Groove Korea Dec 2018 / Jan 2019

SINCE 2006

KOREA • Issue 142 • December 2018 - January 2019

FAREWELL 2018

HOLIDAY ISSUE

HELLO 2019 groovekorea.com

/groovekorea

rvnfillerclinic.com Cosmetic ReVolutioN of the 21st Century

KOREA USA

151-17 Nonhyeon-dong Gangnamgu, Seoul Tel. 02-588-2533 3850 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Tel. 1-213-389-3331~32 appointment@rvnfacialdesign.com

The Groove Magazine Holiday Issue spotlights our friends who have made Korea a home by choice, those who bring different cultures and worldviews into the Korean lifestyle. Rather than spotlighting influencers as far away images of perfection, we come to meet them personally as real people.

This final issue of 2018 wraps up a wonderful year and prepares to kick off a new, revamped Groove Magazine for 2019.

Photo by Song Hyun-ju. Curated by Ted Kim of RVN Design

COVER STORY

26 4

5

DECEMBER 2018 - JANUARY 2019

SPONSOR

10

THE RHINOPLASTY I WANT VS. THE RHINOPLASTY THAT FITS ME GNG Hospital provides the look that fits you

MUSIC

58 6

COMMUNITY

46

A GRAND SEND-OFF FOR 2018 Kiwi Chamber hosts annual Year End Grand Hui

FOOD & DRINK

ALWAYS ASCENDING Franz Ferdinand dazzles audiences in Seoul

66

A NIGHT AS A VIP For a night of VIP fun, Itaewon Sammy is the man to contact

K-FASHION

50

SARTORIAL STATEMENT Designer Lee Chung Chung sets out to make a name all his own

FOOD & DRINK

76

CLASSIC LIVES FOREVER Saint Ives offers clean, classic look for patrons

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Advertising

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General Inquiries

info@groovekorea.com

KOREA

EDITROR-IN-CHIEF EMMA KALKA

SPECIAL THANKS TO emma@groovekorea.com

EDITORIAL GIL COOMBE

gil@groovekorea.com

JILL ROBBINS

jill@groovekorea.com

BECKY WHITE

beckyw@groovekorea.com

LORENA JIMÉNEZ

lorena@groovekorea.com

DIANNE PINEDA-KIM

dianne@groovekorea.com

To contribute to Groove Korea, email submissions@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editors.

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CREATIVE DESIGN DIRECTOR /BLUISH28 PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR DANIEL KIM

photo@groovekorea.com

STRIKE COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHER SEAN CHOI

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Amy Benham (@wowamy2.0), Kiwi Chamber of Commerce, Ms.Ju-young Kim of L’escape Hotel, Lie Chung Chung and Ji-won Lee of LIE, Ted Kim of RVN Design, Songhyunju Studio (@songjyungju_studio), Kelly Diakite, Adam El, Jungmin (@a_picdiary), Sammy Kim (@makeupsammy_), Sol-ji Cha and Scott (Dong-seok Hahn) of N2RAGE, Saba Szoke, Johnny of Hair & Joy, Ms.Seul-ki Park and Ms.Yoon-hye Choi of Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong, Global Seoul Mates, The PRIZM Ent., Natalie Rapisarda (@interlacedmedia) and Ms.Choi Jung-in of PRLINE Korea

sean@groovekorea.com

To promote and event or share your opinions, please email info@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editor.

The articles are the sole property of GROOVE KOREA. No reproduction is permitted without the express written consent of GROOVE KOREA. The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved Groove Korea 2006

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SPONSOR

GNG Hospital specializing in rhinoplasty, revision, functional surgery

T

The Rhinoplasty I want

versus

the Rhinoplasty that fits me 1010

here are currently an estimated 6.8 billion people living in the world in over 200 diverse countries. Race is usually defined by genetic or physical attributes, but in the contemporary global society such rigid standards cannot account for the increasing number of mixed race people that come from everincreasing interracial relationships.

In such a diverse society what should be the standard for rhinoplasty? The answer is “whatever the patient wants.”

The reason why many people choose to have rhinoplasty is because they feel that their nose does not fit the standard of beauty in their respective cultures. These emotions can lead to unhappiness and anxiety about their looks. In such cases what should a person look for in a hospital when researching rhinoplasty? Personally I would like to say that looking for “a hospital that has extensive experience with various cases” is imperative.

As stated above, there are as many different views on the standard of beauty as there are people in the world. Accordingly, the anatomical structures and conditions of a person’s face are all unique. The foundation of surgical procedures may be the same, but since each and every person has unique genes, a doctor must be able to adjust and differentiate procedural details depending on the situation and anatomical details of the patient.

According to academia, theory upholds the belief that race is the largest defining factor in the makeup of one’s genetics. Therefore many

SPONSOR

Caucasians seek out consultation for revision of crooked noses, those of African descent for alar reduction, and Asians for the heightening of their noses. In order to successfully conduct surgery on these various cases, experience is essential.

GNG Hospital, located in Samsungdong of the Gangnam district, is a considered a “hospital level medical institution.” This certification is only given to medical institutions that have the highest level of safety-related facilities and infrastructure. It is known for rhinoplasty, ENT surgery, and rhinoplasty revision.

GNG’s head medical doctor Yong Hae Seong is an ENT specialist who has conducted rhinoplasty, rhinoplasty revision, and ENT surgery on over 3,000 different occasions.

He stresses that, “since the primary function of the nose is to breathe, when conducting rhinoplasty,

a doctor must take the functional aspects of the nose into account as well as the aesthetic shape of the nose. It is imperative that when one chooses a hospital or doctor, he or she seeks out a specialist who has had extensive experience with different cases as opposed to a hospital that emphasizes their medical collaboration system between doctors or only aesthetic aspects.”

Due to the fact that every face is unique, it is not ideal for a patient to bring a celebrity photo and ask the

Kakao

doctor to make their face identical to the one in the photo. As the French sculptor Rodin stated, “Beauty is everywhere. It is not that she is lacking to our eye, but our eyes which fail to perceive her. Beauty is character and expression.”

When choosing a hospital, make sure that you choose one that can bring out your own unique expression of your unique character and features. Also, don’t forget that improving the functionality of the nose is a key factor that should not be overlooked.

YouTube

Website

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FESTIVALS 12

Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm (오색별빛정원전) December 5, 2018 – March 24, 2019 432, Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is the biggest festival of lights in Korea, covering 100 thousand pyeong illuminated by 30,000 lights.

Adults 9,500 won / Children 6-7,000 won

Pyeongchang Trout Festival (평창송어축제) December 22, 2018 – January 27, 2019 3562, Gyeonggang-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place during winter in the town of Jinbu-myeon in Pyeongchanggun district. Visitors to the festival can enjoy a variety of programs including ice and lure fishing for trout, snow programs, ice programs, folk programs, and more. There will also be traditional folk games including sledding and top spinning, and visitors can try out sports such as riding 4-wheel ATVs, snow rafting, sleigh trains.

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산얼음분수축제) December 22, 2018 – February 17, 2019 175-11, Cheonjangho-gil, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival features a large-scale ice fountain creating an Alps Castle where fairy tale characters are living together. The ice fountain and sculptures create a splendid ambience during the nighttime opening. This festival serves to create valuable memories for children and a romantic winter dating spot for couples alike.

Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival (보성차밭 빛축제)

December 14, 2018 – January 13, 2019 775, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival will light up the green tea fields at Korea Tea Culture Park and Yulpo Beach (Solbat Beach).

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FESTIVALS 14

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (얼음나라 화천산천어축제) January 5, 2019 – 27 Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival takes place at Hwacheon county in Gangwon-do with plenty of snow and ice, perfect for a winter getaway. Since 2003, the festival has been visited by a million people, making this festival more joyful. Varied festival programs include ice-fishing, ice sledding, bobsled, and many outdoor activities.

COUNT DOWN PARTIES

NEW YEAR 16

Global Seoul Mates’ Floating Palace: New Year’s Count down party Han River Floating Islands

Count down Seoul 2019

Walkerhill The Festival

Times Square, Youngdeung-po Seoul

Vista Walkerhill

The Final Countdown Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas, COEX station Seoul

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS 18

Seoul Design Festival 2018 December 12 – 16 COEX (1st Floor Hall B), Seoul Seoul Design Festival is designed to enhance design competitiveness of domestic and foreign brands by showing design trends along with corporate brands with the motto “Designer Promotion.” Also, it has been grown into a place of exchange to support domestic designers’ expansion to the world and introduce world designers to the domestic market.

Paul Jacoulet (1896-1960) Seoul Museum ends February 10, 2019 A French artist exhibits his perspectives on Asian culture and conveyed on his engravings.

Art of the Korean Empire: Seeking a New Path ends February 6, 2019 Deoksugung Gallery, MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) The Korean Empire (1897-1910) has long been perceived as a dark period of Korean history and yet was unquestionably a formative time in art history with various phenomena coverage d to lay the foundation for Korean modern art. The exhibition aims to become a benchmark for the ongoing revision of the historical and critical concept of Korean modern art.

Kim Hong-do ALIVE: 김홍도 Alive

ends February 24, 2019 The War Memorial of Korea, Yognsan Seoul

Beyond Folding Screens ends December 23 Amore Pacific Museum of Art, Yongsan, Seoul

Artworks of Kim Hong-do, one of the greatest artists in the Joseon Dynasty revived in a form of digital media arts.

