Koreans use a spoon and chopsticks when eating. All food is cut in the kitchen before being served, or will be cut at the table so that it is easy to grab with the chopsticks. If the food has not been cut, the chopsticks will be used to tear the food apart. If one person is having trouble, it is not unusual for another person to help out by using a chopstick as an anchor while the other person pulls the food apart. 

Korean spoons are not like Chinese-style or Japanese-style spoons, but like Western soup spoons. It is considered improper to hold the chopsticks and spoon together at the same time. (Actually Westerners are amazed that Koreans are able to do so at all!) Since Korean rice is sticky, it is not difficult to pick it up with chopsticks. This is why it is considered improper to bring the rice bowl to your mouth. 

In fact, the rice and soup bowls should never leave the table. If you need to use a spoon to eat the rice because you have placed other food on top of it, be sure that you don’t leave anything on your spoon. Also, never leave your spoon stuck in the rice. That is considered improper because it is done only during ancestral rites; that is, for dead ancestors.

In Korea, summers are extremely hot and winters are extremely cold. Therefore, houses were made of material that is less affected by temperture fluctuations. Furthermore, the ondol system which heats the floors has traditionally enticed Koreans to sit on the floor.

If you visit Korean royal palaces or traditional homes, you will notice that the furniture doesn’t have any legs. The ondol heating system is unique to Korea and has always ensured that Koreans could survive the long and cold winter months. In order to benfit from the ondol system, it was important to sit on the floor. Alternatively, in the hot summer months, it was cool and refreshing to sit on the floor.

If you go to a Korean restaurant, you will often be given a choice between sitting at a Western table or at a Korean table, which entails taking off your shoes. The advantage of the Korean sitting culture is that more people can be accommodated. Whether to sleep or sit, if everybody doesn’t have a set place, it is easier to squeeze one more person in. This is also possible because unlike Western culture, which considers personal space to be very important, for Koreans tend to stand or sit closer to each other when speaking. As a result, it is not unusual to see Koreans take off their shoes and sit in the lotus position even on Western style chairs or to put one leg up on the chair as if they were sitting on the floor.

Despite the fact that Korea was subjected to numerous foreign invasions, it was able to maintain its national identity and language. However, in contemporary history, the country ended up being divided in two due to outside forces. Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was caught in a tug-of-war between superpowers trying to fight out their ideological differences. The result was a division between the South,which advocated capitalism, and the North, which advocated communism. Consequently, a civil war broke out between the two sides, which ended in an armistice. Afterwards, a military dictatorship took over in the South, while in the communist North, a hereditary dictatorship gained power.

The two sides are the last remnants of the Cold War. As such, innumerable families have been seperated by this artificial division and forced to live for more than five decades without any news of their loved ones.

In the 1980s, when South Korea finally achieved its long-held dream of democratization, the first signs of a Cold War thaw on the Korean peninsula appeared. Efforts to improve South-North relations included President Kim Daejung’s Sunshine Policy as well as the Mt. Geumgangsan tours, which allow South Koreans to visit those beautiful mountains in the North.

Another famous overture was made by the wealthy chairman of a large conglomerate in South Korea. Decades before, he had left his hometown in the North, taking with him a cow. To show his gratitude, in 1998 he arranged for 1,001 cows to be herded across the border to Pyeongyang, the capital city of North Korea.

Such policies are sometimes successful, while at other times they are not. This can lead to tension and conflict between the two sides.

However, the South will not give up its efforts to embrace the North as “part of the family.”

Very famous YouTubers visited here Bukgol Oncheon and said "I don’t think I’ve ever gone through such extreme temperature difference in my life from -20 degrees to +60 degrees!! But it was nevertheless a perfect way to melt our stress away! It also had a completely different vibe to Jjimjilbangs in Seoul too!"

Pyeongchang Olympics ended, but now Gangwon province were known to the worldwide travelers. These areas are good for hiking, climbing, traveling and experiencing Jjimjilbang and Oncheon.

A Jjimjilbang or Chimjilbang (Korean pronunciation: [t͈ɕimdʑilbaŋ]; Hangul: 찜질방) is a large, gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas and massage tables. It's with the Ondol-heated system and Hwangtobang system. Ondol is the Korean heating system. Hwangtobang is a room made by Hwangto, which is Korean unique gold-colored loess.

Most jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours and are a popular weekend getaway for Korean families. During the week, many hardworking Korean men, whose families live out of the city for cost savings, stay in jjimjilbangs overnight after working or drinking with co-workers late into the night. The cost is around 8,000-12,000 won to enter, and one can sleep overnight and enjoy the bathhouse and Korean traditional sauna.

Oncheon could be similar to Jjimjilbang, but Oncheon should be a hot spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the Earth's crust.

