Slovak Symphony @ Ichon

If it is the fancy dress up of the orchestra that you like, or their actual melodies, the sight at the Slovak Symphony had everything encompassed in it.

The performance was sponsored and hosted by Seoul Metro who regularly organizes such events, It was held at Seoul ART museum in Ichon, one of the biggest museums in Korea (A must visit for anybody living in Seoul for long).

Spanning around 2 hours with a 20 minutes break in the middle, the performance was, to be honest, a challenge to remain attentive. It is one thing to rove and jive internally to a piece of classical music, but to hear it in all lengths and capacity is a challenge for the most civilized being among us. But, it ended and I got to came back home and I was happy to have attended it, although I wished I had left the theatre a little while ago during the break. :)

Italian Food @ Insadong

If you are lost in the streets of Insadong, weary and tired, then you would thank me a ton for recommending this amazing place to eat there. Although the menu only varies from pizza to pasta and the occasional twists in Italian cuisine, I can say it with a high degree of assurance that it will be one of the best pizzas and pastas you would eat in your life there.

The place is ideal for an art meet up or a casual get together. The ambient music, the relaxed lightening and the bustle-free design makes it easier to flow smoothly the stream of conversations. It is also possible to get some drinks while you are there. Also, if you choose to dine at this fantastic Italian restaurant, feel free to stroll around and gaze at the paintings on the wall, and maybe, if the manager of the place isn't very occupied at the moment, ask her to guide you through her arts. I am sure you will not regret this.

Halloween Cruise @ Gimpo ARA Terminal

It's not every year that one gets to spend Halloween on a cruise, and so I am especially grateful to our team at Inseoul Magazine for giving me this fantastic opportunity.

So, let's begin... How can I describe the cruise...? Phenomenal yet gaudy. The firework was exceptionally brilliant with short paced bursts but the overall management was a little lacking, especially on the cleaning side. It was clear at several times that the dance floor was in need of a quick sweeping but nobody on the management side paid much attention to it. Also there were times when I felt the overall event could have been made more fun by proceeding in a scheduled fashion rather than just opening up all the facilities at all times for everyone. Certainly, discipline has its own pay, even on a cruise on a Halloween night. The last formidable challenge that I faced was finding my way back to the university. Since Gimpo is quite far away from any average person's daily itinerary and subways and buses stop early on weekends, I felt the management should have given harder thoughts to getting people back to their homes safely after the cruise.

The cruise took off at 7 pm from the Gimpo ARA terminal (It was a little hard to find the place at first, but if you are planning to go there next time, just remember this place is next to the big Hyundai Outlet and then just walk a few steps from there). It was really nice to see so many people dressed up for the occasion except me, who if my reader's humor sense permit it, was dressed up as a business man (not very scary, right? Maybe you are wrong :P ). After our entry on the cruise, we were each served with food and drinks and then we made our way to the 2 floor to put down our bags and socialize. As from my experience, it was apparent that the event was a big hit among English teachers in Korea, especially the ones from US and South Africa. Later, we hopped over to the dance floor to shake off some frenzy energy before getting back on land and finding our way back to our sad little dorms.

To know more about this and other such events, go to http://www.goodtimesrok.com/

The DMZ fun!

It had already been a lousy weekend so far. Most of my friends were busy with their tests and assignments but the weather seemed so promising of a nice day outside. Also, I have been very curious about the history of North and South Korea, and the repeated incursions of North on the South.
So, I picked up a few brochures and compared them to find the best deal on DMZ. It turns out that the 'DMZ tour' isn't that expensive at all., Priced at about 45,000 KRW which includes the shuttle bus ride, boarding tickets, travel guide etc, the DMZ tour was much better than I initially expected.

The trip began at Hongik university station where outside the exit gate no. 3, a shuttle bus was waiting for our arrival. After a little paper work and name signing, we picked up our seats and started the DMZ tour. The journey from Seoul to the northern frontiers of South Korea took us around an hour, after which we went first to watch a movie about the korean war and the north korean incursions on South Korea. Later, we had a first hand experience to one of the tunnels that North Korea dug to disregard the DMZ. It was a thirty minute walk underground but it was well facilitated. After that, we went to an observatory to look at North Korea through the binoculars. The trip ended at the Dorasan station where we observed the DMZ train... ready to take off.

I have a few things to advise to make the trip to DMZ most enjoyable. Firstly, if you are looking for some light fun with friends without much walking or travelling, then this trip is certainly not for your taste. The DMZ tour involved a lot of walking, especially while walking and exploring one of the inception tunnels. Secondly, it would be really helpful to read up on North and South Korea relationship beforehand so that you feel more confident at connecting the dots when you see them. And lastly, it is very important that you bring along a friend or two to make the whole trip more enjoyable.

