-
2025 Seoul Lantern Festival: A Winter Walk With Lights in Downtown Seoul
You might think winter nights in Seoul are quiet, best kept indoors, but head downtown to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square and you’ll see dazzling lights glowing in the dark. The Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) is an exhibition of traditional hanji lanterns and vivid LED installations on the most popular stream in downtown Seoul, Korea. Free to visit, and perfect for slow night strolls and photos, the festival has run since 2009 and now draws millions each winter in Korea with displays and light shows. If you’ll be in Seoul this December, save the dates on your calendar and make sure to visit to see the colorful displays. (This post…
-
Cosmetic Surgery in Korea: My Experience With Genioplasty, Elasticum, Accu 2 Part, and Submentoplasty
When you think of traveling to South Korea, you probably imagine bustling Seoul streets, K-dramas, or maybe a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae. But for millions of visitors, there’s another reason to book a flight here: cosmetic and medical tourism. There has been a boom in recent years with tourists coming to Korea for not only surface level beauty treatments like facials, but more in-depth medical treatments. Korea offers not only highly trained specialists and cutting-edge procedures, but also affordable prices compared to the US or Europe. A treatment that might cost thousands of dollars in New York could be a fraction of the price in Seoul. I’ve lived in…
-
Jinjak Kakii: Where To Eat Oysters in Bukchon
Did I find the largest oysters in Seoul? I think I did! While seafood is usually something I look for when I’m visiting the coasts of Korea, when presented with oysters, my husband will tell you I can’t pass them up. Jinjak Kakii (진작 카키), a restaurant serving some of the biggest, freshest oysters I’ve ever eaten, is now on my list for where to eat in the Bukchon Hanok Village and it should be on yours too! On the quieter side of the touristy downtown area of Seoul, it is near two other favorites, Salt House Deli and London Bagel Museum. Jinjak Kakii has oysters from Tongyeong, Korea and…
-
Boutijour Lotus Leaf Anti-Pollution Repairing Toner & Snow Lotus Lifting Serum Review
You might not think of lotus leaves when you reach for skincare, but in Korea, they’ve long been a symbol of resilience, purity, and renewal. Boutijour takes that tradition and bottles it into modern, mindful formulas designed for today’s busy, urban lifestyles. If you’re looking for skincare that feels indulgent yet practical, and offers protection against city living, these two products deserve a closer look: the Lotus Leaf Anti-Pollution Repairing Toner and the Snow Lotus Lifting Serum. I got to learn about Boutijour at their shop in Seoul and now after a full year using their toner and serum, I’m in love. It was love at first sight, but now…
-
Urban Regeneration in Korea: Factories, Bunkers, and Parks Turn Arts & Culture Hubs
You might think trash plants and bunkers don’t belong on your travel list, but in Korea they make for some of the coolest arts and culture spaces around. Over the past decade, cities around Korea have turned oil depots, rail stations, and military sites into cafes, galleries, playgrounds, and performance halls. If you want to travel like a local, see urban regeneration in Korea, and visit some truly inspiring art spaces, these regenerated spaces from Seoul to the DMZ, Jeonju, Daegu, and Incheon should be highlights you look for. Check out this guide to how Korea is reusing spaces to create thriving cultural hubs: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
-
Korea In October: The Weather, Travel Tips, Flowers and Things To Do
October in Korea is peak autumn, and it’s every bit as magical as it sounds. The days are cool but not cold, and the skies are often a brilliant blue. That doesn’t mean it’s all crisp air and falling leaves just yet. Not at all. October has an energy that combines the best of summer’s warmth and autumn’s charm. Having spent years exploring Korea in October, I can confidently say it’s one of the best times to visit. The foliage is breathtaking, with fiery reds and golden yellows in every direction, and the air is perfect for hiking, strolling, or just sitting back with a warm drink. Whether you’re here…
-
Korean Chinese Food: Jjajangmyeon, Jjamppong and What To Order
My favorite thing about ordering Chinese food in Korea from the start was that it was brought on plates and bowls which the delivery drivers came back to pick it up after you finished. You might not fly to Korea planning to eat Chinese food, but maybe you should. It wasn’t the first food I set out to eat here, but it has become a comforting staple. Born from Chinese immigrant communities and adapted for Korean tastes, Korean Chinese food has given us some delicious dishes like jjajangmyeon (짜장면), jjamppong (짬뽕), and tangsuyuk (탕수육). Get the backstory about the rituals, roots, and delicious dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Find…
-
Museum of Contemporary Art Busan: Where Art and Nature Meet
Picture Busan, Korea and visions of beaches and seafood may come to mind, but there’s also a thriving art scene waiting to be explored. We’re most often in Busan outside of beach season, so we’ve seen a lot more museums than sand. One of the best places to dive into contemporary art in Korea is in Busan, the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan (MOCA Busan) (부산현대미술관) was opened in 2018 on Eulsukdo Island. The building itself is a piece of art, wrapped in living greenery as part of the installation Vertical Garden by French botanist Patrick Blanc. Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibitions, interactive installations, and even a dedicated children’s library…
