Category Archives: South Korea Adventures

A Day Out in Town, Exploring the Gallery and Jewelry District

After my visit to the World Museum of Jewelry I walked around the area a bit, crowded with art galleries, cute boutiques, and very comfy coffee shops (you know, the ones built so architecturally cute you just want to take a picture) I eventually found out this is one of the most popular neighborhoods for Seoulites. Samcheong-dong (삼청동) offers a unique mix of traditional Korean-style buildings, modern art galleries, inviting cafés and restaurants.

How to reach Samcheong-dong: get off Anguk Station (orange line 3) and walking towards a narrow road near the high school not to far from the station.


Cute Italian Restaurant with balcony seating

Under The Sea: World’s First Underwater Korean Traditional Costume Fashion Show

The event, which marked the launch of the new Lotte Department Store -Cheongnyangni branch in Seoul, Korea demonstrated an underwater fashion show! Out there and experiential, models performed in dresses inspired by traditional Korean hanbok 한복 패션쇼 (created by local designer Park Sul-Nyeo) underwater.

Models held their breath for minutes at a time while performing balletic moves – I bet audition requirements weren’t your usual  …

These dresses look pretty. I dig the idea and the show is neat, but I still fancy traditional runway shows!

Rest of the story here.

Eminent Documentary Photographer: Walker Evans

The Museum of Photography, Seoul (한미사진미술관)

Date: June 19th ~ September 4th

I was first introduced to Walker Evans in one of my art courses during college,  so I decided to visit his exhibit in Seoul. Anyone in photography knows or has heard of him … his visual art is characterized by a brilliant subjectivity thats seeks to be fulfilled. His work calls on us to recognize that there are things and persons out there in the world that make an inescapable condition of our lives, regardless of whether we like it or not.

Inside the subway during the late 1930′s in New York City - (blind musucuan with accordion). I slightly encounter this experience during my subway rides in Korea even now – crowded with people (many are reading newspapers) and sometimes blind persons walk past by singing.

(farmer’s wife in Alabama)

His art allows us to acknowledge the relentless power of things, of persons, of places …



Street Fashion: Seoul Korea

The streets of Seoul Korea paint an eclectic picture:

Seductive Store Design

Visual representation is probably the most important tool you have to sway potential shoppers – I would say it’s sort of like a visual passport. I was shopping around Apgujeong-dong -압구정동- and this store was so inviting!  I HAD TO TAKE A LOOK INSIDE 

The color assortment and layout of selected items look great.


I absolutely fancy this visual setup. Totally mixes with the summer season.

Stairs, it’s nothing special but, the design is so voguish and modern.

What Is Inspiration. You Create It

What is inspiration?

A musician might gather their motivation from all the different sounds in a city, garden, or even concert. A professor or teacher might acquire theirs from watching students or simply reading. A photographer perhaps collects theirs from everything they see, anything that excites their eyes.

I don’t think there’s anyone that can perfectly define what is “inspiration” owing to the fact that it’s subjective – each person defines it differently.  With that said, I guess it’s everything – an idea, a notion, a dream, a color, a sound, a person, an animal, a sensation, a feeling, an intuition, and the list goes on …

Inspirations seduce us, they lure you in and captivate your attention!!

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During my short time at a bookstore in COEX Mall, I was stuck like a magnet to this book.This day this book by 이혜영 and the series of images became my inspiration … Don’t get me wrong though, the title is a teeny-bit cliche-ish

I fancy her black booties, wash denim, puff sleeve short blazer!

Look at those fancy-schmancy rings. Her eye makeup heightens this close up.

The naughty lace bra + gold bangles = an “A” in my book

I WANT THIS CLOSET PERIOD.




Bargain Shopping: Korea Fashion District

The Fashion District in Korea is located in Dong Dae Mun – 동대문마켓. If you’re ever in Korea you MUST visit this place! There’s retail and wholesale vendors – both sell to people like you and me.

There are over 8 buildings – I’m pretty much ready to go home after visiting 2-3 buildings. A couple of the wholesale buildings: Nuzzon, U:US, etc .. open at 8PM and close in the AM! It’s all here: apparel, accessories, textiles, and more! You can find really cute and great made clothes for a bargain, keep in mind this isn’t designer – think of Forever 21 clothing but, some are better quality with reduced prices.

Vendors are side-by-side on each floor

Korea: Commitment to Pampering Thy Nails

Endless nail salons crowd Korea. There’s one on every other street in Seoul. And although I have never been one to frequently get my nails done, I’ve fallen victim to the totally affordable cost of each nail visit. A manicure ranges from 12,000 won to 20,000 won (depends on design, etc…), which translates to between $11 – $19!! The shops all have the cutest decor inside …

Some styles I’ve walked out with from the salon:

My friends nails – alternating tones within the same family of colors seem to be the trend, though I’m not a fan