Britt Robertson

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CONCERTS 20

Against The Current: Past Lives December 5 MUV Hall, Hongdae Seoul

THE WEEKND December 15 Gocheok SKY DOME

Alan Walker live in Seoul December 18 YES24 LIVE Hall

KYLE

Jim Jefferies

Parcels

January 8 Hyundai Card Understage, Hannam-dong

The Night Talker Tour / stand-up comedy January 11, 2019 YES24 LIVE Hall

January 26 Hyundai Card Understage, Hannam-dong Seoul

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MOVIES 22

Hunter Killer

A Simple Favor

Gerard Butler Gary Oldman

Blake Lively Anna Kendrick

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Shameik Moore Hailee Steinfeld Nicolas Cage

Destination Wedding Keanu Reeves Winona Ryder

Status Update

AQUAMAN

Ross Lynch Olivia Holt

Jason Momoa Amber Heard Nicole Kidman Willem Dafoe

23

MOVIES 24

The Old Man and the Gun Robert Redford Casey Affleck Sissy Spacek Gary Oldman

Bumblebee

Glass

Hailee Steinfeld John Cena

James McAvoy Bruce Willis Samuel L. Jackson

EK Language Services Translation and Editing services

영어/스페인어/프랑스어 Lizzie

The Current War

Kristen Stewart Chloe Sevigny

Benedict Cumberbatch Michael Shannon Nicholas Hoult

한글

English, French, and Spanish native speakers on 24/7 basis Affordable price Professional and Guaranteed Quality translations 24-Hour Turnaround 10+ years of experience

ekservices247@gmail.com

Partners with Hyundai Motors, Groove Korea, KIWI Chamber of Commerce, British Chamber of Commerce, Embassy of Finland, GS Shopping and more

Standing Out

Among The Many

Every person has at least one story. Every story can inspire at least one person

Photos SONG HYUN JU 26

Clothing RVN DESIGN • Makeup JEONGMIN (@a_picdiary), SAMMY KIM (@makeupsammy_), HAAR & MU • Hair N2RAGE, HAIR & JOY • Creative Director TED KIM

Numbers do not equal influence With the advent of social media and thus the resulting immediate feedback to anything and everything we choose to post, it is easy to mistake a popular figure online as a person who has something to say that is worth listening to. We like to have someone to admire; and now as nearly anyone can plaster themselves wherever they like, whether it is YouTube or Instagram or some other digital platform, we can make ourselves look however we like. That includes crafting ourselves into an image of perfection, a person worthy of being followed, a person worthy of admiration.

When I was about 11 years old, I remember seeing those dull “inspirational” posters with generic images tacked onto the hallways of my school and reading them mindlessly as I made my way to class each morning.

However, the one I remember the most was the one that read, “The popular way isn’t always the right way.”

That phrase resonated then and today it has become more relevant as I work now in this age of influencers.

Influence.

Used correctly, the word holds a lot of power. In the international relations arena, a sphere of influence is where a state or organization has a level of cultural, economic, military, or political exclusivity; the place where they hold the most influence in all sense of the word. Parents have influence over their children, and though not entirely determining how a child will grow into adulthood, the influence a parent holds is significant and has an impact that remains for one’s entire life. Businesses have influence over environmental laws. Governments have influence over their country’s economic growth. Media has influence over trends and pop culture.

Placing people on to pedestals and calling them “influencers” seems to be, dare I say, a common mistake we are fond of making these days. How simple and nice it is to snap a pretty photo and paste it wherever we can, adding a pithy caption to make those scrolling by laugh and double-tap, indicating their appreciation. The likes compile, and over time we mistake those thumbs-up signs to mean ‘influence.’ Black and white numbers over a profile photo seem to have become equated to power.

However, let me repeat myself. Numbers do not equal influence.

I have had the honor to travel and meet people from all walks of life. People with different faces and fashion senses. People who might never appear on TV or your phone screen. People who have never been heard of by the majority. Yet, some of these people have remained the greatest influencers in my own life; their words or actions, whether knowingly or not, lit a spark somewhere in me and through that, have led me to change my life for the better. We are all capable of being the match that lights the spark.

This Holiday Issue for Groove creates a space to show foreign faces in Korea who have made an impact in their own spheres of influence, whether that is through YouTube, social media, TV, radio, or even simple conversations over a cup of coffee. Whoever you are, I hope you’ll see a bit of yourself in some of our friends here; for you are an influencer, too.

Becky White Story BECKY WHITE, LORENA JIMENEZ 27

Angelina Danilova

MODEL

@angelinadanilova

The ideals of physical beauty are different in each country; but undoubtedly, the things that define inner beauty can cross any border.

Angelina Danilova shot to fame thanks to a photo on her social media that went viral, but she maintains her position with grace. She is motivated by music, people, photography and nature; things we all can find inspiration from, but says she keeps going when she can see how her friends and followers respond to the things she creates.

Perhaps the most striking quality of Angelina, though she has many, is how simple and down to earth she is. Like she told me, “I always want to stay true to myself. I’m not creating these high walls with people. I don’t even like to use the word ‘fan.’ We are all just friends, and we’re chilling, having fun together.” Angelina, I said, smiling in response, I have the feeling you and I will get along very well.

Find her music on Soundcloud at her account “Angelina Danilova” and see some of her photography work on her other Instagram @freesoulfilms. - BW

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Andreas FRONK

ACTOR

@andy.the.actor

Andreas Fronk is German. He is tough-looking. He has deep set, blue-green eyes and a scruffy beard. Andreas Fronk is not your typical gentleman you see in Korea. He began in a very different place to where he is today.

I asked him if he had ever imagined himself acting on the screen as a stuntman.

He paused, and then in his lightly dusted German accent, explained that his idols when he was young were Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I had never dared to imagine myself becoming like that. It seemed so far fetched.”

And yet just a year ago, after wrapping up a film in a supporting role, Andreas met a stuntman on set who invited him to the Seoul Action School. He went through their six-month intensive training and came out as the only westerner to have graduated from there. By this standard, Andreas Fronk is the only foreign action actor in Korea. After working over years in the corporate world, he took on and surpassed the training program that only accepts those under 30 even though he was over 40 at the time. It makes sense that Andreas would say his best qualities include “determination, willpower and integrity.”

Now Andreas is not just only dreaming of being that strongman on the screen, he has become it by hard work and staying true to his real passion; sports and martial arts. “It all came in full circle,” he mused. “If you stick to your passion, to what you believe, it will come back to you.” - BW

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Dana Shauyenova MODEL

@dana.malik_

Dana has a special place in my heart. We met while filming Supermodel 2018 Survival on SBS a few months ago and both connected over a similar mindset towards the entertainment world.

From there, we have shared many experiences and grown only closer. She is someone I have felt to be a personal influence to me, someone who is a genuine supporter and friend. She took her time answering my questions about who she is and what she believes in because she takes it very seriously.

Dana is from Kazakhstan and brings to Korea a new perspective on beauty and passion.

I asked her, “Where do you foresee yourself five years from now?”

Thoughtfully, she replied, “From one side, you may think that five years is not so far, however on the different side, in that period you can do many things and life can totally change in one blink of an eye. Turning back, I see how much my life has changed in five years. So I can only hope that in the next five years, I can reach another set of my dreams. Life is so unpredictable, but the only thing I know is that my way of always moving forward will not change.”

Though the world and society might tell you what is the correct or only way to be successful, Dana works hard to break free from those binds and continues to chase her dreams and passions, and certainly inspires me to do the same. - BW

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Carla

&

Bella

During recent Seoul Fashion Weeks, the trend seems to have been beautiful children dressed in stylish clothes. Prominent faces among the many mini fashionistas are Carla and Bella Thelwell, half-Korean, half-Black sisters who have grown up in Korea and now in the modeling spotlight.

Their mother, Kamila manages the girls on shoots and plays an important role in navigating this Korean life with her very nontypical Korean daughters. The girls’ wild, curly hair is a physical expression of their irrepressible energy and excitement. Kamila and I talked on set while the girls played with the photographer’s tiny dog and the other guests in the studio. The usual struggles and blessings of motherhood are magnified in Kamila’s life; she shared with me how many times her daughters have faced prejudice from not only other children but even other mothers.

“You’re girls are so beautiful, but they’re black,” is a common thing she hears, a phrase that hurts me just to hear it once.

“We are not poor,” Kamila said. “We are not desperate, unintelligent, or ugly. We are Korean, too, living a different path.”

It has been an honor to see this unique family slowly break down ignorance and stigmas in the fashion world, and even in the half-Korean community among those who believe half-White, half-Korean children are somehow better. Seeing Carla and Bella shine in front of the camera and in photographs, play as kids play, laugh as sisters do, and be reprimanded by their mother as children are, all I see are two beautiful girls with a whole lifetime of love and empowering change ahead of them. -BW

THELWELL

CHILD MODELS, SISTERS

@carla11xbella13

31

Joel ROBERTS ACTOR

@joelxroberts

I have a personal affinity for well-dressed men. Joel Roberts may have finally broken my unconscious stereotype about unfashionable, nerdy ping-pong players.

He came to Korea in 2012 for the Korea Open, representing U.S. for table tennis, and fell in love with this country. Since then, he’s come a far way from ping-pong into the acting world. Our first meeting was on set for a commercial a few years back, and he has always remained in my head as simply cool and comfortable.

Meeting once again in the studio for the Groove shoot, I find my first impression was accurate, and the only change is that Joel has now become more well-known in Korea, partly for those qualities I had liked so much about him.

Five years ago when he started off as a model in Korea, he was turned down again and again; black models were just not what the people wanted. However, his steady patience seems to have made a dent; in this year alone Joel has made his biggest breakthroughs so far and now he has supporting roles in two Korean dramas and the lead role in the Korean spinoff of the Netflix hit “Stranger Things.” It seems fitting that Joel should be in the offshoot; people have viewed his dreams as crazy and unbelievable before.

“Do you see yourself as part of this mindset change towards black models and actors in Korea?” I asked. With a half-smile, Joel replied, “Absolutely.”

I’m looking forward to see where you’ll go next, Mr. Roberts. -BW

32

Ke Sung ANDERSON

CELEBRITY FITNESS TRAINER

@kesung1

As half-Korean myself, I am drawn to other halfies; especially those who have also integrated themselves in Korean society without losing that unique, non-Korean side. Ke Sung stands out from the crowd in many ways; perhaps it is his features, his height, or his resonating voice.

