Day 56: Revisiting Myungdong Station, Attaining Heaven and Resting at a Sauna

Today, August 16th, I was determined to find that "Heaven" garden that I failed to find last time! But before heading out of the city again, I stopped by Myungdong Station one last time. Both Kpop stores had new inventory! The not-corner Kpop store had several official clear file sets from the That Summer 2 Concert for only 18,000₩ (which I bought for 15,000₩ from waiting in line for 13 hours...). And the corner Kpop store had so much Infinite merchandise, though none from the latest concert. They had a used Over The Top album for 99,000₩! And also two clear file sets from the Infinite Fan Rally for 35,000₩ each, one type of Natuur Pop photocards for 10,000₩, one type of Natuur Pop clear files and three One Great Step desk/mouse pad sets for 23,000₩ (originally 17,000₩ at the concert venue)! With so much new and differing inventory all the time, I really do think all of these products are legit because it's hard to make fake things of everything.

Anyways, so I ended up buying the Natuur Pop photocards and desk/mouse pad set. Anything official and Infinite related, I instinctively just grab it from the shelf and must have it...this is such a bad addiction. I'm surprised I didn't buy the OTT album also.

And now, on to Heaven! It's actually called 벽초지문화수목원, or Botanical Garden BCJ (which stands for Byeokchoji), and it's located in the city of Paju. So I had to lug this big thing all the way up north. But it was nice knowing I'm bringing Infinite with me on my last full day in Korea.

This garden is in the city of Paju, north of Seoul, which is all the more reason why I call this garden "Heaven." It's complicated to get here by public transportation, and took us three and a half hours to finally reach our destination from Seoul via the subway, bus and walking. It is really in the middle of nowhere and in a less developed area. We waited quite some time for a second bus, and found a very active beehive in the bus stop.

After waiting awhile, we decided to walk to the next bus stop, and we saw the bus finally coming! But the driver trolled us and passed on by, though we were walking on the side of the road (practically in the right lane with cars and trucks going into the left lane to pass us). And not another bus came by again. We walked for about half an hour on the and the few taxis that passed by were occupied (probably going to the garden -.-). Eventually we made it!

We didn't see it until we came out, but in front of the garden is a billboard of the many dramas and commercial films that came to this garden to film!

This botanical garden is vast and is broken up into different sections that greatly differ from the next. I suggest grabbing a map (they have English ones), but grab also the Korean one as they list different dramas than the English one) at the entrance; they numbered each section of the garden, making it easier to find certain filming locations if you found out their numbers beforehand. Exactly three months after visiting here, I just find out that this is where episode 4 of variety show Mamma Mia (the episode where Dongwoo and his mom guested!) was filmed here! Finally this garden is now Infinite related hehe.

This is an overview of 7, the Queen's Garden, where some scenes from 49 Days was shot.

The scene from Boys Over Flowers where Kim Hyun Joong was playing the violin was somewhere around this area, but I couldn't find the exact spot, as benches have been removed so I had no reference.

Later on I found out that the ending scene from Heartstrings was filmed in this garden too and I definitely walked by those benches, but I didn't realize it until once I left Korea! I wish I had taken a picture there.

And here is where City Hunter was filmed! It looks pretty rundown now with all the weeds on the platform and no bench here, but this was where the two leads were talking on the bench.

Also here's a scene from B1A4's music video, "Tried to Walk."

And my most favorite part, why I dubbed this place "Heaven," is the Sculpture Garden! You're Beautiful took place here, as Park Shin Hye was descending from the sky, as well as 49 Days and Master's Sun. In the back is the Castle Gate, which can also be seen in the background of 49 Days.

And lastly, inside the Sculpture Garden is the famous European statues where the three members of ANJell angelically posed with! This was the highlight of my trip (besides my Infinite related experiences)! It was You're Beautiful that started this craze, and I am finally here^^

There are more areas of the garden besides these filming locations, showing its grandeur and vastness. Though it's difficult to reach, it's definitely worth coming to this garden! But if you're a huge drama fan, I suggest doing thorough research about all the dramas that filmed here beforehand, so you can find all the filming locations!

