#South Korea Pavilion

[jazperjay]

Expo2020: The South Korea Pavilion

The South Korea Pavilion stood as a magnificent testament to the rich and influential Korean culture at Expo2020 in Dubai. As an individual deeply captivated by the allure of Korean traditions and customs, this extraordinary pavilion was at the top of my must-visit list. Its sheer size and eye-catching spinning cubes made it impossible to ignore amidst the vast Expo grounds. The South Korea…

[abstracteddistractions]

"Paired Cubes," Busan, South Korea,

Standing 2.5m tall, the pavilion is built using 10mm thick panels that are assembled without any fittings or glue, ensuring complete recyclability.

This innovative design allows for easy transport and assembly in various public spaces, enhancing these areas while offering an immersive experience for passersby.

The structure comprises over 3,500 panels in opaque white, translucent orange, and clear, forming a composition of eight outer facades and two inner walls.

The pavilion’s fragmented appearance, particularly when illuminated, evokes a sense of floating panels, attracting those who observe it from various angles. 

Courtesy: A + U Lab

[mothmiso]

Blue House Presidential Residence (2) (3) (4) (5) by Travel Archive

[dlyarchitecture]

[hannakorea]

경주 불국사

경주는 기원전 57년 신라의 건국부터 935년 신라 멸망까지 992년 동안 신라의 수도였고, 서라벌(徐羅伐), 금성(金城) 등으로 불렸다. 신라가 멸망한 935년(고려 태조 18년)에 현재의 지명인 '경주'로 바뀌었다. 이후 동경(東京), 계림부(鷄林府) 등으로 바뀌었다가 조선 시대에 다시 경주로 바뀌었으며, 영남 남인의 구심점 역할을 했다.

포석정지 (사적 제1호)

물길의 모양이 마치 전복의 모양과 같아 전복 포(鮑)자를 써서 포석정이라는 이름을 가졌다. 포석정은 경주의 유명한 가을명소이다.

포석정(鮑石亭)은 경상북도 경주시 배동에 있는 신라의 별궁이 있던 자리로, 대한민국의 사적 제1호이다.

건물은 없어지고 석조구조��만 남아 있다. 남북국 시대에 만들어진 것으로 추정되며, 자연환경을 최대로 활용하고 주위의 아름다운 경관에 인공적인 기술을 가미하여 이룩한 조화미는 신라 궁원기술(宮苑技術)의 독특한 면모를 보여 주고 있다고 평가된다.

성덕대왕신종 | 에밀레종 (국보 제29호)

성덕대왕신종(聖德大王神鍾)은 신라 시대에 만들어진 범종이다. 설화에 따라 에밀레종으로 부르거나 봉덕사(奉德寺)에 걸려 있던 종이라 하여 봉덕사종이라 부르기도 한다. 1962년 12월 20일 대한민국의 국보 제29호로 지정되었다.

다보탑 (국보 제20호)

다보탑(多寶塔, Dabotap 또는 Dabo Pagoda)은 경주 불국사에 있는 하대 신라 시기의 석조 다보탑이다. 국보 제20호이며, 불국사 대웅전 앞뜰에 석가탑과 상대하여 위치하고 있다. 2008년 12월부터 1년간 원형 복원 작업을 거쳤었다

삼층석탑 (국보 제21호)

경주 불국사 삼층석탑(慶州佛國寺三層石塔)은 경주 불국사에 있는, 남북국 시대 신라의 삼층석탑이다. 원래 이름은 석가여래상주설법탑(釋迦如來常住設法塔)이며 흔히 줄여서 석가탑(釋迦塔)이라고도 한다.

아사달과 아사녀의 전설에서 따 무영탑(無影塔)이라고 부르기도 한다. 불국사 대웅전 앞뜰에 다보탑과 나란히 서 있으며, 대한민국의 국보 제21호로 지정되어 있다!

경주는 사찰, 유적, 석탑 등 많은 신라시대 문화재와 경주 양동 마을 등 조선시대 양반 마을이 보존되어 있다. 불국사, 석굴암, 남산, 월성, 대릉원, 황룡사지, 산성 등 5곳의 경주 역사유적지구와 경주 양동 마을이 유네스코 세계문화���산으로 지정되어 있다. 유네스코의 권고에 따라, 도심을 통과해 왔던 동해선과 중앙선 철도를 문화재 보호 차원에서 시 남서쪽 외곽의 건천읍 화천리의 경부고속선 신 경주역으로 이전했다.

[meowtifullycute]

Tranquil Oasis: Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond!

[thunderfrommyheart]

breaking down the misinformation in @afronerdism post about me.

Debunked by Stuart Semple himself. 

I’ve taken the time to do this because nobody wants mis-information bouncing around the internet. 

The key thing to know - in the artworld rich people have access to processes and companies that most artists don’t. That’s how they get to create giant beans which cost $20million. At the top the rich get richer, and at the bottom artists struggle to make their mark with what they’ve got. 

Vantablack is an example of a group of rich, entitled people getting together to pat themselves on the back, whilst the rest of the world watched horrified at the tone-deafness of the whole thing.

it's also worth noting whilst OP is clearly educated and understands politics they are not in any way an expert in the artworld, art discourse. I however have been in the artworld for 25 years, have written for the guardian, art of england and vogue. I have presented art programs for the BBC and have a properly published book on art history - it's out in June called 'Make Art or Die Trying'. I have studied art and art history and spoken at Oxford University, The ICA, Denver Art Msueum, Dublin Art Museum and at Frieze. I have lectured at the Royal College of Art in London. I have curated over 20 contemporary art exhibitions internationally, I have directed two galleries. I am by definition an expert.

MY BREAKDOWN: OP is @afronerdism - I've gone below them point by point

A: What Vantablack is not: a pigment. A paint. Vantablack is not something that you were supposed to use to paint with. 

