CGV @ I Park Mall in Yongsan

Just got back from the CGV Cinema at Yongsan I Park Mall. I was about to go home when I bumped (deliberately^^) into this huge cinema complex. It was a last minute decision actually. But, being a movie freak....I just could not resist the temptation of not going there ... 

Did not have much time..so I just checked out what movies were available.

Wish the Ironman 3 was on..but I guess I got to be back again next week. 

So, I watched 'The Host" (hmm...not that quite interesting movie but..some scenes indeed are breathtaking). 

As usual, I like to take pictures of the CGV cinema and what it looks like. I think this one is pretty impressive, too. If only it were not that far from home, I would make it as my priority venue for movie experience. 

But ...once in a while I think this CGV at I Park Mall is worth-trying, too.

Times Square....+ I Park

Still at the Times Square @ Yongdeungpo district. "Daddy, please take my a picture of me!"

What about the three of you, right there?

"Now this is what I would call something"^^

Wait, this is not at Times Square..but instead, it was another day when we went to I Park at Yongsan. We went there to buy some phone for mommy. She needed one.

As for the kids, they were happy to find a coin-operated Tayo bus that they love watching. 

This is a video I took while waiting for the bus to get us home from a one-day trip. It was late at night but somehow the kids still managed to find some time dancing and singing. Gosh, are they never tired?

Coex Mall

Frankly speaking, I am a kind of mall boy/mall man myself. I mean: I love going to the malls just to see how people interact and mingle with one another in a shopping center. Not that I love shopping, No. I just kinda love to see the different outdoor (though malls are mostly indoor)^^ activities bestowed upon my eyes. And...more than that...I also love the feeling of being in the midst of crowds. Strange, eh?

So, back home either in Jogjakarta or in Jakarta, I used to go to the malls twice a  week. Especially, I love the malls back home in Jakarta with its high sophisticated and full-of-cultural shows they have to offer (though most of them are wrapped in economy-driven or hedonistic atmosphere)^^

But that does not refrain me from not going^^(but...pls. keep in mind...that I am NOT into shopping spree^). I'm more of a onlooker^^

Now that I am living in Seoul, the capital of Korea....I also cannot refrain myself from not going to the malls—though I have to admit the the concept of mall here is somewhat different from those of backhome’s.

But..that’s the challenges.

So, up to now...I Park Mall and Coex mall are two of the representatives of the malls that I like visiting right here in Seoul. No other reasons than both of them somewhat.....represent ...what the malls backhome were like. (still, quite different).

So, this time around, I took my family to Coex mall located at Samsong-dong. It’s the business district in Gangnam area where most of luxury hotels and major company’s headquarters are located.

The World Trade Center, the COEX Aquarium, the huge exhibition halls, and of course ..waif for it....Megabox (one of the early huge cineplex in Seoul) are all there in one place. So, being there could be a refreshing idea to spend a weekend or any day in a week.......But mind you...it would not be so refreshing for the pockets^^; for most of them are not cheap. ^^

So, the kids love going there simply for taking another view of what Seoul has to offer for its residents as well as for its visitors.

See the pics: the kids love balloons and hopla...they always make sure that balloons are in their itineraries. (sigh^^). Then, the books. Yes, shopping and hunting for books are what I mostly like, so I have become a regular member of Bandi and Luni’s Bookstore and Kyobo bookstore (two of the biggest bookstores in Seoul—I assume).

 Well, this is pretty much of what we did in Coex mall.

Yongsan Electronic Market

The theme of today's program was taking our friend, Jobirson, to Yongsan where eventually he bought his Toshiba notebook that he'd been dreaming of.
The trip started at 10 in the morning. There were 6 of us: me, Jobirson, Felix, Wawan, Hwa son (Jobirson's roommate), and Nassef (his first day out since almost 2 week of hibernation:) hehehe
The trip to Yongsan took about 35 minutes by metro. During the trip, we were talking over what we would do for the whole day.
Then, arrive we did.
It turned out that Yongsan has changed dramatically since the last time I went there about 8 years ago. Yes, 8 years ago. I did not see the old rustic and hot feeling of being there. Instead, I was greeted by the gigantic mall covering the whole section of the station. It is called I'Park Mall. The newest landmark that represent the high-tech future of Korea. It is a one stop life-style kind-of mall that I can find back home in Jakarta. Well, Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall is still bigger and upscale than this one.
But, I think this concept is relatively new to Seoul...and I love it.
I feel like being in malls in Indonesia where we can relax and enjoy the atmosphere....instead of other department stores where there are no seats but escalators to every levels with no --once again -- resting areas.
Once again, I think it is worth-visiting again and again.
Enough said.

After strolling the three large store of at least 5-floor each,  we ended up buying the laptop at a store where one girl from the Philippines was having her part-time job there. It turned out to be so. Nassef actually was the one who spotted her. So, we ended up receiving a good bargain, there.
Jobirson bought the notebook for only 480,000 Won with specifications as he wanted it to be.
and for Nassef....he bought the external hard disk that he wanted.
As for us....we were just accompanying them.
Actually, we were planning to buy cellular phones; but it turned out to be quite impossible to buy one without showing our alien cards--which we have not yet received:) So, we held back the temptation of buying one--at least up to next week.

Ah..actually, before buying those stuffs, we were so desperately hungry--especially Felix and Hwa Son--who kept insisting on having the lunch first instead of shopping.
We did:)
So, we did our lunch at a Fusion Japanese restaurant where I found Nasi Goreng. Yes, it caught my attention since it was written in Hangeul. It turned out to be seafood nasi goreng (fried rice).
I love it.
Had a great day.
Then, I went to the bookstore inside I Park mall where I ended up buying a book on English grammar with Korean explanation. Worth it, though.
--then off I went to Indonesian embassy in Youido where I wanted to meet my friend, Florian, who was teaching some students and Koreans alike. He is a dance teacher, for the record.
--one more thing, I met my old good friend, Sidum who is now an officer at the Embassy.
I went to his apartment where I met his wife and two lovable daughters.
They invited me for a dinner.
we had this big dinner where we had pajeon and kuksu with fish ( of course I did not eat the fish). The meal was great. It was a great dinner for me. Thanks, Sidum:)
Oh, Sidum also brought me one pack of noodles for vegetarian. Indeed, it is.
I am so glad that there is this particularly / specially made noodles for vegetarians like me.
hmm....I would try it later.
At around 9 p.m. I was heading back home to dormitory.
It was a long and joyful day.