And to finish off the night, my friend and I decided to stay in a sauna in Sinchon, called Sinchon Rest. For this specific sauna, you walk up to the counter and make the payment (for adults, it was 11,000₩ a night; daytime is cheaper). The woman, who was super friendly, gave us a change of clothes, two small towels (the size used to wrap on your head like a lamb), and for guys, the locker room key attached to a bracelet. Guys then head to the third floor, while girls head to the ground floor. The woman showed me the way, as she could tell I'm a newbie sauna goer. We took off our shoes, then walked barefoot on a slightly raised wood floor into the locker room. She showed me to a locker with the key bracelet still attached. Now, in the locker room, you take off all your clothes, walk down one flight of stairs into the shower room, and take a shower (which has zero privacy as well). Soap bars are provided, and other necessities can be bought at the counter. Then there are three large tubs to soak in, one cold, one warm, and one scorching hot. Once done, go back to your locker, change into the sauna clothes, and head on to the second floor co-ed common room.

In the common room, there is a snack stand to buy drinks, hard boiled eggs, and more. This sauna only took cash, but others are more high tech and you would just scan your bracelet to put the food on your tab to pay at the end.

There are two large floors with mats and pillows to sleep on and two TVs. Connected are various sauna rooms, like the freezer room, and an igloo with hot rocks to lie on, and other hot rooms to sweat and relax in.

On the top floor was a communal sleeping room, with comfy mats and pillows to sleep on. We went to sleep at around 2:30AM, with not too many others sleeping, and by the time we woke up at 6:30, the room was filled!

To leave, you should take another shower, throw your sauna clothes into the hamper, grab everything from your locker, and for females, leave the locker key attached to the locker, while males bring it back to the counter.

Sadly this will be my last post on this blog, as this was my last full day in Korea. Goodbye Seoul (and with the concert), goodbye Infinite, thank you for the memories. Until I return~

Day 53: Failing to Reach Heaven and Reaching The Kingdom

Today, August 13th, my friend and I wanted to visit some drama filming locations. The first one is what I call "Heaven," the garden where some heavenly scenes of You're Beautiful and 49 Days were filmed. It's quite a ways north of Seoul, around an hour's driving distance away from the border, and just taking a subway won't suffice. Our agenda was to take an hour subway north, then two buses thereafter. However, after the first bus ride, it was raining super hard and we were so lost, that we decided to head to the fictional mall "The Kingdom" from Master's Sun.

"The Kingdom" is really the mall Enter-6, which is located in Suwon, the city south of Seoul. This mall actually has four locations, three of which are in Seoul, but this is the Dongtan Metapolis Branch. So we traveled for over three hours from north of Seoul to south of Seoul. It's also a bit confusing to get here, but we took the subway Seodongtan Station (서동탄역) and a short bus ride from there, but the bus stop is far away...best not to get directions from me.

This mall is actually not as grand as the drama portrayed it to be (props to the drama for displaying the mall so beautifully!), but there are two buildings and a beautiful courtyard in between. There is also a futuristic sky bridge connecting Building A to Building B. Building B is where Master's Sun took place.

On the first floor, you'll find the European style fountain, a key landmark in the drama. There are four women as the centerpiece, and it lights up with various changing colors.

Also I think this is the location that Taeyang kept passing by, where the ghost garbage can guy would always sit on the bench. However, the bench was moved to the other side of the hallway, against a store instead of the railing, and the garbage can wasn't here. So this is kind of just speculation that this is the correct spot.

I forgot where this is, but it is just around the corner from this cat sculpture sitting on a nearby bench. There is also another one of these cat sculptures on another bench somewhere else in the mall.

Walking around the mall, we found several advertisements with Gong Hyo Jin for Hats On and Smoothie King! It's nice still seeing her around this mall, one way or another.

Afterwards we went to eat at a Japanese restaurant, Misoya, located on the fourth floor of Building B. Once seated, we saw all these framed autographs on the wall! Majority of them I didn't recognize, but there was one of the Running Man cast!

Walking throughout the mall, it was as if I were a customer walking around "The Kingdom." It was so cool to come to this filming site!

Day 52: Revisiting Dongwoo's Restaurant and Infinite's New Dorm, Old Dorm, Old Practice Room and Favorite Restaurant

On Tuesday, August 12th, I decided to visit Dongwoo's restaurant one last time. My Korean friend and I arrived at 12:21PM and almost every table was full, including the special room. There were not only fangirls, but also tables with older parties, families with young children and guys also eating here. Yet still the service was good and the food came out fast.

Dongwoo's Restaurant
We left at 1:38PM and paid Dongwoo's dad. I looked up at the surrounding Dongwoo photos and started smiling, then he asked my friend in Korean where we are from. She said Seoul and he looked surprised, then asked where I'm from and she said USA. Then in English he said 22,000 (for our total) and "고마워요."

