Hello, lovelies!
I just got back from Laneige Global Beauty Camp 2016! It was fun-filled, & very exciting!
But… I am not going to blog about that YET.
For now, 101 guide to explore Seoul (if you only have ONE day)! Well, LaneigeMY team was really sweet to fly us to Korea a day before the actual camp day, giving us a chance to experience SEOUL!
Let’s get started!
0640 – Arrived at SEOUL INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
1030 – Checked in to JW Marriott hotel at Dongdaemun.
(This hotel is rated as one of the top 5 hotel in Seoul, we are so pampered.)
The staffs here speak fluent English & was very attentive; Check in process was quick, we managed to get into our room in less than 10mins upon arriving at the hotel’s lobby.
Tadah, here’s my room for the next 5 nights!
I have never stayed at a J.W. Marriott property, this is my first; but definitely not the last.
The room is spacious & clean; it gave me a comfortable calming vibe the moment I stepped in.
Nothing extremely fancy, it’s just simply classy. The bed though; an amazingly comfortable queen size bed in fluffy sheets with 4 soft & firm pillows all for myself! A good night sleep is pretty much guaranteed, nothing else really matters. :D
It doesn’t fall short on location, Dongdaemun Station Line #1 is only 200metre away (which give access to most of the main cities in Seoul). Shopping is aplenty at Dongdaemum area, retail shopping like Doota Mall, Lotte Fitin & Hello apM is just side by side along the street.
p.s. – I got my Adidas Adilette Sandal at Doota Mall, at 12am.
Check out more of the nearby local attractions, HERE.
Welcome pack thoughtfully prepared by the Laneige Korea team.
This make a snack junkie like me, EXTREMELY happy! :D
The seaweed crisps are the bomb. hehe.
BRING ME, to keep my skin moisturized all the time:
Laneige multi cleanser, moisturizing toner, moisturizing emulsion, & water bank moisturizing cream.
Mad love for the travel size packaging. I now have everything I need to revitalize my skin during travel in zipper back-type packaging, so convenient! Thank you, Laneige!
Perfect view of the city’s historical Dongdaemun or “East Gate” from my room. :D
Dolled out, & ready to check out SEOUL. Second time here, I am still as excited!
1200 – Lunch, Tosokchon Samgyetang.
5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
There will always be a queue outside this legendary korean ginseng chicken soup spot. But, we got in without queuing because the team has made a reservation earlier, so privileged!
Here to try out their signature black ginseng chicken soup, which is strongly recommended. (₩22,000)
It is indeed flavorful & very satisfying, so glad that it actually lives up to the hype.
Everything was on point; the broth was nice, and the chicken was tender.
You should really give this a try if you are a big fan of samgyetang, & so happen to be around dongdaemun.
Believe me, you will not regret; because, it’s tooooo good!
1400 – Take a stroll along the Bukchon Hanok Village
Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Fall mood is on, I am wearing #room8008‘s autumn collection.
Off shoulder lace cropped top x high waised A-line leather skirt.
Note that your skirt got to be a little higher covering your tummy, revealing only a little of your midriff to keep things classy.
#OOTD was taken at one of the back alley & not by the picturesque building, because…
Hundreds of people were busy finding themselves a good spot for a perfect shot.
I would suggest you guys to visit during the weekday instead, there’s a maximum of 20 people on the street the last time I came.
Meet the “OLD SEOUL“, this village is the home to hundreds of traditional houses called “hanok”.
I am actually surprised to find myself appreciating these graceful & detailed tiled roof, it’s simply exquisite.
Bumped into this uncle selling the Korean’s fav. street sweets, YEOT.
It tasted a lot like my favorite “ding-ding-tong”, but chewier.
YEOT, had to cut by knocking because it’s so sticky.
1500 – Korean Home Culture Experience at Residence of Lee.
Get a glimpse of the Korean’s traditions and culture.
Tea time // Gyeongdan ( Korean traditional rice ball cake) in pretty colors.
Totally love this refreshingly sour Omija cha (5 flavored berry tea); not only it is beneficial in detox, it works well in tightening face muscles too! I am sold, & bought a few boxes of omijacha back home. Haha.
Seoul if not seoul without KIMCHI!
This time, we are not eating kimchi, but we learn how to make the authentic home-made kimchi!
learning how to marinate these seasoned vegetables from the professional kimchi guru. She’s amazing, I saw her speaking 5 different languages to tourists from different country in less than 30mins.
To be honest, I think the whole process was quite easy.
Well, provided that you have all the ingredients needed.
Done in 30mins, sealed & the kimchi is ready to be brought home! hooray!
Just when we were craving for kimchi, they brought us kimchi pancake!
Never a big fan of this dish, but this is different! This cripsy, savory pancakes with tangy kimchi is probably the best kimchi pancake I’ve had.
& just like Kimchi, a Hanbok experience is a MUST when you visit Korea! It’s my second time dressing up in hanbok, but first time wearing it to walk around one of Seoul’s ancient palaces. There is “Five Grand Palaces” in Korea, namely Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeongung, Deoksugung, and Geyonghuigung.
This time, we visited the Changdeokgung palace.
99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea // note: closed on Mondays
This palace is known as the “royal villa”, where the royal family stays, when Gyeongbukgung had to undergo repairs and renovation after the Japanese invasion in 1598.
This trip will not be complete without these two pretty ladies!
Love how both of them are weirdly adorable, thank you for making me laugh so much throughout the trip.
Btw, these are real candid.
Meet the Malaysia representative for Laneige Global Beauty Camp!
It’s dinner time, & LaneigeMY team is bringing us to Itaewon!
Since there’s a little time before dinner, we thought dessert will be a good idea!
Stopped by Rocky mountain chocolate factory, dessert date with Mr.Bear.
This banana chocolate ice flakes won our heart. I will warn you – this bingsu is addictive!
Though it’s huge, we still finished the whole bowl. Guilty pleasure, ahhh!
If you’ve not stepped into a chocolate paradise, you should be here!
I wish I could bring all of these home.
1900 – Dinner at Maple Tree House
123-12 Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
I have always love Korean BBQ, & having it in Seoul is even better!
& they said I have to try Maple Tree House!
This restaurant is well-known not only for their premium quality beef and pork cooked over charcoal grill, but also its beautiful interiors loved by both local & foreigners!
Korean Jeju Black Pork Collar being barbecued, the sizzling sound though.
Not a fan of beef. They say it’s superb, & I am convinced by how it looks. Haha.
Another thing I love about this place is that their exhaust system is really good that I do not need to walk out smelling my BBQ meat. Haha.
2030 – N Seoul Tower (N 서울타워)
105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Last stop of the day, this is no doubt the most popular attractions in Seoul, South Korea.
Been here last year, during the day; & this time at night.
& here’s the magnificent night scene over Seoul from the observation deck.
Starry starry night.//
I have loved these night lights too fondly to be fearful of the night.
This toilet is absolutely awesome! Imagine shitting with such stunning view!
To be very honest, I do not mind staying in here, sitting quietly and staring at these night lights. Huhu.
That’s all for now, big thanks to Laneige for arranging all these fun-packed cultural activities.
I will be updating on the Laneige Global Beauty Camp next, stay tune!
Cheers!