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The Coolest Culture Space In Korea Is In A Cave In Gwangmyeong
In the summer we were studying rocks and lava and decided to take a field trip south to Gwangmyeong Cave, or Gwangmyeongdonggul, (광명동굴). When Seoul starts to get too hot and humid to bear, take a trip here. The interior of the cave has a dramatic temperature difference from the outside and you can fill it literally as soon as you take one step in the entrance. Visiting is a really cool thing to do near Seoul… literally. Once a mine, today, it is the largest themed cave park in Korea. Plan your visit to Gwangmyeong Cave: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of…
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Udo Island: A Guide To The Island Off The Coast Of Jeju Island
Jeju Island is much larger than you might expect which means you really need to know what you want to see before you go and stay near those things. If you’re staying on the west side of Jeju Island, for example, then you would really never have time to get to Udo Island which is off the eastern coast of the island. Stay near the beautiful Seopjikoji though, and you will definitely and should definitely make time for a daytrip to Udo Island. If you’re staying in the right place, or going to take the time to stay ON Udo Island, then here is the guide for you. Check out…
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Everything You Need To Know To Buy A Modern Hanbok Online
Are you ready to buy a modern Hanbok? Have you seen some of your favorite K-pop artists wearing Hanboks? Or maybe you’re just getting ready for an upcoming Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, or Seollal, Lunar New Year, holiday. Whatever the reason, here is everything you need to know to buy a modern Hanbok online. I have four Hanboks myself, a traditional Hanbok and three modern Hanboks, and I’m ready to get you ready to buy a Hanbok yourself. Traditional has become trendy. Get your modern Hanbok now: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to…
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How To Celebrate The Year Of The Tiger In Korea
Happy New Year! 2022 has begun and with it the Year of the Tiger, the black tiger to be precise. In Korean, this year is called “Iminnyeon”, 임인년, with “Im” meaning black, “in” meaning tiger, and “nyeon” meaning year. Korea is known as the “Land of tigers”. Tigers, which once roamed the Korean peninsula, are so ingrained in Korean history and folklore that you’ll even see Korea depicted as a tiger… it just takes a little imagination. So, what does the Year of the Tiger mean? And, how can you celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Korea? Here’s what you need to know… What to know about the Year…
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How To Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Seoul
Ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Korea? Like many places around the world, on New Year’s Eve there are parties galore across the country from Seoul to Busan and everywhere in between. But I think it should be noted that traditionally, January 1st is celebrated with a sunrise hurrah not a midnight kiss. These days there is a lot to do from night to morning though. Whether you want to celebrate traditional Korean style or are looking for where to countdown in Seoul or maybe where to see fireworks in Seoul, there is plenty to do to ring in the New Year in Seoul. There are numerous ways to…
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What To Wear In Winter In Korea: Uniqlo Heattech
Winter in Korea can be really frigid and apparently this year is going to be colder than most. Are you ready? Usually people ask when they can see snow in Korea, but it’s really important to ask if they can even be outside in the winter. Some winters are really mild and quite nice, but others are frigid frigid frigid and you really need to prepare or you’ll just be running from interior space to interior space to stay warm. There are a few things that I make sure we have every year and one thing I make sure everyone in my family has is Uniqlo Heattech. To be honest,…
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How To Transfer Money To / From Korea
I was working on a trends report recently and one of the sections was on apps for people sending money to/from Korea. I have lived in Korea for 15 years and way back at the beginning, the only way to transfer money outside of Korea was to go into the bank and initiate a international remittance with the teller. The process took some paperwork each time. It got a bit easier over time to send money abroad from Korea but nowhere near what you can do now. I had gotten so used to using the bank systems that I didn’t realize there were new and amazing startups, companies, and apps…
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Travel Back In Time In Naganeupseong Folk Village In Suncheon
Having visited the Naganeubseong Folk Village (순천 낙안읍성), or Nagan Folk Village, twice in the past year, it’s high time I write about this charming and very unique folk village in Korea. Considered the best preserved Korean fortress town in the country, this is absolutely something you need to see in Jeollanam-do. Not only is it the best preserved, but it’s still active! There are 100 households with a bit over 200 residents that live in the traditional thatched roof homes in the village. It’s pretty amazing really. The town has been growing in popularity over the past few years but is still very much a hidden gem in Korea…
