Continuing my series on the Sister Cities of San Francisco, today we get to explore Seoul with everyone’s favorite South Korean travel blogger, Juno from Runaway Juno! San Francisco and Seoul became Sister Cities in 1976, but a quick Google search will tell you not a whole lot is going on right now to promote this arrangement, so Juno agreed to step up, teach us all about Seoul, and help me explore the Sister City relationship between our two cities.
1. Before I asked you to do this interview, were you aware that San Francisco and Seoul were Sister Cities? Are Sister City relationships something that is promoted in Seoul or South Korea?
No I did not know. I knew the concept but didn’t know San Francisco and Seoul have such a special relationship. This relationships are certainly one way to promote each other. You and I are talking about it here, right? So it’s great! 
2. What makes Seoul a great place and a desirable Sister City?
Seoul city is very open to cultural differences, or at least they are trying. They made several city squares for citizens to use, so now we have all sorts of festivals, and is able to open it bigger. Seoul has unique culture and open to diverse cultural differences at the same time. Seoul city, it’s fast, it’s young but also has rich culture and history. That’s the charm.
3. Out of all of the neighborhoods in Seoul, which is your favorite?
Suwon. I lived here for 7 years during my university. It’s a bit slower than Seoul but still very big city. Also UNESCO heritage, Suwon Fortress (Suwon Hwasung) is here. It’s beautiful. Everytime I passed by, I amazed by the beauty.
4. When you have guests in town who have never been to Seoul before, what is the one thing you make sure they see?
Our unique culture and history. The biggest and my favorite, Gyung bok gung (palace) is the must on the list. There’s a ceremony (reenactment) of a few occasions every hour. It’s also good to feel Korean music and old style clothes.
5. What is your favorite local festival or tradition?
Lotus lantern festival at Buddha’s birthday. In May 21st, city is brighten up by beautiful lotus lantern. Cheonggyecheon (stream) is where the annual Lotus Lantern festival held. It’s truly beautiful. I almost can feel Buddha’s present.
6. If you want to get away from Seoul for a day or weekend, where do you go?
The West Sea. About 2 hours of drive, I can reach to West Sea. The long mud flat, beautiful sunset, salty air and round of waves calm me down. Now, Jeju island is one of the option because there’s a lot of budget airlines to Jeju and it only takes an hour.
Either way, I choose beach.
7. Food. I’ve already learned tons about Korean food from you and Korea Wednesdays! Tell me about one (or more!) of your favorite places to eat.
My favorite Korean food is made by my mother. She makes mean Kimchi Jjigae (thick soup.. kind of). I don’t really like to eat out for Korean food. It’s our way of think. Dining out is not really in our culture. So when I eat out, I would like to have something I can’t or won’t cook at home.
But I love food stalls. Some chicken on a stick, Dduck bok i, mandoo. Everything from food stand is so delicious! I will take you to my favorite street food area when you come. 
8. When the weather isn’t so nice outside, what is a great indoor activity to do in Seoul?
One rainy day, I went to Korean folk museum right next to Gyeong bok palace. Personally, that is the finest museum in the country. It has so many contents, I could easily spend a day there. Or, I would like to go small musical theater or huge book store that I can read there. This is one of the great things about Seoul. You can do anything you can think of.
9. This is a question I ask everyone because I think you all should love art as much as I do! What is your favorite art museum, local artist, public art piece or art gallery in the city?
Like I mentioned in No.8, Korean Folk Museum is the best one for me. The curator did a really good job. The exhibit is really intimate and personal. I can really relate to all that. Of course because I am Korean and all of those are Korean stuff, but it really is great. And I like spontenous street art. Street peformances, painting, music…something like that. One of my favorite art related place is Hong dae Free Market. Art students, local artists sell their work. I think this is art, that I can feel.
10. Let’s end this interview with warm fuzzies – what is your favorite thing about living in Seoul?
Convenience and familiarity. Because this is where I grew up.
A big thanks to Juno for doing this interview – and I can’t wait to come visit you in Seoul one day. It looks like an amazing city!
Not heading to Seoul anytime soon? You can still travel vicariously through Juno -
- See the lotus lantern festival for Buddha’s birthday
- Travel to Jeju
- Check out the street food of Seoul
- Enjoy the local art scene
- Watch street performances
21 comments
2 pings
Juno says:
November 10, 2010 at 3:28 pm (UTC -7)
Thanks for making it so beautiful Ashley!
love it! I feel rewarding already! It was so much fun to think of the answers. Looking back to my hometown.. Sister city idea is fabulous! Glad to be a part of it 
thanks!
Juno recently posted..Japchae- the food for the fiesta
Ashley @ No Onions Extra Pickles says:
November 13, 2010 at 1:28 pm (UTC -7)
Thanks so much for being my interviewee
Michael Hodson says:
November 10, 2010 at 5:04 pm (UTC -7)
Wow, what a lovely post. Makes me want to go visit…. now! Well, perhaps in summer time.
