2011 Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival

                                     ▶Date: Oct. 28 (Fri) - 30(Sun) 2011

                                     ▶Place: Peace Square at Olympic Park,  subway line 5

Marking its 11^th anniversary this year, Songpa-gu in Seoul has been hosting the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival since 1994 with an aim to promote the glorious history of Hanseong Baekje.

As a representative event of Songpa-gu, the festival was recognized as the Culture and Tourism Festival by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2008.

This year’s festival will feature a wide range of events including Dongmyeongje (a ritual ceremony for the tomb of King Dongmyeong), folklore performances, a street parade, and Baekje theme zone. In addition, you will be able to experience various hands-on programs such as trying out traditional costumes, military training, excavating relics, and making pottery.

For further information, visit the website http://hanseong.songpa.go.kr/.

Seoul International Fireworks Festival, Sat 9 Oct 2010

DATE: Saturday, 9 October 2010
TIME: 7:30 pm
COST: Free admission
VENUE: Yeouido Hankang Citizens’ park

GETTING THERE: Subway: line 5, Yeouido Station, line 5 exit 3, 5 minutes towards National Assembly or Yeouinaru Station, line 5, exit 1, 5 minutes towards Kukmin Daily Bldg.

For more information, call 02-729-1702 or visit: http://www.bulnori.com/

In times where transportation was slow, and communication systems didn’t exist, how did armies and civilians communicate? A common way people communicated across long distances was through the use of smoke in the day, and fire in the night, using a tool known as a Bong Su Je (봉수제), also known as a warning beacon. It is estimated that forms of these beacons were used from the period known as the “Three Kingdoms Period”, which was from about 57 BC to 668 AD, though the Goryeo Dynasty (918 AD to 1392 AD), and were decommissioned around 1894, during the Joseon Dynasty.

In order for a warning beacon to function properly, great importance and consideration must be given to its location. In order for a beacon to be effective, it has to be located on a site with a large field of vision. It is because of these considerations that old beacon sites are being used as observation areas today.

In present day Seoul, there are still remnants of the old warning beacons, one of the most famous ones being the Namsam Beacon Station. Only the Namsam Area has 5 beacon stations. Being located in the capital city of Seoul, all other beacons in the country linked to this beacon, and so it was also called Gyung Bong Su (경봉수, 경[京] meaning Capital).Due to the importance of this station, the Namsan Beacon Station was manned by an arrangement of signal officers and their supervisors, and the Minister of National Defense, who reported to the Secretariat of the King(Seung-Jeong-Won / 승정원) every morning, who would then in turn report the state of the kingdom to the King. (In order to paint a picture of how seriously these positions were, there are recorded incidents of severe punishments for failure to raise beacons in times of need. In urgent situations, not lighting the beacon could result in being flogged, perhaps being beat 100 times. Failure to light the beacon during war time could lead to a death sentence.)

Namsan beacon station #1 is connected to the Achasan beacon station, which is now called Bonghwasan beacon station, connecting the Provinces of Hamkyung and Gangwon. Namsan beacon station #2 is connected to the Chunrimsan beacon station, located in present day Yangjae-dong/Chunggyesan, and connects to the Provinces of Gyungsang and Choongchungbuk.

Namsan beacon station #3, also known as Muak beacon station, is divided into 2 locations and are located on Inwangsan, and connects to the Provinces of Pyeongan, Hwanghae by land.

Namsan beacon station #4 is the second division of Muak beacton station, and connects to the Provinces of Pyeongan, Hwanghae by sea. Namsan beacon station #5 connects to Gaehwasan beacon station, and continues the connection to the Provinces of Jeolla and Choongchung. Although it’s location in present day Gangseo-gu and Gaehwa-dong isn’t as high as the others, it still provides an excellent view.

At present, only the Namsan, Achasan, and Muak beacon stations have been restored, but the remnants of the other stations still exist. All of the stations provide an excellent view of Seoul and its surrounding regions. Weekend training for soldiers is held at the Namsan station, so not only can you see the view, but there are public performances as well, making it a good place for a weekend trip with family and friends.

Ticket
Ticket Price
1 day pass – 120,000 won (T users 30% off – 84000)
2 day pass – 160000 won (T users 30% off – 112000)
[Additional Ticket information]

1. Patrons will not be allowed to enter the festival in case of lost ticket.
2. Tickets will not be re-issued under any circumstance.
3. It is prohibited to sell/buy tickets in any ways other than buying through the official ticket outlets and festival doors. The festival organizer will not be responsible for illegal trade of tickets.
4. Tickets that have been shipped cannot be canceled online. Tickets that have been shipped can only be canceled by visiting the ticket reservation vendor.
5. Refunds, exchanges, and cancellations can only be made through the vendor that distributed the ticket.
6. For ticket pick-up on site, you must bring your ID and reservation confirmation ticket.
7. No refunds on the day of the festival
8. Limit of 4 tickets per person
9. Tickets will be exchanged with bracelets on site.

A Young and Hip Festival for Music and Ocean Enthusiasts

The Summer WeeknT 2010 in August 2010 is the first ever large-scale beach music festival in Korea. The motivation for the Summer WeeknT 2010 was a single question: Do we have enough music festivals that used to be a part of our music scene? The Summer WeeknT 2010 Festival will showcase the world dominating music of hip hop and electronica and Korea’s top musicians on the same stage. It is bound to be the “it” place for young and hip weekentiers on a hot night in August!

[Venue]

The “Naksan” Beach – a hidden jewel along the East Sea with a breathtaking beach

The “Naksan” has an endless beach which stands shoulder to shoulder with other world-class beaches around the world. The beautiful emerald sea of the Naksan can only be described as the jewel of the East Sea. We invite you to join us and come down to the paradise of the East Sea, Naksan, to enjoy the exciting Summer Week&T Festival.

