Seoul Searching | What to Do in Seoul During Chuseok.

Chuseok 추석 is one of the biggest and most-awaited holidays in South Korea. Also known as the mid-autumn / harvest festival, Chuseok is the equivalent of Thanksgiving Day in America and is usually celebrated for three days. However, this year's Chuseok holiday will be observed for four days - from  Thursday (September 12) all the way 'til Sunday (September 15).

Chuseok is one of the few times of the year when Koreans take time off from work, travel to their respective hometowns to spend time with their families, and hold memorial services for their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Many business establishments will close down in observance of the holiday, so expect Seoul to be a bit more tranquil and peaceful during this time. However, there will still be a handful of places to visit and lots of things to do for the expats and tourists who will be coming to Korea during the Chuseok holiday.

Visit a heritage site. 
Korea is world-renowned for their cultural heritage sites, and a great number of them can be found in the Seoul metropolis.

One of the more popular heritage sites is Jongmyo Shrine, the royal shrine which houses the 'spirit tablets' of the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. On regular days, visiting Jongmyo Shrine would require a reservation. But on Chuseok, the shrine will be open to the public, with free admission at that.

Ancestral rituals will be held at the shrine during the holiday, and visitors can get the chance to witness these first-hand.

Yue at the entrance to the main hall.

Jeongjeon, the main hall of Jongmyo Shrine.

Tour the Grand Palaces of Seoul.
Like Jongmyo Shrine, the Grand Palaces of Seoul will remain open during the Chuseok holiday, free of charge. However, you have to pay the regular rates should you wish to visit the Huwon (Secret Garden) in Changdeokgung or join the nighttime tour of Gyeongbokgung.

Changing of the guards at Deoksugung Palace.

Plenty of cultural experience programs await visitors during the Chuseok holiday. Musical performances and a tasting of royal tea and snacks will be held at Gyeongbokgung, while traditional mask dances and tightrope walking will be done at Changdeokgung. Musical performances will also take place at Changgyeonggung. Deoksugung, on the other hand, will present a re-creation of the welcoming ceremony for foreign envoys by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon era (1392-1910).

Get a great view of the city.
Standing 555 meters tall with 123 floors is the Lotte World Tower - the tallest building in Korea and the fifth tallest building in the world. This majestic tower houses galleries, cafés, and a luxury hotel, in addition to a skywalk and an observation deck.

Come on up to Seoul Sky!

Lotte World Tower.

The view from above.

Going all the way up to Seoul Sky is one of the best ways to get a clear, breathtaking view of the city. The cityscape becomes even more majestic by sundown, with the glittering city lights and all.

Check out a non-verbal performance.

Spice up your holiday by going to a cultural/musical performance. It doesn't matter if you're well-versed with Hangeul or not as these shows are non-verbal, and will only require tickets, your enthusiasm, and your attention.

The cast of Jump.
Photo credit: Jump official site.

If you're a martial arts enthusiast like me, you'll definitely enjoy 'Jump' an award-winning performance packed with humor, taekwondo, and other forms of martial arts. Since 2003, the show runs everyday at Myeongbo Art Hall in Jung District, Seoul

Another noteworthy non-verbal performance is 'Cooking Nanta', which runs everyday at Myeongdong Nanta Theatre and Hongdae Nanta Theatre. This show incorporates traditional percussion and humor , and has long been a popular staple since 1997.

Enjoy the great outdoors. 
Because most of the locals leave the city to travel to their hometowns during Chuseok, Seoul becomes less crowded and blissfully empty. This makes hiking trips more enjoyable and less stressful, and cycling routes become easier to navigate. Go on a bike ride along Han River, take a stroll at Seoul Forest, or if you're traveling with kids, take them to Seoul Grand Park for the Seoul Zoo Korean Thanksgiving Festival.

Autumn colors at Seoul Forest.

Seoul Grand Park.

Children's Park.

Chuseok jal bo nae sae yo! Have a wonderful Chuseok!
Here's hoping that you'll have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holidays!

Happy Chuseok Shopping at WishTrend!

It's Chuseok time once again! One of the most popular holidays in Korea, Chuseok (추석) is the equivalent of Thanksgiving in Western countries. It's that time of the year when Koreans reunite with their families, share food, and give thanks to their ancestors for the abundant harvest.