SS: CORRECT - However nor is glass, chrome, powder coating, sandblasting, booze casting, tar, concrete or steel yet they are used by artists everyday. 

Whether the material/process is a paint or pigment or not doesn’t matter. 

A: Who creates and distributes Vantablack: an engineering company named Surrey NanoSystems.

SS: True. And many artists work with engineering companies every day, notable examples are Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. Lots of artists collaborate with industry to get their work made, that is what fabrication is.  You go to Surrey NanoSystems - not to buy paint but for them to coat your work in Vantablack. 

A: Who does not do those things: an art house. A distribution company. Any kind of company that creates and distributes pigments on a massive, artistic scale. 

SS: Which is totally true and fine. However they do coat things in Vantablack for a series of clients in many different industries including fashion designers, jewelers, brands, car companies, and watch companies. They will coat anything for anyone who has the money unless they are an artist. They only accept work from Anish Kapoor as he has an exclusive license with them for art. 

A: Who was Vantablack made for: Vanta Black was made by aerospace engineers for aerospace engineers, looking for something to coat the insides of massive NASA telescopes. 

SS: Initially, but quickly was used by a lot of other industries including architects, fashion designers, bands, brands, car companies and even a deodorant. 

They are able to make it in quantities large enough to coat whole buildings as we saw when architect Asif Khan used it to coat a whole pavilion during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. 

(If had told Surrey nanoSytems he was an artist - not an architect, this would never have happened)

A: Who it was not made for: artists.

SS: Except the one with the license. (Anish Kapoor)

———————————-——————————————

A: Hopefully already just by understanding what Vantablack is, what it was made for, and who it’s made by you and other people are beginning to see what the problem is with Stuart simples narrative around Vanta black. 

SS: It’s Semple not simple. 

SS: The narrative was not created by Semple as for a few months before he shared his pink the world media was criticizing Kapoor for his Monopoly with major articles in the Guardian, Daily Mail, and BBC news. Each featured reactions from a broad spectrum of artists who spoke about the unnecessary license and the elitism in the artworld. 

A:  But you may be wondering if Vanta black is a highly toxic unstable substance made out of carbon nano tubes by aerospace engineers for aerospace engineers, working in space, then how did we get here? well, Vanta, black 2.0, if you will was created in such a way that it could be sprayed onto substances in a certain way meaning that theoretically it could be used artistically.

SS: Yes VBX2 can be sprayed, and Surrey Nanosystems have training days where they teach in-house teams how to do that. The VBX2, however, arrived quite late in the story and Kapoor’s rights started with the first version. 

A: Surround nanosystems held an exhibition where they displayed Vanta black and when artist saw this, they were inundated with calls from artist, wanting to use it in their work. 

SS:

Surrey nano systems (not surround)

They actually debut it at an airshow in England, it was all over the world media, many artists saw it. They then went on a massive PR mission and the material was seen on CNN etc. 

Kapoor became aware of it and approached them to see if he could use it in his work. 

Together they struck up an exclusive deal which would mean if any artist asked them to coat a piece of work with the stuff they would be turned away. 

That deal was something Surrey and Kapoor were initially proud of. They couldn’t see the inherent elitism in the exclusivity so they went on another PR pr to tell he world Kapoor was signed up to use it. 

It was then the artists of the world really became aware of it, and sure enough, when any of them wrote to Surrey - even really huge ones with plenty of money, they were turned away. These artists including Christian Furr and Ron Arad, amongst others were all featured across the media. =

A: But as we’ve already established surrey nanosystems is not a distribution company. They’re an engineering company. And they made the decision that they could only work with one artist, because they simply did not have the physical ability to produce Vantablack at a scale that allowed them to work with more than one person. 

SS: They did say that, but a lot later. They were always a fabrication / engineering place and there was never an idea that they would distribute the material. That’s not the problem any artists ever had with it, they all fully understood what the material was. The issue was that even if the artist had the money and could ship their work to Surrey, they would not coat the object with it, but they would serve other industries. This is seen as deeply prejudicial towards artists. 

A: (To this day, vanta Black has to be distributed by a specialized robotic arm that creates it in painfully small amounts in an enclosed box that can then be given to someone in a lab. ) 

SS: This is untrue - the arm is used to spray the objects that Surrey have agreed to coat. 

It does not make the material. The material is made by growing carbon nano tubes on a surface. 

And the spray version contains nano particles. The robot arm is used for precision when coating. 

You often see a robot arm spray cars for example. The arm is used like this. 

A: Enter Anish Kapoor: Anish Kapoor, at this time was already a world, renowned artist, and the creator of many public facing pieces, such as cloud gate, a.k.a. the Chicago Bean. His entire life‘s work was dedicated to how light is refracted and interplays with the void, making him not only the perfect person to be chosen because of prestige but also because his life‘s work spoke to the engineers who created Vanta black.

SS: Whist as an artist he has dealt with reflection and the void at length, it’s a stretch to claim his entire life’s work is dedicated to it. 

SS: It is true that as a figurehead for Vantablack he is a good choice, he’s very rich, extremely famous, he’s a Sir (i.e knighted by the queen and a turner prize winner). Plus he makes work that would look good in Vantablack. 

SS: None of this means that he needed exclusivity to do it, the company could simply have collaborated with him and if any other artist asked to have something coated, they could have easily said they were too busy or didn’t have enough of the material. 

SS: The issue is the way they couldn’t see the prejudice, elitism and lack of access in the exclusivity. 

A: Now this should’ve been seen as an incredible accomplishment and honor for this Indian artist to be chosen as the soul licensor of Vantablack as this company was only able to choose one person and people were really excited about this for him and that’s where the story ends, right? Right? Right? 