I may have been interested in meeting Ke Sung due to our similarities in mixed heritage, but I left our interview with a better sense of the motivation behind the man.

Ke Sung came to Korea in search of a change; to find more fulfillment in his life. Upon asking if he had found it yet, he replied honestly, “I’m happier.”

Ke Sung’s first step to carving out his own place here in Korea was learning the language; he fully immersed himself in Korean culture and the lifestyle to learn as much as he could in as short at time as possible; and his hard work has paid off. His passion for health and fitness, combined with a strong competitiveness has led Ke Sung into a mixed career of modeling, acting, and personal training.

His strong, striking appearance has encouraged others around him to take up the challenge of physical fitness, and while training them to be physically healthy, he has seen them also grow in self-belief and determination; two things Ke Sung shared with me that he firmly believes are important for living a better, happier life. If you are interested in seeing X-Men in real life, check out Ke Sung’s Instagram for his unnervingly accurate Wolverine photos. -BW

33

Matthew NOWICZ

MODEL, ENTERTAINER

@koreanmuffin

Matthew is quite tall. As a model, that is a necessity for him, of course, but his real appearance seems at odds with his rather shy personality. In photographs, his eyes are focused and holds energy, yet meeting with Matthew I was struck by his soft voice and cherubic features.

Matthew came from Poland to Korea when he was 16 years old and it seems that was a good move for him. In his words, “I liked the food and the culture really suited me from the first visit. People are really nice and always took care of me well! I love that there are so many things to do and many places to go, such as cafes, escape rooms, theme parks, the riverside, etc.”

It is nice to see that Korea has been welcoming to those from other countries.

As Matthew told me, “there will always be people who know less or more, so we can always share and learn from each other.”

It seems Korea and Matthew have been learning new things from each other already, and we hope that will continue. -BW

34

Sara HOLMES

YOUTUBER

@hojusara

There are many things I can say about Sara. She’s ever so slightly taller than me (no mean feat, as I am 176 cm), has a radiant smile that belies her snarky sense of humor, and is not afraid to try new things. Sara talks with everyone as though she has known them for a long time, and easily translates her comfortable personality through her youtube channel, HojuSara.

Perhaps Sara is just the type of girl needed to build the bridge between Korea and her home country, Australia. The peculiarities of Seoul become approachable through Sara’s down to earth personality and fun way of showing what life (and food!) is like here to those who are curious. From Brisbane to Seoul, Sara takes with her a distinct Australian flair.

She says, “I think it’s important to fit in and do your best to understand the culture of where you live but I also want to hold onto some of the amazing things about Australian culture and show that off to Korea too.”

After all, we are not all uniform people, living one way of life. Through other cultures, other people, and other ways of living, we learn and grow and change. Sara plays a role in bringing this mindset to Korea simply by being who she is; a creative, occasionally wonderfully awkward human being with a great laugh and a genuine love for this country she has made her second home. -BW

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36

37

Amy ALEHA

TV ACTRESS, ENTERTAINER

@amyaleha

The thing that struck me the most when interviewing Amy was her warm and sincere smile that won me over from our first handshake. She started telling me the story about how she first came to Korea around 2004, a time when things like Facebook or video calling - now part of the daily norm - where instead phone cards and letters to her family and loved ones.

Brave, positive, and full of expectation, she arrived with a mind as open as her heart.

Ready to go along with whatever the future might have for her. The K-wave might have been far from a reality at that time, but she seemed to have a connection with Korea that she calls the “K-butterflies”. It’s that feeling she got in her stomach when she first landed in Korea, a hunch that seemed to be letting her know she had arrived exactly where she should be.

From there onwards, she decided to follow her instincts and accept things as they came, being brave enough to do even those things that scared her.

“Sometimes I cried, but I did them anyway,” she said. Challenging herself to do her best, her braveness brought her to now, but when asked about the future, she stays real and humble. In her opinion, she is far from done growing.

“There is always room to grow and discover who you are because who you are and will be, does not have an answer, it is a lifelong question.” -LJ

38

Blair WILLIAMS

ENTERTAINER

@talkativeblair

With Korean as a major, Blair Williams first arrived here on exchange but came back following his instinct and desire to live and learn new experiences.

Willing and excited to bring new ideas to the table, he has been working in Korea for a while and is now trying to balance his marketing career with TV and entertainment.

Blair seems to be a mix of bright smiles, contagious energy, and positive attitude. Level-headed among all that brightness, when asked about his biggest life motto, he mentioned trying to abide by his parent’s advice and example of being loving and doing more of what makes him happy. At the same time he believes that anyone able to inspire or influence others must keep in mind there is also an intrinsic responsibility attached to that privilege.

In his particular case, this responsibility translates into being true to his mind and heart while being mindful of the fact that he might be setting an example for others. He admitted that he’s not 100 percent sure of what he wants to do in the long-term future, but whatever the future holds for him, we hope that he will always take his new paths with that contagious and charming smile of his. -LJ

39

Hugh & Nicola GWON

Nichola and Hugh Kwon have a beautiful marriage and are a family that wants to create a positive movement through example. They are loving and dedicated not only to each other and their infant son, but also others. This power couple does not want to “just” change people’s minds towards multicultural families. They aspire to give and challenge much, much more.

Reaching out to society through their comics, books, and YouTube channel, they create and share content not only in hopes of bringing another perspective into people’s realities. They try to bring new inspiration, new strengths, and a newfound confidence to anyone that might be missing that small push needed to believe in themselves or to fight for what they want.

Nichola and Hugh want to help others achieve their dreams, give a voice to those who might not be easily heard, and set new societal standards that we are all able to understand, as well as help us share our different realities, independently of where any of us come from.

You might come from another country, a rural area, a household with limited resources, a different kind of family… but no matter what it might be, they are pushing for all of us to understand that we are worthy and able to achieve our dreams, no matter how many times we might have been told that we will never make it. -LJ

40

YOUTUBERS, COMIC BOOK WRITER

@mykoreanhusband

Brian JOO

SINGER, FLY TO THE SKY

@thebrianjoo

The Brian Joo who brought laughter and jokes during the shoot had a 180 degree turn when it was time to be interviewed. He might have only seemed like the jokester of the group, but do not let appearances fool you. He is indeed funny and most definitely able to bring a smile to your face, but his personality runs much deeper than what you might have initially thought at first glance.

Brian’s most striking quality in my eyes is his empathy for others. The way he explained how he tries to treat everyone as an individual and understand that everyone has their own story, fully believing that “as cliche as it sounds,” we must never judge a book by its cover. He experienced first hand how to push through tough times, learning along the way to be grateful and positive towards whatever situation might come along.

He understands that sometimes it is easy to dwell on the bad but he strongly believes that we should hold onto the small things. All the little treats that might seem insignificant but at the end of the day are the happiness in life.

“We could always have more, so sometimes it is easy to compare oneself and feel unsatisfied, but if we always go behind material things we will miss the important things that happen along the way, so I try to be mindful and grateful for every little experience since there are the most valuable things we have.” -LJ

41

Nalu SANTANA

YOUTUBER

@nalusaram

When asked what makes her channel special, Nala Santana’s answer, “There is only one Nalu,” might seem overly brave to many. But, in fact, the YouTuber with over a million subscribers had a very valid point that I could not but agree with.

Especially as she further explained: “There are a lot of creators, but there are never two people that create the same, because their personalities are different, so at the end of the day it is that creator what makes the experience so special, the same way that we are all special and irreplaceable in our daily life.”

With that, Nalu wants everybody to know that we all have something to bring to the table, even when the table seems quite crowded. There is no one that can bring exactly what you have because we are all our unique selves.

She encourages others to push the boundaries because at the end of the day boundaries are there to be challenged.

Thankful for her path and mentioning how much she has grown along with her channel and viewers, she believes that she is still learning daily and has a lot of things she wants to do as she aspires to work harder for her followers, to bring them better content every day. -LJ

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Maeva DEROCHE MODEL

@iamablackpearl

Maeva Deroche is soft-spoken and sweet but with strong standards and clear intentions. At 23 and living so far away from home, she has come across many difficulties, but she has always tried to push through with a big smile and the support of her beloved sister.

“We are each other’s rocks. When I doubt myself she is always there. And in the same unconditional way, I am always there for her. Whatever she might need. It does not matter if it is my strength, love or care, whatever she needs I will always be there for her.”

Maeva has also gone through pretty difficult situations, as many of us do in a foreign country, but her take is to never give up on what you really want. It might be hard, but everything is possible if you have enough strength.

As a model, you face rejection many times and we all know that at times that one “NO” can resonate stronger than a hundred “Yeses,” but if you really want something, you have to try and give your best anyway. With this, she wants to encourage everybody to follow their dreams, but especially she wants to set an example for women of color, letting them know that, yes, they can do it, too. -LJ

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Robin DEIANA MODEL, ACTOR

@robindeiana

At some point in between dancing, learning the culture, and his desire to find a more exciting and fast-paced lifestyle away from his hometown, Robin Deiana developed an interest for Korea that made him say “au revoir” to France and move across the world, chasing his dreams. It has now been 10 years and he still has a spark on his eyes while speaking about his life in Korea and how much he has yet to discover.

He loves how acting allows him to be a different person and even discover parts of himself he did not know he had. Acting dissipates his shyness while giving him a wider perspective to understand many situations. Acting allows him to put himself more easily in others’ shoes.

Now, Robin is not only extremely dedicated to working hard and learning all he can from his extremely talented “sunbaes,” he really wants to set a new example by breaking barriers and standards not only in the entertainment world but in society.

He wants to motivate others and prove that foreigners can also act outside the regular “foreigner” role. Even when it might be harder to learn the lines and intonation in a different language, he is willing to put whatever effort and work is needed to make it happen. He hopes this will be a source of inspiration for others to fight in their fields as well. -LJ

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A common point of agreement among the interviewees and editors during this project was the dislike for the word influencer. None of us seem to agree with such a forced concept. It seemed kind of empty, more like a shell filled with unreal expectations to hide behind. Because what does it really mean and who has the power to influence us all? But most importantly, wouldn’t it be better to be inspired rather than influenced.

