REVEALING THE BEAUTY OF SEOUL CITY

                       SEOUL: The theatre of entertainment

In the heart of East Asia, Seoul, the capital city of South Korea is upholding the test of a city beyond imagination where surrounding nations stair. Dating back from the 18^th BC, this city moved from the rule of one dynasty to another and had been traumatized by several wars. Despite its shocking revelations, the mighty “SEOUL” has moved from one innovation to another keeping intact its history, originality and cultural heritage; Hey! A good future has its foundation in the past. Seoul is reaching the summit of its ambitions, the world’s most digital city; Wow! What a paradox of positivity. It is no exaggeration saying that, the sky is the only limit to Seoul’s continuous and ever expanding innovative and creative ideas because the city has taken a short time to blossom and attain international recognition. Seoul has become the connecting belt of entertainment in Asia bringing together artists, actors and actresses from around the globe. Some city residents call Seoul, “The Hollywood” of Asia; Oh! Do you remember the Michael Jackson Seoul Tour at the Olympic park stadium, the Paris Bastile Opera, St Petersburg Ballet, the English National Ballet at the Opera House in Seoul? Check it out. It’s always a year round entertainment in Seoul. The city’s entertainment facilities range from traditional and modern structures that give a vivid memory of the cultural heritage of this “Dynamic city”. Watching traditional displays and music as they perform in their unique traditional outfits gives an impression to visitors of a city that makes no distinction of color, race, tribe, culture, ethnic group, or country. Their outfit carries attractive, captivating, tantalizing and gorgeous colors symbolizing unity in diversity. Present day entertainment in Seoul has taken a new dimension where traditional and modern entertainment grounds exist as common identities. Entertainment at any time of day carry the same flavor and excitement that keeps visitors spell bound as they watch with satisfaction and anxiety. There is an efficient and co-coordinated security that guarantees movement within the city at any time. Each season is famous for a particular entertainment or festival, art for fall season, vacation for summer, royal palaces for spring and light for winter. (Korea Tourism Organization)

Spreading from one part of the city to another, open door and indoor entertainment spots have imposing and protruding structures that even the blind can feel their warmth and glamour. The first picture of the Yongsan open door theater in the popular Yongsan electronic market is just a tip of the iceberg when we talk of entertainment in Seoul city. This picture reminds me of the fascinating and easy going names of hot and popular spots in Seoul that no foreigner needs an interpreter to translate. You just need to use your eyes very efficiently. Most of the spots bear romantic and poetic names that are so catchy to the naked eyes, friendly to the mouth and easily digestible in heart that makes you feel much at ease even at first sight. Imagine you are in a stressful situation and you suddenly come across names like “Once in a Blue Moon, Princess, Platinum Microberry, Sheraton Grand Walker hill Casino, Queen, Rolling Stones, Rock.’n’ Roll, Santana, Moon glow, Seoul Pub,” the list is long and endless. A blend of these with Korean names like “Mi, Mu, Munye, Yeakdang, just complement the romantic and poetic trend.

Seoul offers its visitors with a variety of entertainment they will fine no where in the world. The Seoul House is a glaring example of varieties ranging from classical concerts, Opera, traditional music and dance. Live jazz for jazz lovers is very popular. A mélange of sounds vibrating from Karaoke’s and from different angles of the city with fantasy of decorations, flower sofas, attractive balconies is just enough for any visitor either on transit for seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks or months to feel the real satisfaction of his or her money. If you are movie crazy, then you have made the right choice coming to Seoul where the Daehangno district with a good number of theatres gives you a self desired entertainment after an exhausting journey. Quite a good number of movie stars in Korea have gained international reputation that you don’t need to doubt for a second the type of films you will watch that will keep you excited and emotional. You may be fortunate to meet some of the movie stars like director Park Chan-Wood who won the 2004 Cannes Film Festival with the grand Prix for his film “Old boy”, Jeon Do-yeon who won the 2007 Best Actress Festival in Cannes for Secret Sunshine, (KTO) just to name these few. Not only are people making international recognition in Seoul city, places as well. The Lotte World in Seoul, a theme park that draws millions of visitors every year was recognized by the “Guinness Book” of record as the largest indoor theme park in the world with indoor and out door sections; Oh, amazing!  The Seoul Chungmuro International Film Festival gives you just the needed ingredient that crowns your stay in Seoul city. Its particularity is the unique bond that stretches to discover varieties across the globe. Even if you become bored with the films, you can make a natural film by watching and taking a walk through the outstanding geographic landscape that surrounds the city like the Namsan Mountain which is very accessible; Hey! You can make it real. 

