Lotus Lantern Festival

After the coolest month of April since 1908, weather is not supposed to get back to normal before mid-may, on time for the Lotus Lantern Festival.

Let's hope this year's Lantern Parade won't be spoiled by rain or wind : two years ago, the atmosphere was almost magical. As usual, the spectacular procession will walk along Jongro, between Dongdaemun and Jogyesa. That shall be on Sunday (the 16th), between 7 and 9:30 pm*.

This year, Buddah birthday is May the 21st. To be celebrated in every temple, sometimes in surprising ways : back in 2002, the paper lanterns covering Jogyesa were painted as soccer balls.

Don't forget your cameras.

Seoul Village 2010

* check the program of festivities on LLF's website : llf.org.

Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu (Seoul)

A big parking lot, two valet and two traffic attendants, and the heck of a jam... Yes it's rush hour, yes it's raining, but still, we're only talking about simple noodles : standard and big size kalguksu, for respectively KRW 6,500 and 8,000.

Note that "standard" means a good portion, and "big size" about twice as much. Served in a bone broth, the noodles themselves are rather thin but plentiful. "Banchan" also come in pair : green and red gimchi, equally fresh and good.

Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu is another institution of Yeonhuidongmatgil, not far from Joeunjib. A popular destination which deliver the goods, even if better appreciated off-peak.

Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu (restaurant)
132-29 Yeonhui-1-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, ROK
Tel +82.2.333.3955

Seoul Village 2010 - see also other restaurants in Seoul and Korea

* to be fair, the menu also includes Korean beef (KRW 20,000)

A bump in the road for serviced residences in Korea ?

Following a decision by Korea's Supreme Court, major serviced residence operators could be asked to cease operations, the time for them to adapt... or rather for Korean law to adapt to modern hospitality standards.

Korea Hotel Association successfully lobbied for this decision, which appears to be based on a loophole somewhere between classic hotels and officetels in Korea. A real problem for a country boasting such ambitions for tourism : global leaders, like France, do have special legislative arrangements for serviced residences. Furthermore, Korea really needed serviced residences to offer the whole range of solutions to international travelers.

A quick and fair solution will probably be found to prevent an embarrassing moment for everyone, and send another positive sign overseas confirming the vitality of Korean hospitality.

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A World Cup Bridge for 2015

Just kicked off : the construction of the World Cup Bridge (월드컵대교) on the Hangang, between Mapo-gu (North) and Yeongdeungpo-gu (South), and between Seongsan Bridge (East) and Gayang Bridge (West).

This 30.7 x 1,980 m shoot will prolong Jeungsanno, a road that cut between World Cup Stadium and World Cup Park, so now you get an idea where the name of the bridge comes from.

The name of Jeungsanno comes from its mountain of origin : Jeungsan, in Jeungsan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu (it continues even further Northwards as Yeonseono). The road follows a stream, Bulgwancheon, and Subway Line 6 until Susaek Station, now the new Digital Media City. A few hectometers were added when the stadium and parc were built, but Jeungsanno stopped right in front of the Han river, waiting for a bridge to come : a big diving board hovering over the main entrance to Seoul from Incheon Airport (Gangbyeonbukno highway), and Nanji-Jigu riverside park.

On the other side, World Cup Bridge will land in Yeongdeungpo-gu in Yanghwa-dong, with a branch stretching Eastwards to Yangpyeong-dong, where traffic will merge with that from Seongsan Bridge on the way to the Seobu / Western Expressway (서부간선도로). Another branch will go Eastwards, cross Anyangcheon, and reach Gangseo-gu at Yeomchang-dong, where it will join another major axis : the road to Gimpo Airport, Gonghangno ("airport road").

If you're lost with all those gus, dongs, and cheons, the big picture :
- the World Cup Bridge will be delivered in 2015, and cost KRW 334.5 bn
- a lot of traffic will be diverted from Seongsan Bridge, easing the way from Gimpo and Incheon to the World Cup Stadium, DMC, and Eunpyeong.
- more asphalt loops and noodles ? you betcha. Cars still rule, but this new bridge does include bike lanes.


