Suyeon Bock

The mecca of festivals is happening at Coex and it’s your chance to see a variety of events, exhibits and fairs all at the same time without walking more than 10 minutes. Here are some of Time Out’s favorites. Coex. 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu. May 3–May 7

5월 3일부터 7일까지 열리는 씨-페스티벌 중에 제일 기대되는 프로그램 다섯 가지를 꼽았다.

이국적인 음식에서 이슬람사원구경까지. 이태원에서 할 수 없는것이 없다.

If you’re in Seoul, a visit to the royal palaces is a must. In the middle of the skyscraper jungle, traditional roof tiles with wooden pillars stand gracefully, reminding all of us of Korea’s long history. While you wander on the same grounds the royal family stepped on hundreds of years ago, why not wear the type of clothing they did? You can rent a hanbok at  numerous shops around Seoul and rental fees for four hours are 13,000 to 15,000 won. While that may seem like a hefty sum, those wearing a hanbok are granted free entrance to the four major palaces in Seoul, which are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung. Plus, the colorful clothes will make for unforgettable pictures. For more information, go to: visitseoul.net

You've endured through the harsh Seoul winter and it's time to celebrate spring with these flower festivals. Check out some of Seoul's largest spring flower festivals here.

소셜 다이닝이란? ‘혼밥족(혼자 밥 먹는 사람들)’이 늘고 있다. 혼자 먹기 좋은 음식점도 점점 늘어나는 추세이지만, 누군가와 함께 밥을 먹는 것만큼 든든하고 따스한 시간은 없다. 요즘은 각 도시에서 살고 있는 현지인들이 (모르는) 사람들을 초대해 그 나라의 전통 음식과 식문화를 함께 경험하고 공유하는 문화가 생겨났다. 바로 음식계의 ‘에어비앤비’ 라고 불리는 소셜 다이닝 앱, 잇위드(EatWith), 그루퍼(Grouper), 홈다인(HomeDine) 등을 통해서다. 2년 전 한국에서도 ‘애니스푼(Anispoon.com)’이라는 소셜 다이닝 사이트가 ‘한국에서 즐기는, 세계 각국의 진짜 밥’ 이라는 모토로 시작됐다. 노르웨이, 우즈베키스탄, 이탈리아 등에서 서울로 온 주인들이 자신들의 전통 음식과 문화를 나누기 위해 기다리고 있다. 사이트에 들어가 홈셰프와 메뉴, 가격을 찾아보고 현지의 진짜 음식을 만날 수 있다. 집주인이 직접 만들어주는 소셜 다이닝의 가격은 대개 1만6000원에서 3만5000원 정도다.

“Oh, Seongbuk-dong is very beautiful,” remarks the taxi driver as he drives along the Bugak Skyway to get to Alex the Coffee. In the morning sunlight, there’s hardly a shadow from one architectural marvel to the next. Weaved into the neighborhood are relics of the past: Late author Choi Sunu’s hanok, the villa of 1900s merchant Yi Jong-seok and the teahouse, Suyeonsanbang, once home to the late author Yi Tae-jun. The significance of these places seems especially pronounced in contrast to the Western-style churches, embassies and diplomatic residences. The latter establishments have made for an unusually large demographic of foreigners in the neighborhood, despite its relatively long distance from central Seoul. Late last year, the current head of the Seongbuk-dong district office, Kim Young-bae, announced his plans to turn this neighborhood into more of a tourist attraction, hence the number of hotels, brunch cafés and Airbnb listings in the surrounding area. On a weekday morning, the streets are nearly empty save for a group of 50s-something Korean hikers and the occasional mother and son combination (Seongbuk-dong actually won a UNICEF Child Friendly City certificate in November 2013). Outside the quiet cafés, there’s the distant sound of construction, and you can’t help but hope that no one will demolish Seongbuk-dong’s intrinsic beauty.

All you need to know about Seoul's flea markets.

시간이 밴 특별한 아이템을 찾고 싶다면? 벼룩시장이 답이다.

