My Korean Valentine's Day

For those of you wondering, Valentine's Day does exist in Korea. In fact, the Hershey's displays went up in the grocery stores at the beginning of February. All of the convenient stores that have sidewalk locations bring all of the themed goods out to the street and set up easy curb-side shopping. Impulse shopping! The options for sugar are of course limited; no boxes of chalky Sweethearts (my favorite) or chocolate covered heart shaped marshmallows (another favorite). Just lots of unrecognizable brands. They like to use terms like "Romantic Event" in signage. They also must love those Ferrero Rochere chocolate balls because those displays were EVERYWHERE. All of the Swiss and Belgian brands are also available at most grocery stores and in fact a new, very fancy French chocolatier opened up across the street next to Lynn's Cupcakes and I was very tempted to pop in to see what their truffles were going for. I actually prefer cheap chocolate in the form of Hershey Kisses.

Gallery Hyundai: Kim Hwan-gi Exhibit

Along with "love", there was quite a bit of "spring" in the air yesterday as well. The temperature rose to 45, the sun was out and there was a light breeze. Time to shed the down coat! It might as well have been 65, it was so warm (compared to the weeks prior). After a nice run on the river (it was so great to be running outside again!) I hopped on the 471 bus up to Samcheong-dong to enjoy the tree-lined streets and sunshine.

Samcheong-dong, you'll remember, is a little enclave next to Gyeongbokgung Palace that is home to the Bukchon Hanok Village (the traditional Korean houses) and lots of small boutiques and art galleries. I popped into Gallery Hyundai to see what was showing and what a find! An exhibit of works of Kim Hwan-gi (1913 February 27 – 1974 July 25). Kim Hwangi was one of the first generation Korean abstract painters. He painted with an Eastern mentality (depicting Eastern subjects such as cherry blossom branches, cranes, ceramic pots) but combined it with Western sensibility (depicting the subjects in simple abstract forms). His palette was very cool and soothing. It was a really nice exhibit and large, spanning across the two separate Gallery Hyundai buildings.

Since it was late afternoon, I also managed to get some nice shots of the setting sun on the palace gates.

Dinner at Home

As previously mentioned, why go out to dinner for Valentine's Day when you can have a candlelit steak dinner while in your sweatpants? RCP even did the dishes.

 

Beginning of Samcheong-dong, one of the side gates into Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Gate in silhouette.

This was an accident, but I rather like it!

Late afternoon sun on the palace walls.

The sun has set on Gwanghwamun, the main gate to the palace.

Rest well, Haechi. Tomorrow is another day of guarding the entrance.

Dinner at home.

Filet, green beans with toasted almonds and cranberries and garlic mashed potatoes.

Dishes in sweatpants.