JEJUDO

On board the Eaststar Airlines, along with other fellow members of Korea Brand Communicator, we had a field trip to Jeju (Sept. 6-8, 2012). 

I did not know why I always sit right next to my Indian fellow, Bushan Kumar^^. Guess, we'd been together along everywhere we go on the trip organized by Korea Brand Communicator. 

We were so excited to have what we were going to experience in Jeju. Surely, it would be a great time for all of us. Okey, let's start...with......

Jeju Island...here we come..... What a beautiful island, Jeju is...

Ok, the first picture...comes from a sky captured by my friend, lee byul hyun, who was keen enough to seize the moment over the sky in Jeju. 

Another picture taken on board the Eaststar Airlnies. We were taking the 11.30 

 plane heading to Jeju International Airport, scheduled to arrive at 12.35.

Surely, I would'nt miss the chance to capture the boarding pass we got on our hand before boarding the plane...^^  

Ok, a little flash back of the commotion we made right in front of the ticket counter and some snack bar in Kimpo International Airport...

We took a pic but this time, with my not-that-smart smartphone camera....^^ it's dark. Or, the user is not smart since I did not know how to adjust the setting on the camera? (Chuckles^^^^^^.^.^)

OH, just to make it brief, after a 55 minute flight, we landed safely at Jeju International Airport where I noticed an exhibition on Indonesia at the arrival hall of the airport. Too bad, I did not have a chance to see what's being displayed.

The first notion that I got as soon as I stepped outside of the airport was....the palm trees that dotted the landscape and the surroundings...."WOW". I think I felt like not being in Korea...I was in a subtropical country..

A snapshot pic we took with my group. I think it was taken in Tamna Kingdom ruins where the legend of Jeju's first ancestors came from...

It was taken on the top of Ilchulbung, one of the wonders of Jeju. (more about JEJUDO on my other posts^^)

Bulgogi @ Insadong

Bulgogi? I think most Koreans love bulgogi or marinated barbecued beef (or chicken or pork). But, I think the one being served right here in this restaurant is the beef one. At least the one that we ordered. See the ambiance of the restaurant. It is a traditional yet modernly decorated one, right?

All of my friends ordered bulgogi, complete with its side dishes and rice.

The one we had was more like a 4-person menu so they could share the bill, later ^^. But, not to worry because the reason we had the bulgogi here is to experience the authentic Korean cuisine with the complimentary of the Korean Brand Communicator of which we are the member. ^^ How nice is that?^^

I ordered another dish specially for me, and it was bibimbab-like menu or mixed rice with lots vegetables on it. But, the one I ordered is a bit different since we had this heavily or strongly scented dwenjang (fermented soybeans) that I got to put into the vegetables so as to bring about the flavor.

A close-up look at the bulgogi that we ordered. There was a lot of mixed veggies on it that this meal serves itself as one of the most sought after meal, for its being healthy. Just think: mushroom, sprouts, beans, garlic, and even dates were all dipped and mixed into it.

A nice look on one of the side dishes that we ordered. 

Since I am really into veggies, I think it suited me most.^^

Another angle and shot of the bulgogi. After waiting for about 15 minutes or so, my friends finally got their appetite swagged by the delicacy that this special dish offered. 

Kimchi. What would a Korean meal without kimchi or fermented cabbage. This hot and spicy, yet refreshing dish is a must-have side-dish in almost all of Korean meal. 

My friends from Korea Brand Communicator: 정재아, 운희경, 윤갱, and Adel. 

This is the alley where we had our bulgogi. I think this is a typical alley that Insadong offers to its visitors. Lots of yogwan or losmen (in Indonesian) or hostels are mingled with cafes, restaurants, and tea-houses. 

It somewhat reminded me of Prawirotaman or any alleys that I used to find back home in Malioboro, Jogjakarta. A similar look reminded me of my hometown.

Lost in the midst of Tea - Scented Alley

where else..but...in Insadong. Insadong being the famous place for all-antique-traditional and at times at the same time...contemporary blend of Korean culture is a place to be when you are into something like old-day Korean tea-house.

and..that's where we were going to that day. Along with a bunch of friends from the Presidential Council on Nation Branding in Korea, we went there to sip and enjoy the ubiquitous atmosphere being offered there. I had seojeonghwa or a cinnamon tea. (I think this was what I drank). And the best part about this place...was that...no matter how much you drink...all the snacks or gwaja are free. So, we got served with ample of Korean traditional gwaja

This was the door leading to the tea house that we went to. If only the red-mark notice on the door was omitted, it would've been nicer...giving more an authentic traditional look on it. ^^

Korea-Japan Cultural Show

Heoreum Theater at The National Theater of Korea. It was a bit windy and cold evening. But, we were so excited to be there since we were about to see the Cultural fusion between Korea and Japan.

In front of the lobby during the intermission.

 My Friend from India, Kumar, has got the best seat in the middle. 

We ll, during the preparation we could just take pictures of ourselves. 

But...too bad..we were not allowed to take any pictures during the show.

May 16, 2012. 

국립극장에서 봤던 한일문화교류 연작시리즈 첫 번째가 정말 흥미진진했다. 아주 멋있었다. 한국 전통무용은 물론 있었죠.^^ 한국 발레와 일본 발레까지 직접 볼 수 있어서 정말 기뻤다. 더 이상...

.더욱 재미있는 건 없는 줄 알았는데 내가 틀렸었다. 

It was such a thrilling show. VEry Veery creative. Of course, apart from being able to see the Korean traditional musical dances,  we could also see the Korean ballet.

