Seoul Searching | Petite France.

Contrary to what we had planned, we weren't able to set out early for our trip to Petite France. We woke up pretty late - around 10 am, I reckon - and it sort of took me forever to get dressed and put my makeup on. I was feeling pretty sluggish when I woke up on our first morning in Seoul; I guess my body was still feeling the effects of the very turbulent plane ride from the previous day. Thankfully, my husband took over the chore of getting Yue dressed while I did my makeup.

By 11:30 am, all three of us were good to go. But first, breakfast at the nearest E-mart. Well, brunch, actually.

You can never go wrong with McDonald's. 

Yue opted for good ol' Chicken Nuggets and french fries at McDonald's, while my husband and I each had a serving of tonkatsu and omurice. This meal costs 8000 Korean won, fairly-priced if I may say, since the servings are huge and the food tasted great. I wasn't able to finish my meal though, because my stomach was still feeling a bit queasy.

Tonkatsu and omurice.

To relieve my nausea, I took a bottle of Bengdelong solution which I bought from the E-mart pharmacy (think Watson's or Boots or CVS). I asked the pharmacist if they have something for 'meolmi' (motion sickness) and she gave me this 30 mL bottle with 'Bengdelong solution' written on it in English. Each bottle costs 500 won. This stuff is wickedly effective, I tell you. I was feeling good after thirty minutes of taking it. :)

Pan Cold on the left (for colds and cough) and Bengdelong Solution on the right (for motion sickness).

After our tummy-fill, we made our way to Gapyeong Terminal to catch the 1:30 pm ride of the Gapyeong Tour Bus.

The Gapyeong Tour Bus.

The tour course of this shuttle bus covers thirteen areas, including Petite France, Nami Island, and the Garden of the Morning Calm. Passengers can get on and off the circulating course with just one ticket. Each ticket costs 6000 Korean won for adults and 4000 Korean won for kids and teenagers. It took us about an hour to get to Petite France, and when we got there...

Petite France!

Pictures galore!

Kim Soo Hyun for Samsonite RED.

If there's one brand of luggage that I can easily associate with, it has to be Samsonite. Coming from an OFW family, it's a brand that I have been familiar with since childhood.

I remember my grandfather's big black luggage bag was Samsonite, and opening it each time he'd come home from Saudi Arabia was a treat as it would be filled with toys and chocolates. Even my Mum, who comes home from the UK at least twice a year, is a fan of Samsonite bags. Every time we fetch at the airport, her red Samsonite carry on luggage makes her so easy to spot among the throng of balikbayans.

And so when news of Kim Soo Hyun endorsing Samsonite broke out, I couldn't be happier. One of my favorite Korean actors endorsing my favorite luggage brand... exciting, isn't it? :)

Here's a bit of info about Samsonite Red, the line that Kim Soo Hyun, together with Hong Kong model and actress Angelababy, is currently endorsing.

Kim Soo Hyun wears an Oben, while Angelababy carries a Bona.

Tailored to specifically cater to the lifestyle of the upwardly mobile, Samsonite Red features different styles in various materials. From sturdy nylon in neutral hues to highlight its simple and practical nature, to coated cotton twill mixed with supple leather that lends to a more urban aesthetic, to more utilitarian designs that feature water-proof material and even sleek all-leather options that show function doesn’t have to come at the expense of style.

Liebe, an all-in-one, unisex bag that can be used for day and night activities.
Comes in orange, gray, navy, and emerald green.

Liebe in Navy.

Diversity is essential to this collection. Samsonite understands that an ‘everyday bag’ isn’t a one size fits all concept; it is defined by the individual's aesthetic, everyday needs, and his or her way of life.

Easy-Way has multi-function and well-organized compartments.
Perfect for yuppies who go for the casual yet trendy style.

Fort has a minimalist style and comes in tooled leather.
It's available as a backpack, briefcase, and cross-shoulder bag.

It’s a collection that simplifies the process of finding a replacement for that trusty old travel backpack for men, by giving you a selection of options that range from minimalist to quirky - depending on ones's needs and personality.

Genio is very simple, yet pleasing to the eye with its nylon and leather combination.
It comes in backpacks, briefcases, and cross-shoulder bags.

Angelababy with a Bona mini cross bag; Kim Soo Hyun with a Genio briefcase.

Samsonite Red represents the kind of low-key collection that has become the benchmark of utility and style - simple, functional but still chic. And you can’t ask anything more from a fashion staple that you will essentially be wearing everyday.

Samsonite Red is a brand of innovation, designed to make new ideas into reality. Available nationwide in selected Rustan’s department stores, Ayala Malls, SM department stores, Robinsons Mall, KCC Veranza Mall, Resorts World, Eastwood Mall, Podium, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shoppesville Greenhills, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Shangri-la Mall, Bonifacio High Street Central and Limketkai Mall.

For the Kdrama Addict | Places to Visit in Korea.

Now that more and more Korean dramas (Kdramas) have achieved international success, Korean film tours are gaining popularity as well. Through these film tours, fans get to see the filming locations of their favorite TV shows, and allow them to relive the scenes in their favorite Kdramas.

If you're visiting Korea and planning to go on a film tour, here are some places that you might want to add to your itinerary.

1. The First Shop of Coffee Prince. (Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul.)
Aired in 2007, The First Shop of Coffee Prince is perhaps one of the most popular Kdramas as far as gender bender plots are concerned. The set of The First Shop of Coffee Prince was an actual cafe in Hongdae that had been remodeled as a set for the drama. Both the exterior and interior of the cafe have been completely overhauled to recreate the scenes in the drama, and was reopened as soon as the drama ended.

The First Shop of Coffee Prince.

2. Bukchon Hanok Village. (Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.)
The Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul is the city's last neighborhood with a high concentration of traditional homes, called hanok. I read an article that traditional houses often need a lot of upkeep. Hanoks are no exception being dedicated to preserving traditional Korean architecture. Made of clay, wood, and stone, hanoks are typically single-story structures that have heated floors and curved tile roofs. Popular dramas that have been filmed in Bukchon include Winter Sonata (2002), My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005), Personal Taste (2010), and Heartstrings (2011).

Bukchon Hanok Village.

3. Petit France. (Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.)
I first saw this place in the variety show 'Running Man', but it was actually the hit drama 'My Love from the Star' that made this French cultural village even more popular. Located in the province of Gyeonggi-do - about one hour away from Seoul - the village consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge, enjoy French food, and experience French culture. Also featured in the village is a memorial hall dedicated to Antoine Saint-Exupery, author of the world-famous French novel Le Petit Prince.

Petit France.

4. Hwajinpo Beach. (Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do.)
The most northern beach in South Korea, Hwajinpo Beach was the site of the last scene in Autumn in My Heart (2000), where the two lovers portrayed by Song Hye Kyo and Song Seung Heon spent their last moments together. This heartbreaking and unforgettable scene invites a trail of visitors with its clean, shallow water, and a majestic view of the mountains and the East Sea.

Hwajinpo Beach.

5. Korean Folk Village. (Yong-in, Gyeonggi-do.)
The mecca of historical drama (think Dae Jang Geum, Jumong, Sungkyunkwan Scandal)  and the epicenter of Korean wave, the Korean Folk Village has over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon dynasty. Visitors get to experience the customs and lifestyle of Korea's past generations, and gain a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and home life from the past.

Korean Folk Village.

The list goes on, actually. But for now I'm narrowing them to five. Korea reels with film locations, and you may even chance upon them without even knowing it! When in Korea, keep your eyes peeled for banners and tarpaulins with photos of your favorite stars. Who knows, the restaurant you might be dining in right now was actually a film location. :)