SUKAN DALAM MASYARAKAT KOREA

Apabila disebut sahaja tentang Korea, sudah pasti perkara pertama yang akan muncul di dalam fikiran golongan muda atau tua  adalah lagu-lagu pop Korea, drama-drama Korea mahupun program-program televisyen seperti Running Man. Tidak dapat dinafikan kehebatan Korea Selatan dalam menguasai dunia hiburan sehingga berjaya menarik minat penggemar-penggemar  bukan sahaja dari negara-negara Asia tetapi  juga negara-negara barat.

Namun begitu, terdapat banyak lagi kehebatan Korea Selatan yang orang ramai kurang tahu atau sudah lupa.  Korea Selatan merupakan salah satu negara yang hebat dalam bidang sukan yang dapat menandingi negara-negara barat.  Hal ini boleh dilihat dengan rekod kejayaan mereka dalam sukan-sukan seperti bola sepak, luncur figura, sukan renang dan lain-lain.  Korea Selatan banyak melahirkan atlet-atlet bertaraf dunia yang menjadi  inspirasi kepada golongan muda korea untuk terus mara kehadapan.

Antara atlet-atlet yang menjadi idola di kalangan masyarakat muda Korea ialah Park Ji-sung.

Kehebatannya dalam bola sepak telah berjaya membawa beliau untuk bermain di kelab bola Inggeris terkenal iaitu Manchester United. Di Manchester United, Park Jisung mendapat gelaran Three-lungs Park atau Park dengan tiga paru-paru  kerana Park Ji Sung selalu bermain agresif, penuh dedikasi, bergerak ke seluruh lapangan dengan kepantasan yang konsisten.

Apabila bercerita sahaja tentang luncur figura pula, sudah pasti nama pertama yang terlintas di fikiran ialah Kim Yuna.

Kim Yuna menjadi kegilaan ramai lelaki Korea bukan sahaja kerana kejelitaan beliau tetapi juga kerana kemahiran beliau dalam sukan ini. Kim Yuna merupakan peluncur figura wanita Korea Selatan pertama yang memenangi pingat pada ISU Junior , ISU Championship, dan Sukan Olimpik. Beliau juga peluncur figura wanita pertama yang memenangi Sukan Olimpik, Kejohanan Dunia, Kejohanan Empat Kontinen dan Grand Prix Final. Dengan pencapaian-pencapaian ini, tidak hairanlah beliau menjadi salah seorang atlet yang sangat diiktiraf di Korea Selatan. Hasil daripada pencapaian yang banyak, beliau sering dirujuk sebagai “Queen Yuna” oleh pelbagai media di seluruh dunia.

Pelajar- pelajar Malaysia di Korea Selatan juga tidak melepaskan peluang untuk bersukan dengan menyertai aktiviti-aktiviti kelab sukan di universiti walaupun sibuk dengan tugasan kelas. Hal ini kerana dengan bersukan, pelajar-pelajar bukan sahaja dapat menyihatkan tubuh badan malah dapat mengenali budaya orang Korea dengan lebih mendalam. Antara kelab-kelab sukan yang disertai oleh pelajar-pelajar Malaysia ialah kelab Taekwondo. Amatlah aneh bagi universiti di Korea selatan yang tidak mempunyai kelab Taekwondo kerana  seni  bela diri ini berasal dari negara ini sendiri.

Pelajar-pelajar Malaysia bersama pelajar-pelajar Korea Selatan yang terlibat dalam Kelab Taekwondo, Korea University

Sukan bukan sahaja dilihat sebagai medan untuk berperang dalam mempamerkan skil-skil permainan  dan kemahiran tertentu dalam acara masing-masing, malah menjadi platform yang boleh menghasilkan banyak faedah, manfaat dan kebaikan. Oleh sebab itu, wajarlah sesebuah masyarakat menitik beratkan pembangunan sukan dan perkembangannya. Hal ini dapat dilaksanakan sekiranya sesebuah negara sanggup memperuntukkan berjuta-juta dana sebagai pelaburan jangka panjang. Oleh itu, ayuhlah kita sahut cabaran dan seruan kerajaan bagi menjayakan dan meningkatkan taraf sukan negara ke tahap yang paling optimum.

