Spring Korea

Gyeongbukgung – Ladies in Hanbok taking and posing for photos at one of the first few gates at the palace.

Royal Cultural Week at Gyeongbukgung. When I first planned the trip, I wanted to spend a few days hiking at Jirisan. However, it was just that my schedule missed the opening of the Jirisan shelters. But you lose some, you gain some. It so happens that the week I was at Seoul was the Royal Cultural Week. There were several activities planned at the main palaces and shrines at Seoul. There was this particular Korean traditional dance performance – Samulnori that caught my eye. The performers are very enthusiastic in their performance looking very happy and when each performance ends, have a look of satisfaction of a good job done.

Moving Target for Breakfast at a Bakery. There was this new bakery, Queens Bakery opposite my hotel. I decided to try breakfast there while shooting early morning scenes of people getting around. The breakfast was fine (somewhat oily), but the shooting process was somewhat satisfying. Eventually, this lady in pink won out over other shots.

Lotte World Tower – The tallest tower in South Korea. I had been to several famous towers when I visit each city (including Namsan Tower, the famous romantic one south of Seoul), but I must admit, even though I had been to Seoul five times previously, I had never went up to Lotte Sky Tower and the 63 Building. In fact, I had been to the shopping centre below, Olympic park nearby, and seen this Lotte Sky Tower, but never realised it was the tallest building in Seoul 😅… This trip, I went up to both 63 Building at Hangang River and Lotte Sky Tower.

Lensball – Bought a lens ball after my last trip to UK and seeing some works by Antonio Duran in London http://antonioduranphoto.com. Decided to get a lens ball and experiment with it while in Korea. Took this photo early morning at Deoksugung.

You must study hard…

Statue of King Sejong along Gwanghwamun. This trip, I tried playing this expanded effect: sort of feel like echoing effect or the soul leaving the body 🤣…

King Sejong was responsible to create the Korean alphabat, so I suppose the title has some relevance?


Interesting Structure

Saw this interesting structure on my way to Yeido Hangang Park.


Gyeonghuigung, one for the 5 Grand Palaces – First time visiting this palace after 6 visits to Korea. It has much less visitors but free. It design and layout is somewhat similar to other Korean Palaces but less extensive. I understand it was more Majestic in the Joseon period, destroyed/dismantle during the Japanese Occupation. Subsequently, due to urban growth, only a portion was rebuilt. It is a serene place to visit due to the smaller crowd. Worth to go take a look if you have time.

Gyeonghuigung – To see the King.