This all-day New York City import comes from Damian's Enrique Olvera. Whereas the world-renowned chef's Arts District original skews upscale, Atla offers a breezy, far more casual menu of Mexican staples that includes a standout lobster burrito, a tangy version of traditional seafood coctel and brunch-y chilaquiles. If you're even remotely familiar with L.A.'s Mexican food scene, nothing here will blow your mind, but if you're looking for a decent sit-down meal on Abbot Kinney, you could do far worse than Atla.

The steady stream joining the long line under the green roof of Cucciolo Osteria is a sure sign that this place is something special. If you’re lucky enough to get in, you’ll see a L-shaped bar and a couple small tables, cozy and unpretentious. A staff member is quick to greet with a smile, explain the menu and follow up with some parmesan cheese bread sticks and gorgonzola cheese truffles with honey, tasty little treats to work up your appetite. Dishes are quite small so it’s a good idea to share three or four between two. Specialties include the cacio e pepe (egg spaghetti seasoned only using cheese and pepper), the truffle tajarin with black truffles (what could go wrong with black truffles and fresh pasta?), and the white ragu with homemade tajarin (described as “Ragu the Bologna way!”). These pasta dishes are a welcome change from the usual tomato and cream spaghetti frequented at Italian restaurants in Seoul, with their rich flavors and al dante homemade spaghetti. Perfectly seasoned and although lacking in pasta variety, the dishes all taste different and are distinctly delicious. The white ragu, made in the traditional Bologna style without the tomato sauce, was one that stood out with its simplicity and subtle rich flavors. Despite the small crowd of people waiting outside, service isn’t rushed and you’re encouraged to slowly enjoy your pasta with drinks, so order another bottle of wine because it’ll take you at least a week to get another reservation here!

How many times have you had pasta in a restaurant and thought, “I could make this”? Although Italian restaurants are a fast growing breed in Seoul, only a few of them are worth the buck. One of these hidden gems is the Doughroom, opened by the same chef behind French fine-dining restaurant, Soigne. First, all the different kinds of pasta are made fresh at the store (sometimes you can actually see a chef rolling it out). They come in all sizes and shapes making for interesting textures and tastes. The signature dish is the capellini, ink served in a warm butter sauce with shrimp and garlic. The thin, ink capellini not only looks great against the butter sauce but boasts a soft, unique texture thoroughly lathered in the creamy butter sauce with a slight kick from the garlic. My personal favorite was the agnolotti, yolk, which burst with the rich cheese at the bite, balanced out perfectly by the black olive sauce. The menu undergoes slight changes every few months, which means your favorite dish might be removed but still, we can’t wait see what new innovative dishes Doughroom comes up with next.  

Tucked into a neat alley in Seorae Maeul (Seorae Village), July is run by Chef Oh Se-deuk, who stars in several cooking shows. Although Chef Oh is a lovable jokster on the shows, he is dead serious when it comes to his cooking. July Restaurant serves up authentic French cuisine, delicate and delicious, using local ingredients. Lunch and dinner are both served only in course meals of two kinds: the daily course and the premium course (slightly more expensive). Meals start off with bite-sized amuse-bouche, packed with maximum flavor and varying in textures. The menu changes seasonally but some regulars remain such as the fried scallop kadayif roll with coconut milk, basil, lemon sauce and brined duck breast with carrot puree. Cut into the scallop roll to see a translucent, perfectly cooked scallop and devour it with the acidic basil lemon sauce (your plate is bound to be clean when you finish). The duck breast is equally well-cooked with a crispy skin that goes excellently with the earthy carrot puree. For the main dish, we suggest the lamb shoulder, one of the best in Seoul. The distinct lamb flavor is there but not too overpowering and each soft bite is complimented by simple yet flavorful grilled vegetables and a deliciously rich potato puree. What July does best is allow the fresh and beautiful ingredients speak for themselves, cooked perfectly and served with the minimum amount of sauce and garnish. A sort of timeless cooking exists here, one that you’ll want to seek out a

Located in a corner of an alleyway behind Apgujeong Rodeo, Haru is a well-kept local secret. The restaurant’s signature dish is the pan-soba, cold buckwheat noodles served with broth on the side. The noodles taste extremely fresh and the leeks and grated radish add a little kick to the dish. Other popular dishes include the tonkatsu and inari sushi (sushi stuffed in tofu pouches). But beware of hectic service and long lines pouring out into the street during the lunch hour.

