Senegalese performers, Africa museum, Jeju, South Korea

April 25, 2008 by Brian Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art Galleries & Museums, Things to See

To the Wolof, music is a thing of intense power and meaning. In the past, only wandering musicians known as griots were allowed to perform it. Through their songs they recounted historical events, told stories, transmitted oral traditions and recited poetry. That music was driven by the powerful beat of African drums, which in Wolof culture were played to do everything from casting spells, communicating with other villages and even healing the insane. Though the times have changed, there’s one thing that hasn’t: this music still has the power to stir the soul . And now the African Museum in Jungmun is offering you a unique opportunity to experience it live. Three times a day, six days a week, you can feel the power and excitement of Wolof music in what is arguably the most exciting and unique musical performance on the island.

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A review of the PGA European Tour Ballantines 2008 event, Jeju, South Korea

April 25, 2008 by Brian Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sport on Jeju, Things to Do, Things to See

The world golf spotlight shone briefly on Korea’s largest island in March as the European Tour arrived in Jeju. The biggest tournament in Korea and the fourth largest in Asia, the inaugural Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx Golf Club was sanctioned by the European, Asian and Korean Tours. The Championship was celebrated by the blending of an extremely rare 40 year old Ballantine’s Scotch whiskey. Only eight bottles of the ‘Championship Blend’ exist, with one bottle being sold for $12,888 during a silent auction at the opening ceremony. After presenting the bottle, tournament players were introduced to a crowd of 300 people, as Scottish string quartet Siren and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers performed traditional Scottish music.

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Sunrise Peak, Jeju, South Korea

April 17, 2008 by Joanna Burgess · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Things to See

Jutting out of the eastern shore of Jeju Island is a tuff cone, a bowl-like crater, formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions thousands of years ago called Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산 일출봉), or Sunrise Peak in English. It is nicknamed so because the sunrise is such a spectacular sight to see from the top of the peak. It is continuously buzzing with people, as it is a main attraction for residents of Jeju as well as visitors from all over. People come from near and far to hike the cone which is surrounded by exquisite scenes of nature, including the far and wide sapphire blue ocean, a colourful township, and green rolling fields of grass. One only needs to hike to the top of Sunrise Peak to be able to see all of these stunning sites at once.

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Belly Dancing, Jeju, South Korea

April 17, 2008 by Danielle Mader · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sport on Jeju, Things to Do

Welcome to Goeunhee Dance school (고은히 댄스 스쿨), a place abuzz with both eager young students and older Ajummas. It’s owned by a lovely charismatic woman bearing the same name. Go Eun Hee has been teaching dance for over twenty years. Three years ago, she decided to start her own school. The three years have been very successful for her, most likely due to her unique dance philosophy and welcoming nature. Go Eun Hee believes that dancing should both be fun and a great way to get exercise. As such, she modifies dance techniques so that they are easy to learn for beginners. This philosophy has brought her good results. Before she opened her own studio, Go had a “following” - Kendra Pugh and a group of other women followed her around from studio to studio. When she finally settled in her new studio, so did they.

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The Jeju Aroma Superdome Nightclub, Jeju, South Korea

April 15, 2008 by Sara Stillman · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Bars & Clubs

The Jeju Aroma Super Dome Nightclub (which opened in Dec 2007) is perhaps the flashiest nightclub on Jeju. When you first enter it may seem a lot like other Korean nightclubs: there is a large low-lit area with tables (that seat about 1200 people), pumping music, and a lot of staff. It has 4 floors (with 100 small rooms and 10 large rooms) and a good-sized dance floor up by the stage. But that’s where the major similarities end. The design of the interior is impressive to say the least. Behind the main stage are high folding metal walls that look like they belong to the Dome in Zion in The Matrix. They have bright lasers shooting from the stage, a large fountain, and a smaller stage that lowers DJs and bands from the ceiling. And then there’s the Super Dome itself.

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‘Gnarly Nines’ Ultimate Frisbee tournament, Jeju, South Korea

April 15, 2008 by Jim Saunders · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sport on Jeju

April sees the arrival of the fourth International ‘Gnarly Nines’ Ultimate Frisbee tournament on Jeju, taking place at the Gangchanghak Athletic Stadium in Seogwipo. Jeju Life talks to Craig Kulyk from the Korea Ultimate Players Association and gets his take on the forthcoming event, including the spirit of ultimate, the best grass fields in Asia and what the tournament hopes to achieve.