(published at Korea.net)

How many days has it been since that grand opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics? It was grand and impressive in every way and I am proud to be living here in South Korea at this very festive time.

Sadly, I can’t go to Pyeongchang. And there are others who can’t and don’t want to for various reasons but we still want to enjoy and get a little of that Olympic feel. We want to go out of our living room comfort, brave the winter chill and be with the crowd.

Lucky us! There are Live Sites here in Seoul where we can watch Olympic games and have fun and freebies at the same!

I went to some of them over the weekend and here are some sites you can go to until the end of this Olympic season:

The KT Pyeongchang Live Site

The KT Pyeonghang Live Site is at Gwanghwamun Square. Korea Telecom set-up a temporary tent in the middle of the Square so people can gather and watch together. Aside from generously giving warmth to the people getting inside the tent, there are game stations showing the VR technology and 5G capability of Korea Telecoms. We can also get some freebies when we upload photos in our SNS. That explains my SNS (Facebook and IG) uploads! My favorite from KT is the limited edition torch pen that flames up when turned on:

I’m just fascinated with this limited edition LED Olympic torch pen that lights up when switched on. #torchpen #torchflame #Pyeongchang2018livesite #pyeongchang2018

A post shared by Wendyflor (@wendyflor_40) on Feb 16, 2018 at 8:27am PST

Behind the KT tent, Norway and Great Britain each have their own spots. Norway had a long line for a sample of their fresh fish and a photo spot where you can hold Norway’s fresh tuna, salmon and crab. They will also print the photo for you. Great Britain didn’t gather as much interest (no freebie?). But Soohorang and Bandabi, Pyeongchang 2018’s official mascots, had a long line waiting for their turn for photo op. The busiest station was Seoul’s I.Seoul.U. Just upload a photo of you in their designated spots to your social networking sites and you get the I.Seoul.U pin. My friend and I chose the spot outside the tent with Gyeonbukgong and Bughaksan as backdrops:

I Seoul U #iseoulu

A post shared by Wendyflor (@wendyflor_40) on Feb 15, 2018 at 10:11pm PST

I love what I got from I.Seoul.U. For the photo’s backdrop, you can choose which tourist spot photo you can use and the staff will kindly print it for you.

Seoul Plaza Igloo

Every winter, the Seoul Plaza has a skating rink. With Olympics here in South Korea, SK Telecom added an Olympic feel. There are 3 igloos of different sizes beside the skating rink. The smallest igloo is the registration corner.

You have to register for the games (except Ice Jump where you need to line up for your turn) and the short “Winter Fantasy” show.

These games showcase SK Telecom’s 5G capability and are mostly in the biggest igloo. There’s Snow Bounce, Snowball Fight and Snow Drift. My sons weren’t able to play because of height requirements or game schedules had been filled up already. There are photo spots around while waiting for your schedule.

The “Winter Fantasy” was a short video and you have to look up to the igloo’s white dome ceiling to be able to watch. The whole dome serves as the screen.

There is an igloo-like structure set up at the Seoul Plaza. What’s inside? Some games that displays Seoul’s 5G capability… and a short Winter Fantasy show… Reservation for games and show is available at the small igloo just beside the skating rink. Here’s a preview. #Seouligloo #SeoulPlaza #igloo #whitedome #Seoul5G #wiredSeoul

A post shared by Wendyflor (@wendyflor_40) on Feb 17, 2018 at 12:41am PST

The medium-sized igloo has the Snow Race. We weren’t able to get in as we arrived late afternoon already and we were too late for the on-site registration. We settled for some photos instead, to my husband’s consternation, lol!

Hyundai Live Site and I’m Waiting for Me in Korea Cheering Campaign

The Olympics Live showing at the DDP is sponsored by Hyundai. Comes 6pm, it turns on its Light Monument and uploading a Light Monument photo to your SNS will give you a Hyundai souvenir. My sons were happy when I got home:-)!

Got my Hyundai car souvenir and got to have an Olympic torch in my hands, too! This rounds up my Olympic hunting here in Seoul, lol. Thanks to @alfonsoelquatorse ! #olympictorch #hyundaicar #hyundaiofficialOlympicsponsor #ddp #DongdaemunDesignPlaza

A post shared by Wendyflor (@wendyflor_40) on Feb 18, 2018 at 5:21pm PST

And since you’re already at the DDP, visit the I am Waiting For Me in Korea Campaign spot where it has a miniature Sangsang Stadium. Figurines of those who availed the campaign are on display. Currently, there are 2017 figurines. The campaign will draw the 2018th winner this March. How to participate? Have your photo taken at the booth and upload this in your SNS. The organizer will choose the winner soon but the staff didn’t exactly tell us the exact date.

A total of 2017 3D figurines are currently on display in Sangsang Stadium, a miniature recreation of the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pyeonchang Olympic & Paralympic Games… The 2018th cheering member will be chosen soon to have his/her own 3D figurine. Aja! #sangsangstadium #waitinginKorea #pyeongchang2018 #ddp #dongdaemundesignplaza

A post shared by Wendyflor (@wendyflor_40) on Feb 18, 2018 at 4:58am PST

That wraps up my Olympic hunting here in Seoul. It ain’t too late yet as we still have a few remaining Olympic days. Check out these sites and have your share of fun and Olympic freebies, too.

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