DAY NINE - SEOUL
The day started off by taking the metro to the beautiful architectural building of Zaha Hadid called the Dongdaemoon Design Plaza, which means “big inside gate.” The overall architecture of the building is a new idea of modernism with little to no color. Her designs always involve some sort of abstract curve that is designed to help users move throughout the space in a certain path pattern. Something that was interesting about this particular design is that there was this hallway that had a subtle slope to it that went in a circle all the way up to the top floor. It made you maneuver around different areas throughout that got you to the top of the space. It was so great to see her design because ever since I learned about her in class, she has been an inspiration to me.
After the museum, we moved across the street underground to buildings where we had some free time to explore the area. Around here, there were abundance of different stores that we could shop at or explore the DDP more. This was a place where we had lunch which I had this amazing spicy ramen - one of my favorite meals.
One of the major last stops for the day was visiting an all girls college campus, Ewha Women’s University where we walked around to different buildings to see what it is like. The concept of the space was using underground elements to build the campus and it seemed to be hidden from above. It was an interesting design but great use of resources.
For the rest of the day we had time to explore the Myungdong Shopping District which is known to be one of the more popular areas of Seoul. Here we had dinner at a local restaurant and moved over to watch this performance called “NANTA” which is a burlesque performing funny events in wacky kitchens and acrobatics. It was the best time you could have with lots of laughter and smiles.
The trip was overall such an amazing experience! Thank you to everyone for making it so fun.
DAY EIGHT - SEOUL
Little did I know this day I would have walked 21,000 steps, but it happened and because of all amazing places we got to visit. We started off by going to the Samsung D’light showroom where we were given tours of different further modern apartments/ homes. The most interesting part of this whole tour was seeing what technology can do these days and what the furniture of residential design has; which for me is great because residential design is my top interest.
Once we were done with the tour of the spaces, we made our way to the Bongeun Temple. This is where we all walked around and got to see a lot of different traditions and ways that they pay their respects. Coming from a religious family, this was vert important place where lord of prayers and time to think were made. Also, the architecture of it all was absolutely beautiful.
Our final location was these area called the “common ground” which is a college area, but what was interesting for us students was the idea of using shipping containers as store structure. It was good to see because in our next interior design class, we are doing a two story residential home that is made out of shopping containers. It was so cool to see what you could do with this type of building style.
The night ended with this very delicious “맛있는“mas-issneun” fried chicken.
DAY SEVEN - BUSAN/ SEOUL
The day started off by making our way as a class to the Busan train station where we made a departure back to Seoul; which is the location that we started at the beginning of this tour.
Once we arrived at the Sueseo Train Station we made our way to the first hotel we went to and right after made our way to eat lunch at the Hyundai. For myself I got fried chicken pasta which was really good along with some gelato. As a group we had some time to explore the mall and go through all the levels to see what it has to offer. It was a great experience and a place I would not mind going back to.
After lunch, it was time to explore the area but stopping by many different types of car dealerships to take in the architecture design. The first place was Genesis where the concept was based on “curiosity” and the way they set up walls for people to go through as they enter. The next stop was the Kia center. The place was full of different patterns and textures that showcased their luxury cars. Being in the space felt comfortable and laid back, like somewhere where I can spend hours in.
The next stops involved a Nike store and Gentle Monster which was a sunglasses store that the concept was based on making the space feel like a museum where people can walk through rows of glasses being showcased in a variety of different ways. It make the space feel more important and more expensive.
Lastly, we ended the day by having dinner and sitting on the rooftop of the hotel with friends that were made on this trip.
Until tomorrow!
DAY SIX - GIMHAE
The day started off by taking the college travel bus from our hotel to the university that the Korean students go to school, called, Inje University: College of Design.
When we first arrived we were welcomed in this studio room which consisted of many different types of seating from stair step seating to elevated booths where students can get away from all the commotion of class. Then we moved on to the tour of the whole university which in some days have same features at the design school at K-State. Side note: Something that was different was that freshman shared a common room together but the grades after that all had their own person cubicles to work in with their own monitors and not just laptops. I also learned that as students they have minimal knowledge of hand drawing anything because in their curriculum, they jump right into computer applications.
Once the tour was over, this is where we took time with out groups form the day before and came up with a solution to the garden area located outside of the Haeundae Paik Hospital. We overall had about 5 hours to come up with a concept, developed and solution to the space.
It was overall really fun, but also challenging i’m some days due to the language barrier. Other than that, I get like I made so many connections with others then I would have if I did not go. It was a great experience and I can’t wait to work with them all next year.
DAY FIVE - BUSAN
On our first full day in Busan, it started off with a breakfast in the hotel. Something different about this hotel than other ones is that when you are served you have the chance to order an american breakfast or another culture breakfast. I just remembering to myself that in South Korea a lot of people eat the same food ever single meal so it was a lot different to see this.
After breakfast, as a group we made our way to the Shiila Stay in the meeting room and met us with all the Korean partners. Through this meeting, we partnered up with everyone and had time to be introduced to a space located in South Korea that needs some remodeling done to it because it is not being used which is known as the Haeundae Paik Hospital. After being introduced we had the chance discuss as a group some solutions that can be made in order for the space to be used again.
The most unique part of this was that as a group we got the opportunity to actually go to the space and come up with ideas that will be used for tomorrows workshop.
This was one of the most important spots in South Korea that as a group we toured.
The rest of the day involved going to the Busan Cinema Center and Shinsegase Department Store.
DAY FOUR - JEJU ISLAND AND BUSAN
The morning started off a lot more relaxed and slow than usual in this study tour. We ate breakfast at the hotel and started out bus trip to a famous architectural building called Bangju church was the work of an architect but the name of Jun Itami who was a Japanese influencer that build this building with the idea of Noah’s Ark sailing through the ocean, hence the name “Jeju Ark Church” and the water surrounding every side of the building.