Infinite's New Dorm

Infinite's current dorm is located in the apartment buildings just under the Mecenatpolis mall (I think they're all under the same name). To get here, take the subway to Hapjeong Station (합정역). If you get out of Exit 5, directly across the street is a good view of the mall and apartments, like the photo above. Exit 10 leads you directly into the mall.

The main attraction for me was finding the filming location for This Is Infinite where Sunggyu failed his mission and had to do the 24 Hours dance! I also have to rewatch the episode to see which cafés he went into. This area is on the ground floor where there's a water fountain and rainbow umbrellas hanging above.

Infinite's Old Dorm and More

Afterwards, we headed to Infinite's old dorm and favorite restaurant for an early dinner. But this time, my friend showed me the other Infinite related places in this area! So walking into that 3040 노래방 side street and then turning left is the restaurant.

But just before turning left, right next to the 노래방, is the side door of the practice room that Infinite used during Sesame Player days! And the above yellow sign is for the restaurant.

Then turn left, and you'll see this street! And then facing the restaurant, to the left is the main entrance to the practice room. And then two doors down from the restaurant on the right is the old dorm.

Here's the old dorm in daylight. Also the market from This Is Infinite when Sungjong was the leader and the members had to buy food on a budget is nearby, but I didn't have time to find it.

Infinite's Favorite Restaurant

Then we went to the restaurant! Inside there were only four other fangirls, gathered around the floor tables. The same friendly woman asked us if we were Infinite fans, and then who's are favorite member. I said Myungsoo, then she joked saying everyone's his fan, as most of the other fangirls' biases were Myungsoo also. She pointed out which member sat where, which was the table the other girls were at, and they were so friendly to let us join them! There were two from Malaysia, one from Macau, another person, and later a Japanese Inspirit came into the restaurant (also Myungsoo biased) and we offered her to sit with us, but she decided to sit alone. The two Malaysians were so friendly, and one told me how their friend went to the OGS Malaysia concert and Myungsoo took a selca from her phone twice! Eventually the cook lady (who's not very friendly compared to the other lady) kicked the two Malaysians out because they were sitting there occupying seats for too long, and the restaurant was beginning to get full. Despite this, the atmosphere is so much more friendly and welcoming during the daytime!

I sat in Myungsoo's usual spot and my friend sat in Sungyeol's. I could not stop smiling, just thinking about their debut days here. Their usual table is on the floor, the middle two tables.

 

Then the friendly lady brought out the banchan, and pointed out that Myungsoo's favorite is this bean sprout! She spoke in Korean, then asked, "you understand, right?" I assumed she said this was his favorite, but just to be sure, I shamefully asked my friend to clarify.

And soon my kimchi jjigae arrived! So delicious, I'll definitely miss this dish so much.

My friend ordered the mackerel. I wish I knew what each of the member's favorite dishes were! Supposedly the fish is Sunggyu's...?

I noticed on the wall that now there is a Season 2 autographed CD, which definitely wasn't there when I came on Friday! I wondered if Infinite stopped by over the weekend, but I was too nervous to ask the lady when was the last time Infinite came by. At 6:30 we left, and it was getting more crowded.

This area is definitely one of my favorite places that I visited. Everyone is so friendly, the food is amazing, and it's such a must for Inspirits to come!

Day 48: Infinite's Favorite Restaurant and Old Dorm

All Inspirits know about Infinite's old dorm from Sesame Player and their favorite restaurant just next door, where Myungsoo obsessed over kimchi jjigae. To end my day, I headed over to Mangwon Station for a visit!

To get to both of these locations, walk out of Exit 1. Turn right, then straight for one block. You'll have to cross a four way intersection. Then keep going straight for about half a block, and look into the side streets on the right until you find the red circle 3040 노래방 sign. Turn into this side street and pass about two storefronts, then there's another intersection. Turn to your left, and the restaurant is to the left, and the dorm is just right next door!

The storefront of Infinite's favorite restaurant, 행복한 마당, listed its hours, stating it closes at 9PM. Yet we literally arrived at 9:01PM. We entered anyways, and it was a full house. There is a long table with benches fit for eight people on the left, and then four floor tables fit for four people each. The table was full of chummy adults while three of the four floor tables were full; one was of more adults from the same group, another of a young couple and the last was a group of fangirls. I wish I could have sat where Infinite usually sits, but the seats were all full. One woman at the table motioned us to sit next to her, then she saw my fangirl excitement and asked if I'm an Infinite fan. I said yes. She was very welcoming and friendly! 

 

She gave us the menu of Infinite's usual dishes, but we knew what we wanted; we ordered two kimchi jjigaes!

