Seoul Girl

http://www.clubanswer.co.kr/

Note: Click on map to enlarge. Club Answer across from Hotel Prima.

Taxi: CheongDahm Sa-gu-ri, Hotel Prima

A new club in Cheongdahm will officially open this Saturday, November 10 with the electronic act, The Rabbit in the Moon, as the headliner. For further info on the talented act and the club, please see the following site :

http://www.02pro.com/?mid=party&search_target=user_id&search_keyword=suhena&document_srl=73965.

In my personal opinion, I feel there is a lack of quality clubs in Seoul. Most are commercially driven with a limited music selections and homogenized vibes. Also the sound systems are poor but the covers and drink prices are outrageous like on the party island of Ibiza (Evissa for the purists). At least in Evissa, you can compensate the prices for the quality in sounds, talents, and vibes and energy.  Let’s all hope the Club holds the Answer to saving all Seoulites from further bad music and falling asleep.

Naos Nova Restaurant/Bar is unlike others. The architectural style is very chic and modern and to fully appreciate the experience of dining and wining, one must really appreciate the interior designing of the lighting and minimal decors and furnitures that have assembled to compliment each other.

The food and drinks are overpriced. Food is presented well, but the taste and quality aren’t compatible. I feel the beef can be fatty and other selections are prepared mediocre at best. The menu is only written in French and Korean. The story has it that the owner is a former resident of France and he wanted to recreate a piece of his Parisian life in Seoul by opening this bar. The wine and champagne list is quite extensive,  particularly the selections on French wines. But they do not offer full cocktails/bar service. They only offer Mojitos. Odd.

Personal note: This is a great place to gather with friends who have a finer appreciations for good designs, architecture, and wines. And also who don’t mind splurging. The place typically does not get packed, so it’s an ideal place to chill and engage in a great conversation with friends, etc.

Direction: Get to Millennium Hilton Hotel near Seoul Station. From the main entrance, look straight ahead across the street on your right side of the street and look for Uncle Cho’s Sausage neon sign on top of the building. Walk to the sign and then after passing it, start looking for a building with a full glass face facade.

Direction: to get to the hotel

http://www.7luck.com/en/7luck/hilton/map.jsp

http://www.naosnova.com/

Following press has been written about S Bar on http://www.seoulstyle.com/bars-clubs/bars-in-Apkujong-Seoul.htm

“S bar is the quintessential Apkujong club. It`s also a pretty good crowd on any random night of the week. A lot of expats and kyopos frequent the place. The music changes depending on the event. There’s a big square bar in the middle of the club with seating and banquettes flanking either side. One square area just off the bar has creme and tan colored banquettes. There is an upstairs area as well which features big private rooms. S Bar is near the Galleria Sagori.”

Though it may have been once a TO- BE-SEEN bar , it doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. The crowd has definitely thinned out. It no longer draws the crowds as it may once have. Apkujong residents regards their district as the Beverly Hills of the East, and they can get a bit fickle and jaded more easily than most of us common folks down here on Earth. But if you prefer more of the quiet and chilled ambiance and share a bottle with a group of friends, then I would definitely recommend this bar.

The best feature of the bar is the futuristic minimalistic entrance door. It looks very much like out of the movie, Gattacka.

Direction

Subway line 3: Apkujeong exit 2. Take a taxi to Galleria Saw-gul-ri(intersection). or a walk takes about 10-15mins (keep walking straight until you see two gallerias)

I found this bar a little difficult to find. There are two Galleria department stores, old and new. The new one is more modernly designed by a famous Dutch architect. Two are on the same side of the street, but divided by an intersection (sa-gul-ri). From old Galleria,directly across the street and enter into the alley street (I believe there is Coach store on that corner). From here, walk straight ahead. passing the first intersection street. Then turn left at the next street. and then start looking for the place. The building is not a ground level. A staircase leads up to it. If you get lost? ask around with: ” S-Bar O D A (as an apple) yo? =where is S-bar?.

Taxi Direction: Galleria Apujeong.

83-15 Cheongdam-donge
Kangnam-gu Seoul
02) 546-2713

Although I am not an avid Bathhouse visitor, I have visited a few to know the difference between quality versus none. And in my humble opinion, Hirshimchung Bathhouse in Pusan, Korea at Hotel Nongshim is the best as they can get in Korea. It’s a top notch. The facility is modernly designed with the natural skylight shining down from the large glass dome . There are multiple floors each specializing different therapeutic services from massages to saunas and numerous bath pools. A personal favorite has to be the full body wash/massage. It costs 30,000 and those ajummas (translates as aunt but used as ma’am in Korea) may appear little, old, and frail but they are nothing of the sort. They can really grind into your muscles and leaving you in pain but still aching for more.

