Seoul Sisters 2: Body and Seoul

MANILA, Philippines - We visited Mi Korean Medicine on Myeong-dong where Dr. Jong Kwon Kim explained the clinic’s philosophy: to be beautiful on the outside, one must receive treatments that are good for the body on the inside.

The clinic offers many Oriental treatments – the doctor points out that Western methods usually treat only the skin, while Oriental treatments target the possible problems within the body that are reflected on the skin.

One interesting treatment available at the clinic is acupuncture that promotes weight loss and face shaping, which is popular among K-pop stars and celebrities, the doctor says.

At the clinic we were taught how to make herbal tea with licorice, angelica root, jujube and solomon’s seal, a mix which is said to be especially good for women’s health.

We also experienced a traditional rice wine facial. According to Kim, in the olden times, women would wash their faces with leftover rice washings. Now, the upscale version is with moisturizing makgeolli, Korean rice wine, and a face mask of ginseng which helps tighten and lift the skin.

Following the prompt of caring for our bodies from within, we dined at Gosang, a restaurant specializing in “medicinal and temple foods.” While this may sound off-putting, you would hardly believe that the food is vegetarian and, more so, medicinal, especially with their modern plating.

We enjoyed seasonal traditional lotus tea, salad with slices of tofu, soup and brown rice served in wooden bowls, and sweet and sour shiitake mushrooms served on a cloud of fried rice paper.

The meal ended with a small bowl of omijacha or five flavor berry tea. The tea is used in traditional Oriental herbal medicine, good for promoting blood circulation, curing asthma, and protecting the kidney and bladder. Named for having the five basic tastes – salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter – the tea was a delightful riddle on the palate.

With our arms laden with shopping bags filled with clothes and cosmetics, and feeling beauty-fied inside and out, we did not fail to notice, as well, the beauty of Korea itself.

The N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain is a popular tourist attraction and a great way to see Seoul’s cityscape from the observatory, rooftop restaurant, and even a sky restroom. The tower is known for its millions of padlocks left by lovers who want to pledge their eternal love.

The tower also houses the Teddy Bear Museum where one can get a crash course in Korean history, retold in teddy bear dioramas.

On building tops, through wide restaurant windows, flashing by on the train – we witnessed Seoul’s beauty. But perhaps the most exciting view of the city I can remember was from the top of the Gyro Swing – one of the top rides at the Lotte World theme park. The ride takes you some 70 meters up, swinging from side to side, and rotating on axis. From there we caught a breathtaking view of the city between heart-stopping plunges and moments of pure flight.

Whether it is screaming together at the top of our lungs in Lotte World, or finding the best bargains in Myeong-dong; dividing a bowl of patbingsu, or toasting with shots of strawberry soju, Seoul offers great moments to share and memories to be made – by long-time friends or new-found travel buddies; by families on vacation, or a group of ladies that can now consider themselves Seoul sisters.