Foreigners pick the best aspects of Seoul life

Recently a survey was taken by Seoul city and Seoul Tourism organization to find out what foreigners liked most about Seoul. 500 foreign residents were chosen to pick the city's top 20 experiences.

Namsan, Hongdae Streets and makgeolli were chosen as the favorite things in the city.

Seoul published a mini English guidebook which lists the top 20 experiences along with contact numbers.

The number one choice was Namsan (a mountain and the city’s largest park). Foreigners highly recommend hiking to the peak of Namsan mountain or riding the cable car.The view of the city from North Seoul tower was also on the list.

***I agree with riding the cable car and the view from N. Seoul tower. The view of the city is great from the top of the tower. I've never hiked the mountain.

riding the cable car

Foreign visitors also liked visits to palaces, Han River Parks, and mountains.
**The Han River Park is nice. I also like visiting palaces. I visited 4 of the palaces while I was in Seoul.

The list also included things outside of the typical tourist spots.

Many foreign visitors recommend the streets near Hongik University in Hongdae which are known for their nightlife.
**I never visited Hongdae for the nightlife. I'm just not into the nightlife culture and partying.

Shopping districts such as Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, Yongsan electronic center, COEX mall and Cheongdam-dong streets are also popular.
**I never bought anything from these places. I don't shop that often. I also didn't want to have more things to stuff into my suitcase although I could have shipped them home for a low rate.

Tourists also have an interest in Korean food. The most popular choices are galbi, samgyetang,  and makgeolli.
***I love galbi! My favorite Korean food is samgyeopsal. I've never tried samgyetang or makgeolli.

Seoul Tourism Organization will introduce the top 20 spots on their website http://www.miceseoul.com/ from August 3rd. Visitors can also find information about the top 200 destinations.

My favorite experiences and places in Seoul (in no particular order):


1. Han River
2. Cheonggyecheon
3. Seoul Tower
4. Palaces
5. Yeouido Park
6. Lotte World
7. Samgyeopsal
8. Seoul Subway
9. Kimbap Heaven
10. Gwanghwamun
11. E-Mart
12. Insadong

Music Video: "No Other" Super Junior

This video is cute and sweet...

Music Video: G.NA "I'll Back Off So You Can Live"

Jay Park Resumes Music Career in Seoul

Jay Park, also known as Park Jae beom, is resuming his music career in Seoul. Last week, the 23-year-old signed a contract with Sidus HQ.

Park was the former leader of the boyband 2PM. He left South Korea after he was dropped by 2PM for making unfavorable remarks about South Korea.

He released a single album entitled "Will You Believe Me" on July 13.

Here's a video of the Korean Version of "Nothing on You":

Action Urged to Stop Han River Jumpers

Read the article here: http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100712000774

The bridges along the Han River attract a lot of people who want to attempt suicide.

232 people have jumped into the Han River this year. 47 of them died.

Over the past 3 years 1,301 people have attempted suicide by jumping off the bridges on the Han River. 254 people died.

No efforts have been made to stop jumpers.

There have been plans to install CCTV, a safety system and a 2 meter fence, but no progress has been made.

The city plans to install an emergency phone booth that will connect to the emergency number 119 and the center for suicide prevention.

G.NA and Rain's duet "What I want to do once I have a lover"

G.NA (Gina Choi) is a new solo artist in South Korea. She was in the group Five Girls. This week she released her first single "What I want to do once I have a lover". Rain joins her for the duet. She is scheduled to make her debut on July 9th.

I like the song.

