Seoul is Love

[seoulislove]

[Pyeongtaek] ‘Happy Hanteo’ cafe

This ‘Happy Hanteo’ cafe was posted on IU’s instagram (they probably passed by this place while filming for the Moon Lovers drama).

Location : 경기 평택시 현덕면 권관리 404-5 (Map) - It’s nearby this ship-like structure, a filming location for the drama Doctor Stranger Opening hours: Unknown

The cafe sells coffee, bingsu (shaved ice), as well as hodu gwaja (walnut snack).

[seoulislove]

My Korea travel apps

Actually, with Daum Maps and the Subway app, you can pretty much get around fine in Korea. If you can’t read Korean, Google Maps, is pretty good too, but not as accurate. Daum Maps will even tell you the old and new location of a certain shop, in case you go to the wrong location. Both have street view as well, which you should definitely use (while on wifi).

After so many years, Skyscanner is still the best app to search across airlines for prices. I love the filter features by time, price, airlines and so on. I have Scoot and Expedia as well, just in case I want to compare prices and promotions. Expedia is quite convenient to use and I like the simple interface. Airbnb has been pretty good if finding me comfortable lodging and the hosts I’ve met have been great too. 

I like using EG Sim Card and changing to a Korean sim card whenever I go to Korea, so that I have a Korean number. It makes things much more convenient and I don’t need to charge a wifi egg. This is probably more worth it if you’re staying for at least around 2 weeks though. I realised that foreigners can’t seem to book train tickets using the KTX app though. 

This is just well.. colouring LOL. Really good for passing time during flight delays and stuff like that.

This ahjumma stuff is really useful for discounts to theme parks, museums, etc. Bought a hanbok trying/photography session once as well for 15,000won (wrote a review somewhere below). I browse these all the time then ask oppa to buy the coupons for me lol. I don’t think foreigners can shop for coupons here on your own.

[seoulislove]

Moon Lovers drama filming locations

1. Yoseonjeong Pavilion and Yoseonam Rock (요선정, 요선암)

More info

2. Namwon Gwanghanru (남원광한루)

More info

3. Naju Image Theme Park (나주영상테마파크)

More info

4. Wolhwawon Garden (월화원)

More info

5. Seodongyo theme park (서동요 테마파크)

More info

6. Seonunsa temple (선운사)

More info

More filming locations here

[seoulislove]

More new places to visit in Seoul

Makgeoli Salon / 막걸리 싸롱

How to get there: Sinchon station exit 3 (map)

Blog review / menu in Korean

I thought the place was decent and I liked the honey makgeoli but the guys didn’t quite enjoy it. The jeon we ordered was kinda overcooked too, but that seems to be their style based on other instagram photos I saw.

Line Friends Flagship Store

How to get there: Itaewon station exit 3 (map)

Details

The other flagship store with the giant Brown in the shop is at garosu-gil (map).

Jebidabang / 제비다방

How to get there: Sangsu station exit 3 (map)

Website

Cath’s Cafe / 캐스 카페 (CLOSED DOWN)

How to get there: Angguk station exit 1 (map)

Menu and blog review

Hongdae couple ring making cafe  http://blog.naver.com/kmjong12/220531688801

Hongdae mug decorating cafe http://blog.naver.com/hyuneh0202/220532449913

Hongdae La Douce 3d latte http://blog.naver.com/champagnesupernova/220550608007

Hongdae Meet Fresh cheap waffles http://blanchepoupe.tistory.com/487#.Vlu2WN8rKi4

Hongdae Humming Bella cake-icecream http://blog.naver.com/daramjoohee/220549143089

Hongdae RedBig yummy tarts http://samsung1124.blog.me/220543482442

Cafe Ann House (Hongdae) http://blog.naver.com/nimut_s/220531527608

[seoulislove]

[HOW TO GET THERE] Good Food Day Cafe and Restaurant

Opened by IU’s mum, dad and aunt, the restaurant offers Italian pasta, pizza and pilaf. Everyone seems to recommend the gorgonzola pizza. Below is a more detailed daum streetview of how to get there. Please note that they are closed on Sundays. Opening hours are shown below.

Location: 서대문구 충정로3가 3-31 (map) Getting there: Chungjeongno station, Exit 8 Opening hours: Mon to Sat (Lunch 11:30~14:00, Dinner 17:00~21:00) Price: See menu (on fancafe)

Directions to the cafe/restaurant

1. Once you come out from Chungjeongno station Exit 8, you should see Twosome Cafe on your right. Turn into the small road on your left where that Hyundai truck is going.