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"Global cluster building" in Seorin-dong

Seoul Metropolitan Government provided more details about their ambitious "Global Cluster Building" :

- WHAT ? The "one-stop services for Seoul expats" concept becomes brick and mortar. Imagine a 14 story (+ 5 basements) building, and under the same roof : the Seoul Global Center and its vast array of services, the Seoul Immigration Service, a few foreign Chambers of Commerce, a medical center, a cultural area... you name it*.

- WHEN ? work will start early 2011 for an inauguration planned in June 2012.

- WHERE ? Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, next to Yeongpoong Building, and just meters away from Jonggak Station (Subway Line 1, exit #6). From this new location (right now, a 1,070 square-meter parking lot on Jongro), the Seoul Global Center will be less than 100 m away from the Korea National Tourism Association as the crow flies - humans will simply cross Cheonggyecheon at the small bridge of Gwanggyo. Note that nowadays, the trip from Taepyeongno (SGC headquarters) isn't that long either (hardly 300 m). On Cheonggyecheon and at the crossroads between Tapgol Park, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung, City hall and Deoksugung, the SGC is bound to welcome even more visitors.

While they were at it, SMG also delivered updates about their other brick and mortar projects for foreigners : following the DMC Ville (175 households in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu), Seoul will operate a second residence for foreigners in Seocho-gu (178 households, inauguration November or December 2010).

Seoul keeps upgrading its hardware and software for foreign visitors and residents at an impressive pace.

Seoul Village 2010

* come to think of it, you probably will be invited to actually give it a name (just like for the new Coex global business center) : 'Global Cluster Building' is only a tentative name.

Seoul Plaza Hotel joins the renovation frenzy

From May 3rd, the Seoul Plaza Hotel will be closed for renovations. It should reopen 6 month later, about 10 days before the G20 Summit (November 2010). Will remain open for business during the renovation : the Grand Ballroom banquet and wedding facilities, the spa and fitness, and the hotel's restaurants with a direct access from the outside.

The 34 year old hotel will change its white dress for a metal-bronze look, and a new positioning as a "European boutique hotel". The number of guest rooms will be cut from 445 down to 400 to accomodate more suites. The Westin Chosun and Hotel Shilla have also been recently improved, but this one moves after the downturn, a clear sign of optimism from hospitality businesses in Korea. Tourism and logistics infrastructures are among the sectors where Foreign Direct Investment is booming, and Seoul keeps gaining momentum as a major touristic as well as business / convention destination.

On the other side of Seoul Plaza, another landmark is undergoing a total relooking : the new Seoul City Hall just completed its basement levels, so the big wave should start bulging anytime soon*. Meanwhile, you can visit the small exhibition about that major (indeed) project, including images from the propositions that were turned down**.

While I'm at it : Sejongno and Taepyeongno will soon be called "Sejongdaero" or Sejong Avenue. I guess it doesn't change anything as far as the "dongs" are concerned but for the road itself, it means one single name between Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun, and its confirmation as the spine of downtown Seoul.


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* I can't help but see a tsunami there (see "Business for the Environment Global Summit 2010 in Seoul")
** Today, the square was not really festive, hosting a ceremony to mourn Cheonan victims

Rodin Retrospective in Seoul

When you visit Musee Rodin in Paris, the building and gardens are part of the experience, and sculptures look even more alive under natural light.

For this Rodin Retrospective in partnership with Musee Rodin, I don't know if SeMA exhibition rooms will let the sunlight play a role (they usually don't), but a walk in the area is always a pleasure, particularly in this season.

And anyway, the collections do cast an interesting light on Auguste Rodin's work, with studies of such monumental works as the Gates of Hell, the Bourgeois de Calais, or Balzac's portrait. Camille Claudel is also invited, along with dancers, the kiss, and the Hand of God :



Furthermore, you can also visit after dark :

* Rodin Retrospective
April 30 - August 22, 2010
SeMA / Seoul Museum of Art (Seosomun branch - Jung-gu)
Closed on Mondays - 10h-20h on Sundays and Holidays - 10-21h Tue-Sat
Tel +82-1577-8968 - website: rodinseoul.com


Seoul Village 2010