Yongsan & Ocean World

Wednesday, August 18 2010

On Wednesday, Darmesh needed a few more gadgets so we went back to Yongsan and actually ended up watching a movie after shopping.

We watched Ocean World in 3D. It's a documentary film directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello and speaks of animal life in the ocean. ONLY after the opening credits, did we realize the film was dubbed in Korean! Nevertheless, we stayed and watched it - the 3D underwater images were simply incredible.

Ocean World movie poster in Korean

The subway ride home was entertaining. There was a man (intoxicated with alcohol) who was making small talk, in Korean no less with my mum and when he got off at his stop, he gave my mum his fan! We got off at Bupyeong Station to give my brother a taste of underground shopping, but by that time the stores were already closing.

Dinner, Movie & Moffle

Monday, August 9 2010

Now before you judge us for watching so many movies, remember that it was really hot to be outdoors. Also, the movies in Korea are definitely worth going to. On Monday, we took it easy at home and spent the day just chilling out. Around 4pm, we were ready to face the outdoors. I took Darmesh to my favourite Korean restaurant where he had Bi-bim-bap and I had Bo-ri-bap. After that, we went to watch Inception (which deserves a blog post on its own). In short, we couldn't understand why people were raving about it as much as they were. Bottom line - we didn't enjoy it.

Around 9pm we went to Bucheon and again, my brother was amazed with the buzz. On a Monday night! We ended up at a nice cafe where we had a "moffle" which is basically a waffle with tiramisu. Sounds deathly divine, but was pretty light.

We decided to make our way back home around midnight and wanted to take a cab home. Everything was fine, until I realized that the driver had taken another turn (which I wasn't familiar with) and took a very long route to get me home. When I recognized the school that I work at (about 15-20 walk from my apartment), I told the driver that we'd get off there. So we walked home, but not to worry - it's safe. I even stopped at a shop to buy laundry softener! The good and exciting news was - my mum was arriving the following day :-)

Shrek 4 - 3D

Sunday, August 8 2010

I'd been waiting to see Shrek 4 in 3D. When Darmesh and I arrived back in Seoul from Jeju, the first thing I did was to check if it was still playing. CGV in Gangnam was the only cinema showing it - for the last time.

I didn't even have to think twice about it...and off we went to Seoul.  It was my first time going to that CGV - it was pretty nice, especially that I got to learn about a Twin Combo popcorn: You can get salted & caramel popcorn which comes with a divider...I never knew!

Anyway, we both thoroughly enjoyed Shrek 4. We had a bite to eat at Subway and made our way home. We were both exhausted. It was also extremely hot.

SALT

SALT movie poster in Korea

                                Wednesday, August 4 2010

As I said, I thought we'd take it easy for the first day or two, knowing how tired my brother would be, but no! He was ready to go out straight after breakfast. I didn't want to trek out to Seoul just then, so we went to Bucheon and spent the day at Hyundai Department Store. Many people would argue against watching movies in a foreign country, but honestly, watching movies in Korea is an experience not to be missed!

We watched SALT (Angelina Jolie). Now I'm not a Jolie fan, but oh haute damn! This chick kicked ass...and how!

After the movie, we had lunch and did some shopping. We made our way home to quickly get ready and meet up with my friend, Joo-hyeon.

My 4D Experience

How to Train Your Dragon ~ 4D

Picture this: You're watching a movie. The opening scene is of a sea. Would you you feel sea sick watching it? Probably not. What if your seat was rocking back and forth and swerving to the left and right according to the camera angles?

What if you actually felt the water spray on your face?!

Now imagine this: The scene is in a forest. The camera pans over green grass, tall trees and flowers. Would you think you're going crazy if suddenly you're able to smell the grass and flowers?!

This is the future of cinema.

This, my friends...is 4D!

On Tuesday, June 1 I watched How to Train Your Dragon in 4D at Times Square in Seoul. My friend, Sarah and I thought the most that would happen would be that our seats moved. Before the movie started, a CGV staff member announced that it was advisable not to eat or drink during the movie as the seats would rock.