SS: It’s unclear why his race matters. He is one of the richest, most well known, most famous artists in the world. The fact he has exclusive access to a material/process like this is not a reason for people to be excited for him, people are free to be excited or not. This is purely your opinion not a fact. 

A: Enter Stuart Semple: Stuart simple was a 25-year-old man in the UK living with his mother when she came into his room and told him about Vantablack. 

SS: Stuart was born in 1980, which would make him 36 at the time. 

SS: He was not living with his mother, in fact he was living in London with his own family. 

SS: His mother did not come into his room however on a phone call she spoke to him about an article she had read in the guardian about how artists were upset by Kapoor having Vantablack. 

SS: Stuart was (and is) a well-known contemporary artist, very embedded int hat world. He has had over 20 solo exhibitions dedicated to his work all over the world and his pieces are in major collections and museums. He’s not in the league of Kapoor but in the artworld is well known as an artist. 

A: As an artist himself, Stewart simple wanted to try Vanta Black, and was told by the company that he could not.

SS: This is untrue - Stuart did not want to use the colour, nor did he approach the company. 

A:  It was then that he discovered the only person on earth licensed to use Vantablack was Anish Kapoor. 

SS: This is untrue, he was aware of this when his mother told him what she had read in the newspaper. 

A: Please keep in mind that Vantablack is not a paint, and it is so difficult to work with that Anish Kapoor has only ever produced one singular piece of art with Vantablack. 

SS: This is untrue. Tens of thousands of items have now been coated in VantaBlack, from soda cans to watches. Initially, Kapoor used his rights to create a series of limited edition wrist watches that sold for $100,000 each, and then went on to create a whole series of large sculptures that were initially shown at a huge palazzo in Venice that Kapoor bought, during the Venice Biennale, and then at an exhibition at the Lisson in NYC where there works were for sale with an average price of $500,000USD.

A: So like a child who has just been told by their mom that they can’t use something, Stewart simple decided to throw a hissy fit. 

SS: It’s Stuart Semple (not stewart simple) - and there is no evidence of any kind of Hissy Fit. However he did create a piece of internet performance art, where he put a jar of pinkest pink paint on the internet, humorously, and asked anyone who bought the paint to sign an agreement that they ‘weren’t Anish Kapoor and Associate of Kapoor and that to the best of their knowledge information and belief, the material would not make its way into the hands of Anish Kapoor’. Semple has always explained it was a tongue-in-cheek piece of performance art, and that he was never expecting anyone would actually buy any pink. The best source for this is an article in Wired in which the journalist concludes with the piece being a powerful piece of online performance art. Bearing in mind Semple is an artist who works with performance, that is extremely likely. 

A: He created a pink pigment that he conditionally said everyone could use except Anish Kapoor and then launch this pigment with the hashtag #ShareTheBlack. 

SS: He created the pink pigment in 2010 - and has made his own paints to use in his own work since he was a child. It was not made in response to Kapoor. However he did not make them public they were for his own use, and the Kapoor situation made him question his own exclusivity in keeping the materials he was making for himself. He decided to share his pink as a gesture and a piece of art in it's own right.

A: This caught the attention of the news media, and when asked about this situation, that was previously relatively unheard of, Stuart simple,

SS: Neither Stuart nor the Vantablack situation were unheard of. The media was already reporting on the controversy around vantablack long before Stuart put the pink up. Stuart was also well known which is why the media wanted to talk to him about it. 

When GQ came to do a 5 page feature on him they were clear it was because he was an established and well-known artist in his own right. 

He had already been hosting art shows for the BBC, had written for the guardian and Huffington post and had collaborated with major musicians. 

A: went onto describe Anish Kapoor as this tyrannical elitist who “banned“ the use of Vantablack to keep other artists from using it. 

SS: There’s no evidence that Semple said that, however, he was critical of the exclusive license and did feel the story opened up a well-needed discussion about access to art and the trend in which those with the money could afford to have works fabricated when others couldn’t. He is at heart an egalitarian and has made free art studios, his Designs for humanity charity, his creative therapies fund at Mind (a mental health charity) etc.. and a major free art gallery in his hometown that shows some of the biggest living artists. So Semple’s opinion is allowed, to him Kapoor epitomizes an elitism that is dominated by the super-rich, after all, Kapoor is getting close to being a billionaire. 

A: But hopefully you can already see how that is Literally not true. Anish Kapoor does not make Vanta black. Anish Kapoor cannot sell Vanta black. Anish Kapoor cannot give you permission to use Vanta black. And Vanta black is not even a paint. 

SS: He does not make it, but he does hold the exclusive right to use it in art. 

SS: No other material or process has been exclusively licensed by one artist in the history of the world. 

SS: Jeff Koons does not make his own giant steel sculptures, a factory does. Jeff can’t book your work into the factory, and steel is not a paint either. He doesn't have an exclusive agreement with the steel fabricators. If they aren't too busy with Jeff, and you've got the cash, they'll make something for you too. This is standard with art fabrication.

SS: I didn't physically make the giant steel and foam smiley sculpture of mine for the city of Denver, fabricators helped with that, and engineers. They work with several artists.

SS: This makes no sense given it is understood vantablack is a material and a process of application. 

SS: However Kapoor could surrender his exclusive right and Surrey would then be able to take bookings from artists. 

A: meanwhile Stuart has launched an entire very lucrative career around slandering and smearing Anish Kapoor 

SS: Untrue, Semple had a very successful career and his day job is as a contemporary artist. Actually speaking up about elitism in the artworld is a risky move for someone who relies on that artworld to pay his bills. 

A: when Anish Kapoor literally never did anything but be qualified enough to be the one person chosen by a company that is literally only able to work with one person at a time. 

SS: He did do something, he signed an exclusive agreement and he felt he was entirely justified in doing so. He also went out in the media and with surrey nono systems and gloated about it.

