[Moul] everyone's Seoul - An exciting new journey

[MOUL] or [모.울] is an acronym from [모두의 서울] meaning everyone's Seoul.

 

MOUL is an unique project - is a group of citizens volunteering for the Seoul City Branding Project; they will be creating Seouls new brand. Thus is it is truely a brand for the citizens of Seoul by the citizens of Seoul.

MOUL already  has an official blog for [Everyone’s Seoul] in Korean. I will be contributing to the English version, targeted at foreign residents, those living abroad but interested in Seoul, those who want to find out some off beat things about the city. Think of it as a subjective guide to the capital of Korea edited by it’s very own residents.

My posts will focus on a comparison between cities and city life in the Netherlands and Seoul. I believe that comparision between cities in different countries and Seoul can give us a fresh look, inspire us and will show us the true beauty of Seoul!

If you have any questions feel free to send us a message and don’t forget to also follow [Moul] everyone’s Seoul on Facebook and Instragram.

So go check out our SNS accounts!

Love, Wietske

Gyeonggi-Do Festival Guide 2015

As a newly appointed GG supporter I have naturally been doing some research about the province. Something I really enjoy while exploring new areas is to visit festivals, cultural, movie or music any kind is great. However mosts lists I found were completely outdated or don't have information in English available.

 

Therefore, I decided to compile a list for you guys of festivals that are held in Gyeonggi province from July till December 2015.

July

7-16-2015 ~ 7-26-2015 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, or BiFan, is an international film festival held anually in July in Bucheon. Inaugurated in 1997, the festival focuses on South-Korean and international horror, thirller and fantasty films, with a particular attention to asian cinema.

Website:http://www.bifan.kr/eng

7-24-2015 ~ 7-26-2015 Ansan Valley Rock Festival

Ansan Valley Rock Festival is Korea's biggest rock festival with a line up of big name musicians from Korea and abroad. It is held anually at Ansan Daebu Sea Breeze Theme Park.

Website: http://valleyrockfestival.mnet.com

August

8-12-2015 ~ 8-16-2015 Bucheon International Comics Festival

The Bucheon International Comic Festival became the top Asian comic festival, presenting world comic trends and presenting a vision for Korean comics.

Website: http://www.bicof.com

 

September

September ~ October Heyri Pan Festival

HEYRI Art Valley is an artists village composed of creative & exhibiton space and performance ares of famous Korean artists. In the early fall of each year, an unique art festival is held by the new style's creation and apreciation as the general genres of culture and art are met and combined here.

Website: http://en.paju.go.kr/en/en_culture/en_festivals_heypan/en_festivals_heypan.cms

 

Mid September Guri Cosmos Festival

In september of each year, the Guri Cosmos Festival is held in the beautiful Hangang river when the cosmos is fully blossomed. The festial is held for two days with approximately 200,000 visitors each year.

Website: http://www.guri.go.kr/eng/c3/sub3_3.jsp

 

October

October Paju Gaeseon Ginseng Festival

Paju Gaeseon Ginseng Festival is held under the name of "Paju Ginseng is Gaeseong Ginseng".  Trough this festival, Paju has been known as the special producing area of 6 year old ginseng and has established a stepping-stone to develop into Korea's representative ginseng hub.

Website: http://en.paju.go.kr/en/en_culture/en_festival/en_festivals_ginseng/en_festivals_ginseng.cms

 

October Yulgok Culture Festival

Yulgok Culture Festival is the representative traditional culture festival to beld to workship the morals of Yo Yulgok the Confucian scholar and leader of Giho school of Joseon Dynasty and to succeed to his spirit. This festival is held in Jaun auditorium where his tomb is located. The worship ceremoney and a parade made after passing exam was held. Also, Seowon concert and the Korean culture performance are held.

Website: http://en.paju.go.kr/en/en_culture/en_festival/en_festivals_yulgok/en_festivals_yulgok.cms 

 

October Danwon Arts Festival

Danwon's World of Art "Danwon Art Festival" began in 1999 to preserve Danwon Kim Hongdo's artistic spirit and discover new talent. The festival is held every October at the Danwon Exhibition Hall. Major events include the Danwon Art Contest, Danwon Invitational Art Exhibit, Modern Art Exhibit, Danwon Exhibit, etc. There is also an artist corner which anyone can participate in.

Website: http://www.iansan.net/english/tourguide/fastival/rc/5931_body_1_9.jpg

 

 

October Icheon Rice Cultural Festival

Icheon Rice Culture Festival in Incheon-si, Gyeonggi-do combines the experience of great quality rice that fed the royal court and the culture of harvesting rice. There's a reenactment of a parade where rice was prepared and presented to the king, as well as a variety of foods to try, including a huge iron pot rice bow from which thousands of people eat.

