SIHWA KIM

단순히 커피를 마시기 위해서 카페를 찾지는 않는다. 책을 읽거나, 이야기를 나누거나 혹은 사진 찍고 영화도 보며 다양한 시간을 보낸다. 한가지만 하는 건 이제 재미 없다. 커피를 마시며 감각적인 공간을 감상하고, 다양한 디자이너 제품과 수입 제품을 구경하며 쇼핑까지 즐길 수 있는 편집샵을 소개한다. 저마다의 개성과 특별함을 품고 있는 편집샵 겸 카페들, 있다보면 시간 가는 줄 모른다.

10여 년 전, 연예인들이 일주일 간 만원 한 장으로 버티며 돈의 가치에 대해 다시금 생각하게 하는 프로그램이 있었다. 10년이 지난 지금 우리는 1만원으로 뭘 할 수 있을까? 일주일을 버티는 건 불가능하겠지만 단 하루, 아니 몇 시간만이라도 만원의 가치를 경험할 수 있을까? 아무리 돈의 가치가 과거에 비해 떨어졌다 한들 만 원은 여전히 적지 않은 돈이다. ‘만원씩이나’가 아니라 ‘만원밖에’ 안 하는데 당신에게 잊지 못할 경험을 안겨줄 알짜배기 리스트가 여기 있다. 지금 확인하자. 

1945년 우리나라가 일본으로부터 광복된 것을 기념하고 대한민국 정부수립을 경축하는 광복절. 광복에 힘쓴 독립운동가들과 예술가들의 삶을 다룬 다양한 영화를 감상하며 우리도 광복의 기쁨을 느껴보자.

여름철 원기 회복을 위한 보양식을 모두 모았다. 보양식의 정석 삼계탕을 필두로, 힘이 불끈 솟는 장어와 매콤하게 즐기는 주꾸미까지.  

하늘아래 한 번 진행했던 전시는 또 다시 진행되는 경우는 드물다. 8월이 지나면 다시 볼 수 없는 다음 전시들도 마찬가지. 보고 싶은 전시였지만 시간이 넉넉하다며 다음에 봐야지 안위했다면, 조금 서둘러야 할 것 같다. 잔인하지만, 전시는 당신을 기다려주지 않는다. 지금 당장 달려가서 감상하자.

푸른 바다, 뜨거운 태양. 거센 파도에 몸을 맡긴 서퍼들과 야자수 아래에서 느릿한 여유를 즐기는 사람들. 하와이를 생각했을 때 떠오르는 풍경이다. 상상만해도 지상낙원이라는 수식어가 떠오르는 하와이는 일찍이 다양한 인종이 모여 독특한 음식 문화를 만들어냈다. 로코모코, 무스비롤, 포케 그리고 아사이볼 등 이름만으로는 전혀 어떤 음식인지 감이 오지 않는다면 이곳들을 방문해보자. 하와이의 해변이 입 안에서 펼쳐진다.

'소맥'에 말아 먹기 아까운, 그냥 먹어도 더위가 싹 가시는 맥주들이 모두 이곳에 있다. 수제 맥주하면 빼놓을 수 없는 서울의 최고의 맥주 펍. 

밥 만큼 자주 먹는 음식에는 뭐가 있을까? 우리는 짬뽕과 짜장면 중에서 고민하고, 탕수육을 먹을 땐 부먹과 찍먹 사이에서 고심한다. 오래전부터 애정 가득한 중식, 짜장면과 짬뽕은 물론 동파육과 베이징 덕 그리고 훠궈까지 맛있게 먹을 수 있는 서울의 손꼽히는 중식 레스토랑을 소개한다.

푹푹 찌는 더위와 갑자기 내리곤 하는 소나기. 시원한 곳에서 활동적으로 노는 시간이 필요하다. 제한 시간내에 방을 탈출해야하는 게임부터 쇼핑몰에서 즐기는 다양한 스포츠까지 신나게 즐길 수 있는 것들이 많다. 체험 후 개운함은 덤이다.

You can find a moment of rest in the middle of Gangnam, one of the busiest districts in Seoul, at this cafe and lounge. The individual rooms with beds and televisions are 7000 won per hour, and the massage chairs are 6000 won per thirty minutes. Both services include coffee, tea or a drink of your choice. If you’re looking for something after work, there is a unlimited pass for 10,000 won in the evening.

