Venue: Where is AX-Korea

Some people I met had a hard time finding the place. It's especially hard to find when you're getting there right before a concert starts and there aren't fangirls or fanboys to follow. Or even those ajusshis that sit on the side of the road selling stuff that you can ask directions.

I've gone there several times and let me tell you that if weren't for the fangirls, I probably would have gotten lost the first few times. So here's my step-by-step directions to AX-Korea.


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ADDRESS: 319-33 Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
METRO STOP: Gwangnaru Station (광나루역) Line 5. Exit 2
DIRECTIONS: Go out exit 2 and you should come out to a crosswalk. A big black building building should be right in front of you. It looks something like this:

The building in front of the AX-Korea Theater

You will want to cross the road and head to that building. It's not the actual AX-Korea building, but the theater is behind it and that's where you need to go. So after you cross the road and head left toward that black building you should get to a place that looks like this on your right.:

This should be on your right

Head toward that big black ball and go under it.

Turn right.

You want to head right here. 

Go straight

It's pretty much a straight shot from here. You'll arrive at your destination and enjoy whatever live music or theater show that you came here to see.

THE LAYOUT: AX-Korea is a live house that features a standing area that can double as a mosh pit sometimes (FTIsland concert became a mosh pit in standing D:) The sections are usually cut in sections A, B, C & D. A and B are standing and close to the stage. C & D are sitting but still on the first floor. AX has a balcony up top for sitting as well. It's a really small venue and is a good place to enjoy concerts in. 

Review: Play! FTIsland concert 2011.08.20

If you're not really into K-pop or just really not into the cutesy teenypop that most boybands are famous for, but just want to go to something that won't bore you but is still korean, then I recommend going to an FTIsland concert. Though you'll have to deal with a bunch of screaming girls (which is typical for most concerts anywhere in the world) FTIsland doesn't have the same bubble-gum pop feel to them. In fact, I would go as far as to call them an actual band. All the members play an instrument or more. The lead singer is an amazing performer that knows how to work a stage (and how to work his women up into a frenzy). Standing can become something like a moshpit because everyone is jumping around to the music. Definitely the best live band I've gone to in Korea. Not only are they all very talented men, they're cute to boot. And well, for someone like me, that's really all that matters.

Here's a few of their official music videos if you think you'd like to go to their concert. Be reminded that their songs sound at LEAST 100x better in real life than they do on any of their albums. I was a luke warm fan when I first heard their songs. I thought they lacked the rock feel for a proclaimed 'rock' band. And then I heard them live and went 'WELL...THAT'S WHERE THE ROCK WENT.'

Where is KBS Super Junior's Kiss the Radio (Sukira)?

Super Junior's Kiss the Radio (also known as SuKiRa)is a radio program in which Super Junior members Eeteuk and Eunhyuk DJ. On some days you can watch the show live (these are called 'BORA' shows) by going to the KBS studios. To find out if a show is going to be shown live, you can either find out by going to the homepage of Kiss the Radio or checking out fansites. I find that most forums will give you a list of viewable Sukiras for the week.

Many people make the mistake of directing people to the KBS Hall, which is in fact a totally different building. What you really want is the KBS Main Station (방송국 본관). The window to see inside the studio is facing the street so you probably won't miss it if you are on the right road. And being on the right road is the reason why you're here right?


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ADDRESS: 대한민국 서울특별시 영등포구 여의동 KBS방송국 본관
METRO STOP: National Assembly (국회의사당) Line 9. Exit 4
DIRECTIONS: The simplest way to get there is to walk straight out of exit 4, going straight until you hit the end of the road and then turn right. The location is to your right and it's really hard to miss especially at night. The sign there glows very brightly. Not only that, but there will be a gathering of girls there waiting for it to start.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?:

Credit: boannews
The viewing window is right below this sign which glows at night.

WHAT TO DO?: There are a number of things you can do when you get there. They leave the doors to the indoor part of the studio open for the girls to come in and give their boys gifts. You can watch the boys enter and leave the studio from here. You can't get too close, but it allows for a small photo opportunity for fans.

Outside is the window for viewing. The benches will be marked off by girls who came earlier and left a piece of paper there to mark their place. These girls are usually fans that run websites and need the pictures for those websites. Please let them take their pictures because most of them are nice (at least the ones I've met) and will move or make room for you if you want to see them later on in the show. Most of them will leave after the first hour, some will not.

WHAT TO PACK?: Rain gear or a fan during summer months, and a heavy jacket for the winter ones. The place where they have Sukira is actually covered a bit, but when the rain blows, it comes into where you stand and that's just unpleasant. Remember your camera (the one with the good lens) if you want pictures. And try not to make your signs too big because they irritate everyone around you who want a look at the boys too.

Most of the people there will be foreigners, like you and me, so you won't have too much of a hard time communicating with other fans. All in all, it's a great place to meet other fans as well as get some quality time with boys that you probably won't be able to meet otherwise (unless they're promoting in Korea, which doesn't happen very often...)

The 'Why did you name your blog 'the korean codex'' post

The first book I ever bought was called 'The RIvan Codex'. It was a small handbook that accompanied the series 'The Belgariad' by David Eddings. It wasn't needed, but it was there, for those who wanted extra information and background material. Which is exactly what this blog is about.

Hopefully you won't find it too upsetting. Besides, it's just a name right>

Where can I get fingerprints done in Korea?

This has to be the most commonly asked question I've had from Americans since moving here. After the Korean government decided to ask for an FBI Criminal Background Check instead of a state one, people have been frantic to get them done. It is a long and arduous process that is made even more ridiculously difficult by how much problems you run into trying to get the fingerprints done at all. But don't fret! I'm trying to compile a list of places that are Foreigner Friendly and easy to get to.

RECOMMENDED POLICE OFFICES:

SEOUL:

Jongro Police Department
Address: South Korea Seoul Jongno-gu Gyeongun-dong 90-18
Directions: Subway line 3, Anguk station (안국역) Exit 6


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The map makes it out to be a lot farther from the exit but it's not. There are two different buildings: one with a parking lot outside of it (it is behind the exit of the station) and then a really sad looking building right out front of the exit (you can see a picture of it here). This is the building where their CSI office is and where you can get your fingerprints done. The door itself it locked, but just knock and someone will let you in. If no one answers, the building just left of it has many police officers around to help you get in. That building is where you can go to get a KOREAN apostille.

Notes: After being denied by NO LESS than three different local (dong) police offices I decided to go all the way into Seoul for my fingerprints. A bit out of the way considering I live in Suwon and I had work later that day, but well worth it. Anguk Police Department was AMAZING. They were kind and helpful through the entire process. The people there are used to it so there aren't many questions except 'how many copies?'

Please comment and give me any information you might have on other police offices that do fingerprints and I'll add it to this list!