There could be many Jjimjilbangs or Oncheons in Gangwon province. Here is one of best Jjimjilbang and Oncheon in Yangyang city (near Pyeongchang Olympics area). The name is Bukgol Oncheon(Hot spring), which is available of Jjimjilbang. 

Anyone who plans to visit Pyeongchang or Yangyang city, Bukgol Oncheon can be a good choice to experience Korean styled hot spring especially when it's a winter season.

The address is 367 Jungbok-ri, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang, Gangwon-do, South Korea. (Phone number : outside of Korea +82-33-671-4008, inside of Korea 033-671-4008)

Skiing and Snowboarding in South Korea!

There are many ski resorts in South Korea. Here are the list you can go.

1. High1 resort
2. Apensia Resort
3. Elysian Gangchon Resort
4. Jisan Resort
5. Daemyung Vivaldi Park
6. Phoenix Park resort

DMZ Panmunjeom (DMZ 판문점) 

Only DMZ tour program recommended by KTO, and ministry of culture, sports and tourism. 

The 3rd infiltration tunnel and observatory and dorasan station.

We invite you to the special DMZ tour where you can feel the reality and pain of only separated nation in the world.

1. Panmunjeom Tour

Panmunjeom is located inside the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ), and it is the most forward location in the DMZ that can be visited by civilians. The administrative address is Neolmun-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi-do(Province of Gyeonggi) for the South Korean side, Panmunjom-ri, Panmunjom, Kaesong for the North Korean side.

Although Panmunjeom is the common name of the area, the official name of the negotiating site is the Joint Security Area(JSA). Panmunjeom is located in the western portion of the 155-mile long DMZ on the Military Demarcation Line(MDL) and it demonstrates the great sorrow of the divided country. Panmunjeom is located 62 kilometers northwest of Seou, the capital of South Korea, and 215 kilometers south of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, 10 kilometers from Kaesong.

2. Camp Bonifas

Camp Bonifas is the base camp for the United Nations Command Security Force-Joint Security Area. It is located 400 meters south of the southern boundary of the Demilitarized Zone. This is home for the soldiers who support the Military Armistice Commission at JSA.

3. Joint Security Area

The JSA resembles a square measuring about 800 meters in diameter. After the Armistice Agreement was signed, the JSA became a neutral location where the guards from both sides were allowed to move about freely. It was the only place in the DMZ where the DML was originally not clearly marked. That changed after North Korean guards murdered two UNC officers with axes on 18 August 1976. After Axe murder incident, the MDL was marked within the JSA, and that marking system continues until today.

Today, the only place where border crossings are allowed is inside the conference buildings of the Military Armistice Commission(MAC). The MDL in the JSA is marked with one hundred and twenty-six meter-high withe stakes, along the boundary line a 10-meter interval. In the rest of the DMZ, the boundary is marked with MDL markers. Each side owns six guard posts in the JSA and more than thirty-five armed guards can be present on each side. The JSA is a venue for exchanges and negotiations between the North and South. All kinds of political and economic issue, cultural conferences and Red Cross meetings are held in the JSA.

4. Dora observatory

Dora observatory was built by the ministry of national defense on September 8th, 1986. You can view the village and as far north as the city of Gaeseong. Also, this place is the nearest point to North Korea from South Korea.

5. Imjingak park

Imjingak park is located at 50km northwest of Seoul was built for 5 million people who lost home. Major facilities include North Hall where you can get a view of lifestyle of North Korea.

6. The 3rd infiltration tunnel

The third tunnel was discovered in October, 1978. 1.95 meters high, 2.1 meters wide and 1,635 meters long, it penetrates 435 meters south of the military demarcation line and ends at the Truce Village of Panmunjeom.

If you want to make a special memory in Seoul, Eland cruse can be one of the choices. You can have a photo time at a variety of photo zones. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain operates from April to October. (이랜드크루즈)

The address is 07337, 290 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. (Subway line 5, Yeouinaru station, exit 3)

지하철 5호선 여의나루역 3번 출구

There are 4 cruises; Story cruise, Music cruise, Lunch cruise and Dinner cruise.

1. Story cruise 스토리 크루즈

A cruise ship includes Han River story and live music (foods sold at the ship cafeteria). You can feed gulls.

핑거 기타리스트의 선상 연주와 갈매기 먹이 주기 체험

2. Music cruise 뮤직 크루즈

This cruise ship that includes banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and live music. Hotpack and 'Coffee or beer' is offered (select one). 아름다운 한강 야경과 함께 즐기는 선상 라이브뮤직공연 (따뜻한 음료 & 핫팩 제공, 1인 1음료, 1인 1핫팩)

3. Lunch cruise 런치 크루즈

Enjoy high class on-ship buffet, looking at Han river. Thirty-kind menus satisfy five senses!

오감을 만족시키는 30여가지 메뉴를 선상에서 즐기는 런치 크루즈

4. Dinner cruise 디너 크루즈

Enjoy high class on-ship buffet, looking at the night landscape of Han river. Fifty-kind menus satisfy five senses!

