Travel Diary: Korea Winter Wonderland 2016 (Part 4)

Hi all! I feel so bad that this series came up really late. Maybe the next travel diary series won’t be this long. Finally, this is the last part of my Korea Winter Wonderland! There are some exciting moments in my last days in Korea. So, if you are curious do watch my travel diary video and read the full story behind it down below.

P.S: All information about the trip will be provided below the post.

Day Eight

"오서오십시오!" (Welcome!) said Ryan

Do you know Kakao Talk application? That application is the same with LINE, but Korean prefer using Kakao Talk than LINE. LINE has opened a store and cafe where they sell merchandises with LINE Friends characters on it. Now, their competitor open the same thing with the name Kakao Friends Store and Cafe. I’ve made a battle video about the two company, which will be uploaded soon. *crossedfingers* 

Just trying to disturb Frodo who is reading a book.

We went to the Kakao Friends at Hongik University area. It was a huge 3-story store. We were welcomed by a big cute Ryan. We walked around the store for about 3 hours and we went to the Ryan Cafe on the 3rd floor. The store was so full of cute stuffs. By the way, there are lots of huge figurines throughout the store, so make sure to snap a photo with them! Even the Ryan Cafe was extremely cute! Ryan is my favorite character, by the way. I don’t want to go home when I was there. By the way, they also a museum. But you have to book it online.

Cute Pinky Apeach Showcase

The Ryan Cafe (3rd Floor)

Hot Grapefruit Tea, Cold Coffee Mocha, and Ryan Cupcake

Look at his facee! By the way, the cream was yummy!

We started to explore Hongdae (the short for Hongik University) after we finally get out from Ryan cuteness. The weather was quite not on our side that day. It suddenly rain, even though it was not a heavy rain, but it was really not comfortable. We didn’t know that it will rain, so we have to buy an umbrella. We do some eye-shopping and also real shopping. I think beside Myungdong, Hongdae is also good for shopping.

We ate our late lunch, early dinner at a udon shop that we found out accidentally. It turned out that the restaurant is very nice and cheap! The restaurant name is Katsu 33 (카츠 33). The price for their food is mostly 3300 KRW. I didn’t get to feature it in the video because it was too hectic at that time with the umbrella and stuffs we bought. 

Actually there are a lot to explore in Hongdae, but we wander too far, so we don’t get to see what we wanted to see in Hongdae. You should visit it several times though. Hongdae is filled with cute cafes such as flower cafe, dog cafe, cat cafe, sheep cafe, even raccoon cafe! So, when you come to Korea, do visit Hongdae.

As our feet brought us, we saw a cute vintage cafe. The cafe’s name is HohoMyol. The cafe has been featured as a shooting location of Love Rain, which Jang Geunsuk and Yoona starred in. The cafe is really cute and we need something that warm us up, so we entered the cafe. If you want to come here, you should hop off from Sangsu Station, because it is closer than you came from Hongik Univ. Station (the address is provided down below). When you opened the door, you can see the vintage Volkswagen van welcoming you. There is a table and chair inside the van, so the guests can sit there. We really wanted to sit there, but at that time there was a couple sitting there. The cafe is small but it was comfy and the owner slash barista was really nice. Oh, by the way, one person should order one drink. The barista has won several barista competition, so it was legit. I recommend you to come here if you are near Hongdae. 

After a few hours, we went back to the Hongdae central area. We bought few things, like a cap for my uncle, my mom’s cellphone case, and Labiotte Wine Lipstick. Then, we went back home. We went home earlier than we usually do, because it was raining and we need to start for packing.

Day Nine

We started the day with breakfast at the most famous market in Korea! We went to Gwangjang Market and tried the traditional street food as our breakfast menu. Actually, we tried to go there on our first day, but we could find the way. We were lost thanks to Google Maps navigation and for not knowing the area well. The day before, we went out with my aunt to buy some fruits and veggie for our dinner. At that time, we saw the Gwangjang Market ! So, we found out the way by ourselves accidentally. LOL.