Wachaaaaaa!!!

info credit to KUK

Bila 6 Sahabat Lama Berkumpul di Korea

Assalamualaikum..

Pada 1-5 April 2015, rombongan 3 pasangan yang sangat sporting telah melancong ke Korea bersama kami. Merupakan sahabat lama.. Kebetulan mereka datang tepat pada waktu Cherry Blossom atau Sakura sedang mekar di serata Seoul..

Mereka mengambil pakej premium 6d5n menginap di Hotel 4 Bintang dan complete makan minum, fully private transportation, tour guide, makan minum dan tiket masuk.... 

Sangat sporting, ceria dan sempoi depa ni! Majoriti depa ni mai daghi utagha, so semua pakat ckp utagha la bil duk sini.. hihi       

Lihatlah, biar gambar-gambar ini berbicara...

Terima kasih kerana memilih KImchi TNT sebagai Travel Manager anda...

Hubungi kami sekarang di +60172895155 atau email di jomkekorea@gmail.com untuk keterangan lanjut...

Sehingga ketemu lagi...

Did Japan’s hallowed cherry trees actually originate South Korea?

In the pink: Japanese are proud of someiyoshino cherries, Japanese favorite for blossom viewing. Is the species Japanese or a Korean original? 

Did Japan’s hallowed cherry trees actually originate in South Korea?

“The beloved someiyoshino variety of cherry trees isn’t really from Japan, but actually from South Korea’s Jeju Island. Even though Japanese scholars recognize this, Japan is trying to make the world believe these cherry trees are from Japan” … or so reports a South Korean newspaper.

Is there any truth to this? What’s it based on?

‘Japan just took Jeju’s sakura and cultivated them’

According to a story in the March 11 online edition of Daily Sports, published by South Korean daily JoongAng Ilbo, Washington, D.C., is home to the world’s most famous cherry festival, which is held every April. This year is the 101st edition of the festival, which began in 1912 when Japan gave 3,000 cherry trees to the U.S.

The trees were almost cut down during World War II because of American’s anger over Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. According to the paper, the exiled Korean statesman Syngman Rhee, who would eventually become South Korea’s first president, saved the trees by saying they originally came from Jeju, not Japan. He held a tree-planting event in Washington, D.C., in 1943 and explained that their place of origin was said to be Japan because Korea was under Japanese colonial rule at the time.

“Japanese cherry trees are actually Jeju’s royal cherry trees. Japanese just took them and cultivated them,” Daily Sports reported.

‘No scholars recognize someiyoshino originating on Jeju’

Dr. Takeshi Kinoshita, a Teikyo University professor who specializes in ethnobotany, questions on his website why major South Korean newspapers, with almost annual regularity, continue to report the same claims about someiyoshino trees originating on Jeju.

A published author and member of the university’s faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, Kinoshita writes on his website that no scholars recognized someiyoshino trees originating on Jeju and this is apparently a distorted interpretation of the facts. He explains that someiyoshino trees are a species created by crossbreeding oshimazakura and edohigan cherry trees and oshimazakura aren’t native to Jeju.

Also, someiyoshino was born out of cross pollination during Edo Period’s random gardening culture. The cherry species is reproduced not with seeds but via grafting, according to Kinoshita’s website.

Additionally, Kinoshita points out, a team composed of members of a research institute under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Seoul National University and other organizations conducted DNA tests in 2007 on someiyoshino trees in Tokyo and Washington, D.C., and wild cherry trees on Jeju.

The team concluded that “the trees on Jeju Island are a unique species and are clearly different from someiyoshino trees, which are crossbred,” Kinoshita writes. The team, however, stressed cherry trees can easily crossbreed naturally and it needs more detailed research to conclude whether Jeju cherries are unique.