Line-up

Hip Hop, Fashion, Culture, the Artistic Icon.
KANYE WEST (LIVE)
Kanye West, not only in America, but he is world widely one of the most influential musicians in the 21st century’s music scene. In 2004, the first week with his debut album he sold 44 thousands, the second album 86 thousands, and sold 95 thousands with his third one, automatically gaining the reputation of a Hip Hop star. Soon became a hit machine, every song he released placed themselves in no.1 on the Billboard chart, dominating worldwide charts, and not only he received several Grammys but also numerous of other awards as well. Besides his own albums, he also produced other famous musicians which all made hits. In his third album, he sampled one of Daft Punk’s tracks for ‘Stronger’ creating the new perception of electronic combining with hip hop, through all this Kanye West was namely worth to become an icon. Standing out as a fashionista, Kanye West not only in music, but he also has interest in fashion, arts, and culture which wields impact.

Website: http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com

Read more »

Jisan Valley Rock Festival

Ticket Booking Info

Photo from www.wsoccer.com/

World Cup fever has already begun in Korea, a country famous for its epic passion during World Cup season.  Most people still remember the “Sea of Red” at Seoul Plaza.

The first game this year for the Korean team is this Saturday, June 12th against Greece and the start time is 8:30pm (Korean time).

Although the game will probably be on anywhere that you go in the city, here are a few places that are your best bets for getting caught in the fiery passion of Korean soccer fans!

This year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, in conjunction with SBS, has decided to host the outdoor viewing areas for the Korea v. Greece at Bongeunsa Temple (near COEX), instead of Seoul Plaza or Gwanghwamun Plaza.  The most popular Korean soccer fan club, “The Red Devils” have decided to plan their festivities in conjunction with the Bongeunsa Temple events.  To get to Bongeunsa Temple, take Samsung Station (Line 2) to exit 6 or Chungdam Station (Line 7) to exit 2. http://www.koreadaily.com/news/read.asp?art_id=1042066 (Korean only)

Seoul Metro Gov’t may not be hosting events at Seoul Plaza, but Hyundai Motors and SK Telecom have planned events there instead. To get to Seoul Plaza, go to City Hall Station (Line 1 or 2), exit 4.

Another fun option is to head down to Yeouido Hangang Park, where the Nongshim Group is also hosting a public viewing.  This will actually be an all-day event, with festivities and concert performances beginning at 2pm and going all the way through the end of the game.  To get to Yeouido Hangang Park, go to Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), exit 2 or 3.  http://20100.co.kr/ (Korean only)

If you’re already at the Seoul International Jazz Festival at either Nakseongdae Park (Nakseongdae Station, Line 2) or Dream Forest Park (Dolgoji station, Line 6 – exit 3, transfer to bus no. 147), both venues will create space at the conclusion of the performances for outdoor viewing of the game.  http://www.seoulcityblog.com/2010/06/07/free-seoul-international-jazz-festival-june-11th-13th/

To beat the heat, but still get the excitement of the game, watch the matches in 3-D from major theater chains, CGV, Lotte Cinema, and MegaBox.   http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2921258

UPDATE: Additional Info

• Guide: KIM Si-Gyeong, Professor of Dankook University (French and English spoken)
• To register, please email tbn2@sba.seoul.kr
• On the day of the event, the contact person will be Marie 010-6647-7780

Please don’t forget to bring:
 

• Hiking Shoes
• Raincoat
• Cap
• Lunch / snack / water
• Transportation Card
• Coins

The Seoul International Jazz Festival will be held at Nakseongdae Park and Seoul Dream Forest Park from Friday, June 11th-June 13th.  All performances are FREE!   

On the 11th

Nakseongdae Park:  David Sanchez, Florence Davis, and Nana Quartet as well as Korean big band Jeong Seong-jo Big Band, will perform.  (7-9pm)

On the 12th

Nakseongdae Park:  Ronn Branton Quartet and Florence Davis will take the stage.  (6-8pm)

Dream Forest:  Another chance to see David Sanchez, the Nana Quartet, and the Jeong Seong-jo Big Band. (6-7:30pm)

 All performances on the 12th will end in time to create an outdoor venue to watch the World Cup match between Korea and Greece! 

On the 13th

Dream Forest:  Will once again feature Nana Quartet and Florence Davis, an appearance by Park Dong-hwa, and  hugely popular Korean group, Bom Yeorum, Gaeul, Gyul (Sping, Summer, Fall, Winter) closing the festival performances.  (7-9pm)

For more info, visit the festival’s website http://www.seouljazz.go.kr/jazz/main.asp?year_check= (Korean only)

Banpo Daegyo (Banpo bridge) made the Guiness Book of World Records with its Rainbow Bridge Fountain as the longest bridge of its kind.  The Rainbow Bridge Fountain opened in May of 2009.  The downward pointing fountain jets create the look of a waterfall, and the jets can even “dance” in time to lights and show times are daily at 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 19:30 and 20:30.  The show is especially fantastic at night time, set against the dark night sky. 

The bridge is a double-decker and visitors can get a great view from the lower observational deck, akin to being inside a waterfall.  The fountain is part of the larger Han River River Renaissance project that began in 2007, which has made vast renovations along the riverside. 

The best way to get there is on foot or on bicycle, from most areas of the Han River.  To get there by subway, the nearest station is the Express Bus Terminal Station (Line 3, 7, 9).

Seoul offers public facilities for free reservation to all residents.  These facilities include basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton courts, baseball and soccer fields, and hockey rinks.

The reservations can be made online at the site below (English): 

http://yeyak.seoul.go.kr/index_Eyeyak.html

To make a reservation, you simply need your full name (as it appears on your  Alien Registration Card) and your ARC number.