SS: They can’t only work with one person at a time, we have seen whole buildings covered in vantback, jewellery, cars and soda cans and many sculptures by Kapoor. Surrey have collaborated with thousands of brands, designers, architects and companies. 

A: The fact remains Stewart simple, very intentionally allows this narrative to continue because it makes him money. 

SS: It is unclear how it makes him money as the pink was sold for $3 which was what it cost to make, and his website which researches and distributes cutting edge materials is a non profit that collaborates with artists. They even did a crowd funder to make Black 3.0 - a super black acrylic that any artist can use. It's also unclear how he is perpetuating this narrative, when he's clearly moved on to other projects many years ago and rarely mentions it. In Semple's world it's a very small thing.

A: He has made a ton of money off of slandering Anish Kapoor as if Anish Kapoor is the reason he can’t use Vanta black when the reason he can’t use Vanta black is because no one can use Vanta black, and the only person who might be able to use it is Anish Kapoor and that is not Anish Kapoor‘s fault. 

SS: There’s no evidence at all that he’s slandered Kapoor. Kapoor being extremely wealthy, and the level of media that covered the story back in 2016 would never have allowed it. It would have been a legal nightmare. All the publications who write about the story GQ, BBC, The Guardian, Wired, have journalistic laws and it would not have happened. 

SS: There’s no evidence that Semple has made a ton of money. 

A: It is not lost on me that there are racial connotations to the story as well. There are actual companies and artists in the world who have trademarks around certain colors that they do not allow other people to use in public showcases. 

SS: There are colour marks or if you like 'trademarked colours'. The public showcases point doesn't make sense in this context - colours are protected in classes i.e certain uses on Serbian products are prohibited. EG - Tiffany blue cannot be used on jewellery boxes. 

A: But we really as a community allowed this white man to smear and slander an Indian artist,

SS: Again it’s unclear what the ethnicity of the artists has to do with the core issue. 

SS: It’s a little bit of a leap given Semple has also liberated Klein Blue (made by a white French man), Barbie Pink (owned by Mattel a corporation), and created the Brightest White. 

 A: based entirely off of misinformation, and to this day people jump on the Internet, saying fuck Anish Kapoor because of it. 

SS: Kapoor secured the rights to the blackest material ever made. Everyone else who can afford to, can use it, unless they identify as an artist. 

SS: Many people feel like that is wrong. 

A: Now, Anish Kapoor is not some struggling person. He is probably a multibajillionaire 

SS: He’s worth about 800 million according to Forbes, he’s within the top 5 most wealthy living artists.

A: And doesn’t necessarily need our sympathy. But I think the story of Vantablack is a really good case study of how misinformation spreads, and how people never bother to question the framework of a story. 

SS: In my opinion, your post is misinformation, that has been spread unquestioningly. 

[animatronic-archive]

To break away from CPI shows this is Daniel and the Dixie Diggers made by sally corp, this show has two variations known the quintet which is the photo on top with Scratchmo, Daniel T bones, Percy, Beau and Huck the bottom is a trio show with only Beau,Daniel,Scratchmo. quintets locations (Mark Twain’s Riverboat Playhouse - South Florida, Arizona Pizza Pizazz - Columbus, Ohio Pinocchio’s - Bountiful, Utah Station Alpha - Pikeville KY Dixie Dog Show Time - Phenix City, Alabama Paddlewheel - Lancaster MA Pizza/Roll on America - Groton, CT (ROA and paddlewheel are the same) Merlin’s Skateland (Merlins Magical Kingdom) - Salisbury, Maryland Paddlewheel Casino - Las Vegas Adventureland - Des Moines Iowa Hersheypark - Hershey PA Riverside Park - Agawam, MA Rusutsu Resort - Hokkaido JAPAN Sang Bang Wool - South Korea FunHouse - Delphos, Ohio Squirty Worms - Lima OH Food Pavilion - state fair TX Choo Choo Charlie’s - St. Catherines ON The unknown trailer show - MA) trio locations+ones below (Roller Kingdom / Kidz Zone ,Wild World)

11 of these trio shows (Oklahoma City OK, Greensboro NC, Charlotte NC, Austin TX, Mesquite TX, Clearwater FL, Tulsa OK, Memphis TN, Metairie/New Orleans LA, South Houston TX, North Houston TX)were put into Celebration stations instead of the Pantone/Woof show aswell as having Jethro P. hogg occupying them besides one show in Knoxville TN that had The rockin rascals which was basically the trio+Jethro retrofitted into Major moose, Calvin cat, Purcilla purr, and Hurricane hound. one of the bots from the Austin TX show is now owned by a fandom member known as wizbangs/Wizzy whos got him in working order. before he got him the show was sent to Clearwater FL which sat and was used for parts.

Then there is enchanted castles show it has its own history which will have a post dedicated to it but to make it brief enchanted castle had before down sizing its show a retrofitted quintet minus Percy

Prince,Lance and Godfrey

[zwy01]

Noble OCs - Ru

Making five OCs for every clan!

Eun Ru: Non-pureblood. Alive in the present day, belongs to the Previous Lord’s generation.

Eun is a guardian of the bamboo forests in the Ru territory. His job is to patrol the area and check on the bamboo’s health with his fellow guardians. Though fairly unlikely to happen, he also watches out for potential theft and vandalism. Eun is a quiet man and many people find his calm aura to be very reassuring. When he spots guests, he leads them to one of their many guest reception areas and treats them to fragrant tea and traditional Ru pastries as they rest and enjoy the view from the pavilion. He never asks questions about people’s preferences for refreshments but he somehow always knows what they’ll like the most. When the guests leave, he sends them off with extra pastries to bring home and tells them that they can visit the Ru waterfalls next time. Eun is a childhood friend of Qing, the mother and predecessor of Kei. He followed her around everywhere. Sometimes he did her homework when she didn’t want to as he’s a master of copying her handwriting. He also prepared her ink stones when she did calligraphy. Before Qing entered eternal sleep with the Previous Lord, she gifted a bamboo flute to her childhood friend. Eun’s hobby is playing the daegeum which he received from Qing. He met his current partner thanks to this daegeum. One day, she was nearby and heard his music and decided to follow the beautiful melody all the way to the top of the waterfall where Eun happened to be practicing and the two of them fell in love at first sight. They have a pair of twins and plan to have another child soon.