Kinoshita lists the reasons why he thinks the theory of someiyoshino originating in South Korea regularly appear in the country’s mainstream media, even though there is scientific evidence proving otherwise.

First, he writes, in prewar times, Japanese scholar Genichiro Koizumi of Kyoto Imperial University based the Korean origin theory on a misunderstanding, and yet South Korea continues to repeat it.

Then there was the movement to cut down cherry trees [in South Korea] that gained steam when the clearly anti-Japanese Roh Moo-hyun administration was formed. Groups who wanted to protect the trees, including Japanese people, revived the Korean origin theory as a persuasion tactic.

Finally, Kinoshita states “it is easier to understand if you think of (South Korea) as trying to copy Japanese cultural assets and make them Korean,” adding that he fears the country may be cleverly conducting organized “cultural terrorism.”

Kinoshita states on his website that since he would like as many people as possible to know these facts, he will relinquish his copyright and allow free usage of his research.

Cherry Blossom in Korea

One of the most awaited event in Korea is the time when the cherry blossoms or sakura are in bloom and ready for viewing.

It has always been a Korean tradition to go out and enjoy the beauty of the famous cherry blossoms, one of the countries national flowers.

The flower viewing of the cherry blossoms in Korea and the people have different ways of doing it, during the day or at night.

One of the beautiful sights to see is when the cherry blossoms are lit up at night. It is also amazing to see these flowers with the castle, shrine or temple viewed in the background.

During daytime, the cherry trees in full bloom appear to be covered with white clouds and this is one of the attractions not only among the Koreans but also with the tourists who love and appreciate the beauty of nature.

The old practice is for the people to sit and stay under the big cherry trees. Here they can have a picnic under the blooming trees. Others just stroll or walk along the streets while enjoying the view of the beautiful cherry trees with their blossoms.

Interesting facts about cherry blossoms
• The blossoms and the leaves are used as food ingredients.
• Very symbolical to the Koreans due to the “transience of the blossoms”. The life of the blooms does not last long and has been compared to a “quick death”.
• There is a Cherry Blossom Forecast showing the location and best viewing dates of cherry trees blooming.
• Blooming depends upon the climate and location. They usually bloom after the cold days or the winter season
• Season of cherry blossoms are momentary or short. Full bloom usually takes a week. Blossoms will fall under the tree after the blooming week.
• The cherry blossom season starts on the same day when the fiscal and school year begins in April.
• Symbolize clouds among the Koreans because of the nature of blooms.
• During the colonizing era, the Koreans planted cherry trees to an occupied territory.
• Some countries with cherry blossom trees are Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, The Netherlands,, China, Germany, Turkey, United States and United Kingdom.

This picture is taken at Children's Grand Park on the 1st April 2014

This picture is taken at Gyeongbok Palace

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul

Back in 2005, the Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul (여의도 봄꽃축제) was created to celebrate the precious few days each spring, when the 1,700 King cherry trees on Yeouido island (여의도) erupt into ephemeral clouds of pink. While every year is a bit different, be it the first or second week of April the trees’ buds inevitably burst and spring’s spectacular show gets underway!

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The best place to see the flowering cherry trees in Seoul is along Yeouiseo-ro street (여의서로), which wraps behind the National Assembly building. During the 13 days of the Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul, the thoroughfare will be closed to car traffic, affording the expected four million visitors a safe and convenient – albeit crowded – experience. For that reason, my advice is to avoid the weekends if possible, and to definitely use public transportation.

From Yeouido island (여의도)

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In addition to admiring Yeouido’s gorgeous cherry specimens whose botanical name is Prunus yedoensis, visitors can watch dozens of street performances, an opening parade and art exhibitions. While the opening ceremony features fireworks, the annual Flower Decoration Exhibition will showcase flower art. And although the cherry trees get most of the attention at the festival, over 90,000 other plants representing 13 different flower species are also planted just for the Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul.

