Holy moly, this post has been backlogged since December! Anyway, I'm finally posting it and god willing I will finish this Korea Trip 2010 series (for chrissake it's 2011 -__-;;).
Anyway, this is a two part post of about Namedaemun Marketplace in Seoul. Wiki describes it as a "traditional" marketplace - in my eyes it's the "home basics" marketplace.
Namdaemun Market is one of the oldest continually running markets in South Korea, and one of the largest retail markets in Seoul. The streets in which the market is located were built in a time when cars were not prevalent, so the market itself is not accessible by car. The main methods of transporting goods into and out of the market are by motorcycle and hand-drawn carts. It occupies many city blocks, which are blocked off from most car traffic due to the prevalence of parking congestion in the area. The market can be accessed by subway or bus; the location is within a 10 minute walk from Seoul metropolitan Hoehyeon Station, Line 4.
Much of the market is outside, but there are also many stores which line the streets. Many retailers buy their items, particularly clothing, at wholesale prices at Namdaemun, to resell in their own stores in other cities. Namdaemun is a popular tourist attraction.
So yep, they sell pretty much everything houseware-ish like dishes, pots, soap, ginseng, underwear, clothing, shoes, blankets etc. You can also order custom-made hanbooks (see below) and eat street vendor food. This is my favorite marketplace in Korea :) even though it's not "targeted" towards younger folks like Dongdaemun Market (if I recall correctly). There is a TonyMoly, The Face Shop, and Missha shop tho for those interested. One thing this market lacks is clothing targeted to young folks aka the quintessential "Korean style" street clothing. The clothing here are for older people. But for me, I love Namedaemun for the amazing range of stuff you can get here for great prices ^_^ You do have to barter *sigh* but you can get wholesale prices if you bargain right. Naturally, shopkeepers tend to rip off foreigners/anyone who doesn't speak Korean fluently/doesn't know what they're doing but that's the nature of the bargaining world and they need to make a living too ;)
Fyi, my street knowledge is pretty limited - what I know is limited to what my aunts in Korea told me and my own experiences - so I apologize for any errors in advance :)
Here's my personal list of stuff I so recommend you buy if you're there: 1.) SOCKS - I adore the socks I got in Korea. I picked up the most adorable pairs for .50 - $1 USD each and they are the BEST socks I've ever worn. They fit your foot like a glove and don't get all loose like stupid Fruit of the Loom socks do. Getting some colored stockings (sock-length tights) and tights (full leg) wouldn't got amiss either.
2.) Dishes :D My mom brought back a collection of dishes where she only paid $1 USD/dish and in any currency that's a steal! The only downside is that it's hard to transport but the quality is great plus they come with lovely, delicate prints. They also sell nice dishes in dollar stores ;)
3.) Blankets! We got summer blankets for only $10/each, both twin sized. We didn't need other sizes but the factory made blankets sold usually have cute prints on it for very cheap. Of course the downside is getting a huge bundle of blankets back home is an issue but do check out the lovely array of blankets (and pillows).
4.) Get a custom hanbok made! I got mine made for ~$120 USD. I picked the fabric, colors, and style. The more modern styles tend to be more expensive, I got the most traditional version. Everything is tailored to fit you though so it took my hanbok about 2 weeks to be completed. So you may not be able to get one custom made if you're not if Seoul long enough to pick it up. Most people do offer shipping though.
5.) For the less well-endowed, scout for a nicely padded bra :D! I got ripped off (b/c of my poor bartering skills no doubt) but nonetheless, I bought two of the best bras I've ever worn! They're flesh colored with pretty straps, very comfy, and have a clasp in the front. But most importantly, they come beautifully padded with removable inserts ;) ehehhe I've been wearing my bras since last summer and they still look brand new. They don't stretch out like my VS bras (which are way too overpriced imho) and are just very well made. I don't remember how much I paid but I don't particularly regret it. Fyi - shop sellers sell bras imported from many different countries so they will carry bras labeled with peculiar sizes. Hence the best way to gauge your boob size is generally just to *ahem* let the shop lady feel your breasts. It would go down as physical harassment in America, but dude I think it's more legit than measuring your breasts with a tape measure a la Victoria's Secret because girls usually come in wearing heavily padded or ill-fitting bras which the tape measure never seems to account for. OooOo and get a padded underwear! I totally forgot to get one but I am SO getting one next time to shape out my pencil skirts ^_~
....and that's all I can think of for now.