To find more information about the tour, visit: www.seoulcitytour.net

Weekend @Nami Island

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own an island? Do you think you would be able to truly and correctly carry out all the related administrative tasks? Do you need an example to see how exciting yet extremely difficult it could be to own an island?

THEN, WELCOME TO THE NAMINARA REPUBLIC, an island nation situated 63 km from Seoul. You can take a shuttle bus from Namdemun and Insadong to get here, but more on that later. The island has an area of 460,000 square meter and a circumference of 5 km. It was named after the Late general Nami, a notable figure in Korean history who courageously fought in battles but died at the age of 26. Today, it is a place for rest and relaxation where human beings, animals and trees share peace, love and harmony far away from crowds and civilization.

How to get to Nami Island:

• Take the shuttle bus from either Insadong or Namdemun street. The cost for the shuttle bus varies from 8,000 to 10,000 KRW depending on the time and season. 
• Take either the zip-wire or the ferry to get to the island. The Zip-wire costs about 38,000 KRW and is subjected to be discontinued on accounts of rain and snow. The ferry is free of charge but usually very crowded. 

What to do in Nami island:

There are plenty of activities that you can do around Nami island. You could rent a bike and tour around the island, or use an electric tour bus or Motorboat for the same. There are some scenic locations and places where the soap opera "winter sonata" was shot that you could visit. Walking around the island, it is common to meet with a museum or performance here and there. There are also certain workshops and handicraft studios that you can visit. The island has a fascinating collection of cuisine menu ranging from pizza and pasta to asian dishes. It is not hard to find Halal food on the island, though it was a bit tricky to find pure vegetarian food. But the most important piece of advice is to bring a friend or two while coming to this place. It will make the experience more fun and enchanting while also dulling the negative effects of the weather and long waiting periods.

To know more, visit the page @ www.naminara.com/www.namisum.com

Grevin Wax Museum @ Euljiro 1-ga

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand face to face with your favorite celebrities? Do you think you will pass bouts of jitters when you meet them?

DON'T WORRY!  I have found a perfect practice place for you then!

The Grevin Wax Museum in Euljiro 1-ga exhibits a fine collection of both international and korean celebrities from Tiger Woods to Tom Cruise to Psy and others. Each wax figure is modeled to real-life perfectness and sometimes look frighteningly real. Some of the exhibits themes have been borrowed straight from the movies like Godfather, Ocean's 13, etc, while others have been imagined from history books and recreated.

At my time of the visit, the museum was sparsely populated which allowed me and my friend to enjoy to the maximum. A good camera and a patient partner is a must, although it is possible in certain cases to ditch the latter. Also, it is suggested that you dress up for the visit since I am sure you don't want to be in your shirt and trousers when you meet great celebrities like Einstein and Steve Jobs.

Admission / Participation Fees

Adults 23,000 won Teenagers 18,000 won Children & Seniors (ages over 65) 15,000 won Homepage www.grevin-seoul.com (Korean, English) Local Transportation [Subway] City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1,2), Exit 6.  - Walk straight for 5 min.  Or,  Euljiro 1-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 1.  - Walk straight for 3 min.

FUN @ Ocean world

It is hot and humid outside yet you want to have fun? Don't worry! Vivaldi Park's OceanWorld is at rescue again. Equipped with over 10 major water ride attraction and tons of small and semi major water rides, OceanWorld is the answer to all your summer troubles. Situated outside Seoul, it requires you to take a shuttle bus from the Sport Complex (Exit 6) metro station. After an hour and 10 minutes ride, you will arrive at the water resort. You can buy tickets from the ticket booth, or reserve them online and pick them up at the 'Online ticket' booth. After you make an entry into the water resort, you are directed to a locker room where you are handed a key to a locker for free.  You can then store away your valuables and change clothes to prepare diving into fun.
The range of water rides vary from 'very-thrilling' to 'average' but almost all of them have quite a long waiting period. It is advised that you hurry up with the rides as they tend to get very busy during the day. There are also a lot of restaurants including KFC, BurgerKing and food courts.
Although there is an extra charge to rent the life vest, it is advised that you do it. Though not every ride requires you to wear a life vest, but some of the most exciting rides with short waiting periods do. Also, it increases your sense of safety and makes it easier to float in water without much effort.

