2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 2,000 times in 2010. That’s about 5 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 31 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 53 posts. There were 81 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 14mb. That’s about 2 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was March 1st with 36 views. The most popular post that day was Glorious Han-river[night-view].

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were WordPress Dashboard, en.search.wordpress.com, en.wordpress.com, mail.live.com, and sparklingchelsea.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for seorae village, modern waterfall, joseon dynasty, snow falling from the sky, and hunminjeongeum.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Glorious Han-river[night-view] October 2009
3 comments

2

King Sejong(Joseon Dynasty) February 2010
2 comments

3

Seoul’s Beverly Hills (Seorae village) January 2010
3 comments

4

Beauty Of the World, Seoul December 2009
8 comments

5

Golden Bell in our school! February 2010
1 comment

2010 WorldCup＆Red Devils

Have you all enjoyed the fantastic Festival, 2010 South Africa WorldCup?

It sure was an amazing days for all over the world.

Did you know South Korea made the top 16?

All of our players were did their best on the field.

Have you heard of Korea’s street cheering? It’s scale is hard to imagine.

More than million people went out to cheer for the Korea’s game.

Those people who wears red t-shirt and cheer for South Korea are called…..

THE RED DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It sure is amazing how Koreans are all so enthusiastic about the WorldCup!

And I found some proud people who went to South Africa and attended game with advertising about Dokdo!!

You all know Dokdo is Korea’s territory right? They are proud Koreans trying to tell everyone in the world the fact that Dokdo is Korea’s territory.

It sure was amazing festival, 2010 South Africa WorldCup!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Lunar New Years’ day!

Every country has its own style of celebrating their New Years’ day.

In Korea, Lunar New Years’s day is a major holiday. Every family visits their hometown to meet their whole family and enjoy their day with talking, eating or playing games.

Now let’s start our Korean New Years’ day trip!

First, it’s the food that we’re very proud of. In Lunar New Years’ day, women are very busy preparing foods for the visitors. Anyways let’s have a look!

This is called tteokguk(sliced rice pasta soup). We eat this soup every on New years day. It means we’re getting a year older. The taste of this soup is exquisite! You should all try this.

And this is called, ‘Jeon’. Simply it’s a kind of fried food. There are countless number of ingredients people use. But the most popularly used are the sweet potato, young pumpkin and fish. They are not only tasty but also good looking.

Second of all, let me show you the traditional plays we do and did by our ancestors.

this game shown in the picture is called, ‘Yoot’. Not many people play this game thesedays but it is one of the top games we play on New Years’ day. The rule is quite simple. Player throw those sticks in the picture and move the position through out the number. Those sticks are like the idea of a dice.

This game is called ‘Jegi’. It’s so simple. You just have to kick the Jegi but trying to not drop it at the same time. This game is played in every generation because it’s so popular!

Third, the most important thing about Lunar New Years’ day! The commemorative rites for the ancestors.

Every family gives this event to wish good luck and happiness. We prepare many foods and arrange those sincerely on the table. Many visitors come to this event and pray good luck to our ancestors.

People wear Korean traditional uniform ‘Hanbok’ and bow. Its name in Korea is called ‘Cha-rye’. After the ritual we celebrate the New Year with enjoying the food. It’s a huge festival!

Last but not least, it’s the gifts and cash for the younger! Wonder what this is? It’s the legendary cash gifts from the elder aftering bowing for them! At this point, we, kids and teenagers are so excited with the pocket money we got

Also adults get their cash gifts too! The photo under is a picture of my parents and my uncle, aunt getting their cash gifts from our grandparents!

Other than the cash gifts, people deliver or give in person their loved gifts to their neighbors, relatives and friends. So when it comes to Lunar New Years’ day season, all the markets and stores are booming through the crowds buying their gifts for their families.

Those Korean style rice cookies and snacks are very popular as a new year gift. Judging from this gifting tradition we can say that Koreans are very warm-hearted to their surrounding people.

So did you enjoy having a trip about Korea’s Lunar New Years’ Day? I wish you could all join us! ^_^

Enjoy Your Day with Seoul Metro!

Almost every country has its own subway system right?

However some of the subways in certain countries are quite dangerous to use in daily lives.

But! I can proudly say that Seoul’s metro system is almost perfect in its design, safety and convenience.

Subway system really is one of the best things we are proud of in Seoul. With this transportation we can travel every single places in Seoul. It is not only cheap but also fast and safe. So when you get a great chance to visit Seoul, feel free to use the subway!

Let’s see around how Seoul Metro is like!

↑These are some photos of entrance to the subway and views inside the station. There are many small-scaled art museum and artistic advertisements in this area.

Now, let me show you how to use the subway properly!