Baek-ho Ru: Pureblood. Alive in the present day, belongs to the Previous Lord’s generation.

Baek-ho is a pleasant man and a passionate cat lover. He takes care of the supernatural tigers in the Ru territory and almost never leaves them unless there is someone whom he trusts enough to take over temporarily. He has two assistants to help him with this job, who are Eun’s twins Dasik and Yakgwa Ru. Baek-ho religiously brushes the tigers’ spectacular shining coats twice a day and they show their love for him by licking him back, which is why his hair is always pointing in all sorts of directions. Some nobles joke about how he’s probably a tiger instead of a noble. Baek-ho takes that as a huge compliment. Damn, how he wishes he were one for real. Baek-ho usually walks around barefoot because that makes less noise and he thinks the tigers will be more comfortable that way when they don’t actually mind at all. When Kei was a small child, Baek-ho probably made an offhanded comment on how walking barefoot will make him “ten times stronger and more connected to the divine aura of the earth” or something and the former’s been without shoes ever since. Baek-ho totally made that up because he was just bored. He didn’t think Kei would be dead serious about it, but hey it’s kind of funny. Baek-ho makes cute tiger-shaped pastry moulds and gives them to Eun. He says it promotes “local tourism” and everyone should come marvel at what the Ru has to offer. He’s right, everyone should go outside more. Hiking is a good exercise, y’all.

Nari Ru: Non-pureblood. Alive in the present day, belongs to Raskreia’s generation.

Nari loves kids. When Ru parents are busy, they entrust her with babysitting their kids and Nari watches over them before their parents come back to pick them up. She enjoys playing with them and thinks their little minds are certainly very intriguing. Nari is not exactly an expert at super advanced martial arts, but she does know a few impressive moves and sometimes teaches the kids those too. Nari is a friend of Ixchel Elenor. She eventually moves out of Lukedonia and now resides in South Korea because Ixchel somehow convinced her that it’ll be more interesting to live outside. It’s a brand new world, she said. Human kids are cute. And the two of them can even live next door to each other! Currently, Nari runs a small Taekwondo center and the neighborhood’s kids come over after school. Ixchel gave Nari some human money to start her business and she became successful in no time thanks to her friendly aura and excellent people skills. Nari’s current partner is a single dad and the father of one of her Taekwondo students. He’s kind and sweet, and teaches math at the tutoring center across the street and they chat during breaks. Sometimes he buys her coffee, sometimes she buys him coffee. They adore each other very much, and he and his son eventually move in with Nari because her home is more spacious. Nari cries happy tears when her boyfriend’s son starts calling her mom. The three of them get ice cream together with their next-door neighbors Ixchel and her boyfriend every weekend. Like Ixchel, Nari probably won’t move back to Lukedonia.

Han Ru: Non-pureblood. Entered forced eternal sleep, belonged to Gejutel’s generation.

Han was abandoned by his parents not long after he was born. His parents only wanted one child but their combined soul fragments unexpectedly cracked into two pieces and they got twins instead. Han and his identical twin were born outside of Lukedonia due to their parents being traveling nobles. Ultimately, they decided to keep only one child and Han was the one they left behind. His parents showed no signs of remorse and went back to Lukedonia and continued to live normal lives with their “only child” as if nothing had ever happened. A small clan of kindhearted werewolves came across the helpless crying noble baby and took him in. They gave him his name and raised him with their own children. His found family never attempted to hide his true identity from him and once he was old enough, they explained to him that they found him as an orphan. Han loved his werewolf family very much and lived a fulfilling life as a tattoo artist and massage therapist. The werewolves praised him for his excellent dexterity with his ink work and massage techniques, and cited him as their savior after tough spars because he just knows how to work with sore muscles. At some point, several very surprised nobles on a diplomatic mission met Han by chance and asked him why he’s living with werewolves all of a sudden, and that’s when all of them, including himself, learned that he’s an identical twin. Then they asked if he would like to come back to Lukedonia with them, which he respectfully declined. The werewolves are his family now, he said. They exchanged farewells on good terms and went about their day. A few years later, Han was killed when his family was attacked by a larger and more aggressive werewolf clan. They were outnumbered, and the enemy warriors grabbed him by the neck and held him hostage in front of his clan. His family groveled at their aggressors’ feet and were willing to surrender if they could have Han back, except the enemy didn’t honor their end of the deal and pierced Han’s heart and yanked it out of his chest and he died. Then, they slaughtered everyone else. A true tragedy to behold.

Caiyun Ru: Pureblood. Alive in the present day, belongs to Raskreia’s generation.