2. Continue walking down the road and you’ll find yourself going towards the right and past the Korea Art Conservatory (that arch there).

3. Keep walking straight until the end of the road where you see those green boards.

4. Turn left into the tiny road which is dark and scary at night...

5. Omg so scarehh... It’s okay. Keep walking down this road.

6. Once you come out of the road, you’ll see these shophouses. Cross the road and turn right (follow where the red backpack ahjumma below is going).

7. Keep walking down this tree-lined street until you see the blue street sign saying “Gyeonggidae-ro 5-gil”. YES! Turn into the road it points to.

8. Omg I think I can see the roof of Good Food Day Cafe at the end of this road! Finally~~

9. On daum streetview, the building is still the old one. It should look like this instead. Once you walk in you will see this flight of stairs leading up to the cafe. This is my photo and it was evening by the time I got there, so it’s kinda dark. Oh look IU standee inside waiting for you!

Written by squishyblob with love

[seoulislove]

[Review] Finding accoms in Seoul

I realised I’ve never done a post recommending Airbnb before, even though I’ve used it a lot. Previously, I wrote a post on really cheap hostels in Seoul, though prices may have changed by now. This post is just a review of some of the good Airbnb places I’ve stayed at and in case you decide to stay at an Airbnb place, you can use my Airbnb referral link too.

Staying in Gangnam, Garosugil (currently SGD77/night for 2)

Among the many different hostels I’ve stayed at previously, I really liked this room that I found through Airbnb the best. This is a double room with a toilet and mini-kitchen and TV and aircon and fridge and washing machine like omg. It’s really as spacious as the photos looked and my friend and I even invited our bfs over for dinner. Yes! We finally decided to go down to Lotte Mart at Seoul Station and bought stuff to cook. (The only problem with Gangnam is that the big supermarkets are kind of far away -.- There’s a minimart just downstairs though.) Well, we cooked the pasta and veggies, but bought the pre-roasted chicken just to play safe. There’s a microwave oven too anyway. Like every single important thing you need is available, I’m serious.

It’s in one of the small alleys that branch out from Garosugil, Gangnam’s famous trendy/fashion street. Lots of cool cafes, brands, etc. IU’s sony gallery was on the street too, like I was just walking down the street and BAM! hello IU~ Currently, there’s a Line pop-up store there as well for those who like Line Friends.

The nearest station is Sinsa Station, which is 23 mins away from Seoul Station (subway map), so it’s not too bad, from Incheon Airport, you can just transfer at Seoul Station, then Chungmuro Station.

Staying at Hoehyeon Station (currently SGD 62/night for 2)

At first, you must be wondering, what’s Hoehyeon Station? Well actually it’s the station in between Seoul Station and Myeongdong Station, so you can get to the airport quickly (to see IU leaving/arriving lol no i’m just kidding) or go shopping easily, but this neighbourhood isn’t as noisy/crowded at night.

Similar to the room above, this one had a private toilet, mini-kitchen, fridge, TV, washing machine, but it’s a single bed with an additional roll-out bed. (When the bed is rolled out, you can’t open the washing machine.) I really like having the mini-kitchen with pots and pans and not just an electric kettle lol. Anyway, this room is a lot smaller and more cramped obviously, but the subway station is really near. 

I also realised that if you go into the subway station and come out of the other side, you end up at Shinsegae Department Store omgg! Random yummy and pretty cakes (like that piggy cupcake that IU posted) and there’s.. Gong Cha bubble tea? lol. You can takeout lots of yummy pre-cooked stuff too. We bought back a bottle of wine and some pre-cooked ribs and tada! Christmas dinner settled. The department store closes pretty early though (about 8pm).

Final comments

Usually the Airbnb hosts are really nice and send you maps and directions and even instructions on how to use the washing machine lol! (cos it’s all in Korean) Do give them an estimate of your arrival time so they will be ready and waiting for you. It’s helpful to buy a Korean sim card to contact the host in case you get lost finding the place. I usually order the EG Sim Card online and collect it at Incheon Airport, cos you get a Korean phone number that you can actually top-up and reuse within a year. That sums up my (hopefully not too wordy) post on Seoul accoms. Do check out other rooms on Airbnb, but I think it’s more worth it if you’re sharing a room, cos the price usually doesn’t change when you add a person lol.

