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Teamlab Is Finally Back In Seoul With teamlab:LIFE!
After quite the hiatus from Seoul, Korea, teamLab is finally back! If you missed it a few years ago, there was actually a long term exhibition in Jamsil’s Lotte World Tower called teamLab: World that was awesome. Unfortunately, after a couple years, it closed. Anyone in Korea hoping to visit teamLab were relegated to taking a trip to “nearby” Tokyo to see teamLab: Borderless or Shanghai’s teamLab: Borderless. If you like teamLab, you should still probably go, BUT before teamLab: World ends here in Seoul, go go go! This is NOT a long term exhibit like Borderless or World, this exhibition is only running until April so NOW is most…
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Ami Art Museum: Stop In Chungcheongnam-do Now
Whenever I plan road trips or a day trip in Korea, I get on my map and find all of the random bits and bobs that I’ve tagged and see if anything aligns. So often the coolest of places are found in the most random of places and then ideally, there’s a restaurant or cafe nearby with food so the trip has an experience, some refreshments, and something beautiful. One of my favorite finds that we’ve now visited a few times when moving back and forth across nearby Chungcheongnam-do is Ami Art Museum (아미미술관). It’s a place that combines art, nature, and there’s a nice cafe to get a coffee…
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Yeosu: What To See, Do, Eat & Where To Stay
Popular with Koreans and skipped over by foreigners, Yeosu sits in Jeollanam-do and is so far south that it took me 14 years to get there. Okay, sure, it wasn’t like I wasn’t traveling to other places or literally on a trek to get there for that long. But, it’s one of those cities that has been on my radar for some time. At least as far back as the World Expo which was based there in 2012. Should you go and see all of the cool things to do in Yeosu? Absolutely. Don’t wait as long as I did to take a trip to Jeollanam-do to see this part…
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Things To Do With Kids To Celebrate Chuseok: Arts, Crafts, & Cooking!
Chuseok, or the Korean Thanksgiving, is a national holiday that is celebrated in Korea. Families everywhere migrate across the country to head to their parents’ or grandparents’ home to partake in a feast to thank ancestors and remember those that came before. It’s a special time and for traditional families like mine, we hold Jesa, an ancestral rite, eat, and then play traditional games together. Some years we just stay in Seoul though too and there’s a lot to do for Chuseok even when we stay in Seoul. Wherever you’re celebrating, here are some things you can do with kids for Chuseok. If you’re staying home for Chuseok, or abroad…
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Guide To Gongju: Where To Go, What To See, & What To Do
Gongju city in Chungcheongnam-do, Korea is a hidden gem of a city that has so many historic, cultural, and artistic spots to see that you will want to spend at least a weekend there to see as much as you can. We took a spur of the moment road trip from Seoul a few weeks back to see some of the artistic areas and were surprised to find so many lovely historic and culture places to visit. If you’re looking to head out of Seoul but want a less touristy area, look into Gongju for Korean Hanoks, fortresses, street art, outdoor artworks, and more. Gongju is an awesome spot for…
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Hyesun House: How To Make Makgeolli At Home
In my trajectory of living in Korea and learning to cook and make various Korean side dishes, meals, and so on, I never once considered making my own makgeolli (막걸리), or rice wine… until recently. While I think the rice wine moniker really isn’t the best fit for what is really a farmer’s unfiltered grain alcohol, I do love the drink itself. This year, I started teaming up with Julia Mellor of The Sool Company to create collaborative tours that, I must say, are really unique and offer a special way to learn more about Korean culture but also see some beautiful places and spaces like Sansawon and the Bae…
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Pet Friendly Hotels In Seoul: The Best Places To Stay With Your Dog In Seoul
Seems like everyone has a pet these days which seems like a bit of a new phenom in Korea. I still remember when we got out cats more than a decade ago and older Koreans would tell me cats were NOT good house pets and shouldn’t be kept inside. Whether it’s cats, dogs, or a hedgehog, more and more people are jumping into pet owning and loving. While it may seem like a trend of sorts though, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind any would-be pet owners that owning a pet is not something you should do on a whim and it does cost money. They will become…
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Aqulabo: The Face Mist & Kombucha Toner You Can’t Miss!
