In Seoul, where the locals generally prefer their morning brew to be of the hazelnut-flavored and watery persuasion, finding a decent cup of coffee can be an endeavor. Cafes here are often pricey with plush, tacky decor, so stumbling upon a simple spot to while away a rainy summer afternoon is even more rare. Which is why we were delighted when we came upon The Coffee Mill.]]>
Flying around South Korea is about to get cheaper and a whole lot cooler, after the weekend's announcement that Jin Air will be the promised budget offshoot of Korean Air. Flights start on July 17, and major routes will include flights from Seoul to the southwest city of Busan, and on to the holiday capital of Jeju Island.
The powers that be were going to call the new airline Air Korea but they must've had a marketing consultant in, because they have a ton of good reasons for going with Jin Air instead. One: Jin can mean "truth" and "sincerity"--nice qualities for an airline. Two: Jin also means jeans, and that's what the flight staff will be wearing, plus T-shirt. Very hip.
And three: By extension, the airline's already calling the crew jini because it makes them sound like magical genies who can do everything.
Related Stories:
· Korean Air's Budget Arm Named Jin Air [Korea Times]
· Korean Air Gets Busy [Jaunted]
· South Korea Travel Guide [Jaunted]
[Photo: Korea Times]]]>
In honor of the fact that we've finally been able to peel ourselves away from America's Next Top Model (not even one episode watched this season!), we're bringing you a little blast from the ANTM past. Season 1 contestant Elyse Sewell is currently modeling in Seoul, having already worked in Osaka, Hong Kong, Paris, and other popular drop-offs for her waify kin.
The above video is her ode to the food of Seoul, as set to the Nightcrawlers' "The Little Black Egg." The best part is, naturally, when she gets to that famous chopped up, still-wriggling octopus. So that's the model diet secret we've been missing out on!
Related Stories:
· Seoul coverage [Jaunted]]]>
Seoul's streets are a traffic-clogged melee of taxis, commuters and scootering delivery boys--a place where rules appear to be absent and the sight of cars rolling down the sidewalk is fairly common. It goes without saying, then, that cycling in the city is taking your life into your hands. But when gas is up, you gotta do what you gotta do.
In response to climbing oil prices, says the JoongAng Daily, South Koreans are taking a more active interest in greener options. CJ Mall, a Korean shopping site, reported selling over 1,000 bicycles just in the last month, the most popular of which was a $480 folding bike made by Strida.
Seoul and several other South Korean cities even hold their own "Critical Mass"--a loosely organized monthly parade of urban cyclists that takes place worldwide. (Though the "mass" looks to be pretty scant compared with rides in New York or Chicago.)
If you're feeling brave, fold out your ride and roll with the other Seoul cyclists this weekend; they meet every third Saturday of the month in front of the Kwanghwamun gate at 4 pm sharp.
Related Stories:
· High Oil Prices Push People to Buy Green [JoongAng]
· Critical Mass Korea [Official Site]
· South Korea Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Ki-young Choi]]]>
South Koreans are still reeling after the nation's number one national treasure burned to its foundation early this week. The tragedy left locals and expats alike heartbroken amid Lunar New Year celebrations, and we're still shaking our heads in disbelief.
The Sungnyemun gate was more than 600 years old and had survived numerous foreign invasions and the Korean War--but it couldn't withstand the wrath of one crazy old man. Chae Mo, 69, apparently lit the wooden structure ablaze to draw attention to a personal land dispute. The kicker? Chae told police he had originally thought about attacking the subway system, but decided against it because he didn't want to hurt anybody--what a nice guy!
After an uproar about the lack of proper protection for the gate, the head of South Korea's cultural heritage administration turned in his resignation. The gate, which is more commonly referred to as Namdaemun, was near one of Korea's most famous open-air markets.
Related Stories:
· Fire Destroys Ancient Gate to Seoul [IHT]
· Suspect Admits to Sungnyemun Arson [The Marmot]
· Where Is Seoul's Namdaemun Gate? [Jaunted]
· Korea coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: hojusaram]]]>
An overnight fire all but destroyed one of Korea's national treasures, the 610-year-old Namdaemun Gate. There's no official word on what caused the fire, but rumors of arson are swirling.
The landmark was off-limits to tourists for nearly a century until the government re-opened it in 2006. We can totally see it being a site for The Amazing Race, set as it is in the center of a roundabout in the heart of modern bustling Seoul.
Related Stories:
· Fire Destroys South Korean Landmark [AP, via Google]
· South Korean Gate Destroyed in Fire [NYT]
· Korea's Number One National Treasure Burns [The Daily Transit]
· South Korea Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]>
We're of two minds about brunch. It can be terrific if you're on vacation with nothing to do. (We've got some fave spots in New York.) But it's become such a scene that the backlash has spawned T-shirts. (Like this one, spotted recently in Brooklyn.)
One place you won't find an anti-brunch crowd is Seoul, where American-style eats are catching on in a big way. A foursome eating French toast at Butterfinger Pancakes says the trend's caught on thanks to shows like Sex and the City and Friends, which are as popular in South Korea as in the States. The diner's owner says living abroad--in Oklahoma--inspired him to bring brunch to Asia.
There's no doubt platters like The Breakfast of Champions and Big Fat J's Omelet are different than the typical Korean breakfast of rice, soup and kimchi. So don't worry: If you wanna grab brunch next time you're in Seoul, we won't think you're a terrible person.
Related Stories:
· Brunch in Korea [PRI's The World]
· Butterfinger Pancakes Review [The Daily Kimchi]
· Brunch coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: New York Shitty]]]>