From Yeouido island (여의도)

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In recent years, the festival events move beyond Yeouiseo-ro and onto the large swath of Yeouido Hangang Riverside Park (여의도 한강공원) that surround the island. After a total renovation in 2010, the park has become one of Seoul’s most popular weekend hot spots. Other festival events typically include music and dance performances on the new Hangang Floating Stage.

From Yeouido island (여의도)

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That said, should you spend most of the day admiring the flowers and relaxing along the river, you may want to stay a few hours into the night as well. Thanks to special illumination systems, the cherry trees along Yeouido’s streets will create a romantic setting for an evening walk. But don’t delay your trip… before you know it, a heavy rain or wind could mean those ephemeral cherry blossoms are gone before you know it!

Spring flower viewing in Seoul: a trip around Yeouido.

Spring is often considered the best time to pay a visit to South Korea. The transition from the winter season is manifested by such a sudden change it is almost overwhelming to the eye.  The bitter winter air has warmed, the heavy frost and ice melted away and the natural landscape has changed into a profusion of green grasses, lush foliage and impressive flowers blooming into life. A technicolor feast for the senses spreads forth as you step out one morning into a new world of colour; one which has seemly changed entirely over night from the grey sky juxtaposed with the sepia hue of dry grass that so vividly characterises the Korean winter.           

In the month of April, however, the Korean spring truly takes on a life of its own. The trees, rich with blossom, line the streets of Seoul and with the slightest of breezes everything in sight becomes dusted with their small petals. No matter where you go, Sincheon to Gangnam, City Hall to Kkachisan, everywhere seems to share the same, uniform blanket of pale white-pink petals. This time of year sees a lifting of Korean spirits as people embrace the warmer weather and head out to enjoy the freshly blooming flowers. This practice of blossom viewing does not just pertain to Korea, but has a long history in East Asia, also practiced in Japan, China, Taiwan and even as far south as the Philippines.

From my own personal experience, this East Asian tradition of blossom viewing is a veritable cultural practice that cannot be missed by a westerner who happens to be visiting Korea in April. The best place, without question, to visit during cherry blossom season has to be the small island of Yeouido located on the Han River in Seoul. Yeouido, more famous among Koreans as an island of tall skyscrapers, smart investment bankers and once a key setting for aviation as the location of Seoul’s first airport in the 1920s, is also home to this wonderful festival, the famous ‘Yeouido Spring Flower Festival’ that takes place annually on the island. 

Along the streets of Yeouido, people flock to walk beneath the cherry trees that are brimming with life. The small island boasts of having over 1400 cherry trees lining its streets, making for an eye-catching spectacle in every corner of the island. The highpoint of a visit to Yeouido’s Spring Flower Festival has to be Yeouiseo-ro Street; located in Yunjung-no district in close proximity to the National Assembly building which also opens its grounds to the public. The street is closed off from traffic during the festivities, allowing for hoards of visitors to freely enjoy the flowers with friends and family. Despite cherry blossoms being the star attraction, many other flowers are there to be appreciated with a multitude of activities in which to partake and many cultural, musical performances are there to be enjoyed. The festival makes for a wonderful photo opportunity with friends and family, and there are many sketch artists along the streets, hand drawing incredible portraits of people surrounded by the blossom. Both day and night offer different perspectives, as come nightfall the blossoms are brightly illuminated to make the most of the photo opportunities before they have gone.

Visitors are not just restricted to Yeouiseo-ro, but also the Hangang River Park is a must see while visiting the island. An important attraction in Seoul since its renovation in 2010, the park offers great views of the river and a well-needed opportunity to stop for a rest. Also the park’s floating stage on the river hosts many concerts and dance performances throughout the year, and there are bike rental facilities and a play area for the children. Many people come to visit the park at all times of year but particularly when the sun is shining it makes for a great picnic spot.