↑You see that screen? It’s a subway ticket machine! It’s very easy to use the service. First orange one is a ticket that can only be used once and the Green one is a ticket for the senior citizen to get a free ticket. Next the Blue one is to recharge the T-money card which is a name for Seoul’s transportation card. Isn’t it simple and cute? I like recharging my T-money card with this machine

Now let’s have a look to the entrance to the underground subway!

↑ These are the pictures of entrance to the subway. You put your ticket in or just touch your T-money card on this machine. Third photo is a view of Kids Only entrance! This is for the young kids who doesn’t have to pay the ticket. Kids love going through this entrance! Next photo shows the convenient way for the disabled. It will be no problem with a wheelchair going through.

↑ I’m sure you must have been wondering how it looks like inside! It will never disappoint you. On the sides of the railroad, there is a long platform screen-door to make sure the passengers are safe. When the train arrives, the screen-door opens automatically. On the inside of the train, there are seats on the both sides and has an automatic door in each track. And of course, there are many seats for seniors,disabled and pregnant ladies.

With this Seoul Metro’s amazing quality service, you can visit anywhere you want! There are many attractive stations you can visit. Such as Myungdong, Gyeongbokgung, Anguk, Dongdaemun station. Promise me that you’ll visit every single stations that are magnificant!

Come and visit many of our Seoul Metro’s wonderful stations and meet the impressive system and enjoy the great service

Yeh! My Winter Holidays

It’s winter holiday term right now in Seoul!

Want to know how Seoulite student spend time during this period? Let me tell you my days~

First! Eventhough it’s holiday, students gotta study! right? In our school student still goes to school to have a lesson but only till the noon. With this, we can prevent ourselves from oversleeping and can still have my break time afternoon!  And almost every Korean students go to academies to keep up with the school and to make a great score to go university.

 

Second! I meet with my friends to go to skating, having lunch, or to have a birthday party! This is all very quality time for me to enjoy with my friends.

Third! I spend my time with my Seoul Breeze reporter friend HyeonJeong:)  We went to a restaurant to eat lunch and went to cafe to drink coffee with talking about our daily lives. Also we went to the bookstore to see the books that are interesting and listened to music which was fascinating.

Last but not least, when I feel bored I like taking pictures of me haha:) It’s a really good way of killing time right?

So these were the ways how I spent through my winter holidays!  Are you similar to my daily lives?

well most of students in Seoul might spend time like me but who knows? Enjoy yourself more in Seoul!

Winter Sports Fiesta in Seoul

Finally! It’s the end of the year now.

How can we brilliantly end this year and start the new year?

With Seoul’s fantastic winter sports, it would be like a huge Fiesta!

There are several kinds of winter sports. Want to know what they are?

Ready, Set, Go!

First! Ice-Skating＆Sled

↑ At Gwanghwamun square, Seoul opened a grand Ice-rink.

Because of the Christmas season, there were tons of people in this area but considering its costs and worthy, it was one of the best things  I did in this winter. See the fourth photo? It’s a view of children riding their sled. Aren’t they so cute!

↑ Another Ice-rink! This one is located in Lotteworld. Lotteworld is a amusement park in Seoul. This Ice-rink is one of the biggest Ice-rinks in Korea. With the thrill of figure skating, we can have a unforgettable experience with our friends or family.

If you think of Figure skating, what is the first thing that reminds you?

I’m sure most of you would think the same with me.

Kim Yuna! She is the queen on the ice. I guess Fiqure skating sure is a trend thesedays.

Second! Snowboarding!

↑Can you believe your sight? There are snowboarders performing right in the middle of a city.

This shows that Seoul is capable of turning impossible into possible.

In the photo and the video, we can see that 2009 Gwanghwamun Snowboard Big-air Worldcup surely has made a huge enthusiasm into us.

Snowboarding is popularly known as a winter sport and is highly famous among youngs.

Third! Skiing!

↑It’s a legendary winter sport, SKI!

It is the most beloved winter sport through the world. And Seoul is not exceptional! Every winter season, ski resorts are always too crowded with overflowing population.

With these not only exciting but also energetic winter sports, we can have a perfect time end of the year and start of the new year.

Winter Olympics is not so far away and we can all enjoy Seoul’s winter sports just like having a FIESTA!!!!!!

Hanok Almighty

Is there anyone heard of Hanok?

Hanok is a traditional Korean style house.

Where can we find these beautiful Hanoks?

“Bukchon Village(North village)”

In the history, this village was a residential place for upper class people. And those upper class people lived in Hanoks.

But in the 1970s, there was a time when everywhere was developed by the industrialization. Because of that, Bukchon village lost some parts of it’s own traditional beauty.

However, Seoul is trying its best to make Bukchon more traditional and antique like in the old times.

But for now, let’s find out pictures of Bukchon and seek our Hanoks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

↑  This picture on the top is a photo of inside the Hanok.

