Colorful Pops

With spring official began yesterday, the weather is finally warming up here in Seoul. We've been blessed with double digits temperature here these past few days, and yesterday was the probably the first time I actually felt hot in a very long time. Really was a perfect day for things like good milkshake or ice cream. If any of you need an idea where to go to get a good ice cream, might wanna check out this place.

So a couple of weeks back, Seoul weather has been pretty cold. I think it's mostly because of the wind, rather the temperature. The 30+ km/ph wind could really makes it feels like -15C. Ugh. After a couple of those days, I was so glad that the temperature suddenly got warmer and the sun decided greet us in Seoul—with no freezing cold winds blowing I might add. And that day turned out to be the day that my friends and I decided on to go Molly's Pops (몰리스팝스), a small popsicle shop in Hongdae/Hapjeong area. I've been seeing pictures of these colorful popsicles on instagram and wanted to know if they taste as good as they look, and they do. The ice cream is not very sweet, but it has distinct flavor one from the other. We ordered different flavors so we can try more than one flavor and everybody liked it. They also have unique flavors, such as Kahlua Makgeolli (Korean rice wine), but I think since it's winter, the selection is less than what they have in the summer time. Gonna go back again next time, maybe when the weather is a little warmer so that I can see what more unique flavors they have in store.

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Gentle Monster Merry Go Round

Passed by Gentle Monster the other day and saw this new installation in their exhibition space. Gentle Monster is probably one of the fascinating shops I've ever been to. They use their space as a shop as well as collaborating with the Quantum Project to host art exhibitions. I don't really know much about the space, but according to their website: 

"The Quantum Project presents a new evolution of commercial space by creating fast space that is redesigned every 25 days through collaborations with an extensive range of artists and brands." 

... and this is their 16th Quantum Project—Merry Go Round. 

"A merry-go-round depicts the nostalgia and novelty of childhood, nestled in the back of our mind. The main stage, surrounded by remains of a broken sculpture, is spinning around and around creating a truly surreal vibe: Candies are overflowing in the objects at the ring of the merry-go-round, presenting you with sweet amusement."

The exhibition will be on display from March 3 to 30. If you happen to be in Hongdae/Hapjeong neighborhood and wanna see something interesting, you should definitely visit this place. And you could get free candies too (yes, you can scoop them yourselves and take them home).

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Daimon Kitchen

Life has been crazy these past few weeks. Good crazy though. I've been doing a lot of things that I enjoy and the only downside is there seems to be not enough time to do everything, including rest I must say. Anyways, been trying to try new restaurants and cafes lately since I'm kinda required to stay mostly indoors these days with the works that I need to get done. So first one up, is Daimon Kitchen (다이몬키친), a ramen restaurant that just opened around Sinchon/Ehwa area. Their ramen, ramen broth, and eggs are pretty good, although I wish they have more meat though :) Also, I went during lunch and they have a set where you get Ramen and a small donburi with a small additional fee. That tastes good too. 

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Les Ephemeres

Les Ephemeres (레제페메르) is hidden in a small alley in Hapjeong (합정). My friend and I was walking around the neighborhood and decided to picked a random place we never been to take a break from all the walking around the neighborhood we did earlier. We actually found the place when we turned to an alley to look at murals on the white wall on the side of the alley but to our surprised there's a cafe entrance at the end of it. Nobody was inside when we walked in, so the place's really quite. Picked a table and started to browse through the menu. They have coffee, tea, wine and beer on their drinks menu so you'll never run out of choices. There're also a good selections of cakes if you feel like having something sweet to go with you drinks. Since both my friend and I are not a coffee drinker, we opted for their tea selections. Can't remember the name of the teas we ordered, but they both were good. When I was taking pictures of the place, I noticed a 'Reserved' sign on the long table at the back of the cafe. Later on, I found out that this place do cater to private/small dinner party as well. Last thing, they have these architectural sketches up on the wall, which I totally adore. 

Gahoedong Catholic Church • 가회동성당

On a cold sunny saturday morning, I stepped into this cathedral that combines both Korean Hanok and Western-style architecture. The place was quite. Peaceful almost. Lights coming in through the glass sliding doors on the sides of the Hanok. People quietly looking around the area admiring the structure of this complex. This is a perfect place to just be still and rest from all the hustle bustle of the city. 

I've passed by Gahoe-dong Catholic Church (가회동성당) in Bukchon Hanok Village numerous times before, but never once I entered the place. It's one of those places where you have to step inside to find out the charms of the building. The combination of east and west architecture definitely is very interesting. We also went to the rooftop and greeted with the view of rows of Hanok rooftops with the mountain on the background on one side, as well as the modern city skyline on the other side. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the history of the Catholic church, they have a history exhibition hall in the first floor of the building. 

And for those of you who are celebrating Chinese (Solnal) New Year this week, hope you have a good new year holiday! Spend some times with the loved ones, eat lots of good food, and hopefully get some rest as well. 새해 복 많이 받으세요~ :)

*Special thanks to Robin for showing us this place :)

Here are my photo walk buddies that day. Check out their blog/instagram for more awesome pictures:
@seoul_stateofmind, @ian_mckay, @happyboil, @inner.pastiche