa who had been staying in Korea for a month. She was teaching English and came for the weekend to Seoul to check out some buildings, since she is an architect. Seoul is a great basket of amazing treasures for architects. We quickly agreed to go discover Seoul together, since we were interested in the same spots. A few minutes later I was completely calm knowing that I wouldn’t have to spend my first day all alone. Our first goal was Gyeongbok palace, which was just 10-15 minutes away from our place on foot. While we were walking on the street, we have saw an unusually large amount of people, despite it being a weekend. We didn’t understand where the masses were coming from. Beside the Japanese, Chinese and other tourists, quite a lot of koreans were on the streets as well. (A little later someone told us that it’s the birthday of Buddha - 17th May - a national holiday, so that was the reason so many people were out.) At Gyeongbok palace the flow of the people was constant concentrated. It was impossible to take a photo of the gate guards, who wore historical attire, without taking the picture of a stranger. Additionally, it was simply impossible to avoid all the people bumping into us. Later, I Iearned that it is not considered a big deal if you crash into

someone and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for forgiveness. It seems like, they accept, that it is unavoidable in a city where there are so many people. While we drifted with the crowd through the enormous gates, we quickly found the line to the ticket booths. At the cashier, we payed for our 3000 won entrance fees and started to explore the big courtyard, when we discovered that something big was definitely in progress. They started to bring out red ropes and a drum, as big as a man. During this time, more and more people began to run to find the best place to see the event. We were so lucky that we arrived exactly at the time of the changing of the guards - Joseon era edition of course. As the drummer started to beat his instrument and the gate on the right opened, a line of guards emerged from beyond. My heart was pounding together with the beats of the drum and from that moment, I was mesmerized until the day I left the country. While we were calmly chatting, we tried to find an empty spot in the window, a korean man asked us, where we were from. When I told him, I was from Hungary, I was really surprised that he had basic knowledge of the country. He knew some of the biggest cities, so I was impressed. However, during my journey, he was not the last one, who knew about my small country in the middle of Europe, making me love more this country and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people. The palaces were beautiful on the inside and the outside was equally amazing. Many mythical creatures and animals and writings from the past were guard the entry of the premises. One of my Korean friends told me that these were working as sun clocks in the past. Beside the beauty of the place, my attention was caught by the visitors as well. I absolutely felt like a hobo beside the stylish Koreans, Chinese and other Asian visitors, who so easily wore brand names and wisely picked outfits. If I were a street fashion photographer, I would have felt like I was in heaven, during my stay.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Of course, this was not a unique experience, I noticed this during my entire trip in the country. I knew that Koreans in general pay much attention to their style and attires, but experiencing it in real life, was really amazing. Their sense of style is something that I can definitely learn from. As we walked further inside the palace, the space was getting smaller. The bigger buildings and communal spaces were exchanged with a more intimate and personal atmosphere. We found a beautiful door, this grabbed my interest. I stepped on the stairs and realized I was taller than the door itself. It was interesting how small the doors were built in that time and it

made me think. Were these doors built so small, so those who are entering had to bend, so they were made to show respect in this way? Or it was just because the general height during that time was smaller as well? [S. Anna]

Gyeongbokgung Palace 13

Gwanghwamun Gwanghwamun is the main gate of the main palace. It has a double-roofed pavilion over three arched openings set in a high stone foundation. The king used the central arch, while the crown prince and officials entered through the openings on either side. The gate pavillion housed a bell, which announced the time of day. The original gate had been moved to the north of Geonchunmun, the east gate of the palace, when the headquarters of the Japanese Government-General in Korea was built right behind Gwanghwamun in the 1920s. Bombed during the Korean War(1950-1953), the pavilion of the original gate was destroyed and the stone foundation was severely scarred. Gwanghwamun was rebuilt in 1968 as a concrete structure but restored to its original shape as a wooden and granite structure in 2010.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Geunjeongmun Gate Geunjeongmun was used for small audiences between the king and his civil and military officials. It was also where coronations were held. The coronation of King Danjong(1452-1454) was the first to be held here. When ceremonies were held at Geunjeongmun, the officials above Rank 2 stood to the north of Yeongjegyo and those below Rank 3 lined up to the south of the bridge.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Geunjeongjeon Hall

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Geunjeongjeon Hall Geunjeongjeon Hall, Important state functions were held in the compound of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall, such as court officialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; audiences with the king and receptions for foreign envoys. Geunjeongjeon is the Throne Hall, where the king granted audiences to his officials, presided over large official functions and met foreign envoys. Geunjeongjeon is the largest and most formal hall in Gyeongbokgung. The two-tier edifice stands on a high platform reached by stone steps. There is a spacious courtyard in front, where important events were held and corridors enclose it.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Gangnyeongjeon Hall It is the king’s sleeping quarters, but sometimes official functions were held on the stone veranda. Hyangomun Gate, built into the corridor behind Sajeongjeon Hall, leads to the living quarters. Gyeongbokgung has separate bedchambers for the king and the queen. Gangnyeongjeon Hall is the king’s living quarters and Gyotaejeon Hall, entered through Yanguimun Gate behind the king’s quarters, is for the queen. The king and the queen carried on their routine affairs in the living quarters. They threw occasional parties for their relatives as well. It does not mean that state affairs were not handled here. The king sometimes called his court officials to his living quarters to discuss national affairs.