Influence seemed to takes away a big chunk of our power of choice. Our will, that beautiful characteristic that allows us to make not only good choices but also mistakes that we will learn upon. Choices, good or bad are what ultimately makes us who we are today, so why are we searching for people to take away one of the most beautiful and precious things we have.

What makes an influencer? Is it the numbers, the likes, the shiny products, an impeccably beautiful picture where every single aspect was carefully planned out to look as natural as possible…

In my opinion as an editor, as a human, as a soul, there are no influencers in this world. There are only people. Very inspiring people, people with a lot of things to say, people with dreams, people who support others, people that maybe not know how to support others yet, people that encourage and many people who might not even be aware of all the power they have hiding inside.

Do you really want to be influenced or would you rather be inspired?

We all come across a lot of people every day and though small interactions like a smile, words or a kind hand to help out in times of need, we are able to create a positive memory, influence and even change people’s lives.

You might not know it, but a shy smile might be saving someone’s life, or at least making their day a little bit brighter…

On the other hand, hateful words might be causing more damage that you will ever have imagined. Damage, that if you might have been aware of being creating you might have very deep regrets about. Words and small actions don’t go away with the wind, they stay. They edify or destroy. Creating a new reality, adding light or darkness to that sometimes lonely path we all walk along.

Give your best Words and actions have an impact, cutting like a dagger or sawing open injuries because at the end of the day we are all influencers. We all influence people, and if that influence is positive or negative is at the end of the day our choice.

We can give that negative energy we might be receiving to that same person, we could try to dump it in somebody else, or we could grab all that crap and transform it into something positive and change that otherwise never-ending vicious circle.

We all have a lot of power that many of us might be unaware of. We are all influencers and because of that today we wanted to introduce you a couple of personalities that you might already know about, introducing them to you through a new perspective. Not from a shiny and unreachable pedestal, but as people.

People who alike with you and me, make daily choices to influence others around them. People who might make a positive influence, as well as sometimes mistakes, people who like you and me, have aspirations, dreams, and their own reality. People with lovely memories and wonderful and interesting lives but also their own struggles. Today, we wanted to give you a more human approach to them, to their dreams, and their ideals, because at the end of the day, we are all people, and we all have things to be said.

Lorena Jimenez

45

COMMUNITY

From left to right: New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner; Korean actress Ha Ji-won, New Zealand’s Cultural Ambassador; Kim Byoung-gwan, National Assembly Member; and Dr. Tony Garrett, chairman of The Kiwi Chamber.

A grand send-off for 2018

Kim Byoung-gwan, National Assembly Member

New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner delivers welcome address.

Kiwi Chamber hosts Year End Grand Hui Story EMMA KALKA Photos KIWI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

46

COMMUNITY

W

ith the end of 2018 quickly approaching, the Kiwi Chamber of Commerce held its annual New Zealand Year End Grand Hui at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul, inviting a number of local dignitaries to the networking function.

A hui is a traditional Maori social gathering or assembly, and this year’s event took place under the theme “Innovative New Zealand A Country-Sized Incubator” on Nov. 28. According to the Kiwi Chamber, “the annual event demonstrated Korea and New Zealand’s strong bilateral relationship - an inspiring story of two small countries that have dreamed big to achieve the extraordinary.”

It took place shortly before President Moon Jae-in’s visit to New Zealand on Dec. 2-4, where he met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy.

Hosted by the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea and supported by the New Zealand Embassy, the event gathered over 250 attendees from the public and private sectors. Guests were treated to a selection of Babich wines and craft beer from MOA, along with a sumptuous buffet. There was also a lucky draw that featured prizes from key sponsors Singapore Airlines,

The New Zealand tech and innovation story is unique and one of ingenious solutions where jobs are done differently by people who think differently.

Dr. Tony Garrett, Kiwi Chamber of Commerce Chairman Grand Hyatt Seoul, Zespri, Ecostore, Shott Beverage, Bacardi, and Whittaker’s Chocolate, among others.

The event showcased New Zealand for being selected as the first of 190 economies for ease of doing business, according to the World Bank’s “Doing Business Index 2018.”

“The New Zealand tech and innovation story is unique and one of ingenious solutions where jobs are done differently by people who think differently,” said Dr. Tony Garrett, chairman of the Kiwi Chamber of Commerce. “To leverage this, our regular thought leadership series ‘Inspire with Innovation’ focuses on New Zealand as a country of up-starters.’”

At the beginning of the evening, there were remarks from the New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner, National Assembly member and former New Zealand Prime Minister’s fellow Kim Byoung-gwan, and New Zealand

Innovation starts at the edge and New Zealand is perfectly situated to change the world for the better.

New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Phillip Turner

Cultural Ambassador, actress Ha Ji-won.

Ambassador Turner gave a welcome address, saying that “Innovation starts at the edge and New Zealand is perfectly situated to change the world for the better.” He continued that the country’s way of working makes it a great partner for collaboration and like Korea, it moves faster and works harder to succeed in global markets.

He then announced the launch of SEAL, a group of New Zealand ICT and manufacturing companies working in Korea on technologies on the sea, air and land.

Following that, National Assembly member Kim delivered a congratulatory address while Ha Ji-won gave a toast for another year of inspiring growth, innovation and partnership between New Zealand and Korea.

Exports from the island country to Korea continue to grow with food and beverage shipments up 6.7 percent to around US$467 million, while aluminum, iron, and steel exports to Korea are up 15 percent to approximately US$106 million. Korea is New Zealand’s fifth largest goods trading partner and an important source of high-quality investment.

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COMMUNITY

The party

to end all parties GSM hosts biggest Countdown Party to date

W

elcome to the 2019 Floating Palace Countdown Party put on

by Global Seoul Mates (GSM).

This is Seoul’s, and perhaps Asia’s, most extravagant New Year’s social party.

Imagine thousands of foreigners and Koreans coming from different cities around Korea to celebrate in one, landmark venue, which is literally floating on the Han River. All five stories of the world famous Floating Islands is no less than spectacular. It’s the place where Ferrari and Maserati hosts their parties. On Dec. 31, from 9 pm to 3 am, 3,000 open-minded people will come together to drink, dance, and welcome 2019 in style.

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Get your gear ready as it’s dress to impress. Men often go to Itaewon to have suits and tuxedos specially tailored. Women never disappoint in their beautiful dresses and extravagant ball gowns. It’s a social event that many prepare for months in advance.

With a single entrance fee, guests will enjoy unlimited wine, Bernini Bella Champagne and Premium Dutch Grolsch beer. Although it’s recommended to eat before the party, there will be a variety of finger food prepared for all guests. It’s also recommended to bring ID and cash for drinks and coat check.

Every floor and every room

will showcase different talented performers, from aerial acrobatics to laser shows and orchestras. There will be rooms filled with games and activities that you can enjoy with new and old friends. And all of this extravagance will climax with a dazzling firework show at the strike of midnight.

The party definitely does not end there. The DJing and performances will roar on until 3 am and partygoers can move on to the after clubs anytime they wish. GSM has organized chartered buses from the Floating Islands into Itaewon and Gangnam (Sinsa area), the hottest clubbing spots in Seoul.

COMMUNITY For the past two years, the GSM Grand Ballroom NYE countdown party has been the highlight party of Seoul. To welcome 2017, 1,200 people gathered in the Grand Ballroom at the five-star Imperial Palace Hotel in Gangnam. To one-up themselves, they welcomed 2018 with 2,500 guests in twin ballrooms at the same hotel. Now for 2019 they have their most ambitious party to date. It’s more extravagant than the Gatsby Party at the Seoul Marina, more uninhibited than the rooftop water gun party at Seongsu, and more luxurious than the Summer Yacht Party at Cruise 378. This 2019 Countdown party is the party to top them all.

GSM is all about pushing their limits and growth. They want that for themselves and they want that for others.

Tickets can be purchased at the

Global Seoul Mates website here - https://globalseoulmates.com/ palace/. A single ticket is 50,000 won, but there are discounts available for those who purchase three or more tickets at once. VIP tables and rooms are also still available and can be purchased here - https://globalseoulmates. com/palacegroup/. VIP tables/ rooms come with one bottle of Absolut for every six people, two bottles of chaser for every six people, one bottle of Bernini Champagne for every six people, an open bar for Grolsch beer, open bar for wine and champagne, finger food, and a security guard.

For more information, follow Global Seoul Mates on Instagram at @gsmparty or check out the event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ events/466374300551779/.

Hashtag Campaign Join the Hashtag Campaign to win six free tickets and a VIP room for 12 people valued at over 1.2 million won at the GSM Floating Palace Countdown Party. To enter, just follow these easy steps.

1. Follow @gsmparty on Instagram.

2. Regram a photo and mention @gsmparty and these 4 hashtages: #gsmparty #berninibella #grolsch #groove Increase your chance to win with a caption of how you will make 2019 the best ******* year of your life to date.

Prize will be announced December 18th at 10 pm!

Interested in other parties and events GSM has to offer? Check out these events scheduled for 2019. (Some dates are tentative.)

Saturday, March 23 Seoullo Global Beer Festival Venue: Seoullo Bridge (Seoul Station) Concept - International beer festival, food, performances, Mongolian tents Saturday, April 13 Retro Party Venue: SFactory (Seongsu Station) Concept: 1980s style retro theme party.

Themed performances, music, and activities.

Saturday, June 8 Yacht Party Venue: Seoul Marina (National Assembly) Concept - Summer, formal-themed event. Yacht rides available for guests.

Performances, DJ party, finger food, and drinks.

Saturday, July 27 - Water Party Venue: Floating Island Rooftop (Banpo) Concept: Summer, water gun fight party during the day, bubble-foam party at night.