When looking for new Korean skincare or beauty brands to try, what is it you look for? If you’re like me, you mostly work off of recommendations because I know there are people around me that just have that insider pass to what’s new and what’s going on in Korean beauty. Aqulabo is a brand that first came onto my radar when I attended an event by the KBeauty Collective here in Seoul. I’ve now used their products for more than a year so I feel like I can really say that their Mask Boosting Jelly Mist and Kombucha Toner are definitely two of my favorite products to use in…
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Raddish Kids Cooking Subscription Review: Recipes For Kids
My daughter is a picky eater. I’ll just put that out there straight away. She likes her foods situated so they’re not touching each other and likes raw vegetables and basic fruits above anything else. In order to help her branch out a bit with food, I wanted to get her more involved in the kitchen and as luck would have it, my mother gifted my daughter a year’s subscription to Raddish Kids. Go grandma! If you’re looking for a cooking subscription box for kids, this might just be the best one for you! Read on to find out. Getting a kids cooking subscription is a great opportunity to get…
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Gunsan’s Seonyudo Island Is The Escape To Take In Jeollabuk-do
Originally called Gunsan-do, Seonyudo Island (선유도) is one of a few islands that are just off the coast of Gunsan in Jeollabuk-do. There are some really stunning places to go on the west coast of Korea and this area is definitely one of them. Take a boat ride that goes in and around the islands and watch as the sun sets on the horizon. It’s beautiful and fun, and an escape from the city and busier areas that makes a vacation spot a perfect getaway. Take a road trip south of Seoul and head here if you can. You need to experience the island life in Korea. Skip around to…
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Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve: Where To Go In Jeollanam-do
Taking a trip to Jeollanam-do, don’t miss the natural wonder of Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve (순천만습지 or 순천만자연생태공원), a world-class wetland located on the southern coast of Korea. Officially certified by the Ramsar Convention and UNESCO, this pristine reserve boasts intact natural coastlines and a diverse ecosystem. One of the most popular places in Suncheon and something that people visiting nearby Yeosu often add to their itinerary, the reserve is beautiful in every season so I’ve been told but is most often showcased in the autumn when the reads are brown and waving in the wind. From rare bird sightings to thriving wildlife, get ready to explore the unique features…
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Finding The West Coast Of Korea: Things To Do In Seocheon-gun
Seocheon-gun in Chungcheongnam-do was a recent stop on a fishy tour south of Seoul and I was really pleasantly surprised with the things we found in the area. We were learning more about Korean laver, stopping into the port city of Gunsan, and having lots of fun. There are plenty of things to do in Seocheon and some really beautiful places to see. The area is often overlooked when planning trips to the west coast of Korea since the popular mud festival in Boryeong is just north and the city of Gunsan is just south. For spreading out and having some less popular but no less fun though, Seocheon is…
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What Is Laver aka Gim? The Korean Superfood That Is On Every Restaurant Table
Gim, a kind of seaweed also called laver, has been one of my favorite foods that I learned to eat while living in Korea. Seaweed is quite the superfood and has tons of health benefits and laver is so yummy to boot. If you’re wondering what is laver, what is gim, what’s the difference and what kind of seaweed it is, then you came to the right place. Laver is often gifted for holidays in Korea because it is just that important and so oft eaten in Korea so whether you’re coming here or are just looking for a healthy superfood to add to your diet, it’s something you should…
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The Hidden Artistic Side Of Gongju, Korea: The Yugu Mural Village
Finding hidden artistic wonders is a talent of mine I’d say and boy do I love when I find a spot that’s worth the hunt. The Yugu Mural Village (유구벽화마을) in Gongju, Korea is one of those places that is off the beaten path in Korea but oh so fun to find. Not only are there artistic things to see, but it tells a story about the village and the past and it’s centered around a local market so there is some good food too. Looking for a weekend away from Seoul? Head to Gongju in Chungcheongnam-do for some beautiful things to see. Here’s all of the information you need…
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The Geumgang Nature Biennale: Finding Bears In Gongju, Korea
I recently took a spur of the moment trip down to Gongju, Korea as the clouds parted, the sun began to shine, and all we wanted to do was get out to see something. I had tagged a few things on my map to check out and one was a forest that seemed to have bears! Okay, no, there are not really bears in Korea, but there are some whimsical bear installations, among other things, along the Yeonmisan Mountain (연미산) trails in Gongju thanks to the Geumgang Nature Biennale (금강자연미술비엔날레). I love finding art parks and art installations in unique places and art installations in forests is really whimsical and…
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Raph&Remy: The Sustainable Baby Onesies, Swaddles & More Made From Bamboo
Always looking for more sustainable and eco-friendly options, I was delighted recently when Raph&Remy reached out and asked if I’d check out their premium bamboo baby essentials. I’ve had no problem finding more sustainable options for myself like my favorite Allbirds Shoes or the compostable phone cases from Pela, but, I find that kids items are always lacking. Even though my little lady is five and growing, my closest besties here in Korea are having their bundles of joys so I said absolutely. Maybe I can get them a gift? Let me check out these chic and sustainable baby essentials that are made from BAMBOO! I don’t remember ever seeing…
