If you didn’t know, Gangnam is not just a song but the name of a place. Here are other interesting facts and things to see in South Korea
1. Catch Nanta Performances
Catch this theatrical performance which integrates Korea’s traditional rhythm, Samulnori, with comedy and drama.
Be prepared to participate in the show, whether it is piling up dumplings, or having to dodge carrot shaving and cabbage chunks.
2. Visit Hanok Villages
Visit traditional wooden houses, or ‘hanok’, which go as far back as the Joseon Dynasty. Today, Namsangol Honok Village and some others operate as guesthouses, cultural centres and tea houses. However, Bukchon Village, a lovely village located between the famous Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace, remains a residential area with the largest cluster of privately owned hanok.
3. Chill out in the Cafes
Remember the Korean drama Coffee Prince? Well, King Gojong was their most famous coffee-lover in the 1800s, and their indigenous tea culture is actually centuries old. Take your pick of cafés from Café Streets for an afternoon of good coffee, food and ambience. Try the Hongdae/Hapjeong/Sangsu-dong Café Streets, or Samcheondong Café Street.
4. Discover Seoul Forest
Get a piece of Korean nature in the city at Seoul Forest, which can be accessed via subway. It is child-friendly, has walking and biking paths, and offers an insect class, the Nature Experience Study Field and the Wetlands Ecological Park.
5. Play to Your Heart’s Content
Korea is home to Lotte World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, with numerous festivals and parades, a folk museum, a skating rink, a movie theatre and a luxury hotel. Themed “Little World Village”, their 22 indoor rides include the French Revolution, Conquistador and Camelot Carousel. There is also an outdoor amusement park at Lottle World.
6. Eat authentic Kimchi
Probably the most well-known Korean dish in the world, kimchi dates back to the Shilla Dynasty. It is a must-have spicy side dish, made by salting and preserving fermented cabbage in pepper, garlic, ginger and scallion. Why get kimchi there when you can get it here? Because it is authentic and of a much better quality.
7. See Festivals and Flowers
Korea has an abundance of festivals such as the World Dinosaur Festival, the Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival and the New Year Festival. In the Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival held at Seoul Grand Park, 20,000 rose trees from almost 300 species worldwide are featured.
8. Dance ‘silently’
Experience Hongdae’s Silent Disco, where people listen to house music via wireless headphones and dance in a public area. Look forward to the fresh air, talented local performers and soju.
Republished from Issue 37.
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