Website for further reference: http://www.daemyungresort.com/oceanworld/

DAEMYUNG LEISURE INDUSTRY Co., Ltd.
222, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
CONTACT CENTER +82-1588-4888 l Operating Hour : 07:00 ~ 23:00 (Open year-round)

Ballet (Giselle) @ Seoul Art Center

One hardly believes their eyes when they see such perfect synchronization of beauty with music, dance with rhythm and performance with subsequent applause. Giselle, a ballet directed by the world famous Graeme Murphy, proves to be beyond all comparisons with any modern themed musical or opera. The awe inspiring backgrounds and the flawless execution of motions on the stage will make anyone grasp their chair tighter in excitement.
Giselle is hosted at the Seoul art center from 13th June to 17th June. Ticket price varies from 10$ to 100$ . It is advised that you book your tickets as soon as possible since the last few shows were fully booked. Also, if possible, dress classy for the event. 

Restaurant Review: Otsal

 A MOUTH WATERING TREAT, delightful and enticing in its entirety. Come, and indulge in a journey of olfactory hedonism and test the limits of gastronomical adeptness. The People at Otsal restaurant try their best to give you an experience you would hardly forget. From the dimly lighted atmosphere ideal for holding light conversations to the fragrance of exotic herbs and spices, and to the light Bollywood music playing in the background, Otsal is your TRUE destination for a night you would never forget.

Start your meal with a complimentary appetizer of ‘Papad’ and ‘green salad’ and work your way up to curries and a diversity of the famous Indian bread “Naan”. For those who want their meals pre-chosen, they can buy one of the 3 set menus that Otsal offers, each varied by price and the dishes included. As you go on with your meal, don’t forget to look around the incredible decorations- the miniature elephants, bright Led lights hugging the wall, and a large range of traditional Indian paintings. The serving is highly satisfactory. Even though the restaurant was decently filled at my visit, it only took about ten minutes for my order to arrive, and each subsequent course was perfectly coordinated with the removal of old plates from our table. To bring to an end a highly satisfying meal, we ordered two desserts, a plate of cheesecake and a traditional Indian mango ice-cream.  While these desserts made their way to our table, we were offered a complimentary cup of milk tea. After the desserts, and yes, we successfully lifted every bit of food from our plates… sometimes even against the will of our stomachs, we walked out satisfied.

Located at a 15 meter walk from exit 2 of Seoul National University station, Otsal is a reasonably expensive restaurant. Average meal at Otsal costs 10,000 won per person and the cost may lower if more people are in the group. The ambience and service is hard to beat even at other high end restaurants. A love and inclination for Indian cuisine is a must since there are no ‘foreign dishes’ served at the restaurant. A rule of thumb dictates that you specify the degree of spiciness  of your food, since failure at this might wreak havoc.  Lastly, don’t forget to taste some fenugreek at the cashier’s desk as you pay for the meal and bring that lovely time to an end. 

Eland Cruise @ Hanggang

SOFT WIND AND LIGHT MUSIC playing in the background, a bunch of listless Korean high school girls taking selfies and enjoying the experience, and the ship kept on going. Just like the meaninglessness nature of life, the cruise continued ahead, not caring for the incredible memories and joys that its occupants were experiencing. And to add to it, it returned to the same place where it started a mere 70 minutes ago, symbolizing the futility and purposelessness of life.


Walking a little past the exit 3 of Yeoinaru station, one can ride the Eland Cruise. Tickets vary from 8,000 to 22,000 won depending on the age and the availability of special discounts. The cruise takes off at 7.30 pm and makes its way back to the shores at 8.40 pm (70 minutes). It is essential to arrive at the cruise terminal in time so that one can look for seats with a better view since seats are not assigned by ticket. Generally depending on the time of year you take this cruise, it is recommended that you carry a jacket or a blanket with you since it gets a bit cold at the later parts of the journey.

Crazy Horse Paris

BE ENTICED to an evening of fun, dance and singing at the Walker Hill Theater. The Crazy horse show is one of the oldest continuing shows in the world with a history of over 60 years. Originally from Paris, France and now recently in Seoul, South Korea, the show is a striking example of style fused with drama and sensuality.

With an avid niche for the aristocrats, the show is furnished with several tiny and large details to make it as pleasing as possible to the viewers. Coupled with a private bar and an in-show serving of champagne, and a sufficiently long string of waiters, the show is sure to grasp the attention of the "well doers" and the wealthy.