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Boseong Green Tea Fields: How To Get There & What To See
Did you know the green tea terraces of Boseong are green year round? I just found out and I think that is awesome because while it can be a rather popular place to visit in the spring and the summer, maybe more people should go in the autumn and winter instead. The Boseong green tea fields, as they’re often called, will still be quite gorgeous… which I can say from experience as I’ve just been there, whenver you want to visit Jeollanam-do. Looking for a beautiful escape this winter in Korea? Or maybe you are looking for things to do in Jeollanamdo. Whether you’re a tea lover, nature lover, or…
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8 Things To Do At Dongdaemun Design Plaza
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자), often referred to as DDP by locals, is one of those cool things to see in Seoul that is on numerous list after list of the architectural must-see’s in the capital city of Korea. Seoul was even named the World Design Capital in 2010 because of the DDP. The building is iconic and is actually the world’s largest atypical architecture. Often the home of artistic exhibitions, like TeamLab, but also home to Seoul’s fashion week, there is always something to see… if the building itself isn’t enough. But really, it is. There are a ton of things to do in Dongdaemun but this is definitely…
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Cheonggyecheon Stream: A Guide To One Of The Top Things To See In Seoul
Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) is one of the top things touted on lists of things to see in Seoul, South Korea. The river which starts near Gwanghwamun Square and eventually ends at the Han River is where the Seoul Lantern Festival is held each year among other popular annual events. Whether it’s summer or autumn, if you want to take a walk in downtown Seoul, this where you should go. I’ve had a goal to walk the entire length of the Cheonggyecheon Stream for a few years now and finally got around to it this year. After 15 years living in Seoul, yes, I have odd goals, but there it is.…
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12 Things You Should Know About Pepero Day
Oh Pepero Day (빼빼로 데이), the Korean holiday that you might love or love to hate. I guess it depends on whether you like the Korean snack, Pepero, though. If chocolate covered cylindrical cookies are your jam, then this is a holiday for you! Do you know how many romantic holidays there are in Korea? More than 12. Learn about the other romantic holidays in Korea here. Come November, snack shelves in Korean convenience stores, grocery stores, and every other store, feature a substantial number of this popular Korean snack item. Want to know more about this romantic holiday in Korea? You’ve come to the right place. Here are 12…
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The Best Korean Ramyeon & Where To Get It
Looking for the best Korean ramyeon? You’ve come to the right place. Every time we head home to the US, my sisters inevitably ask my Korean husband to make them ramyeon at some point. It’s not that they can’t make it themselves, but some years ago they realized while watching him make it that they had just been boiling water and he actually made a meal. Korean ramyeon, or Korean instant noodles, can actually really hit the spot… if you know the good ones to get and how to prepare them. Korean food has gained a ton of attention in recent years and Korean instant ramyeon has gained much of…
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Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do: A Guide To This Hidden Gem In Korea
Geochang, Korea is an unassuming area with a lot to share. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Korea with natural views, a ton of history, and fun things to see, this don’t miss Geochang in Gyeongsangnam-do. Haven’t heard of the area before? Wondering what is there to do in Geochang? If you like mountains and views, then it should be on your radar. Take a trip in South Korea and see what you can see. Plan your trip now. There are plenty of things to do in Geochang and more: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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23 Places To See Pink Muhly In Korea In The Fall
While most people probably think of deep reds, yellows, and browns in the autumn, pink is sure becoming a standard autumn color in Korea these days. Pink muhly fields are all the rage each fall in Korea ever since a restaurant in Jeju brought the plant to the country. I’m sure they had no idea what they were doing and what they would unleash, but now there are fields and fields of the beautiful pink wispy grasses that make visitors look like they’re floating on pink clouds in the sky. If you love finding flowers in Korea as much as I do, then read on because this one is for…
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57 Things That Might Surprise You When You Live In Korea
I’ve been living in Korea for 15 years and I still walk down the street and find things surprising. I don’t think there’s a right way or a wrong way to do things, there are just a lot of different ways to do something so with that in mind, here are 57 things that might surprise you when you come to Korea. From fans that might kill you to bidets everywhere… there’s a whole lot of cool, interesting, and different things you might not have realized. Here is what to expect when you come to Korea. My biggest tip if you’re planning to move to Korea is to come with…