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion This pavilion, built on the pond west of Gangnyeongjeon, the kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s living quarters, was where the king threw feasts for foreign envoys or his court officials. The name means that the king is capable of handling national affairs only when he has the right people around him, it was used on joyous occasions.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Sajeongjeon Hall Council Hall where the king routinely discussed national affairs with his court officials. The Office Quarters were where the king handled state affairs and studied Chinese classics with his civil servants in normal times. The quarters were also where he threw parties for his relatives and ministers and supervised qualifying examinations for the civil service. The Office Quarters in Gyeongbokgung are centered on Sajeongjeon Hall. Between Sajeongmun Gate, leading to the Throne Hall compound and Hyangomun Gate, opening to the living quarters, there are three buildings Sajeongjeon, Manchunjeon and Cheonchujeon facing south, enclosed by a corridor-like structure with compartments inside.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Hyangwonjeong

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Hyangwonjeong When Geoncheonggung Residence was built, King Gojong redesigned the palace’s back garden. An artificial islet was created in the middle of the pond, on which a hexagonal pavilion was built with the name Hyangwonjeong, meaning the “Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance” The bridge across the pond was named Chwihyanggyo, meaning “intoxicated with fragrance.” In 1873, when King Gojong built Geoncheonggung, he had a pond dug to the south, with an islet created in the middle. A two-tier hexagonal pavilion, built on the islet, was named Hyangwonjeong and the wooden bridge leading to it was called Chwihyanggyo. Chwihyanggyo Bridge was the longest wooden bridge constructed on a pond during the Joseon Dynasty. At present, the wooden bridge from the south provides access to the islet, but the bridge was originally on the north side to be reached from Geoncheonggung. In 1953, the bridge was moved to the south side of the pond. The sources of the pond are underground water and a spring coming down from the mountain at the back of the palace. The water eventually flows into the pond where Gyeonghoeru Pavilion stands. [National Palace Museum of Korea]

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Korean Style Week 2015

Park Ji Hyun Hanbok

During Seoul Style Week, the most noticeable style of the convention was unquestionably the Hanbok design of Park Ji Hyun. Though she was busy getting ready for her encore performance, we managed to conduct an interview with her. - When did you start designing and what was your motivation? - It has been 23 years since I started Hanbok designing and I believe Hanbok is the heart and face of Korea and the Korean. Also, I love Korean traditional clothes and culture from a really young age. I thought someone should preserve and introduce the clothes of Korea to a larger audience. - Are there any elements of inspiration for each design? - Yes there are.

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

- Could you let me know some examples? - I design clothes in tune with the ‘global 21th century’ mixed with Korean traditional culture. Also, each hanbok is based on the traditional way such as Gorum(tab) or Git(collar), and customized for where and when. That’s the point of my designing. - What kind of consumers do you design for? - It’s for everyone. In Korea, everybody wears Hanbok especially for weddings. So, I design traditionally elegant garments for people for special occasions. I also design matching clothes for people who love Korean culture. It’s not for any particular person, but it’s for everyone. - Who are your typical international customers? - They are mostly likely dependents of diplomats in Korea and Koreans who live aboard for a long period. - I would like to be the Hanbok preacher for whole world and that was why I accepted the invitation for Style Week. I would like to design Hanboks for everyone to wear everywhere. [배준연]

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Photo by: N. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

How I became an English teacher in Korea If your dream is to teach English in Korea – even if you are just thinking about it – stop here, because we are writing this manual for You. My name is Suné and I will be sharing some information, tips and some of my own experiences over the next few issues. If you choose to follow this series you will be closer to being ready and mentally prepared to hop on a plane and come join thousands of foreigners in Korea. How to get an agent and job in Korea In Korea, there are countless websites and agencies/ recruiters. Look for bigger organisations with an established history. Also look at the quality of the website. I am not going to suggest any specific organisation, but I will say the bigger the better. English teaching is a big business in Korea, and with any economic fluctuations, the smaller businesses run into trouble first. Better safe than sorry. I should also mention that if any agency is going to ask you to pay an “admin fee” you should give them a pass. The schools in Korea pay the recruiters a generous commission fee. Being ill informed about the process of getting a job in Korea, I ended up paying a “admin fee” not knowing that I wasn’t supposed to. I only learned about all the mistakes I had made once I got to Korea – but that is how you learn in the worst case. One picture above all You will find information and step by step instructions on the application process. This involves a visa application, certifying university documents, a medical test and a criminal record check. This is where you will be spending some money – as you will need original documents from your university, police criminal records etc. Depending on your location you might be running to the courier’s shop a lot more than usual. You will also need very good profile/passport photos. I might as well tell you now, because you find out anyway, Korea has extremely high standards when it

comes to your appearance – not wearing makeup is considered rude (if you are a girl). I have heard stories of attractive people getting jobs over better qualified teachers. Be warned. You will need some passport photos for when you get here – these will be used for you Alien Registration Card (ARC). Being from South Africa and having taken my photos in the middle of summer, I was wearing a strapless top in mine. When presenting my photos to my new director/principle, she asked me if I could take new ones because she didn’t like what the lack of straps suggested. I didn’t take new photos, for there was no time, and I am now left with an ARC with a picture in which I look naked. By the way, if you do take passport pictures in Korea, they edit them to make you look prettier – it’s not illegal. What you leave behind The last tip I would give is to organise everything you are leaving behind. I’m super organised (at times) but I know that not everyone is. I cleared out and organised my closets, arranged my room at my parents’ house and put the rest of my stuff in storage. Depending on how pedantic you are, this organisation might just come down to scanning all your documents, passport, visa and whatever else you think you’ll need and saving it in a cloud service like Dropbox. There will come a time when you are already in Korea and you need to get something from home. So you need to have things stored where you or people you know can find them easily. In the next instalment I will be giving tips on contracts, choosing a job and picking a location to work. Happy planning and I hope, I see you in Korea soon. [Suné H]