Getting authentic Chinese dumplings is difficult in Seoul despite its proximity to the Middle Country. But at Mr. Suhwang Dumpling, you can get a taste of the real thing at an affordable price. Though the xiaolongbao here has quite a thick skin, the rich juice and the savory, soft pork filling is enough to redeem it. Each dumpling is stuffed to the brim with delicious filling and a plate of these could easily serve as a meal.

To get into Jigudang, you have to press a bell and state how many are in your party before the door mysteriously slides open to let you in (or once there are enough seats). Once inside, you’ll see a two-man duo covering a long bar with about 12 seats. Like the interior, the menu is kept to a minimum with just one item, the gyūdon (“beef bowl” in Japanese). The sweet marinated meat, slightly cooked onions and soft-boiled egg mixed all together with white rice is a combination that can’t go wrong.

Seolleongtang is a beloved Korean broth, made by stewing ox bones, brisket and other cuts of beef. Many chains serve this dish these days, but to get one that tastes homemade, head over to Yoojin Sikdang. The seolleongtang is served with the rice already in the soup with slices of leek on top. Season your soup with a bit of salt and dive into the deep, meaty flavors of the soup—the kind you can only get with lots of love and time.

In the middle of the affluent Apgujeong neighborhood stands a worn and humble shop selling fresh produce, rice cakes and tupperware. On the southern end of the shop is a small family-run tteokbokki stall that’s always bustling with regulars and packed on the weekends. The stall’s popularity no doubt stems from the delicious tteokbokki, lathered in luscious red sauce that’s not too sweet and not too spicy. Other specialties include the fried dumplings and kimmari (Korean spring rolls with seaweed) that are both served with tteokbokki sauce on top.

University towns are known for their notoriously low prices, but Cochon Tonkatsu takes it to a whole new level with their 3,000 won tonkatsu, served alongside rice, miso soup and sesame seed tonkatsu sauce. Even at this shockingly low price Cochon Tonkatsu doesn’t sacrifice quality and uses Korean pork and homemade batter, which is the secret to its thick, juicy interior and crunchy exterior. You get a hearty portion of meat, but if you’re a big eater, get the double tonkatsu with two portions of meat (double the price) or another bowl of rice (at 500 won). Take a bite of the tonkatsu and you won’t believe it’s only 3,000 won.

Bangbae 24 Udon Jajang is, just as it name suggests, a restaurant in Bangbae-dong open 24 hours serving udon and jajangmyeon. You can choose between the udon, jajangmyeon and jajangbap. The udon, while a far cry from its original Japanese flavor, is topped with seaweed, fried bean curds and leeks making it more special than other cheap udons in the city. The noodles are thinner than udon noodles normally are, but they’re fresh and chewy.

The Pureun Arboretum opened in 2013 as the first municipal arboretum that was built to preserve Seoul’s natural reservoir. It spans more than 100,000 m2 and is organized into different themed gardens, including the Rose Garden, which has over 60 types of roses; the Rock Garden; the Edible Garden and more. The arboretum also encompasses 2,000 different genuses of plants and various species of insects, birds and animals.