Website: www.ricefestival.or.kr/

 

10-07-2015 ~ 10-11-2015 Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

Celebrating its 52nd anniversary this year, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is one of the largest culture and tourism festivals in Korea. It preserves the spirit of Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and commemorates the filial affection and innovations of King Jeonjo, who built the fortress. Over the years, Suwon Hwaseong Festival has become established as a quintessential regional cultural festival that promotes the traditional culture and tourism of Suwon.

Website: http://english.swcf.or.kr/?p=19

 

10-9-2015 ~ 10-11-2015 Jarasum international Jazz festival

Jarasum International Jazz Festival in Gapyeong-gun, gyeonggi-do offers international jazz performances by well-known jazz musicians in an outdoor setting. Website:

Website: http://www.jarasum.net/contents/intro2.htm

 

November

 

November Jangdan Bean Festival

 

Under the theme of "Well-Being Paju Jandan Bean", Jangdan bean festival is held with Jangdan beans grown in DMZ clean environment in Imjingak square.

 

Website: http://en.paju.go.kr/en/en_culture/en_festival/en_festivals_jangdan/en_festivals_jangdan.cms

 

 

December

December 31st Haeneomi Festival

In the place where Han river and Imjin river meet and the south-north Koreans face, Haeneomi festival is held to promote the harmony and union, and to greet the new year by all citizens with the most beautiful red sky on earth. Website: http://en.paju.go.kr/en/en_culture/en_festival/en_festivals_haeneomi/en_festivals_haeneomi.cms

 

 

 

 

Are there any festivals you would like to attend? Or is there a festival missing? Please, let me know in the comment section down below.

Love, Wietske

Movie Review: Northern Limit Line - 연평해전

 

The Northern Limit Line is, accroding to South-Korea at least, the border in the Yellow Sea between North and South-Korea. The DPRK does not agree and every once in a while the North taunts the South and crosses the border. June 29th, 2002 was one of those days.

 

On that very same day South-Korea was playing in World Cup semi finals and what could have been a day of celebration unfortunately turned into a day of death. At 10.25 the North Korean vessel that had crossed the line first opened fire with its 85mm gun and scored a direct hit on the wheelhouse of one of the South Korean vesels causing several casualties. Unfortunately it doesn't stop there...

 

It sounds like the perfect movie plot right? An attack from North-Korea when the South least expect it. Even though it is,  it is unfortunately also a true story. On that day 6 South-Koreans died and even more were injured, many of them barrely even 22 years old.

 

This movie was one of the first movies to make me cry. Just that day was the first time I heard of this story, when I stood on a 1:1 replica of the  South Korean Battleship 357 at the war memorial museum in Yongsan, Seoul.  I saw the marks where the bullets hit, I stood where they stood. While watching the movie I kept on imagining how scared they must have been. Some thinking of their wives, their childeren. Others thinking about their fathers and mothers, their loved ones.

 

What made it even more dramatic, and for me even harder to watch, was how they mixed actually footage from news teams of that day in with the movie. Seeing the faces, and telling the stories of these people, that so bravely fought for their country made me realize, that even though South-Korea is a very save country, it is still a country at war.

 

My thoughts go out to the 15 North- Koreans and the six South-Koreans Lt. Cmdr. Yoon Young-ha petty officers, Jo Cheon-hyung, Seo Hoo-won and Hwang Do-hyun, Petty Officer Second Class Park Dong-hyuk and Chief Petty Officer Han Sang-guk, who losts their lives that day.

 

Love, Wietske

Korean Inspiration: Korean Englishman

Do you need some motivation for your Korean studies? Are you wondering if all this studying really pays of and if you are every going to reach fluency? I, for sure, needed some motivation, especially when I was studying Korean by myself back in my home country.

 

 

If you are like I was back in the day, studying Korean alone in my bedroom at night. Fear not, I have a great inspiration for you in the form of Korean Englishman or 영국남자 as he is known on youtube.

Josh is a British youtuber who makes videos explaining English life to his viewers but also explains Korean culture and food to his English friends and the result is rather hilarious!

His videos are short, catchy and both subtitled in Korean and English so great for learning Korean. So if you are in need of a little pick me up during your korean studies go watch him!

What motivates you when you feel a bit overwhelmed with your language studies?

Love, Wietske

Feel #Gyeonggi: My Favorite Summer Activity

*edit* 2015-9-6  I have unfortunately been informed that Wolmi-Do is in fact nog in Gyeonggi. I am truely sorry for this mistake. However I still recommend you reading this article and going to Wolmi Island!

With only one more day of school, and 1 exam, left in this semester I have started making plans of what to do this summer. I want to explore many new places in Seoul and #Gyeonggi, however there is on thing on my to do list that I do almost every single summer when I am in Korea. And that is make yet another trip to Wolmi-Do.