5TH

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SM TOWN

TASTED We visited the recently renovated SM Town building’s coffee shop, souvenir shop, theatre and beauty salon to introduce it to you and share our experience. The building is easily accessible from COEX Mall of Seoul. The multi-storey tower is already noticeable by itself, but “SM TOWN” is also written out with letters large enough to capture anyone’s attention. So you surely won’t miss it! At the time we arrived, there was a modest amount of people, which made our tiny tour comfortable and more enjoyable. We visited the souvenir shop first, where you can find everything a fan would dream of. You can find various type of souvenirs or even snacks with the face or name of each bands or groups of SM Town. It can be clothes, mugs, keyholders, dairies… or even traditional korean ornaments, whatever you want, you can have it. Surely, all the fans can fulfill at least a part of their dreams by coming here and buying all the collectibles/ fan merchandise they need. The only obstacle may be the prices.

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

After checking the content of the shop, we visited the second floor’s hair salon, where you can get the look of your favorite idol of course. The hall and the waiting room of the salon are decorated by stylish, black and white portraits. The coffee shop and snack store is found on the third floor of the building. The waiting area has lots of space, cakes inspired by idol groups and magazines about our favorite celebrities. You can have a coffee and a nice talk while listening to the refreshing tunes of the top K-pop songs played in the background. The mood is also inspiring, so we plan to go back soon and introduce you to the SM Town cakes and snacks we found there. The 4th floor features a hologram theater that is just waiting for you. Our conclusion- we are definitely going back because the SM Tower has more to give us than a 10 minute walk! [Sissy Na]

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Big Mama King a.k.a Gim Hyun-jung (born 30 September 1973) is a not such a well-known Korean musical icon among foreigners. She is known professionally as BMK or Big Mama King. After graduating from Seoul Jazz Academy in 1997, Big Mama King lectured at various schools throughout the country. In the past, she participated in a singing competition show, “I am a Singer.” The singers were ranked from one to seven. Big Mama King lasted three rounds.

world of K-pop idols.There is nothing quite like experiencing her in concert in Seoul. Her strong voice, wrapped up in energetic jazz music, got me right away. For those who like jazz music and the Korean language Big Mama King is for you! [N. 존, Sissy Na]

Big Mama King represents stability and quality music; she stands out next to the fast changing

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Korean gastronomy

Tonkatsu, 豚カツ Tonkatsu is one of popular Korean street or fast food. A skillfully prepared tonkatsu, the deep-fried pork cutlet, can soar to the melt-in-your-mouth heights of haute cuisine. Made by dredging a thick cut of pork in successive bowls of flour, beaten egg and bread crumbs before frying, tonkatsu is one of Korean’s one of favorite comfort foods. So entrenched is it in the food culture that some Koreans are surprised to learn that the dish is essentially Japanese - Western. The „katsu” in tonkatsu is short for the Japanese rendering of „cutlet” -- katsuretto -- suggesting the dish derives from either the French cotolette or Italian cotoletta alla milanese, although the former is more plausible given Japan’s embrace of French cuisine during the country’s Westernization that began in the Meiji period (1868-1912). (Ton means pork in Japanese.) European-style cutlets became fashionable at such restaurants as Rengatei in Ginza, which opened in 1895 and quickly became famous for its Japanized youshoku, or Western food, menu. This storied restaurant, which still operates today, served such cuisines as curry, which came to Japan via the British navy, and various meat dishes, heretofore regarded as taboo in the Buddhist country. With the Meiji era’s „modernization” movement, however, the eating of meat became accepted and even encouraged. If you are in Seoul, you can find out the most famous tonkatsu restaurant, where is located close by the Seoul Tower. namsan101.co.kr [N. John]

Photo by: N. John’s photography Seoul|South Korea www.njohn.photography

Since our first performance in 1997 at the Edinburg Fringe Festival NANTA received it’s first award for best performance. This now world famous nonverbal performance 8,100,000 people the largest audiences in Korean history. Since its first debut NANTA finally made an appearance on New York’s Broadway, This opportunity opened up new doors for Korean culture and performances. Now about 7,000,000 people around the world are enjoying NANTA’s spectacular performances. NANTA performances can also be seen at three different theater locations within Korea. NANTA also received an award for Best Urban program in 2009 and is also being highly recommended by tourist and locals alike. “This is a must see performance” As 750,000 foreign visitors per year come to Korea to enjoy NANTA and Korean culture.

- What is the progress of NANTA performance? It’s by creating a beat using knifes and kitchen tools by the chef and cooks. Also, by the theme of the performance keeps on based on Samulnori (Korea traditional percussion quartet). Not huge but we try to give every performance with a slight change for the audience. - Are there any words for the readers you want to deliver? I hope the audiences enjoy all of our performance with an open-minded view. There are several parts which requires audience participation and the more active the audience join it creates a larger spectacular moment to the performance. We will keep on working to develop a higher quality of the performance and provide you an unforgettable pleasant memory. [Nanata]

- How comes the history of NANTA? Since our first performance in 1997 started at the Edinburg Fringe Festival NANTA received its first award for the best performance. NANTA has open run steady for 17 years, and at the present it is performed in 50 countries, 288 cities. It is now located on the 10 most popular tourist attraction in Korea. We are confidence that it is the best performance you would experience in Korea. (80% of the audiences are foreigners.)