One other important reason why I use Airbnb is that there are often OCBC/DBS credit card discounts for me, so remember to check for any coupon codes you can use. Anyway, if you do decide to use Airbnb, do use my referral link #shamelessplugging Thanks! ^__^

[seoulislove]

Producer Filming Locations (Umbrella Couple)

1. [Pocheon] Herb Island

See directions on getting there in previous post. The place they filmed at was the Secret France Pension (조향사 Room). This was the scene that PD-nim made Cindy spin in circles, call a friend and do other ridiculous tasks before he would feed her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FaTyDgPOMY

2. [Goryeong] Daegaya Pension

It’s actually a theme park (English website), but there’s pensions there too, where KSH and IU stayed at. There’s even a sign that says IU’s room. More details about the filming here. This was the scene when they got lost climbing to their rest spot.

3. [Yongin] Everland LED Rose Garden/Love Lantern

PD-nim, now you'll probably think of me when you're at the amusement park too.

Compiled by squishy with love

[seoulislove]

[Jeju] Go-karting and Horse riding

1. 신비의도로카트장 Mysterious Road Kart Circuit

Address: 제주시 노형동187-3 (map) Opening hours: Open throughout the year (08:30~19:00) Directions: Take any bus from the Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal that goes down the 1100 road (also known as Mysterious Road). Price: Single rider 25,000won, Twin rider 35,000won (15 mins of play)

Purchase discount coupon on jejumobile here and they’ll send you a barcode (if you have a Korean phone number).

2. 어승생승마장 Jeju Horse & Deer Ranch

Address: 제주 제주시 노형동 14-1 (map) Opening hours: 9:00 till dusk Directions: Take any bus from the Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal that goes down the 1100 road (also known as Mysterious Road). Website: http://jejuhorse.mobilefarms.com/

Price (depends on which course you take):

Info compiled by squishy with love

[seoulislove]

Clothes, Shoes, Skincare, Chicken and Soju

Hopefully this post on IU’s endorsements will be informative enough for IU fans visiting Korea this year. Accurate as of 4 May 2015.

1. Unionbay

They tend to have sales for clothes from the previous season, so spring is the best time to buy winterwear. I went to the outlet at B1 of Sindorim Techno Mart which is really like one big open space divided into different stores. The ahjumma was really kind and gave me two Unionbay paper bags, a ‘new arrivals shirts’ tag and a selfie stick for buying two shirts and a pair of jeans. The paperbag is two-sided.

Location: 서울시 구로구 구로동 3-25 신도림테크노마트 지하1층 263호 (Map) Getting there: Sindorim station, Exit 3 (underground link) Price: Take reference from their homepage IU Goodies: Paper bag, selfie stick, catalogue (while stocks last)

Other locations like the one in Dongdaemun have gigantic IU posters as well.

2. Sbenu

I’ve really only been to the one at Hapjeong where the fansign was held lol. But from Sindorim station, if you take one stop to Yeongdeungpo station, you can go to both Sbenu (at Lotte Dept Store) and ISOI (at Times Square).

Location: 서울 영등포구 영등포동 618-496 롯데백과점 7층 (Map) Getting there: It’s on the 7th floor of Lotte Dept Store, right above the Yeongdeungpo subway station Price: Take reference from their eshop IU goodies: None. But from 4th May onwards, receive an eco bag with IU’s autograph as well as an AOA lookbook catalogue for spending 150,000won and above in the online shop (while stocks last)

3. ISOI

While ISOI does have a storefront at places like Apgujeong Rodeo, usually it’s just one of the makeup counters in the department stores.

Location: 서울특별시 영등포구 영중로 15 130 (타임스퀘어지하1층) (map) Getting there: According to their homepage, there’s an outlet at B1 of Times Square, at Exit 6 of Yeongdeungpo subway station Price: See product selection here IU goodies: Get 3 IU photo cards for purchasing an IU blemish care selection box (while stocks last)

4. Mexicana chicken

I’ve been going to the Sinchon outlet mainly. The ahjumma is nice, but usually only gives you one gift each time you order. You need to order 1 set at minimum. Check in advance whether they still have the puzzles or other goodies in stock.

Location: 서울 마포구노고산동12-8 (map) Getting there: Sinchon station, Exit 5 (You need to climb up a slope though) Price: About 17,000won for one set. You get a discount if you go down to the shop instead of calling for delivery. IU goodies: 1 out of 2 fans (while stocks last)

5. Chamisul soju

The Chamisul iseulpocha is temporary and will only be open until 17th May. Most restaurants and all convenience stores and supermarkets will sell chamisul soju though.

