The Soul of Seoul | Operation High Jinks

When it comes to summer, all I can think about is getting out and about and having fun. For me, fun includes walking in parks, swimming in the ocean and playing games.

I LOVE a good game. I’ve got a competitive spirit but I also don’t think games are just for the kids. Last year, I noticed that there just weren’t events of the get out and about and learn while playing sort. There used to be many years ago, but seems the groups that used to plan adventurous games stopped. So I took up the helm and planned not one, but two scavenger hunts with the help of some friends.

Scavenging for S(e)oul and The S(e)oul Derby went off amazingly well and in total there were more than 125 people that attended to show off their stuff, race around completing missions and trying to win some amazing prizes. The overall response from participants was that they had a great time, worked well with their teammates and had fun while visiting some sites that they hadn’t known about before but were interested in going back to again. With that, my goal was complete.

Another great thing about the event, is that it allows me to contact local businesses and get them involved too and introduce them to an audience that might not know about them yet. Win win win for everyone!

Missed the event? Don’t worry, you can buy The Seoul Derby – Personal Edition! Head out for fun with friends, family and set your own timeframe!

This year, under the name of “Operation High Jinks” teams will be racing around the Mapo-gu area focusing in on some more off the beaten path locations and Korea of today activities.

Last year, I focused a lot on Jongno and the downtown touristy area with traditional and culture hot spots. THIS year, I wanted to showcase some areas that are not so historical, but still very relevant and fun. Missions may or may not include whipping up some Korean side dishes in a kitchen, posing for a local photographer with amazing skills and running through a traditional market looking for a particular vendor. Just saying… that may or may not be a part of the fun this year. The fun will also end at my friend Ian’s wine tasting venue Vineworks. While we won’t be having a tasting at the end, there will be BBQ and vegetarian friendly dishes on sale to munch on as well as beer/wine and other beverages to drink up while mingling and greeting the other teams who teams have just raced head to head.

Some other friendly local expat bloggers will also be in attendance manning some mission stations and supporting the event. Mika Wells from The Seoul Child, Arielle Pukanecz from Soju4Two and Megan Kelly and Anzette Fernandes from Ginseng and Tonic will be around helping out so do say hi to them as well if you’ll be attending.

Official blurb:

Come for some fun. With clues in hand, teams will race to find as many locations as possible from off the beaten art installations to traditional markets and even some friendly local eateries too. The event will be a cross between scavenger hunt searches and amazing race-esque missions. If you love the show Running Man, this is right up your alley. How much do you know about Seoul? Come test your knowledge with some great people and if you have the stuff, you can even win some fabulous prizes. There are more than W1,000,000 in prizes!

The event will kick-off near Mapo-gu Office Station and will culminate at Vineworks a local expat owned venue near Sangsu Station where we will tally the points while you sit back and relax to chow down and await the announcement of winners.

Vineworks will be providing a BBQ meal for those meat eaters out there and some vegetarian friendly options as well as wine & beer available for purchase by the glass. Everyone gets one FREE drink on arrival too! Cheers!

Sign up as a team of four or if you don’t have a team, not to worry, sign up anyway and we’ll find a team for you! The more the merrier is what we say. We highly recommend getting in the team spirit by dressing in matching colors, shirts or even preparing your own team motto. Hey, you may even get some extra points if you do! (Hint hint)

Sponsors:

이랜드크루즈 Eland Cruise
Aqua Planet Ilsan
Sprout-Natural Healthy Whole Food Servicet
Buttermilk Biscuit Co. – Korea
The Bakers Table
Casablanca Sandwicherie
Morococo Café
Create Wellness Center
Fishisfast
Fromella
트릭아이뮤지엄 (Trickeye Museum)
playplanet
Vineworks Korea
Team Mogo
SpoonMe
Shuttle
… and more to be announced!

Rain or shine we still play

Let the fun begin.