-
WHIPPED Korean Skincare Review: Cleanser, Scrub and Soufflé Cream
Korean skincare has a reputation for innovation, but sometimes a brand comes along that feels fresh and fun, something a bit different. WHIPPED is one of those brands. With airy, whipped textures inspired by homemade recipes, their vegan products look and feel indulgent while delivering serious results. From creamy cleansers to soufflé-like moisturizers, every product feels decadent… and their descriptions might make you think they’re edible… but don’t eat them. After visiting the WHIPPED House in Seongsu-dong in Seoul, I walked away with WHIPPED’s bestsellers: the Vegan Pack Cleanser, the Muhwabutter Scrub, and the Yujamong Vita Soufflé Cream. Sharing that signature “whipped” texture, they all bring something a bit different…
-
Fine Dining at Confier: Where Korean Ingredients Meet French Artistry
You may not expect to find one of Seoul’s most creative fine dining experiences to be tucked beneath an office building near Seoul Station, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Confier (콘피에르). Hidden in the basement, behind a large ominous door with a rock-like handle, this restaurant creates an experience from entrance to dessert. Chefs become actors creating dishes in the open kitchen and dishes unfold like scenes in a play, expertly introduced by waitstaff. If you’re looking for an evening that blends artistry, atmosphere, and flavor, this is a stage worth stepping into. Definitely one of the best restaurants near Seoul Station, it’s the perfect spot for a memorable…
-
Tot Seaweed in Korea: How To Eat It and Why It’s Healthy
When most people think of Korean seaweed, gim (김) or dried sheets of laver, or miyeok (미역) which is used in Korean birthday soup, usually comes to mind. But, there’s another sea vegetable that has been part of the Korean diet for centuries: tot (톶). We’ve been eating more and more living in Jeju, so I did a deep dive into this kind of seaweed, how to cook it, and what to make with it. If you’ve spent time along Korea’s southern coast or browsed a local market in Jeju, you may have seen bundles of wiry, dark brown seaweed piled high. That’s tot, and while it doesn’t look like…
-
Korea In September: The Weather, Travel Tips, Flowers and Things To Do
September in Korea marks the start of autumn, where the summer heat begins to fade, and the air turns crisp and refreshing. Well the summer heat is supposed to fad. Last year, it was the hottest September on record. September is usually a delightful mix of warm days and cooler nights, perfect for enjoying both outdoor and indoor activities. After almost two decades here, I’ve learned that September is the month where Korea’s nature really begins to transform. The first hints of autumn colors appear in the mountains, and festivals celebrating the harvest season are in full swing. Pack layers to stay comfortable, and get ready for beautiful hikes, cultural…
-
Saeseom Island: The Island You Can Walk To From Seogwipo via Saeyeongyo Bridge
Seogwipo on Jeju’s southern coast is famous for its waterfalls, seafood, and vibrant portside atmosphere, but if you head just a few minutes from the bustle, you’ll find one of my favorite peaceful escapes: Saeyeongyo Bridge (새연교) and Saeseom Island (새섬). Recently, my daughter has been taking a class in the city for a couple hours each week, and this has become our go-to spot for a quiet walk that fits perfectly into that window of time. You’ll spot the bridge to the island first with its striking sail-shaped design, Saeyeongyo is the longest pedestrian bridge in Jeju. At night, it lights up in colorful illuminations that shimmer against the…
-
The Most Popular Korean Alcohol and What To Eat With Each
I remember my first few years in Korea being scolded a number of times by Korean friends, who, to be fair, were really just shocked I had no idea what libations pair with which cuisine options in Korea. Coming from the perspective that steak can pair equally well with wine as it can with beer, it was then that I realized Koreans have a very different relationship with alcohol and the food they eat with it. In Korea, alcohol and food are paired with purpose and it’s not just about taste. Drinking isn’t something you do alongside food, it’s something you do with food. There’s rhythm, order, and of course…
-
Podo Museum Doesn’t Have Grapes, But It’s One Of The Best Art Museums In Jeju
Come to Jeju Island in South Korea and you’ll find a Citrus Museum, a Lemon Museum, and a Podo Museum (포도뮤지엄). Imagine my surprise when I rocked up to the Podo Museum, podo means grape in Korean, and there weren’t any grapes in sight! Jokes aside, Jeju Island isn’t just about beaches and lava tubes, though those are beautiful and interesting, it’s also home to a growing collection of inspiring art museums. Among them, the Podo Museum has quickly made a name for itself as one of the most thought-provoking cultural spaces on the island. Did I enjoy my visits? I did and I think you will too. Here’s what…
-
Discover Seoul’s Most Sustainable Building (and the Fun Inside!)
I know I’m not the only one that endeavors to teach my child to care for the earth, recycle, reuse, and all of those good things so I know I’m not the only one that will find what the Seoul Energy Dream Center (서울에너지드림센터) is doing not only educational, but cool and interesting too. Located in the World Cup Park, this is Korea’s first energy-independent public building, an amazing example of how science, design, and sustainability can come together. Not just a building though, it’s a museum, and they offer some amazing programs completely free. Get ready to learn about energy saving in Seoul. Plan a visit to the Seoul…