Caiyun is Baek-ho’s daughter. The moment she was born, a colorful shining cloud appeared in the sky, hence her name. Caiyun is rumored to be a ghost because people only ever see her when it’s foggy, and she never seems to leave the mountains. Caiyun just shrugs. Not bad, ghosts are pretty damn cool, except she’d prefer to be called a spirit instead simply because it sounds more stylish. Either way. In reality, Caiyun summons fog to shroud her own appearance most of the time because she’s shy and feels more comfortable that way. While she doesn’t resist being in a social situation, having some transition time is nice because it allows her to get a chance to mentally prepare herself for a conversation. It’ll take a minute before people figure out what’s behind the fog. She won’t freak out if she has to go without, but it’ll make her just a tad uncomfortable. It took a while for Baek-ho to teach his daughter that concealing herself with fog and filling up the whole room with it in the middle of an indoor gathering isn’t the most polite thing to do. Caiyun compromised. Now she just hides her face. It’s like she’s walking around with her head stuck in a cloud. She can see perfectly fine even if the others can’t make eye contact with her. Problem solved. And regarding the second part of the rumor, she does actually leave the mountains, just that she’s relatively secretive about her whereabouts so people think she only ever stays there. No one knows where or when she’s gone except for her parents and a few close friends. The others don’t need to know. Caiyun is training herself in the martial arts and admires their current Clan Leader Kei for his immense strength and skills. When she’s not busy, she plays with the tigers. She hates it when they lick her, though.

Thank you for reading! Mergas is next!

[fotos-art]

All images courtesy of TASCHEN

Mount Fuji World Heritage Center (2017), Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan. Photo by Hiroyuki Hirai.

Haesley Hamlet (2020), Gyeonggi, South Korea. Photo by texture on texture

Japan Pavilion (2000), Expo 2000, Hanover, Germany. Photo by Hiroyuki Hirai

Nomadic Museum, Pier 54, New York, United States (2005); Santa Monica, California, United States (2006); Tokyo, Japan (2007). Photo by Michael Moran

Simose (2023), Otake, Hiroshima, Japan. Photo © TASCHEN

Centre Pompidou-Metz (2010), Metz, France. Photo by Didier Boy de la Tour

Cardboard Cathedral (2013), Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo by Steven Goodenough

Kur Park Nagayu (2019), Oita, Japan. Photo by Hiroyuki Hirai

Swatch/Omega Campus (2019), Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Photo courtesy of Swatch

La Seine Musicale (2017), Île Seguin, Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Photo by Didier Boy de la Tour

# COLOSSAL # TASCHEN # Hiroyuki Hirai # Haesley Hamlet # Michael Moran # Didier Boy # Steven Goodenough # Swatch # artist photographie # fotos art # xpuigc

[futuristicmakerpeanut]

The Best of Jeju Island: A Traveler's Guide

South Korea's largest island, Jeju Island, covers an area of 1,833.2 km2, or 1.83 percent of its total area. It is also the most populous island in the Republic of Korea; Jeju Province will have 672,948 residents by September 2020, of whom 4,000 live on outlying islands like Chuja Island and Udo Island. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province covers 1,849 km2. Visitors to Jeju Island can also experience Korea's vibrant culture. 

Enjoy ancient traditions like stone wall-making or local folk music and dance performances in the island's charming traditional villages. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do on Jeju Island. The city offers everything from hiking up Hallasan Mountain to exploring Seongsan Ilchulbong - a UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenic landscapes of Jeju Island and its vibrant culture make it a popular tourist destination. There's something for everyone on this captivating island, from secluded beaches to local customs and traditions. Take an unforgettable trip to Jeju!

Visiting Jeju Island: The Top Attractions

Its rich history and vibrant culture complement the natural beauty of Jeju Island. Experiencing Jeju's rich history and culture is a must for any traveler. Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, is a popular attraction. Sunrise views from this volcanic crater are spectacular. Catch this spectacular sight early in the morning! History enthusiasts should visit the Jeju Folk Village Museum. Discover traditional Jeju life through preserved houses, artifacts, and exhibits here.

Manjanggul Cave is one of the world's longest lava tunnels. Wandering through this underground wonder, you'll discover unique rock formations. An awe-inspiring experience. Yakcheonsa Temple is a stunning Buddhist temple surrounded by serene surroundings. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and admire the intricate architecture. Hallim Park is a must-see! An expansive park showcases historical relics and themed gardens. There are beautiful bonsai trees and traditional Korean pavilions here. Discover Jeju Island's remarkable historical and cultural sites. Its enduring beauty leaves visitors awestruck while giving a glimpse into Jeju's captivating past.

Must-Try local cuisine

Nature lovers, as well as food enthusiasts, will find Jeju Island a paradise. Its local cuisine is full of flavor and will tantalize your taste buds. Jeju Island offers something for everyone, whether you prefer seafood or meat dishes. The famous black pork barbecue on the island is a must-try. It is grilled to perfection, giving it a smoky flavor that is simply irresistible. A popular dish is Jeonbokjuk, a rice porridge with abalone, which is known for its medicinal properties. 

There are many fresh seafood choices in Haemul Pajeon, including shrimp, squid, and clams. You can even get raw fish soup called Hweh Gook for those who are adventurous eaters. Hallabong oranges are perfect for sweet tooths. Jeju Island is home to these juicy citrus fruits, which are renowned for their vibrant colors and refreshing flavors. Jeju Island offers such a diverse array of culinary delights that you're sure to enjoy your gastronomic journey unlike any other.

Jeju Island Accommodation Options

Visitors to Jeju Island are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. From luxurious resorts to cozy guesthouses, there is something for everyone. There are several high-end resorts on the island with stunning ocean views and world-class amenities. Spas and spacious rooms await you at these resorts, where you can unwind after exploring. Hanok guesthouses offer a more intimate experience. Unique architecture and tranquil gardens offer a unique Korean experience. Enjoy homemade breakfasts prepared by friendly hosts each morning.

Hostels and motels are also available for budget-conscious travelers in Jeju. Saving money without compromising on comfort is possible with these accommodations, which offer clean and comfortable rooms for a fraction of the price. The warm hospitality of Jeju Island awaits you wherever you stay. Locals take pride in making visitors feel welcome and ensuring they have an unforgettable experience. Jeju Island has a range of accommodation options that will meet your preferences, whether you're looking for luxury or simplicity. Don't let your trip pass you by!

