My Sim Card Adventure or Using Your Phone in Korea

Caution this is only my experience with my two carries over the years all with apple products.
Please check with your own carrier.

The first time I came here my carrier had phones that were unlocked and were always able to be used internationally. My new carrier had me come in and they unlock my phone for two months max.

I went to the G25 store (a convenience store like a 7/11) in the airport and bought a sim card from EGSim which uses the olleh company in Korea.

So I read the directions turned my wifi off, turned a few things on, powered it off, popped out the sim card and put in the new one. Turned it on and it worked.

EGSim card as an app that is very easy to use. You can top off your phone check your balance and get help all in about 4 languages.English, Japanese, Chinese and of course Korean.  

EGSim has been really helpful over the phone and through the email. The were even so gracious to refund my money after topping off the wrong card. I used to have two now I have three. There is no need to get a new card every time you come to the country but I have had a need for different size cards. I found that ordering it online was the best value and super simple. They have many pick up spots or can ship it to your home.

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind: 
Bring a pin to open the sim card slot. An earring back will do the trick to.
Make sure you're phone is unlocked.

When I put in my new card this last trip I had some trouble. I was really hoping the phone company didn't mess up. My phone asked me for my icloud account to activate my new phone. So know your iCloud account and password, which for me was in my phone and now I could not retrieve it.
Luckily I had a laptop with me and there is free WiFi in the airport.
I have a LastPass account that stores all my passwords,
so I opened my account and retrieved it
and then my phone was happy. :)

Click for more info about  EGSim cards.

Towels and Sheets Rant

OK Korea I don't get it. Why towels the size or postage stamps.  Maybe OK for the gym but in your homes too? I want to be surrounded by a big cozy towel when I get out of the shower. Or at least one to cover my...  

And beds have no sheets. It hot here why would I want a big blanket covering my body. The layers and size of bed clothes must make it tough to wash.

OK I'm done. Thanks for listening.

Oh! Oh! Oh!I Can't Wait! 

I'm going back and will be in Seoul and other parts of South Korea in June and July. 

If there is anything you want to know, see or experience, let me know and I'll make a post about it. 

Now I can't answer all the question in the world but if it pertains to South Korea, I'll try it and visit it and let you know about it. 

I will also have some time to work on my Market post. 

Korean Drama - Kdrama

OMG! Kdramas~ ~ ~ <3 <3 <3

Yes, I'm hooked and it's helping me with learning the language...... Yep that's it....it's helping me learn the language...

Preparation: 
Subscription to Hulu Plus or
drama fever and Viki (mostly free)
1 box of Kleenex (or any facial tissues). 

Here is a list of Dramas I've seen and loved this last year.

Coffee Prince - Romantic Comedy - 17 episodes

Not your typical storyline. Young handsome man thinks he might be attracted to another male who really is a female but prefers to dress more like a 'tomboy' and doesn't lead on she is a girl.  It's refreshing to see a Kdrama that takes a risk and deals with alternative 
sexuality. 

My Love From Another Stars - Romantic Drama - 
21 Episode 

Oh yes another wacky romantic comedy with an alien. But somehow it works. I liked the time travel aspect to it. It was hard to like the main female lead at first but she started to change before our eyes into a person you could admire.

Good Doctor  - Drama - 20 Episode

Good for you Korea dealing with disabilities through a drama. I feel it gives hope to people who are a little different in the Korean society. This drama left you feeling good for our hero who over came so many issues and how other responded to him.

Plus Nine Boys - Romantic Drama - 16 Episode

I really like this drama. There are three different main stories and they all kept my attention! The leads were wonderful actors, and I waited every week for the episodes to be subbed! Wonderful romance stories :) Great and worthwhile drama.

Fated to love you -  Romantic Comedy - 20 Episode

Ok so my friend did not like this one but I did. Some of it was pretty cliché and fit too neatly into place. But the characters had there own personalities. The lead male was not your typical male lead in a romantic comedy but soon we were rooting for him to reveal his true feeling and breakdown his hard exterior.  

** Special contributor Carly for the blog www.poptimekorea.blogspot.com

Hey youse guys! Carly here to talk about some of the dramas that i've seen!

**City Hunter - Drama - 20 Episodes 

Watched this one with a friend, and honestly, all I remember is crying in the first episode, but this show wasn’t bad but it wasn’t my favorite. There are a lot of really good supporting characters in here though, and I think that they were my favorite part of the series. I guess it’s been years since I watched it though!

**The Masters Sun - DRAMA - 17 Episodes 

A little bit of a strange concept. But again with the, I’m a poor girl and you’re a mean rich handsome guy! I liked the adventures they had and I liked the supporting male cast again. There were a lot of twists and turns in this series that made the familiar cliché enjoyable. I don’t regret watching it and it was an interesting story! It wasn’t too much of a horror though, as I thought it would be. Definitely a romantic comedy.