In general, this twisty, narrow-alleyed market is a really fun place to explore. There are so many nooks and crannies to find and you see all sorts of people. It's lovely, raw glimpse of Korea at it's worst and best. There were lots of foreigners wandering about when I was there too so for non-Koreans, you shant feel too out of place :)
Now onto the pics!
Street vendor food :D I know Korea is quite renowned for their tasty street vendor food and my rule of thumb is to try the booths you see the most native Koreans line up ;) ehehe I had two of these fish/tempura sticks - they were yummy ^^
Wang mandoos/dumplings! We bought it in a set of 4 and they were placed in a little black garbage bag looking thing.
I believe this was pork :) It's been almost a YEAR since I took this picture so I don't remember the taste but it was good. In Part 11, I have even more pics of food~
Jennifer Lopez spent Mother's Day with her adorable twins in Calabasas. Jen's twins, Emme and Max are seen here and you can also see two of Jen's cousins in the background of some pictures. Source of pix.
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Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez Outsells Beastie Boys In US
A new Jennifer Lopez album has excited American music fans more than a well overdue Beastie Boys record it would seem. JLo’s ‘Love’ is expected to be the highest debuting artist album on the American chart this week.
‘Love?’ has only done average figures though, around 26,000 according to hitsdailydouble. Beastie Boys ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part 2’ only did around 20,000.
In fact, despite a high number of debuts this week, sales are poor. The biggest debut is the compilation ‘Now That's What I Call Music 38’ with sales of around 70,000. That is extremely poor for a hits compilation.
Adele will once again reign supreme with the biggest selling album of the year ‘21’ moving another 133,000 this week.
Other debuts include Steve Nicks first album in 10 years ‘In Your Dreams’. Hitsdailydouble predicts sales of around 17,000.
Sade’s ‘Ultimate Collection’ is aimed for a Top 10 debut with 15,000 sales. Colt Ford ‘Every Chance I Get’ should do around 10,000. Musiq Soulchild ‘Musiqinthemagiq’ is also hovering around 10,000 sales, Sixx A.M. (Nikki Sixx) ‘This Is Gonna Hurt’ has sold just under 10,000 and Fleet Foxes ‘Helplessness Blues’ will struggle to debut top 20 on around 7000 sales.
Jennifer Lopezhas a famously fab figure, but she still gets insecure about showing skin. The American Idol host and mother of two sat with E! News yesterday to discuss her new album Love?, and she admitted she seriously ramps up her workouts before shooting music videos that show off her stomach:
Ever wonder what happens backstage? JLo's album release party, a brief glimpse backstage during JoJo Wright's interview with the beautiful Jennifer Lopez! New album "Love?" in stores NOW! Hear the entire interview HERE
Jennifer Lopez Calls in to On Air with Ryan Seacrest
Jennifer Lopez called in to “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” Wednesday to talk about the release of her much anticipated album LOVE? and reveals how telenovela star William Levy made his way in to her “I’m Into You” video!
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates Launch Of Album "LOVE?" Hosted By BlackBerry At Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood. - Jennifer Lopez attends the album release celebration for 'Love?' at Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood on May 3, 2011.
Click the link below to listen to Jennifer Lopez Exclusive Radio Takeover. A full hour of Jennifer Lopez music and an exclusive interview throughout the show.
It was just announced live on today's episode of The Seven that Jennifer Lopez will be conducting an exclusive interview on the show airing tomorrow. Tune in to MTV and be sure to check out Jennifer Lopez on The Seven at 5pm. ___
Jennifer Lopez confirmed for the Summertime Ball
Pop megastar Jennifer Lopez will make a rare UK live appearance when she performs at the Capital FM Summertime Ball.
The On The Floor hit maker will be at the event held at Wembley Arena this June.
