결말이 된다

I think it's time to end my "Winter Wander" series. It all started late November last year when I flew to Seoul hoping to witness the “first snow” for the winter. Unfortunately, it fell days before I departed from Singapore. Then I thought, perhaps I should still be lucky to catch sight of snowing. During my two-week stay in Seoul, not a single flake of snow fell from the sky despite outdoor temperature holding at sub-zero degrees for many days. The very day which the weather forecast predicted high probability of precipitation turned out to be a rainy day instead. But as a consolation, snow finally came on the morning of my departure from Seoul. So these were about all the misses. As for the gains, I got to meet Kaye (a stranger minutes before we met), got a free lunch from Ms Cheon (my Korean teacher in Kyunghee), bought my e-dictionary, spoke to taxi ajeosshi in Korean, ate Dunkin’s Donut for lunch and gimbab for dinner and best of all, got to “hibernate” for long hours in the guesthouse’s bed. Amidst these gains and misses, I shall pull down the closing curtain. For a while, I was thinking how I should end this. Should I end it with a “big bang” or just let thing fade away quietly? Though I prefer the latter, I shall still post the last two photos of my trip that best depict these two endings. Until next time, that's all ^^

Cinderella musical performance at the Lotte World Amusement Park

The Coffee Bean outlet at the Seoul Olympics Park

갤러리아

I have previously shown some night pictures of the Galleria but I doubt they delivered the same impact which I received when I was standing there in Apgujeong watching its changing facade with my naked eyes. Here are more pictures of it. 그 아름다움은 정말 말로 표형할 수 없네요.

놀이공원

Picture taken in Lotte World Amusement Park

I thought I have outgrown amusement park but only to discover that there is still a child in me when I am in one. There is still some part of me that refuses to grow up though it may not be a bad thing afterall. Sometimes, it feels good to be reassured that I am still not worn out yet. ^^

지난 12월의 추억

It seems my memory fades very fast these days. I cannot remember clearly what I did last December. I wonder is it because my mind is too pre-occupied with works and deadlines these days that there is not much space left for memory...

This bear is a famous apparel brand in Korea. Can't recall the brand name.

Outside one of the four-star hotels in Seoul but don't remember which.

A snack bar somewhere in Lotte World. Don't know I took this photo.

One of the bridges that span across Cheonggyecheon but I don't know which.

A saving grace. This is SOMA Museum of Arts in the Seoul Olympics Park.

일하는 중

A stall in Myeongdong selling O-deng and Korean "winter food", Ho-ddeok.

Another stall in Myeongdong selling Chinese "Dragon Beard Candy"

A roadside stall along the busy Jongno, selling Japanese O-deng.

찾아보자

In a crowded alley at Jong-no area after nightfall

I am not writing about anything today. Instead I would like to ask a question. Did you notice a Starbucks sign in the photo above? If not, try to look for the sign again. Hint: It is not that difficult to spot, provided you are not easily distracted. ^^

한 국기만 찾고 싶었다

Hundreds of national flags were fluttering in the wind - a majestic sight to behold in the Olympics Park. I walked along a semi-circle path, which was lined with flag poles on both sides, searching for only one flag. No prize for guessing which flag I was looking out for. I am proud of my country but equally critical about its shortcomings. For one, I dislike our government for over-regulating to the extent of stifling people's ingenuity and creativity. Next, I disagree that carrying placards and standing quietly at one corner of a busy street to express regret or unhappiness over issues close to one's heart can undermine social stability and investors' confidence. I also regret that people have to make to "swallow" the explanation that having two operators for MRT and bus services can lead to "competition" and hence better outcomes but only to realise later that travel fee is increased and frequency and bus routes are reduced. I see myself as a parent who is willing to take a cane and hit my child in the hope that he or she will change and become a better person. People are the parents of this country and not the government. So allow me to be critical about my country because I have a stake in its future. Parents who always think that their children are the best and chide anyone who dare to say otherwise are going to ruin their future.

서울역을 지나갔다

Since 2002, I have not walked past the Seoul Station. When I saw it this time, it was the new Seoul Station that I was seeing. The last time, I took my first train ride of my life from Seoul to Gyeong-ju without knowing a single word of Korean. It was an adventure that I have lived to treasure. It was kinda ironic to feel nostalgic in front of a new Seoul Station.

That evening, there was a performance of Andes Music in the open area just outside of the Seoul Station. A small crowd gathered around a group of five musicians of whom one was a Korean. The passionate beats of the Andes Music were so infectious that I found my body swinging with them. It was a free performance and a very enjoyable one.

The Seoul Station was a very busy station. People moved in and out of it in steady stream non-stop. The heartbeat of this city could be felt here. Not far away from the new Seoul Station stood the old Seoul Station. In a stark contrast to its replacement, time had stood still for the old station. Its days of glory is nothing but history now. Not forgetting, a part of its history has a bit of mine as well.

서울에 있는 미술관

National Museum of Comtemporary Art Korea at Seoul Grand Park

Raemian Gallery sponsored by Samsung Coorporation at Angguk

SOMA (Seoul Olympics Museum of Art) Museum of Art at Olympics Park

KT Art Hall sponsored by Korean Telecom at Gwanghwamun

I am always inspired by art. Through art, Seoul has inspired me. Life will be an empty shell if all that matter is about making more money. Living in Singapore can be rather uninspiring as what matter most is about making more money so that we can upgrade everything from car to house to travel package. Quality of life may have gone up but not necessarily the quality of the people. Pardon me for looking somewhere else for the time-being as Singapore continues to find its foothold as a developed nation in this world.