Jeju Island Travel Tips

Plan: Jeju Island is a popular tourist destination during peak seasons. Plan and book accommodations and attractions in advance to make the most of your visit.

Don't overpack: Jeju Island has a mild climate year-round, but it can be unpredictable. Depending on the time of day, layers are recommended. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring, and bring a rain jacket or umbrella.

Take public transportation or rent a car: The island offers public transportation, but renting a car lets you go at your own pace. This option requires an international driver's license.

Acquire some basic Korean phrases: Speaking some basic Korean phrases can go a long way in communicating and showing respect for the local culture on Jeju Island.

Maintain nature: Jeju Island is home to stunning natural beauty and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Don't disturb wildlife, follow designated paths, and dispose of trash properly.

Enjoy local cuisine: The island's unique culinary offerings include black pork BBQ, seafood stew, and abalone porridge.

Understand and respect cultural differences: Like any travel experience, it is important to approach it open-mindedly.

[opal-enby]

Seoul - Idiom of Tradition and Trend

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is located in the northwest region of the country, at the bank of Han River. Seoul offers various enticing destinations to tourists to experience its glory in different aspects. It has a world of its own that possesses amazing temples, palaces, museums, gardens, and parks. The tourists are greatly fascinated by some of its unique attractions. To make their journey comfortable and convenient there is an availability of nice transport amenities as well as good options of hotels in Seoul.

Seoul has rich architectural and cultural heritage that is well displayed in the form of temples, palaces museums as well as art and crafts and many colorful festivals. The four palaces are among the greatest draw for the tourists. The Gyeongbokgung Palace is a stunning spot which is regarded as Seoul's most spectacular tourist attraction. The architecture is marvelous and spacious gardens are seen all around it. The Kyongbokkung Palace is a splendid symbol of the ancient era that is known as the most beautiful palace in terms of architectural styles. Changdokkung, constructed as a secondary palace to The Kyongbokkung Palace is another one that is worth to be mentioned. It is best known for its Secret Garden which comprises of 78 acres of gardens beautifully harmonized with pavilions, ponds, and wooded areas. Apart from these, the Toksugung, regarded as a royal palace, is today famous with an identity of Royal Museum, which exhibits items once used by the royal court. Other major tourist attractions in Seoul include Lotte world, Namsangol Hanok Village, Insa-dong, Mount Namsan and Myeong-dong.

Along with the hidden history and depicture of ancient architecture of centuries-old temples, palaces, pagodas and pleasure gardens, the city is also over shadowed by high-rises modern skyscrapers that very well justifies its contemporary outlook. With ancient temples, palaces and parks along side, the city also offers various state-of-the art shopping malls, specialized markets for flowers, furniture and electronics to shopping lovers to buy standard products. Over here the travelers can experience the best sample of shopping, eating and night life of South Korea. Each street of this dynamic city portrays the color and shade of traditional heritage and modern outlook side-by-side in perfect harmony. Hence it is truly considered as an idiom of tradition and trend that showcases the Korean culture as well as fashion and latest lifestyle to the fullest.

Besides exploring the sites and venues the visitors will find adequate activities related to recreation and fitness that include variety of water sports along the southern coast and islands. Numerous involvements like swimming, scuba diving, paragliding and white-water rafting can be enjoyed here. Good facilities for windsurfing, waterskiing and boating are widely available in all coastal resorts. Meanwhile, good facilities for golf and skiing are also available in and around Seoul.

There are even standard transport facilities to move in and around the city. Taxi, subway, city & express buses are available as an easy means of conveyance from one part to the other. And above all, the availability of wide range of hotels in Seoul further makes the travel of the guests convenient. Thus, the tourists can choose the hotel suiting to their budget and needs from the huge selection of Seoul hotels. Apart from high profile luxurious beach facing resorts and other five star hotels, the city also features low costs options even in and around favorable spots of the city. Hence, all categories of tourists can enjoy the visit with full convenience.

[signedtimes]

The Best Reasons to Visit Seoul

Seoul is one of the world's largest cities and the capital of South Korea. The city with more than 10 million people is the political, cultural and economic center of South Korea. The vibrant city with 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and numerous museums as well as grand Shopping plazas, markets, restaurants and skyscrapers is a preferred tourist destination. This is an overview of Seoul's major tourist attractions.

Gyeongbok Palace located in Seoul's major avenue, Sejongro is the most popular royal palace of the country. The grand palace built in the 1300s, later destroyed and restructured many times, has magnificent arched gates, gorgeous pavilions and halls featuring Korea's architectural beauty. Changdeokgung Palace is another famous Seoul palace and this 15th century historic palace encompasses beautiful buildings, secret gardens and castles. Walk through the Bukchon Village, a scenic area that has numerous conventional Korean wooden homes 'hanok'. Stroll down the alleys with architectural courtyards, beautiful outer walls and tiled roofs. It has also many old-fashioned cafés, restaurants and popular art galleries.

Shinsegae Department Store is one of the most popular shopping centers in Seoul. You will get all types of products here including fresh fish, fruits, traditional foods like kimchi, brand name shoes, cloths and more, arranged on different floors. Lotte and Hyundai stores are the other two big centers and the food court of Lotte is also notable. Bugaksan is the peak near the Blue House and is an ideal place for hiking. It offers a fantastic view of the city at a height of 342 meters. Here you can take-in Seoul's ancient fortress and many scenic areas nearby. National Museum of Korea that holds more than 220, 000 objects is the largest in the country. It has vast exhibition halls, 6 permanent display galleries, a children's museum, restaurants and more. Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is another best-known museum and is notable for its wonderful architecture and impressive collection.