특급 셰프가 선사하는 50여가지 메뉴와 고품격 선상 라이브 뮤직 공연을 아름다운 한강 야경과 함께 즐기는 디너 크루즈

If you want to visit Gangnam, Seoul and Pyeongchang, Ocloud hotel can be a best choice of staying in South Korea. You can go to Pyeongchang from Sangbong station to Olympics stadium by KTX easily.

KTX tickets

http://www.letskorail.com/pyeongchang

Daily Schedule - Fri, 9 Feb (Pyeongchang Olympic)

* Start time / Location / Events

  countries

Alpine Skiing

11:00 Jeongseon Alpine Centre Men's Downhill 2nd Training

Curling 

8:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet A Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 3

KOR vs NOR

8:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet B Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 3

USA vs SUI

8:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet C Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 3

CHN vs CAN

8:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet D Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 3

OAR (Olympic Athlete from Russia) vs FIN

13:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet A Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 4

CAN vs FIN

13:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet B Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 4

CHN vs OAR

13:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet C Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 4

USA vs KOR

13:35 Gangneung Curling - Sheet D Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 4

SUI vs NOR

Figure Skating 

10:00 Gangneung Ice Arena Team Event Men Single Skating Short Program

11:45 Gangneung Ice Arena Team Event Pair Skating Short Program

Freestyle Skiing

10:00 Phoenix Park (P) - Moguls Ladies' Moguls Qualification 1

11:45 Phoenix Park (P) - Moguls Men's Moguls Qualification 1

Luge 

9:00 Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Run 5

      Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Run 6

Daily Schedule - Thur, 8 Feb (Pyeongchang Olympic)

* Start time / Location / Events

  countries

Alpine Skiing

11:00 Jeongseon Alpine Centre Men's Downhill 1st Training

Biathlon 

19:45 Alpensia Biathlon Centre Men's 10km Sprint Official Training

Curling

9:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet A Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 1

USA vs OAR(Olympic Athlete from Russia)

9:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet B Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 1

CAN vs NOR

9:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet C Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 1

KOR vs FIN

9:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet D Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 1

CHN vs SUI

20:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet A Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 2

FIN vs SUI

20:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet B Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 2

KOR vs CHN

20:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet C Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 2

OAR vs NOR

20:05 Gangneung Curling - Sheet D Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 2

USA vs CAN

Luge 

14:30 Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group B Run 3

        Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group B Run 4

16:30 Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group A Run 3

        Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group A Run 4

18:30 Olympic Sliding Centre Women's Singles Training Group A Run 1

        Olympic Sliding Centre Women's Singles Training Group A Run 2

20:00 Olympic Sliding Centre Women's Singles Training Group B Run 1

        Olympic Sliding Centre Women's Singles Training Group B Run 2

Ski Jumping

11:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 3 Jump 1

11:50 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 3 Jump 2

12:40 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 3 Jump 3

16:30 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Ladies' Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 1

17:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Ladies' Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 2

17:30 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Ladies' Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 3

20:15 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Trial Round for Qualification

21:30 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Qualification

Daily Schedule - Wed, 7 Feb (Pyeongchang Olympic)

* Start time / Location / Events

Biathlon

19:45 Alpensia Biathlon Centre Women's 7.5km Sprint Official Training

Luge 

19:30 Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group A Run 1

        Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group A Run 2

21:30 Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group B Run 1

        Olympic Sliding Centre Men's Singles Training Group B Run 2

Ski Jumping 

11:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 1

12:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 2

13:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 1 Jump 3

19:00 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 2 Jump 1

19:50 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 2 Jump 2

20:40 Alpensia Ski Jumping - Normal Men's Normal Hill Individual Official Training 2 Jump 3

▶ Pyeonchang Station

1. Phoenis Snow Park 

- Snowboard

- Freestlye Skiing

▶ Jinbu Station

1. Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium

- Opening/Closing Cerenmony

2. Olympic Sliding Centre

- Bobsleigh

- Skeleton

- Luge

3. Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre

- Ski Jumping

- Nordic Combined

- Snowboard

4. Apensia Biathlon Centre

- Biathlon

5. Aplensia Cross-Country Centre

- Cross-Country Skiing

- Nordic Combined

6. Yongpyong Alpine Centre

- Alpine Skiing (please double check the event and the place!)

7. Jeongseon Alpine Centre

- Alpine Skiing (please double check the event and the place!)

▶ Gangneung Station

1. Gangneung Ice Arena

- Figure Skating

- Short Track Speed Skating

2. Gangneung Hockey Centre

- Ice Hockey (please double check the event and the place!)

3. Gangneung Oval 

- Speed Skating

4. Kwandong Hockey Centre

- Ice Hockey (please double check the event and the place!)

5. Gangneung Curling Centre

- Curling