AK Salling (해외입양인, 창천동 맷 오 흐께 대표) 
본인 소개를 해달라. 한 살 반이었을 때 입양되어 1974년 덴마크로 갔고, 그곳의 작은 시골 마을에서 자랐다. 집에는 세 자매가 있었는데, 나만 입양아였다. 2013년 여름에 한국으로 이사를 온 후, 첫 해에는 입양인 NGO 에서 해외 입양인들이 비자를 신청하거나 이중 국적을 취득하는 일을 도왔다. 2014말부터는 재단법인 중앙입양원(KAS)에서 파트 타임으로 자원봉사를 해오고 있으며, 맷 오 흐께를 운영 중이다. 맷 오 흐께는 어떤 곳인가?일년 전에 쿠킹 앤 베이커리 스튜디오 (madoghygge.com)를 열어 사람들에게 덴마크식 빵과 케이크, 음식을 굽고 요리하는 법을 가르치기 시작했다. 내스타일은 굉장히 편하면서도 느긋한데, 덴마크 사람들이 보통 격식을 많이 차리지 않기 때문이다. 해외 입양인들이 겉모습은 한국인처럼 보이지만, 성장하면서 겪어온 문화가 우리의 가치관과 사고방식에 많은 영향을 주는 것은 당연하다. 그리고 한국의 방식과는 다르다는 사실을 한국인들이 이해하는 일이 굉장히 중요하다고 생각한다.  해외 입양인으로서 서울에서 자신의 가게를 운영하는 일은 한국 사회와 입양인 커뮤니티에 어떤 영향을 준다고 생각하는가?한국인들이 해외 입양인들도 독립적인 성인이며 이곳에서 자신의 생활을 꾸려나갈 수 있다는 사실을 알아주길 바란다. 나는 한국어를 유창하게 구사하지도 못하고, 한국인들이 내 나이의 여성들에게 갖는 인식의 틀 안에도 맞지 않다. 하지만 나는 이러한 사실 중 어떤 것도 장애로 느껴지지 않을뿐더러, 내 문화적 배경을 가지고 내 자신으로 존재한다. 해외 입양인 공동체에서는 이렇게 독립하는 것이 가능하고, 노력한다면 스스로의 지위를 높일 수도 있다는 것을 보여주길 희망한다. 사회에서 자신들이 설 자리를 찾기 위해 고군분투하고 있을 한국인 해외 입양인들과 서울에서 살고 있는 한국인 교포들에게 조언을 한다면?  존중하는 태도로, 이곳에서 자신만의 공간을 만들어나가다 보면 자신을 위한 자리가 생길 것이다. 자신을 막아서는 한계의 대부분은 스스로가 만들어낸 것이라 생각한다.

In the wake of Prince's death, it's been frustrating for fans wanting to hear the great one's tunes that his music is not widely available online. It's not on Spotify. It's not on Pandora. There are precious few videos to cue up.  Fortunately, a Minnesota public radio station has stepped into the void, broadcasting all-Prince this afternoon and for the foreseeable future. You can hear the stream live—and pay tribute to the man who made the tunes—at the Current. By Joel Meares (Time Out US)

There’s finally some green on those fields of grass and brightly colored flowers blooming from treetop to treetop. Spring is here at last on planet earth and those of us in love with it can’t help but feel a little guilty about the lack of lovin’ we’ve been givin’ it. In April, with Earth Day on the 22nd and Sik-mok-il (Korea’s version of Earth Day, celebrated by planting trees) on the 5th, it’s a good time to be (more) environmentally friendly. To inspire you, here are four spots in Seoul paving the path for a greener city.             1. City Hall Green WallOnce named the largest vertical garden in the Guiness World Records. The Green Wall is one of the most popular attraction at City Hall and spans over seven floors, measuring 1,516 m2 with approximately 65,000 plants of 14 different species. This wall is not only an architectural feat, but also a natural air filter that can decrease methanol indoors by up to 55% and help the building  maintain cooler temperatures in the summer. If a wall can do this much, surely you can too. 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu (02-120). Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm.           2. Pureun ArboretumThe Pureun Arboretum opened in 2013 as the first municipal arboretum that was built to preserve Seoul’s natural reservoir. It spans more than 100,000 m2 and is organized into different themed gardens, including the Rose Garden, which has over 60 types of roses; the Rock Garden; the Edible Garden and more. The arboretum also encompasses 2,000 different gen