If you’re the type of person who can’t decide on just one thing to eat, Cheogajip is the place for you! Located in an alley near City Hall, the thirty-year-old restaurant offers over 19 different kinds of side dishes with each meal, which comes to about 9000 won. In addition, all the side dishes can be refilled. From spicy seasoned vegetables, kimchi, and fried fish, there are endless possibilities for what side dishes you might be served. If you’re in the mood, the traditional sweet rice wine (Dongdongju) also pairs nicely with jeon, small clams, oysters or octopus dishes. With pictures of celebrities who have visited the restaurant and vintage posters covering the walls, Cheogajip is a nostalgic trip to the past.

Been looking for açaí bowls? Here's the place for ya. Bari serves up healthy, yummy açaí bowls in a cozy setting. There are two types: the Monkey Açaí Bowl which has banana blended in its purée and the Amazon, the citrusy bowl with lemon purée. They both come with seasonal fruits, granola, honey and nuts, and there's also a variety of additional topping options to choose from: flax seeds, hemp seeds, kakao nips, etc. If you're in the mood for something savory, you can go with a salad bowl or a rice bowl served with fresh vegetables and/or seafood atop salad greens or brown rice. When ordering the salad or rice bowl, you can choose any one of Bari's house-made sauces: miso, yuzu, wasabi and yogurt.

Hidden inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jibokjae is one of the oldest and, possibly, the most visually stunning public libraries in Seoul. Built in 1891 in the most “modern” architectural style in the era, the hall used to belong to King Gojong and served as his private study and meeting room. Dozens of decades later, in April 2016, Jibokjae reopened as a public library containing more than 1,000 books on history and figures of Joseon Dynasty. Official documents exchanged with foreign governments, facsimile editions of historical materials and translated versions of Korean literature (English, Chinese and Japanese) can also be found in the room. Adorned with delicate wood carvings of lotus flowers on the ceiling, the entire hall offers an aesthetically intriguing space for readers. Wind blows in and out through the open doors during warmer seasons and the carpeted floors provide a cozy feel. Right by the Jibokjae hall stands Palwoojeong, a majestic and elaborate structure which used to house King Gojong’s rest space back in the day. Now a book café, the two-story pavilion offers traditional teas, desserts as well as coffee (according to historical records, King Gojong was a coffee enthusiast at the time).

When thinking of a traditional tea house, almost everyone will imagine drinking tea inside a Hanok. Foreigners and tourists may find this to be a new experience for them, but for many of the locals, one could go so far as to say that it’s gotten boring. With the blossoming of spring, many traditional tea houses have opened up in the northern districts (known for their traditional vibes) but many of them really aren’t that special and some don’t even professional knowledge of traditional teas. Pondering amongst the disappointment of these ‘traditional tea houses’, we contently discovered Solgahun. Solgahun is a Hanbang (traditional pharmacy) healing café, inside a Hanok with pine wood walls, roofs, floors, and even furniture making 90% of all materials pine. The orange wooded hues may get a little overwhelming, but it has calming effects perfectly suited for a rejuvenating café. Inside, the floor is made of red clay and elvan stone (commonly used in Korean spas to promote blood circulation) keeping your feet warm and cozy. The tea they sell is both traditional and professional, meaning that they will serve you the right tea according to your physical state. The tea has been developed through the years by JinSan Traditional Pharmacy, a well-known Hanbang located in Pocheon. Your tea will be delivered on a tray with dried jujubes, sunflower seeds, and an hourglass. Once all the sand has been drained is when you can begin to drink you tea and truly begin to indulge in the ‘tea tr

It is not an exaggeration to say that Ikseon-dong already has been the hippest spot in Seoul— and this old neighborhood is back at it again with new eye-popping stores. Among them is The Shelf, a retail store specialized in European footwear. While most of the so-called “hot places” in the area are housed in a renovated hanok (Korean traditional building), it is one that particularly captivates the eyes and hearts of the passerby. Most recognizable brand showcased inside would be Superga, the “people’s shoes of Italy” founded in 1911. Along with Gola which started in 1905 as a small workshop in the UK, Spanish handmade-shoe brand Maian and eco-friendly footwear Potomac, it completes an indeed classic line-up for the equally classic venue and neighborhood. Soon, The shop will carefully select a theme and a brand to be specially showcased for each season. Shelf Ikseon also offers a café space for customers. “Coffee at a shoe store?” I thought at first, but it’s quite good, actually. It also offers beers including Peroni, Estrella, and Guinness representing the countries of the main brands which The Shelf carries. If you’ve decided to see how this rather strange combination of a hanok shoe shop and beer feels like, don’t leave the place without visiting the rooftop: overlooking Ikseon-dong, it is a perfect spot for light day-drinking.