 I'd love for Rain to be my lover. He seems to be such a sweet person, a genuine nice guy. I can't find anything bad about him. I'm a singer so I love men who can sing! (I need someone to introduce us to each other)

Here's an audio clip :




남자친구가 생기면 하고 싶던 일 너무나 많아 난 늘 꿈을 꾸었어

첫 번째 길거리에서 키스해 보기 두 번짼 말야 춘천행 새벽 기차

세 번째 소풍 가기 네 번째 등에 업히기 다섯 번째 커플링은 기본

boo boo boo 정말 달콤할 거야



왜 이렇게 두근 두근 두근 뛰니 생각만 해도

한 가지씩 매일 매일 매일 너와 다 해 볼 거야

난 네가 있어 하루가 즐거워 이제는 둘이라는 게

내 소중한 너 baby baby baby baby boo~



여자친구가 생기면 하고 싶던 일 내게도 많아 항상 부러워 했어

여섯 째 심야영화 일곱 째 놀이동산도 여덟 번째 깜짝 이벤트도

boo boo boo 정말 행복할 거야



왜 이렇게 두근 두근 두근 뛰니 생각만 해도

한 가지씩 매일 매일 매일 너와 다 해 볼 거야

난 네가 있어 하루가 즐거워 이제는 둘이라는 게

내 소중한 너 baby baby baby baby boo~



혼자였던 생일이 할 일 없던 주말이

이름 붙은 날들이 이젠 기다려져



둘이라서 좋아 함께라서 좋아

어디에 있든지 또 무얼 하든지 너와



나 그 중에 제일 제일 제일 하고 싶던 한 가지



널 사랑해 그 말 그 말 그 말 한 번 말해 보는 일

널 사랑해 그 말 그 말 그 말 한 번 들어 보는 일

내게 와 줘서 너무나 고마워 내 곁에 네가 있는 게

나만의 사랑 baby baby baby baby boo~

baby baby baby baby boo~

Seoul Tourism Videos

Check out the Seoul page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hiseoul

This video will be shown in Japan to promote tourism in Seoul. The video features Lee Byung Hun (from IRIS) and a Japanese actress.


This video will be shown in China and features the Wonder Girls.


This video will also be shown in China. This commericial is aimed towards families.

South Korea's 20 hottest male celebs

Here's the link: 20 hottest male celebs in South Korea

These were chosen by the staff at CNNgo. I wasn't familiar with all these celebs. If you click on the link they have a youtube link with a short video clip of each person.

1. Jang Dong-Gun
2. Won Bin
3. Bae Yong-joon
4. Ju Jin-mo
5. Jo In-Sung
6. Lee Jun-ki
7. Daniel Henney
8. Dennis Oh
9. So Ji-sub
10. Rain
11. Yoon Sang-hyun
12. Lee Min-ho
13. Kim Hyun-joong
14. Kim Bum
15. Jang Geun Suk
16. Lee Seung-ki
17. Choi Min-shik
18. Song Seung-heon
19. Kwon Sang-woo
20. Ha Jung-woo

Are these ranked in order of hotness with 1 being the hottest? or are they in some random order?

If they are ranked then why is rain number 10? He should be number one!!! He's the whole package-beautiful inside and out.

My favorites are: Rain, Daniel Henney, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum

Seoul 14th in cost of living for expats

If you would like to see the top 50 : Most Expensive Cities 2010

1	LUANDA	ANGOLA
2	TOKYO	JAPAN
3	NDJAMENA	CHAD
4	MOSCOW	RUSSIA
5	GENEVA	SWITZERLAND
6	OSAKA	JAPAN
7	LIBREVILLE	GABON
8	ZURICH	SWITZERLAND
8	HONG KONG	HONG KONG
10	COPENHAGEN	DENMARK

According to Mercer, a global consulting firm, Seoul is the 14th most expensive city for expats to live in.

Mercer conducted a "Cost of Living Survey" in which they compared the costs of 200 items in 214 cities worldwide. Luanda in Angola was the most expensive city while Karachi in Pakistan was the cheapest.
 
Some items that were considered were housing, transportation, food clothing and household necessities.
 
They conducted the survey in March of 2010 using the exchange rate for February.
 
Last year Seoul ranked 51 on the list because the won's value against the dollar dropped. The fall in the rankings was mainly due to the weakening of the dollar and the strengthening of the Korean won.

3 Asian cities were in the top 10. Tokyo was the 2nd, Osaka was 6th and Hong Kong was 8th.

____________________
When I was in Seoul I didn't think it was that expensive. My housing was provided so I didn't have to worry about that. I didn't do much shopping either. I thought the food was pretty cheap. Imported items are very expensive! Transportation is amazing and very cheap!