Actually, I don’t really know about the market and for the past 7 years I’ve never visited that market. The market has become famous through Running Man. Even we tried the same food and shop that the members went to. Our first course is mini kimbab that Yoo Jaesuk ate. The second one is trying Mung-bean Pancake. Lastly, we ate Korean cut-noodles soup (칼국수) with Dumplings. I prefer this type of noodles rather than the smaller one. I can say, it is similar with udon type and ramen type. I prefer udon noodles rather than ramen. Even though the soup are pretty similar. (foods can be seen on my video, watch it here.)

While we were eating, there were bunch of people coming from the entrance to the stall across us. And those people are the cast and staff production of Mr. House Husband. It was one of KBS variety program, that the husband has to take care the household. They are buying some groceries as well as trying the street food. I don’t remember their names, but one of them is an announcer and the other one is an actor.

The one in the red circle was the KBS Announcer

After filling up our tummy, we went to Sinchon. Sinchon is really near to Ehwa University, it is also a youngster “playground”. The reason we went to this area is to watch a movie that has the actors on it greet the viewers, well in Korea the event is called 무대 인사 read as mudae-insa (stage-greeting). The movie we watch is a movie starred by Kang Dongwon, Lee Byunghun, Hong Jiwon, and Kim Woobin. The title is Master. It was a fun movie, even though it involved few action scene and spying and detective kind of story. We watch the movie without subtitle, but we understand the movie clearly! It means that the movie is very easy to understand and the story line is light. I recommend you to watch this movie for several reasons. The first one is, this movie included 3 handsome actors (read: KANG DONG WON IS DAMN HANDSOME AND COOL!). Second, the story line is very easy to follow. Lastly, you can see Kim Woobin’s comical side. He is so cute! We always see the masculine and serious side of him, but in this movie he portray the young vibe really well. FYI, Kim Woobin has been diagnosed with cancer. So, I would like to pray for his speedy recovery through my writing and video about him. Don't miss out the real situation on my YouTube channel! 

The event was held at several cinemas only, so my friend and I search on the internet where they held the event. I’ve tried booking it online, but it was all sold out. So, with a heavy heart, I’m just trying to go the cinema and see them from afar. But, when we arrived and try to buy the show, the cashier told me that there is another schedule that also have that event. So, we bought the ticket for 6,000 KRW each to see the handsome guys!

Before watching the movie, we went to Meme Box in Sinchon. Mostly they sell various of brands like, Pony Effect, Nooni, I’m Meme, etc. Before, their specialty is the subscription box and I’ve always wanted to buy their subscription boxes, but I've never bought it yet. But, it is always nice to visit cosmetic shops in Korea. To find Meme Box, all you need is to spot the pink wall. 

After the movie, we searched through the MRT station, but we ended up at Ehwa University area again. So, we took our snack at Popeyes, then we stroll around Ehwa area for the last time, then off to Gangnam to meet my other friends.

At Gangnam, we ate Korean BBQ that we found accidentally, because the restaurant we supposed to go was closed. The BBQ restaurant was featured quite a lot on TV shows, so it was a legit restaurant. But, I’m sorry I didn’t remember the name because we were too happy to see each other after a year.

After dinner, we went to Mango Six. I’ve always wanted to go there since it was featured in the drama “Gentlemen’s Dignity”, but I’ve never have time to go to Gangnam area. So, as some of you have predicted, I ordered the Coconut Mango Juice, the most famous drink of all. I live in tropical country, where coconuts and mangoes are easily found, but I’ve never drink something like that. I really liked it! You should come to Mango Six for once.

After the shop closed, we went back home. On our way home, we forgot which exit should we go. LOL. That night the wind was quite strong too. So, it was a dumbest thing we’ve ever done in our trip.

Day Ten

Since, we arrived home late, we woke up quite late. We have a meeting with my friend in the morning, since it was our last day together. After a rush preparation, we went to supermarket to buy some snacks. After 1,5 hours of shopping, which the last 30 minutes were searching for taxi, we finally went back home. I feel not so well that day, because we haven’t eat yet and it was SNOWING for the first time, so the cold breeze makes me very uncomfortable.