The Musical Hero

The show begins with a thud as the actors introduce their motive in the form of a repetitive melodious singing. The flag of preindependent Korea is seen waving in the background as the actors line up and dissolve in front of the audience with the musical cues.
As the show progresses, we become familiar with 안중근, our hero, and his dream of freeing Korea from Japanese imperialism. With the music coming to an end and with that so does their singing, we are surprised by a scene of the actors cutting off their ring fingers as a pledge towards attaining the dream.
The show is full of emotional variants, light moments of joy with the street food seller and heavy sad moments at the end of the performance as the protagonist is executed by the Japanese army. Another unique characteristic is the use of multiple actors for the same role. This was necessary to maintain a fluid and sound progression of the show, albeit of any mishap or random events that may occur. The stage lighting, audio quality and visual effects were at par with some of the world's best musicals. The scene of the running train was especially a very well executed one.
Right after the intermission, the performance takes a completely different turn. From the light singing and merry love making in the beginning, we see an inclination towards seriousness and maturity towards achieving the goal. Our hero, 안중근, is shown smuggling in a weapon during the king's parade and subsequently assassins the Japanese emperor. A bewildered audience surrounded me at this instant while I tried to make heads with the issue. Our hero is captured and taken over by the Japanese army who then execute him by hanging him. This was the end of the performance, a start of an era for the Korean independence fighters and the time for me to satisfy my hungry stomach. The show lasted for 3 hours with an intermission of 20 minutes.

Lionboy @ Seoul National Theatre

IT IS RARE that you see the finest of acting equipped with equally fine art and technology as in the LIONBOY. Adapted from a children's book about a boy who speaks cats and is on a mission to rescue his kidnapped parents, the play is a pure eye-candy with vivid screenplays and choreography. The play starts on a decent note of the characters introducing themselves and then move slowly towards revealing the plot. Charlie Ashanti, a boy of mixed race, is our hero. As we move through the plot, we realize that Charlie's greatest struggle is not just rescuing his kidnapped parents, but also to end the evil reign of the Corporacy. Towards the end of the play, we find Charlie reuniting with his parents with the Corporacy setting down in the background.

The Museum of Decorative Arts Paris.

Welcome to the 18th century France, the powerhouse of fashion in all of Europe and a sight to behold in all sense of beauty and human achievements. Just as we enter, on our right is a group of 3 young women playing some folk tones on their musical instruments while on our left is a lovely french couple passing their day in the ignorance of the crowd around them. As we walk further, we see a lovely sphinx statue built of clay and sand and polished to such extremity that it shines away at the very camera that is trying to capture it's existence. That is the starting point of our journey because from there onward, we enter into a world of an 18th century french aristocrat whose lavishness in next only to the Greek king Midas. First we go through a living room, fully lighted and well equipped with the potential of scorching any observer with irony and guilt of self absorption. Down the hallway we see certain other rooms- a bedroom, a study-room, a changing room, etc. which are all lit up in the ignorance of the sufferings outside the 4 walls of the palace. Maybe the sufferings of that time were so great that they had to be shelled off through these elaborate building and structures as we see in the museum, or maybe the aristocrats were a bunch of non emphatic pigs whose sole aim in life was self absorption. Needless to say, no matter what their acts were motivated by, they changed the very face of France in the 18th century and helped steer the nation forward.

Opera @ Coex Mall (Orfeo ed Euridice , 2013)

In this striking assembly of music and acting, the Orfeo ed Euridice takes its audience through a spectrum of emotions ranging from sadness to guilt to ego and joy. The opera begins with the prince realizing that his beloved wife is dead and he is very sad about it. In the following parts, we find out that the prince strives to bring his lovely wife back from the underground. On his way to meet his wife in the underground, he is surrounded by an army of demons whom he has to satisfy as in order to let him pass and meet his wife. There, in the underground, the prince learns that the cause of his wife's death was not any disease but his own negligence towards her and how his love for his harp competed with her love for him. As they get united in the underground, the prince and the princess begin a journey to return back. This journey, however, is completed only by the prince as his lover falls unconscious in the underground.

In the end, we see the prince walking away through a dark corridor signifying that he has learned to live alone without his harp or his beloved wife. 

Korean Symphony @ Seoul Art Center

 Music is what light is for the eyes, for not only does it encapsulate the world in itself but also shows a path to the desperate and the desolate. And so I ended up at the 30th anniversary of the Seoul Art Center near Nambu terminal finding my way midst skilled violinists and their evermore skilled conductor.

The show was a 90 minute long performance featuring two great pieces of western classical work. With the infrastructure that only Beethoven and Mozart could imagine in their dreams, the concert hall was full of acoustic effects and beautiful designs.

Although the concert was a wee bit expensive, it was worth going there.

Gansong exhibition

 It is rare that you see such beautiful arts depicting history and culture of a country in such a small and confined location as the Gansong exhibition. 

While walking around witnessing the prowess and dexterity of ancient Korean painters, it struck me hard about the human's need for potency, and how humans would take long and tiring efforts to record and propagate  their views of the world. 

The Korean style of art, highly influenced by the Chinese and the Japanese, is  a highly precise and detailed kind of art that allows the artist to put in as many details into a small piece as possible. Tiny scribbles resembling humans and animals are highly common in such paintings, often centered towards the center of the frame. The beauty of this kind of art resides in its ability to hide the obvious and make the observer go around the room figuring out the hidden characteristics of a piece of art.