I haven't ordered kimchi jjigae since I left America just so I can really cherish the one that Myungsoo obsessed over for two years. And now I understand why he did! The kimchi had a slight crunch to it like radish, and was perfectly sour and divine.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask the woman, but she was so busy around the counter. She did give us tasty banchan and later peaches as dessert, which was a pleasant surprise! But the adults were a little drunk so I felt uncomfortable next to them.

At the cash register there are small photos of Infinite, though it just seems mostly of Woogyu (top). Bordering the ceiling were photos from various Infinite magazine photoshoots (middle). And around the restaurant, like behind the front door, there are just random Infinite things (bottom).

 

On the wall behind the floor tables were the Infinite posters, larger photos, autographed albums and a board of Infinite's autographs. I wish I could get a better look at these! Later I foundout Infinite usually sits in front of this wall! Here's the left section of the wall...

And middle...

And finally the right side.

I absolutely love this restaurant! It feels so homely and the kimchi jjigae does live up to the rep Myungsoo gives it.

If you're outside looking at the restaurant storefront, directly to the right I believe is Infinite's old dorm from Sesame Player. Now there are people living there so I just took a quick picture and went on my way. I have a knack for going to photo worthy places when it's pitch black -.-

Of course all my photos are blurry, as my excitement overtook my already failed camera skills. But I'm coming back, this time during the day, and when my feels have hopefully been tamed!

Edit: My second time here I gained a lot more experience, so please check out my upcoming post for more Infinite related places within the same area!

Day 48: Box+ and Nana Piercing in Apgujeong

I continued my Infinite Around Seoul tour next at Apgujeong. Today I went back to Box+, this time in broad daylight. As I approached the store, all the Hoya feels came rolling right back in! 

Here is the door Hoya awkwardly touched when trudging into the store in "Man in Love." My friend and I were the only customers and there were two stiff, judgmental guy workers. We walked in, walking around the round tables that Hoya walked around while shopping for jewelry and shoes. Then we walked up the stairs Hoya was on! All this time, the more judgmental guy followed us ridiculously closely (as if he were shopping with us) and he went upstairs with us. Then we walked back down, and, despite the window saying no photos, I asked the other guy, who was much more approachable and who turned out to be the manager, if I could take pictures. He said no (though honestly, I'll be doing them a favor by advertising for their ridiculous fashion sense since no one's actually shopping here). 

I then looked at the autographed CD display, and then he said I could take pictures of that. 

I was sad to see how faded Inspirit was; why must they leave these precious treasures in the sun everyday!

Then I asked the judgmental one if I could take pictures of the staircase (since it was not of their products), then he asked the manager who went to the back and said it was fine. So I took a few! I wanted to take one of me on it, but I felt like I outstayed my welcome. I even forgot to take a business card.

Next stop was Nana Piercing, a popular piercing place among idols. Though I had always refused to get other piercings other than one pair, for the past two days I was determined to get an extra piercing just because Sunggyu went there for the "Back" concept. But soon I realized that I was making an irrational decision based on ridiculous reasoning, and chickened out, despite trying to be like Infinite to the extent of getting a piercing. Instead, I decided I should still provide business here, and should just buy earrings instead.

To get to this shop, go back to Apgujeong Rodeo Station (압구정로데오역) and get out of Exit 6. Continue up this block and you will hit a side street and a Paris Croissant, which should be visible from the exit. Then turn left into this side street, and after passing two store fronts, there should be another perpendicular side street (which is parallel to the subway exit and main street), and at this small intersection, just look to the left and it's right there! Here is the current storefront (I think they remodeled the exterior recently). 

Step inside, and the first half of the store is filled with idols' autographs and wishes to Nana! On one wall is also a collage of Polaroids, but I couldn't recognize anyone. There are signs posted on the walls saying no pictures. But Infinite's autographs (sans Myungsoo and Woohyun) were on the wall at the front, so my back was turned to the workers and hence I got this photo. 

Majority of the store is filled with earring displays, and the piercing is done in the very back. There are also signs saying not to touch the merchandise. There are so many designs and styles, so everyone can find something they like. There are no prices on display, so you have to ask the price for each earring, then the worker has to search in the binders for the price. You buy each earring individually, not as a pair, and then they ask if you want a backing, place it all into a mini ziplock bag, and then finally in a small plastic capsule. The backing is a ball that screws to the post, which seems more secure than the American and Chinese earrings I'm used to!

I saw these earrings on their Instagram and had to buy them! The wing earring is 14,000₩ each and the bow is 9,000₩ each. I had to get some sort of wing design as Dongwoo's seen with that wing earring so much and the bow because it's similar in shape to an infinite symbol.