The date of the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival changes every year, as it is totally dependent on the blooming of the flowers. The best predictions for when the blossoms will be at their best are found on Korean news and weather reports, so be sure to check TV broadcasts and online news postings as April approaches. Korean speaking readers can check out the Festival’s official website (www.ydp.go.kr) which despite currently displaying the 2012 festival date, will update information closer to blooming. The expected dates for the 2014 Cherry Blossom Festival is on 5-12 April 2014

To reach the festival by public transportation, subway is the quickest way. Simply take line 5 to Yeouinaru station and come out of exit 1 or line 9 to National Assembly station, also exit 1. Tourists will have no trouble finding the attractions, as the island is small so simply follow the crowds and enjoy the sights along the way. Here are some pictures I took while visiting Yeouido at last year’s festival. Gather your friends together, keep a camera handy and enjoy the day.

Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae (진해 경화역)

 

All this scene needs is a soldier and a beautiful girl waiting for him at the station. 
This small whistle-stop bustles with tourists and amateur photographers every spring. 

Cherry blossoms rain down on the train track and countless shutters click madly away as the train approaches the station under the cherry blossom tunnel. 

The cherry blossom road at Yeojwa stream, (number 17 on this list) is also nearby for those who want more photo-ops. 

Kyeongwha-dong, Jinhae-gu, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 창원시 진해구 경화동)

Jinhae may have more than just cherry blossom trees, but judging by this photo, cherry blossom trees are reason enough to go. Jinhae is another place that’s a little far for a day trip, but on the flip side, it is also one of the best places in the world to see the cherry blossoms in the spring.
Of course, this naval city is home to a lot more than just cherry blossom trees, but the Naval Academy and museum are only open to the public during the annual Jinhae Naval Festival, a festival commemorating one of Korea's biggest heroes from history, Admiral Yi Sun-shin.
But be warned: the festival, combined with the allure of the cherry blossoms, means that there will be swarms of tourists, so unless it's a personal must, long lines are only a waste of time.
Hardier tourists can also walk up Mount Jangbok, which has been paved with stairs, and be rewarded with a view of the 300,000 or so cherry trees in blossom.

How to get there
Bus: take a bus from Seoul Express Terminal to Masan Express Terminal and take a bus to Jinhae, or take a bus from Nambu Bus Terminal to Jinhae Bus Terminal.
Train: take the KTX from Seoul Station so Miryang, and transfer to the Saemaeul train to Jinhae.
Approximate travel time from central Seoul: three to five hours, depending on traffic and mode of transportation.
Approximate cost: ₩100,000 (US$91) for KTX roundtrip, ₩50,000 (US$46) for bus and 

Bila Musim Yang Sesuai Untuk Ke Korea?

Salam...

Anyeong Haseyo Tuan Puan Yang Dihormati sekalian,

Terima kasih kerana sudi melayari page kami.

Ramai yang PM bertanyakan mengenai kesesuaian masa untuk datang ke Korea, ia sebenarnya bergantung kepada minat dan pilihan pelanggan itu sendiri.

Bagi kami, jika anda berminat untuk menikmati suhu yang sejuk dan berhajat untuk bermain salji bersama keluarga dan rakan-rakan, masa yang paling sesuai adalah pada penghujung Disember hingga ke Februari. 

Jika berminat untuk menikmati keindahan dan kecantikan bunga-bungaan, masa yang paling sesuai adalah pada pertengahan April hingga awal Mei kerana ketika itu bunga-bunga Sakura berkembang penuh dan sangat cantik!

Jika berminat untuk melihat keindahan suasana warna-warni dedaunan dan pepohonan, masa yang paling sesuai adalah pada penghujung Oktober hingga hujung November kerana masa ini semua pepohon dan dedaunan bertukar warna kekuningan, kemerahan dan keemasan sebelum keguguran... Ditambah dengan suhu yang amat selesa, biasanya musim ini menjadi pilihan utama para pengunjung. 

Namun begitu, ada juga pelanggan yang tidak kisah untuk berkunjung sewaktu musim panas asalkan dapat meluangkan masa dan makan angin bersama keluarga dan rakan-rakan. Musim panas juga sangat menarik di Korea kerana pada musim ini pelbagai aktiviti yang menarik dianjurkan antaranya Pesta Air, Pesta Pantai, Pesta Selut, Pesta Makanan, Pesta Fesyen, Pesta Kebudayaan dan sebagainya....