After the museum, as a whole class we travels a little ways to get to another museum called, Bontae Museum which was again designed by Tadao Ando - an architect whose building we saw yesterday as well. The building embeds Ando’s philosophy on “architecture and landscape” that buildings need to be harmonized with their surroundings, not only focusing on its own beauty. The building reflects the founding purpose of an encounter of nature and environment, tradition and modern, and Korea and the world, and to cast a new cultural value.
The rest of the day was mostly devoted to traveling on plane from Jeju Island all the way over in the more southern pay of South Korea to Buscan. This is a city that already seems to be full of excitement.
As a class we are at a local friend chicken restaurant which was by far one of my favorite meals of the trip. After we weee done eating, some of us students met up with the Korean design students to participate in the traditional activity of karaoke for a birthday.
That was all for the day and I can’t wait to see what else Buscan has to offer.
DAY THREE - UDO
As the morning sun came up on the beautiful island of Jeju, as a class we had just one more even smaller island to explore and its name is Udo which is known to be the largest island within the province of Jeju. The name literally means “cow island” in hanja from the fact that the island itself looks as if a cow is laying down. Also, the whole entire island is a lava plateau fertile flatland where major agricultural products such as sweet potatoes, garlic, and peanuts are produced.
As we walked throughout the area, we stopped and explored the Hundertwasser Park which is a natural art park and resort named after Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasse. The park immerses visitors in the artist's philosophy, artwork and Udo’s natural beauty. In addition to learning some of the history this island brings, there were so many chances to see such beautiful scenic spots and take this adventure all in.
After all our adventures in the island of Udo, it was time to make our way back to Jeju Island. The trip was done by a ferry which held both walk on passengers and vehicles that go from one island to the next.
When we arrived back, it was time for lunch which was a korean barbecue style lunch what served both kimchi and local fish; and of course rice. Side note: something that I learned through this is that in Korea, it is normal to have rice for all three meals if the day! This really surprised me because they seem to not have a typical egg, bacon, and biscuit breakfast. It is more like rice, soup, meat, vegetables, fruit, and lots of coffee.
Once lunch was over, we explored the closest area by visiting a local beach where people dive to catch different types of food. As we were there, some of us found a hidden gem of a gift shop that we explored for the rest of the time.
One of our last stops of the day before dinner and bedtime, was visiting some architecture of the “Glass House” located in Phoenix Jeju. It is a place designed by famous architect Tadao Ando with the purpose of capturing Jeju in its full beauty. “Finding a point where men, nature, and space come together – that is great architecture. Seopjikoji is a very attractive land.”
The day was great and the sun was out. Can’t wait for the more adventures to come.
DAY TWO - JEJU ISLAND
The day started bright and early at around 6:00 AM. This was because as a class, we took got to take a plane across the ocean to a place called “Jeju Island.”
Once we arrived to the Island, we waited for the Korean students that we were meeting up with because as a group, we got the opportunity to have a charter bus take us around the island to many different and unique places.
The first stop of the bus was to a restaurant that was similar to the night before dinner, but this time the meats were cooked beforehand and this one included all sorts of different local fish. As some know, I am not a big fan of fish, but hearing from other students in the group, it seemed to be some of the best cooked fish they have ever had!
After lunch, we made our way to the first destination and it was a design building that had all sorts of different rooms with fun activities to participate in. It was a great way to “break the ice” with some of the Korean students and have some fun because after this stop, it felt like today was not the first time meeting our new friends. Fun fact about this place was that we (ID Students) were the first ones to ever get to experience this space because as of tomorrow, they are opening it up to the public.
After this, we were directed to a place called “Osulloc” which is a tea museum where lots and lots of green tea is produced. There were a ton of different buildings that has products that’s ere made from the tea from hair shampoo, lotion, to body mist spray all used from their locally grown green tea. Let’s just say this was a spot where I found a lot of souvenirs to take back home with me.
After all our stops, it was time for dinner. We ate at a local restaurant located close to our hotel that served noodles and pork. It was very delicious and I hope we come back too it.
Lastly, one of our final activites for the night was going to the market place loacted just about ten mintues away from our hotel. This was a real cool market that was covered for blocks and blocks that served many different vendors from live fish sellers, to small stores that sold different handmade items.
This was a good day, and I look forward to tomorrow
DAY ONE - SEOUL
The day started off by departing from the Ibis Styles Ambassador hotel in taxis to the Namsan Cable Car Station that then would take us up a beautiful hill to the “N” Soeoul Tower where we got a tour of the different sections of the area including going to the top where there was an great view of South Korea.
After the tour, we got the chance to eat lunch at any spot located in the Insa International Market. The food was delicious and the restaurant’s architecture was very intricate, but well thought out. Once we finished eating, it was time to move onto our next location - Gyeong Bok Palace.
At the palace we were welcomed by so much culture from the way people lived back then, to the traditional way people dressed. This is something that I would have no thought of before being immersed in it. The palace was filled with rich history from where each person (king, queen, kids) lived and how they got around the space without problem. It all started at the front: the servants and as the palace goes further back it became the king then queen with the kids next to her. Something that’s as simply my favorite part was seeing the generation of gardens that have been taking care of for many centuries. It was a unique experience to know that there once was people who lived in these.
The tour ended at the Cheong-ge Cheon Area. This was a unique experience around this time due to the birthday of buddha. Celebrations for this event were going on and the area was covered with history and moments from the last.
By the end of the day, we ended on a great Korean barbecue restaurant where the food was cooked by ourselves in from of it. I remember in studio adding a type of barbecue style table to a space we deigned, but seeing it be used in its culture was breathtaking.
Until tomorrow.