Seoul is a city perpetually in motion and this is why it's well worth visiting
This story is part of the June 22 edition of Sunday Life. See all 15 stories.
The Seoul air hangs heavy and humid around me, thick enough to taste the soy sauce, sizzling garlic and exhaust fumes. Traffic fills the streets, food hawkers noisily advertise their wares and office workers messily squeeze onto pavements as they make their way home in one large mass.
Seoul possesses that particular urban hum – a thrum of human activity that speaks of a city perpetually in motion – but away from the neon-lit high-rises and the flashy fast-fashion, there's more than what first meets the eye.
Synonymous with K-pop and kimchi, South Korea flew under the radar until the past decade or so. However, after Psy's infectious Gangnam Style wormed its way into our collective consciousness and Squid Game became a TV phenomenon, both the East Asian country and its capital city have had a moment.
A great beginning is the historic Bukchon Hanok Village. Dating back centuries, its winding laneways offer a stark contrast to the surrounding urban sprawl. While popular with tourists, venturing up the steeper alleys rewards you with quiet stretches and stunning panoramic views over tiled rooftops to the cityscape beyond.
A glimpse into Korea's 1700-year-old Buddhist heritage is never far away. The centrally located Jogyesa Temple is both significant and easily accessible. For a deeper immersion, many temples offer overnight experiences.
Loading
Also Zen-inducing are jjimjilbang, the communal baths that are similar to the Japanese onsen, where you'll find warm baths, cold plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas. And if you're looking for something to do after all that relaxing, many jjimjilbang are located in multi-storey complexes that house restaurants and karaoke rooms.
To grasp the richness of Korean cuisine, there's no substitute for local markets, and Seoul's granddaddy is Gwangjang. Pile your plate high with kimchi, savoury pancakes, and hearty bibimbap. For the more adventurous palate, there is live octopus, blood sausage and pig trotters.
A more palatable option is Korean barbecue. Known locally as gogi-gui, it refers to the method of grilling meat on gas or charcoal grills inlaid into the dining tables. As a foreigner, it can be a daunting task to choose from the staggering number of 'meat houses' that sit on almost every corner. Out of all city districts, Mapo is the best-known for barbecue; 'mapo-style' means charcoal-grilled cuisine, and this is often complemented with aged kimchi, and a raucous atmosphere.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
12 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Spoiler alert! Here's the huge Australian A-lister that appears in the Squid Game finale
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. ****Spoilers for the new season of Squid Game follow**** The season finale of Squid Game season 3 features the cameo of a huge Australian Hollywood star. The one and only Cate Blanchett makes a surprise appearance in the final scene of the hit Korean thriller as a recruiter for the deadly competition. Picking up in the wake of a failed revolution, the final season of the Asian version of the hugely popular show follows the struggle between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who's determined to take down the games once and for all, and Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who desperately wants to break Gi-hun's faith in humanity. Korean veteran actor Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun in the final season. In the final scene of the show, Front Man finds himself in a car in Downtown Los Angeles, and while stopped at a light, he hears some familiar sounds: the thwap of two ddakji tiles hitting the ground followed by the sharp crack of a slap across the face. Front Man rolls down his window and sees a suited Blanchett playing ddakji with a seemingly desperate man in an alleyway. Blanchett looks up and exchanges a knowing glance with Front Man, who pulls away as Blanchett's attention returns to her new recruit. 'We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing,' said Squid Game Director Hwang Dong-hyuk. 'And as for why Cate Blanchett, she's just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn't love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did,' he continued. Cate Blanchett makes an appearance in the finale. Picture: Netflix. The final scene of the series sets up the spin-off. Picture: Netflix. 'If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.' He went on to reveal that Blanchett had very limited time to film the cameo, so much so that she shot the entire thing in one take. 'During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerising,' he shared. 'She was amazing at playing ddakji. I believe she successfully flipped the ddakji with her first try, and we were able to get that one long take right away.' But what exactly does Blanchett's cameo mean for the future of the show? Quite a bit, it turns out, considering where Netflix plans on taking the franchise next. Season 3 is the last for the Asian version of Squid Game, but it's far from over. An English-language spin-off is being developed by director David Finch, who has previously worked with Blanchett on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Blanchett's appearance raises numerous questions, however, like have the Games always had international counterparts or have they been forced to move them after they were nearly discovered by authorities at the end of the final season? Squid Game season 3 is available to stream now on Netflix. Originally published as Spoiler alert! Here's the huge Australian A-lister that appears in the Squid Game finale
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- News.com.au
Spoiler alert! Here's the huge Australian A-lister that appears in the Squid Game finale
****Spoilers for the new season of Squid Game follow**** The season finale of Squid Game season 3 features the cameo of a huge Australian Hollywood star. The one and only Cate Blanchett makes a surprise appearance in the final scene of the hit Korean thriller as a recruiter for the deadly competition. Picking up in the wake of a failed revolution, the final season of the Asian version of the hugely popular show follows the struggle between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who's determined to take down the games once and for all, and Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who desperately wants to break Gi-hun's faith in humanity. In the final scene of the show, Front Man finds himself in a car in Downtown Los Angeles, and while stopped at a light, he hears some familiar sounds: the thwap of two ddakji tiles hitting the ground followed by the sharp crack of a slap across the face. Front Man rolls down his window and sees a suited Blanchett playing ddakji with a seemingly desperate man in an alleyway. Blanchett looks up and exchanges a knowing glance with Front Man, who pulls away as Blanchett's attention returns to her new recruit. 'We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing,' said Squid Game Director Hwang Dong-hyuk. 'And as for why Cate Blanchett, she's just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn't love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did,' he continued. 'If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.' He went on to reveal that Blanchett had very limited time to film the cameo, so much so that she shot the entire thing in one take. 'During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerising,' he shared. 'She was amazing at playing ddakji. I believe she successfully flipped the ddakji with her first try, and we were able to get that one long take right away.' But what exactly does Blanchett's cameo mean for the future of the show? Quite a bit, it turns out, considering where Netflix plans on taking the franchise next. Season 3 is the last for the Asian version of Squid Game, but it's far from over. An English-language spin-off is being developed by director David Finch, who has previously worked with Blanchett on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Blanchett's appearance raises numerous questions, however, like have the Games always had international counterparts or have they been forced to move them after they were nearly discovered by authorities at the end of the final season? Netflix.