A caution: Everyone is require to be fully naked before entering the bathing room. Of course, men and women use separate facilities. But if you feel uncomfortable and prudish about being naked, then I would advise against it.

For full details:

http://www.hotelnongshim.com/eng/hurshimchung/hur_bath.asp

Although I am not typically a buffet fan, this is worth checking out. It’s one of the classiest buffet style Japanese restaurants I have ever been to. Classy as buffets can get. They have a variety of sushi rolls and sashimis, but not only that they have a great selection of salads and even Chinese style food. They also have a great selection of desserts; the highlight being the chocolate fondue fountain. But my personal favorites are the leechee and rambuton fruits commonly found in China or Southeast Asia. Unlike at Carne Station, another popular buffet style restaurant in Seoul , the alcohol drinks are not included and it costs 24,000 won. On the weekends, it can get a bit busy. If you are with a large group, I would advise to make a reservation. 02-3675-9990. They have employees who speak English. So ask , ” Young ah ha say yo”= Do you speak English?

Direction: Hyewha Station ( Line 4, Exit 1). Walk straight ahead for 2-3 minutes and start looking for a Japanese restaurant sign on your right. It’s located in the basement. Restaurant is just before a traditional Korean food restaurant.

Courtesy of Seoul City Impro Group :

HELLO!

Seoul City Improv will have its SEVENTH comedy show this Tuesday!

We have a show this Tuesday, November 6th at Orange Tree in Haebangchon at 10pm. To get there go to Noksapeong stn (line 6), go out exit 2, walk down the hill, at the bottom of the hill there will be lots of kimchi pots on your left, keep walking straight (going uphill now), you will get to a little area with bars and restaurants and there is a bar Phillies on the left, and a bar/restaurant Indigo on your right. Go to the second floor of Indigo — that is Orange Tree. The total walk time from the subway is about 10 mins. The show will be about an hour and 20 mins, with a short intermission.

Taxi Direction:

Hay Bong Cheun. Most taxi drivers know the are. Get off at Orange Tree/Indigo restaurant

Contact: seoulimprov@gmail.com

A quint Italian bistro restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul. The owner/chef is originally from Japan and his heritage is reflected in his cuisines. The chef was trained in Europe and then worked all over the world, including New York and Tokyo. Each dish is simply beautifully presented like a piece of art. I highly recommend the beef carpaccio as the starter. Make sure to ask for the daily specials. This is not a budget dining.

Direction:

Itaweon station (line 6, exit 1). After passing KFC, count to 3rd or 4th street. I don’t remember exactly which and then turn right into the alley street and you will see it on your left.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotpEQ4sRyE

A new club has opened recently in Gangam.  It officially opened on October 20,2007 with a headlining house DJ Kenny Dope from New York. A buzz of excitement circulates as it attracts the hipsters, socially connected insiders, beautiful girls and international DJs. .

The club’s interior is well laid out as the center of the room is the main focus of the dance floor and the outer skirting the VIP rooms and bar counters. The sound system is decent and the music selection is focused on commercially driven House music. The owners also own M2 in Hongdae. The door cover is 20,000won but I suspect as the popularity trend continues, you can expect the cover to rise. The drink prices are stiff. A vodka tonic costs 10,000 won. Heineken costs 7,000 won. A word of advice: do not order a shot of vodka. They use a low grade equivalence of Poplov vodka and Coke cans must be purchases as a set of 3 for cost of 10,000won.

Due to the instant popularity, expect to wait in line to get in and the dance floor jam packed. If you have some connections, try to get VIP guest listed. There’s a plenty of room to dance in the 3 VIP rooms, and the bartenders are more attentive to your drink needs.

Direction:
Gangnam Station (line 2). Exit 6. Look for Bath and Beyond on your left and turn at the intersection. You will see the sign on your right.

The infamous London electronic music duo, Underworld, is expected to play in Seoul on November 17 at Korea University Hwajung Gymnasium. Their first commerical success, Born Slippery.  NUXX, which featured in the 1996 film, “Trainspotting” set them apart from other electronic acts and put them on the forefront of the international spot light. It continues to a huge hit in the club circuit among the fans and other producers/ DJ’s alike. Their shows have earned a reputation for being highly technologically oriented with creative visual background videos. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 111,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.

To get to Korea University, take a shuttle bus from Anam Station (Subway Line 6, Exit 2) or Korea University Station (Subway Line 6 Exit 1) or take a 15-minute walk to the concert hall.

Techno heads:  Annalog playing at 12:30

Free bbq at 7

More info: Seoulsounds.com