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Introducing LG’s digital cinema 4K monitor, the ultimate display solution Newest Monitor from LG Boasts Higher 4K Resolution and Adobe Color Space SEOUL, Oct. 29, 2014 — LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its new 4K Monitor (model 31MU97) for global rollout starting this week. The cutting-edge LG 31MU97 mates Digital Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution with a 31-inch IPS monitor to create an ultra-sharp high-end monitor that meets the standards of the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI). The LG 31MU97 is especially well suited for professionals who demand the sharpest possible images for either work or leisure. The monitor’s ultra-high quality 4K resolution and life-like colors are ideal for photographers, video editors and graphic artists and its incredible picture quality allows for detailed and accurate retouching of any image. With the monitor’s rich and vibrant colors and impressive 10-bit color, visual arts professionals will greatly appreciate the model’s high color accuracy. The monitor’s IPS display supports over 99.5 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and provides users with several coloring options and modes in order to meet the wide spectrum of needs that graphic professionals require. Its Dual Color Space allows the monitor to display two different color modes at once so that users can compare different perspectives of their work simultaneously. Additionally, the Digital Cinema 4K Monitor comes hardware calibration-ready with LG’s exclusive True Color Pro software.

Cinema 4K without image scaling. Editing footage with full color expression is made possible by the DCI color standard support which reproduces color realistically, covering 97 percent of DCI-P3 color space, the standard for digital cinema projectors and digital camera. And the LG 31MU97 comes with an ergonomic pivot design that offers maximum convenience for displaying as much of the image on the screen as possible to minimize scrolling and dragging. “LG’s Digital Cinema 4K Monitor presents the company with an excellent opportunity to solidify our leadership in the global professional monitor market,” said Hyoung-sei Park, head of the IT business division at LG Electronics. “This monitor’s high-end features and functions make it the perfect solution for professionals who require a top-of-the-line monitor with all the technology currently available.” The LG 31MU97 will be available starting this week in markets including the United States, South Korea, Germany, Australia and the UK followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Japan in November. [LG Press]

The LG 31MU97 is equipped with several unique high-end functions that will satisfy most discerning professionals. Video pros can edit 4K content in the ideal resolution with standard Digital

With twin wash, LG turns heads with bold new washer design Flexible System with TWIN Wash™, TurboWash™ 2.0 and TurboSteam™ Redefines Concept of Doing Laundry LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2015 — LG Electronics (LG) is pioneering new territory at the International CES® 2015 with an entirely new washing machine category. Its front loading washer’s revolutionary TWIN Wash™ System, the first of its kind, enables two separate loads to be washed simultaneously. With a space-efficient mini washer in the pedestal, overall cycle times are reduced with fewer loads required. With TurboWash™ 2.0 and TurboSteam™ wash cycles are faster while WiFi and NFC translates to an array of intriguing smart connectivity options, including compatibility with LG’s HomeChat™ messaging service. Visitors to the LG booth will also see LG’s awardwinning EcoHybrid™ dryer (Model DLHX4072V). LG’s dryer won the CES 2015 Innovation Award, as well as the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award, thanks in large part to the dryer’s sophisticated Heat Pump technology, which enables greater energy efficiency and superb drying performance. Ergonomic Design for Easier Washing The incredible ergonomic design of LG’s new washer-dryer pair (Models WM9500H*A & DLGX9501V / WM9000H*A & DLGX9001V / WM5000H*A & DLGX5001V) takes convenience to new level. The door is conveniently aligned with the drum’s center, positioned 21mm higher than on conventional models. It is also tilted to a more accessible six degree angle, so users don’t have to bend over as much to put clothes in or take them out. Visibility with the door closed is also increased and the newly designed sliding detergent box at the top reduces the likelihood of

messy detergent spills. Unique, Bold TWIN Wash™ System LG is the first to offer the game-changing TWIN Wash™ System. This smart innovation lets users wash two loads at once, the first in the main washer and the second in the mini washer underneath. The mini washer is perfect for delicate items that require special attention or unique wash settings. Most importantly, it significantly cuts down on washing time as more than one load can be washed at the same time. The TWIN Wash™ System is powered by the mini washer (Models WD100C* / WD200C*), the world’s first compact washer in a hide-away pedestal, generating a whole new set of washing options. This design concept enables users to take advantage of a second washer without having to sacrifice additional space in the house. When not in use, the mini washer serves as the pedestal for the main washer. The mini washer can be combined with any of LG’s front loading washers and is an ideal solution for small, specialized laundry items that require a gentler touch, such as active wear or lingerie. TurboWash™ 2.0 Means Faster Cleaning With today’s hectic lifestyles, speed is important. LG’s exclusive speed cycle technology, TurboWash™ 2.0, uses twin nozzles at the front of the washer to spray a concentrated detergent solution directly onto the clothes. A high pressure nozzle above the drum sprays tiny water particles through the clothes during high spin cycles for quick and effective rinsing. Better Drying with TurboSteam™ LG’s advanced TurboSteam™ technology gives a speed boost to the new dryers. Thanks in part to the Steam Fresh™ function, refresh times are now