On our way out, we picked up a business card and a brochure of hallyu related places in Gangnam. Here's the page of Nana, with Sungyeol mentioned, probably for his famous left ear loaded with piercings.

And these places are within walking distance of Cofioca, so if you're ever there, maybe you should stop by these places as well!

Day 46: Cofioca and Box+

The night before finals, August 4th, my friend and I decided to yolo and head over to Apgujeong at 8:30PM to complete the failed mission of visiting the bubble tea store and clothing store that supposedly was a filming sight for an Infinite music video. Oddly enough, it only took us a few minutes to find once we got out of the station!

Our first mistake was getting off at Apgujeong Station instead of Apgujeong Rodeo Station. But from Apgujeong Station, the station attendant recommended taking a taxi to Cofioca. It'll probably be easier to work backwards from the way we went, instead of taking a taxi. And the first time we tried to go here, we got into three taxis, all of which kicked us out for using botched Korean or not knowing the address (and unwilling to use their GPS). Hopefully the taxi driver drops you off in some area with many side streets, and it should cost around 3,300₩. If you see The Face Shop and Nature Republic on the same side street but at two different intersections, then you're very close! Walk to the Nature Republic, then there should be a GS25 across the street, and walk down this perpendicular alley. Cofioca should be right next to GS!

Here is the storefront of Cofioca. The shop's open space is literally 6' x 6' and there are two small round tables and six chairs. From floor to ceiling, on the counter, on the menu, are so many idols' autographs and messages to the store! You can get lost just staring at all the autographs and searching for your idol's. I asked the shop owner, a kind and friendly older lady, if Infinite has been here, and she pointed upward and said they're here somewhere. I think she just said that so I'd have to come back. But if Infinite had been here, I feel like it would have been all over the Inspirit world.

It was impossible to take of the picture of the massive amount of autographs! So here's just a corner of the store. Fans also left little post-it note messages for idols, mostly for Exo.

We came at around 9:30PM, and the shop closes at 10. Both tables were occupied of fangirls but soon two left and we got a table. There was also a line behind us, and it seemed like everyone had ordered chocolate milk tea, as some Exo member seems to be obsessed with it. I ordered milk tea instead (black milk tea, on the menu), and I said it in English but the lady didn't understand me. When I said it in Korean, emphasizing every syllable, then she understood. It wasn't a memorable drink, but definitely it's nice to come for the experience.

Here's the menu. You can see how every item is pretty pricey, around 6,000 to 7,000₩, especially for the size. Also it is cash only; this lady knows how to make money off of fans!

The next stop was Box+, the mysterious clothing store. To get here from Cofioca, get back on the Nature Republic street and keep walking down that street (away from The Face Shop) until you hit a dead end, but with a perpendicular street (so it's like a "T" and you were walking from the bottom the the crossroad). You should see Coreanos Kitchen, a Mexican restaurant, then look left and continue down this street and you should also see a Dr. Martens and soon a Mini Stop. Box+ is directly across the street! You can't miss it with its funky exterior. This is how you should see Box+, walking from Cofioca.

If you're walking from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5, you should see Box+ like this. It is in a corner location, across from Mini Stop and Victoria's Secret.

The sign on the window says the hours are from 11AM to 10PM, and since we left Cofioca when it closed at 10, we just missed this store. It was odd how there were already no workers in sight though, as this is literally a two minute walk from Cofioca (though we did stop by a few shops on the way). The sign also said no photos... What sign?

Immediately after staring into the store, I realized that this actually was an Infinite music video filming location! It is no other than "Man in Love," where Hoya was awkwardly shopping in that store! I could not stop fangirling when the moment I realized this hit me; I found a filming location that isn't that well known...Hoya was here...the feels. Immediately I rewatched the music video and noted all of the places Hoya was in the video. He shyly enters the store by touching this door and walking in! So my friend and I had a photoshoot touching the same door Hoya touched.

Recognize the white staircase inside? Sorry the photos are so crappy; I'll be sure to head here before the store opens to get better photos!

Here is where Hoya was looking at jewelry, around that round table!

On the side of the store, there was also a display case of autographed Kpop CDs! The only Infinite album I see is Inspirit.

To head back to the subway station, continue down the same street (so don't go back to the Mexican restaurant; go the other way) until you hit the main street with lots of cars. Turn left and walk up the street until you hit Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5 at the end of the block.

I will be sure to take the correct station next time and visit Box+ in daylight!