How to Send Parcel from Korea

It has been more than two months after I left 'The land of the morning calm' aka South Korea for good. Do I miss her?



Strangely..not yet.



Maybe because I'm heading towards a new direction, a new challenge hmmm...a new me. Surprise!! ^^



Well...lets just say that, I will keep blogging about Korea but not as frequent as before.

Last few weeks, I received my parcel of 20 kg from South Korea. It took roughly 6 weeks to arrive home back in Malaysia although it was stated in the T&C, it could take the maximum of 8 weeks.



There was nothing much inside the box, really..accept books and loads of books and a few winter clothes with some sentimental values which I hang on to.



The officer asked me an alarming question though.."Please choose the options below if your parcel does not arrive within the stipulated time"



Option 1 - Return to sender

Option 2 - Resend via air parcel

Option 3 - Just let the parcel lost its way..hmmm...



I chose option 3. I know..I can be frighteningly 'cold' sometimes. Let it go Zarina...just let it go. *sigh*



Anyway, thanks to my good Korean friend I managed to bring over the huge load to the post office. Staying on the 4th floor of a goshiwon with no lift will burn me some calories definitely.

Get the correct size. (Price may differ now)

Step by Step

1. Determine your country's zone here. Malaysia is Zone 2.


2. Determine whether you want to send your parcel to your country via surface (ship) or air. For example to Malaysia; a 20 kg parcel takes about 2 months for about 41,300 won OR via air is 126,600 won for about 10 days. Check for your rates here.


3. If you want to send via air, you may go to any parcel delivery center ie EMS center but surface shipment can only be done via KOREA post office. Well, I sent mine through surface parcel (by ship)...by right it would take between 50~70 days to Malaysia. Check the delivery standards for surface parcel here.


4. Determine your parcel's box size. You have to ensure that you receive the CORRECT box's size by the post officer. An IMPORTANT reminder, you have to buy the box from the post office or EMS parcel center with the 'CORRECT' size of box according to your country's limit. Otherwise, incorrect box's size will be held by custom.


5. Fill up the correct form. Air or EMS form is different from Surface form.


6. If you pay the insurance or EMS, you could track your stuff here.

REMINDER: Do seal your package neatly and just duct-tape it as much as you can. Mine was wrapped nicely and tightly but after 6 weeks, the box was kinda 'well' handled. Thankfully the items inside were still intact.

Me sending my parcel at Dong-Incheon post office.

A sample of the form via Korea Post for Surface or Air (no EMS tracking).

Ahn Jung Geun Memorial Hall

If you ever found Kim Sam Soon's staircase, which is nearby Namsan cable car station, don't forget to visit Ahn Jung Geun Memorial Hall which is situated about 100 meters away from the highest step of Kim Sam Soon's staircase.



Who is Ahn Jung Geun?

The painting behind his statue was drawn by his blood..*kidding!!*

The real painting was drawn by his blood..no kidding this time. ^^

I have no idea initially.

I was drawn by this symbol...nice, but after knowing the whole thing...errr..I might have to rethink. Either way..Ahn Jung Geun was a patriot through and through.





"An Jung-geun or Ahn Jung-geun (September 2, 1879 – March 26, 1910) was a Korean independence activist, nationalist and pan-Asianist.



On October 26, 1909, he assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan and then-Japanese Resident-General of Korea, following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty, with Korea on the verge of annexation by Japan." Source: Wikipedia



If you have a Korean friend, try to discuss Ahn Jung Geun. Their reaction will be "Wowww..you are more Korean than me!!" At least, that was the respond that I got from my Korean friend..hehe.



How to go to Ahn Jung Geun Museum?



Follow the direction to Kim Sam Soon's staircase here.



Once you see this statue, turn right.

Just walk about 10 meters and then turn left, you are there.

Admission is FREE.

I was here! In memory of my long lost gloves..T_T

Samsung d'Light - Gangnam

Interesting.



Fun.

If you happened to be in Gangnam area, let's say after visiting Lotte World at Jamsil Station or COEX at Samsung Station, why don't you take a look at Samsung d'Light.