up to 50 percent faster than in previous dryers.1 When selected, TurboSteam™ prevents overdrying by spraying hot steam onto clothes during the drying cycle, which reduces shrinkage, sanitizes the clothes and eliminates even more wrinkles. Convenience-Enhancing Features LG’s new washer-dryer pairs are not just incredibly fast, they’re smart, too. The built-in SmartThinQ™ technology adds a whole new level of WiFi convenience. Custom cycles can be uploaded to the washer, cycle statuses can be monitored via an LG smartphone app and alerts can be sent via WiFi when the cycle is complete. The washing machine’s Energy Monitoring feature provides helpful data while LG’s proprietary HomeChat™ service allows users to check the status of their washing machine using everyday natural language. LG EcoHybrid™ Dryer with Heat Pump Technology The LG EcoHybrid™ dryer has been designed to achieve superb levels of efficiency, making it one of the few ETA (Emerging Technology Award) certified dryers on the market. Its cutting-edge Heat Pump technology recycles heat to save up to 53 percent more energy than typical dryers,2 while the innovative Auto Clean System keeps the evaporator clean and running smoothly. The dryer even excels at low temperatures, making it ideal for handling delicate clothes. Top Loading Pair Enhances Convenience, Performance At this year’s CES, LG is also introducing its new mega-capacity top loading washer-dryer pair (Models WT7700H*A and DLGX7701). The 5.7 cu. ft. capacity washer and 9.0 cu. ft. capacity dryer are equipped with a new horizontal damping system that allows them to accommodate more laundry than similarly-sized models. They also incorporate LG’s time-saving TurboWash™ 2.0 and TurboSteam™ technologies, delivering greater efficiency and world-class cleaning performance, while reducing washing times.

industry exclusive LG EasyLoad™ feature, a two-way open door system offering users either a hamperstyle door or a swing-door. This unique setup allows users to easily transfer clothes through the top to minimize bending and dropping clothes on the floor. And LG’s top loading washer-dryers have a number of high-tech features in common with the company’s front loading washer-dryers, including 6 Motion™ and TurboSteam™. Using NFC tagging technology, users can download preprogrammed wash cycles to their smartphones. The wash cycles can be activated by simply touching the smartphone to the washing machine’s NFC Tag On symbol. What’s more, the Smart Diagnosis™ feature helps to quickly and efficiently troubleshoot almost any minor issue before it becomes a bigger problem. “One might be tempted to call the LG TWIN Wash™ System disruptive, as it’s a completely new concept in appliances,” said Seong-jin Jo, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “The addition of a mini washer underneath the main washer translates to greater flexibility, convenience and efficiency. It’s also another big leap forward in our commitment to using cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas to make life better for consumers around the world.” Visitors to CES 2015 are encouraged to stop by LG’s booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall #8204) from January 6-9 to see the company’s newest washers and dryers for themselves. [LG Press]

LG’s latest top loading duos are equipped with the

Samsung NX1 Showcases 4K UHD Capabilities in Short Film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and hitRECord ‘In a City’ crowd-sourced film shot entirely in 4K UHD on the Samsung NX1, a new premium mirrorless camera. Seoul, Korea. – December 12, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of a new short film created by renowned actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his open collaborative production company, hitRECord. ‘In a City’ was shot entirely in 4K Ultra HD(UHD) on the Samsung NX1, the new premium mirrorless camera, and depicts diverse perspectives of seven cities from across the globe. The actor and his global team of cinematographers capture the essence and stories of their home cities, set to the backdrop of a powerful crowd-sourced soundtrack. “This emotive short film is testament to both Joseph’s exceptional talents as a director and the outstanding technology within the Samsung NX1” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “The NX1’s advanced features make it ideal for filmmakers in search of a camera with 4K UHD capabilities, to wow their audiences with exceptional beauty and clarity in every shot.” “When you’re creating art, it’s important to know that your tools will match your ambition, and that you can rely on the technology to enable, not limit your artistic vision,” said Joseph Gordon-Levitt. “Samsung’s NX1 is an awesome camera and it allowed us to create something really special with “In a City”. The project was one of the most popular collaborations we’ve ever had on the site, with the whole hitRECord community excited to get behind it. We set out to make a film that speaks to a common experience, shared by millions of people, but set in some of the world’s most diverse cities. It was important to capture the unique texture

and energy of each city. The NX1 allowed us to do that , and make something that we’re all very proud of.” Joseph Gordon-Levitt enlisted the help of hitRECord’s talented community of cinematographers, musicians and lyricists to create the short film, curating the best crowdsourced content to feature in the final cut. The film is structured around a collaboratively written poem, performed by artists from around the world. It takes the audience on a journey through the crowded markets of Cairo and Rio De Janiero, the iconic arches of London and Prague, as well as Tokyo’s neon towers, the industrial streets of Sheffield and Los Angeles. Exclusive unseen footage will be revealed on December 16th, with the launch of a behind the scenes, untold story video which highlights how the film was made, along with background from Joseph Gordon-Levitt on his creative process. The Samsung NX1 has advanced features that make filmmaking easier and more enjoyable, supporting both Cinema 4K and UHD video recording. Its built-in HEVC Codec (H.265) allows users to compress and store video clips without compromising quality, and its advanced Auto Focus System III with 205 Phase Detection AF points covers nearly the entire imaging area. Additional benefits to filmmakers include manual exposure control, focus peaking and zebra pattern, as well as microphone and headphone ports. The NX1 is also equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and offers the most advanced connectivity available, even allowing users to watch UHD movies on a UHD TV wirelessly. [Samsung Press]