Location: See above. Price: 1000~2000 won per bottle at convenience stores, but more expensive in restaurants. IU goodies: Calendar, poster, stickers are available for free at any of the Hite Jinro branch offices (but it’s better to call in advance to ask, and it’ll help if you speak some Korean)

Info compiled by squishy with love

[seoulislove]

Cheese, pizza, pasta, strawberries and baseball

1. Good Food Day Cafe and Restaurant

Opened by IU’s mum, dad and aunt, the restaurant offers Italian pasta, pizza and pilaf. Everyone seems to recommend the gorgonzola pizza. Is that fresh kiwi juice or greengrape ade that IU is drinking?

Location: 서대문구 충정로3가 3-31 (map) Getting there: Chungjeongno station, Exit 8 Opening hours: Mon to Sat (Lunch 11:30~14:00, Dinner 17:00~21:00) Price: See menu

2. Mosan Farm

What better way to experience rural life than to visit a farm right? Lots of families seem to like to bring their kids there and IU brought her managers there with her (to relive their childhood?) They milked the cows, made cheese and then made pizza with the cheese.

Location: 경기 파주시 탄현면 검산로519번길 6-36 (map) Getting there: It’s probably easiest to cab from Wollong station Opening hours: Basic/farm experience during peak season 10:30 am / 11:30 am / 2pm; Off-peak season 11am Price: Basic experience (milking and feeding cows, ice-cream making) 14,000 won/pax ; Farm experience (basic experience + cheese-making and pizza making) 27,000 won/pax

3. Hansarang Farm

This is where IU went with her dad to pick strawberries. A sign says to pick only the ripe strawberries, take the stalks with you to throw in a bin outside, no crossing from one row to the other, come out after you’ve filled up the box, if you can’t close the box, every additional 100g of strawberries will be charged 2000won.

Location: 경기도 남양주시 조안면 송촌리 356-1 번지 (map) Getting there: Cab from Ungilsan station Opening hours: Strawberry picking schedule 11am, 2pm and 3pm. Register here on the homepage. Price: Strawberry picking experience (500g of strawberries) for 10,000 won; 9,000won for children 7 years old and below Additional strawberry jam making (two 300g bottles) for 15,000won

4. Homerun Jjang batting cage

It’s located right above a carpark. According to blog reviews, it costs 1000won for 1 game (15 tries) and you can choose different speeds for the baseball to fly at you. You can pay with either two 500 won coins or a 1000won note. Good way to relieve your stress and right in Hongdae too!

Location: 서울특별시 마포구 서교동 360-15 (map) Getting there: Hongdae station, Exit 9 Price: See above

Info compiled by squishy with love

[seoulislove]

[Gyeongbokgung] 대오서점 (IU’s Flower Bookmark Album Photoshoot location)

Lovely spring weather along the road outside. We alighted from a bus and walked to the cafe / secondhand bookstore. It would be great to sit upstairs in this cafe and view the cherry blossoms while sipping some tea~

Alright, stop getting distracted! This is the right place with the paint peeling off its original shop signboard. Looks legit enough. A board outside informs visitors that there is a visiting fee of something like 2500won (?) unless you order a drink. So we ordered one yuzu lemon tea and oppa just paid the visiting fee for one person.

We found a nice corner table to sit down and put our stuff, but of course, the main attraction of this place isn’t so much the interior, but this doorway where IU sat down at for the Flower Bookmark album photoshoot!!

There’s even photos at the side, in case you want to copy her pose and forgot exactly what it was like. And yep that stool is placed there strategically for photo moments. Basically everyone who visited this cafe sat here and took a photo copying IU’s pose lol! There were some other movies/drama that were filmed here too and photos from those shows were stuck around the place as well. In case you’re wondering where the doorway leads to, it’s basically just more old, dusty books. Mostly Maths/science/language textbooks.

Oh and I almost forgot that there’s an IU poster stuck on the opposite wall as well! I was so excited about the photoshoot location that I didn’t notice the poster at first. There’s a few rooms inside and some old pianos in the bookcafe too. A little girl was playing random noise on the piano initially, and the whole place was quite lively. Then her unnie or someone older took over and started playing really nice pieces that suit the mood of the bookcafe.

