Drama Location and Tourist Destination

A new drama by MBC, Hotel King starring Lee DongWook and Lee DaHae televised its first two episodes last weekend. I was surprised to see that the hotel they were filming in was in fact my favorite hotel that we stayed in when we had the opportunity to visit Korea last early winter of 2013, the Alpensia Hotel in Pyeongchang, Gangwondo.

Although it maybe a hotel, personally the place gives a relaxing feeling because of the surrounding natural views you'll see there. I was able to find an incredible place for sightseeing especially on dawn or early morning. The sunrise looks so beautiful at "that" spot.

Pyeongchang is also the home for Alpensia Ski Jump. Hopefully this 2018, Winter Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang and ski jump and other related competitions will be held there. You should come in the morning and better on earlier times so you can still make it to the monorail going to its peak. It has a very, very nice view!

There are also some good restaurants around the area.

Try to consider visiting Pyeongchang too especially on winter time.. But, yeah! It's spring already! So the mountains will be filled again with beautiful flowers. ^^* 

In the spring, it's good tovisit Geumdang Valley, Korea Botanic Garden, Farm Herbnara, or the valleys and forests of Pyeongchang for blankets of flowers and green. Try paragliding at Jangamsan Gliding Site or mountain biking to add a little excitement to your springtime getaway. (c) KTO

Blessedly, I was able to go to Korea on winter but if God willing I would want to experience the different seasons of Korea on those places which really emphaisize it. Do you have the idea? Please share it with us too :)))

Alyna/은주

Words Pronounced the Same in Korean

Some words from other languages

There is a ton of Korean words from English. Usually, north Korean language has tendency to create its own vocabulary when foreign words come to. On the contrary, lots of south Korean words are created from sounds of English words. Wow!! computer : 컴퓨터 [kom pu toe] mouse : 마우스 [m a u s] monitor : 모니터 [mo ni toe] ice cream : 아이스크림[a i s k rim] elevator : 엘리베이터[el li be i teo] camera : 카메라[ka mae la] microphone, MIC : 마이크[ma i k] CD : 시디[si di] DVD : 디비디[di vi di] date : 데이트[de i t] coffee : 커피 [keo pi] cola : 콜라 [kol la] cider : 사이다 [sa i da] McDonald : 맥도날드[maek do nal d] Burger King : 버거킹[beo geo king] Starbucks : 스타벅스[stabeoks] donuts : 도너츠[do neo chu] pizza : 피자[pi ja] spaghetti : 스파게티 [spageti] hamburger : 햄버거 [haembeogeo] bagel : 베이글 [beigul] sandwich : 샌드위치 [saen d wi chi] France : 프랑스 [pu lang su] Paris : 파리 [Pa li] Sri Lanka : 쓰리랑카 [ssu li lang ka] India : 인도 [in do] Philliphine : 필리핀 [pil li pin] Brazil : 브라질 [Bu la jil] Singapore : 싱가포르 [sing ga po ru] Turkey : 터키[teo ki] Sony : 소니[so ni] Toyota : 도요타 [do yo ta] Nintendo : 닌텐도[nin ten do] - NOTES 1. Most of countries are called in the same way with common saying. EX> Brazil, Singapore, Turkey etc... 2. Some brands doing business and franchizing in Korea are called in the original name. EX> Sony... 3. Foods originated not in Korea are called in the original. EX> Pizza, Cola .... - Conclusion Anything invented, created or made not in Korea is being used with its original sound using all over the world. At this point, you may have a question how you guess where words from. I would like to give an answer understanding Korean cultural things is the best way to improve your Korean. I think any other language is NEVER understood without understanding its own culture (c) Ryu JungYop

Some of Seoul's Tourist Destination (RM Ep186)

Annyeong haseyo everyone! So i just finished watching Running Man's Episode 186 which showed some of Seoul's tourist destinations. Hopefully if I can go back to Korea, I hope to visit these places:

1. GWANGJANG MARKET in Jongno

This was the first location of their missions. I wanted to go there hopefully in the future because of the Korean traditional delicacies it sells like Mung bean pancake, magic rice roll and bibimbap. I guess the food was really delicious that even the casts were willing to have a "FAIL" just to eat more. Ahh.. I want to go there! ^_^

2. NAMSAN TOWER

When we went to Seoul last November, we can only see this tower from afar. In RM's episode, the three teams were having fun together with some tourists and citizens who were visiting the place. I heard there are love locks there as a symbol of binding love for couples. Would like to see those personally! ^^ have you seen You Who Came from the Stars starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jeon Ji Hyun?  They also filmed there. Oppss. I forgot to tell you. You can ride a cable car there and see the whole Seoul! Ahh! Yippeoda ^^

3. KOREAN LANGUAGE GAON STREET in Gwanghwamun Square

We only passed here last November because our hotel was in Insadong. I can only see King Sejong's statue on the bus we rode ^^ But i would like to personally roam around the streets there again. I heard there was a Cultural Center near there. In RM's episode, the casts were running for Hangeul alphabets to form a phrase in front of King Sejong's monument. P.S. I really like to go to one of the palaces as well especially Gyeongbokgung.

I tell you there are many, many more nice places to visit in Korea not just in Seoul. And I really like the way they treat elder people and say "Kamsahamnida" to everyone who helps them, etc. Okay. That's all for now. Thank you! ^^*

-황은주/알라이나 룻