한국 전통군무 주로....복의 대합주 (?)란 공연이 참 눈의 보양이었다. 

그런 표현이 있는데 귀(?)의 보양 같은 표현이 있을 까? ^^ 크고 작은 북들은 한자리에 모아, 각각의 북들의 소리의 높낮이 및 크기의 차이를 느낄 수 있어서 와......신났다. ^^

It was really a feast to the eyes and ears. I was impressed by the percussion show which showed all kinds of percussion from small tiny parts until the huge ones for us to be able to differentiate the sound in such a rewarding way.

What a great night indeed that was. 

제1부 공연이 흥미로운 여행처럼 그렸다. 제2부 공연은 제1부의 아름다움을 뛰어넘을 수 있을까라고 기대했는데....it just DID. 한국을 대표하는 피아니스트 이루마 씨는 'WOW'한 + 끝없는 뮤직을 보여주었다. 

The first part was like a time travel to the past. The 2nd part was more like a jump into the beauty of contemporary world. Korea's renowned pianist Iruma just wowed us.

Then...I was also flabbergasted by the 조화로운 뮤지컬 퓨전 (fusion) between 사물놀이 (주로 장고+꽹과리)와 일본에서 온 샹샹타이푼 밴드.  간단히 말하면 표현할 수 없는 공연이었다. 

Thanks to 국가브랜드위원회 for providing us with an insightful program like this.^^

After the show, of course...as usual, we took pictures with some of the members who preferred to stay a bit longer. 

Nation Branding & E-Government Symposium

A view I took from the 19th floor of Korea Press Center on May 3, 2012. I was attending the International Symposium on Nation Branding & E-Government hosted by the Presidential Council on Nation Branding & the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, Korea. 

Indeed, what a bright afternoon it was. I still vividly remembered that particular day.

The skyline of Seoul pretty much summed up what the future of this country holds. At least this is pretty much of what I learned that day.

This was the last session of the symposium where a topic on E-Government Session was being delivered. With speakers like Prof. Karen Mossberger from University of Illinois, Prof. Dukjin Chang from Seoul National University, and Prof. M. Jae Moon from Yonsei University. 

Once again, I took a chance of shooting the atmosphere below from above the 19th floor. Gwanghwamun area as one of the main thoroughfares of Seoul metropolitan was visible. I felt like the venue could not have been any better than this for such a symposium like this. Why so? Korea has been in its journeys through discoveries and endeavors to have its ever-gleaming brand in the 21st century intact. So, this symposium was indeed one of the myriad steps this country has been-- currently-- taking to pursue that goal. 

Another shot of Gwanghwamun area.

Injeungshot 인증셧  or the picture I got to take to prove myself as being one of the attendees to the meeting. With friends from Korea and India, I took the time to do so. This is one of the many advantages I may get through my official membership of the Korea Brand Communicator. ^^

** I learned a lot about Nation Branding & E-Government issues that day. 

World Students in Korea, the 6th Batch: First meeting

I could not be happier than this.
As to why?
Well....it is simple, really.
The things I do love doing through the internet, e.g. blogging...or jotting down my thoughts and ideas on the net....has put me into ...or has made me to be one of the appointee of the World Students in Korea program--a program initiated by Korea's Presidential Council on Nation Branding (국가브랜드위원회). Well..for sure..it is a happy thought in itself.

The headquarter of
 the Presidential Council on Nation Branding

How come?
I think I must've been one of the luckiest ones among lots of students who wanted to be in the program (I suppose).
So, upon reading an announcement posted on my campus last year, I deliberately sent my application to the Presidential Council on Nation Branding.
Of course, one of the important requirements that I needed to show was....the mere fact that anyone willing to be the appointee....should have a blog of his/her own. And I DO have one.^^
That was like...a too good to be true--kind of joys.
Now.....I am officially appointed to be the members of this World Students in Korea as of February 29, 2012. What a nice day to appoint someone..since it was a LEAP year, after all. Cool, eh?

Welcoming Address by 이배용 위원장

That day, all of the fellow members of the 6th batch of this World Student was invited to have the first meeting or called "2012 브랜드 커뮤니케이터 신년하례식'  or literally translated, it would be the 2012s Brand Communicator Congratulatory Ceremony".
I was happy since I met lots of new friends who were also the new members of this 6th batch.
What's more could I want...than having to be in the circles of people with the same interests in blogging and at the same ....learning something or lots of new things in and out of Korea..or Korea-related stuffs.
More than that, the first day gave me an impression that the Presidential Council on Nation Brandind does its best to serve its purpose of bringing Korea to the world and the world to Korea vice versa.
The welcoming speech and the first lecture by 이배용 위원장 also highlighted the spirits of the Council. She knows and masters her niche so well that I learn a lot from her that day.

yugwa, bram tteok, gyeongdan, yakgwa,
& citron tea (not in the pic.)

Then....the simplest refreshment offered to us....was also too nice to refrain myself from not eating them. The Korean traditional refreshments did entice me.
Then...Pansori show, the daegum, the gayageum, and the samulnori show also....stole the attention of the new members.
I myself became so drawn into the sheer pleasure of listening to Pansori...LIVE....^^ I did not know that Pansori could be so interesting like that. I always thought of it as something so long and drawn out...But I was wrong.

Full-fledged show or "tasting show"
on various Korean traditional musical ensemble

So, the first meeting of our 6th Batch...was splendidly carried out...that it gave me an impression...wow...what a thrilling ride of the year ahead of me....by joining and being the official member of the World Students in Korea^^
Can't wait for another more exciting programs from this.