It will be the first time J. Lo, 41, has performed in the UK since she started her job as a judge on American Idol.
Also performing at the venue on 12 June will be Jessie J, Nicole Scherzinger and LMFAO.
DL: Jennifer Lopez - I'm Into You ft. Lil Wayne HD
Below we have available for download the new music video of "I'm Into You," by Jennifer Lopez featuring Lil Wayne Untagged (without Today show tags) and in HD. You can also watch the video below the download link via vevo.
Jennifer Lopez American Idol After the Show 4.28.11
The judges shared their thoughts on the results and on Casey's extraordinary swan song. And Jennifer Lopez talks about her upcoming AI performance on Thursday and her new album release Love? 5.3.11
Jennifer will be answering LOVE?RS' questions right here on her YouTube page. Submit your text or video questions for Jennifer about the new album LOVE? out MAY 3, American Idol & about anything LOVE related. Jennifer's answers will be posted on her youtube page the week of May 9th!
Jennifer Lopez & Extra Celebrate Her New Album "Love?"
Jennifer Lopez and Audrina Patridge attend Extra's special pre-release party for Jennifer's new album 'Love?' held at The Grove tonight in Los Angeles, California. Untagged pix added.
UNTAGGED PIX BELOW Click on Thumbnails to see larger image
Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez at The Grove Love? Promo 4.29.11 Fan Pix
Here are some pictures of Jennifer Lopez taken by a number of fans tonight at The Grove for her Extra special.
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Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez Random Magazine Covers
Getting back to our older posts as many of you have requested, we have added pictures of Jennifer Lopez on random magazine covers throughout the years. A few are pages of her interview from inside the magazine as well.
UNTAGGED PIX BELOW Click on Thumbnails to see larger image
Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___ Jennifer Lopez Love? Promo
Jennifer Lopez in Full on Promo mode for Love? Below we have listed her upcoming appearances to promote the release of her new album for May 3rd.
Extra Love? Fan Event at The Grove in LA - Taping 4.29.11 - Airing 5.4.11 on Extra TV
Z100/KTU Brunch w/ Fans - A Live stream on Z100.com will be available for online - 5.1.11
The Today Show& VEVO - ‘I’m Into You’ Video Premiere - 5.2.11
The Seven - MTV Interview with Jennifer Lopez - 5.2.11
106th and Park - Jennifer Lopez in NY for BET Interview (LOVE? CD RELEASE DATE along with theAlbum Release Party at Hard Rock- LA - Live stream available on Jen’s facebook page) - 5.3.11
Access Hollywood Live- An hour long special with Jennifer Lopez - 5.6.11
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - 5.9.11
The Ellen DeGeneres Show - 5.10.11
Conan O’Brien 5.10.11
Jennifer Lopez: On the Record with Fuse- A half hour special @ 9:30-10pm - Musician Jennifer Lopez talks about her 7th studio album Love? - 5.10.11
Loaded- Jennifer Lopez 2nd special on Fuse - Its all about Jennifer's music videos, join us and watch Fuse - 5.11.11 @ 3:30pm
Lopez Tonight with George Lopez - 5.11.11
Wango Tango - Performance at The Staples Center LA - 5.14.11
Billboard Music Awards - JLo Performance - 5.22.11
___ Jennifer Lopez Online Love? Pix
UPDATE: ADDED EXTRA PIX Some new pictures have been added to the new official Jennifer Lopez website by Island Def Jam Records. We have seen almost all of them but not all have been in good quality. Other pictures added can be used to help promote Love? for JLo. Check out the website to get the new feel of it all.
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Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor Live At American Idol (Exclusive)
Pix and a short video of Jennifer Lopez performing On the Floor on American Idol 4.27.11. Thanks JLG for the pix.
UNTAGGED PIX BELOW Click on Thumbnails to see larger image
VidZone - Jennifer Lopez Exclusive Interview (Full)
Here is the interview many have been waiting for due to a number of request we received via email. VidZone finally released this video interview of Jennifer Lopez talking about her music via their youtube page. The original release date was 4.14.11. LINK
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Jennifer Lopez I'm Into You ft. Lil Wayne Preview
UPDATE: 2nd VIDEO ADDED The Today Show reveals a sneak preview of Jennifer Lopez' new music video, 'I'm Into You," her second single from her upcoming album, "Love?" featuring Lil' Wayne. The music video which was shot in Chichen Itza, Mexico will make it's world premiere on May 2nd on The TODAY Show.
Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lopez Join 'Ice Age 4' Cast (Exclusive)
9:40 PM 4/26/2011 by Pamela McClintock
Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer, Drake and Aziz Ansari also cast in the Fox film, with Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo returning.
Jeremy Renner, Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer and Jennifer Lopez are joining the voice cast of 20th Century Fox’s Ice Age: Continental Drift, along with Aziz Ansari and hip hop star Drake.
Returning are Ice Age franchise stars Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck.
The cast was revealed Tuesday during a meeting on the Fox lot with potential promotional partners, licensees and retail partners. The presentation was led by Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chair Tom Rothman and Fox Animation Studios president Vanessa Morrison. Romano and Queen Latifah took participants through the story Continental Drift.
The first three Ice Age filmshave grossed nearly $2 billion at the worldwide box office, putting Fox and partner Blue Sky Studios squarely in the animation game.
Fox and Blue Sky’s winning streak is continuing with 3D toon Rio, which has grossed nearly $300 million in less than three weeks.
Ice Age is becoming a year-round brand for Fox. A Christmas television special is being planned, along with a mobile game and online game.
In Continental Drift — which hits theaters on July 13, 2012 — Renner will portray Gutt, a self-styled master of the high seas. Lopez will play Shira, a sabre toothed who melts the heart of Diego, also a sabre toothed tiger.
Leary has recommitted to voice the role of Diego, while Romano returns as Manny and Queen Latifah as Ellie.
Side Note; This will be Jennifer Lopez' second time lending her voice to an animated feature. Jennifer was also a part of an ensemble cast in Antz as Azteca in 1998.
Jennifer Lopez was seen leaving a movie theater this weekend (Saturday April 23rd) with her son Max. Daughter Emme was no where in sight as Jen left the Los Angeles theater after watching this weeks number one film, Rio starring Jamie Foxx, Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, Will i Am, Jesse Eisenberg, and Anne Hathaway. Click here to watch clips.
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Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez on 106 & Park
Jennifer Lopez is scheduled to make an appearance live on BET's 106 & Park on May 3rd. Jennifer will be there to promote her new album, "Love?" which will be released the same day as her 106 appearance. Hopefully we will also get to see, "I'm Into You," featuring Lil Wayne make its debut on the countdown as well. The show will air live on BET at 6pm Eastern time. ___
Jennifer Lopez leaving lunch @ The Commons at Calabasas 4.22.11
Here we have added pictures of Jennifer Lopez leaving The Commons at Calabasas after having lunch yesterday afternoon in Los Angeles. Thank you to coco sely for the Untagged, HQ pix. UNTAGGED, HQ PIX BELOW Click on Thumbnails to see larger image
Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez "I'm Into You" Pix with William Levy & Lil Wayne
Below we have added some candid pictures of Jennifer Lopez and William Levy shooting their scenes for Jennifer's new music video, "I'm Into You," featuring Lil Wayne in HQ. Also added below are the official stills from the music video in HQ and some shots of Jennifer Lopez with Lil Wayne on set to film Wayne's verse. Thank you to coco sely for the Untagged, HQ pix.
Jennifer Lopez & William Levy Beach Shoot Im Into You Video Candids
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Click on Thumbnails to see larger image Jennifer Lopez Official Stills Im Into You w William Levy & Lil Wayne UNTAGGED, HQ PIX BELOW Click on Thumbnails to see larger image
Click on Thumbnails to see larger image ___
Jennifer Lopez American Idol videos
Jennifer Lopez Steven Tyler Chaka Khan AI After Show
Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, Chaka Khan, Jason Aldean, Didi Benami at American Idol After Show 4.14.11. Legend Chaka Khan joined Season 9 Finalist Didi Benami and Steven and Randy in sharing thoughts about this week's results.