Ale Dang (Ale 堂), it is a house of ales. When spelled in Chinese characters (愛日堂), though, it gets another endearing title: a house where love is shared every day. Beer and love—two things that many of us can't live without are offered at this pub housed inside a 100-year-old hanok.  Having opened in December of 2016 in one of the landmark alleys of Ikseon-dong, Ale Dang has kept most of the original weathered-look of the ancient dwelling while adding elements of modern-vintage with tasteful furniture, lighting and decor items. The result is an unfamiliar type of warmth and comfort surrounding the whole rough-yet-polished space. In terms of the beer line-up, Ale Dang is specialized English-style craft beer produced by the local Goodman Brewery. The more popular beers from their wide selection include the Table Beer Amber (3.3%) and Table Beer Pale (3.1%), which are pretty low in alcohol content and very much refreshing. On top of the great beer line-up, the pub also makes sausages and pizza in-house. During the spring and summer seasons, we highly recommend you get a seat in the center madang (traditional open-air garden). Once you experience it, you may see that rooftops were so 2016. In fact, traditional terraces are the new thing that will take on, and Ale Dang will definitely be the front runner of the trend. It's, of course, great for day-drinking but for those in need of a bit of caffeine can also enjoy specialty coffee made from Coffee Montage’s beans. Ale Dang's popul

Vin chaud is a red wine that has been boiled for an hour or two with ginger, apples, oranges, whole cloves, star anise and other ingredients that add more spice. No need for expensive wine, you can even use wine that has been left over. The French call it vin chaud, the Germans glühwein and the British call it “mulled wine.” Tucked behind Sung-ji Motel on Gyeongridan-gil, Six Months Open always brews just enough vin chaud for the day. Their vin chaud has already swept the media, and it’s no surprise it gained so much publicity because they are not stingy with their ingredients (with the exception of ginger, which they do not put in at all). Heavily tied to the Christmas holidays, why not bring on the holiday cheer with a warm, fragrant glass of vin chaud!

As soon as you enter this place, you'll notice a quote which reads something along the lines of: “The night has blissfully gotten longer after a cup of coffee; let’s fill the night up with a bit of alcohol.” It pretty much sums up what YunGunDang is about: it’s a café during the day and a bar by night. Formerly a public bathhouse, this 3-story venue has been completely refurbished into a jazzy venue filled with vintage furniture and a fairly "homey" vibe. The café/bar's quite serious-sounding name comes from Yeongeon-dong, that of the neighborhood in which it's located in. It's in no way a popular destination in Seoul, but YunGunDang has been quietly attracting crowds from all over Seoul over the years. If you need a strong cup of coffee to wake you up for the long night ahead, the Caffe Allonge is one to go for. Made with (a 1 to 1 ratio of) 2 shots of espresso and water, it is pleasantly bitter and perfectly intense. When you’re in need of a mixture of coffee and alcohol as we often do, you can try their signature drink, YGD Coffee. This drink, "the mix of coffee and bourbon perfected after 808 trials" (with reference to the 808 hangover drink; each drink has a fun explanation like this), is quite boozy yet smooth. The warm version is recommended, as it ends with smokier notes of whiskey. Once the clock strikes 8pm, YunGunDang only offers alcoholic beverages including a fairly affordable and decent wine list as well as beers that are hard to come across in the country. Ther