Evolution of LG’s cruved smartphone unveiled CES 2015 LG G Flex2 Features Dynamically Curved Design Optimized with Sharper Display, Powerful Hardware, Intuitive Software

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2015 — LG Electronics (LG) continues to push the industry boundaries with the unveiling of the new G Flex2 at the 2015 International CES® in Las Vegas. The original G Flex earned positive reviews for its innovative design and outside-the-box thinking. One year later, the G Flex2 improves upon its predecessor in every way possible with a more advanced design, faster performance and most importantly, greater convenience. The LG G Flex2 boasts sleeker, more stylish curves and a powerful Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 processor with Octa-Core 64-bit capable CPUs for a nimbler and smoother performance. Its 5.5-inch display gets a bump up to Full HD, while the updated software offers even more conveniences through all-new features such as Gesture View and Glance View. The unique “Self Healing” back cover from the original G Flex carries over to the G Flex2 and is now faster and more effective than before.

better sound pickup compared to conventional smartphones which allow much more outside noise to enter the phone through the microphone. The slimmed down 5.5 inches screen with curvatures makes the perfect fit for eyes and the grip. The display’s 700mm radius curvature delivers a truly immersive viewing experience from any angle, while the steeper 650mm radius curvature of the back is more comfortable to grip and fits easier in the pocket. The display’s resolution has also been bumped up to 1080p Full HD, which makes every UI detail appear crisp and alive. The P-OLED display, which gives the G Flex2 its unique shape and durability, is even more precise than in the original G Flex. Turning the phone over reveals handcrafted details such as the Spin Hairline Pattern on the G Flex2’s curved rear, which showcases the subtle yet brilliant polish of the surface from every angle.

Beauty In The Details

Most Advanced Technology To Date

The G Flex2 goes beyond its predecessor’s groundbreaking 700mm radius curved profile. The new smartphone harmoniously incorporates a symphony of curves ranging from a radius of 400mm to 700mm across the front, back, sides and top-to-bottom edges.The dynamically curved layers deliver a sleeker and more dynamic look to G Flex2.

The G Flex2 is the first smartphone officially announced to come equipped with the Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring OctaCore 64-bit capable CPUs optimized for Android 5.0 and the advanced Qualcomm® Adreno™ 430 GPU for stunning graphics performance. This makes the smartphone incredibly fast and efficient for multimedia and multi-tasking. The Snapdragon 810 also features fully integrated 3x20MHz Carrier Aggregation support for faster, more efficient connectivity. What’s more, the G Flex2’s cover glass is

However, the G Flex2’s curves are for more than looks. The phone’s ergonomic design brings the microphone closer to the mouth, for

approximately 20 percent more durable, thanks to a special chemical treatment technology developed by LG. The Self Healing back, which keeps the phone looking new even through the nicks and scratches from normal everyday use, has also been improved with significantly faster healing time. LG reduced the healing time from about three minutes to just with in ten seconds at room temperature. Another innovative technology only available in LG smartphones is the amazingly fast Laser Auto Focus camera, first introduced in the popular LG G3. This technology enables the G Flex2 to capture the best moment — even in low light — by measuring the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam. Combined with LG’s proven OIS+ technology and dual LED flash, the G Flex2 delivers images that rival most standalone point and shoot cameras.

refined the curved form factor, staying true to our philosophy of innovation for a better life,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The G Flex2 not only has the stunning looks, it also has the powerful guts to be at the cutting edge of current smartphone technology. Simply put, it’s a true head-turner in every sense of the word.” The LG G Flex2 will be available starting at the end of the month in Korea to be followed by additional global markets. The device will initially be available in two colors: Platinum Silver and Flamenco Red. [ LG Press ]

Practical Solutions for User Convenience The G Flex2’s curve-enhanced user experience carries over to software as well. It comes fully loaded with the best of LG’s unique software features optimized for its curved form factor: - Gesture Shot makes it easy to capture the perfect selfie with a simple hand gesture recognizable from up to 1.5 meters away. - Gesture View makes it easy to check your last shot immediately after taking a photo or selfie. - GlanceView displays key information such as time, recent messages or missed calls with a downward swipe of the curved screen even while the display is off. - Fast Charge allows the embedded 3,000mAh battery in the G Flex2 — the only curved mobile battery in the world to be charged up to 50 percent in under 40 minutes. “The original G Flex demonstrated LG’s pioneering spirit and with the G Flex2 we have

SEOUL, Oct. 24, 2014 — LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its first mobile application processor (AP) featuring eight-core architecture and LTE-A Cat.6 network capability for high performance and low energy consumption. The new AP, named NUCLUN, will make its debut this week in the “G3 Screen”, a smartphone developed specifically for the Korean market. NUCLUN (pronounced NOO-klun) was designed using ARM® big.LITTLE™ technology for efficient multi-tasking capabilities. The AP employs four 1.5GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A15) for high performance and four 1.2GHz cores (ARM Cortex-A7) for less intensive processing. The number of performing cores can be adjusted based on the requirements of the task for maximum processing power or maximum energy savings. NUCLUN is designed to support the next generation of 4G networks, LTE-A Cat.6, for maximum download speeds of up to 225Mbps while retaining backward compatibility with current LTE networks. “NUCLUN opens up a new chapter in LG’s history of innovation in the mobile industry,” said Dr. Jongseok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With this in-

house solution, we will be able to achieve better vertical integration and further diversity our product strategy against stronger competition. NUCLUN will give us greater flexibility in our mobile strategy going forward.” As LG’s first smartphone equipped with NUCLUN, the G3 Screen inherits the design language, camera and UX features of the popular LG G3. The G3 Screen boasts an expansive, 5.9-inch Full HD IPS display and high fidelity 1W speaker for the ultimate smartphone experience. As the largest smartphone designed for LTE-A Cat.6 networks, the G3 Screen will deliver download speeds three times faster than regular 4G LTE networks for a truly smooth and satisfying multimedia experience. [ LG Press ]

