The story centers around Song Ki-baek a seemingly perfect 33-year-old radio announcer known for his polite and well-mannered demeanor. His life takes an
From romance, horror to thriller, here are the best korean dramas that are adapted from webtoons.
The South of Seoul app turns one this month and we are celebrating by sharing what you voted as the best of the best this year. Choices were made based on four factors: 1. Star Rating 2. Number of Reviews Posted 3. Content of Written Reviews Posted 4. Facebook Polls When Needed It's been an amazing year and we are quite impressed with the number of reviews people have left this year. It's hundreds. This information is extremely valuable to both the businesses you visit and the new people moving to Pyeongtaek and we are excited to be able to share who has risen to the top. To start off, we are leading with the very best. Best Overall User's Choice Award goes to a business that has served our community with great commitment, joy, and service. A business that has received 25 perfect reviews in the last 12 months. It truly couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. The owner, Sam, continually goes out of his way to build up and support the English speaking community in Pyeongtaek. He offers unique drinks like Pumpkin Spice Lattes, he donates to food to the local animal shelter, he remembers all our drinks and names, he is open early and closed late, and he does it all with a smile. The 2017 South of Seoul's "Best Coffee Shop" and "Best Overall" Awards The business that everyone in town agrees with is Sam's Attractive Coffee. Although this is a "chain" shop there is nothing average about it. The owner, Sam, goes out of his way to create a space where we all feel at home. He even has unique seasonal drinks like Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread, Peppermint and more. None of these drinks are available at any other Attractive Coffee, he makes them just for us. However, it's more than the drinks or affordable prices that keep everyone coming back. It's Sam's commitment to the community and the effort he puts into helping everyone feel at home. When Sam came to Pyeongtaek he didn't just open a coffee shop, he created the heart of a community. Sam's Attractive Coffee Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 25 Rating: 5/5 Stars 2017 Best Pub/Bar & Grill One of the most reviewed categories this year were the pub/bar & grills. The competition was as stiff as many of their drinks. Braai Republic and Loft 33 need to be mentioned because their reviews are amazing and plentiful, but the small edge in star rating pushed the final winner to the top. The final winner was... Louis' Bar & Grill Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 19 Rating: 4.9/5 Stars 2017 Best Dessert Cafe For those that don't know, not all cafes focus on coffee. Some of them are all about the desserts. In 2017 Cafe Maree impressed us all with their attention to quality. This dessert cafe is as near to French dessert perfection as you can get outside of France. Their pumpkin pie is the best we have ever had. The desserts aren't cheap, but they are worth every won. Cafe Maree Area: Songtan, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 7 Rating: 5/5 Stars UPDATE: Change in Owndership 2017 Best Mexican /Tex Mex This is one of those difficult categories where people are very hard to please, yet Loco Tacos has managed to create some very loyal followers. So loyal that their erratic hours and closing during the winter (this is their hobby and not their income) hasn't killed the love for their tacos. We recommend following them on FB to know when you need to rush over and fill up your belly. Loco Tacos Area: Songtan, Pyeongtaek "Best Mexican/Tex Mex" Reviews: 6 Rating: 5/5 Stars 2017 Best Italian The first true New York Italian eatery in Pyeongtaek, the winner of this category was pushed ahead by the sheer number of reviews. Pyeongtaek might be covered in pasta restaurants, but this one stands out. The chefs cater to the Western palette with their meatball sandwiches, chicken parm pastas, garlic knots and more. A great place for a date or to take the family. The Stoop Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 13 Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 2017 Best Thai Food There are actually quite a few different Thai restaurants in Pyeongtaek. This year Thailand2 was the one that stood out to the most users. The owners must be doing something right because second place went to Thai corner which they also own. Thailand2 (Thai2) Area: Songtan, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 7 Rating: 4.8/5 Stars 2017 Best Indian We are blessed with a multitude of Indian restaurants in Pyeongtaek. Over the years, even with stiff new competition, Moti Mahal - the oldest Indian restaurant in town -remains the community favorite. They have two branches, this one by Camp Humphreys and another near AK Plaza. Both restaurants are spacious, making it the perfect place for social dinner gatherings. A close second runner up was Mito Cha Indian in Songtan. They only lost be user review numbers. We also recommend going to check them out if you live nearby. Moti Mahal Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 10 Rating: 4.6/5 Stars 2017 Best Sushi The new kid in town made some noise this year. In the past, Oishi in Songtan was the place to be, but Sushi in Jay has made their mark and become the new king in town. They focus on US style sushi rolls and meals. South of Seoul users love the convenience, the food, and the friendly staff. Sushi in Jay Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 14 Rating: 4.2/5 Stars 2017 Best World Cuisine We admit this is a weird