Seoul Girl

I don’t know much details about the new club, Blurr, which is scheduled to open on December 21, Friday.

Basement Jaxx, the duo electronic music DJ/Producer extraordinaires from England are coming to Mass Club in Gangnam on December 15.

For all the true fans, I don’t think I need to further elaborate on the music, style, and artistry. Other than the obvious, “Expect a great performance and get ready to shake yo ass!!!!”

Direction to the club: Gangnam Subway station (Line 2 Green) Exit 6. At the first intersecting street (look for Bath Beyond shop) , turn there. The club is on your right. You should see a lot of people standing around by the entrance.

1.. Dojung                  2. Art Gallery   3. Toy museum   4. Ssamzie Market

5. Sanchon Restaurant

Insadong is located just north of downtown Seoul. The Korean government has designated the district as historical by promoting Korean traditional restaurants, tea cafes, art galleries, and shops here. Though the intention is good, but personally, I think it’s flooded with overpriced tourist-trap souveniour shops, tea shops, and mediocre art galleries and restaurants. But I can’t deny the few worthy mentions: (don’t forget to grab a map at the information booth to find the locations for the below listed places)

1. Souveniour Shop : A large shop. It’s a worth a visit for their engraved Dojungs. These are the stamps which have your name engraved on them. You can ask to customize by mixing Korean characters and English. In Korea, dojungs are used on the official documents or literatures. There are cylinder ones which are most common, but I prefer the cubical ones. I found them more aesthetically interesting which are commonly used on the literary works. They make a great inexpensive personalized gift for your friends/family. I use them for more fun purposes like when signing letters, postcards, and hallmark cards. It’s located after the information booth on the Jongno 3-ga entrance.

2. Art Gallery: Located in the middle of the main street. They have interesting selections of art and a great rooftop for the nicer days.

3. Toy Museum: A fun way to spend 1/2 hr or so. The owner is truely passionate about every type of toy you could possibly imagine. Every Star Wars collectible to GI Joe action figures and even Chucky Doll can be found here. Also, make sure to buy some postcards. They are highly entertaining and the best I’ve ever found in Seoul. Entrance fee is 2,000won. It’s located half way in between the two main entrances on the main street.

4. Ssamazie Artist Market: A complex which houses many independent artist shops in fashion, jewelry, crafts, accessories. Also cafes and restaurants on the top floor.

5. Sanchon Restaurant: It’s founded by a former monk who wanted to share a piece of Buddhist way of life with Seoul people by opening this restaurant. The monks are traditionally vegetarians and eat only organic products, but to accommodate most people’s preference, meat is served. The dinner is set course temple food which has 16 dishes served at once. Traditional dance performance are provided during the dinner hours(19:15~21:00). 36,000won.

6. Gaetmaeul Milbatjip. Karguksue noodle restaurant. Not the best I’ve ever had, but still pretty tasty. They also serve good mondu dumplings. Located near the Jongno 2-ga side entrance.

http://www.sanchon.com/menu/menuinfo.html (written in Korean)

map:http://english.tour2korea.com/06shopping/ShoppingInSeoul/insadong01.asp?kosm=m6_2&konum=subm2_1

My good friend, Terry, will be hosting a Jewelry launch party on December 8th. Though I would love to invite everyone to this event, it’s a private affair and for the invite only. But I am very proud of her ambitions and determinations so I decided to include it. Also, she will be providing tapa, wine, and Bada’s minimalicious techno beats. It should be a great time!

Photo: A home of the film director and writer, Kim Ki-Duk, who is best known for his internationally acclaimed film, “Spring Summer Fall Winter … and Spring’’. A simply told tale about a Buddhist monk and his orphan pupil. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrAkwy9W2jc&feature=related

Heyri Artist Village is a flourishing compound where many writers, architects, film makers, musicians, and others creative types have decided to call it a “home”. Located North of Seoul towards the DMZ,  away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic and people congestions and nestled between the surrounding beauty of the mountains, it makes an idealic location for the artists to focus on their creative processes and be inspired by the humility of the mother nature.

It makes a perfect “day” trip for those often romanticize and fantasize about their future artistic aspirations. The Heyri artist residents are a living proof that your dreams can turn into a reality!! Also, a great trip for those who are inspired by the modern architectural designs or studying to become an architect.

