Nik Brountas, English News KCTV, Interview, Jeju, South Korea

August 31, 2008 by Jim Saunders · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Interviews, Things to See

“Welcome to English News KCTV - I’m Nik Brountas….”- and with those words he leads into the top story of the day from the studio of the new English language news service dedicated to serving foreigners living and working on Jeju island.

Today I’m interviewing Nik at the modern and bustling KCTV office in Yeon-dong. Kang In-Hee, the production director also sits in on the questions, and I get the proceedings started by asking how he came to be anchorman: “I knew someone who does some English editing work for some other programs here. Through him I learned they were looking for someone to start the English news… they were looking for someone who had a green card [family visa]… I came in and did a camera test and met everybody.”

Tags: englishnews, interview, JEJU, kctv, nikbrountas

Bull’s Darts Bar, Jeju, South Korea

August 30, 2008 by Joanna Burgess · 1 Comment
Filed under: Bars & Clubs

Bull’s Darts Bar is nestled amongst a cluster of flashy neon lights in the heart of City Hall. This underground establishment was opened in September of 2006 by Go Hun Mi (고훈미). Darts have been a personal interest of hers for many years, and she had a desire to utilize her love of darts to get other women more interested in the sport. She wanted to “gear the bar towards women” because she felt that, while men are the main players of the game, more females could become darts enthusiasts if they didn’t feel so intimidated by male players. So, she opened the bar with the intention of managing a women’s dart league.

Tags:

Kim Ok Sun’s foreigner photography exhibition, Jeju, South Korea

August 30, 2008 by Brian Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art Galleries & Museums

In 1653, Jeju met its first foreigner. It came in the form of a shipwrecked Dutchman named Hendrick Hamel. The local community must not have liked what they saw, as they immediately shipped Hamel and his crew off the island to live in captivity in Seoul. It took Hamel and a handful of crewmates nearly 13 years to escape.

Nowadays, Jeju is far more hospitable to its foreign guests. The island attracts an eclectic group of foreigners who have come to live here for wildly different reasons. Their lives and dreams have become the subject of an award winning photo project by fine art photographer Kim Oksun.

Tags: foreigners, JEJU, kimoksun, photography, southkorea

Pet friendly Jeju, Jeju, South Korea

August 30, 2008 by Katarina Kuruc · 2 Comments
Filed under: Pets & Animals

Who says you can’t choose your family? If you’re like me, a fellow pet owner here on Jeju, you understand how important health and happiness are for your furry (or feathery) family members. It’s safe to say that owning and taking good care of a pet anywhere is a huge responsibility; however, it’s even more difficult in a foreign country - not to mention an island where the culture of pet ownership and care hasn’t been cultivated for a long time. I’ve had my puppy, Bubak, for three months now and, during that time, it’s been a challenge to find the right vet, the right park (see Information 4), the right food and the right kennel for her well-being. Although I do not claim to be an expert in Jeju pet care, I will offer some modest and heart-felt advice to all you current and potential pet owners.

Tags:

Book review, ‘A walk through the land of miracles’, Jeju, South Korea

August 30, 2008 by Dan Nabben · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture

Not long before Seoul was to host the 1988 Summer Olympics and, as a result of which by a strange twist of fate, best-selling author Simon Winchester’s newspaper sent him to Korea to find out what he could of the Hermit Kingdom – as very little was known of it at the time.
Using the diary of Hendrick Hamel* as a model, Winchester decides to walk from Moseulpo (모슬포) on Jeju’s southwest coast all the way to Panmunjeom (판문점) at the DMZ.

Tags:

Galbi restaurant reviews located in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea

August 24, 2008 by Brian Miller · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Places to Eat

The next time you find yourself in the mean streets of Seogwipo with a hunger for galbi, be sure to check out these local favorites.

Tong Kun Tong Galbi | 통근통 갈비 | ☺☺☺☺

Tong Kun Tong (or “Spicy’s” as it’s known by area expats) has been a favorite with locals as much for it’s great galbi as for its friendly service. The house specialty is galbi served in a spicy marinade. The owner, Mr. Lee, is always happy to have foreign guests and has been studying English so as to better accommodate them. One order of spicey or regular galbi here costs 9,000 won. Look for it just a half block west of Il-Ho Gwang-ja. You’ll find it by a vertical orange sign with a black pig on top.

Tags:

A review of hamburgers restaurants on Jeju, South Korea

August 23, 2008 by David Holmes · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Places to Eat

THE JOINT: La Vie

A small foreigner haunt serving wholesome western food, La Vie provides both good food and atmosphere at very affordable prices.

THE DIRECTIONS: From the Jeju Grand Hotel in Shin Jeju, head east on that same street (towards Gu Jeju). After passing the Sing and Sing bar on your left, turn left and then take your next right (across from the Show Noraebang) and La Vie is a few doors up on the right hand side.

Tags:

Yongduam (Dragron’s Head Rock) and Yongyeon Pond, Jeju, South Korea

August 23, 2008 by Dawn Parks · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Things to See

According to some, the 10m high and 30m long volcanic rock formation perched along the ocean side is said to resemble a dragon’s head – a fact which has garnered the formation’s fanciful name of Yongduam; literally, Dragon’s Head Rock. Some say it no longer looks like a dragon, as a portion of the rock fell off during a heavy storm long ago. Others say it no longer looks like it’s perched for flight, as a backdrop of hotels is now interfering with the former site of glittering basaltic rock that extended into a seemingly eternal sky.

Tags:

Haenyeo museum, Jeju, South Korea

August 13, 2008 by Dena Jenkins · 2 Comments
Filed under: Art Galleries & Museums

When contemplating a visit to the eastern side of Jeju Island, your thoughts may immediately turn to visions of Sunrise Peak. There is, however, much more to this part of the island than Seongsan Ilchulbong. Jeju’s east coast is quite literally a hub of haenyeo history. Haenyeo (해녀) are the women of Jeju who dive deep into the sea without air tanks to gather seaweed, abalone, and various other types of seafood. There are approximately 5,400 haenyeo working on Jeju Island, and 10% of them live in and around Hado, located in Gujwa-eup, about 15 minutes north of Seongsan by bus.

Tags:

Modern Time brew pub, Boris De Mesones, Jeju, South Korea

August 1, 2008 by Joanna Burgess · 1 Comment
Filed under: Bars & Clubs

Although Korea is well-known for its kimchi, one skill it has left to master is that of brewing a good beer. When you head to your local Family Mart, you will most certainly find a good selection of Cass, Hite, and OB. If you’re not a beer connoisseur, this may suit you just fine. For others longing for a more palatable brew, this Korean beer will not do. Have no fear, as there is a beer oasis in this Korean desert.