category, however, we felt it was necessary because there are a number of unique world cuisine restaurants in Pyeongtaek that can't be categorized with anything else. We are lucky enough to have Mongolian, Caribbean, African, Peruvian, and more represented in our area. This is why we decided to create a category just for them. The winner of this category doesn't just stand out as a unique menu, it is also one of the top restaurants in Pyeongtaek and maybe even Korea. The Peruvian chef who opened the restaurant brought his A game. This is a MUST try if you are a foodie. The place is small so make sure to make a reservation if you have a group. In the summer it can be hard to get a seat but don't give up, it's worth the wait. Ceviche 210 Area: Songtan, Pyeongteaek Reviews: 7 Rating: 4.9/5 2017 Best Burger(s) In the past two years burger joints have been popping up almost faster than we can keep up with. It's hard to know where to start. For this choice we had to move away from the app reviews and go straight to the people. Twice this year we have run Facebook polls to ask about the best burgers and both times a food truck won out. Happy Food Truck is absolutely the crowd favorite. It's so popular that we decided to add them to the South of Seoul Pyeongtaek Directory despite the fact they don't have a standard shop. That said, in the most recent poll you can see Tailgate Tavern near Camp Humphreys and Bro's Kitchen near Osan AF Base are closing in fast. We highly recommend that burger lovers also check out these two locations as well. It's going to be exciting to see how this plays out in 2018. Happy Food Truck Location: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek 2017 Best Brunch Brunch has become a bigger and bigger thing over the last few years. Many local restaurants offer delicious versions during the weekend. However, there is one place that offers mind blowing options (the banana french toast) every day that they are open. This is fancy brunch and it has some very serious fans. In a Facebook poll we ran, Regina's Delicatessen had nearly double the votes of anywhere else. They speak English as a first language so it's easy to call ahead to confirm their hours. It's a very small shop and sometimes they close for catering or because they have sold out. Regina's Delicatessen Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 7 Rating: 4.9/5 Stars UPDATE: Currently Closed 2017 Best Kids Play Cafe Every parent needs a place where they can go to have a bit of rest while the kids go wild. In Korea those places are the Kids Cafes. In Pyeongtaek the cafe of choice is Jump Nori, a place where parents can have a nice beverage and watch their kids bounce their little hearts out. The perfect place for mom group meetups and birthday parties. Jump Nori Area: Paengseong, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 7 Rating: 5/5 Stars 2017 Best Sauna / Jjimjilbang It will be a miracle if any other sauna/jjimjilbang in Pyeongtaek ever wins this category. This wood fired, outdoor traditional sauna is unique and a wonderful part of our community. There are only a handful of these left in all of Korea. Once you go here you will fall in love. Even though there are only three reviews, you will be sold as soon as you read them. This is a MUST have experience when living in Pyeongtaek. Plus, at this sauna there is a locker room but no shared baths so if you are concerned about extended public nudity you don't have to worry. Traditional Sauna Area: Countryside West, Pyeongtaek Reviews: 3 Rating: 5/5 stars 2017 Best Neighborhood For A Night Out Pyeongtaek is a big place with many different areas for a fun night out, recently we asked the members what place they loved going to the most. The hands down winner with twice as many votes as the rest, was Sosabeol. This was a big surprise to use since it's not near a subway stop or one of the US military bases. That means people love it enough to make an effort to get there. The area has everything you might want: bars, bowling, archery, cafes, movie theater, and much more. It's crazy busy and bustling every time you go. Just remember that parking is terrible so take a bus or a taxi to make it easy on yourself. Food + Fun: Sosabeol, Bijeondong ___________________________________________________ Thank you to everyone who reviewed business and participated in Facebook polls this year. Again and again new arrivals in Pyeongtaek have said that the reviews in the South of Seoul app have made their lives easier and more enjoyable. Your contributions matter. If you haven't reviewed places yet, it's never too late to start. You can leave reviews for restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, thrift stores, kids cafes, department stores, immigration, and much more. Leaving reviews is simple, just click the star in the banner and reviews will pop up. In your reviews you can leave helpful hints, recommendations, and even advice of what not to do. It's a great place to pass on information you wish you'd had while supporting new arrivals and businesses. In short the reviews aren't just about how you feel, but also what people need to know. Remember that reviews containing defamation of character, extreme language, trolling, or obscenities will be removed due to Korean defamation laws and the family friendly nature of our app. With one year under our belt, all of the volunteers at South of Seoul are looking forward to another fun filled year of serving the communities of Pyeongtaek, Asan, and Cheonan. Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews with no explanation may be rejected. For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. Why we do this: We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.
