Surviving the WCS Bootcamp in korea Guide
Oh man, really lousy title I know. I just wanted to spice things up a little =P
Anyway, in sight of the recent WCS Selection hype and highly inspired by Cheesie’s Complete guide to bali, I decided to do an entry like it too. But to Korea of course =)
Hopefully the 6 teams will find this article useful in preparing themselves for the trip. Well If not useful… erm I hope this entry is at least some what interesting =X ? This entry is about what you need to know about korea and well, what you should do to prepare yourself for a fun trip at the land of Kimchis!
Electrical Information
South Korea uses the Europlug and Schuko plug, pic on left. So for Singaporeans, I think we definitely need at least an adaptor. According to some people on the forums, you can find them at Sim Lim Square though be careful of fraud.
Alternatively, you can pin your hope on the hotel concierge and borrow one. But I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Don’t wanna run out of battery on my dicam for that lovely trip.
I have tried my best to consolidate and summarise the information. But I’m too lazy to go into the technicalities so if you wanna know more, visit the website.
Basic Packing List
You know, sometimes I think, the best part of any trip, is the preparation part haha. Anyway, I put together a small list of stuffs to bring over below. It’s not exactly complete because with cosplayers and their costumes, there’s just TOO MUCH to bring and prepare. So the list I put together is just a generic list of things that I would bring if I go on a cosplay holiday.
- Passport
- SGD cash (for the trip home)
- Korean WON cash
- Digital Camera
- MP3 player + earphones
- Extra dicam batteries (bring adaptor and convertor if needed)
- Charger for all your electronic equipment
- Extra Memory space (SD cards etc)
- Medicated oil (just in case)
- Jacket (for the colder nights)
- Clothes for 5 days & 4 nights
- Make Up !!!!!
- Make Up remover
- Facial & body cleansing products
- Skin & beauty care products
- Small towel (or you can just use the Hotel’s)
- Costumes!!! (omg, this prolly need a list of its own each)
- Wig cap, hair pins & hair accessories
- Plastic bags x 4 (for worn clothes or dirty shoes when returning home)
- Foldable recycle bag or just any good carrier bag (for carrying your loot back to Singapore)
- Safety pins , needle and thread (for last minute costume saving)
- Double sided tape, scotch tape, hot glue etc (reason as above)
A travel savvy friend once told me, its good to scan my passport or IC and then email myself a copy of that. Just in case I ever get into any trouble in a foreign land I’d still have access to my identification document. Just sharing information =D
Climate & what to wear
Photo © http://www.climatetemp.info/
According to the many websites I’ve been to, May should be the end of Spring over at Korea. The average temperature is around 18 degree but can drop to 14 degree or go up to 28 degree. Either way, dress like how you’d dress to stay inside our local air conditioned libraries. Long sleeves, fashionable stockings and jackets would be good enough =)
Where to ?
From what the organising members of SCC have mentioned on the forums. Apparently, the 6 teams would be hosted in Everland Resort.
Everland Resort is a theme park in Yongin, a city in Gyeonggi-do province, South Korea. Everland is South Korea's largest theme park. In 2007, Everland ranked tenth in the world for amusement park attendance[1]. Along with its main attractions, Everland also includes a zoo and a water park known as Caribbean Bay. Everland is operated by Samsung Everland, which is a subsidiary of the Samsung Group.
Everland is often compared to Disneyland by those who have visited both parks, as some consider the architecture, scale, themes and general atmosphere to be very similar.[2]
- Wikipedia
Everland is Opened in 1976, and it is about 1,200,000yd2 It is ranked as the 4th theme park in the world by offering 5 main Festivals and exciting entertainments all year around.
Experience wonderful Festivals and magnificent shows at Everland, 365 days a year.
There are five theme areas along with more than 30 kinds of attractions full of high thrilling and various fun.- Everland.com
Seems like a very beautiful theme park with castle and Victorian like architectural structures! Maybe the 6 teams going over can consider bringing their Victorian styled costumes for some photoshoot sessions :D
Travel Must see?
The 6 teams are supposed to be there for training since it is after all, a boot camp. But all work and no play is boring. So here is a list of travel must see around the area(as recommended by online websites). Obviously this is just a suggested list on my part (and a pretty half hearted list too) so don’t necessarily have to take me seriously hehe =X
Place: Myeong – Dong
Type: Shopping!
Homepage: www.myungdong.co.kr (Korean only)
Introduction
Myeong-dong (명동) is a massive shopping district. Myeong-dong Street is around 1km long and extends from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) to Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. All kinds of brand name shops and department stores are clustered along the streets and alleyways. You can purchase various products such as clothes, shoes, and accessories. Compared to Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many good-quality brands are sold in Myeong-dong. Such stores include Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Apparel, Myeong-dong Migliore and Noon Square. You can purchase good-quality products at the department stores or other fashionable products at reasonable prices at Migliore or Myeong-dong Clothes.. Moreover, all kinds of brand shops are densely located along the main street and lanes.
More Info:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264312
Place: Lotte World, Korea
Type: Theme Parks
Homepage: http://www.lotteworld.com/Global_eng/Main.asp
Introduction
Located in the heart of the city, Lotte World is the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as a folk museum, a lake, and much more.
Lotte World is divided into a '’Adventure’ theme once you are inside the building, and outside is a ‘Magic Island’ theme next to Seokchonhosu Lake. Lotte World Adventure has certain districts representing different countries with various kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy watching parades, numerous films, laser shows, and a variety of international cuisines even during the holidays. Magic Island is situated outdoors, where the dazzling Magic Castle is located as well as thrilling high-altitude rides that you can't experience elsewhere. Be sure to also check out the peaceful walking trail around the lake.
More Info:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264152
Place: Hwaseong Fortress
Type: Fortress
Homepage: ehs.suwon.ne.kr (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese)
Introduction
Hwaseong Fortress is the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, from the latter days of the Joseon Period (1392-1910). Construction began on the fortress began in 1794 and finished in 1796. It was built to show the King’s filial piety toward his father Jangheonseja, and also to build a new city with its own economic power.
More Info:
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264204
Check out this website for more recommended tourist spot!
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Once again, ending my entry abruptly here because I’m getting tired of it ahhaa. I’m sure you guys are really tired of me ending my long entries the same way. But nothing I can do about that I guess :P
Yeap, hope you guys enjoyed reading the entry even if you are like me, not one of the 6 lucky teams to visit Korea. To the 6 teams, prep yourselves well and do the Singapore community proud! There are a lot of awesome Korean cosplayers there so go and show them what Singapore Cosplayers can do!
Comments
Or even in your iTouch if you have one! Good way to remember.
I'm so faving this for reference for when I go again this summer. ^.^
Very cool and useful tips for traveling outside the country. :3