Jeju Starlight World, Park and Planetarium, Jeju, South Korea

March 22, 2009 by Jim Saunders · 4 Comments
Filed under: Things to Do

Telescope at Jeju Starlight
Fails to set the sky alight, but has potential
Story and photos by Jim Saunders

Jeju Starlight World, Park and Planetarium is a brand new attraction on the slopes of Hallasan, overlooking Jeju City. Three floors of space related matter (including a 4D theatre, a dome-shaped theatre and an array of high powered telescopes) make for a potentially thrilling experience. Unfortunately, some sheen is taken off a visit by poor planning and organization.

Tags: JEJU, southkorea, starlight world

Fire on the mountain, Jeju-do, South Korea

February 17, 2009 by Marcie Miller · 1 Comment
Filed under: Festivals and Event Ticketing, Jeju & Korean Culture, Visiting Jeju?

Jeju Fire Festival
Fire festival glory | Credit: Mike Laidman

Oreum is set ablaze in annual Jeju Fire Festival
Story by Marcie Miller | Photos by Brian Miller and Mike Laidman

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a torch-wielding mob, mark your calendar for the 2010 Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival on Jeju, when an entire hillside is set ablaze.

The event is held during the first full moon of the Lunar New Year across Korea. The festival commemorates the practice of burning grassy fields to prepare them for the new growing season. This year’s 14th annual festival on Jeju was Feb. 13 and 14, with the climax hill torching the night of the 14th.

Tags: , fire festival, JEJU, southkorea

Still Crazy About Starcraft, Jeju, South Korea

January 7, 2009 by Alex Cybulski · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture, Things to Do

10-year-old video game is a national fixation in South Korea
Story by Alex Cybulski
Love and Starcraft
Love is like the Protoss, Zerg and Terran duking it out | Credit: KBS Broadcasting

It is not unusual to turn on the television and see this commercial: decked out in matching leather jackets, with clear skin and perfectly groomed hair, a group of teenage boys pose for the camera. Punk pop plays in the background, telling of their youthful virility. Who are these heartthrobs? With their sponsors labeled on their motorcycle jackets ranging from Shinhan Bank to Samsung, they look like a professional sports team.

Tags: , JEJU, southkorea, starcraft

Jeju Art Park, Jeju, South Korea

October 13, 2008 by Sasha Shepherd · 1 Comment
Filed under: Art Galleries & Museums

Jeju Island offers so many hidden treasures that it can be a bit overwhelming. Looking at a map strewn with such enticements as Psyche Butterfly World, Love Land, and Nakcheon Village of Nine Guts (Shamanistic Ritual), it can leave one feeling that there certainly isn’t enough time in a year, much less a weekend, to take it all in. Thus, when spotting a rather nondescript sign for Jeju Art Park, you could be forgiven for driving right by. After all, it sounds like it might be a retired farm couple who decided to make a few extra won by displaying some choice dolharubang on their turnip fields. Fortunately, you would be as pleasantly surprised as I was if you decided to make the trip to this site on the southwest corner of the island.