LG introduces company’s first mobile application processor LG’s Octa-Core NUCLUN Processor Delivers LTE-A Cat.6 Support and Enhanced Capabilities Optimized for High-end Smartphones

KeySpecifications: - Chipset: NUCLUN Octa-Core (1.5GHz Quad-Core +1.2GHz Quad-Core) - Display: 5.9-inch Full HD IPS - Memory: 32GB eMMC / 2GB RAM / MicroSD slot - Camera: Rear 13MP OIS+ / Front 2.1MP - Battery: 3,000mAh - Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat - Size: 157.8x 81.8x 9.5mm - Weight: 182g - Network: LTE-ACat.6 - Colors: Black / White

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;X-Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; inspired Kia Sorento to debut at the Australian Open 2015

‘X-Men’ inspired Kia Sorento to debut at the Australian Open 2015 Striking ’Kia X-Car’ produced in collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Fans to guess the X-Men character behind Kia’s latest model on the Kia Facebook page Grand Slam Champion and ‘Superhuman’ Kia brand ambassador Rafael Nadal to unveil the ‘Kia X-Car’ at Australian Open 2015 (SEOUL) November 21, 2014 – Kia Motors today announced details of a new collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to promote X-Men: Days of Future Past on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD and Kia’s sponsorship of the Australian Open 2015. The partnership with Fox will see the unveiling of a special X-Men-inspired all-new Kia Sorento one week before the first major tennis championship of 2015 – with Kia’s ‘superhuman’ brand ambassador, tennis star Rafael Nadal, revealing the car. In the run-up to the unveiling of the one-off model, Kia Motors is inviting fans of the X-Men franchise and the Korean car manufacturer to guess which X-Men character has inspired the car’s unique design. Visitors who go to the Kia Motors Facebook page at http://bit.ly/KiaXmen can guess from four iconic X-Men characters: Storm, Wolverine, Mystique and Magneto. Fans guessing correctly will be entered into a prize draw to win a DVD copy of X-Men: Days of Future Past.

the latest film in the X-Men franchise– who are threatening the Australian Open 2015. To save the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the X-Men and Nadal are helped by a ‘Kia X-Car’, which leads the attack against the Sentinels. After its unveiling, the ‘Kia X-Car’ will be on show at Melbourne Park throughout the tournament, which takes place from 19 January to 1 February 2015. The car will then be showcased in various international motor shows for the fans. The all-new Kia Sorento was unveiled to the world earlier this year, boasting a unique blend of style, practicality and technology, and building on the success of the outgoing model. The new model is quieter and more refined than ever before, with a higher quality interior, smoother ride and handling, and a range of new technologies. Already on sale in Korea, the all-new Kia Sorento will go on sale in overseas markets in early 2015 – if it survives its fight with the Sentinels. [ KIA Press ]

Kia will release a video on its Facebook page and YouTube in mid-December, showing Rafael Nadal teaming up with the X-Men and taking on the Sentinels – the robotic antagonists from

Hyundai Genesis honored as 2015 Autoguide.com car of the year

named a finalist for the prestigious North American Car of the Year, with the winner being announced at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2015 Genesis also was recognized as ALG’s Residual Value Award winner in the Premium Full-Size Car segment for being projected to retain the highest percentage of its original price after the typical ownership period of three years compared to competing models. Furthermore, the redesigned Genesis earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Sedan of the Year from Esquire magazine, Luxury Car of the Year from Popular Mechanics, Best Luxury Car by the Hispanic Motor Press Awards, Best Luxury Sedan from Ruedas ESPN, Car of Texas from the Texas Auto Writers Association, and Top Family Choice from the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association.

Model Recognized for Driving Dynamics, Styling and Premium Interior FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 15, 2014 – The 2015 Hyundai Genesis was named the 2015 AutoGuide. com Car of the Year for its exceptional value, drive quality and design.

including the Audi A3, Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX STI and Volkswagen GTI. Genesis was selected not only for its exceptional value, but also its impressive options at every engine type, including the available 5.0 liter V8.

“The Genesis impressed us with high-quality interior materials, refined driving dynamics and dramatic exterior styling that elevates the Hyundai brand as a whole,” said Luke Vandezande, AutoGuide.com managing editor. “More than a great car, the 2015 Genesis is a great luxury car.”

“Earning the AutoGuide.com Car of the Year for Genesis means that the all-new model has the stamp of approval from some of the auto industry’s most esteemed road test editors,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Genesis continues to rise above for its smooth drive and handling, high safety ratings, design and value.”

