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By Lee Ji-hye
For Korean high schoolers, there is no more important or stress-packed day than the day they take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), also known as "suneung."
On this day, students file into classrooms with their lunch, good luck charms, blankets and everything they need for a long day of testing.
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For students, it's a stressful experience.
A small consolation is that at the end of the day, they can use their test admission ticket – the piece of paper they present to enter the test venue – to get some freebies.
Here's six free incentives offered up by businesses when students present their tickets.
Half-off tickets for KTX, a.k.a. the ‘healing train'
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From Nov. 14 to Dec, 21, if a student presents their test ticket at a train station, they can get up to a 50 percent discount on tickets for the express rail KTX.
The students receive a 50-percent discount for KTX cinema seats – which are on cars that show a movie – and up to 40 percent off on regular seats.
A test taker can get the discount for a friend as well.
KORAIL also operates "healing trains" for test-takers nationwide on December 5.
There involve two-day trips visiting Jeongdongjin Sunrise Park, Chujeon Station, Chulam Station and Buncheon Station.
This "healing train" departs from three stations: Seoul Station, Cheongnyangni Station and Wonju Station.
Tickets for the healing train cost 56,000 won.
For further details, go to KORAIL's official website, www.letskorail.com, or call its customer service center, 1544-7788.
Go watch a movie
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There are various packages. The first, an "energy-recharging movie party," offers a 2,000 won discount on films.
CGV cinema aims to "give comfort to the tired students after the big test" by offering various discounts. The event is to continue for over a month from November 13 to December 19.
The "five-senses-rejuvenating backpack trip" offers the chance to enter a raffle for a free backpacking trip.
The "emotional recharging movie healing" event allows test-takers to compete for a personalized selection of movies "that they've wanted to see during test prep period" to be screened at a CGV theater.
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Lotte Cinema is also hosting a "Good Luck" event from November 13 to December 19.
Students can buy tickets at a discounted rate of 6000 won. Snacks and drinks are discounted as well.
Go shopping
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AK Plaza in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, has announced a "Young Fashion Week" for test-takers to purchase items at a special price.
Nike, Adidas and Quicksilver products will be available for discounted prices.
AK Plaza in Bundang will offer up to 80-percent discounts on brands such as VOV and Armani. AK Plaza in Pyeongtaek will offer discounted items as well.
Other locations such as shoe store ABC Mart and online shopping store CJ Mall will have special CSAT events as well.
Something fishy's goin' on
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At the Hanhwa Hotel and resort in Yeosu, suneung-takers can get a 50 percent discount off for the "BIG 3" event from Nov. 13 to 30.
This includes an entrance to the aquarium, a trick art exhibition and a 3-D movie theater.
Go to an amusement park
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Lotte World Adventures will also hold an event from Nov. 13 to Dec. 14 titled, "Suneung escape! Suneung Healing!"
A weekly pass for the theme park will be sold at a discounted price of 15,000 won during the day, and 12,000 at night.
The original prices for the passes are 40,000 won and 32,000 won each.
Chow down on the Han River
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| Courtesy of Hyosung |
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that test-takers will be able to get a free meal on the Floating Island Buffet restaurant and a free ride on the Han River cruise ship.
In the case of more than four people visiting the restaurant together, an additional member can enjoy a free meal as well.
The free cruise ride event for test-takers will take place from November 14 to December 31.
For more information, visit the cruise's official website, https://www.elandcruise.com or call 02-3271-6900
The classic chill-down option
Just stay at home and take a nap. You had a long day.