From the must have transportation apps to the rules about trash, here are 10 things you NEED to know before moving to South Korea. + A Packing List
Nestle says that the blockchain-based IBM Food Trust initiative is gearing up to onboard new suppliers and retailers this year.
I-LAND2 : N/α is a survival show broadcasted by Mnet, in collaboration with TheBlackLabel. The show will consist of 24 trainees, competing for a chance to debut under WakeOne. The debut group will be permanent. It is scheduled to premiere on April 18, 2024, and voting will take place within the Mnet+ app. Actor Song Kang will be the storyteller of the said show; Teddy, Taeyang, VVN, and 24 are the producers; whereas Monika and Leejung Lee will be the directors.
The best restaurants and things to do in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. This blog works as a companion guide to the South of Seoul app.
At a loss for words to describe a beautiful experience? Here are the best unusual travel words in different languages for inspiration!
By Sarah Hill-Powell, South of Seoul Volunteer Edited by Jessica Lister, South of Seoul Volunteer The New Year is here, and so is the cold weather! Though it may be a delightful break from the humid and hot summer season, with temperatures so low and winds so sharp, winters can be rough to ride out - especially for families with little ones, who end up bouncing off the walls in a cabin-fever-induced frenzy. Fear not! Kid Cafes are abundant in Korea, with several indoor playground options existing within both Paengseong and Pyeongtaek City. This list isn’t meant to be a ‘best of’ list, but rather, one that boosts awareness of the choices available to the Pyeongtaek area. Note; most of the places detailed in this article are geared towards younger children (4 years and under). All listings can be found on the SOS app in the Pyeongtaek >> Spotlight: Families directory. Things to know before going to a kids cafe for the first time: You’ll leave your shoes at the entrance - there’s almost always a designated space, sometimes with locking cubbies, to keep your shoes (and other belongings if you so choose). Children under 12 months are often free at many establishments, but you’ll need to bring visual proof if your child’s age isn’t obvious. This is also not a guarantee. At most cafes, adult admission is either the purchase of a drink or a small flat fee. More often than not, you’ll pay everything you owe at the end of your stay, but sometimes, you pay the child’s admission first, before entering, and then any additional charges are settled before you leave. Kids cafes are mostly kid-proofed, but not always baby-proofed; many of them have “wooden block” pits, much like a sandpit, and many kinds of small toys - perfect choking hazards for the curious baby - so keep that in mind. Diaper changing areas usually coincide with rooms set aside for nursing mothers, though sometimes there will be space in the bathrooms. The Fun Factory Waze: The Fun Factory - Kids Cafe Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm Very close to Camp Humphreys' Dongchang-Ri gate, this large, spacious kids cafe shares a building with The Learning Tree Daycare. Teachers monitor their students when they play out in the main room (so, yes, the day care kids and the kids cafe patrons have opportunity to mingle). The Fun Factory opened at the beginning of December 2017, so at the time of writing this article (Jan 2018), it was brand new and squeaky clean. The play area is geared towards children aged 15 months to 5 years, and it has slides, trampolines, and even has a moderately sized rock-climbing wall for the slightly older kids. There are toys available for role-play (house, kitchen, costumes etc) and the cafe has a decent sized menu, which includes full meals in addition to the coffees and teas that are standard at kids cafes. The facility can be rented out for parties. Parking is available in the parking lot as well as along the road. La Cartata Kids Cafe Waze: La Cartata kids cafe 차타타 Hours: 9:30am ~ 8:30pm La Cartata is a kids cafe with a fun spin (no pun intended). In addition to the usual play areas, trampolines, toys, and ball pits, this cafe boasts a long racetrack where children can drive their own cars, either steering themselves or with a parent operating the vehicle via remote control. The racetrack is separate from the majority of the play space, but you will have to be mindful of your smaller children as there’s no real barrier to keep them out of the car lanes if they wandered into them (however, an employee is always manning the car station, and the cars themselves aren’t terribly fast). Cartata is a bit pricier than the average kids cafe, but the novelty is worth it. Even without the added car aspect, the play area is very large, and offers multiple kinds of play to keep children occupied who aren’t particularly interested in the cars. The rates and menu items are displayed in both Korean and English behind the cashier’s counter. Their cafe doesn’t offer full meals but they have snack foods such as, ice cream, teas, juices, and coffees. Birthday reservations are available . Cartata is located on the 8th floor of its building, which also houses the Ebadom Family Restaurant - a great place for Korean cuisine with a large play area of its own. Parking is available below the building. Rubling Premium Kids Cafe Waze: Rubling Premium Kids Cafe Hours: Weekdays 11:00am ~ 08:00pm, Weekends & holidays 10:30am ~ 08:30pm Rubling is a sophisticated, classy-looking kids cafe located on the 5th floor. Don’t worry, just because they’re a “premium” kids cafe doesn’t make them any more expensive than your average kids cafe. They have a menu that includes full meals and drinks, but none of it is in English. They have various toys, including a kid-sized piano and drum set. There’s a section to set your smaller babies in that is walled off from the rest of the floor. Play areas include ball pits, slides, trampolines, various role-play stations, doll houses, a block table area with Duplo sized blocks, a wooden block pit and more. Parking is available in the garage below the building. Yoohoo Jumping Club Waze: Yoohoo Jumping Cafe Hours: Weekdays 11:00am ~ 8:30pm, Weekends 10:00am ~ 9:00pm Located in a family friendly area of Anjung, right across the street from Hyeonhwa Park, is the Pyeongtaek branch of the Yoohoo Jumping Club - a popular kids cafe chain. This location’s admission fee is inexpensive compared to other kid cafes, and the food menu is cheap. Yoohoo has a very spacious trampoline area - perfect for older kids; they also have a baby-only trampoline. There is an actual sandpit in addition to the wooden block pits (they have boots for your kids to wear specifically for the sand and there’s a washing station nearby to minimize mess). There’s a swinging pirate ship ride (for little ones) and some arcade style games meant as a space for middle school aged kids. A Party Room is available for rent and it includes karaoke/norebang. Menu items include full meals (fried rice, pasta, pizza, etc), ice cream, snacks, sodas, coffees and teas. All menus are in hangul. Nori Park Kids Cafe Waze: Nori Park Kids Cafe - Parking Hours: Weekdays 12:00pm ~ 8:00pm, Weekends 10:00am ~ 8:00pm This charming, cozy, well-priced kids cafe rests above The Flat White Cafe. The facility is a good size - it’s not so big that you lose track of your little ones, but it’s big enough to keep them exploring. All the regular toy fixtures are present - kitchens, train tables, dolls, dinosaurs, dump trucks, blocks, and so on. There’s a baby trampoline for the littler kids that is well-separated from the large trampoline for the older kids. There’s also a moderately sized party room with a karaoke machine and it's tucked away from the main dining area making it easier to delineate party traffic. The bathrooms and changing areas are easily accessible. They have a wii. All menus and admission information is in hangul, but they were easy to parse, and rates are average. Parking is below ground, in the building, but it's a tight fit for American sized cars. There's a fair amount of parking on the alley street behind the building. Honorable Mentions Jump Nori in Paengseong Waze: jump nori Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm, usually closed Tuesdays A favorite of the community surrounding Camp Humphreys - for both locals and foreigners alike. The owner is very friendly and speaks great English. The menus and signage are in both English and Korean, and there is a good variety of food; pizza/pasta, rice options, snacks, bread, coffees and teas. Rates are very reasonable, which is always a plus - but especially if you have multiple children. I also like the size of the playground. It’s big enough to keep kids occupied, but not so big that you can’t easily keep an eye on younger children. Jump Nori can host birthday parties and has a small separate room available for such occasions. Parking is usually easily available behind the building in front of the grocery store. Paengseong Welfare Town (2nd floor playground) Waze: paengseong welfare town Hours: Weekdays 10:00am ~ 6:00pm, closed on Weekends Another great option in the Paengseong area is the playground on the second floor of the Paengseong Welfare Town (go up the elevators or the stairs and keep heading towards your left). Best thing about it? It’s FREE. And you can stay as long as you’d like. Just show up, leave your shoes at the door, and start playing! There are slides, padded floors, a diaper changing room, and plenty of seating (no tables, though). This location is very young-baby-friendly, with no small toys or sharp corners, leaving lots of space for your new walkers or avid crawlers to get around. They also offer a toy rental service for children aged 5 and under (for 10,000 won a year, you can rent two toys for two weeks). This includes LARGE baby items like bouncers, rocking horses, tricycles, and so on, making it a great alternative to buying those items outright. Be sure to bring proof of Pyeongtaek residency when you sign up for toy rentals. There’s a coffee shop on the first floor of the building and you can bring food and drink into the playroom as long as you are responsible for your items.There is a parking lot in front of the building, but sometimes, space can be scarce at high-traffic times of the day. Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews submitted with no comments may be rejected. Please explain 1 Star reviews without being crude or profane. Simple explain the situation. For example: "the food was not fully cooked, the waitress never brought my friends food, and the taste wasn't what I prefer." Korea has strong anti-defamation laws so keep explanations clear and fact based. For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. Why we do this: We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.