Oh yes there’s this scary old man doll sitting at the top as well =/ They actually have those black uniforms and the hats hanging on a wall in the cafe as well. I thought it was just for decor, but a couple of Korean girls who were busy selca-ing decided to have some fun with cosplay as well keke. The hongkong girls who were taking photos at the ‘IU spot’ looked on with envy and said to each other in cantonese, ‘You mean you can do that?’

They gave me a welcome gift of some kind of traditional candy lollipop and a postcard when I entered the place and after that, my yummy yuzu lemon tea came with another lollipop lol. I haven’t tried them yet though. Be careful because the antique table is really rickety. Oppa accidentally shook the table and made my tea splash D: Too bad we didn’t have time to stay to browse some dusty books as we were meeting people for dinner. It would have been nice to just chill and spend a lazy afternoon there.

Address: 서울 종로구 누하동33 Directions: From Exit 2 of Gyeongbukgung station, use google maps and keep walking. Opening hours: 10am - 10pm

[seoulislove]

[Jongno] Two Fingers (tteokbokki and pizza)

This is a relatively new restaurant and they had a promotion going on so you could get 'tteokbokki stew' + wolf spoon pizza or romantic shrimp pizza for just 12,000won. It's enough to feed 2 or 3 and you can add on ramen or kimari and stuff like that for a few more thousand won. I'm bad at taking photos of the restaurant itself, so I'll just attach a photo from this blog.

Here's our bulgogi tteokbokki stew and romantic shrimp pizza. There wasn't much bulgogi meat to be honest, but the tteokbokki tasted good and the pizza was fantastic with all the cranberries and pineapples.. and the syrup!

A closeup of the pizza too...

Here's a video of the tteokbokki stew keke.

Lastly, here's the NAVER MAP to get there. Just walk straight and turn right from Exit 4 of Jonggak station.

[seoulislove]

서촌 통의동 보안여관 (Seochon Tongui-dong Security Motel)

Filming location for Sogyeokdong MV. It is now a gallery and has a shop selling some art pieces.

Location : 서울특별시 종로구 통의동 2-1

Directions : Keep walking down the road between Exits 4 and 5 of Gyeongbukgong station and you'll eventually see it on your left.

Opening hours : 11am to 6pm daily

[seoulislove]

Cafe Aboong (Icecream Goldfish Bread)

A dessert that a fan posted on Uaena which looks really yummy. Online reviews say be ready to queue for at least 30 mins though.

Location : Edae (at the side of Yes APM shopping centre outside the subway station) / Hongdae (on some food street)

Menu : Red bean, custard cream or sweet potato filling

Price : 3000KRW each

[seoulislove]

소적두 (Sojukdoo red bean shaved ice restaurant)

Location : 서울 강남구 압구정로46길 5-2

Directions : From Exit 1 of Apgujeong station, walk straight down Apgujeong-ro and turn right into the road between Korea City Bank and Hana Bank.

Opening hours: 11am to 11pm daily

Price : 7000KRW to 9000KRW

Also recommended by IU previously.

[seoulislove]

Pizza Alvolo (Yeongdeungpo outlet)

Location : 서울특별시 영등포구 신수동 190번지

Directions : From Exit 6 of Guro Digital Complex Station, keep walking down the main road until the big road junction and turn left.

Opening hours : 11am to 10:30 daily

IU ordered the shoulder pizza, which she said was so good she felt like doing the shoulder dance. It's 27,000KRW for a large and 22,000KRW for regular.

Or just call 1688-8495 for delivery.

[seoulislove]

옥루몽 (Okrumong red bean shaved ice recommended by IU)

Menu:  Traditional Red Bean Bingsu (가마솥전통팥빙수) – 8,000KRW Green Tea Bingsu (녹차빙수) – 9,000KRW Red Bean top-up - 1,500KRW Traditional red bean porridge (전통팥죽) – 7,500KRW Sweet pumpkin porridge (호박죽) – 7,500KRW Sweet red bean porridge (단팥죽) – 7,500KRW

Location : 서울 마포구 서교동 402-18 1층

Directions : From Exit 1 of Sangsu Station (line 6, brown line) go straight. You will see Standing Coffee on your right. Keep walking until you reach the big junction. You will see a car parking area. Take a right turn and walk on the left side of the street. Okrumong is located right at the corner of the second junction.

Opening hours: 12 noon to 11:30pm on weekdays, 12 noon to 12:30am on weekends

They have other outlets at garosugil, etc.