Samsung; one of the giants in almost every industry in Korea has built up a global exhibition space - Samsung d'Light for its products by Samsung electronics.



I have had a Samsung MP3 Player and Samsung LCD TV back at home; quite okay and have yet to acquire the hand phone though. Many of those who toured with me carry a Samsung phone. Many of Korean too either use Samsung smartphone or at least have some electronics stuff made by Samsung at home.



When I heard that Samsung has an exhibition center, I was quite excited to check the place out.



I love the hologram skit on the floor, really cool. Feia and me had the chance to test on Microsoft Windows 8's performance on Samsung's range of laptop too. Nice..nice..nice.



The floor plan is kinda like this:



B1 - Samsung d'Light shop; we actually entered the building from here



1F - many Samsung's products to test and try



2F - some learning programs and history of electronics stuff

Feia tried the hologram skit and she received  a flower bouquet from 

a pretty handsome man. The issue here is...if only it's real..ㅋㅋㅋ

Tested Windows 8, took photo for memory and played with cool lighting.

If you walk out from Samsung Station, exit 8, you won't miss that 

unique building. Samsung d'Light is just across. 

How to go to Samsung d'Light?



Go to Gangnam Station, Line 2, exit 8 and once you walk towards exit 8, you should see this entrance as the picture below.

Just follow the direction and you will go to basement floor - B1, where Samsung d'Light shop is as seen in the picture below.

After that, go to 1st floor, where you can experience Samsung electronic's latest product.



Official website: Samsung d'Light

MBC Dramia - Yongin

Are you a 'sageuk' drama fan?

사극 'sageuk' means historical drama. I am for one is not a fan not until after I discovered Kim Nam Gil, my 동생 in the historical drama Queen Seondok by MBC which made me visit Queen Seondok's tomb with Afrianny. Heheh..



I don't really watch period drama because:

1. 말투 (maltu) - the way they talk is funny


2. 단어 (dano) - vocabulary wise..I don't understand much of it unless with subtitle


3. I hate history - this is definitely not Kim Nam Gil's fault..hehe


4. The long episodes - at least 50? 

I wouldn't think I would come to MBC Dramia ever in my life. 

But no harm trying and once is enough I guess.

Definitely not going alone so I asked Feia to hop along. 

The capacity of MBC Dramia is huge!!! Of course, it's a drama set, what do you expect Zarina? However, it's kinda outskirt..slightly more than 1 hour from Seoul. 

But you don't need 3 hours to explore. I think 2 hours is pretty nice to wrap everything. Unless...there is a drama filming going on and the chances of you meeting your favorite Korean actor and actress is high. 

On the day we visited MBC Dramia, there was shooting going on for drama Horse Healer or Horse Doctor (마의) starring Lee Yo Won and Cho Seung Woo.

I was hoping to meet Lee Yo Won who played Queen Seondok but...a wish was just a wish. Hey..I'm not born to be her 사생팬. ^^

The weather was kind, slightly windy and bright blue sky in January's winter. We took the 9.30am bus from Nambu Bus Terminal to Baekam, the nearest city to MBC Dramia.

The bus fare is 4,200won and you can purchase the ticket either at the counter or the self-payment machine. You may also use your T-Money in the bus, however you should tell the driver your destination cause the bus has many stops. Tell him that you will be dropping off at Baekam 백암. 

The platform number is 18 and we showed our ticket to bus driver. There was announcement in the bus for Baekam and the bus stopped about a minute after that. Baekam is just a small town so don't expect much. 

We were dropped off here @ Baekam town.

By that..there is not even an English signboard for Baekam bus terminal. Beware...hehe. 

Since we missed the first bus to MBC Dramia, we just took a taxi which costs us 8,000won one way. The view of snow on top of the hills and on the harvested paddy field was breathtaking. There were lines of cute little Christmas trees showered with snow which we didn't have the chance to snap it on our cameras. Ahh...아쉽다.

My 2,000 won discount coupon which I had from Seoul magazine (January 2013 edition) cut out was not valid for 2013 because the due date behind was until 2012 (gawdddd!!). 