서울극장

Among the many cinemas found in Jong-no area, I still like Seoul Cinema the most. Simply because, this cinema has "character". The rest of the cinemas just look a carbon-copy of each other.


Compare Seoul Cinema with Daehan Cinema...


... or with Dansungsa Cinema and perhaps you will understand what I mean.

동국대학교

Myeong-jin Hall. The history of Dongguk started in this building more than a century ago.

Dongguk University is the alma mater of my former Korean teacher. She used to speak fondly of her undergraduate days during lessons and that had sort of stirred up my curiosity about this university. She once described to me that there is a slope leading up to Dongguk University and during the peak of pro-demoncracy demonstrations in the 1980s, the riot police was ordered to set up road block at the slope to prevent students from entering and gathering in the campus. So when I got out from Dongdae station, I was expecting to see a slope and indeed there was one. In that instance, I found an image to her story. However, after a walk around the campus ... I saw the background to her stories. In my mind, her stories suddenly turned colourful.

Dongguk celebrated its 100th anniversary on 8 May 2006. To mark the occasion, a time capsule was sealed and only to be opened 100 years later on 8 May 2106.

An open-air cafe set under pinetree and maple tree inside Dongguk. I like the feeling of drinking hot coffee and watching maple leaves in a cold winter afternoon. The problem is that hot coffee becomes iced coffee in no time.

Dongguk is a university of Buddhism denomination. Elephants are divine creatures which are associated with Samantabhadra (Pu Xian) Bodhisattva.

Myeong-jin Hall, statue of Samantabhadra (Pu Xian) Bodhisattva and the divine elephants in a line.

Dongguk University at sunset with Namsan and N Seoul Tower as its background.

The main gate of Dongguk University. Going into campus is an uphill task while leaving campus is a downhill task. I thought even without a slope, the same feeling will still exist for many. ㅋㅋ

대학로

The place I was standing at is Daehangno or University Road.

As a beginner, I used to romanise 대학로 (大學路-The University Road) as Daehakro. However, if I am to say "Daehakro", no Korean will understand me because the actual pronunciation is "Daehangno". This is just one of those difficulties of learning Korean. What you see and write in Hangeul is not necessary what you will say or hear. 대학로, when spoken, becomes [대항노] and its correct romanised form is Daehangno. This change follows the formula that when a preceding "ㄱ" meets with a following "ㄹ", "ㄱ" will change to "ㅇ" and "ㄹ" to "ㄴ". To give another example, 목련 (木蓮-Magnolia) is pronounced as [몽년] and romanised as "Mong-nyeong" instead of "Mok-ryeong". The reason for such change is about being natural. Daehangno and Mong-nyeong are naturally easier to pronounce than Daehakro or Mok-ryeong.

Pronunciation aside, Daehangno is so-called because there are a number of Korean universities located within its vicinity. Cafes, restaurants, shopping and entertainment outlets flourish and prosper wherever there are universities. Daehangno is similar to those happening streets at Ewha, Yonsei and Hongdae though with a distinct difference. It is a place where entertainment meets arts and culture.

The Seoul National University College of Medicine in Daehangno.

I could instantly feel that artistic atmosphere of Daehangno as I was exiting Hyehwa Station (혜화역-惠化驛). What greeted me was rows of theatrical performance posters. The uniqueness of Daehangno comes from the concentration of many art centres, exhibition halls and performing theatres within its vicinity. It was said that just small theatres (소극장-小劇場) alone, there are about 300 of them.

Colourful posters greeted me as I exited from Hyehwa Station.

About 300 small theatres like these can be found in Daehangno.

To know that there are so many stage for artistic expression in Daehangno, I couldn't help thinking how much we are deprived in Singapore. If only if there were many of such small theatres in Singapore, our society may well be very much different. We could be on our way to becoming a nation with more expressive, interesting and gracious people.

A walk in Daehangno was an inspiring experience. Besides the many posters of seemingly interesting performances that were pasted everywhere, many interesting sculptures could be seen along the roads. Some were functional, others were interactive and many were just nice to look at. The buildings in the immediate surrounding also inherited the artistic chic of the area and they looked nothing like Korean. As I walked along, I could feel that dormant creativity in me being constantly stimulated and on the verge of taking over my senses. Lack of any better words to describe, perhaps I may just say that I have kinda found my soul in Seoul.

One thing that is worth special mention is that I finally found the Daehangno branch of the Il Mare Cafe and Pasta. The name of the restuarant might give the impression that it is like any other Italian restaurants out there. But it isn't. It looked so high-class that I felt I was totally out of place. For that reason, I chose not to enter the restaurant though I could afford the steep menu price. Nevertheless, I was satisfied that I caught sight of "Il Mare" after a long time of searching.

Sculptures like these are a common sight along Daehangno.

Quaint and unique buildings seen around Daehangno.

Looking out at a sunny Daehangno from inside Holly's Coffee.

Finally found my Il Mare Cafe & Pasta in Daehangno.

Marronier Park, a place where young people gather, play and perform.

Marronier Park is the former campus of the Seoul National University.

Standing among the crowd as if I knew what the performer was saying.

At Daehangno, inanimate buildings and sculptures were not the only things that were interesting, even the crowd was interesting. There was this group of kids which looked as if they were on a group outing. Everyone came all dressed up in animal dress. I was pretty amused by what I saw. If given the opportunity to join their party, I would like to wear a polar bear outfit. ^^

Kids in animal dress seen holding hands and walking in Daehangno.