Untuk menyediakan jadual perjalanan dan pakej yang bersesuaian, kami perlukan jasabaik pihak tuan/puan untuk menyatakan jangkaan tarikh untuk datang ke Korea, tempoh yang dijangkakan serta bilangan peserta yang akan mengikutinya. Jika pihak puan mempunyai permintaan khas untuk mengunjungi tempat-tempat yang dihajati, boleh juga dinyatakan. Setelah maklumat ini diberikan, pihak kami akan menyediakan pakej, jadual perjalanan serta sebut harga yang bersesuaian.

Pakej-pakej yang disediakan oleh pihak kami adalah merangkumi penginapan (hotel atau homestay guesthouse), pengangkutan termasuk pemandu, tour guide, makan minum untuk 3 kali sehari, bayaran tiket masuk ke Nami Island, Geongbok Palace dan Everland disamping menjadi tukang tawar menawar, jurufoto dan sebagainya. Pihak kami tidak menyediakan perkhidmatan pembelian tiket penerbangan, ianya lebih afdhal jika dibeli oleh pelanggan itu sendiri.

Besarlah harapan kami jika dapat menyediakan perkhidmatan yang terbaik mengikut minat, kesesuaian dan keselesaan tuan/puan sekeluarga.

Sekian, salam penuh kemesraan dari Seoul,

Hmmmmm, apa lagi, Jom ke Korea!

Jenis-Jenis Pakej Pelancongan Yang Ditawarkan

Salamun Alaikum,

Anyeong Haseyo!

Terima kasih kerana mengikuti blog kami ini. 

Ramai yang hubungi kami menanyakan harga dan jenis pakej2 yang kami tawarkan.

Harga pakej kami bergantung kepada permintaan, keperluan serta bajet pelanggan. Harga juga bergantung kepada tarikh dan jumlah peserta yang akan turut serta dalam pakej bersama kami.

Pakej kami terbahagi kepada tiga iaitu:

a) Pakej Odeng (Backpackers)
(Menginap di guesthouse/homestay & penggunaan public transport - kecuali ke Nami Island, makan tidak disediakan, tour guide, airport pick up dan send off)

B) Pakej Kimchee (sederhana)
(Menginap di guesthouse/motel, penggunaan private & public transport (subway dan bas), lunch & dinner disediakan, tour guide, airport pick up dan send off)

C) Pakej Bulgogi (Premium)
Menginap di hotel 3-5 stars atau residence, twin sharing atau family room (bagi yang berkeluarga), bilik yang sangat selesa dan di lokasi yang menarik dan stategik, penggunaan private transport sepenuhnya, lunch & dinner disediakan, tour guide, airport pick up dan send off)

Pakej kami ada yang menyediakan complete set termasuk penginapan, pengangkutan (private transport), airport transfer (1st day dgn last day) tour guide, makan minum (lunch & dinner), bayaran tiket masuk ke Gyeongbok Palace, tiket feri ke Nami Island, lotte world dan sebagainya.

Pakej kami tidak termasuk tiket penerbangan dan shopping.

Untuk pertanyaan lanjut sila hubungi kami melalui email jomkekorea@gmail.com atau whatsapp ke +821098209897... 

Jom Ke Korea!

Jadual Perjalanan 6H5M Mac-November 2014

Contoh iteneri untuk Mac-November (Spring, Summer dan Autumn) Trip Korea Untuk 6 Hari 5 Malam

PM or Whatsapp +821098209897 untuk keterangan lanjut dan best deal!

Pakej ini adalah termasuk hotel, pengangkutan (MPV, Mini Bas atau Bas), Pemandu Pelancong (Korean & Malaysian), Makan  minum Halal / Seafood dan tiket masuk ke Nami Island, Gyeongbok Palace dan Everland 

Jom Ke Korea!