Let’s be real, when it comes to underground transportation, Seoul has it the best. Compared to the gritty New York subways or damp London tubes, Seoul’s subway is clean and spacious (maybe except during rush hour). More than 2.5 billion people use our city’s subway, equipped with heated seats, announcement screens, and safety doors. Plus, here are six amazing (and strange) things you can do on Seoul’s subways and in its stations. 1. Watch a movie Chungmuro Media Center Chungmuro Station looks like any other station in Seoul. So who would’ve guessed that a movie theatre and library is hidden in its corners? To commemorate Chungmuro as the birthplace of the Korean film scene, the Chungmuro Media Center was built inside the actual station. Read a book, rent a DVD and watch it on a computer, or attend an art cinema screening, right in the heart of the station. Check out their site for more info. Chungmuro Station B1 (ohzemidong.co.kr 02-777-0421) 2. Charge your phone What better way to kill time on subway rides than on your smartphone? Seoul is blessed with fast connections and even Wi-Fi on subways, but what if you run out of battery? No worries; many of Seoul’s subway stations have free charging stations (in the platforms) and if they don’t, just go knock on the stationmaster’s door and kindly ask. 3.Take a stroll through a park Namu Wiki You won’t be bored waiting for your train at Sindap Station, where you can access a small park right next to the outdoor platform. Take

4월에 있는 식목일과 지구의 날을 기념하며, 그동안 퍼주기만 한 지구에게 다시 돌려주는 일을 잊지 말자. 서울의 친환경적인 공간 4곳.      1. 시청 수직정원 2013년에 완공된 시청 수직정원은 면적이 1516㎡에 달하는 세계 최대 수직정원으로 기네스북에 이름을 올렸다. 시청 7층까지 뻗어 올라간 이 정원에는 6만5000본의 식물이 뿌리를 내리고 있다. 스킨답서스, 푸미라, 아글레오네마, 레몬 라임 등 14종의 식물이 시청 내부를 푸르게 둘러싸고 있다. 이 벽면을 쳐다보는 것만으로도 뭔가 싱그럽고 상쾌해지는 기분이다. 이 수직정원은 실내의 메탄올 농도를 55% 감소시키고 여름에는 실내 온도를 최대 3℃까지 내려준다. 중구 세종대로 110 서울특별시청, 02-120 , 월 – 금 9:00 – 18:00, 토요일 9:00 – 13:00      2. 푸른수목원 서울 안에 무려 3만 평이 넘는 수목원이 있다. 2013년 구로에 문을 연 푸른수목원이다. 기존에 있던 저수지를 그대로 살렸고 2000여 종의 자연생태 식물을 만날 수 있다. 20가지가 넘는 다양한 테마로 이루어져 있고 야외 학습장과 작은 도서관도 있다. 수목원을 들어서면 내음두루라는 향기원에서 각종 허브 향이 공기를 채우고 달록뜰이라는 장미원에서 69종의 장미가 시각을 자극한다. 남새마당이라는 식용식물원의 꽃이 아무리 맛있어 보여도 먹지 말고 지구에 양보하자. 구로구 연동로 240, 02-2686-3200, 05:00 – 22:00(연중무휴), 무료    3. 녹색장난감 도서관스웨덴 스톡홀름에서 출발한 장난감 도서관 운동은 1982년 우리나라에 도입되어 여전히 늘어나고 있다. 장난감 도서관은 아이들이 자유롭게 놀 수 있는 환경과 장난감을 제공해준다. 매번 새로운 장난감을 사고 집에 쌓아놓는 것보다 책처럼 빌렸다가 다시 반납하는 콘셉트이다. 또 사용하지 않는 장난감을 기부할 수 있고, 고장 난 장난감을 수리할 수도 있다. 환경 보호도 하고 아이에게 나눔과 재활용의 중요성도 보여주는 공간이다. seoultoy.or.kr, 중구 을지로 1가 을지로입구역 내 녹색장난감 도서관, 02-753- 0222, 화 – 금 10:00-19:30, 토 10:00-15:30, 연회비 1만원.  4. 우프코리아 한옥 게스트하우스 영국에서 시작된 ‘우프’는 자원봉사자와 유기농가를 연결해주며 유기농 제품과 지속 가능한 농사법에 대한 인식을 넓힌다. 우프 코리아에서 문을 연 이 게스트하우스는 작은 한옥에서 친환경, 유기농 제품만 사용한다. 빵은 매일 국내산 밀과 소금, 설탕으로 만들고, 친환경 샴푸와 비누, 세제도 제공한다. 한옥 마당의 작은 텃밭에서 직접 키운 야채로 요리를 할 수도 있다. 우프코리아에 지원해 도시를 떠나 밭으로 가자. wwoofkoreaguesthouse.com, 종로구 계동길 52-11, 070- 8288-1289, 개나리방 10만원, 산수유방 9만원(모두 2인 기준)