Little man in Hanbok (Korean traditional clothes).

This Korean holiday is usually observed for three days, but this year, Chuseok will take place from September 7 until September 10 - one day longer than the standard 3-day holiday. During Chuseok, Koreans usually travel back to their respective hometowns, spend time with their elders, hold memorial services for their departed family members, and visit ancestral graves.

Hence, most stores and offices are closed during this period to give employees a chance to observe the Chuseok holiday. For online shoppers, however, Chuseok usually means sale events and free gifts.

WishTrend, for instance, is giving away a free gift in celebration of the Chuseok holiday. An online shopping hub of beauty products, WishTrend brings Korean brands such as Tony Moly, Missha, Skin79, ElishaCoy, Klairs, etc. to the global market by means of e-commerce.

Customers who make a purchase during the period of September 7 - September 10 will receive Klair's Rich Moist Facial Soap as a Thanksgiving holiday gift.

Be Clean Natural Soap from Klairs.

Made with calamine and yerba mate, the Rich Moist Facial Soap provides excellent soothing effects on sensitive skin. It also contains argan oil, one of nature's best antioxidants, and almond oil, known for its moisturizing properties.

Rich Moist Facial Soap.

Part of Klair's all-new Be Clean Natural Soap line, the Rich Moist Facial Soap is recommended for those with dry, troubled, and sensitive skin. Priced at $99, shoppers can get this product free by using the code 'WISHHOLI' upon checkout.

WishTrend ships worldwide, and even offers free standard shipping for orders over $69. Delivery time is from 3-15 business days, depending on the country of destination. 

And because I'm a big fan of Korean beauty brands, I'm doing a bit of shopping at WishTrend myself. Of course, I'll be claiming my free gift as well. :)

Enjoy the Chuseok holiday, and to all my Korean friends, 추석 잘 보 내 새요Chuseok jal bo nae sae yo! :)

Wordless Wednesday #55 | Happy Chuseok!

It's that time of the year again! It's Chuseok (추석) - Thanksgiving Day in Korea, and the most important holiday in the Land of the Morning Calm.

Chuseok falls on September 19 this year, but the holiday is actually observed for three days (September 18-20). We're joining in the festivities by letting the little man wear his hanbok - the traditional Korean clothes.

To our Hanguk chingu (Korean friends) and to everyone in Korea... 

Happy Thanksgiving! 추석 잘 보내세요!

Wordless Wednesday #8 | Chuseokbim!

During Chuseok, everyone in the (Korean) family buys and wears new clothes, usually hanbok (Korean traditional clothes). This custom is known as Chuseokbim, and is still practiced today.

Complete Hanbok set (jeogori, teol, & bokkeon) from Yedam, 75,000 KRW. 
Many thanks to Youngsuk unni for this gift. :)

Spazz Saturday #5 | Happy Chuseok!

Today, the festivities begin in Korea as the country celebrates Chuseok, (추석) the Korean Thanksgiving Day. For Koreans, this is the biggest and most important holiday of the year as family members reunite and get-together to share food and give thanks to their ancestors for the abundant harvest.

This year, Chuseok falls on a Sunday, September 30. However, the event is celebrated for three days, beginning today, September 29 all the way until Monday, October 1. During this period, Koreans usually travel back to their respective hometowns to spend time with their families, hold memorial services for their departed loved ones, and visit ancestral graves.

Photo credit: Visit Korea

A common sight during Chuseok are Hanbok, or traditional Korean clothes as pictured above. If you're into period dramas like me (think Arang and the Magistrate, The Princess Man, and The Rooftop Prince), then I'm sure you're pretty familiar with these. This custom is called 'Chuseokbim', and is still practiced up to this very day.

I think Hanboks are the prettiest traditional clothes. I am so enamored by them that I asked the husband to buy one for the little man. It's a good thing Hanboks are readily available at department stores these days. Originally, they are made-to-order and handcrafted by skilled tailors only.

I received the little man's Hanbok just now; it was brought home by Youngsuk unni. She's my cousin-in-law's wife and they're in the country for a brief, four-day vacay. And yes, she's Korean. I'll post a photo of the little man wearing his Hanbok later. For now, here's the aegi and I, sending Chuseok greetings to all our Korean chingus! Happy Thanksgiving Day! :)