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
I got naked in Spa Land in Centum City Busan a South Korean spa experience
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Call me crazy, but I generally try to avoid getting naked in large crowds. Obviously, it's generally frowned upon in the eyes of the law, but there's also a level of… let's call it 'quiet discomfort' that comes with getting down to skins in front of hundreds. Unless, of course, I'm in South Korea and I'm headed to a bathhouse, then all rules go out the window and I can't strip down fast enough. True, being of Turkish ancestry, I'm no stranger to a group bathing experience, but unlike hamams which are positively lawless compared to its Asian counterparts, a Korean bathhouse experience (known locally as Jjimjilbang. or quite literally, 'heated rooms') involves a specific set of rules to abide by. The best place to immerse yourself in the local spa culture? The port city of Busan which has been an international bathhouse destination since the Joseon Dynasty. If you like bath houses, Busan should be on your bucket list. Now, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the choice of spa complexes dotted around Busan. Some may prefer the dazzle of the all-new (and positively gargantuan) ClubD Oasis, a spa and waterpark which can accommodate up to 3,500 people, while others might prefer a 2am bathing option with the 24-hour Hill Spa. I'm a sucker for a multitude of glowing reviews, so I opt for a day at Spa Land, located in Centum City, one of the world's largest department stores. Here, those willing to part with 25,000 Won (around $28) for a four-hour bathhouse adventure can make the most of 18 hot spring baths and 13 themed steam baths drawn from natural hot spring water some 1,000 metres underground. Guests are given these cute head towels. Picture: Dilvin Yasa Spa Land, like most Jjimjilbang, has two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the saunas, which are for everyone to share. First, you have to put your shoes in an assigned locker before collecting your fetching spa uniform of chequered shorts and oversized grey marle t-shirt at the linen counter and then heading back to a locker to decide if you want to put on your uniform to enjoy the sauna facilities (yep, no towel wearing in the saunas here), or if you want to disrobe completely and head to the baths. Towels are forbidden in saunas here. Of course, you also have the option of heading upstairs to the 2nd floor to make the most of the entertainment quarter, which includes a restaurant, a casual noodle bar, a relaxation zone and many massage chairs. I dump my clothes, gather my courage and strut my naked self through the change rooms out to the hot springs (they give you a hand towel, but it is nowhere near enough to protect your modesty). Everyone has to scrub down at a washing station before entering the bath and I do, but the minute I enter a body of 40-degree water some five minutes later, a spa mistress becomes incensed that I haven't washed my hair (which is up in a bun) and starts shouting at me to get back out and try again. The floral decor is a nice touch too. Instead, I run away, taking my time to try all the baths, which range in size and temperature, from cold plunge (15 degrees) to 45 degrees (more my speed). There is, I should note, an option to book in for a scrub or a massage in a room nearby, but I'm so relaxed I can barely move (also, the spa mistress terrifies me). After yet another shower, it's time to put on my spa uniform and head up to the saunas. See also: Why you can't trust reviews in South Korea Will it be a Finnish sauna, a Roman sauna, a salt room, clay room or a hamam? Whatever your preference, you can be sure to open a door to a roomful of locals staring at their phones under a thick cloak of steam. I involuntarily listen to endless TikTok videos in all of the rooms (with the exception of the ice room) and before I know it, I have just enough time for my complimentary ice-cream and yet another shower before my locker key is handed back and I'm back out in the department store. Is a Jjimjilbang experience for you? Only if you're completely comfortable with public nudity. Me? I plan to go back, but next time, I'll be sure to bring ear plugs. Originally published as I got naked in a sauna in South Korea, I didn't expect this
