Fourth of July this year brought in a new kind of bang when I attended the Seoul International Wines & Spirit Expo 2024 (SIWSE) hosted at the Coex Exhibition Centre in Gangnam, Seoul, organized by the Korea International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (KIECO). By the end of day three, I felt I had time traveled to tastes steeped in history and back again to the commanding allure that is modern-day Seoul. Unforgettable does not do the experience justice. Being a woman that is well into my ajumma (아줌마/married or middle-aged woman) phase at just a few years short of a half a century, I have fully embraced this part of my story. I’m at the precious age where I often reminisce about the good old days. I recall how interesting life was with good pals and good drinks. Still today, nothing beats a relaxed meal and a nice conversation with a welcomed friend. Wine is often a nice addition to dinner while spirits rarely miss a celebration. So when I traveled to Seoul for SIWSE 2024, I naturally acclimated into the culture of open camaraderie over drinks and became re-energized by the atmosphere. With well over three hundred brands represented from around the world, it was indeed a challenge to traverse the exhilarating maze of wine and spirits. SIWSE 2024 introduced me to several memorable brands that I can’t wait to incorporate into my future stories and share with my treasured friends.
The first day of the expo started off warm and welcoming. It was an excellent day to encounter some happy spirits! After enjoying a light breakfast, I grabbed a taxi with my friend and colleague, A3Day Podcast, and headed over to the Coex Exhibition Center in Gangnam. Not failing my high expectations, the exhibition grounds rose beautifully from the hustle and bustle of Seoul’s city traffic like a welcoming beacon. As I made my way towards the entry, I was greeted by the infamous “Gangnam Style” statue representing global sensation, Psy’s hit song of the same name. Even more than a decade later, both the song and the statue still draw interest and smiles. Of course, I tried to snap a shot here and there, but the crowds were too demanding so I clicked and kept it pushing. Along with several massive halls and spaces, such as a grand ballroom and multiple conference rooms across four floors, that make up the Coex Exhibition Centre, there are also numerous shopping and dining options to choose from. I certainly cannot forget to mention the illustrious Starfield Coex Mall. If you have ever done a Google search on “things to do in Seoul”, one of the most highly recommended stops is the Starfield Library in this mall. Pictures cannot capture the essence that embraces you as you walk into the library. Being an avid reader and lover of storytelling, my heart was enraptured. As I stood there and gaped in awe at the books upon books rising into the heavens, I felt refreshed with every level. I had barely made it to the expo hall and I was already in wonderland.
With a refreshed spirit and clean heart, I grabbed some Korean fried chicken from KFC to get the momentum started. Listen, I wanted to be ready for whatever the day brought, and there is nothing better than Korean fried chicken to prepare the palette (and tummy) for a long day of imbibing! It was the perfect precursor to start my tour of sul (술).
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