The musical has a simple back story of three cooks attempting to finish preparing a wedding banquet within a strict time limit while the manager installs his incompetent nephew among the kitchen staff. The show involves acrobatics, magic tricks, comedy, pantomime and audience participation. The unifying element throughout the musical is the use of traditional Korean samul nori music, which in this case is performed with improvised instruments, such as cutting boards, water canisters and kitchen knives. The performance is almost completely non-verbal.
Korean capital city, Seoul, is located in the Midwest of the Korean peninsula.
It has been an area of strategic importance since prehistoric times, particularly in the realms of politics, economics, society and culture. During the Era of the Three States (4th to mid-7th centuries), the area was frequently used as a battleground among the ancient ruling kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. It was designated as Korea’s capital city during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Since then, the city has continued to grow to become the largest in the country. Following Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, the city was named Seoul, which means ‘towering high.’ In 1949, it was designated as a metropolitan city by Korean government.
Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988 and the FIFA World Cup in 2002. Seoul has overcome many adversities and, with such tenacity, risen from the ashes of the Korean War to become a leading global city.
Hongdae is a neighborhood known for its youthful and romantic ambience, underground culture, and freedom of self-expression. Unique cafes, cozy galleries, accessory stores, fashion shops, live cafés and clubs, art markets, and gourmet eateries make this a popular hang-out for local youth and a fascinating place to walk around. These unique places plus the cultural events, street performances, and festivals held here make Hongdae an area that is always packed with people and excitement. Special streets such as ateliers’ street (lined with private institutions for art students preparing for university entrance exams), Picasso’s Street, and Club Street are also must-go places if you’re hoping to fully experience the Hongdae area.
As most of us know, there's life outside Seoul. Busan is often an overlooked city, as many flock to Seoul, bright lights, big capital. But ask any Korean and they will tell you - Korea's second largest city Busan is by no means the ugly sister in the family. In fact, Busan is the real Korea. Colorful, brash but endearing, Busan is a rough diamond that certainly speaks for itself, as spending time with the locals will show you. Busan may feel like second fiddle for now but it's time is coming.
If you're going to head to the beach then there are seven in Busan to choose from. You must see Haeundae Beach - the most popular beach in Korea. Crowds cram this place every day in August and umbrellas mushroom across this 2km space but it has to be seen to be believed. Don't expect any great shakes as far as quiet beach resorts go, just enjoy it for what it is, it's an experience you won't forget. If personal space is more your thing, avoid July and August, there are less crowds and it is a more tranquil place - you may not be able to swim but a stroll along the white sands and the sounds of seagulls is perfect on a cool spring day. Just opt for exit 3 from Haeundae station, turn left and walk 250m.
Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jejudo Island (제주도) is a volcanic island in the shape of an oval that measures 73km from west to east, and 31km from north to south. As Korea’s most southern region, the weather on Jejudo Island remains significantly warmer than the mainland even during the cold winter months. Jejudo Island is sometimes referred to as “Samdado Island” (삼다도, meaning the “three many”) because of its abundance of rocks, women, and wind. Wind from the ocean blows steadily throughout the year and past volcanic activity has littered the island with an assortment of beautiful and unusually-shaped black rocks. The island’s reputation of having an abundance of women points back to the time when fishing was the primary means of income and many men were lost at sea.
Hallasan (Halla Mountain) rises up proudly from the center of Jeju Island and is perhaps one of the island’s most memorable landmarks. Also called Mt. Yeongjusan, meaning ‘mountain high enough to pull the galaxy,’ Mt. Hallasan is widely acknowledged by scholars for its research value. Designated as a National Park in 1970, there are 368 parasitic mountains called ‘Oreums’ (peaks) around Halla Mountain.
Mt. Hallasan is famous for its vertical ecosystem of plants that results from the varying temperatures along the mountainside. Over 1,800 kinds of plants and 4,000 species of animals (3,300 species of insects) have been identified; to explore the mountain's treasures, simply follow one of the well-developed mountain hiking trails.
Hallasan Mountain is relatively easy to hike. With hiking courses less than 10km in length, it is possible to go to the peak and back in one day. However, the weather is very changeable and there is a lot of wind, so make sure that you are well prepared before you start climbing up the mountain.
Gyeongju (경주), located in southeast Korea, was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for 992 years (BC 57-935), the longest surviving kingdom in the history of Korea. Not only is it astounding that it was ruled by 56 kings spanning a period of almost a thousand years, it is equally remarkable that the kingdom of Silla originally started as a small tribal state and later expanded to occupy more than half of the Korean peninsula. The area was initially known as ‘Seorabeol' (서라벌) or 'Gyerim' (계림), and it wasn’t until the end of the era in 935 that it was first referred to as 'Gyeongju.'
Living up to its former glory as the capital of the longest-surviving kingdom in Korea, Gyeongju still shines today, more than a millennium after the kingdom’s demise. Buddhism was introduced in Silla in the 6th century and played a significant role in strengthening royal authority and unifying the people, becoming the foundation of the area's art, tradition, and culture. Consequently, Gyeongju is the home of the greatest Buddhist art treasures in Korea, and is the nation's most popular fieldtrip destination.
Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are Gyeonju's most celebrated relics and are said to capture the essence of the Korean Buddhist culture. These two sites were the first sites to be registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritages in 1995. In 2000, five districts were added to the list of World Cultural Heritages under the title 'Gyeongju Historic Areas.' Gyeongju is a virtual cornucopia of history, meriting praise and preservation worldwide.
Bulguksa (불국사) is said to have been constructed as a representation of the ideal world of Buddha. This expansive temple is a valuable historic site, emanating the mystic beauty of Buddhism, the religious and cultural backbone of the ancient Silla Kingdom. In addition to the structure's compelling historical significance, it is also representative of the pinnacle of 8th century architectural prowess. The temple is home to numerous national treasures, the most notable being the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas in front of Daeungjeon Hall.
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Korea is considered paradise when it comes to food. You can find everything from Korean, Western, Chinese, and of course such fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Burger King to foreign restaurant chains like Bennigan's and Outback Steak House. Among these choices the most reasonably priced food can be found at street vendors. Korea is unique in that not only does it have street carts to buy food from, but at night the streets are transformed with small tents that pop-up selling reasonably priced food and alcohol. At street carts, you can choose to eat standing beside the cart or have your food wrapped-up to bring home. Most Korean people consider the food sold here as a snack and do not usually eat it as a main meal. Many street vendors can be found near Sinchon, E-dae, Hongdae, and near many other university areas, as well as in the popular shopping districts of Apgujeong, Jongno, Myeong-dong, and Gangnam Station. Seasons also have unique specialties; bingsu is a refreshing iced treat in the summer whereas warm soup, gimbap, hotteok and bungeo-ppang are enjoyed in the fall and winter.
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YONSEI UNIVERSITY, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea|
Email: kishem@yonsei.ac.kr|TEL: +82-2-2123-7819|FAX: +82-2-312-6401