Performances, DJs, and activities.

Saturday, Sept. 21 Gatsby Party Venue: Seoul Marina (National Assembly) Concept: 1920s theme party inspired by the Great Gatsby. Performances, DJs, finger food, and drinks. Whisky bar and 1920s activities.

Saturday, Oct. 26 Haunted Factory Party Venue: SJ Kunsthalle Concept: Haunted factory themed party.

Best dressed competition, performances, DJ party.

Tuesday, Dec. 31 Floating Palace Countdown Venue: Floating Island Rooftop Concept: Very formal and prestigious New Year’s Countdown Party. All inclusive night with performances, horderves, and activities throughout the night.

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K-FASHION : PROFILE

SARTORIAL STATEMENT

Inspired by looming environmental issues and rising female empowerment, Korean label LIE weaves a deeper message into its clothes Story DIANNE PINEDA-KIM Photos NATALIE RAPISARDA

50

PROFILE

I

n the immersive world of Lee Chung Chung, designer and founder of womenswear label LIE, one can best understand the inner workings of his design process through wordplay.

The brand stands for love, identity, and ego, while the concept of his Fall/Winter 2018 collection—“Justice”— is actually a combination of its slogan, “It’s not just ice.” It involves models with jackets layered with faux fur collars and sleeves, others in dresses made with a cohesive patchwork of different textiles and patterns—a criss-cross and mutation of plaid, velvet, ruffles, florals, and denim. It reflects the designer’s unique perspective and his keen observations to create the unexpected. But more importantly, his garments have something more to say than being a mere style statement: “I think there are too many things that we should be thankful for such as the water, sun, wind and [other natural elements].

However, a lot of people don’t know the importance of what we have on this planet,” Lee said. “People should appreciate the environment and know how important the ice is for the polar bears.”

His eureka moment came from the image of an emaciated polar bear, displaced and deprived of sustenance due to the melting ice caps, a result of global warming. In his commitment to portray this dire need to protect the earth and all the living things that breathe life into it, he carefully studied the Inuit tribe’s different ways of dressing. The community, from which he derived inspiration, subscribes to animism, a form of belief whereby all objects or living beings have a spirit. He merged some of the colors, shapes, and textures unique to their costumes into the LIE identity, urging the world to take heed through statements written on the garments with an imperative action:

Coexist. “Through this collection, I want people to think again about the importance of nature and our environment.”

Taking root and branching out Though his narrative is not complete without a mention of his father, Lie Sang Bong, who’s considered a legendary designer both locally and abroad, Lee is forging his own name through his own design philosophy which unifies “fun, balance, and creativity.” He

his signature designs that integrate traditional Korean elements like poetry, calligraphy, and architecture with contemporary details, Lee is his own raconteur. Part of his process involves listening to his customers for their feedback and ideas. Perhaps some of the key takeaways from his Spring/Summer 2019 designs are his expert tailoring of sleek menswearinspired pieces married seamlessly with the complementary strength and softness of modern feminine silhouettes.

“Through this collection, I want people to think again about the importance of nature and our environment.” explained in an interview: “My father works really hard even at 70 years old. He has so much passion for this industry and I have never seen anyone like him. He taught me the right attitude for being a fashion designer and always reminded me to do my best no matter what. He is very inspirational to me.”

While his father is recognized for

“The collection presents a story of women’s empowerment and feminism with Amelia Earhart, the first female pioneer to fly solo across the Transatlantic. I reimagined an eclectic Spring Summer collection that motivates women to stay curious, venture into the unexpected, and overcome pre-existing barriers,” he explained. >>

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K-FASHION : PROFILE

A personal approach At the recently concluded Seoul Fashion Week, Lee’s runway was one of the most star-studded and well-attended shows, with headlines dubbing him one of the best designers to watch. His Spring/ Summer presentation in Seoul may have ended, but he still had other stages to conquer. He presented his collection in Bangkok, with local and international audiences falling head over heels. He’s staged several prestigious international shows, in fact, with rave reviews from the New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. But for Lee, each show is different and he still remains in awe. “It is amazing how I am able to show my collection to different audiences around the world. I want to show different sides of LIE through different styles for the right locations.”

Even after the last model has finished the finale walk and the spotlights are turned off, Lee is still thinking of ways to enrich his design and search for the next big inspiration. “When I am not working, I look for things that can give me energy. Going to exhibitions, eating delicious food, and listening to good music…” But of all his hobbies, fashion still takes the top spot. “There is nothing better I can do than fashion. If there was, I would probably be doing that instead!”

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Trained at TONI & GUY and VIDAL SASSOON Academy in UK Color, Perm, Magic Straight, Treatment and more English Spoken For more info, call Johnny Tel 02.363.4253 Mobile 010.5586.0243 3rd fl. 168-3 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu Qunohair Gangnam / Apgujeong Branch Tel 02.549.0335 10-6, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.qunohair.com

www.hairnandjoy.com

K-FASHION : PROFILE

A LESSON IN HONESTY his Hungarian model thrives based on the strong work ethic she learned in South Korea with her own remarkable culture-ingrained candor Story and Stylist DIANNE PINEDA-KIM Photos DANIEL KIM Model SABA SZOKE Clothing LIE Hair HAIR AND JOY Location L’ESCAPE HOTEL

H

onesty, Saba Szoke says, is the one thing that she finds easy to express in her homeland Hungary in contrast to her time in South Korea. The ability to speak out and bypass socially defined rules on subtlety is something that isn’t really embraced in this courteous country, but she says it’s more of a cultural difference than a negative trait. “Hungarians are well-known for their sincerity and straightforwardness, but here I always need to be careful with my words so as not to offend anyone,” she says. When she talks, one can see that Saba does speak her mind freely, with her every nuance allowing the listener to get a peek inside her head: her eyes light up at the recall of a happy memory or a slight furrow will form on her forehead when she’s deep in thought. “You don’t have to suppress your own personality, needs, and feelings in order to be accepted,” she muses. >>

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PROFILE

“Modeling forced me to take care of myself and made me actually want to do it for my own sake too. It has given me so much confidence that I never thought I could have.�

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K-FASHION : PROFILE

The 23-year-old stunner first moved to Seoul four years ago with dreams of becoming a dancer but stumbled upon modeling on the advice of a friend, who told her that she needed to beef up her portfolio in order to find dancing gigs. While others have this idealistic notion that being in front of the camera is an easy profession, Saba says it’s much more complex than she originally thought. “I realized that it’s much harder than a regular job in a shop or an office. You need both your mind and body perfectly synced in order to perform well and need to focus 100%, if not 200%, all the time because even one wandering thought can ruin the look in your eyes or your facial expression.”

Building her self-confidence and getting used to the limelight in order to dabble in unchartered territory is yet another challenge she took upon herself. “From when I was young, I hated the spotlight, never liked it when people [would] look at me because I had so much self-hatred,” she recounts. “But modeling forced me to take care of myself and made me actually want to do it for my own sake too. It has given me so much confidence that I never thought I could have.”

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PROFILE

A leap of faith Moving to another country with little knowledge of the language and surroundings at 19 needs courage and a whole lot of passion, but Saba was more than willing to take the risk. “I had a strange feeling that if I don’t go now, I will never go.”

But of course, taking the leap came with obstacles, both financially and culturally.

“The biggest challenge was money. I couldn’t speak Korean at that time, so finding a part-time job at the beginning was more than complicated.”

She also had to deal with criticisms about her appearance while applying for modeling jobs, which, to her, was something to be expected in the industry yet still quite hard to accept.

“Bad comments like we need to change our appearance, lose weight, and the like didn’t offend us really, but it’s just something we weren’t used to hearing,” she said.

“In Hungary you don’t need to be perfect all the time. You just need to take care of yourself, be nice, honest, and have dignity.”

But once she got past the differences, learned to adapt to the culture, and love everything that Korea has to offer, Saba now calls it her home. “First of all, I love how safe Korea is. Also the infrastructure in Seoul has no match and the food really matches my taste.”

A bigger dream One of the highs she considers in her career was appearing as a model in the Today Show and winning second place in the 2018 Miss Bikini Korea competition. “I feel that my big break is yet to come so until then I will keep on learning, practicing, and preparing hard as a model.”

Simply gaining fame and fortune isn’t her end goal, however, as she wants to fulfill an even grander plan. “I would like to work as an actress and make my name well known enough to be able to promote the protection of our wildlife. I would like to advocate for the awareness of environmental issues, fight for the conservation and rescue of animals that are on the verge of extinction. I would love to help make this world a better place for both humans and animals.”

57

MUSIC

Always Ascending:

Franz Ferdinand in Seoul Scottish band returns to South Korea Story AMY BENHAM Photos YOUNGAE JEON/LIVE NATION KOREA

58

MUSIC

Story AMY BENHAM Photos YOUNGAE JEON/LIVE NATION KOREA

F

For the rest of the night Franz Ferdinand delivered a sweet balance of songs that would please their long standing fans, as well as songs from their newest album “Always Ascending.”

ranz Ferdinand, well known for “making music girls want to dance to” (in their own words), delivered a zealous second concert at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul. After their first performance five years ago in 2013, the band was extremely excited to be back in Korea.

“Gomawoyo!” exclaimed Alex Kapranos as the band closed their first song “Glimpse of Love”. It was followed by another twelve energetic songs and an avid four-song encore. Five albums and sixteen years into their musical career, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of their performance going into this concert.

How will their performances be? What about the audience interaction? Will the audience be more Korean or largely consisting of international fans?

I was pleasantly surprised with the band’s uncontrollably exuberant energy and how enthusiastically they interacted with the audience, who were for the most part Korean fans.

Which led me to my next thought.

How and when did Franz Ferdinand first start gaining recognition in Korea or Asia?

For those of you who also didn’t know how they came about their name, after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Franz Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, the band began to discuss the animal.

“His life, or at least the ending of it, was the catalyst for the complete transformation of the world and that is what we want our music to be,” stated Kapranos.