The AutoGuide.com Car of the Year committee evaluated new or significantly refreshed vehicles for the 2015 model year. AutoGuide.com editors crowned Genesis the winner among the finalists

The AutoGuide.com Car of the Year award continues an amazing run of high-level recognition for the Genesis, making it one of the most acclaimed vehicles on the road today. Genesis recently was

Representing a bold step forward for Hyundai, the 2015 Genesis is all-new inside and out with a host of premium features and improved dynamics. Riding on a completely revamped platform, the sedan is stiffer and stronger than before. A suite of advanced assistance features such as Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Blind-Spot Detection and Smart Cruise Control are offered. Two engine options are available: a 311 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 and a 420 horsepower 5.0 liter V8, while an advanced HTRAC AWD system is available for the first time on a Hyundai passenger car. With a base pricing starting at $38,000, a true blend of premium value, safety, bold design and superb driving dynamics can be had with the 2015 Hyundai Genesis. [ Hyundai ]

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National Museum, Folklor Village, Seoul

THE BULLDOG PUB

REVIEW

It was a cold night and, as usual, I was hungry. Luckily, I was about to find myself at the Bulldog Pub in Itaewon. Located ridiculously close to Itaewon Station’s exit 4, The Bulldog is a Western style restaurant and bar, known for good food, great atmosphere, friendly staff, and a stellar pool table. My dinner companion and I exited the subway, immediately made a u-turn, and headed toward the Pub – located on the 3rd floor of the IBK building, right above Gecko’s. As we ascended the stairs, my excitement grew – I was about to gorge on some delicious Western pub food. My favorite! You could hear The Bulldog before anything else – from the landing, loud rock music was being pumped out into the entrance. Once inside, my first impression was positive – the place was spacious, had a good mix of comfortable seating, great music, many big screen tvs pointing in all different directions and displaying music videos for your visual pleasure, excellent lighting (just low enough to make anyone look sexy, but not too dark that you couldn’t see your food) and smiling faces on both staff and patrons. It reminded me a bit of the bar Cheers from the American sitcom from the 80s – you know the one, where “everybody knows your name.” The Bulldog seemed like the same kind of friendly place. I first met Jasmin(Left) from Germany, who has been waitressing at the Pub since summer. She and another girl (whose name I didn’t catch) were so lovely, warm and welcoming. They both assured me that whatever I needed they would help me with. Jasmin only had positive things to say about the place – the food was good, the customers friendly.

(X)

I next spoke to Mark, originally from Washington D.C., who has been living in Seoul since 2008 and who had been coming to the Bulldog for about 2 1/2 years. He pointed out that the Bulldog is one of the cleanest bars in Itaewon (I agreed; it appeared spotless) and in addition to the good food, it has “the highest quality pool table in town.” Now, that’s saying a lot! As a gal who enjoys a good game of pool, that’s a huge selling point. In fact, I learned that the Bulldog is one of the Billiard league bars in Seoul. So, not only do they offer a great pool table, but I happened to notice it’s free, as well. There are also 2 dart boards if you enjoy throwing sharp spiky objects with great force. So far, so good – darts, pool, ambience, cold beer, friendly staff – it was then time to try the food. And try the food, we did. The first item that came out was a Chicken and Beef Quesadilla, served hot and fresh out of the kitchen with a heaping pile of crispy fries in the center. One bite and I was in heaven. It was delicious! Granted, I hadn’t had a quesadilla since before I came to Korea, so it had been about a year, but nevertheless – it was an amazing dish. Sauteed onions and bell peppers, melted cheese, flavorable tender beef and mildly spiced chicken, all grilled between two tortillas and then topped with more cheese and sour cream – my taste buds were jumping with delight. It was excellent and I highly recommend it. The fries, too, were perfect – thinly cut, not too crisp and definitely not soggy. It could easily feed 2, maybe 3 people. The price: 19,000 won. With the quesadilla came 3 small side dishes – black and green olives (the pits had been removed, thoughtfully), sweet pickles, and jalepenos.

of both of my fists – way too big to bite into, without the whole thing falling apart all over my face and lap. So I opted for a fork and knife, and at this point I was so full I could only take a couple bites. What a shame, too, since it really was fabulous. I think the Bulldog Pub put any and every item from the kitchen that would fit on this burger – but it worked! They started with a soft, fluffy burger bun, pasted with just the right amount of dijon mustard, then pickles, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, bacon, 2 kinds of perfectly melted cheese (mozarella and American – the American cheese I could have done without but that’s just a personal preference – I like cheddar, myself) a big, house made, juicy and flavorful patty (almost tasted like there was a bit of delicious sauce on or in it) and a fried egg for the grand finale. Forgive me if I’ve forgotten anything! I ate what I could and took it home, heated it up the next day and it was just as delicious. The burger was 11,500 won – probably the best deal in the bunch.. In conclusion, if you’re looking for somewhere to meet friends (or make new friends) to have a drink after work or a hearty dinner, where you can listen to some good music in a relaxing and fun atmosphere, the Bulldog Pub is the place. Or, if you’re feeling extra social, you can show up in the evening, around 11, when the place fills up and takes on more of a club-type vibe. Either way, I would highly rate and recommend The Bulldog Pub. I myself will certainly be coming back again soon for that quesadilla. [ Jassica]

The next dish to arrive was the Fish and Chips, complete with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce. Mmm… I love fish and chips, and these didn’t disappoint. The fish was soft and flaky and lightly breaded, and just like the first dish, everything was hot and fresh. A squeeze of lemon and a dip of tartar sauce later and I was again in food heaven. My only complaint was the size of the fish was quite small for the 12,000 won price tag. Our third and final dish was a tasty, juicy, gigantic burger! It was probably the size

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