**Boys Before Flowers - Drama - 25 Episode

One of the most popular K dramas EVER. Aaaaannnnnddd I couldn’t get through it. I watched 6 episodes and then the final one. It was pretty much everything that irritates me about Kdramas in one show. The writing wasn’t perfect, but that’s not such of a big deal, but the content felt a little shallow and drawn out to me.  The rich arrogant guy, the poor, well-meaning un-ladylike girl. ‘I hate you.’ ‘No I hate you more’. ‘I hate you more, but why can’t I stop thinking about you.’ That curly hair, I couldn’t get used to it from episode 1.  Sorry for all the dislike! I’ve had friends watch this show and really like it!

**Gakshital Bridal Mask - Drama - 28 Episodes

One of the only dramas I’ve completed that wasn’t set in the 21 century. It was totally different from any other K drama than I’ve watched and I pretty much completed it within a week. Yep. Hour long 20- something episodes. While of course this show isn’t perfectly written, and there is some clichés, it surprised me a lot with its twists and turns in a way I would never ever expect. On the downside, some people have said can seem quite nationalistic in some views, and there were WAYYY to many torture scenes for y’all squeamish. (I’m a weenie, I fast forwarded through all of them hahaha that might be why I’m surprised…..) They seemed to love using the torture room as a backdrop. I can’t say I was too crazy about the female lead, and some of it felt like it was stretch to believe, but it tells a great story and I cried pretty much straight through that week. And the ending. THE ENDING OH MY TISSUES.

Some Information From Drama Fever and Viki

Coffee Prince (커피프린스)

Starring Yoon Eun Hye and Gong Yoo

One of our most popular dramas, this romantic comedy tells the story of Han Kyul, the handsome son of a wealthy hotelier family who is set in his bachelor ways and constantly deflects his family's attempts to make him commit. The constant pressure to get married drives him to hire a goofy young delivery boy Eun Chan to pretend to be his gay lover to scare away his family's set-ups. Trouble starts when Han Kyul begins to get to know the hardworking and lovable Eun Chan, and begins to develop real feelings for him—only to discover that "he" is actually a girl disguised as a boy. A rare drama that deals with homosexuality, this controversial series received multiple awards, such as the 2007 MBC Acting Awards for Yoon Eun Hye and Gong Yoo, as well as Best TV drama award at the 2008 Korean Producers' Awards.

My Love From Another Star (별에서 온 그대)

Starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jeon Ji Hyun

Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) is an otherworldly beauty, literally. After crash landing on Earth 400 years ago, Min Joon has diligently observed humans for centuries, ultimately coming to cynical conclusions. On top of being a super babe, Min Joon's got enhanced vision, hearing and agility — all the more reason to believe he's superior to everyone on Earth. That is, until he pursues the beautiful actress Cheon Song Yi (Gianna Jun) for a romance out of this world.

Good Doctor (굿 닥터)

Starring Joo Won and Moon Chae Won

As a child, Park Shi On (Joo Won) was sent to a specialized care center, where he discovered genius capacities for his autism. Coupled with an exceptional memory and keen spatial skills, the young savant eventually entered pediatric residency, where he developed into a promising surgeon. However, his mental and emotional development seems to have stopped at 10-years-old, which makes for incredible conflicts in and out of the O.R., especially with the hotheaded surgeon Kim Do Han (Joo Sang Wook). Despite warm hearted and fair colleagues like Cha Yoon Seo (Moon Chae Won) and Han Jin Wook (Kim Young Kwang), it’s a fierce and competitive adult world. One cannot simply tell Shi On to “grow up.

Plus Nine Boys - 아홉수 소년

There’s a commonly held superstition that you will face adversity in the ninth year (or any year that ends in nine) of your life before you embark on a new decade. For four boys and men in different decades of their lives, that adage couldn’t be truer. Koo Gwang Soo (Oh Jung Se), 39, was the star producer/director (PD) of the top live music program until an unfortunate incident on the show derailed his career. Still pining for his ex-girlfriend, Joo Da In (Yoo Da In), Kwang Soo really wants to settle down before the new decade of his life. Brothers Kang Jin Goo (Kim Young Kwang), Kang Min Goo (Yook Sung Jae) Kang Dong Goo (Choi Ro Woon) also face unexpected challenges in their young lives. Jin Goo, 29, is a successful tour planner for a vacation travel agency who suddenly starts to doubt his future. He also falls in love with a friend at work, Ma Se Young (Kyung Soo Jin), who doesn’t return his feelings. Min Goo, 19, is a high school senior who lives for judo and wants to attend college on a judo scholarship. But when he keeps running into a mysterious girl, Han Soo Ah (Park Cho Rong), he becomes smitten with her but realizes she may be out of his reach. Dong Goo, 9, is a famous child actor who made it big doing food commercials. But his young career is threatened when he loses a job to a rival new child actor for the first time. He also must keep his secret relationship with 8-year-old child actress Jang Baek Ji (Lee Chae Mi) from leaking to the media! “Plus Nine Boys” is a 2014 South Korean drama series directed by Yoo Hak Chan.