         You can find out weird looking jars in the middle.

         These jars are called Hang-ari. It usually contains soy sauce, Kimchi or Korean redpepper paste (gochujang)

         We vary these jars until it’s ingredient ripens. It is known for the benefit of breathing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

↑    Walking through the Bukchon village, I found this colorful view of persimmon and pavilion.

↑These are the roads between the Hanoks.

 

    ↑ Following along the hill, we can see the magnificent view of the Namsan Tower and Seoul City.

 

 

 

 

 

↑This is the view from the top of Bukchon village.

Bukchon Village is also called Bukchon Hanok Village. This is because there are a large number of Hanoks in this area.

I’m sure most of you don’t know what Hanok actually is. If you get to know what Hanok really is, you’re going to be a huge fan of Hanoks.

Let’s talk about the charming characteristics of Hanok.

First, nowadays many people are worried about ‘sick house syndrome’. But with green materials made for Hanoks, there are absolutely no harmful chemical pollutants that would make us sick. It is made with rocks, woods and straws. It sure is completely green to out environment.

Second, with its ‘Ondol’, you don’t have to worry about being cold in winter. Ondol is a korean traditional underfloor heating system. From the time the heat is on, it does not go away soon. It will last all day long. It’s very appealing part of Hanok.

Third, the main floored room is located at outdoors of the house. So in summer, there would be no worries about the sweltering heat.

Fourth, under the roof and doors, there are small chinks in order to help the circulation of the air. This kind of work makes the atmosphere more clean and fresh.

Last but not least, design of Hanoks are all masterpieces of design. The roof and column’s harmony is not only delicate but also brilliant.

Now.. what do you think of Hanoks? There is no doubt that Hanoks are omnipotent. That’s why we call it

“HANOK ALMIGHTY”

If you’d like to see a real Hanok, you might as well visit Bukchon village in Seoul!

Piece of a sad movie, Duksugung

‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘ Titanic’…….. Have you watched these movies before?

These are the movies famous for their sad story.

But besides those movies, we can find a real heartbreaking scenario inside a palace.

Want to know about what happened to that mysterious palace?

↑ This is the picture of entrance to this palace.. ‘Deoksugung’  (the entrance’s name is Daehanmun)

   Deoksugung is one of the five royal palace in Seoul. The name of this palace means “Palace of virtue 

   and signifies longevity”. This was for the hope of Emperor Gojong’s long life.

   This palace is located in the middle of Seoul’s busiest downtown.

   ↑ It’s stone-wall road is very elegant and popular.

   Even some of the famous song’s names are ‘Deoksugung stone-wall road’.

  ↑  Walking through the Daehanmun, you can see the strange looking animal stone-made monument.

     This mysterious animal’s name is ‘Suksu’ meaning animal made of rock. Between the monuments, there is a

     picture  

     that seems to have been damaged. It is believed that during the times when Japan controlled Korea, Japanese

      purposely made children to play over the rock ignoring the fact that this ‘rock’ is a cultural asset.  

↑ This gorgeous and spectacle structure’s name is ‘Junghwajeon’. It is the main hall of the palace, and was used for 

   greeting the foreing envoys and throwing a party for the occasions. The day I went to Deoksugung to study, there

   was a huge rehearsal to Traditional Korean Clothes Festival. Models were posing infront of the magnificant

   ‘Junghwajeon’.

↑ This is the picture of  ‘Deokhongjeon’. The small statues of animals were not only attractive but also interesting.

  It is said that ancestors believed they would always keep them safe. ‘Deokhongjeon’ was used for receiving high-

  ranking officials and foreign envoys. It is also very interesting to find there is a chandelier connected to electricity.

↑ This structure’s name is ‘Hamnyeongjeon’ where emperor Gojong always sleeped and sadly died. This place was

    destroyed by a purposely set fire by Japanese, but Gojong rebuilt the place and spent his life till he died. Gojong’s  

    death is believed that he was poisoned by Japanese. When he was found dead, his lips were blue and his body was

    full of blue dots because of the poison.

↑ This is a photo of the royal family. Gojong, who loved Deoksugung more than anyone, is in the middle of the

   picture. Gojong’s wife and her daughter is also taking place right next to Gojong.

 

↑ This structure is very unique compared to other designs of Korea’s traditional style building. It is said that the

    architect of this building was a Russian. That’s why the design of this structure is a bit different. It is a combination

    of Orient and Western. Gojong used to enjoy tea and coffee in this place.

↑Lastly, the ‘Seokjojeon’, a western-style stone building mainly used as a audience hall. Inside the building there is a

  reception hall and waiting room. On the second floor, there are Gojong’s bedrooms where Gojong sleeped

  occasionally. This building shows that the ‘Deoksugung’ is a great combination of elegant Orient and spectacle

  Western.