 Neighborhoods like Itaewon amongst others gives you a twenty four hours entertainment coupled with the city’s maximum security that works round the clock.                                                                                                                                                 Seoul city is creating an image of its own where there is a common platform that goes beyond entertainment.  Think of going shopping in the Yongsan electronic market, from the magnificent buildings through its beautiful window shutters, your eyes quickly spots the entertainment rostrum with glittering lights coming from all directions that can only be compared to the galaxy of the stars that no one will afford to pass through without getting the real feelings of entertainment and self satisfaction. Walking down the stairs to the entertainment grown gives you a refreshing feeling where the mind and soul can be at peace. Whether by  chance or design, this open door theater is so strategic to business men and women who keep the city booming with economic activities as well as clients who visit the electronic market in their thousands on a daily bases. Described as the electronic “Life Wire” of Korea, the Yongsan electronic market has stood the test of time connecting not only the Korean society but equally neighboring countries as business men and women flog in from far and near for shopping. This shopping center goes beyond shopping because it entertains clients and visitors as they shuffle from one part of the market to another even if just for window shopping. The Yongsan open door theater is the core of entertainment to these men and women who keep the economy booming even on days that their proceeds or expectations are not met. It is never too late to go shopping or be entertained here for the satisfaction one gets at any hour of day is measurable not really by one’s financial strength but by the comfort and soul searching sounds that feeds the heart. Not only for adults as some may think. Children during their free hours or days are led here by their parents who guide them through to enjoy games and have fun with friends. Seoul is a city that value talents of young people. Are you bored with your child or children at home? Oh! ,here is a place where they will find satisfaction and pleasure as they enjoy the beauty of nature, learning to figure out what belongs to their generation and preparing for challenges that this global world offers as the days pass by. At the same time you can go on shopping as the children distract themselves. After shopping you can end your day by sharing part of your time enjoying the pleasant gift and comfort Seoul city offers. It cost nothing to make you happy. Staying at home all the time is like being in a closet. Why not go out and discover the beauty of Seoul with your family and friends. If you are visiting Seoul for your first time, never think of hunger. Within twenty five meters in each street, you find a restaurant with delicious traditional and western dishes accompanied by many side dishes that are so attractive to the eyes, tasteful in the mouth and comfortable in the stomach. You don’t need to border if you are a vegetarian, every thing is here for you; Oh! Enjoy your meals. Visiting Seoul is like being in paradise. Visit Seoul and its glamorous, splendid and spectacular sites and be the first to tell the story.

                    The Cheong Gye Cheon River: The pride of Seoul

The Cheong Gye Cheon River has a remarkable history that dates as far as far back as 1394. With sad memories of its past when flooding and refuge dumping was quite visible, Cheong Gye Cheon river is today one of the most exciting and captivating sites in Seoul city that no visitor will dare to visit Seoul without visiting the banks of this river that carries the symbol of an “Ever Green City”, where aquatic life, birds and flowers gives a natural attraction that cuts across the city. The city and its environs has become an urban oasis that offers a number of recreational facilities. These innovations have greatly enhanced the natural quality of the river. Seoul city residents are aware of their responsibilities and are proud of this task to protect and keep this precious gift that only few cities in the world are privilege to possess. Who says cleanliness is not next to Godliness? The river is pollution and refuge free and stands out as a clear indication of the city’s initiative in combating environmental degradation and climate change which is today one of the most challenging problems the world is facing. Cheong Gye Cheon has been and will ever remain an outstanding element in the city of Seoul that has gone and is still going through innovations that one can describe here without any fear of contradiction as the “Heart Beat of Asia”. The restoration of this river that took many years to complete is described as one of the most expensive construction and historic break-point in human history that cost the Korean government some eighty billion won. The course of this river is crowned and beautified by its’ numerous bridges that are outstanding in structure and design. In the Gwanghwamun neighborhood the river sprawls out like a small water fall with less steepness in the heart of the city. The pattern of arrangement is perfect and the display of architecture that fills the banks of the river is as gorgeous and captivating as the paths in the ancient world of Israel that until date is a significant tourist’s destination in the world. Have you ever imagined the sound of classical music filtering into your ears in the deep sea as the water waves blow through? The Cheong Gye Cheon River will give you such an experience. This area brings to mine a vivid picture of the “Marian Apparition” in Lourdes France since 1858, where it is believed the mother of God appeared to a poor peasant girl “Bernadette Soubirous”, and gave her the power of healing from a small spring in the area which until date testimonies of miracles beyond medical examination has been on record and it draws millions of visitors every year. Even if the Cheong Gye Cheon river does not have the same healing powers like the “Mariam Apparition “ in Lourdes France, it has some significant events that Koreans pay homage; Oh,! You can be part of it. It is regarded as part and parcel of the Korean people, it host events like the bridge stepping festivities, team events, the lantern festival amongst others. Visit the Cheong Gye Cheon river side in Gwanghwamun when the blazing sun gives way to the bright and colorful blend of lights in the night from luxurious cars that ply the streets, the magnificent buildings and the fabulous street lights that combine together like galaxy in the sky; Hey! You will confirm that Seoul is a world in just a city where professionalism and investment in history is its driving force. Cheong Gye Cheong has lived with the people is still living with the people and shall continue to live with the people for generations to come. When you walk or jug through the banks of the Cheong Gye Cheong or take a friendly conversation with love ones, your mind set becomes so different and your views and aspirations about life automatically changes . If you feel distress, visit the Cheong Gye Cheon, if you feel isolated or abandoned by the world, visit the Cheong Gye Cheon and your tears will be wiped away and happiness will take precedence over your sad feelings. The entertainment offered by the Cheong Gye Cheong river is not limited within it banks. To pay homage to the river’s giant restoration that made history around the globe, a museum was constructed in Seoul known as the Cheong Gye Cheon Museum. This museum is an icon of Seoul city and it attracts hundreds and millions of visitors and tourists yearly. This museum tells the true story of Cheong Gye Cheong from the time of kingdoms and dynasty in Korea, to the Japanese invasion, it drastic transformation and circumstances that led to the present day Cheong Gye Cheong that is living it foot prints on the sands of time in Seoul city and Asia in general. If you plan to visit, live and enjoy Seoul, make sure Cheong Gye Cheon is one of your destinations.