Fated to Love You (aka You Are My Destiny) 

- 운명처럼 널 사랑해

Making a mistake after having way too many drinks can change everything. Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) is the successor to a large company run by his family. Kim Mi Young (Jang Na Ra) is an average-looking secretary in a law firm who earned the nickname “Post-It” for her inability to say no to her colleagues who dump work on her. When the two cross paths one night after having too much to drink, they end up having a one-night stand. When Mi Young finds out afterwards that she is pregnant, what will become of them? And will Nam Se Ra (Wang Ji Won) and Daniel (Choi Jin Hyuk) just stand by and let Gun and Mi Young deal with the situation in their own way? “Fated to Love You (Korean Version)” is a 2014 South Korean drama series that is a remake of the popular 2008 Taiwanese drama by the same title.

City Hunter (시티헌터)

Starring Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young

This intense, beautifully shot romantic thriller loosely based on a manga of the same name by Tsukasa Hojo, is a revenge drama done right. In 1983, 21 South Korean military operatives are sent into North Korea on a secret mission. After completing their mission, they are executed by their own side in a government cover-up. The sole survivor, Lee Jin Pyo, watches as his closest friend dies beside him. Taking his friend's son under his wing, Jin Pyo raises him as his own and trains him with one goal: to take revenge on the men responsible for this massacre. Some twenty years later, a brilliant young man joins the international communications team of the Blue House (Korea's White House). Lee Yoon Sung has but one mission in mind: to find and bring down the five men responsible for the murder of his father. To do so, he must hide his identity and fighting skills to infiltrate the government. During his quest for revenge, however, he also enacts justice, and is given the nickname City Hunter by the populace, who knows only of a shadowy figure exposing corruption in their city. Torn between his surrogate father's drive for vengeance and the innocent girl he loves, Yoon Sung must fight to survive, and choose the path he will take.

The Master's Sun (주군의 태양)

Starring So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin

The Hong Sisters, famed romantic-comedy screenwriters, flirt with horror in this unique take on opposites. Joo Joong Won (So Ji Sub) is a rapacious CEO who is only concerned about money. His secretary, Tae Gong Sil (Gong Hyo Jin), is a dark and reticent insomniac who is burdened with the ability to see ghosts. Joong Won and Gong Sil are an unlikely duo in every regard, but they share one thing in common: they are both intensely crippled personalities that need a lot of help. Can the money hungry Joong Won recognize priorities beyond the dollar sign, and can the lonely Gong Sil ever live a life without fear? Together, strange as it may be, it’s possible in this unique dance between yin and yang.

Boys Over Flowers (꽃보다 남자)

Starring Gu Hye Sun and Lee Min Ho

At the prestigious Shin Hwa High School in Seoul, four boys comprise the group known as the Flower Four. The crème de la crème of the most powerful families from Korea, these spoiled, rebellious, flirtatious and cruel boys rule the school. Enter Jan Di, a girl of humble upbringing who is accepted into Shin Hwa on a swimming scholarship after accidentally saving the life of a Shin Hwa student. Not one for following the rules blindly, Jan Di faces immediate scrutiny from the entire school and in particular the boys of the Flower Four and their leader, Goo Jun Pyo, who dislikes her instantly. Through her charm and undying optimism, she slowly begins to capture the hearts of those around her, even the icy boys of the F4.

Bridal Mask (각시탈)

Starring Joo Won and Jin Se Yun

Based on the hit manga series of the same name, Bridal Mask brings viewers to 1930s Korea during the height of Japanese imperialism. Lee Kang To (Joo Won of Baker King Kim Tak Goo) is an ambitious and callous Korean officer employed by the Japanese colonists. Despite his mother's disapproval of his work and his own brother's antagonistic history with the Japanese, Kang To continues to play by the colonist's rules in hopes of becoming successful and bringing his family out of poverty. However, a mysterious figure wearing a traditional Bridal Mask always seems to get in Kang To's way. The Bridal Mask appears as a Zorro-like figure who protects the people from the Japanese colonists' oppression and abuse of power. An unexpected turn events brings Kang To to cross paths with the mysterious Bridal Mask, changing his future and the nation's history forever.