But thankfully, after a few trips to toilet, I’m finally better. Then, I rushed out to meet my friends. We ate our lunch near DDP at a Budae-jjigae restaurant (Nolbu Budae-jjigae). Budae-jjigae is a stew with various of toppings such as, noodles, sausages, ddeok or rice cake, fish cake, etc. The food came from the army troops, that’s why it was called Budae. It was my first time and it was a nice meal. Then we off to DDP to custom-made a phone case. We customized our case at SM Entertainment’s shop, SUM. I chose the member of SHINee, Choi Minho, while my friend chose EXO’s. I’ve feature my customized phone case on my Korea Winter Haul video (watch it here).

After that, we went to Myungdong to buy my mom’s stuffs and few stuff that I should buy plus I have another meeting with my friend. We were attracted by the seller of Korean traditional snack, the Dragon Breath. You should see how attractive it was on my video (watch it here).

We have our dinner at Gangnam Myeonok again. I’ve mentioned this restaurant on my Korea travel diary last April (read it here or watch it here). The weather was quite crazy at night, but I have to bear it because it was my last night in Korea.

Our flight back to Indonesia was the next day. There was a little drama on our flight back to Indonesia. But, I don’t want to tell it because my heart breaks every time I remember it. 

BONUS: 

Huge Chocolate Pie (Choco pie to the next level)

I bought this chocolate pie when I went to DDP on my very last day. This choco pie was amazing! It taste really good. I don't know if they still sell it on DDP or not, because at that time they were having a bazaar. Do check out DDP if you came to Korea. I love this place so much as much as I love Myeongdong!

So, thank you for reading my blog and keeping up to the last part. I’ll post up something new as soon as possible. Love you guyss! Have a nice day!

Details:

Kakao Friends

Address: 162 Yanghwa-ro, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Phone: +82 2-6010-0104

Website: www.kakaofriends.com

How to get there: Take MRT to Hongik University Station, exit 2 (across the street) or 8 (then, you only need to go straight).

Katsu 33

Address: 2nd floor, 360-24 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Phone: +82 70-4423-0077

Website: www.katsu33.com (Korean)

How to get there: Take MRT to Sangsu Station, exit 2. Then go straight. It is a few shops behind HohoMyoll cafe.

HohoMyoll (호호미욜)

Address: 93-44, Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Phone: +82 2-322-6473

Website: -

How to get there: Take MRT to Sangsu Station, exit 2. Then you only need to go straight for about 200m. The cafe is on your right.

Gwangjang Market

Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Website: www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr (Korean)

How to get there: You can take Jongno 5-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), exit 8 or Euljiro 4-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 & 5), exit 4. 
Sinchon Megabox

Sinchon Megabox

Address: 30 Sinchonnyeok-ro, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea (5th floor).

Phone: +82 1544-0600

Website: www.megabox.co.kr

How to get there: It’s quite hard to explain the way, but this is how to get there given by Visit Korea. Take MRT to Ewha Woman’s Univ. Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 2, then you need 5 minutes walk. Or take to Sinchon Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 3, then you go for 8 minute walk.

Memebox (Sinchon Branch)

Website: www.memebox.com

How to get there: Take MRT to Sinchon Station, exit 3. Then you go straight and see the hot pink wall on your right side. By the way, I’m not sure that Memebox are still opening their offline store or not, because I searched on their website they have changed their concept.

Mango Six (Sinsa Branch)

Phone: +82 3443-0424

Website: www.mangosix.co.kr

How to get there: Take MRT to Sinsa Station, exit 1. Then you have to walk for 100 m straight.

P.S: This branch is not the main branch or the shooting location for Gentlemen’s Dignity nor The Heirs.

Nolbu Budae-jjigae

Address: 18-103 Euljiro 6 (yuk)-ga, 2nd Floor

Phone: +82 2264-1669

Website: -

How to get there: Take MRT to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, exit 13 or 14. The restaurant is located behind Hello APM, near Aritaum store.