Many art galleries, book publishing companies, museums, concert halls, book stores, cafes, and others artist related buildings can be found here.

http://www.heyri.net

Direction: Located North of Seoul near Demilitarized Zone. At Exit no. 5 of Daehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line no. 3), walk to the bus station at the backside. Take bus no. 200. The ride lasts about 50 mins. Off at the last stop

Bus 2oo schedule from Daewha stn to Henri Village: 7:50 / 8:15 / 8:35 / 10:40 / 11:30 / 12:30 / 13:30 / 14:20 / 15:20/ 16:20 / 17:10 / 18:10 / 19:10 / 20:05 / 21:20 / 22:10 / 23:00

Bus from Henri Village to Daewha : 6:30 / 6:55 / 7:15 / 9:20 / 10:10/ 11:10 / 12:10/ 13:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 / 15:50 / 16:50 / 17:50 / 18:45/ 20:00 / 20:50 / 21:40

Hours: The Heyri Art Valley is open 24 hours. However, museums and exhibitions are open from 10:00am to 7:00 pm. Note that hours may vary slightly at each museum, and Museums with cafes and restaurants are open later. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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Nori Bar has an alternative, a hole in the wall feel but it’s located in the basement. It attracts a mix crowd of the Koreans and foreigners. A DJ plays music til around 5 or until the last person standing on the weekends. The song selections are diverse and eclectic. They can arrange from Bob Marley to New Order and Franz Fernand. The cheap drinks and a good vibe really gets the bar thumping and crowd dancing away. Typically, I find most Korean bars very lame/cheezy or down right pretentious and difficult to mingle with the others, but this bar is anything but ordinary. Fun place to go with a friend or group of friends Or make new friends.

Direction: exit 1 Shinchon station, pass the Hyundai dept. store and turn right on the street with the FineBank on the corner walk up a few hundred meters and eventually you will see a building with a sign that says “The Bar”. It’s in the basement of that building.

Note:  Garden place complex is next to Seoul Museum of History.  About 5-8 minutes of walk from either station (line 5) Gwanghawoon Exit 7 or Seodaemoon Station Exit 4

Garden Place, a complex which houses an Italian Restaurant, a movie theater, a lounge bar, and the latest addition, a winebar. 

The Benigni Restaurant specializes in Tuscany region cusines. 

The movie theater, Miro Space, appears to show more independent/documentary style films.  They have a limited selection of Korean films with an English subtitle.   http://www.gardenplace.co.kr/01_mirospace/04_community/notice_view.html?no=256

The lounge bar, 153, is only open during the special event nights.  You need to find out the upcoming events beforehand.

The latest addition, the winebar, appears very nice.  But I am afraid I can’t give you a better profile since I was in there briefly for a meeting.   

For further info:  http://www.gardenplace.co.kr

Gramercy Kitchen is a fine-dining, western cuisine restaurant located in Cheungdahm. Alike its decor, the food is exquisite and understated. Which I find it refreshing in Korea. The ingredients are fresh, and the chefs wonderfully balance the natural flavors and added spices and sauces. The wait staff is professional and courteous. They definitely made my friend’s birthday celebration memorable by offering a complimentary port to go with our cakes. But I felt, the bread was a little tough and dry. The wines are overpriced. Never the less, it’s a worth a visit particularly on those special occasions. I recommend the Lobster Risotto.

For further info: www.gramercykitchen.com

On November 30, a veteran yet continuously innovative Chicago House DJ, Derrick Carter, is expected to perform at Club Answer in Cheundahm.  As you may not know, I am particular about my House musik.  From my experience of partying in Chicago and Detroit in the early days of late 90’s - early 2000’s,  I can tell you that not all House musik/DJs are created equal.  Derrick Carter as a DJ/Producer/Artist has proven to be beyond exceptional again and again and never failed to meet my expectations and standards.  So put on your dancing shoes , get your groove on and get ready to boogie woogie on the dancefloor.  It’s destined to be one helluva night!!

For further info:  www.clubanswer.co.kr

 Click to enlarge

Courtesy of www.seoulsounds.com

December 1st 2007 Saturday @ O.I hongdae.Eden: last hurrah of 2007 has taken the cue to get dimensional.

To start the eve off, a screening of Tim Burtons???Mightmare Before Christmas -3D will take place at 10pm. Then spoken word poetess the dialectic will speak her words to beatz.For early comers: sushi and sake will be served while you enjoy the film.Daoine Sidhe enters with her delicious Mandala Danannce performance in between sets.Also: 2nd Hand store wil do a fashion show with all vintage Japanese clothing.Eden? lady DJ? provide the beats with hip hop, downtempo, drum&bass, deep house, electro and a hint of disco. Jiyoung makes a first time appearance at Eden with underground house later in the eve.FEATURING:
Chen Lie.
A staple to Eden? visual atmosphere, Ms Lie presents her latest film ?Half Light??in a special last appearance before she leaves the R.O.K. Don? miss experiencing her own CinemaUnderTheStairs!Directions:
Hongik Station exit 5. Up to the University entry and turn right at the lights. Go through the park. About 30 metres past (in direction of Hapjong Station). ?Catchlight??building. 3rd floor.
Ph: (KOR) 010-8983-8490 (ENG) 010-5777-1978

10 000 won = glasses/food/drink/fun

www.myspace.com/secondfromthesun

http://forum.seoulsounds.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=48ec757cbbe3a122eb8650b1302c48f9