They started gaining popularity in Asia in 2005, particularly in Japan where rock music has a huge following. That year, Franz Ferdinand’s single “Take Me Out” was nominated for Favorite Video at the MTV Asia Awards, and in 2006 they were nominated for Favorite Rock Group. In 2009, their single Ulysses reached No. 2 on Japan’s music charts, where it had only reached No. 20 in the U.K.

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MUSIC

Even after 16 years of music, it was evident that as a collective, Franz Ferdinand wanted to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

For the rest of the night Franz Ferdinand delivered a sweet balance of songs that would please their long standing fans, as well as songs from their newest album “Always Ascending.” A personal favorite of mine, “No You Girls”, was delivered wholeheartedly along with the cute quirky dance moves of lead singer Alex. Although they delivered back to back goodness, other outstanding performances were “Lazy Boy” and “Ulysses,” which were accompanied by splendid light shows that added to exhilaration of their performances.

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The band ended their encore set with a powerful stage of “This Fire,” building up the atmosphere by ingeniously dragging out their lyrics “I’m gonna burn this city, burn this city” with a mini solo from each of the members: Alex, Bob, Paul, Julian, and Dino. Giving their appreciation and thanks to the audience they reluctantly exited the stage (Julian wearing a rabbit hat thrown to him by a fan) but their presence remained.

The band put on an eclectic performance. I was most impressed with the amount of heart and energy

exuded by each performer.

Even after 16 years of music, it was evident that as a collective, Franz Ferdinand wanted to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

I went into this venue not knowing what to expect from the group or how the audience would perceive them, however I left feeling like whatever expectations I went in with were truly exceeded. I’m looking forward to their next return to Korea.

Special thanks to Live Nation and Yes24 Live Hall for hosting the event!

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MUSIC

Work hard

for what you love

Indie artist Ogon talks life, inspiration and music Story & Photos AMY BENHAM Translation BECKY WHITE

I know that working hard is a good thing, keep working extremely hard.

But work hard and sweat in your own way, a way that makes you happy.

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MUSIC

O

gon is an upcoming artist known for first playing bass in the EDM band Luna Pirates, though lately he has been branching out onto his own. Recently Groove Korea sat down with him to chat about his newly released single, what inspires him, and just why the perfect late night snack is cereal. Equipped with a bright smile, sweet voice, and sentimental lyrics, Ogon is someone who should definitely be on your radar.

Firstly, can you introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a singer-songwriter called Ogon.

Nowadays, I have been preparing for the release of my new single. I debuted about four years ago and had some transition periods, but I officially began making music about three years ago.

Can you tell us about yourself personally? Where were you born and raised, and what brought you to Seoul?

I’m from Ulsan, a city located just above Busan. When I was 20, I came to Seoul for university. I had always wanted to do music from a young age and so I came to Seoul to pursue it more sincerely.

So you came to Seoul especially to study music?

Yes. Do you know about jae-see?

(The cramming period to study for university entrance exams.) I failed to get into university, so I studied for another year in Seoul, and then I started university to study music.

Can you describe your music for those who haven’t heard it before?

Sentimental. Melancholy. I create many songs like that. Of course, I also sing about warm love and those kind of songs about fluttering love. But maybe it’s because I like sentimental and melancholic songs, so I have been making music like that. Next week the song that comes out will be about a past love. It’s not extremely sad, or anything that will make you cry.

But it’s like looking at my last love from far away.

You have a lot sad songs!

It’s not my intention, but it comes out naturally. I like upbeat music too.

Usually I’m a bright and energetic person. But my music just seems to have naturally been melancholic for the past few years.

That melancholy feeling, when it comes, do you just enjoy it or try to get rid of it?

I’m the kind of person that doesn’t feel loneliness easily. So if I feel melancholic, I just feel it and acknowledge it it “Ah, I see I’m experiencing melancholy,” and enjoy it alone.

Which of your songs would you recommend to to first time listeners?

Personally, because they are my songs, I love them all. But I would recommend the songs that people around me seem to enjoy the most.

For example, “줄까해” is a song I released last April, and the response was quite good. As well as a song from two years ago, “지구에서 니가 제일 좋아해” (“In this Earth, I like you the most”) which is a very sweet song. Many people seem to like these two songs these days, so I tend to recommend them.

What’s the story behind “줄까해”?

After breaking up with my exgirlfriend, though the initial hurt that remains after an ended love might pass, there of course remains that small bit of feeling. That feeling is not like super sad, but after time you know you still feel as though you miss that person. So it’s a song about that.

It was me saying that this song is for you, for the last time I will write this song for you, and now it as though my heart has truly accepted that we are broken up. Through this song, just singing it alone to myself “I let you know what I want to say, I don’t know if you’ve heard it but now I’m really over it”.

Do you write your own songs?

I usually write my songs myself, including the lyrics and melody.

Ogon’s music: https://www.melon.com/artist/song. htm?artistId=725545

Sometimes I ask others if something isn’t going well or if it isn’t going the right way, then I ask someone who I think will do well. If I need some drumming and I can’t do it, I will ask someone. These days I had a hard time writing in English, so I ask someone who is good at writing English to help me out. But usually I do write songs alone.

What or who are your musical influences? How do you get inspired when making music?

First, exploring. Not going on huge trips, but just traveling to nearby places. I like history. So I go to historical places, they’re pretty. I go alone and walk a lot. I go to places I like, walk around and think. Through those thoughts, I get ideas. As I think about the past, the present, the future, it helps me emotionally and and gives me inspiration. Also, when I listen to good music. If the feeling is good, I get inspired. I suppose like other musicians might, I like movies and books, so I get inspiration through them. For artistic things, the feelings are similar, so we get inspiration from those things. >>

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If I feel melancholic, I just feel it and acknowledge it. ‘Ah, I see I’m experiencing melancholy,’ and enjoy it alone. movies a lot. I like walking, too. I always walk and explore. I pick a theme and then travel according to that it. Even just traveling in Korea or Seoul, if I pick a theme, I explore it. I like exercise too so I often play soccer, basketball and go bike riding. I often ride bikes to travel alone. It’s difficult to go bike riding in winter, but I definitely play soccer no matter how cold the weather is! I have been doing it every week for the past 10 years!

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

BTS!! And Black Pink. These days I don’t know. There’s not a specific group that I definitely want to do a collaboration with. If the feeling is mutual and good, then I’d like to collaborate with anyone. Doing solo work is nice, but working with other people has a different feeling. Musically if we are similar then I’m happy to collaborate with anyone. Not a specific group. But if I have to choose a specific one, then BTS. What kind music do you like to listen to?

Basically, I like acoustic music, I listen to it a lot. Rather than just focusing on the genre, I listen to the actual feel of each song, regardless of the genre. I like EDM and Hip-Hop though. So if the song itself is good, then I listen to it. No matter what kind of genre I listen to, I think I can recognize a pretty good song.

What do you do in your chill time when you aren’t making music?

As a hobby I play computer games a lot. Or exploring, I explore historical places. I read lots of books and watch

Favorite late night snack?

Cereal. I don’t like cooking... I can’t cook. Cereal. You can just buy it with milk. If you just have cereal it’s fine. It’s cheap. I also like bread. Usually at night bakeries are closed, but convenience stores are open and you can get just get cereal and milk.

What can we expect from your upcoming single album?

This song also was created whilst thinking about things in the past, the things I thought I miss. Other people may feel the same way too. They might hear this song, understand and agree.

I’m not expecting anything whenever I make a song (however if there was a big result it would be great) but for those people who listen to the song, even if there is one more person who listens to my music and identifies with me in the song, I think I will be happy.

Where do you perform?

Festivals, Hongdae clubs, cafes.

Places that are similar to where other indie artists perform.

Do you have any upcoming performances you would like to share with us?

Well, I’m thinking about that. Up until 2017 I did so many concerts.

I did concerts like 5 times a month.

As I was previously performing so much I changed my mind in 2018.

I did less concerts. I decided to

make more music instead. Through concerts, I wanted to meet more people for collaborations, hoping to meet them, but it didn’t happen. In fact, it became less *laughs*. Next year, I am thinking of doing many concerts.

I will more aggressively pursue more performances. I’m considering that soif I have them, I will invite you guys! In February I will definitely do one.

Is there anything you want to say to our readers (and the world)? Express yourself!

What a big thing to ask! To the whole world?! To the world… I am sincere when I say that these days, people work to rest. For me, I’m the opposite. I think I can work hard, crazily, but at that time you should do it for yourself. Around me my friends say they’re having hard time and that they are depressed. I understand them. But for me I am the type who works really hard every day however even as I work hard, I have some freedom. It’s because I do what I like. Lots of people work really hard. I know that working hard is a good thing, keep working extremely hard. But work hard and sweat in your own way, a way that makes you happy. Like with soccer, it’s hard, it’s like a fight and a competition. When it doesn’t go well, you fight and get angry. And even curse.

Especially if guys do together; they fight, sweat, and swear and sometimes it’s so physically harsh that you want to throw up from the effort. But afterwards, when you shower you feel so happy. That’s how I want to live. Living and working with all my effort, but living as myself. So I want to tell everyone, work hard but live as yourself, do what you love.

Any last thing you’d like to say?

When this magazine comes out, the new song will be already be released.

After that song too, more songs will keep coming out. So I will be really grateful if people listen to them.

Thank you!

Special thanks to M1CT coffee for hosting our interview: Address: 서울 마포구 희우정로15길 13 • Hours: 11am - 8pm (closed Mondays) • Instagram: @m1ct.coffee

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ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL. ALL VODKAS ARE NOT.

DRINK WITH CARE. STOLICHNAYA® PREMIUM VODKA 40% Alc./Vol. Distilled from Grain. © 2016. All rights reserved. ® – Registered trademarks, depending on the country, of ZHS IP Americas Sàrl, ZHS IP Europe Sàrl, ZHS IP Worldwide Sàrl, Spirits International B.V., or Spirits Product International Intellectual Property B.V.

