Korea has highest rate of accidents among developed countries.

According to the New York Times, 31,000 Koreans die each year of causes related to accidents (fires, car accidents,…). that’s the highest rate among OECD countries. Many things are done hastily and with an overly minimized-cost. From the tourists eyes, Seoul is a wonderful place to live. And it is. But there are many everyday safety concerns that the government needs to enforce – speeding public buses that run red lights to maintain schedules, delivery bikes that disobey traffic lights, drive on the sidewalk, and often on the wrong side of the road. The Sewol ferry boat accident is a heart breaking tragedy of what happens when safety is overlooked and unchecked by the government on a large scale. Continue reading

Loading

Seoul’s electronic flea markets.

This article reminded me how much fun the electronic markets were before internet shopping became popular. Yongsan and Hwanghakdong’s electronic street are still popular places to buy PC parts and other electronics. Yongsan, in particular, is especially good for PC parts. Continue reading

Loading

Easy to Learn Korean 1004 – Dongdaemun Design Plaza (part one).

1004-Dongdaemun Design Plaza 1 Continue reading

Loading

Most travelled route in the world: Seoul to Jeju.

Serviced by 7 airlines and with flights nearly every 5 minutes, Seoul to Jeju Island is the most travelled route in the world.

Loading

Avengers 2 to start shooting in Seoul on March 30.

Avengers2Here’s a graphic from the Korea Times detailing the Avengers 2 (Avengers: Age of Ultron) shooting schedule for Seoul. Filming will run March 30 to April 14 and Disney is tight lipped on which stars might be present. As part of a deal with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism the movie studio will be refunded up to 30% of their spending costs. Filming will also take place in Johannesburg, Aosta Valley, London, and Burbank, CA. Continue reading

Loading

Premium coffee shops to expand in Korea.

CoffeeStarbucks Reserve, the chain’s premium cafe, is set to enter the Korean market. A branch will open in (Seoul) Gangnam District’s trendy Apgujeong neighborhood. A coffee explosion has taken place over the last 5 years and chains are exploring ways to differentiate themselves. Single-origin coffee beans and drip-coffee are the new specialties.

Other chains, such as Tom N Toms and Hollys Coffee, are following suit with single-origin coffee beans and boutique type cafes. Cafes provides an excellent social experience and that may be the key to what makes them so popular here.

Loading

Korea makes the list – “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants”.

Opened in 2009, Jung-sik-dang in Sinsa-dong, Seoul comes in at #20 on San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (A50B) list. Over 900 people in the global restaurant sector contributed to the ranking. The #1 restaurant in Asia is located in Bangkok, Thailand and #2 in Tokyo, Japan. Here’s a CNN article discussing the entire list. Continue reading

Loading