So, we paid the 7,000won admission. After entering the place, expect much hiking and walking. Plus many cut out boards of the main characters from the dramas ie. Queen Seondok, Jumong, Dong Yi, Arang and the magistrate and etc. 

The visitors were scarce. Only some Koreans and us. The only memorable thing was that that we could be about 10 metres away from an actual filming of Horse Doctor 마의 drama. Yeay!!

After watching the filming for about 15 minutes, I belatedly realize that the main characters would not materialize any time soon, we just walked away. 

We went to the other building down the hill where you could buy some snacks and take pictures of you wearing period costumes with again...the cut out board of the actors and actresses. Pay 20,000 won if you want but we passed.

We were famished! Just grabbed 찐빵 for 800 won and went back to the parking lot to wait for the shuttle bus back to Baekam. The fare is 1,100 won with T-Money and 1,200 won by cash.

Going back to Seoul, Feia bought ticket from Baekam bus terminal while I tried my T-Money on the bus. The bus has no assigned seat unlike when we rode the bus from Nambu Bus Terminal.

In summary, nothing too great about MBC Dramia but once doesn't hurt. Try it..but make sure your visit coincides with drama filming. That would be better.

Just call MBC Dramia's office first before you visit: 02-789-0011

Official website: http://withmbc.imbc.com/dramia/main/ (in Korean)



My total spending:

Sinchon to Nambu bus terminal - 1,250 won by subway with T-Money

Milk for breakfast - 800 won

Nambu to Baekam (return ticket) - 8,400 won

Taxi to MBC Dramia - 8,000won (divide by 2pax) - 4,000won

MBC Dramia admission - 7,000 won

Snack - pau kacang / 찐빵 (jjinpang) - 800 won

Bus to Baekam - 1,100 won with T-Money

Nambu bus terminal to Gangnam - 1,050 won

Lunch/Dinner at MOS Gangnam - 6,300 won



Total: 30,700 won.

Bibigo - Bibimbap

My brother Am and my no-so-distant uncle Adi came to Korea for a visit last year in autumn. We met Min Young; who has visited my family in summer and she brought us to Bibigo restaurant to try out Bibimbap fine dining.

Jeham and Adi.

It's not quite on the budget type...about 12,000 to 16,000 won per Bibimbap menu.

Min Young, me and Adi.

However, the price came with superior service, fine ambiance and distinguished taste.



Bibigo is a franchise restaurant owned by CJFoodville (ehemmm...one of the giants in Korea industry aka 재벌) and the franchise that we went was inside CJ Foodworld located near to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station.



The word Bibigo is a fusion of Korean and English where 비비다 (bibida) means mix and 'go' is...err...means go. ^^



We ordered 2 kinds of Bibimbap and a salad:

1. Pollack Roe Bibimbap Bansang - 13,000 won (the picture above) - This does not come with spicy sauce (gochujang). Just mix all of them together, the orangy stuff is fish roe and eat it while it is hot. I love to wait until the bottom burnt a bit so after I finish eating all the rice, I have some crunchy stuff to munch. 


2. Hot Stone Rice Bansang - 12,000 won (I forgot to take a picture..^^;) - This is only vegetables, no egg no nothing but it came with spicy sauce on the side (gochujang). Mix it up to your spiciness level.


3. Jellyfish and shrimp salad - 14,000 won (the picture below) - I really love this stuff because I like raw stuff like sashimi but....only if the wasabi taste is toned down a bit. 

So far, the other menu on the list has meat in it, so we were down to those 2 Bibimbap choice.



How to go?

Go to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, Line 2/4/5 and walk out from exit 6. Follow the map above and you will find CJ Foodworld. Bibigo restaurant is at the basement one floor below the lobby. You can use the escalator just next to the reception.

The map is from the official site: http://www.ibibigo.com/

Opening time:

Weekday: 07:00 - 22:00

Weekend: 11:00 - 22:00

Last order: 21:30 with limited order.



You can check out other menu list, price and the restaurants' location from the official site.