 

Photo Credit: http://HappyDalki.blogspot.com

 

Wolmi-do is located roughly 1km off the coast of Incheon, right next to the sea which gives it a nice breeze, perfect for those hot summer days! And it is fairly easy to get to as well it is only 10 minutes by taxi or can take the subway and then get off at Incheon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).When exiting the station, take local bus from either 2, 15, 23 or 45 bound to Wolmido and get off when Wolmido City Tour, Wolmi Culture Street, or Wolmi Final Bus Stops are announced. (source)

You might be wondering why I would 100% recommend you to go to Wolmi-do. First of all, it is the many great memories I have there. From celebrating my friends 30th birthday and eating aweful sweet potato cake (which my friend loved) too holding on for dear life in the disco ppang ppang while getting made fun of by the guy who runs it.

 

Secondly, I really enjoy the casual atmosphere. Because there is no entrance fee, you only need to pay for separate rides, there is no actually pressure to have fun. The low cost of hanging out at Wolmi-Do means there is also a great mix of people there.

 

There are parents with their little kids. Teens trying to off amongst their friends. Couples sharing cotton candy. Young adults, and older people watching their grand-childeren and living life vigorously trough them.  Honestly, one of my favorite things is to just sit down and watch these people living there life while enjoying the slight breeze.

 

Try running trough the fountains for a quick cooldown

 

However, if you are slightly more adventurous. There are many other ways to cool down - or work up a sweat - depending on what kind of person you are. My personal favorites are the viking or one of the two freefal rides. If you rather stay inside and not work on your tan, there are also a few arcades located on the premises.

 

If you are in Seoul this summer and are hot and bothered, I recommend you go check out Wolmi-Do! Gyoenggi's most underrated amusement park.

 

 

 

If you have been to Wolmi-Do before, let me know which ride you liked best! Or share your favorite summer activity.

 

Love, Wietske

 

p.s. Check out Gyeonngi's Facebook and Twitter.

 

p.p.s. I wrote this article as part of my application to become an #GGKoreasupporter; however I 100% mean everything I said in this article~

The rules of dating - My First Play in Korea

Do you speak at least an intermediate level of Korean and haven't been to one of the many plays in hyewa yet? Go and book your ticket for 연애의 목적 now!

When I descended the stairs and walked into the dim theatre I didn't know what to expect, I had never been to a play in Korea before and my friend who had the tickets gave me nothing but the title. However I was pleasantly surprised!

From beginning to end I was absolutely fascinated! If you have been to of the performances before you know this, but often before the show starts on of the actors ask the public some quick little questions and give away prizes such as coupons to go to nearby restaurants or tickets for other plays in the area.

After this there was some booming music and then the show started! It wasn't just a cheesy love story, it was a fast paced and hilarious romance. The entire play lasted for about 2 hours and there wasn't a second that I was bored, honestly I was rather disappointed when it was finished.

 



There was even a photo opportunity with the actors!

 

 

I would recommend this slapstick like dramaesque performance with plenty of eyecandy to everyone no matter what level your Korean is. Even though subtitles are not provided their actions do speak louder then words.

If you do want to be able to understand at least most of it. An intermediate level should be enough.

So, if you want to experience a performance in Seoul and don't want to be disappointed - check out The Rules of Dating. (& Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

 

Love, Wietske

 

 

Instagram finds: Life in North-Korea



Picture from Shane Horans Instagram account.

I've always had a great interest in North-Korea, especially after hearing the stories of a North-Korean refugee during a special lecture at HUFS international summer school back in 2011. Since then I have read plenty more articles and books about the current situation but what really keeps my fascination with that country alive are the instagram accounts showing a peak into 'real life' in North-Korea. Here are my favorites.

. 

@dguttenfelder National geographic Photography Fellow. Inside North Korea. iPhone only here. www.davidguttenfelder.com

@shinchoi. Currently: in North Korea. Seoul - Toronto

@Drewkelly Currently in: Changchun, China ||| My life working in Pyongyang, North-Korea. iPhone only ||| @everydaydprk co-curator.

@youngpioneer Budget adventure tours to North Korea (DPRK), Iran, China, Eastern Europe, Iraq, Antartica, Cuba and more! Rowan instagramming #lifefromnorthkorea  www.youngpioneertours.com

@girlinnorthkorea Charlotte Guttridge. Tour Guide in North Korea. Pictures from my time in the DPRK.

@shaneohodhrain Shane Horan. Seen in North Korea (mostly...) youngpioneertours.com 

Now tell me, what are you favorite instagram accounts, and why?

Love, Wietske

P.S. follow me on instagram as well.