As the as lights dimmed, Sarah said to me - "Please don't scream!" but as it turns out, she was shrieking more than me! It was an incredibly cinematic experience and definitely worth the money (double the price of a regular movie ticket).

We think the scents come from the back of the seats

Korea: World Cup in 3D Theaters

Published a few days ago in Korea Times.

Local theaters including CGV and Lotte Cinema will screen 2010 South Africa World Cup games in 3D at select theaters around the country between June 12 and 23.

By Lee Hyo-won

The 2010 FIFA World Cup team members representing South Korea have been announced and Red Devil T-shirts are selling fast in stores. Instead of scrambling for a spot in Seoul Plaza to tune into the world's most watched sporting event, why not head to a movie theater, where you don't have to worry about people stomping on your shoes?

Major theater chains around the country will screen live broadcasts of games, that offer not just air conditioning and state-of-the-art sound systems but also, in tune with the times, 3D vision.

My Avatar Experience

Everyone was raving about the comedy film, The Hangover saying that it was the funniest film of the year (2009). It was on circuit when I was in South Africa over my summer holiday, so my brother and I saw it together.

A few minutes into it, he leaned over and asked me, "Are we in the right movie?"

OK some scenes were funny, but we didn't think it was THAT funny...

So when everyone started raving about Avatar, I knew nothing about it, except that it was a new movie and nothing else. After its release and seeing the movie poster, I knew for sure it wasn't something I was interested in seeing.  Sci-Fi and aliens do not sit well with me at all. No, thank you! I can't even stand seeing E.T. in pictures.

I started feeling like the uncool kid, because everyone I knew saw the movie except me. People were going on about the visual effects, the storyline, seeing it in 3D and so on. It began to sound like it was a movie not to be missed, whether you like Sci-Fi or not.

I asked a few people if they wanted to see it with me. Of course, they'd seen it already. I didn't want to go alone, but if push came to shove that is what I was going to. I tried one more person, and she said yes. So on Friday, January 8 2010 after work I headed off to Siheung CGV to see what the big deal was about.

This Is It - MJ's Concert Documentary Movie

Image taken from this-is-it.co.kr

On Thursday, October 29 2009 I saw Michael Jackson's Concert Documentary Movie, This Is It.

Some of my friends in South Africa attended the premiere the previous morning in Johannesburg (at 3am!) and everyone raved about the movie urging the rest of us to see it as soon as possible.

The movie is just under two hours long and showcases footage from the MJ's rehearsals for his comeback concert which would have been in London. It features interview clips of various people involved with the concert included back-up dancers who were from all corners of the world.

MJ's music and dancing was so energetic and he didn't look unwell at all. His energy, passion and hard work was highly admirable, I think. The movie gave the audience an opportunity to see another side of him other than just entertainer on stage or sitting down for an interview. I think the movie also teaches us that we can't rely solely on talent. Hard work and dedication are what truly makes one reach the top of their game.

I felt various emotions during the movie.

Excitement ~ The movie is historical, as was MJ and to be part of it along with the rest of the world was pretty cool.

Awe ~ How ONE person had such an effect on people across the globe that even talking about him brings them to tears. Also, his absolute deep passion for what he did. In another documentary that I watched on TV, MJ said that he loved the stage and could easily sleep on it. It definitely shows.

Sadness ~ He went too soon. I kept thinking that. He went too soon.

The wide shots of the stage and sets were enormous compared to MJ's body. And yet, he commanded THAT much respect and attention from every single person who was there. As many people have described him before, MJ was a soft-spoken and humble soul. And again... I feel he went too soon.

This Is It is a must-see!

CGV @ Hyundai Department Store, Bucheon

They sell BEER at the movies~!!!

CGV...an awesome experience!

CGV is South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain.
It blew my mind away....
Check it out

Entrance to the CGV Studio Store

Inside the store

Frozen yogurt counter

Coffee shop

Game room

As you enter, there's a cellphone counter

... then there's a perfume counter

You can have your nails done at the Nail Art boutique

... or browse the web at the Internet terminals