COEX Mall Aquarium, Seoul

Review:
From Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia:
COEX Mall / Convention Center
Korean name: Hangul 코엑스
Revised Romanization: Koekseu
McCune–Reischauer: K'oekseu

COEX Mall is an underground shopping mall located in Gangnam-gu Seoul, South Korea It is the largest shopping centre in Seoul. It is the largest underground mall in Asia with an area of about 85,000 square metres. The mall is located at Samseong-dong served by Samseong Station on Seoul Metro Line 2, at the intersection of Teheranno and Yeongdong Dae-ro.

Along with hundreds of shops, the mall houses two food courts, a 16-screen multi-cinema complex, an aquarium attraction, a large bookstore, and the Kimchi Field Museum. It also features a game area which is used to film computer game tournaments (for which South Korea is known) which are broadcast on local television. There are also stages inside and outside the mall which are utilized for public appearances by celebrities and seasonal events.

Changdeokgung Palace / Secret Garden

Review:
From the tour book we received:
"[It] served as the residence for many kings and later became the main palace. Both of these palaces were totally destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592. After the war, Gyeongbokgung was not rebuilt because its site was no longer considered auspicious. Instead, Changdeokgung was restored in 1610 and served as the main palace for the next 258 years, until Gyeongbokgung was finally rebuilt in 1868 during King Gojong's reign.

Unlike Gyeongbokgung, where major buildings are arranged along a main axis, Changdeokgung is laid out in harmony with the area's topography: The palace architecture has an asymmetric beauty that is unique to Korea. The layout is welcoming and was very comfortable for the royal family. [...]

Sadly, the stately royal palace complex fell victim to Japan's intentional destruction during the occupation. This was accomplished by several means, including the relocation of buildings from Gyeongbokgung to Changdeokgung when the former palace's inner court was destroyed bi fire. Following the death of the last Joseon king, Sunjong, Changdeokgung suffered even more heavy damage. Restoration of the palace to its original state began in 1991 and continues today. The Changdeokgung Palace complex was inscribed on the Unesco World Cultural Heritage list in 1997."

Inaugural Seoul Photo Club Expo

News:
This is Korea:
To all my friends living in Korea, and to all my friends who are not that are still interested, here is the info on the gallery I'll be displayed at next week on September 26, 2009:

It's at Cafe Ohoo (formerly Cafe Kkoomm) in Hongdae, Seoul. You can click on the image to the left for a larger version of the map. Basically, you take the subway to the 2-Line, stop 239, Hongik University: exit 4. Follow the map from there. Looks like a right, left, and another right. Cafe on the left. I've never been there, so we'll see if that's right or not.

I would love to see some friends -- and some friends of friends -- come out and lend some support for all the photographers. We have some awesome artists displaying their work there that night. You can check out our photo group at Flickr for more info on who we are and what we do here. Thanks ahead to any and all who can come out!

Opening Date: 26th of September, 5pm
Location: Cafe Ohoo, Hongdae
Printing/Framing Sponsor: Foto Cube, www.fotocube.com
Camera Shop Sponsor: Hyosung Camera
Organization: Seoul Photo Club / Korea Herald

CBS 2 Chicago's "Capture My Chicago" Contest

News:
So I'm in another contest and I need all the help I can get -- this time with four entries! It's for CBS 2 Chicago's "Capture My Chicago" Photo Contest. Selected winners will have their photos published in a hardbound book and on a DVD.

Instructions:
Start here, http://www.capturemychicago.com/people/aaronbrownphotos , or click on individual photos below.

1. Open any / all of my submissions into separate windows.
2. Click on each "Yes! I Dig It" if you, indeed, dig it.
3. When you finish, your tally should display above that link.
4. Click on the "jump on board (free)" link and register.
5. Then, your votes will count.