Yes, there are still lines outside D’Buzza Pizza these days. Although that may be the pizzeria of your choice in the Leeum Museum area, there is one right next door which has quietly held its ground since 2014. The name: Jackson Pizza. Interestingly enough, it's D’Buzza Pizza’s second venture focused on Chicago-style deep dishes. The store remains laidback most of the time, but the main reason it’s survived for the past three years is most probably due to its "1 pizza per person" concept. Jackson Pizza serves 8 inch-pizzas of your choice (per person) to 14-inch pizzas (for sharing). All the pizzas are served in a box, so that you can easily get your left-over slices packed to go. How about the taste? Well, unfortunately, it's not up to par with what's served at D’Buzza Pizza. Both the original crust ‘Hawaiian Pizza’ and the ‘Jackson Five’ deep-dish pizza did not deliver, and even with a good amount of cheese and tomato sauce, they tasted a little bland. An upside, however, is the availability of milkshakes here (some cheesy deep dish with a side of chocolate milkshake, anyone?). There are also chicken wings, fries, and bolognese spaghetti, which are great when you're looking for an easy meal or snack around the area.

It seems that Seoul is continuing to grow its collection of international cuisines, but one that seems to be lagging behind is Taiwanese menus. Of the few that are available, Itaewon Ooyukmien located in Hannam-dong is a great place to have a filling bowl of Taiwanese-style noodles. Tony Kang, a chef with 30 years experience on the island of Taiwan, along with 3 other local chefs have collaborated to create this unique spot, after many trips to the island nation in an effort to master these bowls of beef noodles. The menu is comprised of only a few items, hinting the amount of care that would go into each dish. The ‘Hong-xiao Ooyukmien’ is made with a base of toban djan (Chili Bean Sauce) and added tomatoes making the dish the slightest bit tangy and sour, while the ‘Mala Ooyukmien’ made with mala sauce is for those who can take on a bit of heat. If noodles aren’t your calling, you can try their ‘Chao Pan’ (fried rice). Of the few entrées they have available, 2 highly recommended are the fried dumplings filled with shrimp and cuttlefish cutlets (‘Jaxiaryangun’) and the all-too-familiar, ‘Guo Bao Rou’ (similar to tangsuyuk). The bowl of Ooyukmien with red droplets of oil and chopped scallions floating atop the orange-colored borth is rich in flavor (as well as scent). Although some might find it a tad bit too salty, the saltiness won't stay in your mouth at all, making you continue to sip the almost-addictive broth. The fried guo bao rou retains a good bit of crisp. sauce is p

We’ve all seen those groups of friends or couples graciously walking the old alleys of northern Seoul in their colorful hanbok. And many of them seem as if they really went that extra mile for their hanbok experience. If you’ve ever wondered how it’d feel to be dressed as royalty, a scholar or a kisaeng artist of the Joseon Dynasty, Kukmin Hanbok Chabim might be your best suit. They are stocked with over 1,000 types of attires in various colors, themes and sizes (up to size 18). Targeting young adults, Kukmin Hanbok Chabim has especially nice selection of trendy hanboks with a twist. The shop itself is well-kept while the service is on point. Every piece of clothing that has been worn even for a trial goes through a tidy cleaning process, so everything in here is fresh and new. Once you got the hanbok of your choice, the staff will kindly help you put everything on (almost everyone has difficulty putting on a hanbok in the right way – let the staff work their magic). There are 2 Chabim shops located in Seoul, the first in the Jonggak area and the second near Anguk Station. The first two fittings are complimentary, and any proceeding fittings will have an extra charge. After all of the fitting process, you’ll get your hair styled for free by the professionals here.

Back in 2014, I read a poll conducted by NBC that 58% of Americans said that they have dinner with their families at least five times a week, and that, supposedly, even President Obama makes a  point to have dinner with his family at least twice a week. When I shared this information with my absent husband who rarely comes home for dinner with our family, he pointed out the differences in company culture between the two nations and made some excuse about the lack of restaurants in our neighborhood. Despite the emphasis on needing to prioritize family, there seems to be rather little quality time spent together when actually examining the statistics. According to a Korean job-search website, 66% of male employees have dinner with their families twice a week. Of them, more than 57% said they  couldn't do so because of working overtime or attending company dinners. According to an online survey conducted by IKEA last year, 73% of Korean parents would like to spend more time with their families and the survey also showed that the most popular activity shared between family members is watching television. With family month approaching, I took these statistics to heart and am making  an effort to spend more time with my family conversing over dinner and reading together—at least once a week onFridays. With children attending extra classes and companies demanding overtime,   family time isn’t easy, but this month, perhaps, we can all take a moment to remember what we care about the