Itaewon neighborhood close to the U. S. Army base is very popular among foreign tourists. This expatriate-friendly area has numerous trendy clubs, bars, restaurants and shops that sell various products. Club Volume featuring the best DJs and French café Le Saint Ex are particularly notable and enjoy a dinner at Kate's Kitchen. Trip Insadong, the famed cultural art market and view its great collection of Korean paintings, sculptures and more. Stroll along the beautiful, 5. 8 km long Cheonggyecheon Stream to enjoy the natural beauty and relax. The calm stream is 15 ft. below street level and has many petite falls and overhead bridges to enjoy.

Round-the-clock Namdaemun market is the busiest market that has thousands of shops arranged in many multi-story buildings, countless vendor booths and food stalls offering traditional cuisine. The vibrant street is the best to buy a range of items at incredibly low prices. The War Memorial of Korea is actually an enormous military museum and is a must visit for history buffs. The renowned memorial that holds planes, guns and tanks narrates the history of wars the country had fought with many of its enemies, but mainly its neighbor North Korea.

[pootlovatofficial]

South Korea Tourism

To arrange a good and memorable trip to South Korea, it is advised to read travel guides about this beautiful country, and then contact a local travel professional who may help you organize this tour in the most effective way for reasonable money.

South Korea has a lot of natural places to be observed and historical landmarks to enjoy. The country plays an important role in the protection of the heritage of world culture and natural attractions. Apart from that, it is considered a hospitable place for foreigners and a perspective tourism destination.

In the south-east of the country, one will find Bulguksa monastery and the Seokguram cave temple adjacent to it. Another noteworthy place is Temple Jongmyo, located in Seoul, where memorial tablets of the monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty are stored.

Seorak Mountain is a part of the Diamond Mountains, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Hallasan mountain is the extinct volcano. Both picturesque places are loved by numerous international visitors. The city of Gyeongju is known for its Tumuli Park, Onyn Five Tombs, Chhomsonde Observatory, the tomb of General Kim Yu Sin, and Mount Namsan with the ruins of pagodas and monasteries. Gyeongju National Museum and the resort on Lake Pomun offer wonderful recreational opportunities.

Ganghwa Island in Korea is known for its historical monuments and beautiful nature. Among the main attractions of the island one should name an altar built by Tangun, the legendary founder of the nation, the fortress walls, the ancient furnace for the production of celadon built in the 13th century, and Chondynsa monastery. The beaches of the eastern coast of Korea are known for weak currents and are considered the best in Korea.

Korea will surely capture your imagination with plenty of Buddhist monasteries and temples, palaces, exquisite statues, which have ancient and rich history. Seoul is perhaps the main place for tourists, with its National Museum, the Institute of Korean classical music named Sejong Cultural Center, Hoam Center for the Arts, Namsan Tower, and Korea House. In the capital of Korea one can visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, known as The Palace of Radiant Happiness, and one of the five palaces in Seoul. The main palace was built by the founder of Joseon dynasty, King Lee Sung-Te, when the state capital was transferred to Seoul. On the palace grounds, there is the National Folk Museum with a rich exposition, which introduces you to the history, culture and traditions of Korea.

No less interesting is Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, which consists of the king's residence and Secret Garden. Built in 1405, it is the only palace that has preserved the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. Secret Garden is a place for entertainment of the ruling dynasty: the nature has harmoniously created its 300-year-old trees, the pond and the pavilion.

[malaysiankpopfans]

The Much-Anticipated NCT DREAM Pop-up Store: Get Ready Dream to Debut in Kuala Lumpur this May 2023

NCT Dream Pop-up Store: Get Ready Dream in Kuala Lumpur will be opened on 17th May 2023 and be held in the heart of Kuala Lumpur shopping mall at Orange Zone, Level 2, Pavilion Bukit Jalil for a period of five days until 21st May 2023.

The pop-up store is based on NCT DREAM’s concert: The Dream Show 2 and NCTzens can look forward to Get Ready Dream, Candy and Glitch Mode exclusive merchandise.

About NCT DREAM Flash Pop-up Store in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is one of three cities where this pop-up store will be located and is the third city to debut, after Singapore.

The Pop-up store will be around for only five days and there are fourty exclusive merchandise items up for grabs.

To find out more about this pop-up store and its upcoming releases, visit or follow KONSHOP KOREA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Operation schedule

Date: 17th May 2023 – 21st May 2023

Operating Hours: 10AM – 10PM

Location: Orange Zone, Level 2, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, 2, Persiaran Jalil 8, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

ABOUT NCT DREAM

NCT Dream is South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2016. They debuted on August 25, 2016, with the single "Chewing Gum" and a lineup of seven members - Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung.

NCT DREAM recorded more than 5.61 million album sales with the 2nd regular album and repackage, winter special album 'Candy' released in 2022, the 32nd Seoul Music Awards Grand Prize, 2022 Genie Music Awards Singer of the Year Award, Album of the Year Award, etc. They swept the grand prizes at various awards ceremonies, such as winning two crowns and the Hanteo Music Awards 2022 Best Album, realizing their status as a representative K-pop group.

Since their debut, NCT Dream have released four EPs, six singles and two studio albums and headlined one tour in Asia. Known for music reflecting youth and adolescence, growth, and the transition from innocence to rebellion, the sub-unit has been recognized internationally as one of the most notable teenaged artists of their time. They are the first and only Asian artist to appear three consecutive times on Billboard "21 Under 21" list for their industry impact on sales, streaming and social media, placing at numbers 20, 13 and 19 from 2018 to 2020. NCT Dream were also included on Time's list of the "25 Most Influential Teens" of 2018.

About SM ENTERTAINMENT

SM Entertainment strive for the world's best entertainment lifestyle platform company based on music. It provides business solutions to its labels and drives business initiatives based on music including performances, multimedia content and IP.

[shirochin]

by Dae-Wang on Flickr.Hyangwon-jeong Pavilion in Gyeongbok Goong, near Seoul, South Korea.