Michael Hodson recently posted..Interview of Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View- Lucky 13 Questions
Ashley @ No Onions Extra Pickles says:
November 13, 2010 at 1:29 pm (UTC -7)
Yeah, makes me want to go to Seoul asap too!
ayngelina says:
November 11, 2010 at 7:39 am (UTC -7)
Great interview, I love to hear what the locals do and always want to hear what Juno has to say
ayngelina recently posted..Why I broke my backpacking rule
Juno says:
November 14, 2010 at 7:23 pm (UTC -7)
Thanks! So sweet
It’s very fun to find out my own city. After all these years.. I still don’t know all about Seoul. Getting there!
LeslieTravel says:
November 11, 2010 at 12:29 pm (UTC -7)
Great interview! Juno really is everyone’s fave S Koran travel blogger. Loved her picks and I hope one day to see Seoul for myself.
LeslieTravel recently posted..Photo Essay- The 20th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
Ashley @ No Onions Extra Pickles says:
November 13, 2010 at 1:32 pm (UTC -7)
I know – I couldn’t imagine interviewing anyone else on South Korea!
Juno says:
November 14, 2010 at 7:24 pm (UTC -7)
LOL!! You two are so kind!! haha well, there’s no one out there yet. Good to be unique! haha!
Juno recently posted..Japchae- the food for the fiesta
Norbert says:
November 12, 2010 at 8:01 am (UTC -7)
This is a great interview Ashley and Juno. I loved my visits to Seoul and look forward to go back since there is so much to do in South Korea. It was refreshing to see a local’s point of view on Seoul, lots of new and interesting things.
Norbert recently posted..10 Things to Do in Seoul
Juno says:
November 14, 2010 at 7:25 pm (UTC -7)
wow, you were here!
Great. Your recent post is ’10 things to do in Seoul’. I gotta read that. 
Juno recently posted..Japchae- the food for the fiesta
Amy says:
November 13, 2010 at 8:09 pm (UTC -7)
Wow! I had no idea San Fran and Seoul are sister cities. I’m heading to Seoul in December – so excited about the kimchi, although I hear there’s a shortage.
Amy recently posted..Australia- A Few Things Oprah Probably Won’t Tell You
Juno says:
November 14, 2010 at 7:25 pm (UTC -7)
December! You better bring your thick winter coat!
Kimchi shortage is overrated.. don’t worry!
Juno recently posted..Japchae- the food for the fiesta
Ashley @ No Onions Extra Pickles says:
November 14, 2010 at 9:43 pm (UTC -7)
Glad to here the kimchi shortage is overrated! Would be sad to miss out on that when visiting.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler says:
November 16, 2010 at 9:03 am (UTC -7)
That photo of the Lotus Lantern Festival is gorgeous! Great post!
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..How To Enjoy A Layover in South Korea 3
Ashley @ No Onions Extra Pickles says:
November 20, 2010 at 2:29 pm (UTC -7)
I know! Juno’s a great photographer
Juno says:
November 21, 2010 at 12:03 am (UTC -7)
Thanks you two!
I have to turn the creadit to those beautiful lanterns! 
Around Buddha’s birthday, wow those are gorgeous.
Devin of Travel Write Live says:
November 22, 2010 at 3:28 pm (UTC -7)
I have been to a few sister cities of my own home, Los Angeles: Mexico City and Nagoya, Japan come to mind. Still don’t understand the connection or importance of the “sister city” thing but any reason to travel is good enough for me.
Devin of Travel Write Live recently posted..The 5-Star- 2-Star Conundrum- part two
Juno says:
December 13, 2010 at 5:43 am (UTC -7)
“but any reason to travel is good enough for me.”
Couldn’t agree more Devin.
Juno recently posted..Why take a taxi on the first day is good-and what happen in Deajeon
Dina says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:10 am (UTC -7)
Juno, it’s 2 am here in Toronto, and your soup picture makes me hungry! Sweet interview
Dina recently posted..Ballsy Kangaroo
Juno says:
February 21, 2011 at 7:36 am (UTC -7)
Hey Dina, it’s almost midnight here and I’m starving because of my article. Darn it!
Tweets that mention No Onions Extra Pickles » Blog Archive » Exploring Seoul, San Francisco’s Sister City -- Topsy.com says:
November 10, 2010 at 3:44 pm (UTC -7)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Juno and Jeremy Branham, Ashley Harrop. Ashley Harrop said: Exploring San Francisco's Sister City, Seoul, with @RunawayJuno http://su.pr/2QaxKI #Seoul #travel [...]
No Onions Extra Pickles » Blog Archive » San Francisco’s Sister Cities says:
July 6, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC -7)
[...] Phil in the Blank on Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Adriane and Jennifer on Bangalore, India Runaway Juno on Seoul, South Korea Vagabond Quest on Sydney, Australia BUT am still looking for interviewees for the rest of San [...]