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Korean Tie Chogakbo Pattern

andy — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:13:06 +0000

Chogakbo Pattern

In the period of the Yi Dynasty, our ancestors saved tens and hundreds scraps of cloth left over and quilted them together to create wrapping clothes or covers called CHOGAKBO. Now we take the unique shape and outstanding beauty of CHOGAKBO and applied them to modern style, creating scarf, necktie, and other miscellaneous goods.

I just returned from a business trip to Korea, but I didn’t have time to visit Mr. Bo and get a new suit (only a week trip). I did have time to do some shopping in Seoul in Itaewon. Had a great time wandering around buying trinkets for the girls, and I picked myself up a Chogakbo patterned tie. The tie is made up of thousands of patches of silk sewn together. I’ve no idea where I bought the tie (I should have taken a picture of the shop) but hope I can find the shop and buy another when I get back to Seoul….

Namdaemun (숭례문), Southern Gate, Seoul Korea, Destroyed in Fire

andy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:40:00 +0000

This makes me so sad to see this kind of thing. To think that a few months ago, a few of my work buddies took a walk down to see the Gate one night. It really was odd, in that you could walk right up to the gate, at 11pm at night. It was more an open park, no fences or anything. Just a giant traffic circle around the outside, and a few tourists. I took a few good pictures (I wasn't carrying my camera, so while they went 'juicy', I walked back to get my camera and a few pictures.) That was the end of our trip (I was going home that day) and we had just came over from Pyongtaek-City — 50 some miles, but 3-4 hours in Asian traffic. I really didn't want to go out and see anything, but now I am glad I did.

SEOUL, South Korea — The destruction in a fire of the 600-year-old southern gate to what was once the walled city of Seoul, a landmark that survived foreign invasions and wars to be designated South Korea’s top national treasure, has shocked the nation.

A 69-year-old man suspected of setting the fire was arrested Monday night on Kanghwa Island, west of Seoul, The Associated Press reported the police as saying. The man was identified only by his family name, Chae.

South Korean Gate Destroyed in Fire – New York Times

Here are a few pictures I got that night in October

Kkul tteok (꿀떡)

andy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:09:22 +0000

Isn’t wikipedia great? I took this picture over in Korea at an open air market outside of Osan. I had no idea what it was, but there were big bowls sitting out for sale. I noticed the picture was posted to wikipedia, and the food is Kkul tteok (꿀떡), a Korean dessert made with honey — I should have tried it!

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Probably because the kkul tteok was on the same plate as squid, I had lost my appetite…

My favorite picture from the trip, though, was taken on the streets of Anjung-Ri

Click here to see a slide show of all my Korea pictures

Korean Tailor wishes Mr. Andy Merry Christmas!

andy — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:11:00 +0000

Just got a Christmas card from my Korean Tailor, Mr. Bo's GQ! I've bought a handful from him, so I'm probably a good client. They are well made, and when I upgraded to a better fabric, I really like the jackets. He was a bit rushed last time (Even though I told him which day I was leaving, I don't think it was done in time — you can tell that some of the stitches aren't up to snuff…) Nonetheless, I love the jackets, and will probably get another one when I go back — you just can't beat a garment that is made exactly for you….

Next time you go to Osan Air Force Base, or are in Pyongtaek-City, stop and tell Mr. Bo I sent you…(although he still won't give me a discount). It's right out the front gate, about 2 blocks down on the left, across from Golden Gate and The Sting.

Mr. Bo's G.Q. custom tailoring.

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