                    Gyeongbok Palace: Harmonizing Seoul

The Gyeongbok palace was founded in 1395 by king Taejo and was constructed as the primary palace of the Chosun kingdom. The palace like most ancient structures in Korea suffered from foreign invasion before attaining its present position. It was and still remains the epicenter of power for Korean kings. Gyeongbok means “Shinning Happiness”, and this happiness signifies the warmth and hospitality that visitors receive from the ever smiling, handsome, beautiful, host and hostesses when they visit Gyeongbok palace. Located on the flanks of the mountain that harbor some natural vegetation with its undulating steepness and spectacular geographic features, the palace is a symbol of natural beauty with a mélange of ancient and modern structures. Its green and attractive environment keeps the mind and soul together as one walks through the airy paths enjoying the gentle breeze that blows from the mountain top and beautiful melodies from the birds and other natural creatures that inhabit the mountain. From a side view of this picture, the  419.100 square meters palace is a symbol of strength, unity and success of the Korean people who have worked so hard to preserve their culture in a world where globalization seem to be breaking all cultural barriers. Although the palace has gone through innovations, its cultural identity and significance is still a force to reckon with. From the traditional roofing system to the walls, the windows and doors, every visitor or tourists goes home with a story to write and tell. The fascinating beauty of this palace and other palaces across the city of Seoul can only be compared to the ancient kingdoms of Egypt that is one of the greatest destinations for tourists in the world. Korean palaces are very attractive with very unique colors that have direct connection with nature where raw materials are transformed into more convenient designs. This has culminated to the inclusion of these traditional palaces amongst the world heritage of UNESCO. No visit in Seoul city is complete until you must have passed through the traditional doors in the palaces, seen the wonders of ancient Korean designs and the famous statues of kings and notables who laid the foundation of this prosperous and ever growing city that is setting a smooth and perfect pace for other cities to follow; Wow!  The geographic location of this palace brings to mind the pattern of ancient civilization where settlement was concentrated in the valleys with their fertile soils rich in agriculture and the hill tops harbored the forest which had live giving plants that could cure any diseases. It was also believed that the forest harbored the gods and ancestors who watched over the people and protected them from eminent danger. When one visit this palace and takes a walk on the slopes of the mountain, you feel the touch of nature and the higher you go the more you become connected with natural feelings. Viewing the palace from the mountain top which stretches to the Seoul Tower, the beauty of Seoul is deeply recognized as the eyes get busy with the numerous and gigantic buildings that cuts across the city with its busy commuters who work round the clock to give a well deserved reception to visitors and tourists who come in their thousands every day. The beauty of the Gyeongbok palace is not limited to its natural surroundings. The inner circle of the palace has artifacts that tell you the real story of the Korean people and their past. Life performances of the Korean traditional music keep visitors spell bound. Dressed in their unique traditional and colorful regalia, these flexible men and women swing from one end to another with very captivating smiles, gestures that gives you the real feeling of belonging. If you are bored with the rhythm of life in the city, visit the Cheongbok palace and get the real inspiration that brings you back to your real world. You can enjoy all these beautiful places in Seoul with a lot of convenience following the city’s efficient and smooth transportation system which ranks amongst the best in the world. All these and other factors has made Seoul city one of the most vibrant and exciting city in Asia. “Seoul my City, Your City, Seoul and You” Simply put “SOUL OF ASIA”.

Nfor Canicius