Ahhh! It’s been a crazy week for media covering the G20 summit. And lucky for me, my company has provided me with a press pass and ordered me to spend 14 hours in the “media cave center” on Friday. In the meantime, I’ve been cruising around various G20 media events and picked up my press pass and press kit. So here’s a little blog post with some photos!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165847044/
Dining room on Fradia for G20 press dinner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165244681
Handsome Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon singing the praises of his glorious city.
Many of the foreign journalists I spoke to were struck by how handsome Mayor Oh is. One said, “He looks like he could be a TV star!” (It’s kinda true.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165847838
Some babes performed a fusion of traditional-modern Korean music.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165853284
Even though it was crazy cold, I still opted for the Han River cruise. Behind me you can see fancy Banpo Bridge’s fountain.
On Wednesday I went down to COEX to get my press kit. But first I had to pick up my press pass. I expected a madhouse with an insane wait at the KEPCO building (where registration was happening).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165253253
But instead it was beauteously tranquil in there! Everything ran without a hitch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165856744
From there, I was able to gain access to The Fortress Formerly Known as COEX. It was all decked out with super high-tech displays. Even the security was fancy: The airport security-esque scanners read my press pass and when I stepped through the metal detector, it flashed a big “USA” cuz I’m an American.
Here’s some COEX goodness:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165859648
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165864986
Super awesome vending machine (free, of course) that dispenses drinks AS WELL AS digital photos with you posing with your favorite G20 leader. I did one with South Korea’s LMB and <3 President Obama <3!
And behold: THE MEDIA CENTER!!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165257997
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165862988
Media lounge. Brilliant LED screen.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165261563
The media’s very own coffee shop. In addition to (free) regular coffees/espresso drinks, they have stuff laced with red ginseng. I got a red ginseng latte. Good, if a little sweet.
While I was ogling all these fantastic displays, a YTN TV crew asked to inteview me. “But I’m from Yonhap,” I said (FYI: YTN used to be “Yonhap Television News” although I don’t believe they’re completely affiliated anymore).
“It’s OK,” they said.
So they asked me to comment on the high-tech displays. I said something to the effect of, “Whoa, they’re really cool.” (They are, even through my somewhat cynical eyes.)
And guess what? A bunch of colleagues saw me on TV that night! And, haha, YTN identified me just as “an American journalist.”
Anyhoo, here’s another shot of more babes performing Korean music (well, Korean-style covers of classic rock, like Beatles tunes!).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahbae/5165264483
At that event, I was able to meet deputy major Chung Kyung-won, who gave a really good presentation on how Seoul has remade itself to be more appealing. Gotta say, as a Seoul resident since 2007, I’ve seen how a lot of those changes have actually made a difference in how the city looks. It was kinda cool to see a presentation bringing that all to light.
Well, tomorrow I’m off to COEX for the main event, so that’s all til then!