Must See Places in Seoul

Must See Places (In No Particular Order)

1. Bongeunsa Temple

This place just happened to be right across for a hotel I stayed in recently (InterContinental Coex). The hotel had a great upper view from the gym and pool area. It was beautifully lit at night. So many great photo opportunities here. Built in 1856, this temple is a nice escape from the busy city that surrounds it.
Interested in a Temple Stay in the city, check out their offerings of affordable and interesting experiences.

 *If you go remember to look up passing through walk ways.

Bongeunsa Temple
More Info on Bonheunsa Temple

2. Ihwa Mural Village

*See Graffiti or Art post. 

3.  Gyeonbokgung Palace 

And while there we also went into the National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum. I was really impressed. I wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to go here when my friend suggested it. I'm not one for 'touristy sites'. The grounds were beautiful and the Museums were really well done. 
Photo ops galore. 
*Tip:  Choose a day that is cool and cloudy. Even a rainy visit would be delightful!  
There is also a great book store not to far away called Kubo. It's worth the stop and it's attached to the Gwanghwamun subway station. 

Click here for more info on Gyeonbokgung Palace.




4. K-Pop Hologram Performance 

I did not go, however my friend said it was great. I was not expecting that from a hologram. If it interests you, research it further and check it out! 

Click here for more info on K-Pop Hologram concert.

5. Namsan Tower and Park  

Beautiful park and great walk and views in the evening. No better place to watch the sun set. Pay the entrance fee to ride the elevator to the top it's worth it. And bring a lock to leave your mark.

Namsan Tower Info.

6. Alive Museum in Insadong and Trick Eye Museum

 in Hongdae

I only went to the alive museum,  but my friend went to both. She did say that the Alive Museum is a bit smaller than the Trick Eye Museum. 

Trick Eye Museum Info
Alive Museum Info

7. Insadong

Historic walking street with many local artist, beautiful hand made crafts, teas, street food clothing, tea houses, fusion restaurants and souvenirs.

Click here for more info on Insadong.

8. Ewha Women's University and shopping.

Very beautiful campus. Some Chinese tourist believe that if you go here it is very lucky for your future entering universities. Shopping is a highlight for many here but I find looking at local shops you find the same thing in all of them and not very great deals. Here you will find many makeup stores, cute cafes, nail and hair salons and restaurants. 

Info on Ewha Women's University


9. Seoul Express Bus Terminal and/or Central City  

Not just for buses. It is the largest underground city for shopping and the best place for a variety of items and fun. 
Exit 7-22 and 8 

Seoul Express Bus Terminal
Central City
Another web site for Central City


10. Gwangjang Market

Great vibrant market busy with food vendors and korean specialties.  

Jongno 5-ga or Euljiro 4-ga station

Gwangjang Market info

*See Market post for more details. 

11. Seoul World Cup Stadium

Not only for a sporting events. There is a great park with exercise equipment, boat ramp for tours, gardens, the best children's play park I've ever seen and a wonderful indoor market* right next to it. Also home to a large Home Plus (one stop shopping) store and a CVG movie theater. Also known as "Millenium City".

Seoul World Cup Stadium  
Seoul World Cup Park
More World CupPark Info.


*See Market post for more details. 

12. Seoul Station and Siloam jjimjiibong 

Seoul Station, recently renovated and home to now a very interesting museum with rotating exhibits. With a new modern train station right next to it. 
* If you can avoid changing money there better for you. Long waits. 

** This subway stop is also home to one of my favorite places in Seoul, Siloam jjimjiibong (fomentation rooms and hot tubs) Ohhh ahhh~ It's $10.00 for the Combo or about $15.00 to Stay over night. That's right $15.00 To stay over night in a cute little bunk bed with a small cushioned mat. 
Seoul Station Exit 1 and about a five minute walk. You will pass through the Lotte Mart and cross the large road and walk straight and then immediately turn right. There will be sign and if you look up the building has a hugh sign on it. Sorry no pics in the bath house. ;)

Seoul Station info 

Check out their Website http://silloamsauna.com/


13. Myeongdong 

Beauty, fashion, street food, street performers, cafes, chain stores, specialty stores, accessories, good resuarant and if you are in the mood for chinese food and goods this is the place, seeing as there is the Chinese embassy here.

Myeongdong Web Info
More Myeongdong Info.

*See Beauty post for more details. 

14. Dongdaemun Cultural and Historical Park

Visually enchanting with many markets in the vicinity. Home to one large Design Plaza and Gallery, various malls such as Doota, which have many, many floors devoted to women's and men's clothing, accessories, jewelry, and home goods. Good price to be found but all stalls are owned by different people and they have clearly marked no discounts.

Click here for useful web site for the area.
More Dongdaemun Market info.
Info on the Design Plaza