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A NIGHT AS A VIP Itaewon Sammy knows the best ways to enjoy Itaewon Story & Photos EMMA KALKA

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“So… what do you want to do this weekend?”

It’s the same question all of us have asked ourselves or even our friends at some point - often multiple times. And being in Seoul, there is no shortage of options. Decisions can get overwhelming.

Enter Itaewon Sammy.

He’s lived in Korea for nearly 10 years and is currently a permanent resident. And after years of living in Seoul, he decided to put his knowledge of nightlife and social connections to good use. After working with a few different clubs in Hongdae and Itaewon as a VIP coordinator, he recently started his YouTube Channel - Itaewon Sammy - to share his wealth of knowledge in how to have a good time.

“I have many social media connections, I am a social person and I feel I have a unique life here in Korea,” he said. “I wanted to see if I could share some of my experiences with the people out there and then if I could make it successful.”

His goal for the channel is to achieve monetization within the year. More than that, he hopes to share the things he has learned in the 50 years of his life as well as share his adventure over the next year as he plans for retirement and what he is doing to achieve that goal.

He started out in Hongdae, where he worked as a VIP coordinator for four years.

“I grew my base of social contacts in Korea and an opportunity to help a friend came up in Hongdae, (so) I jumped at the chance to get back into the nightlife business,” he said. Prior to coming to Korea, he has over a decade of experience working in the field in Toronto as a young man. “I have a saying: find out what it is you are good at and then figure out a way to get paid to do it. Another is learn to live life, don’t let life live you.”

After that, he worked with House of

Ming for two years and has spent the last year working as a VIP coordinator for B1 in Itaewon. And Itaewon Sammy has certainly proven his chops.

To just just what he can do, he invited Groove Korea for a night out as his guest at the clubs and bars he works for, certainly rolling out the red carpet.

The night started with dinner and drinks at Pizza Muzzo. The restaurant has two sections - one that is a bit quieter and offers more of a dining experience, while another has flashing lights and a live DJ spinning to amp up guests for a night out.

Of course, we were seated on the party side. While it was a bit noisy for a good conversation, the music and atmosphere was perfect for getting hyped up for a night of bars, clubs and drinking.

With a selections of pizzas, pastas and others, it was difficult to choose what to eat, though we finally settled on the Four Seasons pizza, Chicken Arrabbiata pasta and an appetizer of sweet potato fries at the suggestion of our host.

The fries arrived quickly and had just enough seasoning to balance the sweet and spicy, along with a delicious dipping sauce. The pizza and pasta were large enough to share between two people and we certainly didn’t leave anything left over. The Four Seasons is a cheese lover’s dream combination of margherita, diavola, quattro formaggi, EVOO and a ricotta spinach calzone in the crust with a fig jam. The Chicken Arrabbiata had a good kick to it, with spicy marinated chicken and spicy chili, but not too much for those who can’t handle it.

We decided to throw caution to the wind and let the bartender choose our cocktails. We ended up with a Cassis Frape - perfect for those who like their alcohol a bit on the sweet side - and then more traditional Moscow Mule and a dirty gin martini. They were all mixed expertly, though the martini was a bit on the strong side. >>

I wanted to see if I could share some of my experiences with the people out there and then if I could make it successful.

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I have a saying: find out what it is you are good at and then figure out a way to get paid to do it. Another is learn to live life, don’t let life live you.

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After we finished lining our stomachs, we headed to our next destination - Q Bar. It was an easy journey - there is literally a spiral staircase that leads from the Pizza Muzzo dining room directly upstairs to the bar. Here, we were welcomed with complimentary drinks of our choice - we went with our go-to cocktails gin and tonic.

The manager and bartenders are friendly and made us feel very welcomed. We ended up ordering two more rounds on our own as we were enjoying the atmosphere so much.

And here was where we would enjoy the night’s entertainment - Q Bar’s weekly drag show That Saturday, there were three performers that did two sets each - one of which was the wonderful Chaka who hosted the show. They were loud, glamourous and so much fun. The show started around midnight and kept the audience engaged and entertained until about 1 a.m. with an intermission so the queens could change and patrons could refresh their drinks. The bar offers a few tables for those who want to book bottle service, but most of the patrons opted to stand around the stage in order to get the best view of the queens.

Once the show ended, even though we wanted to stick around Q Bar a bit longer with its fun atmosphere and playlist of pop favorites that everyone wants to dance to, we packed up and head down the street to meet Itaewon Sammy at our final destination for our VIP night - B1.

The basement club offers a few sections for all music lovers. After getting inside with our VIP tickets, we were handed a pile of drink tickets from Itaewon Sammy and sent on our way to enjoy the section of the club of our choice. Being the sort that enjoy dancing, we headed straight for the hip-hop section.

That night we got lucky in that it wasn’t too crowded - meaning we could dance without bumping into other people as much and get a drink from the bar in less than 10 minutes. Free drink tickets are usually only good for single mix cocktails, tequila shots and some beers, but as the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers. And it’s not like we were complaining.

We spent the rest of the night bouncing between the dance floor and hanging out at the bar where Sammy introduced us to other VIP guests. He’s allowed to let in a certain number of guests with VIP bracelets and offer them free drink tickets throughout the night. That night in particular, he had about 200 drink tickets to give out, but can get upwards of 300 guests coming through in a night, so tickets go fast.

This pretty much means he spends each night at the club running up and down the stairs, meeting guests at the door or checking in on them down in the club. I believe we saw him a grand total of three or so times during the few hours we were at B1, though he was quick to answer a text if we needed something and quick to make sure we were enjoying ourselves whenever he came to check on us on his own.

All in all, it was a fun night out in Itaewon. Good food, good drinks, good entertainment, good music and good company.

To learn more about VIP nightlife in Itaewon as well as life in general in Seoul, be sure to follow Itaewon Sammy’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/ Sampel2011. It is regularly updated and he often livestreams while working. And feel free to contact him for more information on guest lists and VIP life in Itaewon.

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Every person who steps through the doors is an honored guest.

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“Paris is always a good idea.”

19th Century France is brought into the modern imagination at L’Escape Hotel.

Story BECKY WHITE Photos DANIEL KIM

M

axim Rokhman, manager of the Marque d’Amour bar at L’Escape Hotel, is from Moscow. His work as a bartender has taken him all over the world, from Russia to Dubai and finally, here to Seoul. Making and mixing unique drinks with finesse appears to be a common language. The job of a bartender is successfully translated internationally. Though the country and cultures might differ, and the people who are served may look and act different, the role behind the bar remains the same.

Maxim joined the L’Escape Hotel team two weeks prior to the opening the hotel, and just a few days after the hotel opened their doors, the bar was officially ready for their first guests in July of 2018.

Maxim is no stranger to luxury hotels. He has worked many years as a bartender and bar manager at five star hotels before and shared some insight on what separates a great hotel from a fabulous one. L’Escape Hotel comfortably sits in the category of exceptionality. It was designed by the French architect Jacques Garcia, and recreates the atmosphere of Paris at its peak poshness in the 19th century. >>

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Lavish decorations without garishness and extravagance with sophistication are found in all details of the library, the lounge, and of course, the bar where Maxim supervises.

Simply stepping through the entrance doors, Seoul’s busy modernity vanishes within L’Escape Hotel. The elevator from the lounge to the twentysixth floor, where the bar is located, coolly informs its rider of the floor number in both Korean and French.

The bar is just large enough to sit a good number of people, but intimate enough to start feeling cozy once three or four tables are occupied. Chaise longues with gold trimming are plush and classic, placed evenly around tables where guests can luxuriate in the dimly lit bar. The music is kept at a comfortable volume, to support the light-hearted conversations of guests rather than to overpower. Everything is finely tuned for exquisite comfort.

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Maxim presides over the bar, which proudly boasts an impressive array of fine wines, whiskeys, champagnes, and rare liquors. He, along with the other bartenders, is neatly dressed and holds a calm confidence as he courteously offers a beautifully presented cocktail.

Lightly fragranced baby’s breath garnishes the glass of the unique, originally created drink. The menu at the bar changes once in a while, as the bartenders imagine and mix new cocktails, giving alluring names such as Soft Rain and Forget Me Not. Each drink is presented on the cocktail card with an easy-to-understand description of their complex flavors; a few include how sweet, how strong, how floral or how sour. Maxim explains each drink as he carefully sets the glasses on the table; this one has citrus, good for these winter months.

This one is quite refreshing. This one is best enjoyed warm.

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The hotel hosts events and parties every month. This year in November, L’Escape Hotel played host to two major perfume brands; the hotel is a fitting location for perfume parties.

The ambience here suits luxury and sophistication with ease. It is good to note, however, that though it is easy to slip into high-browed haughtiness when surrounded by such decor, L’Escape extends open invitations to special events such as their upcoming Christmas magic party; to attend, simply call the hotel and reserve a table. The bar is open to everyone as well, not just to guests.

Every night from six pm until the early hours of two am the following morning, Maxim is here to greet and serve any and everyone who chooses L’Escape as their evening getaway.

Like a smile can be heard through the telephone, hospitality can be sensed in the smallest of services.

The staff at L’Escape Hotel do their utmost to make one feel that they are truly welcome and special here. Here, one is a valued guest and invited to relax. Though the cocktails may be delicious, and though the coffee might be roasted to perfection and the music be absolute art to the ears, in the end, the thing that draws people back to L’Escape Hotel is the atmosphere.

When they come to L’Escape, they can be sure they will be treated well and enjoy a place full of good service and sophisticated, old-fashioned human connection.

A cocktail is like a beautiful woman, Maxim explained. One might see her and fall in love, while another might not be interested. Taste is subjective. A certain cocktail might suit one person but not another.

Though the drink might not be for everyone, finding the right drink for the right person is a challenge Maxim enjoys. Discover your perfect cocktail, crafted for you, where it can be guaranteed you will fall in love with L’Escape Hotel.