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There are some essential things you need to know about Korean etiquette, and we're going to tell you all about them! Below are the Korean etiquette rules and Korean Culture do's and dont's that you need to know. Let's look at the top 11 mistakes people make when it
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When winter rolls around it can be easy to just stay home and veg but that's often not the best for your mental health. So what should you do when you are allergic to the cold? Don't worry, you don't need to put on a snowsuit and go play outside. Instead grab a friend and checkout some of the fun indoor activities available in your area. These fun little adventures will brighten your winter weary mood and give you something to look forward to during your down time. Here are 5 of our favorite indoor options. 1. Indoor Archery Locations: Seojeongri, Sosabol, and Pyeongtaek City. The new thing in town is indoor archery and it's fun! The prices are affordable and they give you little lessons to get you started. This is a great way to begin your bow addiction. We have friends who tried archery for their birthday and a year later were entering competitions. It's easy to go down the rabbit hole with this one. S.O.S. PICK: We go to Freddie's archery in Seojeongri for a variety of reasons: 1) It's near our house; 2) Freddie is an awesome part of the community and very involved with the foreigner community; and 3) Freddie speaks English and will make you feel comfortable. If you become instantly addicted to the sport, he also has ALL the hookups for gear and classes. 2. Fishing Cafes You don't have to sit out in the cold to go fishing this winter. Instead, grab some friends and go to a nice warm fishing cafe where you can compete in catch-and-release fishing competitions and even win prizes. Great fun for families. To learn more check out these additional resources on the topic: Humphreys Happenings Bost Life 3. Escape Room Location: Pyeongtaek City If you are interested in testing your detective skills, the Escape Room near AK Plaza has a variety of options for English speakers. Everyone who goes says it's great fun. They are quite welcoming to English speaking guests so no need to feel uncomfortable. They even have the rooms summarized in English on their website. It's also very easy to find since it's directly out front of AK Plaza next to the bus stop. 4. Roller Skating Rinks Locations: Cheonan & Pyeongtaek This year Pyeongtaek has it's very own roller rink right near AK Plaza. Winter activities don't get any warmer or more fun than this. The rink is small and you skate around pillars, but that just makes it more fun. This is the perfect thing for a Friday night with friends or for a family outing. Get some exercise and remember what it's like to be a kid again. 5. Bowling Locations: Songtan, Pyeongtaek City, Sosabol Who doesn't love a night out eating snacks and rolling some balls across the floor? Pyeongtaek has bowling alleys in almost every area of the city. We haven't entered all of them, just the ones that we think foreigners will feel the most comfortable at. You could even start a bowling league with your friends. S.O.S. PICK: Pyeongtaek has a variety of bowling options, but one of the nicest isn't far from AK Plaza. Super clean with plenty of activities other than bowling for those that want to tag along with your friends, but aren't feeling like gracing the lanes. Seriously, don't sit at home and be sad about winter. Get out there and have all the fun. For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. Why we do this: We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.
The story centers around Song Ki-baek a seemingly perfect 33-year-old radio announcer known for his polite and well-mannered demeanor. His life takes an
On April 21, Hala Sharaf's heart was heavy as she left her family in Gaza to resume her studies in Cairo, Egypt.