  타임아웃 서울 2월호의 특집은 ‘서울의 베스트 커피집 10’이었습니다. 한글판과 영어판 표지가 다르게 진행되었는데, 특히 영어판에 대한 반응이 뜨거웠습니다. 사람의 입술 모양으로 만들어진 커피 뚜껑의 이미지였는데, 사실 이것은 산업디자이너이자 아티스트인 장우석의 작품입니다.   커피와 키스를 둘 다 좋아하는 작가는 커피는 매일 마실 수 있지만, 키스는 매일 할 수 없다는 자신의 상황에 주목했고, 카페에서 이 아이디어에 관련된 스케치를 하기 시작했습니다. 카페에서 커피를 마시고 있는 사람들이 이 입술이 그려진 커피 뚜껑을 들고 있는 장면을 상상하면서요.   처음에는 입술만 있는 커피 뚜껑을 고안했지만, 키스를 할 때 현실적으로 코가 매우 중요한 부분이라는 걸 깨닫고 코와 얼굴의 근육을 더 디자인했다고 합니다. 그리고 여기에 그리스 조각상의 얼굴 윤곽을 땄구요. 테이크아웃 커피는 도시의 문화이자 패션입니다. 입술 모양의 뚜껑으로 독특한 동시에 아주 기발한 제품을 만든 작가에게 지지의 말을 전합니다. 아울러, 타임아웃 서울 2월호 표지에 흔쾌히 자신의 작품을 이미지로 쓸 수 있게 해준 작가에게 다시 한번 감사의 말을 전합니다.  장우석 작가의 작품이 궁금하신 분들을 위해 작가 홈페이지에 올라와 있는 인터뷰의 일부를 공유합니다. 홈페이지는 www.behance.net/oowoo Q&A Q 입술이 그려진 커피 뚜껑 아이디어는 어디서 떠올랐나요? A 아침마다 커피를 마실 때 따뜻한 커피는 따뜻한 키스와 같다고 생각했다. 하지만 기존의 밋밋한 플라스틱 뚜껑은 나의 욕구를 충족시키지 못했다. Q 이 뚜껑으로 커피를 마시면 어떤 느낌인가요? A 진짜 키스하는 듯한 느낌을 주려고 노력했다. 코가 없이 입술만 있는 첫 테스트 뚜껑은 모양이 이상하고 공허한 느낌이었다. 현실적으로 코가 키스의 굉장히 중요한 부분이라는 것을 깨닫고 코와 안면 근육을 넣고 입술도 더 크게 디자인을 바꿨다. Q 이 뚜껑은 현재 구매가 가능한가요? A 한국에서는 최근 판매를 시작했다. 텀블러로 착각을 많이 하는데 커피 체인점(B2B)에 일회용 커피컵 뚜껑으로 디자인된 제품이다. 소비자 반응이 나쁘지 않으니 텀블러도 나중에 만들 수 있있겠다.