Lately the big news out of Universal Studios has been all Harry Potter all the time, and we couldn’t be more excited. However, officials have been busy thinking about some other theme park opportunities, and they’ve inked a deal to bring the magic of Hollywood to South Korea. Despite some slight delays and a temporary lack of funding, the newest Universal Studios will open when 2014 rolls around in Hwaseong City—not too far outside Seoul.

The cranes and bulldozers are set to start turning up the earth next year. There will be the new park, condos, a golf course, and even a water park. The price tag on this whole project is about $2.67 billion, so we’re kind of expecting only the best of the best. No cutting corners here—maybe Universal saw what Disney’s impressive overseas offerings in Hong Kong were all about. ]]> kjb 2010-02-04T08:30:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/10/91316/3754

The results are in, and Incheon Airport near Seoul in South Korea has been crowned the best airport in the world. The Skytrax survey people say they've spent ten months surveying almost nine million passengers and Incheon wins.

No doubt it helps that Incheon Airport has a casino, golf course and indoor gardens; we've only flown in and out of there twice but have nothing but good memories—the airport advice counter actually found us a great place to stay even when we arrived without a booking in the middle of the World Cup a few years back.

And if you're after a good airport experience, this survey definitely says that you've got to stick with Asia. Hong Kong International Airport came in at a close number two, and Singapore's Changi Airport was put in third place by just a few votes. Three more Asian airports made it into the top ten, with Zurich, Munich, Amsterdam and Auckland getting the other big votes.

Related Stories:
· Seoul's Incheon Airport Voted Best [CNN]
· Big Korean Airport Makes Friends With Jin Air [Jaunted]
· Changi Airport Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: riNux] ]]> amandak 2009-06-10T10:40:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/23/13318/6510

In South Korea, where vanity is not a sin but a lifestyle, it is not uncommon for people to go in for a weekly haircut in order to maintain a their preferred look. As a result, Seoul is one place where you are always guaranteed to score an awesome hairdo at a hip salon for under $15; it's a favorite economical sort of pampering.

Feeling adventurous, we tried out this trend in the chair at Leechard ProHair in the Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul, an area known for its high-heel hockers in the day and clubgoers at night. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-01-23T10:07:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/22/21118/7156

Remember last year and the press buzz around that traveling capsule of brand vanity created by Zaha Hadid and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, called "Mobile Art?" Citing weak financials, the structure was grounded and retired after only making it through half of its worldwide stops, but apparently this has only inflamed rival Prada with more desire to carry out a copycat project.

Currently under construction on the ground of the Gyeonghui Palace in central Seoul, South Korea, is what is being called the Prada "Transformer." A tetrahedron-shaped structure designed by the architect behind their revolutionary Manhattan store, Rem Koolhaas, the temporary building will not be traveling like the Chanel orb, but will instead be firmly grounded in Seoul from March through August. Should the 65-foot tall structure prove popular however, there is rumor that it could be carted to a few more cities badly in need of a luxury goods injection. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-01-22T13:10:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/4/10/14156/3064 bitching about low quality margaritas at South-worst-ern restaurant Imagine Bar and Grill. Feh--the food could have been a lot worse. Like, Fear Factor worse.

This video of a live, or recently dispatched, octopus being consumed in Seoul drives that point home. The chewer in question seems happy about the whole ordeal. Good for him, but didn't we demand to eat something from the non-squirming section?

]]> AVB 2006-04-10T14:01:56-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/