우리 가족의 ‘2016년 새해 위시 리스트’ 중 첫 번째는 ‘금요일은 가족과 함께 저녁 먹기’다. 작년부터 꾸준히 지켜오고 있는 주중 가족 행사이기도 하다. 아빠를 제외한 나머지 가족들은 늘 같이 저녁을 먹었다. 아빠는 야근에 회식에 일주일에 하루도 가족과 저녁 식사를 하지 못할 때가 많았다. 그러다 2년 전, 뉴스를 보다가 문화 충격을 받았다. NBC뉴스의 설문 조사에 따르면, 일주일에 최소한 5번은 가족과 함께 저녁 식사를 한다고 답한 미국인의 비율(58%) 이 15년 전의 조사 결과(60%)와 별 차이가 없었다는 것이다. 미국 사람들은 특별한 경우가 아니면 저녁 약속을 잡지 않는데 부득이하게 저녁 식사를 청해야 할 경우엔 ‘가족들과의 시간을 빼앗아도 괜찮은지 아내에게 물어봤는가?” 라고 묻는다는 대목이 몹시 부러웠다. 심지어 오바마 대통령도 일주일에 5번은 가족과 식사한다는 뉴스를 봤다. 그는 항상 6시 반을 가족과의 저녁 식사 시간으로 정해놓고 이 규칙을 엄격하게 지킨다고 했다. ‘대통령으로서 공무가 바쁘니 일주일에 두 번 정도는 놓칠 수 있지만 그 이상은 절대 안 된다’는 게 그의 원칙이라고 했다. 당장 남편에게 전화를 걸었다. “아니, 미국 대통령도 가족과 저녁을 먹는다는데 당신은 왜 어려운 거냐?” 남편은 답했다. “내가 미국 출장을 자주 다녀봐서 아는데, 미국과 우리는 달라. 미국은 야근 수당이 비싸서 야근을 못하게 하는 분위기야. 그래서 업무 관련 약속도 대부분 점심에 잡는 편이고. 게다가 회사와 집 사이에 마땅히 갈 만한 식당도 없더라고. 하지만 사람과의 관계가 업무에 지대한 영향을 미치는 우리는 저녁 약속이 그만큼 중요해. 이해해주라. 대신 매주 금요일 저녁은 온전히 가족과 함께 보내도록 할게.” 일주일에 겨우 한 번, 주말 이틀을 포함하면 우리 가족이 함께 저녁 식사를 하는 횟수는 세 번이다. 다른 가족들은 어떤가 궁금했다. 어느 취업포털 사이트에서 조사한 결과에 따르면, 남성 직장인의 66%가 일주일에 2번 정도 가족과 저녁 식사를 한다고 했다. 가족과 저녁 식사를 할 수 없는 이유로는 응답자의 57% 이상이 야근과 회식 때문이었다. 작년 이케아(IKEA)에서 한국, 중국, 영국, 프랑스, 스웨덴 등 12개국, 3만 명의 부모와 자녀를 대상으로 한 온라인 설문조사에 따르면, 한국의 부모와 자녀가 실제로 함께하는 시간은 주중 하루 평균 1.5시간 정도로 가장 짧았다. 더군다나 그 시간의 대부분을 TV 시청으로 보내고 있었다. 아이가 초등학교 고학년이 되면서 일주일에 세 번은 저녁에 학원을 간다. 결국 평일 대부분은 유치원에 다니는 둘째와 둘이서 저녁을 먹는다. 유일하게 가족이 다 모이는 금요일 저녁은 우리에게 특별할 수밖에 없다. 특별한 저녁식사를 위해 전략도 짰다. 첫째, 이날은 스테이크를 굽는 등 특별한 메뉴를 먹는다. 둘째, TV를 끈다. 평소 저녁 먹을 때도 무심코 TV를 튼 우리는 TV 대신 서로의 하루 일과나 고 민에 귀를 기울이기로 했다. 셋째, 티타임을 갖는다. 다음 주부터는 차를 마시며 서로에게 책을