A cocktail is like a beautiful woman.

One might see her and fall in love, while another might not be interested. A certain cocktail might suit one person but not another.

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CLASSIC LASTS FOREVER A cafe exists as a community space and an expression of the owner.

Story BECKY WHITE Photos AMY BENHAM

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T

here are some things that remain timeless. Audrey Hepburn’s perfect eyebrows and doe eyes. Handwritten letters in cursive ink. Family photographs.

The classics of white and a clean look will never fade. I like to think a fresh, pure beautiful interior will always be charming, no matter how much time passes.

Saint Ives Cafe creates that minimal and airy atmosphere with their sleek decor. The black bar with individual stools lined up beside it, waiting for a single guest to take a seat where he can watch the barista make his coffee for him. The white loveseats beside the windows, where couples can sit together comfortably. The teal coffee cups, neat white tables, and expansive windows. No nook feels too small, no table is overlarge. Everything fits in like neat puzzle pieces in their correct place.

Being located on the second floor, Saint Ives grants you a view I like to call “cat-like.” I felt as though I were perched by the window, gazing outside and watching the birds and people go by. The cafe is situated in a part of Hapjeong that is half neighborhood, half cafe and restaurant street. Seated beside the window, I watched as elderly couples strolled leisurely by and smiled as a group of high school girls raced past on the street below. Though I can see them laughing, the voices do not reach the cafe. It remains quiet as ever, with music playing warmly in the air. >>

“Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future”

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Saint Ives shows that the minimal styles of black on white, with accents of teal, can go a long way to making a simple, beautiful space into something memorable.

I explore cafes nearly everyday.

I see so many - those with rustic, wooden interior. Those with cold, concrete walls refurbished to be a bit more homey. I see cafes with the tiny, china cups and cute decorations lining the walls in haphazard fashion. But the cafes I think I love best are the minimal ones, the fresh ones, the places where I can come and simply take a breath of air without any additional clutter. There is always a type of cafe to suit your particular mood. Yet, I remain certain that the classic, clean look will always be timeless and always suitable.

There’s no doubt the cafe is extremely photogenic. The natural lighting and white backgrounds makes a nice impromptu studio.

I will say, come armed with your camera. However, I would be misleading you if I said to expect only a nice interior design. The views and atmosphere are simply additions to the coffee. Saint Ives is a specialty coffee roaster and takes great pride in how they make their coffee. I sipped my own latte with distinct satisfaction.

It’s a great cafe to visit in the morning, where you may enjoy the sunlight and relax with a friend or two. The atmosphere is peaceful, fresh, and bright.

Regardless, if you’re coming with friends, a date, or even just by yourself, come and snap some photos. Join the Cafe Hunt and tag me @sincerelybeckyw on instagram if you do - I’d love to see how you enjoy your cafe hunts as well.

I hope to see Saint Ives years from now; already I know, the classic beauty of it will remain the same even then.

Address: Dokmak-ro 5 gil 23, 2nd F (near Hapjeong St) Hours: M-Sat 10:00 am to 11:00 pm coffee in little plastic bottles for takeout / gifts @saint_ives

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Plastic-free : Except for the

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FAMILY AND KIDS Eton House Prep (02) 749-8011 • 68-3 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul A unique British-style Prep School for children of all nationalities from 2-13 years of age. A broad, challenging and innovative curriculum preparing pupils for senior school and life beyond. www.etonhouseprep.com AMUSEMENT PARKS Everland Resort (031) 320-5000 • 310 Jeondae-ri, Pogokeup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do Lotte World (02) 411-2000 0 • 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Pororo Park (D-Cube city) 1661-6340 • 360-51 Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul Children’s Grand Park (zoo) (02) 450-9311 • 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Seoul Zoo (02) 500-7338 • 159-1 Makgyedong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do BOOKSTORES What the Book?

(02) 797-2342 • 176-2, Itaewon 1-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • whatthebook.com Located in Itaewon, this English bookstore has new books, used books and children’s books.

Kim & Johnson 1566-0549 • B2 fl-1317-20 Seochodong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

HEALTH ORIENTAL MEDICINE Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic 02) 511-1079 • 3rd fl., Lee&You bldg. 69-5 Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Specializes in hair loss and scalp problems and offers comprehensive treatments and services including aesthetic and hair care products.

COSMETIC SURGERY MIZAIN plastic surgery Seoul National University College of Medicine graduate doctors offer the best quality medical services • (02) 515 6199 • Dosan-daero 423 (Cheongdam-dong 91-11), Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.mizainps.com MVP plastic surgery Welcoming environment for foreigners and friendly staff guarantees a pleasant visit for cosmetic surgery related consultations. (02) 3442 6669 •Nonhyeon-ro 819, Gangnam-gu, Seoul JK plastic surgery center Experience the best medical system in Korea. Its superb system allows the minimum efforts for your medical experiences.

(02) 777 0337 • 584-2 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul FITNESS Exxl Fitness Gangnam Finance Center, 737 Yeoksamdong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.exxl.co.kr

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UROLOGY & OB Sewum Urology (02) 3482-8575 • 10th fl., Dongil bldg., 429 Gangnam-daero, Seochogu, Seoul Tower Urology (02) 2277-6699 • 5th fl. 119 Jongno 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul DENTAL CLINIC Boston Dental Clinic General dentistry / Periodontics / Orthodontics (02) 3482-0028 • 92-12 5F, Banpo 4-dong (Seorae French Village), Seocho-gu, Seoul OPHTHALMOLOGY Dream Eye Center The best eye clinic for LASIK and LASEK. 3,000+ foreign patients over 20+ years of experience with 0 complaints. If you’re considering getting this, make sure to choose the best.

• 1588 9881 • 14 fl., Mijin Plaza, 825 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul ANIMAL HOSPITALS Chunghwa Animal Hospital / Korea Animal Transport (02) 792-7602 • 21-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / www.cwhospital.com

MUSEUM AND GALLERIES National Museum of Korea (02) 2077-9000 • 168-6 Yongsandong 6-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul The NMK offers educational programs on Korean history and culture in English and Korean.

National Palace Museum of Korea (02) 3701-7500 • 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongnogu, Seou This museum has a program called Experiencing Royal Culture designed for English teachers to help learn about Joseon royal culture.

Seodaemun Museum of Natural History (02) 330-8899 • 141-52 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Don’t know where to take your kids on weekends? This museum exhibits a snapshot of the world and animals.

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea (02) 2188-6000 • 313 Gwangmyeongro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do Leeum Samsung Museum of Art (02) 2014-6901• 747-18 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 10:30 am-6 pm Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Gallery Hyundai (02) 734-6111~3 • 22 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul The first specialized art gallery in Korea and accommodates contemporary art. • 10 am-6 pm Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Plateau (02) 1577-7595 • 50 Taepyung-ro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul • 10 am-6 p. m.

Closed on Mondays.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA SEOUL) (02) 3701-9500 • 30 Samcheong-ro, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Daegu Art Museum (053) 790-3000 • 374 Samdeok-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu Art space for local culture presenting Daegu’s contemporary fine arts and internationally renowned artists.

EMBASSIES American Embassy (02) 397-4114 • 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul Canadian Embassy (02) 3783-6000 • (613) 996-8885 (Emergency Operations Center) Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong) 21, Jung-gu, Seoul British Embassy (02) 3210-5500 • Sejong-daero 19-gil 24, Jung-gu, Seoul Australian Embassy (02) 2003-0100 • 19th fl, Kyobo bldg., 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul Philippine Embassy (02) 796-7387~9 • 5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Spanish Embassy (02) 794-3581 • 726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul French Embassy (02) 3149-4300 • 30 Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

HOTELS & RESORTS Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul (02) 2250-8080 • San 5-5, Jangchung-dong 2-ga Jung gu,Seoul

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Novotel Ambassador Gangnam (02) 567-1101 • 603 Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul (02) 3216-5656 • 353 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Somerset Palace Seoul (02) 6730-8888 • 85 Susongdong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Park Hyatt Seoul (02) 2016-1244 • 606 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Lotte Hotel Busan (051) 810-1000 • 772 Gayadaero, Busanjin-gu, Busan Park Hyatt Busan (051) 990-1244 • 51, Marine City 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612824, Korea

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTERS

Seoul National University Hospital 1339 • 28-2 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Seoul Samsung Hospital 1599-3114 • 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Asan Medical Center 1688-7575 • 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpagu, Seoul Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center (053) 250-7167 (7177 / 7187) • 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

AIRLINES Korean Air 1588-2001

FAMILY AND KIDS Yongsan Intl. School (02) 797-5104 • San 10-213 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Seoul Intl. School (031) 750-1200 • 388-14 Bokjeongdong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Branksome Hall Asia (02) 6456-8405 • Daejung-eup, Seogipo-si, Jeju Island Daegu Intl. School (053) 980-2100 • 1555 Bongmudong, Dong-gu, Daegu

Dulwich College Seoul

Asiana Airlines 1588-8000 Lufthansa (02) 2019-0180 Garuda Indonesia (02) 773-2092 • garuda-indonesia.co.kr

University Dongsan Medical Center (053) 250-7167 (7177 / 7187) 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

Jeju Air 1599-1500

Gangnam St-Mary’s Hospital 1588-1511 • 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

British Airways (02) 774-5511

Yonsei Severance Hospital (Sinchon) (02) 2227-7777 • 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Delta Airlines (02) 754-1921

T’way Air 1688-8686 Jin Air 1600-6200 Cathay Pacific Airways (02) 311-2700v Emirates Airlines (02) 2022-8400

Dulwich College Seoul offers an exemplary British-style international education (including IGCSE and IBDP) for over 600 expatriate students aged 3 to 18 from over 40 different countries.

6 Sinbanpo-ro 15-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea http://seoul.dulwich.org/ admissions@dulwich-seoul.kr 02-3015-8500

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