Bars are great. So are brightly colored plastic balls. What happens when you put the two together? You get an alcoholic, adults-only ballpit paradise, that's what. One of these debuted in San Francisco a  few weeks ago, much to the delight of grown-ups-in-denial across the city. The pop-up cocktail bar allowed punters to sip on booze in a giant ball pit and get smashed while reliving the glory days of  children's playtime. The two-day event was a long time coming, because, according to the organizer Forward Motion, “The biggest obstacle was trying to raise enough money to purchase 40,000 ballpit balls” (no snickering). At any rate, as the event was such a success, there are now plans to bring it to other locations. ■ Flo Wales Bonner (Time Out London)

Sangsu-dongKim Sang-woo (Owner of Yri Café in Sangsu-dong) How would you sum up Yri Café for a first timer? Opened in 2004, it is a space in the neighborhood where people can interact and exchange their opinions about art, etc. What significance do you think Yri Café holds for the Hongdae scene?Yri Café has served as a “cultural salon” of Mapo-gu, so to speak. The customers who've been with this café for 12 years are what make this place possible. It’s the people that matter and this is a place where artists can work and rest. Any memorable customers throughout the years? Last year, I had a student come in every single day. She was a junior in high school and was supposed to be studying for her college entrance exam. However, one day I found out she was writing poetry instead. “Aren’t you supposed to be studying?” I asked her, but she insisted poetry was her true passion. Later, she got into Seoul Institute of the Arts and we celebrated by hanging her poetry up all over the café. You moved from Seogyo-dong to Sangsu-dong because you had issues with the landlord there. Is it true that you are facing a similar problem at the moment?In 2004, our five-year lease with the owner of the building in Seogyo-dong expired. I received an eviction order and moved here—where I’ve spent the past seven years. I heard that this building was recently sold at a fairly high price and am curious who the new owner is, but I haven't heard anything from the former landlord. I will figure it out by A

상수동김상우(상수동 이리카페 대표) 이리카페는 홍대에서 어떤 공간인가?2004년에 시작한 이곳은 마포구의 ‘문화살롱’ 같은 역할을 해온 곳이다. 동네의 평상처럼 서로 상관할 줄 알고, 예술을 교감하며 서로 스킨십을 하는 공간이라 할 수 있다. 건물주와 문제로 서교동에서 상수동으로 이전한 걸로 안다. 그리고 현재 또 비슷한 문제에 처했다던데. 2009년 서교동에서 5년 임대차 보호법이 만료됨과 동시에 건물주로부터 퇴거명령을 받아 이곳으로 넘어왔다. 이곳에서 7년을 보냈는데, 최근 새 건물주가 꽤 비싼 값에 이 건물을 매매했다고 들었다. 세입자 입장에서는 새 건물주가 궁금할 수밖에 없는데, 이전 건물주는 전혀 말을 해주지 않았다. 계약 만료 시점인 8월 이후에 알게 되겠지만 한번 쫓겨난 전적이 있다 보니 불안한 마음을 감출 수 없다. 건물주가 바뀌기 전에도 높은 월세 때문에 힘들었고. 싸이와 분쟁 중인 테이크아웃 드로잉도 그렇고, 요즘 이런 사례가 많아졌다. 젠트리피케이션과 공동화 현상은 아주 당연하고 어쩔 수 없는 현상이다. 문제는 10년 이상 걸린 이런 흐름이 여기 상수동만 해도 5년도 안 돼 일어난다는 사실이다. 부동산을 활성화하는 건 좋다. 다만 피땀 흘려 노력하는 영세업자들이 단기 시세차익을 노리는 업자에게 밀리는 악순환이 계속된다. 일종의 과욕에서 비롯되는 상황이 아닌가 싶다. 이리카페 같은 오래된 문화 공간이 무너진다면 많은 예술가와 젊은이들에게 패배감을 줄 것이다. 문화 없이 자본이 있을 수 없다고 생각한다. 무엇보다 이리카페를 지키는 것이 우선이겠다. 어떻게 대응할 예정인가?이곳을 만든 사람은 내가 아니라 12년간 함께한 손님들이다. 그런 이유로 얼마 전엔 이곳에 애착을 가진 사람들과 함께 이 문제를 놓고 이야기하는 시간도 가졌다. 사람이 위주인 곳. 또한 예술가들의 작업장이자 쉼터인 곳. 빈 벽 하나하나 우리와 많이 닮아 있는 이곳을 위해 역시 ‘이리카페답게’, 싸움도 축제처럼 할 것이다.